The Valeron Code Read online

  Lynette flicked a quick look at him, meeting his eyes for a brief second. ‘Eat your meal and stay in bed,’ she said stiffly. ‘We can discuss this at another time.’

  Mason didn’t have a chance to argue that this was a good time. The young lady not only left the room, she closed the door behind her.

  ‘Well, Mason,’ he muttered aloud, ‘you tossed your hat into the ring . . . and she stomped it flat as a flapjack!’

  Dealer called Bernie over to a table in the corner of the saloon. He had a bottle with two glasses on the table, promptly pouring drinks before he began the conversation.

  ‘How is it going?’ he asked. ‘Any problems I should be aware of?’

  ‘Things are running pretty smooth,’ Bernie replied. ‘I had to run off a couple gamblers last night – caught them cheating.’

  ‘You’re good at your job, Bernie. I appreciate having you work for me.’

  ‘Thanks, boss.’

  Dealer got down to the real reason the two of them were at the table. ‘I was thinking of the story you told me about the Valerons.’

  ‘Never saw one of them close up before, not until that deputy or whatever he is came in for a beer yesterday,’ Bernie replied. He paused to take a sip of the whiskey and noticed it was a much better grade than he was usually served. ‘But, yeah, I do know a little about them.’

  ‘You said they took on the whole town of Brimstone?’

  Bernie had previously relayed the story of how a handful of Valerons and a couple of their hired hands had managed to subdue an entire town. Uncertain what Dealer wanted, he said: ‘Yep, they are a family to be wary of. Fact is, I hear the town of Brimstone is downright peaceful and respectable these days.’

  ‘You didn’t say why they came after those men. What caused all the trouble?’

  ‘The head honcho over all of Brimstone had a brother who was about as smart as your average June bug. He kidnapped one of the Valeron girls and killed her husband-to-be in the process. He and every man-jack involved was either hanged or shot, including the Waco Kid.’

  ‘Kidnapped?’ Dealer’s voice cracked like a teenager on the verge of puberty. ‘You said kidnapped?’

  ‘Yeah,’ Bernie chuckled at the notion. ‘Like I said, that idiot brother didn’t have a brain in his head. No one but a complete moron would grab a Valeron. Their family has a US Marshal and a dozen fighting men in their number. If the devil himself ever crossed one of them, I wager he’d skedaddle back to hell in one big hurry.’

  Dealer didn’t say a word, but rose from the table so quickly he knocked over his chair. A wild look was on his face as he rushed out of the room.

  ‘What the deuce did I say?’ Bernie asked aloud, staring after him in wonder.

  Jared had an idea for finding out the assumed-dead-banker’s location and was searching for a quiet spot a short way from town. He happened to be in a cove, surrounded by enough chaparral that he and his horse were hidden. That is when he spotted the two riders. A couple of drifters would not have drawn his attention, but this pair was leading a third saddled horse. The horsemen were dirty, unshaven, with nearly shapeless hats from the elements, packing pistols and full ammunition belts around their waists and rifles in scabbards. They moved warily, looking this way and that, plus continually watching their back trail. Approaching town from the hilly side, with no main trail to follow, they were apparently sneaking into town from the least visible angle.

  His first inclination was they might be going to try and break someone out of jail, but why only one extra horse? There were three inmates behind bars. He decided to keep an eye on them and remained hidden by the brush until they had gone well past his position. Then he mounted up and began to follow along.

  His hunch paid dividends. The two men went through an alleyway and tied off their horses behind the newspaper office. They tried the rear door but it was bolted from the inside. Jared waited as the pair slipped around the building to the front, before he dismounted his horse. With gun in hand, he moved quickly through the passage to come in behind the two men. An extra horse meant they intended to take someone with them. As only the doctor and the Brooks knew Mason was alive, it stood to reason the target was either the woman or her brother. Likely, the duo either planned to use one of them as a hostage to trade for the three prisoners or in exchange for ransom.

  Even as Jared reached the main street another man appeared. He had a gun out and was rushing toward his position. He waved at Jared and pointed towards the editor’s office.

  ‘It’s kidnappers!’ he called just loud enough for Jared to hear him. ‘They’re after Richard Brooks!’

