Escape from Five Shadows (1956) (18 page)

At first, Bowen believed she was angry just as her father had been, because he had escaped instead of waited. Then he realized that hers was not anger at all, but indifference. At least a posed indifference. And finally he understood remembering the look on her face the morning she came into Lizann Falvey's quarters and found him there. She had seen the gun, and she had seen Lizann's hands on his shoulders.

He felt someone behind him and as he turned, Karla said, Would you like coffee?

Fine'aI was just thinking about you.

I'll bring you a cup. She started to turn away.

Karla His hand touched her arm, but came away as she looked up at him again. We never have much time to talk, do we?

I guess not.

We ought to have about a week with nothing else to do but talk, to get caught up with each other. He paused. Karla'aI'm grateful for what you've done. I've thought about it and thought about it, but I don't know how to say it.

Is that why you escaped, to come thank us?

Bowen frowned. I tried to explain that to your father. He spoke earnestly, keeping his voice low. You can feel you've done right, but when you explain it, it doesn't sound like good sense.

Karla's eyes raised to his. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that. You had no reason to believe a new trial would come through.

I was hopeful. But then this chance came along.

If only I could have gotten to you before

Well, it's done now.

The morning you were with Lizann Karla's eyes moved to the window I wanted to tell you about it then. But you were there and then gone. I asked Lizann to tell you we'd found out something and not to use the gun. She paused. No'aI even told her Mr. Martz had filed a motion for a new trial!

Bowen shook his head. She didn't tell me anything about it. Listen'athat's something else. She had good reason not to tell me. He glanced toward Falvey at the bar and brought Karla closer to him. I've got something on my mind and I don't know what to do about it. Lizann didn't just give me that gun for my sake. He glanced toward the bar again, then back to Karla. She wanted me to use it on Willis.

Karla's lips parted. But for a moment she stared, saying nothing. You're sure?

She said I could do anything I wanted with it if I used it on Willis first.

It's hard to believe a woman

Listen, I was standing right in front of her and I had trouble believing it.

But you took the gun, Karla said.

Of course I took it. I wanted to get out. I would have promised to shoot President Cleveland if she'd asked me. That kind of promise doesn't mean anything.

Karla said, Have you told Willis?

No. That's what's bothering me. But he saw me come in here with the gun and he even guessed how I got it.

Maybe he thinks there's something between you and Lizann.

I don't know. Maybe he does.

Is there? Karla asked hesitatingly.

Because we were standing so close that time?

That would seem to suggest

Karla, she wasn't taking any chances. If I didn't feel sorry for her enough to do it, then maybe she could make me like her enough to.

I wasn't going to ask you that, Karla said. It just came out.

He watched her eyes and the clean line of her nose and her mouth. It's something, isn't it? We've only talked together twice before this.

Karla nodded looking up at him and was silent for a moment. What are you going to do?

Now?

She smiled. What would you do after. If

After, I was planning to visit Willcox. I've got a friend there in the mining business. He doesn't mine there, but that's where his office is and where he ships out of. He's been after me to join him for a long time. In fact, I was on my way there when I met Earl.

That's where my mother is, Karla said. My sisters are in school there.

You've got sisters?

Two younger ones.

I could look them up.

It isn't far. I go down every once in a while.

We could sure get to know each other, couldn't we?

But, Karla said, it seems a long way off.

Now we're back, Bowen said.

Karla smiled faintly. I'm glad we did that. She paused. Are you going to tell Willis?

I don't want to. Even if he suspects her, knowing it is something else.

Maybe she's sorry now.

Maybe she is. I don't know.

You'd think they would have parted before this.

Renda wouldn't let them.

What if Willis still likes her? Karla said.

That'd be something.

Corey'adon't tell him. If he already suspects her, he must be on his guard

Or else he doesn't care.

At least wait and see how this comes out. If there's a hearing, then you know she'll take the opportunity to leave him.

