The Valeron Code Read online

  A tiny bell, dangling from a hook above the door, announced his arrival when Mason stepped through the entrance way. He discovered the interior was an office of sorts, with a long, cushioned exam table, adequate for a patient to sit or lie down upon. There were cupboards and a wash basin, along with numerous bottles of potions and pills along a shelf. To the rear were the living quarters. He stopped before proceeding further and removed his hat.

  Momentarily, a grey-haired lady stepped out of the adjacent room to meet him. Short, not more than five foot in height, she was matronly in build, but had steady green eyes. Both strength and compassion were imbedded in her facial features.

  She smiled a greeting. ‘You look about as healthy as a two-year-old bull,’ were her words of welcome. ‘What can I do for you?’

  Mason twisted his hat in his hands, uncomfortable around the fairer sex, regardless of their age. ‘I’m here to see the doc.’

  ‘That would be me,’ she replied professionally. ‘John, my husband, was a doctor for twenty-odd years. I started out as his nurse or aide and took over the practice when he died. I left the “J” on the sign out front because my first name is Julia.’

  ‘Miss Brooks said you were about the most respected person in town.’

  She laughed at the statement. ‘No one dares badmouth the only doctor for a hundred miles around, sonny. Could be, they might need me to save their life or limb one day.’

  Her humour put him more at ease. ‘Well, I’ve a mind to put a stop to the tax fraud, intimidation, and downright abuse of the citizens and decent folks hereabouts.’

  The woman re-evaluated him with a cool scrutiny. ‘Did you bring along the army?’

  ‘No, ma’am. That’s why I’m here to see you.’

  ‘I was down the street, doing some shopping, a few minutes ago. I happened to see you . . .’ she searched for the definition she wanted, ‘introduce yourself to Connor and Sandoval. I rather expected one or both of them to come by asking for treatment.’ She gave him a critical evaluation. ‘Never seen two grown men taken down any quicker than you did that pair of coyotes – one or two punches each!’ She scrutinized his muscular frame. ‘Close up, you look about as capable as any man I ever met.’

  ‘Those fellows are trying to run Miss Brooks out of the valley.’ He shrugged. ‘They seemed to think they could run me off too – insulted my horse in the process. Well,’ he stated manifestly, ‘I don’t allow no-accounts to make fun of my dependable steed.’

  She laughed at his explanation. ‘And the mayor? What did he have to say about you manhandling his two hired grunts?’

  ‘Didn’t come up,’ Mason told her. ‘He was busy cussing at me for locking him in one of his own cells. I’ve got all three of them varmints stowed away at the sheriff’s office.’

  ‘You mean the mayor’s office.’

  ‘It’s not his office any more.’

  The news caused the woman’s eyes to widen in surprise. ‘So you arrested Mayor Lafferty?’

  ‘Seemed the best way to start this here project. This town needs a fair and impartial justice system. I’ve been told the mayor is part of the problem. His men also attempted to silence the press, the result of which ended with a young man being nearly killed a short while back.’

  ‘Tommy Smith,’ she acknowledged. With a curious glint in her eyes, she said: ‘You sound well educated in the field of law.’

  ‘I’ve been on both sides of a jail cell the past few years,’ he explained. ‘Plus, I’ve just finished several days with Miss Brooks’ brother. He outlined the problems of this town until I was sick of listening to him talk.’

  The statement caused Julia to smile. ‘I see.’

  ‘Like I told you, I need an ally, and Miss Brooks said you were respected around town.’

  ‘Explain what you want of me, young man,’ Julia proceeded cautiously. ‘Then I’ll decide if I can help you or not.’

  Julia walked over to Will Barney’s house. It was little more than a shack, but the judge liked to think of himself as a successful magistrate. He had a woman living with him – supposedly his spinster sister-in-law, but most around town knew she was a live-in cook, housekeeper and companion.

  The woman answered the door in a ragged housecoat. When Julia related why she had come, the gal yelled over her shoulder: ‘Someone to see you, Willy!’ Then she left Julia standing at the entrance and wandered off to the back of the two-room abode.

  Judge Barney was in his fifties, unshaven for several days, with a nearly bald head and the red-rimmed eyes of a hard drinker. Built like a pot-belly stove, he had large ears that stood out from his head like a stagecoach with both doors open.