  Jared didn’t recognize this guy, but he nodded his understanding of the situation. The two of them arrived at the doorway in time to see the pair of gunmen inside. One had Richard by the arm and the other had his gun pointed at Lynette.

  ‘Hold it!’ Jared shouted.

  But the man at his side opened fire, putting two bullets in the man holding Richard. The second outlaw swung around to shoot back, but Jared was quicker, putting a slug through his heart before he could get off a round. In the blink of an eye, two men lay dead on the floor.

  Jared moved promptly forward and checked for signs of life. They would learn nothing from either outlaw. He holstered his gun and scrutinized the man who had fired first.

  ‘We might have taken them alive,’ he said.

  ‘It’s the Barkley boys,’ the trigger-happy gent answered back, also putting away his gun. ‘One of the men at the saloon overheard them talking. He said they were going to grab Lynn’s brother and trade him for Mike Lafferty and his boys. I imagine Lafferty would have paid handsomely for their freedom.’

  ‘And who might you be?’

  ‘Dealer Gilmore,’ he replied. ‘I own the saloon and have a vested interest in Lynn’s welfare.’

  ‘It is a one-sided interest,’ she clarified, remarkably composed after such a traumatic experience. ‘I thank you for your help, Mr Gilmore, but I’m certain Mr Valeron could have handled this by himself.’

  ‘How did you happen to show up at the right time?’ Dealer asked Jared. ‘I only just learned about their plan.’

  ‘I seen the pair heading for town with an extra horse in tow. Looked like troublemakers to me so I followed them.’

  ‘Very astute of you,’ Dealer commented. ‘I hadn’t heard of your family, but my floor manager knew something about you. It would seem the Valeron reputation for law and order is warranted.’

  ‘W-what about these two dead men?’ Richard, still trembling from the attack, spoke for the first time. ‘They are . . . cluttering up my sister’s workplace.’

  A number of people had gathered on the street, having been drawn to the shooting. Jared motioned to the crowd.

  ‘Would some of you fellows lend us a hand with these two?’ he asked no one in particular.

  Several men filed inside the room and they carted the bodies off to the coffin maker. Then Jared shooed the rest away, assuring the spectators that the newspaper would put out the story in detail.

  Dealer was standing next to Lynette when Jared turned his attention back to her. Richard had recovered his wits, quickly becoming more accustomed to violence. He forced a smile at Jared.

  ‘I must admit, I’ve been involved in more fights since I arrived in Deliverance than I’ve encountered in my entire life.’

  ‘There’s usually sparks flying when the law comes to a wide open town,’ Jared informed him. ‘Wyatt has tamed more than one place like this, and it always took his guns and fists to get the job done. Can’t have steak without someone butchering the beef.’

  ‘Lynn, are you sure you’re all right?’ Dealer asked the lady.

  ‘We’re unharmed, Mr Gilmore. Thank you again for joining in to stop Richard’s abduction.’

  ‘I’m always available should you need me,’ he replied deliberately, eying her like a love-starved puppy. ‘You know you only have to give a holler, should you need anything at all.’
/>   ‘I’m sure we’ll be fine,’ she said more forcefully. ‘Excuse me now, I must clean up the blood and write this story for tomorrow’s edition.’

  He displayed a warm smile. ‘Certainly, Lynn.’ Then he averted his eyes to Jared. ‘Nice to meet you, Mr Valeron. With that second man standing so close to the lady, I’m glad you’re a good shot.’

  ‘Appreciate your help,’ Jared said in return.

  As soon as he left, Richard closed the door. Lynette picked up a rag, ready to clean up the blood on the floor, when she stopped and gaped at the stairway.

  ‘Mason!’

  He was standing there, wearing only his pants, with a bandage wrapped about his chest and a gun in his hand. He was ashen from the physical exertion, but had managed to make his way to the landing.

  ‘I . . . I heard shooting.’

  ‘Some hero you are,’ Jared snickered. ‘You’re about five minutes late, if you were intending a rescue.’ His voice might have been teasing, but he hurried up the stairs and slipped a supportive arm around his cousin. ‘Best get back to bed,’ he directed seriously. ‘You’re stove-up enough that I reckon I could take you in a fight. Just kick back and relax. Me and Wyatt have got a handle on things.’

