Treasure of the Anasazi Page 15

  “Sorry if I interrupted,” said Rudy. “I can leave if you two would like to be alone.”

  “Thanks, buddy, but I’ll pass. He’s not my type. Did you find Sam?”

  “Yeah. She’s over there a little ways. I let her know that Jones and Smith had come after her. I found a spot where she could hide and told her to stay put.”

  “You left her alone? With Jones still running around out here somewhere? You should know you can’t tell her anything.”

  I knew as soon as it came out of my mouth, that it had sounded critical. I was surprised that he had left her alone, but I knew he had done what he thought was right at the time. And I knew he was only thinking of Sam’s safety. I had learned a long time ago not to second guess Rudy. I knew better.

  “Sorry, that didn’t sound quite right.”

  “Forget it, I already have. Right now we need to get over to her. We shouldn’t leave her alone for very long. Follow me.”

  “Have you seen Jones?” I asked.

  “No, and that bothers me.”

  “Me too.”

  “What about him?” asked Rudy with a nod of his head in Smith’s direction.

  “Forget him. He’ll come to eventually. Right now our priority is to get Sam out of here before Jones finds her.”

  Rudy led me about one hundred yards to where he had left Sam. He stopped and began looking all around. I didn’t like the expression I was reading on his face.

  “What’s wrong?” I asked.

  “I’m sure this is where I left her.”

  “I didn’t want to say anything, but I could see this coming.”

  “Why’s that?” asked Rudy.

  “You told her to stay put. I’ve never known her to listen to anyone yet. She’s the most hard-headed person I’ve ever met.”

  “Yeah, she’s the one who’s hard-headed,” said Rudy sarcastically.

  “Before you get down on her too much, there is another possibility. Not a very good one I’m afraid. Jones may have found her.”

  “That’s not a very pleasant thought.”

  Rudy walked the perimeter of the area looking for an indication of what might have happened there.

  “Jack, I don’t see any other tracks, only the one set. It appears she wandered off on her own. What do you want to do now?”

  “What option do we have? We’ll have to follow her tracks. We’ve got to find her before Jones does.”

  “It looks like she headed in this direction,” said Rudy pointing to the northeast. “You don’t suppose she’s still trying to check out their story about the wolves?”

  “I wouldn’t put it past her. She’s got a one track mind.”

  “If she is, I think I have a pretty good idea where she’s headed.”

  Rudy led the way as I followed.

  “Did I say thanks back there?”

  “Yeah, but there’s no need. I know you could have handled him.”

  “Maybe. But thanks anyway.”

  A scream stopped us in our tracks. A woman’s scream, followed immediately by the sound from two gunshots.

  “This way!” shouted Rudy as he took off in a dead run through the brush. No other sounds came from that area. As we continued to run, I became aware of a muffled sound off to my right. I glanced over to see a huge coyote running beside me. It was larger than any I had ever seen before. I believe my heart may have skipped a beat as I stumbled and came to a stop.

  “Rudy! Stop!” I shouted.

  Rudy looked over his shoulder, saw that I had stopped and came to a halt. “What?”

  I pointed to the coyote standing maybe fifty feet away. It had stopped too, but it didn’t come any closer. It just stood silently, its tongue hanging from its mouth. It didn’t show any signs of aggression. It looked almost tame.

  “Look over there,” said Rudy, softly, as he pointed to another coyote fifty feet away on the other side of the path. It, too, was just standing there.

  “They’re enormous,” he yelled out.

  “It’s easy to see how Smith and Jones mistook them for wolves,” I answered.

  We looked around and saw they were being joined by others, most likely from the same pack. They surrounded us in all directions except for the direction we had been going.

  “What do we do now?” asked Rudy as he began to remove the rifle that had been slung over his shoulder.

  “I wouldn’t do that. There’s too many of them.”

  “I know. I just don’t know what else to do and I don’t want to go down without a fight.”

  “I’d say we have two choices, either forward or back the way we came and deal with the consequences.”

  “I think I’d prefer the path of least resistance,” said Rudy.

  “You won’t get any argument from me.”

  More coyote had joined the party. The only logical option was to proceed ahead in the direction of the scream and gunshots, what we wanted anyway. We didn’t really know who the scream had come from, but who else could it have been other than Sam? And if it wasn’t, there was someone else out here that needed help. Then I remembered the one other woman I had met out here, Sarah Leaphorn.

  “As long as they don’t get any closer, let’s continue to try to find Sam,” I said.

  “Like we have a choice,” said Rudy.

  We began to slowly move forward. The coyote followed, keeping their distance, matching our pace. I glanced over every once in a while to see if they were still there. The only sound coming from them was the soft thumping from their pads on the soft sandy soil. Their tongues hung from their mouths as they panted like a large, happy domestic dog.

  Rudy laughed out loud while shaking his head.

  “What are you laughing about?” I asked, puzzled. Rudy had finally lost it.

  “Just last night we were thinking how crazy Smith and Jones were for saying they had seen wolves. Now I guess we’re just as crazy as they are.”