  ‘Julia, my dear!’ he greeted her blandly. ‘What brings you to my doorstep?’

  She disliked the fact that, sporting the title of a judge, Barney felt his status allowed him to call everyone by their first name. Hiding the sensation, she offered up a smile.

  ‘We’ve a little excitement I thought you should know about.’

  ‘Excitement? In our fair town?’

  ‘The mayor and his two hired rowdies are behind bars – charged with assaulting Tommy Smith and verbally threatening Miss Brooks.’

  Barney blinked and his face twisted in shock. ‘What?’ he croaked hoarsely. ‘Who put them behind bars?’

  ‘A rather competent fellow by the name of Rod Mason. He arrested the three of them and has been proclaimed sheriff . . . by order of the interim mayor.’

  ‘Interim mayor?’ Barney floundered in confusion. ‘Who appointed an interim mayor?’

  ‘Mr Mason, the man who is now sheriff.’

  Barney slapped his brow, even more befuddled. ‘Hold on!’ he said, trying to make sense of what Julia was telling him. ‘A sheriff can be appointed by an acting mayor, but I never heard of a non-elective sheriff selecting his own mayor!’ He puffed up his chest and ire caused a red flush in his cheeks. ‘If anyone has the authority to do any appointing, it would be me!’

  ‘I’m here as a courtesy,’ Julia went on calmly, ignoring his outburst. ‘I wanted you to be aware of what had happened.’

  The man’s eyes remained bulging at the bizarre tidings, but finally rasped out the question: ‘Who, may I ask, is this new interim mayor?’

  ‘That would be me.’

  Barney’s face increased to a darker shade of red. ‘You mean to tell me that you appointed the sheriff, after he appointed you?’

  ‘Yes, it happened something like that.’ Julia clarified the chain of events: ‘He suggested I assume the position of mayor, as Mike Lafferty is likely to be sent to prison. Once I accepted the job, I took it upon myself to appoint him sheriff.’

  The judge was reeling, trying to decide if the doctor had gone totally mad, or if his own mind had suddenly taken a journey down a burrow of utter nonsense. He sputtered and mumbled for a few seconds, then turned to get his hat and coat.

  ‘I’d better have a talk with this man, Julia. None of these actions can be sanctioned without the approval of the reigning authority in Deliverance. I’m the judge. Therefore, I am the one who will decide who can or can’t be appointed to what position.’

  ‘Mr Mason thought you might see it that way,’ Julia responded.

  The man came out of the house, shoving his arms into the sleeves of his worn, black suit-coat. He also donned a black top hat that had lost much of its blocking, and started up the street, taking long, determined strides. Julia had to hurry to keep up with him as they marched to the mayor’s office and through the front door.

  Mason was sitting behind what had been the mayor’s desk, sorting through handbills and wanted notices he’d found shoved in the bottom drawer. He ignored Barney’s arrival, but rose to his feet when Julia entered the office a couple steps behind him.

  ‘Mayor Wright,’ he greeted her cordially. ‘Good to see you again.’

  ‘What’s all this hogwash, young man?’ Barney bellowed. ‘I personally heard the case concerning Tommy Smith. The court deemed his
beating was the result of an insignificant altercation.’

  ‘This the would-be magistrate?’ Mason asked Julia. At her nod, he put a hard look on the judge.

  ‘I find no official document here that allows you are any kind of judge,’ he stated. ‘When and where did you receive your appointment?’

  Barney made a face. ‘Mayor Lafferty designated me the town judge. It was one of his first duties of his office. I was a lawyer for several years, so I know the law.’

  ‘So do I, Barney,’ Mason replied. ‘As Mr Lafferty was never an official mayor, he had no authority to appoint anyone to such a lofty post.’

  ‘Lafferty was named mayor by the townspeople!’ Barney argued.

  ‘You have a town council?’

  ‘Well, no, but it was a unanimous decision by the most prominent citizens in town.’

  ‘That so?’ Mason looked to Julia. ‘Were you invited?’

  ‘No,’ she answered. ‘This all came about when Mr Rutherford and his men arrived in town and took over the bank and saloon a few months back. Since that time, they have ruled over the entire town. Up until their arrival, we had an open session in place for the citizens whenever there was a problem to be solved.’