  ‘Sounds good.’ Mason sighed. ‘I feel about as weak as a newborn lamb.’

  Jared laughed heartily. ‘Never figured to hear those words come from your lips, Cuz . . . and that’s the truth.’

  Rutherford and Baron were both aghast, hearing what had happened.

  ‘You killed the Barkleys?’ Baron sounded off in disbelief. ‘But . . . damn! You had me hire them to do the job!’

  Dealer glared at him and snapped: ‘You got sand for brains, Baron!’

  ‘Now hold on!’ He was instantly miffed. ‘You thought this was a good idea when I come up with it. You agreed to the plan!’

  ‘That was before I talked to Bernie at the saloon. You remember his story about the Valerons making a name for themselves by taking on the town of Brimstone?’ At Baron’s nod, he went on: ‘Well, the reason they went to that bandit stronghold was because several of those bandits stole a girl on her wedding day – a Valeron bride-to-be!’ He let the words sink in. ‘Men from that family took on a hundred gunmen to get their kin back, all because she was kidnapped by some dolt who probably didn’t know who she was. If we had taken Brooks, the Valerons might have called in their brothers and cousins to wipe us out. Think about that!’

  Rutherford grunted his agreement with Dealer. ‘The dozen or so men we could gather for a fight would have little chance against the men who brought down an outlaw stronghold.’

  Dealer exhaled slowly to calm his ire. ‘I tried to get there in time to stop it, maybe warn off the Barkley boys without a fight. But Jared Valeron got there at the same time. I had to silence them both before they could point a finger at us.’

  ‘You did what you had to do,’ Rutherford praised his deed. ‘Good thing you found out in time.’

  ‘Maybe so,’ Baron opined. ‘But this ain’t sounding so good. How are we going to deal with these guys if they have a dozen vindictive relatives ready to come after us?’

  ‘It has to look like a fair fight,’ Dealer said. ‘Get them to commit to a gun battle with several men, so we are not involved.’

  ‘Coulda’ hired the Barkley brothers, if they weren’t being fitted for wooden boxes about now,’ Baron remarked sourly. ‘According to the barkeep, they were here to meet up with a few friends.’

  ‘This could still work,’ Rutherford said, thinking fast. ‘We don’t have to tell their pals that Dealer took a hand in their demise. Far as anyone knows, Valeron killed the two brothers in cold blood.’

  ‘I like it!’ Dealer was enthusiastic. He looked at Baron: ‘Who were they supposed to meet?’

  ‘The Barkleys were part of Three-finger Markum’s gang,’ Baron said. ‘The bartender said they often come here between jobs to relax – never any lawmen around this part of the country. It’s how I knew they would agree to do the kidnapping.’

  ‘Three-finger Markum,’ Dealer repeated the name. ‘How many men does he have?’

  ‘Sounded like a half-dozen or more, meaning four or five in the bunch with Markum. That ought to be enough to handle two gunmen.’

  Rutherford rubbed his hands together with anticipation. ‘Yes, yes, and they will want revenge on the man who killed the Barkley boys. We only have to make sure your name doesn’t come up.’

  Dealer gave his endorsement to the idea. ‘I’ll have Bernie keep an eye out for them. When they show up, Baron can sic them on the Valerons.’

  ‘Make certain they know what they’re up against,’ Rutherford told Baron. ‘Those two Valerons won’t be easy to beat.’

  Baron agreed. ‘I’ll tell Markum to set up an ambush. With the right planning, both Valerons will be dead before they have a chance to draw.’

  ‘They can do it any way they want,’ Dealer said. ‘But warn them to make it look like a square shoot. We don’t want any more trouble over the killing of Rod Mason. This needs to end.’

  Chapter Eight

  Julia frowned at Mason as Lynette looked on. ‘Started the bleeding again with your valiant act of trying to stop the kidnapping,’ the doctor criticized his actions.

  ‘Couldn’t even make it all the way down the stairs,’ Mason confessed.

  Lynette injected: ‘He would have been killed, had he burst in on those two gunmen. It was a foolish thing to do.’

