Saving Tom Black by Jere D. James

Author:Jere D. James
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: western novel, western adventure, arizona novel
Publisher: Moonlight Mesa Associates

Chapter 11 – Freeman

JAKE Silver approached the small settlement of Freeman after a relatively short day’s ride over a desolate, sandy, windswept route from the trading post. For a tiny town, Freeman looked to have big ambitions, as most of the buildings were uncommonly large, as if the town folk anticipated rapid growth. A few of the buildings stood two stories, the bottom floors built of stone and adobe, while the upper levels were constructed of wood. Only two streets wide, the town measured less than a quarter mile square. A few people walked along wooden boardwalks going about their daily business, but only a handful of horses stood tied at hitching posts. A striking black-and-white paint caught Jake’s eye as he rode by, but the .50 caliber Sharps buffalo rifle on the saddle attracted him even more.

He stopped at Charles Caspar’s office, a small, square, one-story structure near the end of the main street, where the sheriff greeted him like a long-lost friend. The heavyset Caspar wore a worried look.

“I heard you were headed this way. Can’t tell you how pleased I am to have you here. Things are sure not as they should be, let me tell you that right off.”

“Yeah, heard all the way in Prescott that you’ve had some kidnappings.”

“Worse than kidnappings, Marshal. They’re bad enough, but we’ve had a string of murders to go along with them.

Jake’s attention ratcheted up a notch. “Really? No one mentioned any murders. What’s going on?”

“Not sure, to be honest. There’s been five attacks overall. Every single person killed. Three girls abducted.”

“If everyone’s been killed, how do you know there’s been abductions?”

“Most of the folks involved were local, or ones that stopped in town for supplies. Some of the folks around here have given up on the area and are movin’ on. Don’t know how many more been killed that we don’t know about.”

“Got any leads?”

“None. Locals are thinking it’s Indians. But that just don’t feel right.”

“That’s what I’ve heard from others, too.”

“I hate to say it, but I’m beginning to wonder if it’s not the Mormons livin’ down in that canyon. They don’t take to intruders, and let’s face it, they’re secretive and got a bloody past.”

“But what would be the motive?” Jake asked, perplexed.

“You tell me, Marshal. This just don’t make no sense at all. None of it. It’s plumb crazy.”

“So, who are the missing girls?”

“Like I said, there’s three that we know of. We got Patsy Baker, Victoria Galloway, and Susie Gatch,” he said, reading their names off a slip of paper. “Range in age from thirteen to fifteen. Those are the ones we know about. Could be more.”

“What about the killings?”

“Well, it’s clear that every one of these groups was ambushed and shot, that’s for certain. Sometimes their wagons were set on fire and we just find charred remains, but we never find any of ‘em in any sort of defensive posture. It’s like they don’t see it coming. ‘Course, horses and livestock are always missing. Things look looted.

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