“Madison and me are part owners of this little bit of paradise, Carter,” Adam said as he turned to the sheriff. “You thought Madison and me were rustlers. What about Abe? This, as far as you knew, was his ranch. Did you think he was a rustler too?”
“Seems I got a whole mess of false information. I was told Abe hadn’t been seen around and had probably gone back East. There’s no public record of you men being part owners.” Jackson shuffled his feet and glanced at Carter as he spoke.
“Well, now that you know, I take it we’re able to get on with our work here?” Madison said, his voice a laconic drawl as if bored by the whole situation.
“I’ll make sure you boys are known as ranch co-owners,” Jackson said.
“See that you do, Sheriff,” Mecatl said. “I dislike seeing friends treated like criminals. If my men hadn’t been along to help, who knows what might have happened. I’m glad we were able to end this amicably. After all, Mr. Carter, I’m sure you wouldn’t want me reporting to my king that you are not an individual we want to do business with.”
Carter’s eyes widened, and he shook his head. “No. Absolutely not. If you boys, or Abe, need any help, just let me know. Well, Jackson. No need for us to hang around here. Let’s get back to town. Men!”
Metcatl shouted an order of his own. His warriors hurried to the remnants of still burning shed and formed a line from the trough to the building to put out the fire. Adam rubbed the back of his neck. They’d been lucky. One shed was a small price to pay. It could have been so much worse.
Adam watched as Carter’s men gathered the dead and wounded and rode off. Elijah and Ellen came running over, Ellen into Mecatl’s arms and Elijah, much to his relief and elation, into Adam’s.
“I’m sorry,” Elijah whispered. “Madison’s so...well, I just don’t compare to him, and I thought...I thought...”
Adam kissed Elijah, uncaring of who saw. He held him tight, soaking up his warmth and his love. “I swear that Madison and I have never been anything more than friends.”
“Let’s take this indoors,” Mecatl said. “I think it’s time we all spoke openly.”
“Sure,” Madison said. “I agree.”
Adam nodded, not taking his eyes off Elijah, and prayed that he would be forgiven once the truth was known.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Mecatl sent two of his warriors to see if they could find anything of the shooter, and if they were unsuccessful, they were to check again in the morning. Adam stayed close to Elijah as the rest of Mecatl’s men headed off to the bunkhouse to make themselves comfortable.
He, Elijah, Mecatl, Ellen, and Madison all headed into the house. Abe had set a couple of pots of coffee to heat on the range, but, as soon as Abe saw Adam’s injured arm, he directed Adam to sit down at the table.
Mitch gave a wry smile, a bandage around his head. He tapped his forehead. “Luckily it was a chunk of wood and not a bullet.”
Adam nodded. All in all, they’d been lucky not to have more injuries or worse. Abe cleaned and dressed the wound, while Elijah watched with anxious eyes. Adam smiled, trying to reassure him. “I’m difficult to kill,” he said with a wink.
“I think we could all do with some of this, too.” Abe set his whiskey bottle on the table and then passed around the coffee. While those around the table added a splash of the spirit to their drink, Abe took out the other pot and extra cups to Mecatl’s men.
On his return, Abe sat close to Mitch, and the two men entwined their fingers. Adam watched the gesture. It was small but carried a wealth of significance. He slipped his fingers over Elijah’s, imitating the gesture. He was rewarded with a genuine smile of delight from Elijah.
“Perhaps I should start,” Mecatl said. “I’m not an emissary. I’m a captain in King Xipil’s Jaguar Guard. He sent me to assist in recovery of the Breath of Quetzalcoatl.”
“The what?” Mitch asked and glanced around.
“It’s a statue of great value to my king and my people,” Mecatl said. “It must be recovered if we are to prevent Numa trying to usurp Xipil. If he succeeds...”
“We face war, and Texas is first in the line of fire.” Madison finished his statement. He sighed heavily. “Adam and I aren’t drifters. We’re Federal Marshals sent to find and return the statue. I’m sorry we had to keep our identities secret. But at first we didn’t know friend from foe. Then we just didn’t want to unnecessarily endanger the people who’d become our friends.”
“You...you’re a marshal?” Elijah’s eyes were wide as he stared at Adam.
“Yes I am.” Adam shifted a little to look directly into Elijah’s eyes. “I didn’t like keeping the truth from you. But as Madison said, we had our reasons. I haven’t lied about anything else.”
