Gun Law of Phoenix Cline Page 3
‘The man not only murdered my little brother, he ran off with Zack’s whole Chinese work crew. They’ve got a two day head start. It might take us a month to track them down.’
Chips shrugged. ‘Like I said, Zeke, we’ve got nothing else to do.’
‘Then pick up supplies for a hard ride. A man like Phoenix Cline shouldn’t be hard to find.’
‘Yeah, especially riding with a dozen coolies.’
Zeke uttered a sigh. ‘I’m the last of the Lichen family. My ma and pa are dead. Now my baby brother is underground.’
‘We’ll make Phoenix die hard, same as you and Zack did with that skunk who killed your ma.’
Zeke blinked back his tears and patted Chips on the shoulder. ‘You’re right. We’ll make that two-bit gunnie wish he’d never been born.’
Several days on the train and another week on the trail by wagon had put San Francisco a thousand miles behind them. Riding cross-country between railroad stops, Phoenix continued to look for something. He wasn’t sure what he was searching for, but knew he would recognize it when he found it.
‘What are your plans for the future, my young friend?’ Charlie asked, obviously curious about their destination. ‘We have passed through several states and territories, and you have said little of your plans.’
‘I’m looking for the right place to start over, Charlie.’
‘You have acquired a most unusual wealth, the accumulation of human laborers.’
‘That wasn’t my intention at the time.’
‘The result is what counts. You hold the indenture of a dozen workers. How will they pay you their debt?’
‘Look, I only gave a hundred dollars to the police chief. He was going to take care of the indenture for me. As for these people, they don’t owe me anything.’
‘I tried to tell as much to the senior member of the group, Fang Chow. However, he insisted that he and the others are bound by their honor to pay off the one year contract. They still owe six more months of service.’
Phoenix groaned. ‘I only wanted to help the girl.’
‘My niece is very thankful . . . as am I.’
‘Your niece?’ Phoenix’s head snapped around and he stared at the man. ‘All this time we’ve been together and now you tell me Su Lee is your niece!’
‘I neglected to mention it, until such time as it was no longer relevant to our situation. It would have been self-serving of me to tell you when she and Fang Chow fled to my house. I didn’t want you taking on a fight that was not your own. I knew if you were aware that she was family, you would have involved yourself on my account.’
‘Well, hell yeah, I’d have involved myself! I owe you my life. You should have said something.’
A fatherly expression settled on Charlie’s face. ‘It was unnecessary, you did the noble deed without knowing the truth.’ He uttered a sigh and changed the direction of the conversation.
‘I came to America as a young man. I have no other family here. It would do my heart good to see Su Lee wed a fine and proper young man. As you have saved her from the degradation of serving in a Joy House, I am obliged to offer her to you first.’
Phoenix laughed. ‘When it comes to fine and proper, I don’t exactly fit the mould. I thank you, but the young lady deserves a whole lot better than me.’
‘She is a beautiful girl,’ Charlie persisted.
‘Yes, and one who should try to find a man she can love, not marry out of obligation for a debt that doesn’t exist.’
‘Then you relinquish any claim on her, Baihu?’
‘You help find her a suitable man, one who will make her happy. That’s the claim I relinquish to you.’
Charlie smiled his relief. ‘And what about your plans for the future?’
‘I expect I’ll have to keep an eye out for the brother of the one man I killed. He mentioned he would get revenge with his dying breath.’
‘Yes, I heard the threat. Also, the infamy and evil ways of the two Lichen brothers are well known throughout the Chinese district.’
‘Zeke and Zack Lichen,’ Phoenix spoke of the two men. ‘The police chief thanked me for killing Zack and wished me luck with Zeke. I got the impression he would like to be rid of both of them.’
‘When you went to confess about the gunfight, I was apprehensive they might lock you away in a cell.’
‘Four men against one, and me defending the honor of a young lady?’ Phoenix uttered a mirthless laugh. ‘No way they were going to charge me on something like that.’
‘Yes, but she was Chinese.’