  ‘Take my word for it,’ Mason avowed, ‘had I gotten there in time, I would have stopped them. They might have finished me off, but I’d have taken them with me.’

  ‘Save me from heroes,’ Julia retorted dryly. ‘I’m sure you would have prevented the kidnapping, but you would have ruined my considerable effort to save your life. What kind of gratitude is that?’

  Mason grinned. ‘I’ll thank you now, in case the same type of situation comes up again.’

  ‘Men!’ Lynette declared, allowing the exasperation to enter her tone.

  ‘How can you risk throwing away your life in such cavalier fashion?’

  ‘There are things in this here world worth dying for, Miss Brooks,’ he retorted. ‘You being at the top of my list.’

  ‘Done,’ Julia said, before any further conversation could continue. She stepped back from having finished with the new bandage. ‘You need at least three more days in bed, before you go out to save the world. Is that understood?’

  ‘Yes, ma’am,’ Mason replied. ‘I’m beholden to you.’

  ‘Talk me into becoming mayor and then you go and get yourself shot,’ she reminded him. ‘I don’t intend to clean up the mess you started alone.’

  ‘No, ma’am,’ Mason replied.

  ‘So do as I say,’ she finished. Then regarding Lynette with a critical stare, ‘I’m holding you responsible. You keep that man in bed until he can walk under his own power . . . without tearing open the wound in his back!’

  Soon as Julia left the room, Lynette fixed Mason with a hard countenance. ‘See what you did? You got both of us in hot water.’

  ‘I heard the commotion downstairs,’ Mason excused his actions. ‘I couldn’t lie here and do nothing.’

  She relaxed her staunch posture and sighed. ‘I understand. It was a foolhardy thing to do, but you couldn’t help yourself.’

  ‘It’s bad enough to be occupying your bed,’ Mason said. ‘But having you waiting on me day and night?’ He shook his head. ‘I’ve never been in debt to a woman – unless you count my mother for bringing me into this world. It’s hard for me to deal with.’

  ‘I suppose it would be different if you were at Julia’s house.’

  ‘No, it wouldn’t,’ he contradicted. ‘I’ve never owed a debt I haven’t paid. With her, I can fork over a few dollars for her services, being that she’s a doctor. There’s no way I can repay you.’

  Lynette heaved a sigh and sat down on the edge of the bed. She rotated her upper body until she was looking directly at Mason.


  ‘Need I remind you? I’m the reason you were shot.’

  ‘My being too cocksure got me a bullet in the back.’

  ‘Yes, well, Richard brought you here to help me, so I’m still responsible.’

  The two sat in silence for a time, each with their own thoughts. Mason was first to break the strain.

  ‘Durned if you aren’t the most beautiful woman I’ve ever been this close to,’ he said in a husky voice. ‘I’d die a thousand deaths just to hold you in my arms one time.’

  His declaration caused Lynette to stiffen her back and suck in her breath. ‘Mason!’ she gasped.

  ‘I mean it, Miss Brooks. The first time I laid eyes on you, you up and stole my heart. I can’t think of anything but you.’

  ‘But . . . Mason,’ her voice was soft, yet ambivalent. ‘I . . . I’m not. . . .’

  She didn’t finish, as a gentle hand cupped the back of her neck. Even as she was rotating her head in a negative gesture, she allowed Mason to pull her to him so their lips could meet. Hesitant, uncertain, the contact was nonetheless tender and gratifying for them both.

  Cliff rushed out to the barn to meet Shane, reaching his cousin before he had managed to unsaddle his horse. He told him about his brother being shot and how he wanted to ride for Deliverance. Shane listened intently and was eager to go. His enthusiasm stalled, with a stern expression entering his make-up.

  ‘What about your little girl?’ he wanted to know. ‘Has Uncle Locke agreed to let us make the trip?’

  ‘I had to talk Tish into watching Nessy, but yeah, he gave the OK.’

  Shane narrowed his gaze. ‘Tish isn’t usually anxious to tend kids. Being the baby of all of us Valerons, she’s barely past needing someone to tend her.’

  ‘Your youngest sister is a blackmailing sidewinder!’ Cliff clarified. ‘But we reached an agreement.’