Breath of the Feathered Serpent (7 page)

“Doc from town,” Elijah said. “Jackson, too. Not that we’d trust him. He’s in Carter’s pocket. Things have been strange for a few months. Pa started to act odd. We started losing cattle to rustlers, and then his death. Uncle moved in after that to act as guardian and manager until I’m old enough to inherit. Just another few months. Uncle says as soon as I take over, he’ll go back East.”

“You didn’t know your uncle was coming to visit?” Madison asked.

Ellen shook her head. “He said it was meant to be a surprise for us when we came back from our trip. Something he and Pa had thought up, he said.” She shrugged. “What does it matter? We’re grateful he’s here until Elijah takes over.”

“I guess you’re right there, mi...um, Ellen.” Madison smiled. “Very lucky he was here. Well, we have to be off. We’ll return to see what your uncle decides. Let’s go, Adam.”

Chapter Ten

They mounted their horses, and Adam led them in the direction of the Big A. With Carter’s warning, it wasn’t going to be worthwhile going up to the ranch proper. However Adam wanted to get a feel for the land and layout. Nothing seemed out of place, no extra men, and nothing to suggest an increase of activity of any kind.

“Nothing here,” Adam said. “Let’s ride out to the Silver S. We can ride along the river.”

They cantered at an easy pace. There were still a couple of weeks to find the missing statue. Adam didn’t want to appear as if they were agitated.

Madison called for Adam to stop as he reined in his horse. “Let’s stop for a bite to eat and some coffee.” Madison dismounted and tethered his horse where the mare could munch at the grass.

Adam left Cinnamon next to Spark and concentrated on getting the fire going while Madison nonchalantly stripped and waded out into the river. Adam shook his head and smiled. He’d never met anyone so lucky at catching fish in so unusual a manner. But sure enough, by the time he had the fire burning and the coffee heating, Madison returned holding two good-sized fish.

While Madison dried himself with his blanket and redressed, Adam gutted the fish and threaded them onto a damp stick to grill over the fire. He poured out the coffee as Madison joined him.

“You know we’re gonna have to go back to town,” he said as he took a cup. Madison inhaled and sighed appreciatively. “You, sir, are a king amongst coffee makers.”

Adam snorted. “Yeah. Bartender’ll be glad to see us at least.”

“Hmm. While you telegraph
uncle
and get some money from him, I think I’ll pay me a visit to the other saloon. Maybe have a dance with one of the ladies there.”

“A dance?” Adam echoed. He laughed as Madison shimmied his shoulders.

“Be careful with the telegram and bank. I’m sure Carter has spies in both places. I think he’s up to his shifty little eyes in this theft.”

“What? Mr. Abel Carter, rancher, mayor-to-be, and all-around paragon of virtue, mixed up in skullduggery? Shame on you, sir.” Adam laughed softly as Madison choked on a mouthful of coffee.

“If only the town knew the man behind the mask.” Adam shook his head. “I think Carter’s gotten used to buying what he wants. We know he wants Abe’s ranch.”

“There’s altogether too much interest and excitement around that empty property.”

“The statue
has
to be there somewhere.” Adam poured himself another coffee. He inhaled its aroma, blew on the steaming liquid, and sipped cautiously. “I’ll follow you into town after I go up into the hills over there and get a good view of the ranch’s layout. I’m gonna draw me a map of it, so when we check things out we can cross them off. Then I’ll head into town.”

“Good idea. We can meet up at Sam’s saloon for dinner. This triangle of ranches is the key, all right.” Madison reached across carefully and pressed the fish, testing its readiness. He licked his fingers as he pulled them quickly back. “Those feel ready.” He picked up a skewer and turned it over looking at the fish. “Perfect,” he said with a grin.

Adam took his own skewer and began to carefully pick at the fish. “Our presence here makes Carter nervous enough to want to run us out of town. We’re loose cannons he didn’t anticipate. He doesn’t strike me as the naturally nervous type. I think something’s gotten a little out of his control.”

Madison murmured his agreement around a mouthful of fish. They fell into a companionable silence as they ate. Adam tossed his bare skewer aside and closed his eyes. An image of Elijah came to mind. It was almost impossible for him to keep the younger man out of his thoughts.

He imagined what Elijah would look like shirtless, with a youthful, smooth chest and perfect caramel nipples. He then pictured Elijah naked, his skin pale where it was untouched by the Texan sun. Adam squirmed a little, his pants becoming restrictive as his cock swelled.

