Shooting For Justice by G. Tilman (top 100 novels txt) 📗

“All in all, I guess we did. Which brings us to now. We were pretty mad when the president of Wells Fargo sent us on a case and required us to get married. We have every intention of getting married. But to be ordered by an employer?” Pope said, obviously still bothered by it.

“A helluva lot of nerve is what I’d say. Does he think he is God or something?” Israel asked.

“Sounded like it to us, Israel,” Sarah said.

“Hume kinda gave us a half-hearted pass, but now thinks we are married by a justice of the peace or somebody. We plan to have a church wedding soon. The invitations will say, ‘We missed out on a church wedding, so want to have one now.’ Let people use their own imagination about it,” she said.

“Smart!” Millie said. “Marriage is very personal and something not to be made part of your continued employment. I don’t know who people think they are.”

Sarah held up the new rings, which she put on at the table.

“I’ll loan the wedding band back to John for the marriage ceremony,” she said.

“Did Hume say anything about what he had in mind for you two as a couple instead of just detective partners?” Israel asked.

“Yessir. What he said was assigning Sarah to be the manager of the new Cheyenne office she opened and me as regional detective out of Cheyenne,” Pope said.

“Not too bad, I guess,” Israel said pensively.

“He gave us a couple days to answer him on it and was peeved we didn’t jump at it. Sarah and I talked long and hard on the train. Our family is important. And it’s all sitting here at this table. He also said it would be at least a two-year assignment. Then, we could be sent anywhere. So, we are looking at our options if we both resign.”

“You wouldn’t know this, but the sheriff here just got all broken up when his buggy turned over. He rolled down a rocky hill and won’t be able to walk right, or ride at all again. His chief deputy is a nice fellow, but no leader.”

“Who will appoint his replacement?” Sarah asked.

“The governor. I’m betting you could get some pretty powerful folks in Washington and even in Wells Fargo to write him a letter. And, how about the sheriff you helped out in Cheyenne?”

“Grandpa, it could be a solution for me. How far is the county seat in San Rafael from here?”

“About four miles. I don’t think I ever took you over there. You kinda blew in and out of the cabin for visits. San Rafael is a nice little place. It started as a Spanish mission long ago.”

“How about Sarah? It kind of leaves her out in the cold.”

“I ran a tax office in Prescott. Maybe I could do something like it in San Rafael,” she said.

“I propose we all ride over there tomorrow and scout it out. Then, if you like it, get on the telegraph and get some letters going into the capitol,” Israel suggested.

Pope looked at Sarah and she smiled and nodded. She had not said anything, but between Pinkertons and Wells Fargo, she was tired of traveling all the time. A job, or no job would be just fine with her and they had sufficient money saved between the two of them, saving salary and living on expenses, for her to take her time.

“Alright then. I think we have a plan, family,” Pope said. His grandfather beamed. He wanted nothing more than to have his only living kin back near him.

The next morning, the four rode into San Rafael and had breakfast, then walked around the town and visited the old mission. Israel knew the sheriff and he and Pope visited him. The sheriff was in pain and their visit was short. The man was familiar with Pope’s law enforcement background. He asked whether Pope had interest in being appointed his replacement. He was concerned his office had coverage for daily patrol but feared a void if a serious robbery or crime against persons occurred.

Pope indicated he was tired of the constant travel with his current employer. The sheriff said he would be willing to wire the governor and suggest Pope be appointed. To Israel’s question about other wires from famous people, he replied, “Yep. He’s a politician first and foremost. Famous politicians and others would have a lot of influence. But move fast before he does something stupid and appoints a big political donor.”

Based on the information, Pope and his grandfather went directly to the telegraph office and sent telegrams to the attorney general, secretary of war, sheriff of Laramie County and Roscoe Conkling.

Due to the urgency the sheriff said existed, Pope and Sarah left immediately for San Francisco to meet with James Hume. On the way, they agreed to not bring up their irritation at how the last case was assigned and to stay positive.

They arrived at the headquarters and found Hume was meeting with his friend and frequent contract detective, Harry Morse.

They finished their discussion and invited the two in.

“Well, Popes. Do you have an answer for me?” Hume asked. Neither Hume nor the Popes minded their friend Morse being present.

“We have some concerns. I may also have a possibility offering us a solution,” Pope said.

“Keep talking.”

“Sarah and I do not want to move to Wyoming. Not now. Since our marriage was virtually mandated by Mr. Tevis, we want to establish more than a two-year home. My grandfather is the only kin I have. He is not getting younger and needs the occasional bit of help now. I have to be near for him. Other than Sarah, he’s the most important thing in the world for me.”

He saw Morse nodding in agreement. Hume did also. Morse was Hume’s primary decision sounding board.

“John, I appreciate your dedication to Israel Pope. It’s quite laudable. Where does this leave us?” Hume asked.

“I don’t know if you’ve heard, but Sheriff