  Barney glared at the doctor. ‘You’re twisting this askew; putting everything in a bad light, Julia!’

  ‘You don’t want to insinuate the mayor is telling falsehoods in front of me, Barney,’ Mason warned. ‘Not unless you want a busted nose and a jail cell for defaming her character.’

  The ex-judge took a step back and the blood drained from his face. ‘Well . . . I meant no offence,’ he muttered. ‘This is all so sudden. I don’t—’

  ‘We have wired for a circuit judge,’ Mason cut him off. ‘If you’d care to offer a transcript from your hearing concerning the assault on Tommy Smith, it would be appreciated.’

  ‘Transcript?’ he mumbled.

  ‘You keep a record of all court proceedings, do you not?’

  Barney shuffled his feet. ‘Uh, not exactly.’

  ‘Then we will hold court without your input,’ Mason announced. ‘Until we get things sorted out, there won’t be any need for a falsely-appointed judge. One will be elected or appointed once the tax fraud, bullying and land grabbing is cleared up. Feel free to submit your name when time for the nomination arrives.’

  The man’s shoulders sagged and he shook his head. Without the position of judge, there would be no monthly payment from Rutherford and Gilmore. Will Barney was suddenly a beaten man, wondering where he could find a job that would keep him fed and housed . . . and catered to by Verona, his housekeeper. He sullenly backed out the door and shuffled off down the street.

  Julia watched him go and cocked her head to speak over her shoulder. ‘Soon as he is over the shock, he’ll spread the word of what’s happened. Once Harve Rutherford is informed of the goings-on, your life is going to become a lot more complicated, and probably much shorter.’

  ‘Reckon I’ve started something of an avalanche.’

  Julia bobbed her head in agreement. ‘I hope we don’t both get buried alive when it hits.’

  The town runner handed Richard the message. In return, a nickle from his pocket put a smile on the boy’s face. Soon as he left, Lynette looked over Richard’s shoulder so she could read the note.

  ‘Dear Lord!’ she gasped. ‘Richard! What have you done?’

  Her brother laughed. ‘Didn’t I tell you? Mason is a man of action.’

  ‘Action?’ she cried. ‘He’ll be dead before nightfall. How can he assume the position of sheriff and install a new mayor? Who does he think he is?’

  ‘He wants me to help watch the jail,’ Richard evaded an answer. ‘I better get my shotgun and head over and see him.’

  ‘It’s getting late and you need to eat supper,’ Lynette countered. ‘We’ll take Mr Mason a meal too. I don’t care what he feeds the prisoners, but he’s risking his life to help me and the townsfolk. I won’t have him eating a can of beans or a dry crust of bread for his meals.’

  ‘Good idea. It will show him you are not only smart, but you’re a good cook too.’

  ‘Richard,’ Lynette spoke softly. ‘Are you sure this man can handle such a major task? I mean, Rutherford’s bunch has a lot of money and guns. How can one man take on an army?’

  ‘You saw him in action, Sis. He flattened those two bullies without breaking a sweat. They don’t call him Lightning Rod Mason for nothing. He strikes fast and hard.’

  ‘Yes, but taking on a half-dozen men at one time . . .’

  ‘He’ll come up with a plan, Sis. You wait and see.’

  Lynette regarded him with a forlorn look. ‘I hope you and your capable friend haven’t come all this way to end up residents in the local cemetery.’

  Rutherford and Dealer were sitting down at the supper table. They shared the house, with a hired cook and housekeeper to tend to their every whim. The plate of roast beef and potatoes was in the middle of the table when Baron Kent entered the room. He was a man who dressed in black, sported a pair of twin Colts with burnished walnut handles, and boots that never lacked for polish. His spurs were genuine silver and jingled with each step. Vain about his appearance, Baron walked the path of a hired gun, as deadly as any man in the country. He drew top wages and was something of a foreman, tending to duties concerning security for the bank as well as the saloon. He was one of three who had joined up with Rutherford and Dealer when they formed a gang in Texas. The other two were Scraps – a brawl-loving brute – and Mike Lafferty.

  ‘You eat yet?’ Rutherford asked him. ‘The cook can bring another plate.’

  Baron waved a hand. ‘No thanks, Harve. I grabbed a bite earlier.’

