“There, now that we’re friends,” Kateri offered him a reassuring look. “How have you performed this miracle, Sheriff?”
“‘T’weren’t me,” he said modestly. “It was mostly the deputies that cleaned up the town. Young Greene out there is my newest deputy. His Pa was my right-hand man before a drunk miner shot him over a game of cards. That was the first thing we outlawed here, back at the beginning of our campaign. No gambling, no excess, no drinking. Obviously, we’ve relaxed on that front,” he waggled his shot glass at them.
“Of course,” Kateri nodded.
“It wasn’t easy, cleaning up the riff-raff. Lots of drifters coming through here, some of ‘em on the wrong side of our late War.” He eyed the four women sternly. “None of you are Johnny Rebs, I assume.”
“Our group is purely professional in association,” Kateri said, locking eyes with him. “We have never discussed such matters and do not intend to do so now.”
“Fair,” the Sheriff nodded once.
“Deputy Greene was telling us about some of the other deputies,” Marion said quickly. “Do you mind if we speak with them?”
“Not at all. Deputy Bradley lives at the south end of town.”
“Greene told us. What about Deputy Black?” Marion asked.
“He doesn’t live around here,” the Sheriff said. “He comes when we need him.”
“I see,” Marion shot her friends a Look. “Is his residence within walking distance? We could go see him—”
“He doesn’t like to be disturbed. I’m the only one he’ll see,” Brown’s face was hardening every second this line of conversation continued.
“We’d better hurry if we want to see Deputy Bradley before it gets dark,” Rose said quietly.
“Yes,” Brown stood up, but immediately sat back down and went into his desk again for a piece of paper. “Take this to the Gem of the Cimarron, the town hotel. They’ll put you ladies up for the night on the house.”
“Well thank you for your kindness, Sheriff,” Rose nodded to him.
He stood and crossed the room in a few strides to open the door for them. Deputy Greene was gone, and with the setting sun, the town had come to life a little. Some piano music drifted through the air from the hotel. The townsfolk proved helpful in pointing the way to Deputy Bradley’s house. It was a well-built two-story structure set down a curving dirt lane. Fencing ran along one side of the road and the women could see a good-sized herd of cows grazing serenely in the field. As they approached, a young boy, perhaps around 8 years old scrambled to his feet from where he’d been squatted as he painted the bottom half of the wooden porch. “Mother!” he called out.
A nice-looking woman with bright eyes, mid-30s, dark golden hair swept up on top of her head, came immediately to the door. “Good evening,” she called out, one hand straying to some unseen object to the left of the door frame.
“Good evening,” Rose greeted her. “We’ve just come from the Sheriff. We’re looking for Deputy Bradley.”
“Oh!” the woman stepped quickly out onto the porch. “Well, that’s me.” She smiled at their surprise.
“Forgive our astonishment,” Abie said. “The men we have spoken with thus far did not lead us to believe they would entrust women with the job of deputy.”
Deputy Bradley stuck out a hand. “Kate…er, Katherine,” she said. “Won’t you come in? I was just making myself some tea.”
“We would be delighted,” Kateri nodded. They followed her through the wide door frame, noting its strength and structure. The home was comfortably furnished inside. They could hear small footsteps running upstairs and the laughter of some younger children. “You have a lovely home,” she said.
“Thank you,” Katherine Bradley whisked into the kitchen. “My husband is a carpenter. He built all this himself. He’s out in the pasture repairing some fences at the moment. What brings you to Dolan Springs?”
“We’re with the government,” Abie said. “We came to admire your town’s efficiency in reducing its crime rate.”
“Ah, yes,” Katherine replied. “It’s just wonderful. We’re so happy we can raise our children in a safe place like Dolan Springs.” She floated over with tea cups in hand. “Won’t you please sit?”
“Uh, yes ma’am,” Rose agreed as they all sank onto stools around a low table. “Sheriff said the deputies did most of the legwork in cleaning up, though. Could you tell us how you accomplished it? I mean you, Deputy Greene, and Deputy Black.”
Katherine’s smile didn’t waver, but sudden worry showed at the corners of her eyes. She disappeared into the kitchen for more cups and upon delivery of these, went a third time for the tea tray. She was gone for about a minute and a half this time. “What work do you do for the government?”
“Lawman to lawman,” Rose started, “we investigate things…out of the ordinary.”
“How exciting.” Katherine’s tone was flat now. “We work very hard around here too. Today was my day off. It was so nice to be able to spend time with my children and not be worried about their safety…in our town.” She cut her eyes to their tea cups and raised her cup to her own lips.
General
Comments are closed.
Thanks for sharing. I just finished reading parts four and five great work looking forward to the next installment. I would have to say despite having a zero percent crime rate something seems a bit odd in Dolan Springs. Hung for jaywalking damn that’s an extreme reaction. I can’t wait to see what’s really going on in. Again thanks for sharing and keep up the good work.