Dorothy Garlock (34 page)

“Stay away from Mrs. Byers, ”Thad snarled.

“This is assault, you know, ”Lloyd said calmly “Turn me loose or you'll find yourself up before a judge who will throw your sorry ass in jail.”

Thad ignored the threat and started backing Lloyd toward the stairs. “Get your things and get out of this hotel.”

“You've no authority to put me out. Ask Justine if she wants this property tied up for months, even years, in a legal court battle. I can take this building and everything in it just like that.” He snapped his fingers. “If you don't believe me, ask that doddering old fool Bernie Shepard. Even a country lawyer knows that much about the law.”

Thad shoved him and he stumbled back. “Stay away from Mrs. Byers and stay away from Jill or I'll catch you out some dark night and beat the holy shit out of you.”

“Do that. It would be worth it to send you to jail.”

“Your word would carry no more weight than mine, and I'd have a dozen people who'd lie for me just because they hate your damn guts.”

“You think you're pretty smart, but I've got influence in this town and in this state. You don't know who you've come up against.”

“Yes, I do. I've come up against a crazy coward, who likes to play his little sick games with a helpless woman.”

“Helpless? In her day that woman was about as helpless as a den of rattlesnakes.” There was scorn in Lloyd's voice. His face darkened with anger.

“That was then. This is now. She's under my protection, and I'll break both your goddamn legs if that's what it takes to keep you away from her.”

Lloyd laughed. “When you don't have brains, you must resort to violence. It's been that way all down through the ages.” He went slowly up the stairs without looking back.

Thad waited until he was out of sight before he spoke. “Go to the kitchen, Jill, and stay there until that bastard leaves.”

“Skeeter Ridge is with Aunt Justine.”

Thad passed her and went behind the desk. “Where's Radna? ”

“In Elmer's garden picking cucumbers and okra.”

“Go to the kitchen, ”he said curtly. “I don't want you out here when he comes back down.”

“He's crazy, isn't he? ”

“Jill, will you please go to the kitchen? ”Thad said impatiently.

“Why don't you want me out here? Do you believe what he said? ”

Thad swore viciously. The single word he uttered was ugly and very filthy. His voice was more normal than his face. Murder was there in his eyes, in the set of his jaw, in the redness beneath his sun-baked skin. Jill had never seen him look like this, and it scared her. Their eyes met.

“You are the most irritating woman God ever created. Can't you do as you're told just this one time? ”

“I'm going.”

Thad was acting as if he believed Lloyd Madison's lies! How could he believe that of her?

On trembling legs she walked down the hall past her aunt's room. She heard the low murmur of voices and was grateful for Skeeter's presence because it allowed her time to hide out in the kitchen and put her scattered, confused thoughts in some kind of order.

She was disgusted with herself for crying. Good Lord! When she was with Thad, her pride went out the window. She wasn't a
crier!
Thad would be sure to tell Joe and Blue, and she would be teased about it. Months from now, in some other oil town, Thad would be bragging about how he'd made the little
wildcat
in Rainwater cry.

Dammit, she'd not cry again and she'd not engage in a brief flirtation with him.

So that was that!

She bent over and dried her eyes on the hem of her apron, straightened her shoulders and wished to God she could go five minutes without thinking about him.

Chapter 24

D
ON T FUSS, DINAH. I M ALL RIGHT.

“Yo ain't no such, Mistah Hunter. Yore hip and leg pert 'near black as mine. Yo is hurtin'. Ain't no use yo tellin 'me yo ain't.”

“I'll admit that I hurt if it'll make you feel better, but I'm not using that walking stick you dug out of the attic. I'll not give the bastard who ran me down the pleasure of seeing me use it.”

“Yo is stubborn as a mule, but guess if yo wasn't, yo would still be layin 'out dere 'side of de road in dem bushes.”

“I'm going to the office as usual. Did you call and tell Perry that I'd be a little late? ”

“I tol 'him. Mistah Hunter, somebody ain't likin 'yo to be callin 'on Miss Laura.”

“It could be that someone doesn't like the way I do business.”

“Laws! Yo been doin 'business in dis town pert 'nigh five years 'nd ain't no cars run yo down. Yo be careful yo don't brin 'no hurt down on dat girl.”