Phoenix rubbed his chin with his free hand. ‘Don’t recall her heritage coming into the conversation. It shouldn’t matter one way or the other.’
‘He must have guessed when you produced the indenture papers.’
Phoenix laughed. ‘Like you said, the authorities are probably aware that Zack and his brother are both outlaws.’
Charlie let the matter drop. ‘You told me you had changed since your last job, that you no longer wanted to sell your gun and troubleshoot for other people. So you have begun this quest by killing two men.’
‘That’s not fair,’ Phoenix said. ‘I gave the man a choice. He could have sold me the girl. I still intend to do something I can be proud of – make a difference.’
Charlie smiled. ‘Perhaps I and this group of indentured workers can help with your endeavors. Do you have a task in mind, Baihu?’
Phoenix had learned a little about Chinese folklore from having been in Charlie’s care for several months. During his recovery – and subsequent renaming – Charlie had often espoused his philosophy about the meaning of life. He dubbed Phoenix Baihu, meaning White Tiger, because he had fought overwhelming odds and survived. For his new life, Phoenix assumed the name of a mythical bird, which he thought was more appropriate, having come back from the dead. Charlie had teased him about it, considering the Phoenix is fabled in Chinese lore to be a Yin or fenghuang, which is the female counterpart to the male Yang, or a dragon.
He didn’t comment to Charlie about the nickname of Baihu. Instead, he outlined his vision. ‘I recently passed through a number of towns that are sprouting up along the railroad line. It’s why we’ve come all the way to Colorado. I think we can find a place to set up shop somewhere in these parts.’
‘Then you envision a business venture of some sort?’
‘That’s right, Charlie. I aim to find a place where you and these other folks can put down roots and start earning a living. Once everyone is satisfied that the indenture is paid, I intend for you to all have businesses of your own.’
‘A most worthwhile project, Baihu. I’m sure the others will be pleased with the idea.’ He said the words of praise, but he was also reserved. ‘Of course, you are aware that some towns are not fond of adding Chinese to their populace. There are many who resent our ways.’
‘That’s why we’ll pick a town that’s in the middle of the growing process. Then if someone doesn’t like it, I can explain it to them.’ Phoenix grinned. ‘Everyone knows I’m a reasonable person.’
‘I saw your reasoning first hand our last night in San Francisco.’
Phoenix chuckled. ‘It’s a last resort, my good friend. It pays to be prepared.’
The smile widened. ‘Confucius once said: never give a sword to a man who can’t dance.’
Phoenix frowned. ‘What the devil does that mean?’
Charlie laughed. ‘I surmise it refers to an unusual style of dancing.’
Rachel clenched her fists and glared at Nape. His deputy’s badge was crooked – significant in that it matched his character. He had just driven away a couple of wandering cowboys who were looking for a place to spend the night.
‘You’ve no right stopping customers from coming to my place for lodging,’ she stated testily. ‘I’m not doing no one any harm.’
‘Aw, Rachel, honey,’ he slur
red the words. ‘You know how this is going to end. Mr Hildebrand done offered you a fair price . . . and he is willing to let you work for him. I don’t know what more you could want.’
‘I ain’t gonna’ work for him, and I ain’t gonna’ let him drive me out of my business either!’
Nape laughed at her stubbornness. ‘Look at the facts, Rachel, honey. You’ve been a widow for over a month and you haven’t had but a handful of customers. Jimmy, over at the bank, told me your mortgage is due at the end of next month. How you going to pay him?’
‘I’ll find a way,’ she maintained her stance. ‘You and the rest of your bully pals don’t own the world. I’ll send word to the US Marshal about how you are preventing people from staying or eating at my place. I’ll tell him how you killed my husband and drove off our help.’
‘The US Marshal wouldn’t make the trip all the way from Denver just to look into your complaint.’ He snickered, ‘Especially when you can’t even pay your bills.’
A team and wagon turned from the main street and appeared headed toward the boarding-house. Rachel could make out several Chinese and a white man. She was surprised they were coming her way, but if they needed meals or rooms, she would gladly accept their business.