  “I got a good look and they’re not wolves, but coyote. Biggest ones I’ve ever seen,” I said.

  The coyote in the pack maintained their distance unless we strayed from the path they wanted us to follow. We were being directed like a cowboy herds cattle. We entered a clearing at the entrance to a small arroyo. Sam was lying under a mesquite, leaning against the side of the wash. I ran over to her. She was out cold, but her breathing was regular, and she didn’t appear to be injured. Rudy and I looked around but didn’t see anyone else. We also noticed that the coyote had disappeared. I had a crazy thought. Had the coyote led us here, to Sam? I took out my canteen and wetted my kerchief. I patted it across her forehead.

  “Sam,… Sam,” I said.

  Her eyelids began to flitter, then opened wide as she struggled to sit up.

  “Jack?”

  “Yeah, you okay?”

  “I think so,” she said as she attempted to stand up.

  “Just stay put for a second,” I said.

  “Ahumm,” said Rudy, clearing his throat.

  I made the connection immediately. I was making the same mistake that Rudy had. I had told her to stay put. To my surprise she stayed down.

  “What happened?” I asked.

  “Jones was here. He had a gun and came right at me out of nowhere. Just before he grabbed me…you’re not going to believe me, but…a pack of coyote charged out of the brush. It must have been the ones they had seen, but they weren’t wolves like they thought, they were coyote, only super-sized. Then I screamed and Jones fired twice at them. I’m not sure what happened after that. The next thing I can remember is you here leaning over me.”

  “I think you may have fainted,” I speculated.

  “I’ve never fainted in my life. I’m not the type, if you hadn’t realized it,” said Sam.

  “Well, believe it or not, you did this time and we believe you about the coyote. We had an encounter of our own. I think they led us to you.”

  Sam stood up quickly, looking all around. “Where’s Jones?”

  “We haven’t s
een him. You were all alone when we got here.”

  “How did you know I would need your help?”

  “We stopped by your office after we talked to Benny. Julie was concerned about you. She said Smith and Jones had stopped by to pay their fines, and she let it slip that you were out here all alone. She didn’t like their reaction.”

  “Remind me to thank Julie. Thanks to you guys, too. Now, maybe we ought to get out of here. Smith and Jones went too far this time. As soon as we get back, I’m going to see Joe and file charges against those two. By the way, what about Smith?” asked Sam.

  “We saw him a little while ago. He’s probably joined back up with Jones by now,” I said.

  “You might want to stay on your toes. They may still be around here.”

  We retraced our steps back to where the jeeps had been parked. We didn’t see the coyote again. There was no sign of Smith or Jones, and their pickup was gone. For the moment we could let out a sigh of relief and hope that they would just keep going.

  Chapter Eighteen

  It hadn’t gone the way Smith and Jones had hoped. The plan had been simple, to take care of the lady Ranger without anyone knowing they were anywhere in the area. Then thanks to the interlopers, Jack and Rudy, had showed up again, ruining everything.

  “What are we going to do now?” asked Smith on the way to the motel. “They’re sure to call the cops.”

  “I hate to say it, but it’s time to cut our losses, give up on this little venture and head back to Denver,” said Jones.

  “I’m with you. I’m sick of this Podunk town,” agreed Smith. Nothing has gone right since we got here.”

  “Before we go I would like to leave them with something to remember us by. You with me?”

  “Depends. What did you have in mind? You know the cops are probably already looking for us,” said Smith.

  “So you’re ready to just tuck your tail and run?”

  “That’s not what I’m saying. When have you known me to run away from anything?” Smith asked rhetorically. “If we stick around to dish out some payback, the first thing we need to do is replace our transportation. This thing’s too easy to identify, and we need some sort of a plan. I don’t want to go off half-cocked. Agreed?”

  “You’re starting to talk like my old partner again,” said Jones.

  “So, were you thinking about going after the Ranger again?”

  “I’m not sure. I just know someone needs to pay for screwing up our plans.”

  They pulled up in front of their room at the Cozy Inn. Jones immediately noticed the door to their room, partly open, and splintered around the doorknob.

  “What the hell?” exclaimed Smith.

  They both got out of the truck and drew their handguns. Cautiously they approached from both sides of the door. Smith kicked it open the rest of the way, paused, then quickly entered the room, gun ready. The room was dark. Jones called out, “What do you see?”

  Smith came back to the doorway, holstering his weapon.

  “There’s no one here, and there doesn’t look like there is anything missing.”

  “It must have been the brothers. Go check on our guest and bring him back down here,” instructed Jones.

  “What are we going to do with him? There’s no sense in holding on to him since we’re leaving.”

  “Maybe we can use him to send a message.”

  “What kind of message?”

  “Something that even these simpletons can understand. Now, go and get him.”

  Smith nodded and walked to the last room. Seconds later Jones heard the sound of running footsteps returning to their room. Smith stopped in the doorway. “What’s wrong?” asked Jones.

  “He’s gone.”

  “I underestimated his brothers. Well, good riddance. It’s just one less thing we have to deal with.”

