The Valeron Code Read online

  ‘Sounds like he did the best he could.’

  ‘He did, but I want some of the finer things – indoor plumbing, a modern cooking stove, that sort of thing. I don’t want my wife to die of old age at forty-one like my mother.’

  ‘Seems like a good plan.’

  ‘What about you?’ he asked. ‘Don’t you want a home, a wife, and maybe a few kids?’

  ‘I’ve only got one brother, but we’re related to a big family named Valeron on my mother’s side. My brother, Cliff, he went to work for our uncles, while I’ve been busy drifting around from one job to another. Besides, what kind of woman would want a man like me?’

  ‘With your hair trimmed and having shaved off all of the unsightly facial hair, you are hardly in the category of an ogre.’

  ‘A what?’

  ‘You know, a monster, one whose scary features frighten children. Cleaned up the way you are, you look like a normal guy.’

  ‘You saying I’m not normal otherwise?’

  Richard swallowed a lump, as if fearful he had insulted a man who could use him as a dust cloth . . . and the present wilderness offered up a lot of dirt!

  ‘Uh, n-no,’ he stammered. ‘You’re as normal as me.’

  Mason chuckled, having been teasing. ‘You might not realize it, but that last remark is more of an insult than the first!’

  Richard understood the jest and laughed with relief.

  Lynette summoned her bravado as Sandoval and Connor moved to prevent her from reaching her office. She cringed inwardly at the sight of the pair, the very men who had beaten Tommy so savagely he had almost died.

  ‘You’re blocking the walkway,’ she informed them curtly.

  The twosome leered indolently at her, contented to remain in her path.

  Lynette’s heart began to race and she could not help feeling threatened. What would she do if they decided to molest her in some way? No one in town dared stand up to Lafferty or his two thugs.

  ‘What do you want?’ she demanded in a voice that belied her fear. Sandoval displayed an innocent expression. ‘We don’t want a thing, woman,’ he said. ‘But we’re downright disappointed to see you’re still printing scandalous venom about the mayor, Dealer and Rutherford in your newspaper. We must not have made ourselves clear the last time we visited.’ A sneer broadened his thick lips. ‘You remember, back when you had that young pup pretending to be a man at your side?’

  ‘You had to know my report would be critical of your behaviour concerning such an unwarranted attack. If either of you ignorant buffoons could read, you would have probably enjoyed seeing your name in print!’

  ‘Woman’s got a tongue that could strip bark from a tree,’ Sandoval remarked to his sidekick. ‘You think God really give it some thought before He allowed women should be able to speak?’

  Connor shook his head. ‘Real shame He made some females so gal-durn purty.’

  ‘Probably did that so’s a man would put up with their barbed tongue and endless nagging.’

  ‘You’re right about that, pard.’

  ‘Maybe the lady needs some help and is too proud to ask for it,’ Sandoval said, displaying a twisted grin on his lips. ‘You know, she’s got a powerful lot of stuff to pack up and move.’

  Connor guffawed inanely. ‘Shore ’nuff. Mayhaps, we can give her a hand.’

  ‘If we were to ship her belongings off to Denver or Salt Lake,’ Sandoval suggested, ‘it would help to make up her mind. She can either follow after it or lose it!’

  ‘That’s a good idea,’ his friend replied. ‘’Course, that there printing press will be hard to ship, being all big and awkward.’

  Sandoval snapped his fingers. ‘I know of a simple fix. We’ll find us a hammer and break it into small pieces. That way we can fit the whole thing in a couple of burlap bags.’

  ‘You bet,’ Connor chortled. ‘I’ll go get—’

  But the sound of horses approaching stopped the bruiser in mid-sentence. The pair rotated about to see two riders, the first of which was a bantam-sized fellow, decked out like a city dude, complete with a derby hat and a string tie dangling down in front. The other gent was more formidable looking, wearing regular travelling duds, leather gloves, and a flat-crowned Stetson. They stopped their horses a few feet shy of the walk.

  ‘Lynette!’ the dandy called to the woman. Then he swung a leg over the pommel and slid to the ground.

  She returned the greeting, crying: ‘Richard!’ and ran over to him. The two of them hugged one another for a few moments.

  ‘I got here quick as I could,’ Richard told her, backing up from the heartfelt embrace.

