The Killing Season (34 page)

“I see what you mean,” said Harrington. “Do you think that ambush a while ago had anything to do with the situation in Pueblo?”

“I don't see how,” Nathan said. “Since I left, there's been only one train from there, and that's today's, the one on which Melanie arrived. I reckon I've managed to accumulate enough people who want to see me dead, that they're everywhere.”

From the sheriffs office, Nathan returned to the railroad terminal and Foster Hagerman's office. Nathan took a chair, and Hagerman said nothing, waiting for Nathan to speak.

“You know about the telegram that came from Pueblo this morning, I reckon,” Nathan said. “Supposedly from Elsa Gavin to Sheriff Harrington.”

“Supposedly?” said Hagerman, raising his eyebrows.

“You heard me right,” Nathan said. “The girl's afraid for her life, and I can't imagine Elsa Gavin not being aware of that. Can you?”

“This whole thing may be deeper than we thought, then,” said Hagerman. “My God, how can a woman betray her own daughter to a man who's trying to kill her?”

“We don't know that's the case,” Nathan said, “but it's starting to look that way. I'll be talking to Melanie tonight, after she's rested, and maybe we can nail down some truth from all our suspicions.”

“There's blood on your shirt,” said Hagerman. “Did that have anything to do with the gunfire I heard a while ago?”

“It did,” Nathan said. “A bushwhacker, and he got away.”

“You're about to uncover something in Colorado,” said Hagerman. “Perhaps I should hire some men to help you.”

“No,” Nathan said. “That would only give them more targets. I work better alone.”

“We have a few days before there's another military payroll, and there won't be another mine shipment until next month,” said Hagerman. “When you're ready to spend a few days in Pueblo, let me know.”

“It's going to take some time, getting information out of Melanie Gavin,” Nathan said, “and when I go, I'll want to leave her here.”

“If you need a room for her, the railroad will pay for it,” said Hagerman.

“We can manage,” Nathan replied. “I promised her protection, and I can't guarantee that, with her in a room alone, can I?”

“Hardly,” said Hagerman with a straight face. He saved his grin until Nathan was out the door.

 

Nathan returned to the Dodge House, and while he tried to be quiet, the sound of the key in the lock awakened Melanie Gavin. She sat up, rubbing her eyes, and he thought the bruise on her face wasn't quite as severe. He debated with himself as to whether he should tell her of the telegram Sheriff Harrington had received, and finally decided that he should. Perhaps her reaction might tell him something about her relationship with Elsa Gavin. He locked the door and sat down on the bed beside her.

“The sheriff received a telegram this morning,” Nathan said. “Your mother's name was signed to it. She wants to know where you are.”

“Oh, God,” she cried, “don't let him tell her!”

“He hasn't answered the telegram,” said Nathan. “I asked him not to, at least until I had talked to you. Why don't you want your mother knowing where you are?”

“Because she'll tell
him.
Why do you think I left without telling her?”

“I don't understand you,” Nathan said. “Somehow, I got the impression your mother hated Clell Shanklin and was opposed to you being involved with him.”

“She did, for a while,” said Melanie bitterly, “but things have changed. She accused him of ruining me, but then she became less and less critical, and just within the past few days, I found out ... about them....”

“Shanklin threw you down for your mother?”

“No,” she cried, “he's been using us both. We've always operated the cafe in shifts. Both of us are never there at the same time. When I'd be there, he'd spend his time with her, and when she'd be there, he'd spend his time with me.”

“My God,” said Nathan, “I never heard of such. Do you think your mother is part of Shanklin's schemes?”

“I don't know,” she said miserably, “just as I don't know if she would help him find me. I do know that she'll take his word over mine, because she's called me a liar when I've tried to tell her what he was doing to us.”

“I reckon it's best that they don't know where you are, then,” said Nathan. “I aim to go back to Pueblo for a few days, and see what I can learn.”

“You're going to leave me?”