But if Renda wins there won't be a hearing and everybody'll be right back where they started.

Don't let him win, Karla said earnestly.

Karla, I keep going over it and going over it I can't just use a gun on him. If I killed him I'd be back in jail or worse and Willis wouldn't have to say a word. If we hold Renda and force a hearing, we can't prove anything unless Willis testifies.

But Lizann would, Karla said.

You can't count on her. She might keep still, afraid the plan to kill Willis would come out. Or she might just run off.

Karla nodded. So Willis is the only hope.

And he knows he'll go to jail if he speaks up.

Corey'awhat will you do when he comes?

I wish I knew.

There was silence before Karla said, He doesn't know Willis is here. Every other time Willis has gone to Fuegos. Sometimes he stops for a drink on the way. But this time he stayed'aand Renda couldn't know that.

Your father mentioned it. I don't know how it can help us Bowen stopped. Unless

Unless, Karla said eagerly, you can make him tell what he did to Lizann in front of Willis! He won't believe it from us

He doesn't want to believe it, Bowen said.

But he'd have to believe Renda. And in front of all of us we'd have to do something that's what I mean!

If I was Willis I wouldn't much care.

But you're not Willis! He said he didn't believe us'anot he didn't care. That's why I'd be willing to bet anything he still likes her.

You sure have a feeling about people.

I was right about you, wasn't I?

You and that Mimbre would get along fine.

Karla frowned, but she ignored this and said, Is it worth a try or isn't it?

I suppose it is, Bowen said slowly. Then, Tell your father to keep Willis out of sight when Frank comes, but close enough to hear. Bowen shook his head. I don't even know what I'm going to say. Your father gave me an envelope to pass off as the one Frank's looking for, but I don't know how I'd work that. I've got all kinds of tricks and I don't know how I'm going to spring any of them.

You could pretend to make a deal with him, Karla said eagerly. Renda gets the letter if he lets you go. At least you'd have a chance of getting away from here.

Bowen shrugged. I don't know.

Karla smiled up at him. You'll think of something. Turning away she said, I'll bring your coffee now.

But within thirty seconds the coffee was forgotten and there was no time to think of what he would say. As Bowen looked out across the yard again, he saw Frank Renda ride out of the willows.

Chapter
17

Bowen drew the Colt from his belt, pressing himself against the wall next to the window. He looked across the room seeing Karla and her father in the kitchen, then waited until Demery turned from her and started into the front room.

He's here, Bowen said. He nodded toward Falvey, saw Falvey turn from the bar as Demery started for him, then Bowen's gaze returned to the window.

Renda came at a walk, moving easily with the motion of the big chestnut. The shotgun was across his lap and his eyes remained on the adobe as he approached.

Behind him, Bowen heard Falvey's voice. A protest. Then steps going into the kitchen. Bowen moved three steps along the wall to the next window as Renda drew closer. He watched Renda come to a stop five or six yards out from the door. Now he'll call, Bowen thought.

But there was no call. Renda waited, apparently listening, then reined the chestnut to the left and started along the front of the open shed.

Bowen pressed close to the window, then came away from it suddenly. He saw Karla in the kitchen doorway, motioned to her and moved quietly to meet her. He's going around back. Get Willis's horse out of sight quick!

He stepped to the window again, saw Renda nearing the end of the shed, made sure he was turning the corner, then hurried to the kitchen. Karla was already outside. Demery, standing behind Falvey who was seated at the table, raised his eyes inquiringly.

He's coming around, Bowen said.

What's Karla doing?

She's all right.

Bowen moved to the wooden sink and pressed against the drainboard to look out the window. He saw Karla holding the dun close to the bit, her left hand on its nose, leading it along the stable shed that extended out from the house and almost to the corral. She reached the end of the shed and rounded it a moment before Renda came into the yard.

As Renda looked toward the house, Bowen stepped away from the window. Then, hearing the horse's hoofs again, he moved along the wall to the door and looked out, edging past the side frame.

