Read Online Blood on the Verde River by Dusty Richards - Free Book Online Page B

whole business of trying to find her. Still, getting her out of this Baca guy’s hands might be tougher than any part of it so far.
    When he and Jesus reached the top of the hill and the main road, a wagon passed them. At the sight of Chet, a man in back with his head all bandaged jumped up and pointed at them. Next, he was trying to get the driver to give him his pistol and making loud noises as the wagon went on.
    â€œWho the hell is he?” Jesus asked.
    â€œA man with a busted jaw, I guess,” Chet said and chuckled.
    â€œGood thing that driver didn’t let him have his pistol.”
    â€œGood thing.” Chet and his man went on to downtown and lunched at the stew palace. He’d write Marge a letter to share with Jenn about some of the information he learned from all their work. There was some hope. That was the best news. While walking all over town bothered JD, not having his wife to hug and kiss was a much larger longing for Chet.
    He missed her and not just a small part, either.

C HAPTER 4
    Mid-afternoon, Chet sat on a stool in the stationary and print shop with a quill pen and paper to write on. He dipped the pen in the inkwell.

    Dear Marge,
    I hope you and the one inside are doing well.
    The boys and I have been busy. Today, we learned where Bonnie Allen may be held. This all sounds real. But there are still many things that need to be resolved.
    I imagine Valerie is with Jenn by this time.
    I miss you more than this pen could ever tell you. I think about everything—you and the ranches’ operations, you and the cattle sales, you and the wind in the pines. I miss them all.
    I will be home as soon as I can solve this mystery. JD and Jesus are a big help to me.
    I love you.
    Â 
    Your husband Chet

    He put the pen behind the small strip at the top of the desk. That was enough, he hoped, to hold her until he could get home. He handed the addressed envelope to the young man who worked the shop and paid for the stamp. The letter would get mailed from there.
    He met Jesus at the stables about five and they went to eat Mexican food in the barrio. A street vendor lady made them large flour tortilla burritos filed with spicy chili, meat, and beans. They sat on a bench made from a split log and enjoyed her food.
    â€œDid you know that crazy man we saw today in the wagon?” Jesus asked between bites.
    â€œYes, my first day, I was in Big Nose Kate’s saloon and he was smashing a man in the head with his fist. I told him to quit. He threatened me and I gave him a haymaker and knocked him out cold. Must have busted his jaw.”
    â€œI heard the start of that deal. That was him? What was his name?”
    â€œAn old-timer said it was Billy Bragg. He works for Old Man Clanton, which put me on his death list.”
    â€œI’ll watch for him. He must be loco. Will they try to kill you?”
    Chet shrugged. “I am more worried how to get the girl back than about them.”
    Jesus nodded.
    After supper, Chet sent Jesus to check on JD and see if he needed any help. If JD didn’t need him, Jesus was to ride to the ranch and spend the night out there. Chet went back to the Occidental Saloon, hoping to meet Wyatt Earp. Maybe the ex-lawman had some idea what to do with this bunch of slavers.
    Wyatt wasn’t there, but Chet talked to his brother Virgil. They stood at the end of the bar and spoke softly. The tall Earp wore a thick mustache and the black clothing that was a statement from his cow town days.
    â€œIt’s hard to prosecute them. Harder to find victims to testify against them. What evidence do you have?”
    Chet shook his head, indicating not much. “I’m not a lawman. But they need to be stopped.”
    â€œI agree, but these bandits will only be replaced by more of them.”
    Chet nodded. “I know what you mean, but about six months back, there was a big story in the Globe Dispatch about two horse thieves and murderers that someone hung