“I must, if I'm ever going to get to the bottom of this,” Nathan said, “but you won't be alone. I'll introduce you to Sheriff Harrington, and he'll keep an eye on you. Anyway, I won't be going until you're feeling better. Now I want you to think of what you know about Clell Shanklin, anything that might be helpful to me in building a case against him.”

“Back when he was ... still talking to me about his plans, he spoke of Chapa Gonzolos. He is a Spaniard and an outlaw from Santa Fe. It is he and his band of robbers who would stop the train and take the silver. In a wagon they would take it into New Mexico, where it would be hidden until they could dispose of it. Clell wouldn't take part in the robbery, leaving him in a position to pass along information to the thieves about other shipments. I think he had already sent them word when the last shipment was going out, and when you took it a day early, it spoiled their plans. That's when he beat me, and threatened to kill me, when he heard the locomotive whistle on Sunday morning.”

“Can you think of anything else?” Nathan asked.

“Once when I was at the freight office, men were unloading cases of dynamite from one of the wagons. When I asked him what the dynamite was for, he only laughed.”

“It'll be dark in a few minutes,” said Nathan. “Are you feeling well enough to go out for supper?”

“I suppose I'll have to. I haven't eaten since the night before I left Pueblo.”

She threw back the covers and sat up, and again Nathan saw the ugly bruises that all but covered her body. He handed her the wrinkled dress that still lay on the floor, and it brought to mind a question.

“Didn't you bring any clothes with you?”

“Only what I was wearing,” she said. “I bought the hat and the veil at a secondhand shop after I left the hotel.”

“Hotel?”

“Where I ... stayed ... with him ... when he wanted me....”

She kept her head down, her eyes not meeting his, and it was just as well. Clenching his fists, his eyes went cold with fury, as he thought of her with Clell Shanklin. Fighting to gain control of himself, he closed his eyes, for again he was seeing Molly Tremayne. His face was expressionless when she again looked at him. She got into her shoes, and standing up, pulled the dress over her head.

“Would you button it for me?” she asked. “My arms are so sore ...”

He fumbled with the buttons until she laughed at his clumsiness, causing him to fumble all the more, for she even laughed as he remembered Molly laughing....

“Don't wear the hat and the veil,” he said. “It would only make you seem all the more obvious.”

Reaching Delmonico's, Nathan found Sheriff Harrington was there. It seemed as good a time as any to introduce Melanie Gavin. He spoke to the girl quietly before they entered the cafe.

“We're going to join Sheriff Harrington. He's a good man, and he's been a friend to me. I want you to meet him.”

“No,” she said. “Not now.”

“Now,” Nathan said, taking her arm.

Harrington slid back his chair and stood as they approached his table.

“Sheriff Harrington,” said Nathan, “this is Melanie Gavin. May we join you?”

“Please do,” Harrington said. “Pleased to meet you, Melanie.”

For a while, Melanie said nothing, her eyes on the table. Gradually, however, Nathan and the sheriff gained her interest, recalling humorous events involving themselves and others. By the time their supper was served, she was laughing, and when the meal ended, she seemed genuinely sorry to part with the friendly sheriff.

“You survived that,” Nathan said. “Now we're going to the mercantile and buy you some clothes.”

“I have no money.”

“You're in luck,” said Nathan, “because I do.”

She was reluctant at first, but her eyes sparkled as she tried on various dresses, and Nathan found himself enjoying her all the more. She finally settled on three dresses, a pair of shoes, and a bonnet.

“You should have some of these,” Nathan said, steering her toward a big display of women's underclothes. “Or do you always go jaybird naked under a dress?”

“Only when I leave town in a hurry,” she said.

They returned to the Dodge House, Nathan apprehensive. Were his feelings for this girl genuine, or was he infatuated with her because in so many ways, she reminded him of Molly Tremayne? She hung her new dresses in the closet, admiring them as she did so. The new underclothes she placed in a dresser drawer. She then kicked off her shoes, unbuttoned the dress she wore, and stepped out of it. Uncertainly, Nathan watched her get into bed. Finally, he sat down beside her, and when she spoke, he was unprepared for her bitter words.

