Chapter 37
The Search
“Jake!” called the marshal who was sitting behind his desk. “Come in here a minute Deputy, I got something for you.”
“What’s up Marshal?” asked Jake as he walked over to the potbelly stove and filled himself a cup of coffee.
“You seen that new girl, Samantha Foster? She came into town about two weeks ago?” asked the marshal.
“Seen her, who the hell hasn’t Marshal? She’s one fine lady,” smiled Jake.
“Yeah, well, I guess you’re right about that. Okay, when she came to town there was an older man with her, a very prim and proper kind of fella. We need to find him and find him quick,” ordered the marshal. “I want you to start searchin’ around town. Places where a man would be able to hideout for two weeks with no one seein’ him. Got it?” said the marshal as he walked around the desk, taking the cup of coffee out of the Deputy’s hand. “Jake, find him, NOW!”
“Yes sir, I’m on it Marshal,” answered Jake as he hustled out the open door of the jail.
“Jake!” called the marshal after him. “Search quietly, and watch your back. I have a feelin’ there’ll be others lookin’ for him and they won’t want him around to talk. Okay, get started,” warned the marshal as he returned to his office.
-CKS-
“I hired you two idiots to find one old man, and all you’ve done so far is take my money and hang out in the saloons,” yelled Samantha Foster.
“Listen, lady, we been hangin’ out in those saloons cause’ that’s the best place to get information. We’ve been watchin’ the stage and the livery. Ain’t nobody left this town that we don’t know about. We believe we’re getting’ close,” lied the spokesman.
“You’re a damn liar and if you don’t bring me that old man within the next two days you may just join him on my list,” threatened Samantha.
The two men rose quickly to confront the threat, but sat back down when they saw the look on her face. Her eyes told what was in her heart. These men would swear they were looking death right in the face. Samantha Foster had a way of quickly transforming from a very attractive, irresistible woman, to a venomous snake with a vicious bite.
“Ma’am, I mean Miss Foster, we’ll find your man and have him here within a couple days,” promised the spokesman.
“Don’t bother bringing him to me. Just make sure he doesn’t ever talk to anyone again,” commanded Samantha, who gave no more emotion ordering the death of a man that helped raise her than ordering a dinner steak.
As the two men walked from the closing door of Samantha’s hotel room, the spokesman again clarified their position. “We need to find that fella, and find him fast. I do not want to end up on that woman’s list, whatever that is.”
-CKS-
From horseback, Quincy addressed the families from the train. He had them all gather in open space at the front of the wagon train. “Well folks, I sure hate to be splitting up the train like this. Those of you going onto Oregon are in good hands. Johnny Scott is a good man. He knows the route better than most and with that red hair you’ll be able to follow his lead even in the dead of night. I’ve never traveled with a better group of people and I will be missin’ each and every one of you. Good luck to you and yours and God willin’ we’ll all meet again. Now, what do you say we all finally head home?” called Quincy. His heartfelt speech was followed by, "three cheers for Quincy." Families hugged other families as they walked back to their wagons.
The train pulled slowly out in single file toward the cut off points, with most heading north. Ray’s group of twenty-five wagons and the horse remuda were headed south.
-CKS-
“Miss Foster, I really don’t think Mrs. Cooper, is that kind of woman. Why, I’ve known her since she arrived here in Pueblo de Los Angeles and she has always carried herself with dignity and grace,” defended Sara Miller during the next women’s group meeting.
“Mrs. Miller, have you not said yourself that you’ve seen the marshal enter Mrs. Cooper’s home after dark?” questioned Samantha.
“Well yes, but they are only having dinner together. I’m sure he leaves directly after the meal is finished,” pleaded Mrs. Miller.
“Have you seen them eating? Have you seen him leave directly after dinner?” questioned Samantha.
“Well no, but I just know Mildred and…”
“Thank you, Mrs. Miller for your opinion. I believe this group must move on what we know, not what we hope is happening. We have young children in this town that will see the marshal go in there but they don’t see him coming out. This is not the type of activity I want to support. This kind of behavior needs to be dealt with severely!” said Samantha, as she looked each woman in the eyes.
