Broken Star (2006) Read online

  ‘Probable bank raid,’ Vejar pointed out.

  ‘This isn’t a time for word play,’ Randall protested tetchily. ‘The facts are that our town is under threat, and we have absolutely no way of defending it.’

  ‘Jim Reynard’s letting you have six men from the Lazy J,’ Vejar reminded him. ‘Barricade each end of the town, and deploy three of those men to man each of the barricades and you’ll prevent the Klugg gang from entering Yancey.’

  ‘Things have changed,’ Randall told him glumly.

  ‘Reynard was letting George Harker have his men out of friendship,’ Henry Drake expanded on the subject. ‘With Harker out of action, the Lazy J offer of help is no longer available. It’s an extremely busy time at the ranch.’

  ‘All we have is you and ourselves, Vejar,’ John Thurston added. ‘We know you feel that this town judged you badly in the past, but—’

  ‘You don’t have me,’ Vejar said. ‘I appreciate your difficult situation, and assure you that the past has no bearing on my decision. For personal reasons, I shall be leaving town in the morning.’

  ‘Then all is lost,’ Hiram Anstey groaned.

  ‘I am sorry, gentlemen.’

  Saying this, Vejar turned and walked out of the door. The four men left sitting at the table looked despairingly at each other. They didn’t speak for some time. Then Hiram Anstey posed the question that none of them had an answer to, when he asked. ‘Where does this leave us?’

  ‘Fallon Vejar was our only hope,’ Dr Thurston commented gloomily.

  ‘Can we come up with something to change his mind?’ Randall queried.

  ‘Men like Vejar don’t permit anyone to change their minds,’ the doctor said. ‘The only person in Yancey that Vejar is likely to listen to is George Harker.’

  ‘And George Harker won’t be around to speak to him,’ Henry Drake uttered, with a long sigh.

  ‘Exactly,’ Dr Thurston said.

  ‘At least we have until the morning to find some way to have Vejar stay in town.’ Walter Randall’s words sounded hopeful, but they were made worthless by the pessimism in the way he spoke them.

  ‘If we had until domesday, then the result would be the same,’ Dr Thurston predicted.

  With the sun of a new day just edging up over the horizon, Fallon Vegar hitched his saddled horse to the rail outside of the jailhouse. Then he walked hesitantly towards the town’s sedate teashop. His reluctance was caused by the clear memory of George Harker’s lifeless appearance when he had seen him last night. He couldn’t leave Yancey without bidding his old friend farewell, but he felt it unlikely that the sheriff had survived the night.

  Opening the door to him, Lin Chua gave him a wan smile that gave Vejar hope until he recalled that a smile was the sweet Chinese woman’s habitual expression. She ushered him into the room where Harker lay, covered by a blanket. The slight rise and fall of the cover assured Vejar that the injured man was breathing, albeit shallowly. Raya Kennedy sat on a chair beside Harker. The tired look and strain on her face eased a little at the sight of Vejar. She stood and walked to stand close to him.

  ‘George is doing well,’ she reported. ‘Dr Thurston has already called in this morning. He didn’t say so, of course, but I could see that he found it difficult to credit that George was still alive.’

  ‘Have you been here all night?’ Vejar asked.

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘What did the doc say about George this morning, Raya?’

  ‘He said that he could make no promises,’ Raya reported. ‘But he did say that George is a very strong man, which is all to the good.’

  ‘It would take more than one bullet to finish George Harker,’ Vejar said, smiling at the girl. ‘He’ll pull through, Raya, I’m sure of that. When he’s feeling better, tell him that I am sorry, but I have no choice but to leave Yancey.’

  ‘Are you going today, Fallon?’ Raya asked with a courageous smile.

  ‘I’m leaving right now.’

  ‘But …’ Raya started to speak, but a sob caused her to falter. ‘But George needs you. The town needs you. I need you, Fallon.’

  She said the last four words faintly. Pondering on the meaning behind them, Vejar then braced himself to say goodbye. He kissed her quickly and lightly on the forehead. ‘Look after George, and take care of yourself, Raya.’

  Reaching the door he could hear her weeping softly, but he didn’t turn for fear that he would weaken. But then he was shocked into immobility as he heard George Harker’s voice croak his name.

