Trail of the Hanged Man (9 page)

When they arrived at the ranch Ingrid and Violet were spreading a blue-and white-checkered table cloth over the picnic table in front of the house. A breeze made the heat tolerable and Joey, arm still in a sling but moving more spryly now, kept the cloth from being blown away by weighting the corners with smooth flat rocks.

Once they had all washed up and were seated, Sven thanked the Lord for their food and their blessings and everyone tucked in. There were hard-boiled eggs, cold roast-chicken, mashed potatoes, baked beans, home-baked bread and pitchers of pantry-cool lemonade made, Ingrid announced, by Violet.

Lawless watched Raven, seated opposite, as Ingrid praised Violet and Joey for all their help and saw the resentment
building
in her eyes. His gaze shifted to Joey. Since returning from the reservation, the boy had been uneasy around him, barely
speaking
and doing all he could to avoid being alone with him. Now, as he caught Lawless looking at him, Joey quickly looked away and from then on kept his eyes on his plate. Lawless guessed the boy was still angry at him for shooting him, and knowing only time could heal Joey’s anger he turned his attention to Ingrid. Head thrown back, hair as gold as wheat in sunshine, she was laughing at something Sven had said. It was a wonderful laugh, spontaneous and musical, and Lawless knew he’d made a mistake by agreeing to stay – even for a few days. He wanted this woman more than he had thought possible, and every moment he was around her made him desire her more.

The sound of horses approaching jarred his thoughts. He, and the others at the table, turned and saw a dozen riders approaching. They were grim, hard-looking men, all armed with rifles and six-guns, and led by a man in an expensive white Stetson on a magnificent all-black stallion.

Lawless instinctively dropped his hand to his Colt. ‘You know who they are?’ he asked Sven.

Sven nodded, momentarily too surprised to answer. ‘That’s Mr Stadtlander,’ he said finally. ‘And the men, they’re some of his riders, the Double SS boys. Remember, we were talking about him yesterday. How powerful he was?’

Lawless nodded.

‘I don’t get it,’ Sven said. ‘What the devil is he doing out here?’

‘Maybe they want to water their horses,’ Ingrid said. Turning to Lawless, she added, ‘When we first settled here we
occasionally
saw him and his son, Slade, in Santa Rosa. But then Mr Stadtlander’s gout and arthritis got worse and after that we never saw him again.’

‘That’s Slade riding beside him,’ Sven said. ‘The man wearing the gray hat, on the buckskin.’

‘And that black horse Mr Stadtlander’s on,’ Violet said, ‘that’s the mean one Joey was talking about.’

Lawless looked at the gleaming black Morgan stallion,
admiring
its smooth, effortless gait, proudly arched neck and long flowing mane and tail. It was a horse that most men could only dream of owning, one that made all other horses Lawless had seen seem insignificant. Impressed, he studied the man riding it. Stadtlander was short, squat and powerfully built. But Lawless could tell by the way he sat in the saddle, shoulders hunched over and left hand curled unnaturally inward that arthritis was already starting to cripple him. But he was not surrendering easily. Despite the gray streaking his wavy brown hair and
gunfighter
’s mustache, his square, jut-jawed face was filled with arrogance and contempt for anyone who stood in his way. This
was a man, Lawless knew, who felt he was above the law.

‘Want me to talk to him?’ Lawless asked Sven. ‘See what he wants?’

‘Let’s both talk to him,’ Sven said, rising. ‘But keep an eye on Slade. He’s got a chip on his shoulder and he’ll keep prodding you, hoping you’ll try to knock it off.’

Stadtlander signaled for his riders to wait outside the gate. He and his son then rode slowly up to Lawless and Sven, standing in front of the house.

‘Afternoon, Mr Bjorkman. I’m Stillman—’

‘Stadtlander. Yes, I know, sir.’ Sven stepped closer, hand extended toward the cattle baron, and immediately had to jump back as the Morgan nipped at him.