‘Why are you doing this?’ she asked Nape, keeping his attention on her rather than the approaching wagon. She knew he would likely send them away, so she tried to reason with the deputy. ‘A few customers won’t make all that much difference.’
But Nape was done being civil. He grabbed hold of her arms and glared at her. His fingers gripped the flesh until Rachel gasped from the pain. She began to struggle, aware that the wagon had stopped a short distance away.
‘You best get off of the high horse you’re riding, Rachel, honey. You start being nice to me and maybe I’ll allow one or two drifters to eat here or rent rooms from you.’
‘You’re hurting me!’ she cried, twisting in his grasp. ‘Let go!’
He braced his feet and muscled her to a standstill. ‘I’ve a mind to take some of the fire out of you, you hot-tempered little witch. Maybe Blocker was right. After being married to a no-account weakling, I’d wager you’re like a mustang what needs to be broke-to-ride by a real man.’
Without warning, the barrel of a gun struck Nape above the temple. His face went suddenly lax, his eyes turned glassy and he dropped like a sack of grain. As his hold was broken, Rachel stepped back, stunned that the new arrival had slipped up behind Nape and clouted him with his gun. With her mind reeling, she stood agog, while her rescuer rolled Nape off of the porch with the toe of his boot.
‘Pardon the interruption, ma’am.’ The rather handsome man spoke nonchalantly, as if he had simply shooed away an unwanted dog. ‘I spoke to the gent over at the general store and he said your boarding-house might have room for me and my friends.’ He hooked a thumb to indicate the dozen or so Chinese in the wagon.
‘I . . .’ she had to swallow to catch her breath and get her voice to work. She cast a quick look at Nape. He groaned, but was still incoherent, facedown on the dusty street. ‘You bet, mister. I ain’t got no guests staying here at the moment.’
‘I tried the big hotel on main street, but they have a sign out front which reads: No Dogs, Indians or Chinese,’ he explained. ‘That’s when I spoke to the guy at the store. I promise you, these are the most courteous, well mannered customers you could hope for.’
‘I’d be happy to have all of you stay, but Nape is. . . .’ she pointed at the stunned man. ‘He’s a deputy sheriff,’ she explained. ‘Hitting him like you done, I expect you’re going to end up sleeping behind bars, instead of at my place.’
He showed not the slightest concern. ‘Deputy sheriff, huh?’
‘Yes.’
‘Not to worry,’ he waved the notion aside. ‘Charlie will take care of his flock until I sort out my situation with the local law.’ Turning he cocked his head toward the group. ‘Charlie’s the elderly gent just climbing down from the wagon.’
‘And you?’
‘Name’s Phoenix Cline. I kind of got stuck riding herd over some of Charlie’s friends. We need a place for a few days, until I can find something permanent.’
‘If you’ve got money, you’re welcome to stay here as long as you like.’
The man he had called Charlie walked up to them. He glanced at Nape, gave a resigned shake of his head and sighed. ‘Confucius says: a superior man is modest in his speech, but exceeds in his actions.’
Phoenix grinned. ‘That’s me, a man of few words.’
‘I have eight rooms,’ Rachel informed the two men. ‘There are two beds in each room. There’s also a corral out back for your horses. I don’t have any feed on hand, but. . . .’
‘We’ll pick up some later at the livery,’ Phoenix said. He turned to Charlie. ‘If the men double-up, Su Lee and I can each have our own room.’
‘We shall arrange it to be so, Baihu.’
‘If you need more space, I have a second bed in my room,’ Rachel volunteered. ‘The young lady can share with me.’
‘You’re benevolent and supremely accommodating, but that arrangement will be unnecessary,’ Charlie said politely. ‘We are honored to share your dwelling and will be quite comfortable without imposing on your generosity.’
Rachel lifted her brows in wonder. ‘You talk the best English of any man I ever met.’
He performed a humble bow and replied, ‘In a foreign land, a proper education is not optional, it is a necessity.’
Nape grunted as his brain began to function. He rolled on to his back, wiped at the dirt on his face and struggled to a sitting position. Recouping his bearings, he glared up at Phoenix.
