Beyond The Horizon (40 page)

“No, he left the next day, and I’ve neither seen nor heard from him since,” Shannon explained. “Now tell me about you.”

“I’ve been with Red Cloud since I left Fort Laramie last spring. The survivors of Grandfather’s village joined him shortly after I returned to the fort. My friend Jumping Buffalo and his wife Sweet Grass made me welcome in their tipi.”

“I’m happy you found your friends,” Shannon said, brushing away a tear. “But I’m happier still that you came back. How did you know to follow Broken Lance? I assume he’s the Indian who met with the gun smuggler in the livery.”

“Broken Lance was one of Mad Wolf’s followers,” Blade revealed. “When I found him with Red Cloud I decided to gain his confidence, hoping that one day he would lead me to Bailey’s partner and Wade’s killer. It wasn’t difficult once word got around that I was a fugitive and wanted for murder at Fort Laramie. Jumping Buffalo was most helpful in circulating gossip.

“Soon Broken Lance was bragging about obtaining illegal guns and killing emigrants despite the peace treaty Red Cloud was about to sign. I wanted to clear my name and the only way I could do that was by catching the real killer.

“When Red Cloud began his journey to Fort Laramie, Broken Lance joined him, and so did I. But evidently Broken Lance didn’t trust me enough to tell me about the meeting tonight. Jumping Buffalo knew of my investigation and alerted me when he saw Broken Lance sneak away from camp. I followed him here.”

“Weren’t you going to let me know you were at the fort?” Shannon asked with growing dismay. She had a nagging suspicion that Blade would have come and gone without her even knowing if he hadn’t stumbled on her in his room.

“It would have served no purpose. I couldn’t take you back to the reservation with me to starve and spend the rest of your life living in poverty,” Blade said with quiet dignity. “The government might have good intentions, but graft and corruption flourish among the ranks of those in charge of Indian affairs. It has happened before and will happen again. Food and clothing meant for the Sioux will find their way into unscrupulous hands, leaving the Indians destitute.”

“Can’t you warn Red Cloud? Perhaps he shouldn’t sign the treaty.”

“Not signing the treaty could result in slaughter on both sides. Innocent women and children will die. The proud Sioux nation and all other Indian tribes will cease to exist. It is better to survive in any condition than to have your numbers decimated and your people scattered to the four winds. I can’t ask you to become a fugitive like me and live as I am forced to live.”

“My God, what am I thinking? You’re no longer a wanted man!” Shannon cried, wondering how she could have forgotten to mention something so vitally important as Blade’s freedom. But when he made love to her, she could scarcely remember her own name, let alone anything else. “President Johnson wired Colonel Greer shortly after your escape from the guardhouse. He explained everything and demanded that your name be cleared. You’re free to come and go as you please. Furthermore,” Shannon continued excitedly, “Colonel Greer has launched an investigation of his own and let it be known that you are a special agent. He wants to catch Major Vance’s killer as badly as you do.”

At first Blade was merely stunned, then angry—damn angry. The telegram might have come too late if Shannon hadn’t found a way to free him. But after his temper cooled and he had time to think about it, he was too damn happy to hold grudges. He whooped in pure joy. He was alive and free and held the woman he loved in his arms.

“You know what that means, Little Firebird?” he asked, raining exuberant kisses over Shannon’s face and neck.

“It means we are free to love and spend our lives together,” Shannon said, smiling blissfully.

“It won’t be easy,” Blade predicted. “If you marry me, you’ll suffer undeserved prejudice. Our children will be openly ridiculed by their peers.”

“No one will ridicule our children!” Shannon declared fiercely. Her hands cradled her stomach as if Blade’s seed already grew there.

“You’re a ferocious warrior, Little Firebird,” Blade laughed. “Are you certain you want to marry me? It might be easier for us in the East, but I have no desire to leave the land of my birth.”

“I left the East once. It holds nothing but sad memories for me. I’d be proud to be your wife, Blade. Anywhere you want to live is fine with me.”

“Then we will be married as soon as Major Vance’s killer is in custody.”

“Damnation, I nearly forgot! You know who the killer is. Who, Blade, who is he?”

