LeRoy, U.S. Marshal by Neil Hunter

Author:Neil Hunter
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: us marshals, colt 45, piccadilly publishing, neil hunter, mike linaker, winchester rifles, gunfighters in the old west, lawmen of the old west, tales of the american frontier, westerns by neil hunter
Publisher: Piccadilly Publishing

Two Months Later – Department of Justice - Washington

LeRoy was still recovering from the wounds inflicted during his showdown with Luchino Trattori. His left arm was still in a sling and his side strapped up to support the cracked rib from the bullet he’d taken. Despite his pain he had insisted on attending the summons to his hearing and his earlier misgivings aside, he emerged with his reputation intact, though a little battered. The hearing had been long, involved, and became heated to a degree when witnesses LeRoy had not been expected turned up representing his defense.

Laura Wakefield, whose testimony as to the deaths of the occupants of the wagon train, went a long way to impress the hearing. Sergeant Tolliver offered similar evidence as to the number of deaths. Tolliver had been in the Army troop that had later visited Buckmann’s Folly and added to the narrative, describing the scene they found and verified the discovery of the diamond cache located in the remains of the burned cabin.

LeRoy’s visit to New York and his involvement with Luchino Trattori, following up on the information given to him by Spearman, had been a stumbling block at first. The Department of Justice officials had pointed out with some emphasis that LeRoy was out of his jurisdiction and LeRoy himself could not deny that. In his own defense he truthfully told he was simply following through the case that had originated in Texas and had done no more than any lawman in his place.

No one in the room could deny Trattori’s guilt. In truth the law had been after Trattori for a number of years, but each time they closed in on the Don his lawyers, aided by the influence of powerful men – some in lofty positions themselves – were able to deflect any harm. Following Trattori’s death information began to be passed to the authorities. When The Callisto had eventually been boarded following it grounding on the bank of the Hudson and the bloody scene discovered, LeRoy had been able to show his US Marshal badge and after some delay, local Marshals had showed up and took over. LeRoy had informed the Marshals of his reasons for pursuing Trattori. It had given the local lawmen the incentive to step in and search the boat and also Trattori’s city premises. Something they had wanted to do for a long time. The resultant recovery of evidence, including gambling slips and ledgers that incriminated surprising names gave the Justice Department the chance to arrest a number of officials. The Marshal’s office was well pleased with the result. Trattori’s organization, leaderless and without their previous protection was broken, its influence shattered – which encouraged witnesses to come forward. The investigation into Trattori’s affairs would take a long time to complete.

Presented with the mass of evidence the Justice Department was left with few options but to send Marshal Alvin LeRoy on his way, but not before giving him a cautionary dressing down for stepping over the line.

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