  Turning his head very slowly, he saw that Raya had rushed back to crouch beside the sheriff, whose head was turned and his eyes open, looking at Vejar.

  ‘Fallon.’

  The voice was a muted croak, but it brought Vejar back to the sheriff’s side. Harker’s lips moved in an unsuccessful attempt at uttering more words. Then he found his voice again, but it was so feeble that Vejar had to stoop to catch what he said. ‘Which one of them got me, Fallon?’

  ‘It wasn’t one of the Pooles,’ Vejar told him.

  ‘But I thought that one of the brothers was firing at you, and hit George by mistake.’ Raya was badly frightened by Vejar’s revelation.

  Mystified, Harker struggled to find the energy to continue talking. At last, he asked hoarsely, ‘Then who?’

  ‘That bullet was intended for you, George. Klugg sent someone into town to put you out of action before he hits the bank.’

  This brought a cry of alarm from Raya. ‘Then if the outlaws hear that George is alive they will make another attempt to kill him.’

  ‘No, Raya,’ Vejar said, with a negative shake of his head. ‘Ken Klugg can’t risk losing another man before raiding the bank.’

  Realization made Harker say, ‘You got the man who shot me.’

  ‘Not a man, George, a boy. A kid named Richie Deere,’ Vejar explained. ‘The kid was a friend of mine.’

  ‘Oh dear. You must feel terrible because you shot him, Fallon,’ Raya gasped, tears welling up in her eyes.

  With a shrug, Vejar answered, ‘I feel terrible when I kill anyone, Raya, but I guess I feel it worse this time. The kid didn’t deserve to die, but Klugg does for using him in the way he did.’

  Having closed his eyes to recover the strength he had used up by talking, George Harker opened them again to look hopefully at Vejar. ‘You’ve made a start against that gang, Fallon, and Yancey needs you. Walter Randall and the rest of them will probably be coming in to see me sometime today. I reckon that I could persuade them to let you take my place as the law around here.’

  ‘They offered to make me deputy sheriff last night.’

  ‘And?’

  ‘You know how I’m fixed,’ Vejar replied. ‘I just can’t go against the Klugg gang.’

  Taking a quick glance at Raya, Harker said to Vejar, ‘It appears to me that to take charge here is the only chance you have of protecting your friend in the gang. Money brings out the worst in those who have it and those who don’t. With no law in Yancey, folk here will go to any lengths to protect their interests, and the street will run with blood. I would ask of no man that he goes against his conscience, yet if you become the law here you can keep things civilized, Fallon.’

  ‘One man can’t alter things,’ Vejar said flatly.

  ‘You aren’t one man, you are Fallon Vejar.’ Harker raised his voice in emphasis, an exercise that rapidly tired him.

  To Vejar it seemed that he had already passed some invisible point of no return. George Harker was talking sense. If Vejar was running things he had a chance to foil the bank raid and maybe save the life of Gloria Malone. But it would be a momentous task, and failure on both counts couldn’t be ruled out. Then there was Raya and George Harker to be considered. He couldn’t ride away and leave them at this time of crisis in Yancey.

  He went to speak to Harker, but the sheriff had expended all of his severely depleted energy, and had slipped into unconsciousness. Turning to Raya, Vejar said, ‘When George comes round, tell him that
the next time he sees me I’ll be wearing a tin star.’

  ‘Oh thank you so much, Fallon.’

  A tearful but grateful Raya ran to Vejar to kiss him on the cheek. It was a kiss that held more poignancy and apprehension than it did passion. He held her for a moment. A moment too long where his feelings were concerned. They stood for a moment, aware only of each other. Then he turned and went out of the door with the fragrance of the young woman still adhering to him.

  The non-return of Richie Deere had caused consternation in the outlaw camp. With both the kid’s fate and the present situation in Yancey a mystery, the following morning Klugg sent Gloria into town on yet another reconnaissance mission.

  Locating the only dressmaker’s premises on the street, a tiny building with a small-windowed shop front, she dismounted, looked cautiously around her for a moment, then entered. Raya and another young women were standing examining a bolt of brightly coloured material.

  Raya’s face lit up on seeing Gloria. ‘Carmel!’ she exclaimed. ‘What a lovely surprise. This is Mary, my friend and partner.’