“We did it to protect people, not hurt them, Elijah,” Madison said quietly.
“I believe you,” Elijah said. “But, that means you’re not a ranch hand. So you’re not going to be staying, are you?”
Adam caressed his lover’s cheek tenderly, uncaring of the others around them. “I have to go back to our headquarters when this is all over. See where things stand then.”
“So you could come back?”
The pleading look in Elijah’s eyes cut deep into Adam’s heart. He couldn’t trust his voice. He nodded instead.
“That could be a couple of months, Elijah,” Madison said. “And it’s in the future. We have to worry about the here and now, and find that statue. Is there anything you can add, Mecatl?”
“Our investigations led us to identify the thief as a man called Stone. He didn’t take the statue himself, but he did all the planning. It was meant to end up in his hands once it was out of the palace. He’s gone to ground. We know he doesn’t have it yet. Numa may not actually need the statue in his possession to challenge Xipil. If my king doesn’t produce it when the emperor arrives, Numa will still say Quetzalcoatl has abandoned us.” Mecatl sighed.
“What does this feller, Stone, look like?” Adam asked.
“Tall and slim with dark hair and a scar that runs down his left eye and across his cheek. Said to be from a sword fight,” Mecatl said. “Apparently the man used to be a talented actor and good with disguises. Not much else to go on.”
“Tall, dark, and slim,” Adam repeated. “Elijah, Ellen, I want you two to stay here tomorrow. I saw a man answering that description come out of your house when your uncle was meant to be sleeping.”
“You can’t possibly suspect Uncle,” Ellen said, the color draining from her face. “He’s a cripple.”
“Your Uncle Mortimer is crippled. The legs of the man claiming to be your uncle are hidden,” Adam said, his excitement rising. “What a perfect disguise. No one would suspect a crippled man. As soon as the twins go out, he leaves his chair. They know not to be around while he naps, so no one’s the wiser.”
“I think you have it, partner,” Madison said, a grin on his face. “That means the statue
must
be here somewhere.”
“It is. I’m sure of it. Once we’ve seen your uncle tomorrow, we’ll come back here. We need to search the whole ranch inch by inch.” Adam punched his fist into his hand. “Charlie must have hidden it. It wasn’t on his body or around it. It’s not small. What are we missing?”
“Well, I’m going to throw a meal together,” Abe said. “Your men need to eat, too, Mecatl?”
“Yes. Thank you, Abe. Do you need help?”
“I work better alone, but volunteers to wash up would be greatly appreciated.” Abe stood and headed to the range.
“You can have the spare bedroom, Ellen. It’s not much, but there’s a bed. Everyone else will be on the floor,” Mitch said apologetically.
“Adam and I can sleep in the barn. Um, if that’s all right with you, Adam.” Elijah’s cheeks flamed red.
Adam leaned forward and dropped a quick kiss to the heated skin. “Sounds mighty good to me.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
With Madison at his side, Adam rode up to the Aztec guards at the gate of the Lazy E homestead. He dismounted and walked over to them, relieved to see that he and Madison were recognized. The guards grinned, showing their crimson teeth. He spoke a couple of words that Mecatl had taught him. The guards’ eyes widened in surprise and then both babbled rapidly.
He held up his hands. “Whoa. Whoa. Do either of you speak English?”
“I speak.” The man who hit his chest had a face time-worn and swarthy. “I speak good.”
“Miss Ellen and Mister Elijah need your help,” Adam said. “They told us you could be trusted. I need you to keep an eye on them and keep them safe.”
The guards’ faces darkened, and they fingered the knives they wore. “We watch. Watch good. You want someone killed?” the guard asked.
“Not at the moment.” Adam kept his voice low and cold. “We may need your help, too. You may be asked to shoot at us. You know Mister Elijah’s mark?” He pulled out a piece of paper that Elijah had signed.
The Aztecs peered at it, and both nodded. Adam took a step back and unfastened his shirt. He pointed to the mark over his heart. Elijah’s signature stood out on his skin. The guards looked at it closely and muttered between themselves. Then, hilt first, they both presented their knives to Adam.
“Our weapons are yours to command.”
Adam nodded. “Thank you. You’ll know when they’re needed.” He refastened his shirt, mounted his horse, and headed up to the house with Madison right behind him.
As he and Madison dismounted, Adam looked around. “Looks like most of the men are away again. Let’s hope we’re lucky with those still here.”