‘What the hell, mister?’ he snarled the words.
‘You don’t want to be mistreating a lady when I’m around.’
Nape curled his legs under him and rose unsteadily to his feet. He paused to rub the tender lump on the side of his head. ‘You just stepped in it with both feet, bud. I’ll be back with the sheriff.’
‘Good idea. I’d like to have a talk with him,’ Phoenix replied easily. ‘I’ll be here when you get back.’
Nape cursed the new arrival’s gall under his breath and lumbered away, staggering every few steps, as his normal balance was not yet fully intact.
‘He means it; he’ll bring back the sheriff,’ Rachel cautioned.
Phoenix dismissed her warning. ‘Could you direct me to the town’s mayor?’
‘Don Baylor is the man you want. You probably done talked to him already. He runs the general store.’
‘Yes, we met, but he didn’t mention he was mayor of Silver Springs.’
‘It ain’t like he has any real authority or nothing,’ she informed him. ‘Still and all, he’s a good, honest man.’
‘I perceive my literary teachings may be of some benefit here in Silver Springs,’ Charlie interceded wryly. ‘I believe this thriving metropolis has yet to implement an institution for educating the local populace in proper grammar and speech.’
Phoenix smirked. ‘Yeah, it could use a school too.’
‘Ah, Baihu, you are a master of the obvious.’
‘Charlie, ask a couple of the boys to put away the team and my horse, once they are settled in. You and I should go over and pick up some supplies. I doubt the lady keeps a lot of dried fish and rice on hand.’
‘Am I to presume we are staying here for a time?’
‘We’ll see what our conversation with the mayor yields,’ Phoenix evaded.
Charlie spoke in Chinese to the people in the wagon, then turned to Rachel. ‘If you would show my friends to their rooms, they will get situated and put away their belongings. Su Lee and Fang Chow speak some English. I have been working with the others during our travels, but none are yet fluent in the language.’
Rachel bobbed her head. ‘All right, I’ll see they get settled in.’
Phoenix tipped his hat to her and then left with Charlie at his side. As the two of them walked toward t
he general store, she found herself surrounded by several of the Chinese. She offered a smile of greeting, but got back only curious stares. She noticed the girl was as dusty and dirty as the rest. They had obviously been traveling for a long time.
‘I’ll show you the rooms and where you can clean up,’ she told them. At the blank looks returned, she wondered how much English any of them actually knew. Deciding it didn’t matter – these were paying guests – she led the way into the boarding-house.
Chapter Three
When Nape Cod entered the sheriff’s office, Ponce Martell had been sitting with his feet on the desk. He quickly sat up straight when he saw Nape holding a hand up to a dark welt on the side of his head and asked, ‘What happened to you?’
Nape’s voice was thick with ire. ‘Some drifter clipped me with his gun barrel, Martell. He sneaked up from behind and I never seen it coming.’
‘Where did this happen?’
‘I was down watching the widow’s boarding-house, making sure she didn’t get any customers – the way you told me.’
‘And this guy took exception to your running him off?’
Nape shuffled his feet and did not meet the sheriff’s incredulous look. ‘Uh, not exactly.’
‘So what happened?’
Nape gave his head a tilt to one side. ‘You know how it is,’ he lamented. ‘I was trying to talk sense to the widow. I figured I would straighten her out on her situation.’
The light of understanding flooded Martell’s features. ‘Oh, that’s just fine. Some jasper caught you manhandling Mrs Pomeroy and knocked you into a cocked hat!’
Nape lowered his head like a scolded child. ‘I wasn’t doing her any harm.’
‘Who was it? Do you know who hit you?’
‘I was kind of woozy when I woke up, so I didn’t try and tackle him alone.’ Nape fingered the sore spot. ‘He’s a stranger, and I think he must be the boss over a bunch of Chinamen,’ he said, recalling the men he had seen with his attacker,’ ’cause he had a wagon full of them.’
‘Probably an indentured work gang. You see them all the time along the railroad. Wonder why he went to the Pomeroy House?’