  ‘I’ve been worried about you coming all this way,’ she reciprocated.

  ‘Is this sissy your brother?’ Sandoval scoffed, breaking into their reunion. ‘Looks like a clown from a carnival, dressed in them frilly clothes.’

  ‘Were you two accosting my sister?’ Richard demanded in an exigent tone of voice. ‘What do you want?’

  ‘We’ve been suggesting she pack her trunk and head on down the road,’ Sandoval stated harshly. ‘If you want to keep all of your teeth, you’ll help her to collect her gear and haul her carcass out of here pronto.’

  Lynette informed him: ‘This is Mr Sandoval and Mr Connor, the two men who attacked poor Tommy! He is only a boy, and they still kicked him when he was down. They nearly killed him.’

  Richard squared off facing the two. ‘How brave and daring of you men, viciously assaulting a defenceless youth.’

  Sandoval took a menacing step forward. ‘You squeak like a mouse, Mr Pansy-man. Maybe I ought to teach you about sticking your nose where it don’t belong.’

  Lynette observed the man who had arrived with Richard as he dismounted from his horse. An inch or two taller than most men, he had shoulders like a Greek god, and his facial features were masculine, and not altogether unattractive. He sported recently-barbered, sand-coloured hair and enigmatic, grey-blue eyes. He used the nearest hitch-rail to secure the reins of his mount, then moved nonchalantly over to stand next to her brother. He displayed an inoffensive countenance as he confronted the two lummoxes.

  ‘We’re not looking to provoke any disharmony, boys,’ he said in a laid-back tone of voice. ‘Richard only stopped by to visit his sister.’

  ‘Disharmony?’ Connor snorted contemptuously. ‘What do that mean?’

  Sandoval jeered: ‘It means these two yahoos have come to help the ink-scribe shag her toys and whatever else she intends to take with her.’ He puffed up his chest and took a step closer to the new arrival. ‘We aim to see she leaves Deliverance . . . and that means right this minute!’

  The stranger continued to exhibit a tolerant mien. ‘Come on, fella. My friend here hasn’t seen his sister in several years. You can cut them a little slack.’

  ‘We don’t cut no one any slack, bucko.’

  ‘The name is Mason.’

  Sandoval gestured at Lynette and warned: ‘If the woman and her printing press ain’t gone in fifteen minutes, we’re going to smash everything in her office to pieces!’

  The change was subtle, but the muscles tightened along Mason’s jaw and his flint-coloured eyes grew icy cold.

  ‘I don’t see you wearing badges, so you must have the backing of someone with authority or a lot of power hereabouts, huh?’

  Connor stomped over to Sandoval’s side. ‘Look, Mr Nosy! We work for the mayor. We’re peacekeepers here in town. That means no one does anything without our say-so.’

  ‘Uh-huh.’

  Sandoval thrust out his jaw and pointed at Mason’s horse. ‘That being said, you best hoist your butt up on that knock-kneed jackass of yours and ride back to wherever you came from.’

  Lynette experienced a sting of keen disappointment as Mason’s shoulders sagged and he began to turn. He was meekly going to do as he was told!

  Abruptly, the man planted one foot and whirled back around. He struck hard and fast, driving a mighty fist into Sandoval’s face. The force of the
blow knocked him three steps backward before he lost his balance and landed flat on his back!

  Lynette was dumbfounded by the sudden attack, but no more than Connor. Before he knew he was next in line for punishment, Mason turned on him. The man hastily tried to lift his fists in a protective posture, but a set of knuckles exploded against his jaw hard enough to rattle his teeth. Connor staggered uncertainly from the clout, both hands waving inanely to remain upright. The reflexive action proved futile. A second devastating punch sent him sprawling on the ground with his face digging a furrow in the dirt. Connor’s body twitched slightly, but he was beyond rationale or the ability to get back up.

  ‘I don’t cotton to anyone insulting my horse, boys,’ Mason announced to the two semi-conscious men. ‘I’ll expect an apology when your flyspeck brains are working again.’

  As calmly as if he had shooed away a pesky hornet, Mason took a moment to present himself to Lynette, tipping his head slightly as he did so.

  ‘Beg your pardon for the display of violence, Miss,’ he apologized, touching his hat in a polite gesture. ‘It isn’t something a lady ought to have to witness.’