“Good Lord! I hadn't thought of that.”

Hunter walked the three blocks to the sheriff's office, his leg and hip hurting every step of the way. His mind was occupied with the possibility that Laura, Mary Pat and Mrs. Cole could be at risk because of their friendship with him. He would have to tell them of the possibility. What if they told him not to come back? But what if harm came to one of them because of him?
Oh, God. Don't let that happen! They are so very precious to me.

Hunter forced himself not to limp until he passed through the door and saw that the only person in the office was Sheriff Page.

“Morning, Sheriff.”

“Howdy. Have a seat.”

“Thanks, but I'll stand.”

“Suit yourself.”

“I was hit by a car last night, Sheriff, and it hurts like hell to sit down.”

“Yeah? How'd that happen? ”

Hunter made the telling brief.

“Could have been he didn't see you, ”Sheriff Page said when he finished.

“He saw me. It wasn't an accident, Sheriff. The car was without lights. He meant to run me down.”

“Have you had trouble with any of the men who work for you? ”

“I've got more than fifty men working for me in one capacity or another. The only ones who are dissatisfied are the ones Lloyd Madison is stirring up against me. Much to his disappointment, there are damn few who swallow the lies he puts out.”

“Lloyd means well. He just goes about it with too much enthusiasm.”

“Yeah? Well, I realize there isn't much you can do about a car running me down on a dark night, but I thought I should report it anyway. I'd rather it not be noised around for the time being.”

“Do you mind telling me why you were walking along that road at that time of night? ”

“No, I don't mind. I had called on a friend.”

“Humm — the only house on the end of that street is the one where Laura Hopper lives with her mother.”

“So? ”

“You'd been there? ”

“What do you think, Sheriff? ”

“I've got a couple of thoughts on the subject. One is that Laura Hopper is a nice woman. The other one is that if I found out that she was being forced, either by threats or otherwise, into letting some horny son-of-a-gun call on her, I'd not take kindly to it.”

“I agree with both of those thoughts. I've called on Laura five times.” He held up five fingers. Each time, except the first time, by invitation. “I'm invited there to supper Saturday night. Hell and high water won't keep me from going.”

“Does she know about Miss Bakken? ”

“She knows that she was murdered.”

“I mean, does she know that she was your…whore? ”

“I don't like that word, Sheriff. Carsie wasn't a whore. She was a mistress to a lot of men. Me, on occasion. I've not discussed that part of my life with Laura.”

“A woman, even a good one like Laura who has next to nothing, can be dazzled by a man with your money.”

Hunter's face reddened. “I resent that.”

“Resent it all you want. It's true. She's a decent woman, Westfall.”

“I know that.”

“Then why are you hanging around her? ”

“That's none of your business.” Hunter's angry eyes blazed into those of the sheriff. “I came in here to report that I'd been run down, not to be lectured.” Still holding the sheriff's eyes, he said, “Anything new on Carsie's case? ”

“Nothing. Officer Hurt and Jelly Bryce went back to the city. Bryce will be back in a day or two. Whoever killed Miss Bakken was pretty damn smart. I'd not be surprised if he's done this before. Hurt will put out the word to see if there's been anything like it the past few years.”

“It's strange that a woman could be murdered in this town and no one see or hear a thing. Have you found any of her belongings? ”

“Not a scrap.”

“If any more attempts are made on my life, I'll let you know.” Hunter went to the door, turned and leveled his gaze on the sheriff. “I'll do my best to see that they are only
attempts.
From now on, I'll be carrying a gun.”

“Don't blame you. Good day, Westfall.”

Hunter nodded and left the office. His hip was killing him; nevertheless, he walked up the street to his office without a limp. By the time he reached the door, sweat was running down the side of his face. He looked across the street to see Lloyd Madison come out of his office and amble off down the sidewalk toward the hotel.
Righteous son-of-a-bitch.

“Perry, do you know where Madison keeps his car? ”Hunter asked as soon as he entered his office.

“No, but I can probably find out.”

“This isn't to leave this office. Last night someone tried to run me down. I'm betting it was Madison.”

