He paused on the winding trail along the banks of Poison Creek. It was here that Onyx Jewel had been shot in the back. He glanced upward, toward towering Widow’s Peak, and felt a sense of foreboding. Striding forward, he caught sight of a figure lying in the dirt, a hundred yards away.
For a full minute his heart stopped beating. Dear God, was he too late?
Then he heard the sound of her voice, and his pulse throbbed in his temples.
“Go back, Adam! It’s a trap!”
He slipped his rifle from the boot of the saddle and dropped to the ground, seeking cover behind a rock. A stranger’s voice had him taking aim.
“I’d enjoy nothing better than a gunfight with you, Winter. I’ve heard you’re the man to beat in these parts. But I have my orders. Unless you drop your gun right now and come up here, I’m going to have to kill the woman.”
The coldness of the words convinced Adam that the gunman meant what he’d said. Standing, he tossed his pistol and rifle aside and lifted his hands over his head.
“That’s real good, Winter,” said the voice. “I like a man who knows how to take orders.”
When Adam reached the rocks, he dropped to his knees beside Diamond, ignoring the gunman who stepped from his place of concealment.
“Has that bastard hurt you?” he demanded.
“No. Oh, Adam,” she cried, “I’m so sorry you got caught up in this. I know now who killed Pa. I was heading home for the proof when –”
They both looked up as a shadow fell over them. A figure dressed in a black suit and black hat emerged from behind a nearby rock. In his hand was a small, deadly derringer.
“You’ve known Pa and me all our lives. We trusted you” Diamond’s voice trembled with passion as she stared up at her father’s murderer. “How could you do this, Uncle Chet?”
Cal felt a wave of frustration when he found Adam Winter’s cabin empty. Out back, he came across Zeb Forrest, just returning to the herd.
“Where’s Winter?” he demanded.
The old man scratched his chin. “Don’t know. He took off like the wrath of Jehoshaphat when he found the lady boss missing.”
“Missing?” Cal’s hand fisted in the front of the old man’s shirt, dragging him close. “What do you mean?”
Zeb slapped his hand away and straightened with quiet dignity before answering. “He was washing in the creek when he learned she’d lit out for home. She left him a message. It’s on the table.”
“What does it say?”
“Don’t know. Figured it was none of my business.”
Minutes later Cal stormed out of the cabin and ordered his wranglers to mount up.
“Hold on,” Zeb called. He checked the bullets in his rifle, then pulled himself into the saddle. “I’m riding along,” he announced.
“I thought you said this wasn’t your business,” Cal said irritably.
“I’m making it my business.”
“Answer me,” Diamond demanded as Adam helped her to her feet. Her bound hands were balled into fists. “How could you kill your best friend?”
The banker refused to answer.
Adam kept his gaze locked on the pistol in Chet’s hand. “It’s a simple answer,” Adam said. “And as old as time. Greed. Money. He wanted what your father had worked so hard to acquire. And he would take it any way he could.”
Seeing the way Adam was watching his pistol, Chet signaled to the gunman to move closer, until his rifle was jammed roughly into Adam’s back.
Ignoring Redmond, Adam added, “Even if it meant murdering his best friend.”
“Why not?” Chet said with contempt. “Why should Onyx Jewel make all the money?”
“Maybe because he was willing to work hard,” Adam said softly. “It takes a special man to turn this wilderness into a profit-making enterprise. And Onyx Jewel was a very special man. If you were jealous, why didn’t you offer to give up banking and start ranching?”
“I didn’t need to,” Chet said with a laugh. “I let the poor ranchers do all the work, and I just helped myself to some of their money each month. And when they ran out of money, I was able to take over their land and milk the profits. You may not know it—” his tone was boastful “—but I own almost as much of Texas as Onyx Jewel did before he left this world. And soon, thanks to these,” he said, pointing to the ledgers, “I’ll own even more.”
Adam’s dark look challenged Chet’s. “How much did you steal, Pierce?”