“What do you intend for us to do, Miss Foster?” asked the group in full support of their wealthy leader.
“Isn’t it obvious ladies? She must be taught that this type of behavior is not permissible. Further, the sin she is involved in must stop this very minute. The house she is living in belongs to the very man she is in sin with. Therefore, she must leave that home before the sun sets. Then she needs to be placed in the arms of good counsel. We must suspend the rest of our meeting and go to Mrs. Cooper’s aid, give her the help she so desperately needs before her soul burns in hell.”
The group rose in one accord, filled with self-piety as they marched out the front door of the Bella Union and headed down Main Street towards Mildred’s home. Several of the women began to sing “Bringing in the sheaths, bringing in the sheaths, we shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaths…”
Mildred was alone in her home washing dishes and straightening up the living room when she heard the singing voices continuing to rise in volume. She opened her front door and stepped out to see what was occurring. Approaching her home were several women who she recognized as friends from her church. They marched toward her home and turned into the front gate. Mildred thought to herself that maybe they had come to enlist her in some new venture. That misunderstanding was quickly cleared up when Samantha Foster stepped forward from the group, taking the lead. “Mrs. Cooper, I am Miss Foster…”
“I know who you are and I know what you are,” snapped Mildred.
“Please Mrs. Cooper; there is no need to be insulting. We are here as your friends and out of concern for the city,” informed Samantha.
“You, Miss Foster, are no friend of mine and never will be. Now get off of my property!” demanded Mildred. Seeing the faces of those she thought had been her friends, she began to cry.
Pushing through the group, Mrs. Miller ran to Mildred and put her arm around her shoulders, “I’m so sorry for all this, Mildred. I told them you were a good person, but they don’t like the marshal being here after dark.”
“That’s what this is all about. The marshal and I are good friends and nothing has happened behind that door that was improper. Besides, it’s none of your business!” announced Mildred.
“Well, that is where you are wrong, Mrs. Cooper, the city has given us the authority to deal with immoral behavior as we see fit,” informed Samantha.
“What are you talking about? There is no authority like that in this town!” questioned Mildred.
“I’m afraid that is where you are wrong again, Mrs. Cooper. The Mayor of the city has given me authority as I see fit. You madam are indecent and need to be dealt with,” accused Samantha. “Enough of this, ladies; please escort Mrs. Cooper to Reverend Smith’s home where she can receive the good counsel she so obviously needs.”
“I’m not going anywhere with you,” defied Mildred.
“You will either walk with us as a lady or you will be arrested and marched down the main street like a common criminal. Which will it be?” demanded Samantha.
Looking around and seeing no help, Mildred decided it would be better to go along for now. With her head held high she announced, “All right, Miss Foster, lead on.”
At the front gate of Reverend Smith’s ho
me, Samantha stopped the procession, “We do not all need to go in, I will take Mrs. Cooper in, I’m sure she will not make a fuss. After all, she knows this is for her own good, right Mrs. Cooper?” smiled Samantha. “You ladies have done a very good thing here today. Now go on home and I will report to you the outcome of the counseling at our next gathering.”
“Just lead on Miss Foster and let’s get this over with. I have dinner to prepare,” said Mildred.
Samantha and Mildred walked silently to the front door of the house. Without knocking, Samantha turned the knob and they entered. Mildred stood in the dark entryway while Samantha pulled the door shut behind them.
“Okay, you got me here, now what’s your game you little snake in the grass,” snapped Mildred.
“I guess it won’t hurt to tell you now. Gentlemen please secure her,” ordered Samantha to the scum appearing from around the corner. “Now there is no need to struggle, as no one will be coming to assist you. The good reverend has gone to visit a poor lady who lost her husband. It’s a sad tragedy that had to happen because I needed a quiet place to secure you.”
“You mean you had a man killed just so you could have this house to yourself? Are you insane? Why would you go to such lengths to hold me? What did I ever do to you?” demanded Mildred.
“You did nothing, but your son murdered my father. You are merely leverage for when your son arrives in town. I want him to hurt as much as I did.”