‘Damn you,’ Stadtlander said, jerking on the reins. ‘Mind your manners!’ It took him a few moments to control the
irascible
stallion, but then he leaned down and shook Sven’s hand. ‘You’ll have to forgive Brandy, Mr Bjorkman. I don’t get to ride him enough these days and – well, as you can see, he’s gotten a tad rambunctious.’

‘He’s a magnificent animal,’ Sven said. ‘I’m sure he’s well worth the trouble. I don’t think we’ve ever met, sir,’ he added.

‘We haven’t,’ said Stadtlander. ‘But I’ve seen you and your lovely wife in Santa Rosa from time to time.’ As he was talking he glanced at Lawless, trying to size him up. ‘Don’t think we’ve met either, have we, mister?’

Lawless shook his head but offered no greeting.

Unaccustomed to being snubbed Stadtlander frowned, offended. But he knew danger when he saw it and not wanting trouble right now, decided not to press the tall man. Turning back to Sven, he introduced his son, Slade, to the bearded Norwegian. The two men nodded their hellos. Slade was taller and leaner than his father, but had none of the older man’s pride or indomitable spirit. Instead, despite all his advantages, he was nothing more than a sour-faced swaggering bully known
for beating up whores and drunks.

‘You’re welcome to water your horses,’ Sven told Stadtlander. ‘And if you’re thirsty, there’s plenty of fresh lemonade.’

‘Thank you, but water’s all we’ll need.’ Stadtlander nodded to Slade, who gestured for the riders to follow him to the trough near the well.

Stadtlander turned back to Sven. ‘I have something to say to the Morgans. Won’t take but a minute.’ Without waiting for Sven’s permission, he rode over to the table. There, tipping his hat politely to Ingrid, Stadtlander smiled at Violet and Joey. ‘Remember me?’

Violet nodded. ‘You came to our ranch once to talk to my father.’

‘That’s right. I wanted to buy your spread, but your pa
wouldn
’t hear of it.’

‘Is that why you killed him, mister?’ Joey said.

‘Joey!’ Violet said.

Statlander frowned, surprised. ‘Why would I want to kill your pa, son?’

‘I don’t know,’ Joey said. ‘I don’t know why anyone would. I just know it was only a few days after you spoke to him that someone shot him.’

‘I give you my word, son, it was not me who shot your pa.’

‘Well, someone did,’ Joey said angrily. ‘And if it wasn’t you, it must have been Sheriff Tishman or Mr Edfors.’

‘Joey, be quiet!’ Violet said. ‘You mustn’t say things like that.’

‘I can understand your anger,’ Stadtlander said. ‘Reckon I’d feel the same way. But you’re accusing the wrong men. The same night your Pa was shot, fifty of my cows were run off. My foreman followed their tracks to the border. Said the rustlers must’ve driven them across into Mexico. My guess is they’re the same border trash who stopped at your ranch and gunned down your pa. Sound reasonable, son?’ he asked when Joey didn’t say
anything
.

Joey shrugged. ‘I guess.’

‘Glad we agree,’ Stadtlander said. ‘Mr Edfors and Sheriff Tishman have their faults, like we all do, but they ain’t
cold-blooded
killers. You have my word on that.’

Joey and Violet wilted under his fierce-eyed gaze.

But Ingrid didn’t. ‘What exactly do you want, Mr Stadtlander?’

He looked at her shrewdly. ‘I just heard about these two young’uns losing their ranch and having their house burned. I came here to tell them that I never meant for either of those things to happen—’

‘You?’ Ingrid said, surprised. ‘I understood from my husband that it was the bank who evicted them.’

‘That’s true, ma’am, but since I own the bank—’

‘You do?’ Violet said. ‘But I thought Brian— Mr Edfors owned it.’

‘He’s the manager,’ Stadtlander said. ‘And a very fine one he is. But knowing I wished to conclude the transaction, he
overstepped
what I would call “the boundaries of decency”. And so did Sheriff Tishman. For that, little lady, I’m mighty sorry. And though it’s too late to change what happened, I want to make amends. I’ve instructed Mr Edfors to make out a draft to you and your brother for one thousand dollars—’

‘A th-thousand dollars?’ Violet echoed.