“I’ve known for some time but had no proof. I suspected him even before I left the fort, which is why I knew exactly who I would find here tonight with Broken Lance.”

“Don’t keep me in suspense!”

Blade paused thoughtfully. “You’re better off not knowing until the man is in custody.”

“Blade Stryker, you’d
better
tell me!” Shannon demanded hotly. “I’m in this as deeply as you are.”

“Very well, Little Firebird, I can’t deny your involvement or your right to know. The man who arranged for guns to be delivered to the renegades is Lieutenant Goodman. The same man who killed Clive Bailey and Wade Vance.”

“Lieutenant Goodman! But—but that’s preposterous,” Shannon stammered, stunned. “He hates Indians. He’d never sell guns to them.”

“Greed knows no loyalty. No doubt he tried to salve his conscience, if he has one, by killing as many Indians as possible. Goodman is the man I saw talking to Broken Lance. I saw him clearly, Shannon, while you were struggling in my embrace.”

“My God, the Greers will be devastated. Claire was going to marry him. Colonel Greer positively dotes on the man.”

“Something tells me Claire will not only survive, but will quickly find a replacement for Goodman,” Blade predicted sagely.

“What’s going to happen now?”

“I’m going to make love to you again,” Blade said, a rakish smile hanging on one corner of his wide mouth.

“Blade, be serious! What I meant is, what are you going to do about Lieutenant Goodman?”

“Who?” Blade asked distractedly. He had already forgotten the man as his hands made a bold foray along the sensitive skin of her breasts.

“Blade, you’re incorrigible.”

“So I’ve been told.”

Then his drugging kisses put an end to her questions. After rendering her breathless, his lips left hers to wander where his hands had been, blazing a trail of fire along her ribs, pausing to lavish loving attention on the smooth tautness of her belly. Then he continued his downward journey, amply rewarded by a surrendering sigh from Shannon when he pushed her thighs apart and buried his dark head in the tangle of blond curls at their apex.

“Blade, oh God, that’s so good.”

Her body jerked convulsively when his tongue probed delicately into the tender folds of flesh.

“I want to love you with my mouth, and every way possible tonight,” Blade said, lifting his head to stare into her passion-glazed eyes. “You’re mine, Shannon Branigan, and I want you to remember it always.”

“How can I forget when you remind me in so many wonderful ways?” Shannon panted, nearly beyond speech.

Then words were no longer possible as Blade’s bold, thrusting tongue sent her tumbling over the edge of ecstasy.

“Wake up, sleepyhead,” Blade said, swatting Shannon’s rear playfully. “I reckon by now Colonel Greer will have a detail out looking for you, if he can spare the men. Today Red Cloud is to sign the peace treaty and Greer will need every available man to keep order at the fort.”

Shannon was up instantly, shrugging free of the coverlet and reaching for her clothes. There wasn’t a part of her body that didn’t ache, nor an inch of her sensitive skin that didn’t tingle with pleasurable memories.

Blade watched with renewed interest as Shannon rose like a nude goddess from the mat. How could he possibly want her again after exhausting himself so thoroughly, loving her so completely—too many times to count—quenching his hunger until he had no more to give? His need for Shannon truly amazed him, and instinctively Blade knew he would always need her.

“Don’t look at me like that,” Shannon warned with a teasing smile.

“I can’t help it. You’re beautiful.”

“You’re not so bad yourself.”

Her appreciative gaze slid over Blade like warm honey. She thought him handsome in buckskin trousers and shirt. Instead of moccasins he now wore leather boots. His pitch-black hair was unbraided and hung down to his incredibly wide shoulders. Lean, hawkish features stared at her from a dark bronze face.

“Let’s get out of here,” Blade suggested wryly, “before I lay you down and make love to you again. And I sincerely doubt I’m up to it.”

Hand-in-hand they left the tipi and walked through the Indian encampment. Shannon could feel the dark, curious eyes follow their progress but placidly ignored them. When she was with Blade nothing or no one could harm her. They strode into the fort and were immediately confronted by a detail of six men riding across the parade ground. Sargeant O’Brien was in charge. When he saw Shannon he brought the detail to a skidding halt.

“Miss Branigan! Colonel Greer is beside himself with worry. He ordered a detail of men sent out to search the Indian camp.”