“I don’t believe a sick person like you could ever feel hurt,” struck Mildred.
Samantha stepped forward and slapped Mildred across the face. “Now, take her to the wagon out back, and make sure no one sees you. Get her to the cabin and keep her there. Have you found Phillip yet?”
“No ma’am but we’re close,” answered the spokesman.
“Yes, I heard you the first time you said that. Well get a couple of your friends to keep an eye on her and you idiots find that old man. Now move!” said Samantha as she turned on her heels and walked out the front door.
With that done, she walked down the street, across the plaza and up the stairs to her attorney’s office. When she entered, Attorney Usher felt the room grow cold.
“Ah, Miss Foster, how nice to see you again, please make yourself comfortable. May I offer you some coffee while we talk?” said Usher as he rose to greet her.
“That will not be necessary, Mr. Usher. I will not be staying long. Have you the papers ready for my signature?”
“Why yes of course, Miss Foster. They are right here on my desk. I was just going over them again to confirm that they were all in order. I believe you will be quite happy out on the Satinga ranch. It has good water, grass, and the buildings are all but brand new, as for the house...”
“You do not have to sell me on the ranch Mr. Usher; I’ve already agreed to purchase it. I believe the house will be most comfortable.”
“I should say so. Two stories, six bedrooms upstairs, ranch size kitchen, large dining room, a splendid living room...”
“You forgot the library in your inventory, Mr. Usher,” sighed Miss Foster, recognizing that all Mr. Usher cared about was keeping her as a client for the commission he was going to be making on the sale of the house.
“Do you plan to run horses and cattle on the property? There’s enough land and grass there to run as many head as you like.”
“I will let you know when I decide if it’s any of your business, Mr. Usher. Now where are the papers?”
“Oh, yes of course. Just sign where I’ve made a mark and the Satinga Ranch is yours.”
“The Foster Ranch, Mr. Usher.”
“Oh, but of course, Miss Foster,” said Usher watching with anticipation as a signature was placed on each page. “Excellent, Miss Foster, I will get these papers over to the Land Office and get them recorded. You’ll be able to move in tomorrow.”
Without uttering a word Samantha rose from the desk. Placing her gloves back on her hands, she picked up her purse and headed for the door. Attorney Usher let out a gasp of pain, when he struck the edge of his desk with his knee, trying to beat her to the door to hold it open for her. She just shook her head, allowed him to open the door and walked out onto the balcony.
“Thank you, Miss Foster, always a pleasure to see you,” said Usher lying through gritting pain.
“Yes, I’m sure you’re thrilled every time you see me coming up these steps. Good day Mr. Usher.”
“Good Day, Miss Foster.”
Samantha walked from the attorney’s office to the livery barn on the far side of town. Entering through the side door she walked carefully to avoid any dung that the liveryman missed in his daily cleaning. She entered a small room at the far side of the barn, with the words, “Tack Room” carved over the door. Inside, sitting around on hay bales and resting saddles were the two scums she had in her employ. Three other men accompanied the scum to assist in Miss Foster’s next adventure.
“Well, Miss Foster, nice to see ya again,” said the spokesman.
“Shut up and listen,” scolded Miss Foster, “I want every bit of live stock on the Wood’s Ranch moved into that hidden canyon you’ve been telling me about. Keep them there until you find a buyer. I do not want anyone to see you with those animals. If they do, you better ride and ride hard from here. If anyone ever linked any of you to me, you will die, understand?”
“Yes Ma’am, no problem. The herds are out in the hills right now so it shouldn’t be hard to round them up, unseen. Is it okay if we have to shoot someone to get it done?” asked the spokesman.
“What the hell do you think? Like I said, get it done any way you have to, just get it done!”
“Yes, Ma’am. When do you want it done?”
“Tonight!” finished Samantha as she turned and walked out the door of the tack room.
“Son of a bitch, that woman scares the hell out of me,” said one of the henchmen.
“Let’s do this right boys. Get our money, and then get the hell gone from here,” seconded one of the other men.
In full agreement, they grabbed their saddles and gear and began carrying it out to their horses in the stables.