‘I know money can’t make up for the loss of your home, or replace the many fond memories you must have experienced while growing up there, but it will at least give you a start
somewhere
else.’

‘Thank you, Mr Stadtlander,’ Violet began. ‘We—’

Lawless cut her off. ‘Keep your money, mister.’

Stadtlander swung around in the saddle and glared at him. ‘What did you say?’

‘I said, keep your money.’ Lawless turned to Violet. ‘You take his thousand dollars, or any amount he offers you, the court will look upon it as a legal sale and you’ll never get your ranch back.’

‘I don’t understand,’ Violet said. ‘I thought the bank already owned it.’

‘They do – for now. But a hearing might change that.’

‘How?’

‘When the judge hears all the special circumstances, he may rule differently – perhaps even in your favor.’

Stadtlander, ready to erupt, somehow controlled himself. ‘I wouldn’t listen to him if I were you, Miss Morgan. He’s not a lawyer—’

‘I don’t have to be a lawyer to smell a thief,’ Lawless said.

His words crackled in the hot, dry afternoon air. No one moved.

‘Mister,’ Stadtlander said, teeth gritted, ‘I don’t know who you are or why you’re sticking your damn nose in this, but as God is my witness, I’ve hanged men for less than what you just called me.’

‘Try hanging me,’ Lawless said, ‘and your stallion will need a new owner.’

‘Ben,’ Sven began.

‘Hold still,’ Lawless told him. He watched as Slade and the Double SS riders, finished watering their horses, rode up beside Stadtlander.

‘Something wrong, Pa?’ Slade said.

Still boiling, Stadtlander grimly shook his head.

‘I just called him a thief,’ Lawless said.

‘Y-you what?’

‘I just called your father a thief.’

Slade and the Double SS riders froze, unable to believe the gall of the tall stranger standing before them. Then:

‘You’re a dead man,’ Slade said.

‘Prove it,’ Lawless said.

Slade, about to draw, looked into Lawless’s narrowed amber eyes and lost his nerve.

Behind him the Double SS riders looked away, disgusted.

Stadtlander, sensing his son was a heartbeat from death, said,
‘Leave it be, Son.’

‘But Pa—’

‘I said, leave it be.’ He turned to Sven. ‘I didn’t come here to make trouble, Mr Bjorkman. I came to right a wrong.’

‘You came to steal,’ Lawless said. Without taking his eyes off Stadlander or Slade, he said to Sven, ‘Next he was going to offer to buy your place.’

‘My place? But it isn’t for sale.’

‘But you are behind on your note, right?’

Sven shifted uncomfortably. ‘A little, yeah. But—’

‘Tell him,’ Lawless said to Stadtlander. ‘Explain how you intend to foreclose on his ranch next.’

‘Why would I want to do that?’

‘Because he owns half of Greenwater Canyon – the half you didn’t get when you stole the Morgans’ spread.’

‘Why the hell would I want a godforsaken hole-in-the-ground like Greenwater Canyon?’

‘Chalcopyrite,’ Lawless said.

Stadtlander reacted as if he’d been punched.

‘What the devil is chalcopy— whatever you called it?’ Sven said.

Lawless ignored him. ‘Go ahead, Stadtlander,’ he said. ‘Tell him what chalcopyrite is. And while you’re at it, tell Violet and Joey, too. That way, they’ll know why you were so “generously” giving them a thousand dollars.’

Rage bubbling over, Stadtlander stabbed a finger at Lawless. ‘My son’s right, mister: you
are
a dead man!’ He whirled the
stallion
around, dug his spurs in and galloped away.

Slade threw a curse at Lawless, then he and the Double SS riders rode after Stadtlander.

Lawless, Sven and everyone at the picnic table watched them ride out the gate into the sun-scorched scrubland. Dust soon swallowed them up.

Ingrid rose from the table and joined Lawless and her husband.

‘You’ve made a bad enemy, Ben.’

‘Wouldn’t be the first,’ Lawless said.

‘You’ve also just cost Violet and Joey a thousand dollars. I think you’d best explain yourself.’