The chestnut was broadside to him, facing the shed, ten yards out and directly in line with the door. Renda sat motionless, half turned from Bowen and staring off toward the end of the shed. His right hand was on the shotgun and he seemed to be listening.

He'd have to come around to use it, Bowen thought. Or turn it over and shoot left-handed.

Bowen eased open the screen door and stepped outside. Instantly the sunlight struck him and he wanted to pull his hat brim closer to his eyes, but he hesitated with the thought of his hand momentarily in front of his face. Without thinking the word fear he realized it was fear that made him hesitate, and now, deliberately, he pulled the straw brim straight over his eyes, telling himself to relax and get hold of himself, before he brought up the Colt, cocking it as he did.

Frank

Renda's body twisted in the saddle. Seeing Bowen, his face showed surprise, but it was momentary and only in his eyes. He stared at Bowen intently, saying nothing, and Bowen could almost read what was passing through his mind.

Don't even think about it, Bowen warned. You wouldn't get it halfway around.

Renda seemed to relax. You'll never learn, will you? Put the gun down and tell Earl to come out.

Earl's not in this.

He's already gone?

Bowen shook his head. But he's out of it. This is just between you and me.

Listen, you're in enough trouble. Put the gun down. Renda waited. The Colt remained leveled at him. Corey, you're going to strain yourself standing like that. Renda's left heel nudged the chestnut and its forelegs side-stepped toward the porch.

Hold it!

Renda was almost facing Bowen now. He smiled, saying, You got poor nerves, Corey.

Let the shotgun drop and they'll be all right.

What if it went off?

So will this if it does.

You won't get more than a mile, Renda said. You know that. The Mimbres'll be all over you.

Are you sure?

Renda shrugged. You ought to know it better than I do.

Let go of the shotgun, Frank.

If I don't what'll you do, shoot me?

I might have to.

Use your head. You got, what six years to serve. You'd trade that for a rope?

Bowen hesitated. Something was forming in his mind, but he was not yet sure if it could be developed. He said then, What would you trade to stay alive?

I don't see where I have to trade anything.

Now, Bowen thought. What about the letter you came for?

Renda grinned. Little Karla's been telling you things.

Look at it this way, Bowen said. Would you give your life to try to get the letter?

For a moment Renda was silent and he nodded thoughtfully. I've been figuring you all wrong, haven't I?

You see what it comes to? Bowen said carefully.

Renda shrugged. But I'm not even sure Karla's got the letter.

You wouldn't be here if you weren't.

The thing is, Renda said slowly. I don't see you come out smelling any better than you went in. What do you get out of it?

I get what you trade for the letter.

So we're making a deal. Renda grinned. I must be a little slow this morning.

Bowen nodded. But now everything's clear.

Where's the letter now?

Bowen's hand touched his pocket. Right here.

Let's see it.

Bowen's eyes remained on Renda as his hand went to his pocket and brought out the envelope Demery had given him. He glanced at it and saw it was addressed to Demery. Frank, it says: to the District Supervisor, Bureau of Bowen looked up. I can't read all of Lizann's writing. Then, glancing at the envelope again, Department of the Interior, Prescott, Arizona Territory'aThat mean anything to you?

I don't know if it does, Renda answered. I haven't read it. Have you?

I don't have to I've been living with you.

Renda leaned forward. Let's see it.

Not till we talk about a swap.

Renda was silent. How about this? he said then. You give me the letter and I give you a ten-minute start. Take a horse and keep your gun.

Bowen smiled faintly. You believe in starting low.

You want a half hour?

Get somewhere, Bowen thought, but said, still not sure where this would lead, What about the Mimbres?

That's your problem.

Bowen shook his head. They're yours now.

All right'aI'll call them off.

How?

Ride ahead tell them to let you through.

Even if I trusted you, I wouldn't go for that.