He slid a inquiring glance at Blade, recognizing him immediately. “Are you responsible for Miss Branigan’s disappearance, Blade?”

“I reckon I am,” Blade admitted, slanting an amused look at Shannon.

“We haven’t time for conversation now, Sargeant O’Brien,” Shannon said, tossing her head impatiently. “It’s imperative that we see Colonel Greer at once.”

Without offering an explanation, Shannon took Blade’s arm, pulling him along with her. Sargeant O’Brien turned his mount and followed, dismissing the rest of the detail with a wave of his hand.

Blade and Shannon were allowed immediate entrance to Colonel Greer’s office. “Shannon, you’re more trouble than all the men under my command!” the irate officer declared. He looked worried, and Shannon felt guilty for not thinking to send word of her whereabouts. Then Greer saw Blade and his expression lightened.

“Hello, Colonel,” Blade said quietly. “Shannon told me I’m no longer a fugitive.”

“Blade! Blade Stryker! I suppose you’re responsible for Shannon’s sudden disappearance. Have you two no sense at all? Haven’t I enough to worry about without sending out men to comb the area for one wayward girl?”

“I’m sorry,” Shannon said in a small voice. “I didn’t mean to worry you. It was thoughtless of me. But what we have to tell you will more than make up for the distress I caused.”

“Well, get on with it. This is a hectic time.” He looked at Blade. “Are you with Red Cloud’s people?” Blade nodded. “Look, Blade, I’m sorry as hell about—everything. But I know the truth now and will cooperate fully with your investigation.” Having had his say, he waited for Blade to speak.

“My investigation is finished, Colonel,” Blade revealed, drawing a skeptical look from Greer.

“You know who killed Major Vance?”

“Yes. The man is clever. He recruits traders traveling back and forth across the Oregon Trail to carry illegal weapons for him. When they arrive they are sold to renegades at a great profit.”

“That’s despicable! Who is it?”

“You’re not going to like this, Colonel,” Blade warned cryptically. “You may not even believe it.”

“Spit it out!”

“Our man is Lieutenant Goodman.”

“What! Preposterous! The man hates Indians. He’d never deal with them. Ronald Goodman is going to be my son-in-law.”

“If you search Goodman’s quarters, you’ll find the gold stolen from Wade Vance’s room. Furthermore, Shannon and I overheard him negotiating an arms deal last night in the Smith’s Shop with a renegade named Broken Lance.”

Colonel Greer was stunned. Goodman was on his way to becoming a fine officer; he had big plans for his daughter’s fiance that included a promotion and a bright future in the army. How could this be? How could they all have been taken in by the man? “Are you certain? Absolutely certain?” Greer looked as if he had aged ten years in ten minutes.

“Send someone to search Goodman’s room, and you’ll have your proof,” Blade suggested, knowing how difficult this was for Greer.

Blade and Shannon waited in the Colonel’s office while a search was conducted in Goodman’s quarters. Not satisfied to assign the job to just anyone, Colonel Greer went himself, taking Sargeant O’Brien and a young private with him. They returned less than thirty minutes later, each man carrying a sack of gold. The crushed look on Greer’s face told the story.

“Sargeant O’Brien, when Lieutenant Goodman returns from patrol, place him under arrest and bring him directly to my office. Neither of you speak of this if you value your rank.”

Both men saluted crisply, but the private seemed unable to tear his eyes away from the gold. Sargeant O’Brien had to literally drag him from the room by the arm.

Once they were gone, Colonel Greer seemed to collapse inwardly. “I’d like both of you to remain when I confront Goodman. Meanwhile, Blade can explain much that was missing in the president’s letter and tell me how he happened to be in the livery last night to hear Goodman and the renegade.”

Eager to oblige, Blade related all the details of the investigation he and Wade Vance were conducting before his tragic death. He also revealed his movements during the past months and how he knew Broken Lance was meeting with Goodman last night. He carefully omitted any mention of Shannon or where they had spent the night. But Greer was no fool. He knew Shannon loved Blade and was reasonably certain Blade returned her feelings. Since Shannon had no father, Greer intended to make damn certain Blade did the right thing by her.