  ‘Hello.’ Gloria gave Mary a friendly smile. ‘I hope I’m not interrupting your work, Raya, but I was in town and thought I would call to see you.’

  ‘I’m so glad that you did, Carmel. Was the ranch you were looking at suitable?’

  ‘The deal’s all but done,’ Gloria replied. ‘Now, tell me about you. Are you still doing your nursing bit?’

  ‘Oh, you haven’t heard, have you, Carmel?’

  ‘Heard what?’

  ‘George was shot last night.’

  ‘The sheriff shot?’ Gloria showed fake surprise and shock. ‘He isn’t …?’

  ‘No. He’s badly hurt, but the doctor told me earlier that he will pull through.’

  ‘Thank the Lord,’ Gloria said, sighing long and loud. Then she went on, ‘This is terribly selfish of me, Raya, but I put mine and Alan’s money in the bank here, and now there isn’t a sheriff.’

  Raya said reassuringly. ‘You have no need to worry, Carmel. Fallon Vejar has agreed to be the law in Yancey temporarily. Believe me, your money is as safe with Fallon as sheriff as it was when George was in charge.’

  ‘That’s good to hear.’ Gloria expressed her relief. She looked flustered then. ‘I’m sorry that I can’t stay longer, Raya, but my brother will be worrying about me if I don’t get back.’

  ‘I understand, and it was grand seeing you, Carmel,’ Raya said. ‘I hope that it won’t be long before you return to Yancey.’

  Clasping Raya’s hand, giving it an affectionate little squeeze, Gloria assured her. ‘I promise you that I’ll be back in town very soon.’

  Raya frowned, puzzled by the strange way her friend had spoken her parting words. But she then told herself that she was being silly, and turned her attention to Mary and the business they had been discussing.

  ‘This is my nephew, Jonathan, my sister’s boy. He’s willing to help you.’

  Walter Randall introduced his relative to Vejar. He was young, with long black hair drooping like string from under his hat. An upbringing in business had given his narrow face the unmistakable cunning that comes from such an environment, but his thin body was alert with the tension of a hunting animal. Vejar noticed that for all his sharpness of features, the boy had impressively large and intelligent eyes.

  They were standing a little way into a copse at the end of Yancey’s main street, just far enough for heavy shadows to be cast. The town had a very peaceful atmosphere. Vejar found himself silently comparing it with the violence that would soon descend.

  He remarked. ‘You are not wearing a gunbelt, Jonathan.’

  ‘I have never owned a gun.’

  Neither have you fired one, I’ll bet, Vejar thought despondently. Yet, all alone except for old Dan Matthews, he was in no position to be choosy. Though it probably had never been put to the test, the boy had the look of someone who could handle himself.

  ‘Well,’ Vejar said, ‘as long as you know what you’re letting yourself in for, I’ll be glad of your help.’

  ‘He won’t let you down, Vejar,’ Randall spoke up. ‘With you to train him he’ll soon be a top man with a gun.’

  ‘There’s no time for that,’ Vejar exclaimed. ‘Do you stock shotguns in your store, Randall?’

  ‘The finest that money can buy.’

  ‘Then fix up your boy with one,’ Vejar instructed before he turned to the nephew. ‘You don’t need to be an expert with a scattergun, Jonathan. Just point it in the direction of who you want to gun down, and it’s impossible to miss.’

  With a nod that signalled he understood, Jonathan said. ‘I’ve a buddy, Len Hobart, who’d like to help out, too.’

  Though appreciating two volunteers, their crass inexperience reminded Vejar of how difficult the immediate future would be. He had yet to meet Len Hobart, but he was sure to be on a par with his buddy Jonathan where guns were concerned.

  Noticing his hesitation, Walter Randall advised. ‘This is the best offer you’ll get, Vejar. We sure appreciate you staying on to protect the bank and the town, and although we can’t give you the support you need, we are doing our best.’

  ‘You’re right,’ Vejar agreed. He slapped Jonathan on the shoulder. ‘You’ve got guts, Jonathan, and I guess that your amigo has, too. I’ll be happy to have you both along with me.’

  ‘That’s settled then,’ a contented Randall said.