You're hard to please. Renda paused, then said, Here's another way. You come back to the camp and we'll fix it for you to slip out at night. You'd have about a six-hour start.

You're bidding low again, Bowen said. The more I think about it, the more it looks like I'm only safe if I stay close to you. Even if I did get away I'd be hiding out the rest of my life'awhile you're making all that money on the road. He spoke slowly, thinking ahead of what he was saying and suddenly, there it was: a way to bring Falvey into it. A natural, part-of-the-conversation way that would arouse neither Renda's suspicion nor Falvey's if he was listening. And Bowen thought, wanting to look around at the adobe but making himself keep his eyes on Renda: Willis, be listening!

He said then, What I need, Frank, is a deal something like Willis Falvey's. We'd each have something on the other, and we'd get along fine.

Renda studied Bowen in silence.

Fix me a deal like that, Frank. I get so much of your profits for not mailing the letter.

Somebody's been talking to you, Renda said quietly.

Maybe it was Willis, Bowen said. Maybe he's getting tired.

Willis knows better.

Maybe he's so tired he's going to stand up to you.

Where would he get the nerve?

He's got it, Frank. He's had enough all along to think of his wife first'ato stay out of jail for her sake.

You think so, huh?

He made a mistake getting tied to you, but once he was in, it took nerve to keep going. The wrong kind of nerve, but at least you know he's got it. Bowen paused, thinking: You hear that, Willis? Sometimes a man will put up with anything for his wife. That's where you misjudged him.

Renda said, You don't know as much about him as I thought.

But now, Bowen went on, he's tired of it. He's starting to think it would be worth going to jail for a year or two just to get it off his mind. He realizes now his wife would respect him more if he did. After that he'd be a free agent and all the Frank Rendas in the world could go to hell.

He knows he'd get more than a jail sentence, Renda said. I'd bust his head for him.

Would you? Bowen paused. He said then, slowly, clearly, Is that what you did to Lizann?

Renda stared at him. Karla didn't forget anything, did she?

She'll probably never forget it, Bowen said, seeing a woman beat up. Did you have a hard time?

She got what she asked for.

Frank, you're a real fighter, aren't you? A sound came from the kitchen. Bowen heard it close behind him, but he was not sure what it was. You fight women'aand men with their hands tied behind them.

Renda's intent expression did not change. You're getting off the subject, aren't you?

We've got time, Bowen said easily. He was thinking, hurriedly: Keep him on it! Frank, what's it like to hit a woman?

You're asking a lot of questions, Renda said.

Do you let her fight back?

This time Renda did not answer.

Or do you get her against the wall and just keep swinging at her?

You're leading up to something, Renda said cautiously.

Frank, what's Willis going to do when he finds out?

He'll figure he's lucky it didn't happen to him.

You know what I'd do if I were Willis? Bowen paused. I'd take a pick handle to you.

You would, huh?

Bowen nodded. I'd crack you ten for every one time you hit her.

Then, close behind him, not expecting it, the screen door swung open. As he heard it, Bowen moved aside, almost glancing back, but at the same moment, seeing the look of shocked surprise come over Renda's face, he knew it was Willis Falvey, just as he knew, suddenly feeling more sure of himself, that Falvey had been listening all the time. Still watching Renda, he thought: If he moves hit him in the leg. He glanced quickly to the side then. Falvey was staring up at Renda, Lizann's .25-caliber Colt in his hand.

Frank'ayou put your filthy hands on my wife?

Renda shifted his weight in the saddle. Willis, I didn't know you were here.

Answer me!

Listen, Willis. I'm sorry that had to happen. It was Lizann's own fault. She didn't have to get hit but she wouldn't tell me He stopped. Willis, she was planning to leave you. You realize that?

Frank, Falvey said tonelessly. When you're through talking I'm going to kill you.

Use your head! She's going to leave you anyway. She don't care a damn about you.