The banker shrugged. “A few hundred thousand.”
Diamond gasped at the enormity of the sum.
Chet gave a mirthless laugh. “Onyx could afford it. Whenever he went off on a buying trip and handed over the books, I saw to it that his expenses were...very high. I managed to live very well ... for a while.”
“Then Pa discovered what you were doing,” Diamond said flatly.
He nodded. “When Onyx first discovered the discrepancies in the books, I think he was more hurt than angry.”
Knowing her father’s generosity, Diamond nodded. “But he was your friend. He would have given you time to pay it back.”
“A man like Pierce doesn’t want to pay back his debts,” Adam interjected. “I’d be willing to bet he wanted your father to forgive the debt.”
Chet’s voice deepened with anger. “He offered to, at first. But that was before he knew just how much was missing. I knew it was only a matter of time until he discovered how serious it was. So I began to make plans.”
“Plans,” Adam said with scorn. “That was when you started looking for a scapegoat.”
Chet nodded. “I dammed up the creek and made it look like the work of his wranglers. That way, I hoped to start a public feud between you and him, so that, when the time came, the townspeople would believe you killed him.”
When Diamond made a sound of strangled fury, he turned to her. “Too bad that traveling judge had to deprive the town of a good hanging.”
Diamond closed her eyes against the pain, thinking how desperately she had wanted to see Adam hang. How would she have been able to live with the knowledge that he had been hanged for another man’s crime?
“I knew my bank would fail if I had to make good on the theft,” Chet continued. “So I concocted a little scheme to lure Onyx out here to talk about the payment.”
“Why would he come all this way?” Diamond asked.
“I told him I didn’t want anyone in town to know about this. He came, in order to protect my reputation.”
“And even after all that, you killed him,” Diamond said softly. She was feeling once again all the pain of loss and separation from the man who had been her whole life. But now the enormity of her loss seemed even more overwhelming, knowing that he’d been betrayed by his closest friend.
“Why didn’t you let it end there?” she asked.
“I would have. If you had been willing to give up those ledgers. They were the only proof of my theft. When you refused, I hired an army of gunmen. Their orders were to find you alone and kidnap you. I would then pay the ransom, which would amount to exactly the amount I’d stolen. But I hadn’t counted on Winter being so good with a gun.”
“And the cattle?” Adam asked. “Why were you killing them off?”
“So that your ranch would fail. You see, I hold the mortgage. And your land is key to my plan to own this entire section of Texas.”
“All of this because of money,” Diamond said with a sigh.
“That’s easy for you to say. Your father saw to it that you never had to do without anything. Ask most people here in Hanging Tree whether or not they’d kill for money, and you’d find that I’m not alone.”
“You’re wrong,” Diamond said vehemently. “It takes a monster to do what you did.” She shook her head in disbelief. “And now you intend to kill me, too. When will it end? How many people are you willing to kill in order to hold on to your precious money?”
He gave her a chilling smile. “As many as necessary, my dear.” He turned to the
gunman, who had been listening in silence. “Beginning with Redmond.”
As calmly as if he were pointing a finger, he aimed and fired. A look of surprise was followed by a look of pain, as the gunman dropped to his knees. He managed to squeeze off a shot with his rifle, but the bullet went wide, missing its target. With a cry, the gunman sprawled facedown in the dirt.
Diamond bit back a cry of horror. This seemed like a terrible nightmare. One that would never end.
To add to her woes, she caught sight of Jade’s elegant carriage heading directly toward them. Inside, their gowns fluttering like brilliant butterflies, sat Jade, Pearl and Ruby. As innocent, as unprotected, as babies.
Chet’s jaw dropped at the sight of them. As the horses came to a halt, the three young women climbed out. Each of them was holding a small silver derringer like his.