  Smith and Jones hurriedly packed and threw their bags in the back of the truck. The clerk had seen them loading the truck and in anticipation had started preparing their final bill. They drove by the office without slowing down. The clerk stepped outside the office and waved for them to stop. They returned the wave and shared a good laugh. The clerk ran inside, picking up the phone receiver to call the police.

  They drove back towards Durango. There they would be able to unload the truck and find its replacement and a place to lay low, temporarily. Off the north side of the highway, they spotted a familiar truck parked in front of a two-story white house.

  “Isn’t that the brother’s truck?” asked Smith.

  “It has to be. Pull over.”

  They sat in the pickup on the shoulder of the road and watched. As they tried to decide what to do, the Billy Hightower came out of the house. He noticed the truck sitting across the highway. He knew immediately who it was. As quickly as possible he loaded a round into the chamber and brought the rifle up, resting it across the hood of the truck. Billy yelled for his brothers to get out and move to the front of the truck. He took aim and prepared to fire.

  Smith realized that they were about to be shot at and floored the gas pedal. The truck slowly gained momentum in the soft soil off the edge of the asphalt. There was a squall as the rubber tires spun onto the pavement. The driver side mirror shattered as a slug from the rifle missed its mark.

  “Get us out of here!” yelled Jones.

  Both Smith and Jones were armed, but this wasn’t their kind of battle. They preferred to have the advantage and in a place not so public. As the truck picked up speed, small shards of glass from the back window showered them.

  “Something needs to be done about them, too,” said Smith.

  “Another time. For now, just go before he gets lucky.”

  “Well, don’t look now, but here they come,” said Smith, peering in his rearview mirror.

  “You’re kidding?”

  Jones turned around to see the Hightower pickup catching up.

  “They’re catching up,” said Jones with desperation in his voice. “Let’s go!”

  “I’m trying. This truck’s not made for speed.”

  Just then there was a hard jolt as Billy rammed the back of the old pickup with the heavy-duty bumper of their Power Wagon. Smith briefly lost control but regained it. Daryl and Donny were having a great time. “Ram them again!” they yelled. They were getting close to the Durango city limits.

  * * *

  “We need to get rid of them before we get into town. Shoot back,” said Smith.

  Jones drew his revolver and turned around in his seat. The Hightower vehicle was almost on them. He leaned out the window and took aim. Billy sped up to ram them again as Smith and Jones’ pickup hit a pothole. Jones fired, the slug missing the Power Wagon completely. Donny cried out. Billy, realizing the safety of his brothers was now at stake, decided it was time to back off. He didn’t want one or both of his brothers to be hurt or even killed. He had had the advantage for a little while, but now it was gone. He hoped he had given Smith and Jones something to think about. They weren’t the helpless or defenseless rubes that Smith and Jones had thought they were.

  * * *

  Smith and Jones pulled away as Billy slowed down.

  “They’ve given up,” said Jones.

  “Good. We’ve got more important things to worry about right now.”

  “Where do you want to go?” asked Smith.

  “Let’s go pay a visit to the realtor. He may have good news for us and we’re way past due to get some.”

  “It’d be a first around here.”

  They pulled over to the curb, stopping directly in front of Roy Dawson’s office. He was sitting at his desk, facing the street. The expression they saw on his face revealed that he was not glad to see them. There was no where to run.

  “What did you find for us?” asked Jones.

  “I talked to the landowner of a small ten-acre parcel east of the park. His name is Hank Dugan, and he is one cantankerous old man. I think his property is what you asked me to find. The owners of the other parc
els around him weren’t interested in talking at all.”

  “What about Dugan?”

  “He wasn’t interested in talking either, but I think he’s the most likely to give in, with the right incentive.”

  Smith and Jones exchanged smiles. It made Dawson even more uncomfortable. He knew it meant trouble for Dugan. He wished he had never run into these two. The sooner he could give them what they wanted the sooner he would be rid of them and off his back. At least that’s what he was hoping.

  “Did you let him know that we would be willing to pay for access across his property?”

  “No, but he wanted to know what you wanted with his property.”

  “What did you tell him?”

  “I told him I didn’t know, and I don’t.”

  “Smith and I should pay Mr. Dugan a visit and try to explain it to him. Draw us a map and give us your car keys.”

  “What’s wrong with your truck?” asked Dawson.

  “It has a hole in it,” said Smith.

  “I can drive you …,” Dawson began to offer.

  Jones held out his hand for the keys. “Hand them over.”

  Reluctantly, Dawson pulled out his keys and handed them over.

  “Be careful with it.”

  He was glad they hadn’t insisted he go with them, since they were unpredictable and there was a likelihood that things would get out of hand. He sketched out a simple map and slid it across his desk. He was sorry he had ever become associated with them. At their first meeting his gut had told him they were no good, but he had ignored the feeling because business had been slow, he was desperate, and he needed the money. He had fallen for their promises. It wouldn’t hurt this one time. He was so wrong. Another lesson learned too late. He watched helplessly as they drove off in his car after moving the pickup out of sight into the alley. If they committed a crime with his car, he would most likely be considered an accessory. He broke out in a cold sweat.