“Why don’t you tap the shoulders of the men Elijah and Ellen say can be trusted? I’ll speak to Mortimer.” Madison held out a scrap of paper with names scrawled on it.
“You do it,” Adam said. “You have the list.” He made sure his horse was tethered and patted her neck. “Be careful out there.”
Madison reached to squeeze Adam’s shoulder. “You too, old man. If that’s the man we want...” Madison let his sentence trail away.
Adam patted Madison’s hand. “Then he’s no fool. He may be dangerous, but so am I, whippersnapper.” Madison headed away, and Adam waited as his friend approached a couple of ranch hands who regarded him suspiciously.
The men’s heads bent close together, and Adam smiled, a humorless curve of his lips. Madison would have the men convinced easily, especially with the note from the twins. An idea came to mind as he adjusted his gun belt.
Adam activated the stud that opened the concealed pocket in the belt and took out the ring, pushing it onto his right middle finger.
Let’s see what reaction we get from that.
With a purposeful stride, Adam went up the steps and entered the house without knocking. He went directly into the living room where Mortimer looked up with surprise. Mortimer’s eyes flickered to the ring Adam wore. A dark look flashed across Mortimer’s face, and then he gave Adam a wide, beaming smile.
“Adam! This is an unexpected surprise. You’ve caught me just before my nap. I take it the twins are with you, or have you come alone?”
“I’m alone. I wanted to speak to you privately.” The lie passed Adam’s lips with ease. He shifted his stance as Mortimer wheeled himself a little closer. He kept his muscles loose and relaxed, but he was ready to move fast if need be.
“Oh, so?” Mortimer said, his eyes narrowed. “Now what would that be about? I hear you and your partner are closely involved with Abe at his ranch, so it can’t be about wanting work here.”
“Really?” Adam drawled the word. “That’s odd. Madison and I went out of our way to keep our involvement with Abe quiet. We don’t have other men. So who’s passing information on to you? Spies?”
“Spies? That’s a bit melodramatic, Adam.” Mortimer ran his hands along the arms of his clockwork chair as if wanting to do more.
“I don’t think so, Mortimer. Or should I call you Stone? How about you let me see those legs of yours? The twins say they should be spindly. I’m willing to bet they’re anything but.”
Mortimer laughed as Adam drew his pistol. Adrenaline shot like wildfire through his veins. He kept his eyes focused on the man in the chair, as if watching a deadly snake, coiled and ready to strike. There was an audible click, and the chair’s doors opened slowly.
Years of training and instincts honed by experience kicked in as Mortimer moved. The speed of the man’s lunge took Adam by surprise. His gun was knocked from his hand and skittered across the floor. He dove sideways into a controlled roll as Mortimer followed with a kick. Adam’s eyes widened and fear stabbed through him.
The kick connected with the heavy coffee table, and it splintered apart under the force of the blow. Now Adam realized why the man’s gait had caught his attention. His legs were artificial. If one of those mechanically-powered kicks landed, he was a dead man.
Mortimer took another couple of steps toward him and threw off his red wig and beard, revealing the scarred face Mecatl had described.
Stone
. He pulled off his jacket and shirt to reveal padding hidden beneath it, allowing him to appear so bulky.
He untied it and let it fall to the ground. “You figured it out. And if Charlie hadn’t proven to be such a money-greedy, dirty little double-crosser, the statue would already be in Numa’s hands and payment in mine. He was supposed to bring it to me. I knew he’d double crossed me and gave him poisoned whiskey. He went back to that ranch when he realized his time was up. He couldn’t have moved it. It’s still there. Somewhere.”
“He was Carter’s man, too,” Adam said. “Carter probably wanted to blackmail you for the statue, either that or cut a deal with Numa. Doesn’t matter now. Madison and I are Federal Marshals. Give it up, Stone.”
“Oh I don’t think so. Marshals don’t impress me, Adam. They bleed and die just like other men.” Stone walked slowly to his left, trying to move around the furniture.
“You killed that man up in the mountains. Carter’s man?” Adam circled around Stone as he would a dangerous predator. Not all the advantages were with his adversary.
“If you hadn’t interfered, the corpse would’ve gone back to Carter as a warning to keep out of things too big for him. He thinks his money can buy him all the advantages, but all it’s going to buy him a coffin.” Stone smirked. “He should have kept out of my business.”