  ‘Sis,’ Richard cooed smugly, openly amused at her mouth being agape. ‘This is Rod Mason, an associate of mine.’

  As bold and confident as the man had been in dispatching the two tormentors, he appeared awkward and unsure of himself facing her.

  ‘I’m pleased to meet you,’ he said, unable to meet her inquiring gaze. ‘Buster here has told me of your troubles. I’m right sorry about your hired man.’

  ‘Thank you,’ she managed, although her voice nearly squeaked. ‘Tommy is the only one who dared to work for me. It cost him a severe beating.’

  Mason looked past her to the doorway. ‘Looks like a nice newspaper office.’

  Lynette purposely moved a little so as to be directly in front of him. She critically eyed the two semi-conscious men.

  ‘Who are you, Mr Mason? And why have you come to Deliverance?’

  He locked gazes this time, consequent to her delivery expressing a measure of challenge. There was no hint of combativeness in his voice, however. He explained simply: ‘Buster thought I might be of some assistance.’

  She rotated her eyes to her brother once more. ‘Rich?’

  ‘Uh, well, you see, Sis. . . .’ Richard paused, at a loss for an answer.

  ‘Miss Brooks,’ Mason politely rescued him from her inquisition. ‘Could you tell me, is the mayor of Deliverance a fair-minded man?’

  Lynette released Richard from her accusatory gaze and gave her head a negative shake. The action caused her long auburn locks to brush gently across her shoulders. ‘No,’ she replied firmly. ‘The mayor is one of Harve Rutherford and Dealer Gilmore’s cronies, and,’ gesturing at the men Mason had subdued, ‘this pair of offensive oafs work directly for the mayor, Mike Lafferty.’

  ‘Mayor Lafferty,’ he followed with another query, ‘he appointed or elected to office?’

  ‘He arrived as part of the gang who took over our town. He’s a tyrant over the business owners as well as everyone who enters Deliverance.’

  ‘With no official law in town, I don’t suppose there is a jail?’

  Lynette replied: ‘Actually, there is.’ She pointed up the street. ‘That building standing alone was built to be a jail and sheriff’s office, but there’s never been a lawman since I moved here. The mayor uses the building as his office.’

  ‘That’s good news,’ he said, pausing to ponder something in his mind. Then he reached down, grabbed Connor by the scruff of his neck and hoisted him up on his feet. Taking hold of the other man’s shirt, he also dragged him upright. Both men swayed uncertainly, numbly testing their jaws and fingering the new bruises on their faces.

  Lynette was about to inquire what he was going to do, when he suddenly asked: ‘One last question.’ She quickly offered a ‘Yes?’ and he ventured, ‘Is there an honest person in town, one who most of the folks respect or admire?’

  She considered the query and replied: ‘I’d guess Doctor Wright is about the most well-thought-of person in town.’

  ‘Thank you.’ He touched the rim of his hat a second time in a polite gesture, then turned to Richard. ‘I’ll see you later,’ he said. Then with a tilt of his head at the two dazed men, ‘I need to square this little misunderstanding before it becomes a problem. I’d appreciate it if you would look after my horse.’

  ‘Certainly,’ Richard assured him. ‘I’ll be here with Lynette.’

  Mason didn’t speak again, but began herding the two bullies up the street towards the mayor’s office.

  Richard grinned when Lynette put a curious stare on him. ‘Rich,’ she murmured, perplexed by what had taken place, ‘Tell me you didn’t come here to start a war.’

  ‘No, Sis,’ he answered. ‘But I came prepared to fight one if necessary.’

  Chapter Three

  Mason stopped at the solidly-built structure. Where one would expect to see a sign reading Jail or Sheriff’s Office, this one had a small shingle that read ‘Mike Lafferty, City Mayor’.

  He took a moment to remove the gun-belts and weapons off of his two captives and told them to sit on the porch. They did so without objection, other than moaning about the pain of their swollen faces. Mason entered through the office door to discover a thirty-ish, red-headed man, bulb nose, with bushy red brows and an untrimmed moustache, sitting behind a cluttered desk. On the paunchy side, the hombre looked like a cross between a hound dog and a red-hide buffalo with its winter coat.’Yeah?’ he said, looking up from a Farmer’s Home Journal magazine he’d been reading.