“Whatever’s on your mind is sure making you smile, my friend.”

Madison’s amused voice jolted Adam from his lust-laden fantasies, and he opened his eyes quickly. “Yep,” he drawled casually. “Just picturing myself in paradise.”

“Oh yeah?” Madison winked. “Well I’ll just bet I can give you paradise’s real name.”

Adam glowered at his friend; Madison chortled anyway, his face half-hidden by his coffee cup. Adam’s face relaxed into a smile of his own. It gave him a real good feeling to know Madison was unconcerned with his attraction to Elijah.

Life as a Federal Marshal was difficult and lonely. Suspicion and distance were often your best friends. That made life outside of a mission hard to deal with, and relationships even harder. Having a friend like Madison and knowing he always there for him, watching his back, was the most valuable thing in Adam’s life.

For a few minutes, the men simply enjoyed the warmth of the fire, the peace around them, and the comfort that came from a full belly and good company. All too soon, the pressing needs of their duties forced them to break camp. While Madison packed their belongings away, Adam doused the fire.

He watched Madison head toward town and patted Cinnamon’s neck. The mare whinnied and gently butted his shoulder. “Good girl,” he murmured. He mounted with ease and patted his mare again. “Come on, girl. Let’s get up into those hills.”

The ride wasn’t difficult, and he found a couple of ideal places affording a good panoramic view of the ranch house and the outbuildings. He took his goggles from his saddlebag, as well as paper and a pencil. He donned the goggles and scoured the property, unsure what he was looking for. With a frustrated shrug, he lifted the goggles and began to draw.

He drew a quick sketch, labeling the house, barns, corrals, water troughs, and the well. He leaned forward. Two riders were approaching. He repositioned his goggles and muttered a stream of oaths. The men’s faces were obscured by their neckerchiefs, almost like bandits.

Adam peered closely as the men dismounted. They both searched the area where the body had been.
Interesting. I don’t remember either of them being with the sheriff, so how do they know to look right there? Exactly where the dead man lay.

Absently, he fingered his belt and the stud that opened the hidden compartment. As the smaller of the men ran his fingers through the dust, Adam knew for certain they were looking for the ring he now had.
Died from drinking bad water. Looks like this ring has more significance than just its color. Damn your eyes for wearing masks.

He looked at the taller man, who remained standing and scuffed his feet through the dust. Something about him piqued Adam’s curiosity. Adam bit his bottom lip. Whatever the reason, he couldn’t put his finger on it right at that moment.

The smaller man stood, and they talked for a minute or two before mounting and riding away. Adam removed his goggles and rubbed at his aching eyes.

“What’s so important about this ring?” He spoke aloud, but the only reply was a snort from Cinnamon. He sighed as he looked at her.
Lots of pieces to this puzzle, and none fit. Yet.

Chapter Eleven

The sun hung low in the west as Adam rode back into town. He left Cinnamon in the livery stable, earning a wave and greeting from the blacksmith. Then he went to the telegraph office and, after that, the bank. He fully expected his message to their
uncle
and the transmission of funds to be reported to Carter.

He walked into the saloon and nodded at Madison who stood leaning against the bar, chatting with Sam. If he knew his partner, there wouldn’t be an iota of town scandal he didn’t know.

“Hey there, cousin. Glad to see you. Have a beer.” Madison waved at him.

“Don’t mind if I do,” Adam said. He picked up the glass and downed half the beer in one large gulp. He nodded at Sam. “That hit the spot.”

“Glad to see you boys back,” Sam said. “Hope you hear somethin’ ‘bout work.”

“Yeah, well, we may find something with the new owner of the Silver S,” Madison said. “We’re having dinner with him tonight, by the way. I met up with him in town. He’s likely to need some help around the place.”

“That a fact?” Adam swallowed another mouthful of beer and nodded. “Hope dinner’s on him. Uncle’s sending us some more money, but funds are dropping mighty low.”

“Yep. Dinner’s on him,” Madison said. “Guess he’s feeling a little lonesome. Big change from a city to this little town.”

“Ah, but if Mr. Carter get his way, we won’t be small for much longer,” Sam said. “He has big ideas. Plans to put Buzzard Hill on the map.”

“Uh-huh,” Adam drawled.