“I finally figured out what was wrong with Daddy’s bookkeeping,” Pearl said softly. She glanced at Diamond and saw her stunned look. Turning to Adam, she said, “I know you said we weren’t to ride without the wranglers accompanying us. But we couldn’t wait. Especially fearing that you and Diamond might be in extreme danger.”
“I should have known. It looks like none of the Jewel women know how to take orders,” Adam said dryly.
“Fools,” Chet said. “This was none of your concern.” His mind seemed to be working overtime. His eyes glittered with sudden malice. “I am prepared to offer each of you a substantial amount if you leave now. You can return to your homes with a fortune. And no one will ever be the wiser.”
The three young women stared at him in stunned surprise. This was not what they’d expected.
Diamond held her breath, wondering what was going through their minds. After all, their lives had not been easy. They had been forced to make do without the daily presence of a loving father. And they had no claim to his estate. The offer of a fortune must be tempting.
To further tempt them, Chet added ominously, “I warn you. If you refuse my offer, you must prepare to die along with these two.”
“You are the one who must prepare to die,” Jade said softly. “I do not know about the others, but I want no part of ill-gotten wealth. Furthermore, be warned. I know how to fire this weapon.”
“So do I, chérie,” Ruby said with a chuckle. “Many a man who has dared to cross me has found himself robbed of his ... manhood. And you have made me very cross, Monsieur Pierce.” She took deadly aim with her pistol, and Chet flinched as she aimed directly between his legs.
“I’m not even sure how to fire this,” Pearl said, her hand visibly shaking. “But I figure, if I fire enough times, I’m bound to hit something. And your offer has made me angry enough to try.”
All the fear that Diamond had been holding inside suddenly dissipated. Her heart resumed beating. These three women, who had been strangers just scant weeks ago, were willing to risk death to stand by her side.
“I ... can’t believe it.” Diamond’s voice trembled with emotion. “Do you understand the danger you’ve just put yourselves in?”
“There is no danger I wouldn’t face for you,” Pearl said softly.
“Nor I,” Jade added.
“We stand together, chérie, ” Ruby said emphatically.
“How very noble.” Chefs voice rang with disdain. “And how very foolish. Because now, you’ve given me another weapon.” Instead of being afraid of their threats, his eyes suddenly gleamed. He pointed the gun at Diamond, standing tied and helpless before him. “Unless you throw down your guns immediately, I’ll kill her.”
The three looked at one another with uncertainty. “You can’t kill all of us,” Jade challenged.
“I don’t need to. Unless you do as I say, Diamond’s fate will be the same as his.” Chet pointed to the lifeless figure of the gunman, whose blood mingled with the earth to form a mottled pool around him. It was a frightening scene. And a convincing one.
With a cry, Pearl tossed her weapon aside. Reluctantly, the other two followed suit.
Diamond felt tears sting her eyes. These three women, so very different, were willing to lay down their lives for her. She had never known such love. Such devotion. They truly were her sisters.
“That’s better.” The banker turned to Adam. “Untie Diamond.”
“Why?” Her heart quickened. “Have you had a change of plan?”
He merely smiled again. “On the contrary, my dear. I simply don’t want any suspicious evidence left behind. When I lead the marshal to your bodies, it will be easy to explain. Everyone knows that you and Winter have been feuding. They will believe me when I say that I was on my way here with the ransom, after having been notified that you and your sisters were abducted by Winter and his hired gun. Alas,” he said with mock sincerity, “I arrived too late. You were all dead by Winter’s hand.” He gave an evil smile. “It would appear that Winter and Redmond then fought to the death. A tragedy. But one that will soon be forgotten.”
“And the ledgers?” Diamond asked as Adam untied her. She rubbed at her wrists, willing the circulation back into them. “How do you intend to explain them?”
“The evidence will be destroyed in my fireplace before dark tonight. And tomorrow I will lead the town in mourning the murder of my best friend’s daughters. And when I take over the operation of your ranch for unspecified debts, as well as Adam Winter’s ranch, no one will question it.”