  ‘You hear the news?’ Dealer wanted to know.

  Baron grinned. ‘Yeah, the judge cornered me at the saloon. He’s worried sick about losing his cushy job.’

  ‘Did you get a look at this guy, this Mason character?’ Rutherford wanted to know. ‘Where does he get off taking over our town?’

  ‘Dunno, but he arrived with the newswoman’s brother. He has wired for a circuit judge – should be here in a coupla weeks. That’s when Doctor Wright says there will be an election for mayor and sheriff.’

  ‘What about Lafferty and his two flunkies?’

  ‘There will be a hearing concerning Tommy Smith’s beating and the misuse of tax monies. As for the rest of us, evidence will be given about how you’ve raised interest rates and forced some of the farmers and businesses out.’

  ‘Banks set their own interest rates all over the country,’ Rutherford dismissed the news. ‘I’m not worried about what a judge might find.’

  ‘Yes, but the intimidation, the beatings . . . the banker’s disappearance?’ Baron shook his head. ‘There might be cause for an investigation.’

  ‘If that don’t beat all!’ Dealer joined in the conversation. ‘Where did this guy come from and how did he cause so much trouble in such a short period of time?’

  ‘We can’t let him take over as sheriff,’ Rutherford said. ‘We need to keep control of things.’

  ‘Might get some support around town concerning the judge, but not the mayor,’ Baron pointed out. ‘Lafferty came with us as an outsider. Add to that, he’s been in charge of collecting taxes and fees from the businessmen, yet he hasn’t made any improvements for the town.’

  Dealer sighed in agreement. ‘Add the fact his two rock-head enforcers have ran roughshod over everyone in town. No one is going to vote for him, not without a gun to their head.’

  ‘If Lafferty and his boys end up on trial, one of them will sure enough point a finger at us,’ Baron warned. ‘We’ll be lucky to keep from ending up in jail with them.’

  Rutherford pondered their situation. ‘Julia isn’t going to buck the odds; she’s too smart for that. We only have to deal with this lone wolf. We need to cut him down to size and run him out of town.’

  ‘You thinking of Scraps?’ Baron queried.

  Rutherford gave his
head a nod. ‘Break a few of this honcho’s bones, gouge out an eye – Scraps’ specialty – and he’ll leave with his tail dragging.’

  Dealer asked: ‘Want to send him over tonight?’

  ‘Tomorrow is soon enough. Tell him to get a good night’s sleep so he is well rested. He’ll want to do a thorough job on this high-minded joker.’

  ‘You know, I could deal with this in a more permanent fashion,’ Baron bragged.

  ‘Killing the man wouldn’t look good to a travelling judge. We’ll give this interloper a push. If that ain’t enough . . .’ Rutherford let the words hang, then added with finality, ‘. . . you can put his name on a rock.’

  Chapter Four

  Mason felt an expectant surge, something warm infusing the blood running through his veins, at seeing Lynette again. She was accompanying Richard to the newly converted sheriff’s office. He took note that she was wearing a flattering yellow dress, with white lace about the neckline and sleeves. Her freshly-combed hair brushed her shoulders as she walked, looking as soft and delicate as fine strains of silk. The auburn colour glinted like autumn-leaf gold in the setting sunlight, and her complexion equalled that of an ivory statue. He stood in the open door to greet them, and held it so Richard could enter past him with a tray and three plates of food. Lynette’s brother continued inside to feed the prisoners, while she halted at the step and placed a basket down on the porch.

  ‘Richard and I already ate,’ she informed him, her voice soft and oddly hesitant. ‘I’ll keep you company, if that’s all right?’

  ‘I’d be honoured, Miss Brooks,’ Mason said quickly, sitting down. Lynette had prepared a complete meal, with a plate, napkin, and a pint of lemonade. She put down a cloth to sit on, preventing her dress from touching the dusty porch. Then she removed items of food, served up his meal and he began to eat.

  The conversation was cordial, with no mention of the prisoners inside the newly designated sheriff’s office. He found the young lady uncertain and reserved, as if she wasn’t comfortable around a strange man. It was queerly gratifying, because he also suffered from being awkward and ambivalent of himself around her. He finally summoned his courage to breech the ungainly bridge between them.