Bowen glanced at Falvey. Killing him isn't the way. Testify against him in court. He didn't just beat up your wife men died in that place because of him, men like Chick Miller. You'll see him dead but let a jury take care of it!

I'll testify, Falvey said. But Frank won't be there to hear it.

So you shoot him and they hang you. You think it's worth it?

I'd as soon that happen as go to prison, Falvey answered. You're wasting your breath.

Renda moved uneasily in the saddle, his hands gripping the shotgun. Willis listen to him he's talking sense!

Falvey stared. Are you through?

Man, stop and think for a minute!

You're through, Falvey murmured.

He brought up the revolver, leveling it at Renda's chest, thumbing back the hammer. It was in his mind to kill Renda and there was no persuading him otherwise but as he pulled the trigger, Bowen slammed against him. The revolver fired wide as both of them went down, and with the report Renda was reining hard to the right, kicking the chestnut; he fired from his lap as the big mare wheeled, but the shot was hurried and ripped high through the screen door.

Falvey was up as the mare broke into a gallop angling to the left of the corral. He fired once, then again. Bowen was on one knee as he saw Renda twist in the saddle and point the shotgun back with one hand.

Go down!

But he called too late. Renda's second barrel exploded. He saw Falvey spin sideways as the buckshot hailed against the adobe, chipping a powdery cloud, and Falvey went down, dropping the revolver and suddenly clutching his left hip.

Then Demery was outside, lifting Falvey, holding open the shot-out screen door with his foot and dragging Falvey into the kitchen. He snapped at Bowen, glancing off at Renda, Get him what's the matter with you!

Watch, Bowen said, coming to his feet. His eyes were narrowed, his gaze following Renda as he reached the far side of the corral and rode on toward the pine-covered slope beyond.

Demery came out again. You let him get away!

Watch, Bowen said again. And as their eyes followed the chestnut moving across the meadow, streaking for the dark expanse of trees, they saw it veer sharply to the right. A single file of riders had suddenly appeared, coming down out of the trees.

Renda circled, waving his shotgun in the air and the riders, the Mimbres, came after him. As he continued the wide circle, gradually coming back to the yard, another file of Mimbres rode out of the trees approximately two hundred yards farther to the right, joining the first group now and spreading out behind Renda who glanced back at them, waving them on with the shotgun, then began to rein in as he neared the corral again.

They're backing him! Demery hissed.

Wait and see, Bowen said, not taking his eyes from Renda. Then asked, Where's Karla?

Inside, Demery murmured. Looking after Willis. She circled around and came in the front. Stood there biting her nails through the whole thing'alike to got hit when Frank ripped up the door.

What about Willis?

His side's scraped is all.

Was he listening'abefore?

Hanging on every word you said'alike courage being poured into him. Demery watched Renda wave the Mimbres past him. Listen, you can't just stand there!

Bowen said nothing, watching four of the Mimbres circle the corral to come in on the left side. The others he counted six Salvaje one of them, rode past Renda. They entered the yard, moving past the corral and spread out in an uneven line as they came to a halt.

Now, Bowen thought; and walked out toward them. He was halfway across the yard when Renda came through the line of Mimbres and reined in a few yards in front of them. Bowen continued toward him until less than fifteen feet separated them.

That's far enough, Renda called. Now drop the shooter.

Bowen held the Colt at his side, pointed at the ground. It won't do you any good.

Drop it!

Bowen let it fall from his fingers.

Now kick it out of the way.

With the side of his foot, Bowen pushed the Colt away from him.

The deal's off. Renda grinned. He was relaxed and confident now and looked at Bowen with open amusement. Give me the letter.

It wouldn't do you any good even if there was one, Bowen said. Since Willis is going to speak up against you.

Renda's eyes narrowed. He's still alive?

You just scraped his hip.

Well, I'll have a talk with Willis, Renda said easily. I've found Willis an agreeable boy if you talk to him right. His tone changed as he snapped, Now give me the letter!