I started running as soon as I heard the shots with Doc following close behind me. He wasn’t quite as spry as he once was, ‘course then, neither was I. Upon entering the Mexican section of town there wasn’t a soul in sight, but I could see a few heads peering from windows or a doorway that was cracked open. Perhaps a third of the way inside, at the second intersection I saw a body lying in the street.
Upon seeing that, I slowed to a walk. A door opened, I turned, pointing the Greener that direction. A man appeared in the open doorway. “Senor, a la derecha,” he said, pointing to the right. Nodding, I moved to the house across the road.
Doc had caught up to me. I saw him looking at the man in the street and he started to take a step in that direction until I grabbed his arm. “Hold on! You don’t know what’s around the corner.”
Moving cautiously, I edged myself close to the wall at the corner then peered around the other side. Was the man fooling me? Then I heard a shot; down and to the left. I slowly moved out from the building. “Doc, stay right on my heels as I run.” Then I took off, not bothering to look to see if he was following me.
As I reached the other side, he must not have seen me stop as he ran right into me. “Doc!”
I heard him mutter something, but couldn’t make it out. “I’m goin’ on down the street,” I informed him. “It’s probably safe for you to check on that man.”
When I started moving along the sides of the homes, Doc went to check on the man. The shooting had stopped, but I had a fairly good notion of where it was coming from. Slowly I moved toward where the shots had come, I didn’t want to be mistaken for the wrong person.
There was movement in the shadows–Mateo. Looking across the road, the worst possible thoughts went through my mind. Whoever it is has Mateo’s wife and younger son in the house.
I stayed hidden, I don’t think Mateo knew I was there. Then a voice sounded out from the house. “Mex, you leave now and maybe I’ll let your woman and kid go,” came the voice with an evil snigger.
Tapping the adobe with the barrel of the Greener I wanted Mateo to know I was there. He took a step away from the building to see me and nodded. I motioned that I was going to move down to the right and come up next to his house. He nodded again. There was a small open area I had to cross to get there, but fortunately there were no windows on that side.
Leaning against the house, I could hear voices inside. There were at least two men, maybe three inside. I edged up along the wall, when the same voice hollered out. “I want you to bring us three horses, then get away. We’re takin’ yur family along with us for insurance.” Then came another laugh.
Mateo wasn’t one to talk much; he was more of a take action type. I motioned with my head for him to leave, so he then hollered out, no threat, just a matter of fact. “I’m getting the horses. You touch either of them and you’ll pay dearly.” A laugh came from inside the house.
I wasn’t sure, but I thought the voice sounded like Moser. We needed to get them out of the house and away from Mateo’s family. How, I didn’t know. I whispered a prayer for wisdom and help. I looked down the street where I had come from and saw Doc hugging the wall. When our eyes met, he simply shook his head. I knew that the man in the street was dead.
It didn’t take long for Mateo to get the horses. He yelled out, “Where do you want the horses?”
“Bring them to the house then leave the area. If I see you, I’ll kill the woman,” came the voice, evil in every word.
I could see a helpless look on Mateo’s face as he led the horses to the house. When he dropped the reins, I heard the door partially open. “Now git!”
Mateo started walking away without a word and without looking at me. I thought that was strange, then I heard the door open wider. When Mateo was out of sight, a man stepped out holding tightly to Luciana; it was Moser. Two other men followed him out, one holding Enrique.
I was in a quandary. Should I remain hidden or confront the men? Luciana and Enrique were hoisted up in the saddle. I watched as Moser placed his foot in the stirrup…