Diamond swallowed back the knot of revulsion that threatened to choke her. This evil man had stood at her father’s grave pretending to grieve. And all the time, he had been gloating over his successful crime.
Beside her, Adam studied the pistol in Chefs hand. He was aware that it had taken but a single bullet to kill Onyx Jewel. Still, he had to take the risk. Not for himself. His own life had had little meaning in the past few years. But for Diamond’s sake, he had to disarm this madman. He could still recall the pain he’d been forced to suffer when he’d finally returned to consciousness on his farm in Maryland, only to learn that all those he’d loved were dead. He wouldn’t allow it to happen again. This time, he had a fighting chance. There was only one man and one gun.
He braced himself for the attack. As Chester Pierce leveled the gun, Adam leaped at him. He heard the sound of the gunshot, mingled with his cry of rage as his hands found the banker’s throat. He felt a white-hot pain rip through his chest, and seconds later his legs refused to support him. But even as he stumbled and fell to the ground, he kept his fingers locked around Chet’s throat, though he could no longer remember why.
And from a great distance came the sound of a woman’s cries. Diamond’s voice. Calling him. Weeping. Dear God, he realized. She was weeping. But she never cried. It could only mean ... It could only mean the wound was mortal.
Chapter Twenty
The unmistakable sound of gunshots rumbled and echoed across the hills like thunder. Cal and his wranglers came to a sudden stop, then took off in the direction of the sound, with old Zeb following.
The marshal, coming from the other direction, pointed to a distant hill, then urged his mount to a gallop. His deputies had to race to keep up.
They converged on the winding trail along the banks of Poison Creek. And as they started forward, every man was recalling the horrible discovery of Onyx Jewel’s body in this very place.
They rounded a bend, then stopped short at the scene that confronted them. At first glance it appeared to be four hysterical women, sobbing and weeping, clutching at the bodies of two men. But as they drew nearer, the scene became even more confusing.
Diamond and Pearl were struggling to pry Adam Winter away from Chester Pierce. The two men were drenched in blood, and Winter’s hands were locked around the banker’s throat. As they succeeded in separating them, the women’s actions became even more astounding to the approaching riders.
Jade and Ruby scrambled to snatch up pistols from the dirt and, instead of aiming them at Adam Winter, aimed at the banker, forcing him to lie with his arms over his head. They were screa
ming at him in a most unladylike manner.
The prim and proper Pearl, unmindful of the dozens of men who were now circling on horseback, was frantically tearing off her lace petticoat. She gave no thought to modesty as she tugged the undergarment free.
Diamond was leaning over Adam Winter, sobbing and weeping as she tore his blood-soaked shirt away. Sobbing and weeping? None of the men could ever recall having seen such a thing before. It was so uncharacteristic, they thought that Diamond Jewel had surely lost her mind.
The marshal could see that he was going to have to take charge and bring order out of chaos.
“All right, ladies,” he shouted as he dismounted and drew his gun. “I realize that you’re not very good in a crisis. But that’s understandable. After all, sweet little things like you probably never had to deal with a killer before. Now, step back and let me take care of this outlaw.”
As he strode toward Adam, Diamond turned on him with a snarl. “Don’t you touch him. Can’t you see he’s been shot? He may be dying.”
“That’d serve him right,” the marshal said smugly. “But Doc Prentice will keep him alive. And then we’ll show him what we do to criminals in Texas.”
“You don’t understand,” Pearl said, grabbing the marshal’s sleeve. “That’s the murderer over there.” She pointed to the banker, who continued lying very still while Jade and Ruby stood over him with their pistols aimed and ready. Neither woman seemed the least bit reluctant to be handling weapons.
“What?” The marshal was clearly stunned. “Are you saying Winter is innocent?”
Cal and the wranglers added to the confusion by sliding from their saddles to form a circle around the others. They looked on as Pearl tore her petticoat into strips and handed them to Diamond. She, in turn, frantically worked to stern the blood that flowed from Adam’s chest.