  ‘It’s settled, Randall. You be sure to fix up both Jonathan and his amigo with shotguns.’

  Michael Poole strode angrily into the Twin Circle ranch house. Sitting at the table while their black maid placed cooked meals in front of them, his two brothers looked curiously up at him.

  ‘They have insulted us and the memory of Billy,’ Michael Poole complained bitterly as he pulled out a chair to sit at the table.

  ‘Who has?’ Lew Poole enquired.

  Remaining silent while the maid put his meal in front of him, Michael made no attempt to reply until she had left the room. Then he said, ‘Randall and the others.’

  ‘The town council?’ Lew clarified what his brother had said. ‘What have they done to get you so riled up, Michael?’

  ‘George Harker got himself shot last night.’

  ‘Dead?’

  ‘Almost.’

  ‘That means nothing to us,’ Lew muttered, ‘except that Harker won’t be around to interfere when we go after Vejar.’

  ‘That’s what I was about to tell you, Lew. They’ve gone and made Vejar a deputy sheriff.’

  A black rage blazing in his eyes, Lew Poole slammed both hands down hard on the table. The impact sent their plates flying, a cup spilled its contents on the table before rolling away to fall on the floor and shatter.

  ‘We owe it to Billy to see that Vejar isn’t a deputy for long,’ Lew said. ‘We wait no longer, boys. It’s time to get that mal hombre.’

  Abandoning his dinner, Ben Poole stood up. His oldest brother turned on him. ‘Where are you going?’

  ‘I’m going with you and Michael to get Vejar,’ the slow-minded Ben answered.

  ‘Sit down and finish your dinner,’ Lew told him gruffly. ‘What we’ve got to do needs planning. You ride into town later and tell Jack Smiley that I want to see him out here pronto. Me and Michael got some thinking to do when you’ve gone.’

  SEVEN

  At Vejar’s request, Walter Randall had called Yancey’s citizens to a meeting in the Hero of Alamo that afternoon. Saloon business had been suspended for the event. But the good ladies of the town sniffed and snorted their disgust at entering a den of harlotry. Vejar was flanked on one side by Jonathan and by Len Hobart on the other. The latter was an overweight boy of short stature. Both young men were as yet unarmed.

  Walter Randall began with a speech that caused panic when he said that a raid on the bank was imminent. Calming the crowd, Randall went on to say that the outlaw gang concerned had already shot the sheriff. There was no reaction to this, as news of George Ha
rker’s misfortune and that Vejar had killed the outlaw concerned, had spread around the town during the day. But there was a prolonged murmuring of dissent when Randall announced that Fallon Vejar was now the law in Yancey.

  Randall beckoned him, and Vejar stepped forward to address a largely hostile crowd. He said, ‘It may help you to feel easier about me if I say that I’ll follow Sheriff Harker’s plan.’

  ‘When is this raid supposed to happen, Vejar?’ an elderly man called from the crowd.

  ‘That’s difficult to say,’ Vejar replied. ‘It will be soon. Most probably tomorrow.’

  This shocked the assembly into a long silence. The same elderly man broke it by calling out, ‘What is this plan you spoke of?’

  ‘We need an early warning, so I will be setting Dan Matthews up as a lookout on Macadam Point. Dan will have a fast horse to get him back into town when he first catches sight of the outlaws. I estimate that will give me at least half an hour to prepare.’

  ‘When will you be riding out with Dan to Macadam Point?’

  It puzzled Vejar when he discovered that this question came from Jack Smiley, whose liking for liquor normally had him peering dumbly at the world through an alcoholic haze. But regardless who had asked the question, the townsfolk deserved to know what was happening, so he answered, ‘First thing tomorrow.’

  ‘What will the preparations you spoke of involve?’ Henry Drake enquired, from where he stood at Walter Randall’s side.

  ‘Our priority must be the women and children,’ Vejar said. ‘When we hear that the gang is heading this way, then I want every women and child housed safely in the church until the danger is over.’ He looked to where Raya stood with Mary Alcott, and called to her, ‘Would you be prepared to organize that, Miss Kennedy?’

  ‘Of course,’ Raya responded self-consciously, blushing red as heads turned her way.

  ‘Thank you,’ Vejar said. ‘I am sure that the ladies will co-operate fully with you.’