Lawless took a small rock from his denim jacket and placed it on the table in view of everyone. The color of rust, the
chalcopyrite
ore was sprinkled with pale greenish-blue lumps.

‘What’re we looking at?’ Sven asked.

‘Copper,’ Lawless said.

‘Copper?’ Sven repeated.

Lawless nodded. ‘I’m no geologist, but I know chalcopyrite when I see it. And from the amount I saw scattered along the creek in Greenwater Canyon, I’d say you – and Violet and Joey, here – are standing on a whole mountain of it.’

It took a moment for what he’d said to sink in. Then:

‘I’ve seen pictures of copper mines,’ Ingrid said, puzzled. ‘They’re nothing but enormous man-made craters.’

‘Me, too,’ Sven said. ‘How come this copper’s above ground?’

‘Earthquakes, most likely,’ Lawless said. ‘Ancient ones that spewed out huge chunks of it, forming bluffs, and then over time landslides dumped some of the ore into the canyon along the creek. I’m not saying that what’s above ground will make you rich,’ he added, ‘it won’t. But if I’m right, what’s buried below will.’

‘I’ll be damned,’ Sven said. ‘No wonder Mr Stadtlander wants to get his hands on Greenwater Canyon.’

Ingrid said, ‘Do you think that’s what that gunman – what was his name?’

‘Latigo Rawlins, ma’am. And yes, since he works for Stadtlander, I’m sure that’s what he was doing there. Lefty’s got a smell for money in any form.’

‘Oh, Joey!’ Violet jumped up and threw her arms around her brother. ‘Isn’t that wonderful? We might be getting our ranch back.’

‘And maybe we’ll be rich, too,’ Joey said excitedly.

Raven looked at them with mild reproach. ‘Ain’t you
forgetting
something?’

‘Aren’t,’ corrected her father. ‘Not ain’t.’

Raven ignored him. ‘Takes money to dig for copper. Lots of money. Mr Stadtlander’s got it and we don’t.’

‘That’s not your concern,’ Lawless said. ‘Once word gets out that there’s maybe big copper deposits on your land, you’ll have so many offers from mining companies or investors back East to dig it up for you – or to buy the canyon at a price you can’t refuse – you’ll have to fight them off with pitchforks.’

‘And for mining the copper,’ Sven said, ‘these folks will take a bite out of the profits?’

‘A big bite,’ Lawless said. ‘But there’ll still be plenty left over for you – all of you.’

‘That’s good enough for me.’ Sven turned to Violet and Joey. ‘How about you two?’

They nodded eagerly. ‘Just so we get our ranch back,’ Violet said.

‘It’s all settled then,’ said Sven. Leaning close to Ingrid, he whispered something in her ear. She nodded. Sven turned to Lawless, adding, ‘If there is copper under our feet, my wife and I want you to share in our profits.’

‘Sven, I—’

‘No, no, hear me out. You’ve earned it, my friend. If you hadn’t braced Mr Stadtlander the way you did, I never would’ve known he was after Greenwater Canyon – ’least not until he and the sheriff forced us off our land and by then it would’ve been too late.’

‘And if we do get our ranch back,’ Violet said, ‘same goes for us, Mr Lawless. Isn’t that right, Joey?’

Joey nodded, but would not look at Lawless.

‘That’s kindly of you,’ Lawless said. ‘And when the time comes, if I’m still around, we’ll talk about it.’

‘What do you mean “if”?’ Sven said. ‘You’ll be around. Who do you think’s going to help me turn this place into a horse ranch?’

‘What I know about horse ranches,’ Lawless said, grinning, ‘you could fit into your wife’s sewing thimble.’

‘So we’ll learn together. Better still, become partners. Tell him, sweetheart,’ Sven said to Ingrid. ‘Tell him he has to stay.’

‘It wouldn’t matter what I told him,’ she said quietly. ‘Ben is a man who makes up his own mind. Isn’t that right, Ben?’

‘Mostly,’ Lawless said, looking at her in a way that suggested she could change his mind.