“You don't want me, do you? Well, I don't blame you. I'm used goods.”

Nathan flung the cover off her and drew her to him, kissing her long and hard. When he let her go, he was breathing hard, and it was a moment before he could speak. When he did, it was his turn to shock her.

“Damn it, Melanie Gavin, I
do
want you. I've wanted you ever since that first time I saw you, in the cafe in Pueblo. Will you marry me?”

For a long moment she said nothing, and even in the poor light from the lamp, he could see the tears on her cheeks. But when she finally spoke, her voice was steady.

“No, I won't. It's too late to make an honest woman out of me, and I won't let you do something you'd regret later. Take me if you want me. It's the least I can do for a man who's been kind to me. Believe me, I have some feeling for you, and I'm thankful for it. I never believed I could care for a man again, after ... him....”

It was a dilemma such as Nathan had never faced. Molly Tremayne had been the first woman in his life, and he had taken her without hesitation, only to lose her. Now this woman who reminded him so much of Molly had refused his proposal, leaving him angry and guilt-ridden. Feeling damned if he did and damned if he didn't, Nathan drew off his boots, unbuckled his gun belt, stepped out of his trousers, and removed his shirt. He then blew out the lamp and got into bed....

 

When Nathan awoke, the sun was streaming in through the window. Melanie sat with her knees drawn up under her chin, her eyes on him.

“How do you feel?” she asked, her eyes twinkling.

“Not nearly as guilty as I expected,” he said.

“Five years ago, I might have said that.”

“Why don't you put those five years behind you?” said Nathan. “I don't care about your past or what you were. All I can see is what you are now.”

“And what is that?”

“The most beautiful woman I've ever seen in my life,” Nathan said, meaning it.

“Beauty is only skin deep,” she said. “Perhaps you haven't looked deep enough.”

“I made up my mind about you last night,” said Nathan, “and nothing you can say or do will changed the way I feel.”

“I don't believe you,” she said. “I don't believe there's a man alive who will buy the cow when he's getting the milk for free.”

“Then there's still something about men you don't know,” said Nathan. “When a man knows what he wants, he's willing to pay the price. He wants to own it honestly, and to possess it any other way goes against the grain.”

“Even if it's already been owned by scum like Clell Shanklin?”

“Even then,” Nathan said, struggling to contain his temper.

She leaned over him, her eyes meeting his. “You're right, Nathan Stone. I don't know you. I've never known anyone like you. Give me some time. Then, if you still want me ... then perhaps ... I'll believe.”

“I can wait,” he said, “as long as I don't have to listen to you relive the last five years. Can you put that behind you and leave it there?”

“With your help, I can,” she replied.

With that admission, all that had been missing the night before fell into place. Nathan no longer attempted to drive memories of Molly Tremayne from his mind. He didn't know where Molly ended and Melanie began, and he didn't care.

 

Nathan spent a week with Melanie before again meeting with Foster Hagerman. There was immediate bad news, as Hagerman told Nathan of the unexpected death of the AT and SF president, Pierce Malone.

“I think it's time for me to return to Pueblo,” Nathan said.

“Stay as long as you believe necessary,” said Hagerman.

Nathan made known his feelings for Melanie Gavin, arranging for Foster Hagerman and Sheriff Harrington to see to the woman's welfare while he was away. He left sufficient money with Melanie for her needs, and took a noon train to Pueblo.

Reaching Pueblo, Nathan went immediately to the Starlight Cafe, only to find it closed, an OUT OF BUSINESS sign posted on the front door. He then checked into a hotel, hoping to attract less attention than he might by staying at the terminal bunkhouse. Nathan had no idea where Elsa Gavin lived, and he set about finding her. He began with the railroad dispatcher, Elbert Grimes.