  ‘Good afternoon . . . Mayor Lafferty?’

  ‘That’s right.’

  Mason dumped the guns and holsters on his desktop and paused to look around. His gaze lingered on the sturdy-looking twin jail cells at the rear of the building.

  Allowing himself a satisfied grin, he returned his attention to the mayor.

  ‘I see you have room for some prisoners. That’s good.’

  Lafferty canvassed the guns and belts on his desk, then scowled up at him. ‘We do use this office for holding the occasional drunk or other lawbreaker. Kindly state your business.’

  ‘First off, do you employ two men – names of Connor and Sandoval?’

  ‘They work for this office – yes.’

  ‘Meaning they take their orders from you?’

  ‘If you’re asking if I’m the one in charge of keeping order in Deliverance, Mr Nosy . . . the answer is also yes. What’s this about?’

  Mason slipped his gun out and pointed it at Lafferty. ‘I’m placing you under arrest for extortion and for supporting harassment and assaults on the local citizenry.’

  The blunt declaration and being at the muzzle-end of a gun caused Lafferty to rise up from his chair, eyes bugged and completely baffled.

  ‘W-what are you talking about?’ he stammered in wonder and confusion. ‘Who are you?’

  ‘Your exorbitant taxes are unwarranted and your two stumble-bum employees attacked the youth working for the town newspaper. Caught them red-handed harassing the lady editor. I’m told this isn’t the first time you’ve turned your dogs loose on someone either. I reckon, by the time the circuit judge arrives, I’ll have a few other witnesses and victims who will testify at your hearing.’

  ‘My . . . my hearing?’

  Before he could question the charges further, Mason waved his gun, motioning at the door. ‘I’ve got your hired thugs on the porch. They both claim they were following your orders.’

  ‘My orders! Wait a minute!’ he wailed. ‘The idea was to discourage the Brooks woman from writing slanderous trash about me and the other two leading citizens of our community. My men were only supposed to encourage her to be less critical. I gave no order about any rough stuff, least of all beating her young assistant.’

  ‘We’ll let a circuit judge sort out how much of the blame rests on your shoulders.’

  ‘The quarrel has already been
ruled upon,’ he argued. ‘Judge Barney took the case under advisement. It was deemed a minor physical altercation that got a little out of hand. He handed down a twenty dollar fine for each of my men.’

  ‘I’m guessing a real judge might decide differently. I don’t reckon your local magistrate is all that reliable or unbiased.’

  ‘Who do you think you are?’ Lafferty demanded to know. ‘And on whose authority are you butting into the affairs of our town?’

  ‘I’m a concerned citizen, and my authority is this here six-shooter,’ Mason answered. ‘Soon as you are locked away, I’ll bring in your hired roughnecks to join you.’

  ‘But I’m the mayor of Deliverance! You can’t treat me like an ordinary criminal.’

  Mason deliberately cocked back the hammer on his Colt. ‘Say what?’

  ‘Uh,’ Lafferty paled, staring at the gun. ‘I mean, you have no case against me.’

  ‘Where are the keys to the cells?’

  The mayor’s gun and belt were hanging on a hook next to his suit-coat and hat. He tipped his head in that direction so Mason would see a keyring and set of keys.

  Mason retrieved the ring and prodded Lafferty with the muzzle of his gun, directing him to the first cell. He patted him down to check for any concealed weapons before he closed the door and turned the key in the lock. Shortly thereafter, his two employees were secured in the adjacent cell. Both Sandoval and Connor were clamouring for water and complaining about their aching heads. He gave them what water was in the office and left the three of them to their miseries.

  Stopping at the entrance, he found the key for the front door. Pausing to remove the mayor’s shingle, he tossed it inside the office, then locked the place up and took the keys with him. He figured, even if someone heard the prisoners yelling, they wouldn’t be able to get in and let the trio loose for a bit. Besides which, he didn’t intend to be gone for very long.

  A short search located the sign of J. Wright, MD. It was tacked to the front of a small house a short way along the main street of town, well cared for, including a tidy bed of flowers along its short pathway to the front door. He observed there was room for a wagon or a couple horses next to the structure, with a row of houses and shops to either side.