‘So what do we do next?’ Violet said.

‘I ride to Deming,’ Sven said.

‘What’s in Deming?’ Ingrid asked.

‘Who not what,’ Sven said, adding: ‘Jud Halloran, remember?’

‘The lawyer?’

‘You bet. He always said he’d help us if we ever needed legal advice. Well, now we need it.’ Sven turned to Lawless. ‘I’ll tell Jud what you just told us and see what he says. He’s a smart fellow. Maybe he can persuade a judge to listen to our side in court.’

‘If he can,’ Lawless said, ‘make sure he also asks the judge to issue an injunction preventing the bank, or Mr Stadtlander, from taking over Violet and Joey’s ranch – at least until he’s reached his decision.’

‘I sure will,’ Sven said.

‘And you’ll pay Jud with what,’ Ingrid said ‘turnips from my vegetable garden?’

All the air seemed to rush out of her husband and he sagged dejectedly.

‘If this Halloran’s as smart as you say,’ Lawless said, ‘he’ll take
the case on contingency.’

‘What’s that mean?’ Joey asked.

‘He’ll represent you for a percentage of your profits.’

‘By golly, that’s a wonderful idea!’ Sven clapped Lawless warmly on the back. ‘See, I told you we were a great team.’

‘Let’s not get carried away,’ Ingrid cautioned. ‘We’re not mine owners yet.’

‘Or rich,’ reminded Violet.

‘But we’re going to be,’ Sven said. ‘I can feel it in my bones.’ He raised his glass of lemonade in toast. ‘To copper – and the man who found it for us!’

‘Hey, what about me?’ Raven said. ‘If I hadn’t told you about seeing that gunfighter in the canyon, none of this would have happened.’

‘You’re right,’ her father said. ‘Everybody, here’s to Miss Smarty Pants.’

They all drank to Raven, who beamed.

‘And finally,’ Sven said lovingly to Ingrid, ‘to you, my
wonderful
wife, for making every day a blessing.’

Ingrid smiled, a little self-consciously, and lifted her cheek so Sven could bend down and kiss her. ‘I love you,’ he whispered. ‘Love you too,’ she whispered back. Sven lingered another moment then he moved on down the table to refill his glass. Ingrid glanced at Lawless.

He stood watching her from nearby. Their gazes held for a moment. Then Ingrid, as if knowing what he was thinking, blushed and looked away.

Lawless waited to see if she would look his way again. When she didn’t, and he saw the pink in her cheeks, he faced front – and found Raven standing in his path. She didn’t say anything but her large, shining black eyes let him know that she’d seen everything and knew what was going on.

For once though, she didn’t say anything smart. She gave him the faintest of smiles, then stepped around him and joined her mother.

Lawless, feeling empty inside, headed for the barn.

Behind him he heard Raven say, ‘He’s a lot different than Pa, isn’t he, Momma?’

‘Yes,’ Ingrid said. ‘They’re about as different as two men could get.’

That night as Lawless stood leaned against the barn door, smoking his last cigarette before turning in, he sensed he was being watched.

‘The Apaches taught you well,’ he said without turning.

There was an irritated sigh and Raven appeared out of the darkness.

‘Not well enough,’ she said. ‘You heard me.’

‘Uh-uh. Didn’t hear a thing.’

‘Then how’d you know it was me and not some renegade buck off the reservation?’

Lawless enjoyed a final drag on his cigarette before grinding it out under his heel. ‘How many Apaches you know smell of Williams Shaving-Mug Soap?’

‘Damn!’ Raven stamped her foot in disgust. ‘I forgot all about that.’

Lawless chuckled. ‘Since when’d you start shaving, sprout?’

‘I haven’t. It was Pa. I was arguing with him ’bout going into town with Momma tomorrow when of a sudden he reaches out and swipes me with that ol’ boar bristle brush of his … made me look like I’d dipped my face in buttermilk.’

‘Your father’s shaving?’ Lawless said, surprised.

‘Was. Right after supper.’

‘What brought that about?’

‘Momma’s birthday. He does it every year. You know. As his special gift to her.

