The Cavalry was cleaning things up; gathering the stray horses, loading the wagons and tooling them back onto the trail when Clayton rode into the glow of the subsiding flames. Jack was leading Corbin’s horse with the big man tied across the saddle.
An officer came forward and greeted him as he swung down from the saddle. "I’ve got a prisoner her for you Captain, "Clayton said turning to Corbin, cutting a strand of rope and letting the man pitch head first and backward to the ground. He was tied hand and foot.
Turning back to the Captain, Clayton said. "I don’t know how you got here or why, but I’m sure glad you did."
The Captain smiled. "Glad to be of service and no prisoners got loose."
"So tell me Captain, just how did you happen to be here?" Jack asked.
"I brought them," It was Manuel. He strode forward.
"I don’t understand. I thought…"
"You were supposed to think so." His voice was no longer raspy. It had all been an act. "You see I’m with the Mexican Secret Service. My real name is Chico Vacca. I wasn’t sure how much you remembered me. I was undercover with that smuggling ring that you broke up."
"I remember now, "Jack smiled, wondering why he hadn’t recalled that.
"We’ve been after King for years too. He’s wreaked havoc on both sides of the border. I worked my way onto his ranch six months ago, waiting a chance to catch him at something. I had finally gained his confidence."
"How long have you known about this caper?" Jack asked.
"Not until last night, when King caught the girl. I pretended to help him but the big guy, Moose Malloy, clubbed me and left me on the living room floor I pretended I was out cold and heard them talking about tonight. In there haste to get here ahead of you, they left me there on the floor. Big Mistake!"
"I went to town and sent a telegram to Fort Concho, explaining what was going down. Then I rode as fast as I could to the fort. I didn’t want to left out of the finish."
"Well, I’m glad you didn’t get left out," Jack offered his hand. Chico grasped it heartily and shook.
Then turning to the Captain, Jack asked ."Did you round up the rest of them?" Any prisoners?"
"A few, " the Captain replied.
"There was one man in particular, Captain, that I wanted. The man who engineered this whole scheme. His name is King. Did you….?"
"Mr. Alexander "not so Lucky" King, is dead."A voice from the shadow said. Tamara Wild emerged into the dim light, a look of complacency on her face as she strode slowly forward and stood directly in front of Jack, staring deeply into his face.
"Did you…?" Jack’s question trailed off.
"No," she shook her head slowly. "He must have gone down with the first hit. "She lowered her eyelids a moment, then raised them. "It’s just as well. I couldn’t have killed him anyways."
"I know, "Jack said. "I know."
"I don’t know, Jack. I just don’t know." John Randolph paced back and forth behind his desk. "I don’t know how King knew you were coming."
"There has to be a leak in the organization somewhere, "Jack retorted he was seated in his usual chair, but this time Tamara Wild was seated beside him.
The weapons, what was left of them, had been confiscated by the Fort Concho Cavalry and locked in their armory, awaiting further orders as to their disposition. The Black Hills and Fort Lincoln were still lacking the required armament. It was unclear how that situation would be resolved. San Angelo’s Red Rock prison was being repaired and Gar Corbin found himself a permanent resident in the prison’s dungeon.
Not quite convinced that the case was over, Jack had persuaded Tamara to accompany him to Randolph House. It was a rare instance that anyone outside the government would be allowed to know of its existence.
Sally seemed to be a little put out with Jack’s attention to Tamara, but had efficiently escorted them into Randolph’s study.
Randolph was in a fit today. First of all, he didn’t like Jack bringing Tamara here. He was quite emphatic that she must keep this secret. Second of all, he didn’t like the destruction of weapons and the ultimate confiscation of what was left. He didn’t know what bureaucracies he would have to deal with to explain this.
"There can’t be, "Randolph protested to Jack’s allegation of a leak. "I tell you, it never left this room. Are you sure Miss Wild, that King had all the information?"
"He seemed to, yes," she said. "He was quite proud of himself. He claimed he was well connected. Had connections all the way to Washington."
"Well Washington didn’t know about this either." Randolph grumbled. "I wasn’t about to tell anybody that we lost those weapons. That we had screwed up." He glared at Clayton. Jack raised a brow and shrugged.
"I’m worried about this, John. There seems to be a vast network of crime developing and I think there’s a connection with the trouble in the Black Hills. How did King and Corbin know about the arms shipment in the first place?" How did Corbin know about the detachment from Fort Lincoln?" I’m telling you John, there’s a network here. They knew about train schedules and when tracks were clear, to take that train to King’s hideout. I don’t think King was just bragging about his connections. I think he really had them. Something big is happening." Then his eyes turned steely. "I never understood the need for the guns in the first place, John."
Randolph was silent for the moment. Then, "Look, Jack. There are some things that even I am not privy to. I hope you’re not saying that I…."
"Of course not, "Jack cut him off. I’m just saying, I don’t think this thing is over. I think it’s just beginning. That’s why I think I should go to Fort Lincoln immediately."
"I’m not sending you, Jack." Randolph replied.
"That’s right, John. But I am heading out for the Black Hills in the morning. Just a statement of fact.
Randolph nodded acquiescence, but said nothing.
Jack arose to his feet and smoothed out his black suit coat and offered his hand to Tamara. "Well now that we settled everything here, how about I take you out on the town tonight?" I’ll put you on the train to Denver in the morning and if the Pinkerton’s send you my way again… Well,.." He shrugged. "I guess that’ll be all right."
She smiled coyly.
"John, "Jack extended his hand to Randolph. "I’m heading north tomorrow, right after Tamara’s train leaves. I’ll be in touch."
Randolph nodded. "Be careful, Jack."
Jack nodded and escorted Tamara out of the study, passed Sally Ballard, waving good by as they continued down the hall to leave.
Sally watched them go, a pout on her face.
Miles away in his Washington office, the man known as Senator Joshua P. Ballard sat back in his plush black leather chair behind his shiny mahogany desk. His eye brows grew together, perplexed by the letter in his hand. When he finished reading it, he held it up, touched a match to it and let it burn awhile before crumpling what was left into the ornate ash tray on his desk.
He drew a sheet of paper from his desk and took pen in hand. When he had finished writing, he folded the paper, placed it in an envelope and sealed it tight. Then he rang for his aide. "Post this immediately." The aid glanced at it. It was addressed to Fort Lincoln.
A rider sitting tall in the saddle on a sturdy black stallion rode the trail northward. Early morning sun steamed mist off the dew soaked grass. Jack Clayton was on the trail again wondering what new adventures and dangers would lie ahead of him when DEATH RIDES THE BLACK HILLS!
THE END
Jack Clayton
Will Return
In
DEATH RIDES
THE BLACK HILLS
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