“Were you hurt? ”

“Hell, yes, I was hurt. I've a solid bruise down one side of my body and every one of my bones aches. I was lucky to see the car in time to jump to the side. The fender hit me a glancing blow. I doubt there's any damage to the car, but if you find Madison's car, take a look at the front left fender.”

“Why do you think it was him? ”

“Who else hates me enough to kill me? ”

“I'm not sure he hates you. I think he's ambitious to build a name for himself. Maybe he wants to run for mayor.”

The door opened and a man wearing a pair of greasy overalls came in.

“Hello, George.”

“Howdy, Mr. Westfall.”

“What brings you to town? ”

“We're down to nine hundred and sixty feet on the number four well and broke a bit. Part of it fell in the well. We're having a hell of a time getting it out. Another bit is on the way. But that isn't why I came in. Someone poured sand in the motor of our water pump. Shot it all to hell. We've got to have a new one before we can start drilling again.”

“Goddammit, ”Hunter swore.

“That's not all. The valve on the water pump on number two is leaking. The son-of-a-bitch didn't just take a notion to leak. It had help, 'cause I checked it a couple days ago.”

“Got any idea who's behind it? ”

“There's a couple of soreheads working on number six. It isn't any of the men on number four. They're as put out about this as we are. They don't want to lose the work.”

George stood on first one foot, then the other. He was plainly nervous that he'd be blamed for the mishaps.

“While you wait for the bit to be replaced on number four and the motor on the water pump, place the men that you're sure are loyal among the other wells. Tell them to keep their eyes open and to especially watch the water pumps.”

“If we catch the son-of-a-bitch who damaged that pump, there won't be enough left of him to scrape off the floor, ”George growled.

“Have you hired any new men? ”

“Yeah. I gave the names to Perry.”

“Joe Jones, R. Bluefeather and Thad Taylor, ”Perry said when Hunter looked his way. “They're staying at the hotel.”

“Jones? Is that the brother of the girl who is taking care of Mrs. Byers? ”

George answered, “Yes, he said something about that. Only two of them will work at any one time. One stays at the hotel and two work laying pipe. They want to switch off once in a while. It's fine with me as long as the work gets done. Jones and the Indian are working now. They know their stuff and are damn good workers. Taylor is the one who found the murdered woman.”

“I saw him the other night at the pool hall.” This came from Conrad, the bookkeeper. “Big, dark-haired fellow. He was baiting Madison and enjoying it. It was plain there's no love lost between the two of them. Taylor left with that jelly bean policeman from the city.”

“He's the one that helped put out the fire down at Marlow. I recognized the name right away. Not many fellows named Thad, ”George said, then added, “He's got guts a mile long.”

“I wonder why one of them stays at the hotel.”

“Probably keeping an eye on that feisty little girl who is supposed to be running the place.” George slapped his hat down on his head. “I was on the street the night Taylor came wading in among a bunch of rowdy roustabouts to take her back to the hotel. Lord, she was as mad as a rattler with its tail tied in a knot.”

After George had left, Hunter leaned against the wall, attempting to relieve his aching hip.

“Go over to the house and get the car, Perry. I'm going to have to ride in it to get back home.”

Joe and Blue came back to the hotel, tired and dirty. After a bath and a change of clothes, they came to the supper table.

“It's a treat to have a bath when I get home from work, ”Joe said as he sat down at the table. “Before we came to Rainwater, we bathed in a creek if there was one handy. At times it was icy cold.”

“You washed at the pump at home. That water was cold springwater. Julie wouldn't let you sit down at the table until your face and hands were clean and you'd combed your hair.” Jill placed a plate of cornbread squares on the table.

“Yeah. Habits are hard to break. Where's Thad? ”

“I don't know.”

“Isn't he coming to supper? ”

“I don't know. Can't you eat without him? ”

“I can, ”Blue said. “Pass the cornbread.”

“Lloyd Madison tried to go to Aunt Justine's room today.” Jill dropped that bit of news after they were all seated. She had already given Radna a word-for-word rundown.

“Thad stopped him? ”

“Yes, and Lloyd said that he'd reported to the sheriff that we were holding Aunt Justine prisoner and wouldn't let him see her.”

“Thad talked to the sheriff.” Radna tossed her long black braid over her shoulder. “That took care of that. Lloyd was bluffing. He hadn't complained to the sheriff.”