‘Whoa, whoa, tomorrow’s your mother’s birthday?’

‘Uh-huh. That’s why I wanted to go into town with her – to get this dress Pa ordered special all the way from St. Louis—’

‘But your father’s riding to Deming tomorrow.’

‘Yeah, and Momma’s not too happy about it, I’ll tell you. They were arguing over it when I snuck out. Momma wants him to wait one more day, you know, so they can celebrate her birthday together like they’ve always done ever since they left Norway.…’

Lawless thought a moment, then said, ‘You never told me, all right?’

‘Told you what?’

‘About your ma’s birthday. You never mentioned it. Understand?’

Raven shrugged her bony, tanned shoulders. ‘If you say so.…’

Sven emerged, yawning, from the house and joined Lawless standing in the darkness a few steps away. He looked lumpy and shapeless in a long flannel nightgown. The lower half of his face was white where his beard had been shaved off. He appeared younger and more civilized and had Lawless passed him in the street, he would not have recognized him. ‘What’s so important it couldn’t wait till morning, Ben?’

‘I want you to write a letter introducing me to that lawyer you know in Deming.’

‘Jud Halloran? Why?’

‘Because I’m going to see him, not you.’

‘W-what?’

‘I know it’s sudden, but I’ve been thinking about it and there’s no doubt in my mind that I should be the one who talks to him. I know much more about this kind of thing than you do, and I’ll be able to tell him exactly what we need him – and the judge – to do for you and the Morgans.’

‘But—’

‘No buts,’ Lawless said. ‘This is your future we’re talking about. You can’t risk fouling it up because you didn’t give the lawyer all the facts. You can see it makes sense,’ he added as Sven started to protest, ‘and why it has to be me who goes?’

‘But Ben, you already done so much for us—’

‘This isn’t just about you,’ Lawless lied. ‘Keep it to yourself, but I have a daughter, about Raven’s age, who lives just outside Deming with her mom’s folks … I haven’t seen her in God knows how long and who knows how long it’ll be before I see her again. This is my chance to spend some time with her.’

Sven grinned and scratched his naked white chin. ‘A
daughter
,’ he said happily. ‘By golly, Ben, I knew you couldn’t be all by yourself in this world. I mean it just wasn’t natural.’

‘I won’t take too long,’ Lawless said.

‘You take as long as you like, my friend, y’hear? Day, two days – a week if need be. Hell’s bells, you ol’ dog, bring her back here if you want. We’ll make her welcome, you know we will.’

‘Thanks,’ Lawless said. ‘I might do that. Now you go write that letter while I’ll saddle up. Sooner I get to Deming and explain everything to Mr Halloran, sooner I can see my daughter.’

‘I’ll have Ingrid pack you some grub,’ Sven said. ‘There’s nothing but desert and rattlers ’tween here and Deming. Oh, and I’ll give you an extra canteen just in case—’ He suddenly broke off and chuckled.

‘What?’ said Lawless.

‘Ingrid … she’s going to jump for joy when I tell her you’re going instead of me.’

‘She dislikes me that much?’

‘Dislikes? No, no, she thinks the world of you – she and Raven both. But tomorrow’s her birthday and I bought her a mail-order dress a while back. It’s just sitting there in Melvin’s Haberdashery, waiting to be picked up.’

‘That’s great,’ Lawless said. ‘Then this will work out fine.’

‘Couldn’t be better,’ Sven said. He hurried into the house.

Lawless stood there a moment, insects whining about his ears, looking at the curtained window. A light appeared as Sven lit the lamp. Lawless saw his bear-like silhouette moving around beyond the curtain as he searched for paper and pen. Another shadow joined him. It was smaller and slimmer, but too big for Raven, and Lawless guessed it was Ingrid.

He sighed heavily. Then cursing himself for being a damned fool, he wondered what it would have been like to have spent two whole days with Ingrid without her husband around.

The thought made him long for her even more and, as he walked to the barn, he wondered if after he’d finished his
business
with the lawyer, he oughtn’t to keep riding west and never come back this way again.