Charlie went over to talk with Marta so I, being a curious fellow, picked up the telegram. “Phillips dead — STOP — Shy wounded. Come quickly.” It was without a signature which I didn’t like. Phillips was a good man. I decided right then that I was going with the Sheriff.
I read the telegram once more then happened to see out the window Mateo riding down the street. He had been in Telluride investigating some claim jumpers for a couple of weeks now. I rushed out before he could get out of hearing as I knew he always went to see Luciana and the boys before he did anything else when he arrived in town. After I hollered I waved to get his attention. He reined his horse over to where I was standing.
“Get down and come in. Charlie will need to talk with you,” I stated, waiting for him to dismount.
There was a puzzled look on his face as he approached me still with a slight limp. “I need to let Charlie tell you about it,” I said, opening the door for us to enter.
Charlie, Marta, and Molly were all over by the table. Charlie had just picked up his hat when I blurted out, “Look who just arrived.”
A smile appeared on Charlie’s face as we approached the table. Quickly Molly went to the counter to get a cup so Mateo could have some coffee. I went to where I normally sat picking my hat from the hook on the counter and grabbing the Greener. Molly made eye contact with me then turned to head for the kitchen.
“I’m sure glad you’re back,” declared Charlie. “Phillips was just killed earlier today up in Silverton, the deputy wounded so I’ve got to hot-foot it up there.”
Mateo graciously accepted the coffee and after taking a sip at the hot brew. He licked his lips briefly then asked, “You want me to go up there?”
Charlie shook his head. “No, you’ve been out of town for quite a spell. If I sent you up to Silverton now I’d never hear the end of it from your Missus. You go see her and then take care of the town. Miles will…”
“No, Miles won’t,” I stated. “I’m goin’ with you Charlie. I knew both those men and you might need some help.”
He didn’t argue. I’m glad Mateo was back or Charlie would have put up a fuss at me going and rightly so. Molly was back with a sack full of food. I looked down at Lucas who had been sitting there listening. I was impressed, he showed some maturity not to butt in on the conversation.
“Lucas, here, can fill you in on what’s been happenin’ since you’ve been out of town,” I informed him, then thought of something. “Lucas, run up to the depot and find out when the next train leaves. If one’s on the track hold it up until Charlie and I get there.
He promptly took off and I saw the look of surprise on Mateo’s face. “The kid, he’s wearing a badge,” he queried. “I guess I did miss out on a few things.” He looked at the door, then remembered the cup in his hand. After taking a long guzzle and wiping his mouth with the back of his hand he placed the cup on the table. “He’s not taking my job, is he?”
That brought a chuckle from both of us. “I’ll just let Lucas tell you. He’ll enjoy it.”
I reached to clasp onto Molly, drawing her to me for an embrace. “I need to go get my jacket. If Lucas comes back, tell him where I’m at. After leaving the house I’ll head on toward the station.”
“Be careful, Miles,” she softly said.
“Always.” Which brought a snorting sound from my dear wife.
Thirty minutes later I met Charlie; we were fortunate that we wouldn’t have to wait long as the train was pulling out in another thirty minutes. He seemed sort of down, and me being the kind of person I am asked him straight out what was wrong.
“I just can’t seem to keep it all together. There are too many camps, too many crimes, I can’t get to them all. Mateo is a great help, but even with his help…” he sighed and I waited. “I was hoping to finally have a good marshal up in Silverton.”
It was too big an area for a sheriff and one deputy. There were probably close to a hundred mining camps, maybe more in the region, plust the fact that Durango currently didn’t have a marshal. The town fathers squabbled too much to agree. I watched him as we boarded and sat down. There was room for us to each have a seat to ourselves which was nice. I’d wait awhile to open the lunch that Molly packed.
Charlie didn’t say anything, he was lost in thought. I didn’t think it my place to ask; I knew he’d tell me when the right time came. I leaned back to shut my eyes for a few minutes as the train chugged up the mountain. It was normally about a four hour trip, that is, without any problems.
I had just gotten comfortable and was dozing off when Charlie remarked, “Marta…”