“Come on, cousin,” Madison said. “Let’s go wash up, and we can get to that fancy hotel of Abe’s.”

“Well, if they don’t let you boys in, there’s always steak and potatoes here. Peach pie tonight.” Sam chuckled as he picked up another glass.

“Sam, you have a deal,” Madison said.

Adam followed Madison upstairs and sat on the bed while Madison locked the door. “Anything?” Adam asked.

“Seems that while Carter is throwing money around like it’s confetti, his funds aren’t as vast as he’d have people believe. His isn’t the biggest ranch, the Lazy E is. He’s tried buying land off the twin’s father and marrying Ellen. Got nowhere with either. Then he tried for the Silver S. He also part owns the bordello I visited.”

“Now that had to be a real hard job.” Adam smirked, and Madison laughed.

“Yeah, but I was up to the task. What about you?”

“Couple of cowboys poked around the Silver S.” Adam opened his secret compartment and looked at the ring. “I think they were looking for this.”

“Could be a token of some kind, to identify whose side you’re on, I guess,” Madison said. He shrugged, went to the vanity, and poured water from the jug into the basin. He splashed water on his face and patted it dry.

“No bath?” Adam asked. His friend always liked bathing after a sexual encounter.

“Had one at the bordello. Hot water right from the tap courtesy...” Madison started.

“...of Cater,” Adam finished. “Well guess I just wait for my next bath.”

A few minutes later, they left the saloon and headed to the hotel. Adam pretended not to see the cowboy, who’d been so interested in them previously, still watching their every move.

Abe was waiting in the foyer and greeted them both with equal fervor, talking as if they were all old friends. He led them through to the hotel’s restaurant.

“Beer or wine, gentlemen?” he asked.

Adam and Madison exchanged a glance. “Beer, for both of us. Wine’s a bit too rich for our tastes,” Madison said.

The waiter took the drink order and returned with beer for Adam and Madison and a glass of wine for Abe. He took their food order. Adam and Madison chose the pork chops, and Abe the roast beef.

They chatted as they ate, and the evening passed by uneventfully. Abe was excited at the idea of going to his ranch the next day.

“Look, Abe. Don’t leave too early. Me and Adam will meet you there after lunch. How’s that?” Madison asked.

“That would be wonderful. I can’t afford too much, but you could stay at the ranch. I can cook. I’ve already bought a whole pile of supplies.” Abe looked hopefully from Adam to Madison and back again.

“Let us speak with Mortimer at the Lazy E,” Adam said. “I’m sure we can do something around your place.”

“Oh, thank you,” Abe said and put his hand over Adam’s.

Adam patted it gently and then removed it. He liked the pretty, innocent young man, but he was most certainly not interested in bedding him.

“Well, thanks for the meal. Not every day you get to eating in posh surroundings like this with linen and all,” Madison said.

He and Adam rose, and Abe followed them through to the foyer.

“I really appreciate having some friends,” Abe said softly. “I didn’t have many back East, and they were horrified I was coming out West. They were all convinced I’d be eaten by cannibals within a week. I enjoyed your company, gentlemen. I truly did.”

“Then you listen to us,” Adam said. “Don’t go to the ranch until after noon. We’ll see you then. Be careful riding out there, too.”

“Thank you, Adam. I will. Goodnight.” Abe smiled, and headed towards the stairs. He glanced back and waved.

“I like him,” Madison said, “but he’s way too trusting.”

“I hope he finds someone to keep an eye on him.” Adam rubbed his chin. “He needs a keeper. Well, come on. We didn’t get far today, and time’s ticking on.”

Side by side, they headed back to the saloon.

Chapter Twelve

Early the next morning, Adam and Madison headed back to the Lazy E. However, Mortimer was feeling unwell and declined to leave his room.

“Sorry, but Uncle has the last say in regards to the men working here,” Elijah said.

Ellen snorted.

“That a problem?” Adam asked. “Doesn’t he pick good ranch hands?”

“I’d trust our men,” Ellen said, her voice hard. “The ones here before Pa...died. But I don’t trust Uncle Mortimer’s choices. They seem...shifty. Can’t put my finger on it. But they’re too casual. Don’t show any respect.”

“They are overfamiliar,” Elijah said.

The young man shuddered, and Adam was at his side in two steps. “Any of them touch you?” he asked from between gritted teeth.