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

Mahoney in Marin County was seriously injured in a riding accident. He is partially crippled and advised the county commission and governor he cannot perform his duties any longer. He does not have a strong number two and has said he would support me being appointed as his successor until the next election.

“Both of you have been county sheriffs in California. I’d like to take a shot at it, gentlemen. Especially with your support.”

Hume paused, clearly in deep thought. After a full minute or two, he spoke.

“John, you have done everything I ever asked you, up to and including saving the president. I still feel Tevis ordering you to get married for a case was unconscionable.

“I’d be willing to support you in the sheriff appointment.”

“I would too, John,” Morse added.

Hume swiveled his desk chair to face Sarah.

“Which leaves us with you, young lady.”

“I would make you a wonderful regional detective for the counties north of the Bay,” she began. The idea had arisen during their trip across San Francisco Bay on the ferry.

Hume stopped again. Pope knew he was thinking about whether the volume of cases in Marin, Sonoma, Napa, Yolo and others would support a regional detective. He decided they would. Pope saw the almost imperceptible exchange between Hume and Morse. Good old Harry! he thought, He’s backing our play to the hilt.

“So. You would be stationed out of San Rafael, assuming John’s appointment went through?” Hume asked Sarah.

“Yes, sir.”

“John, I’ll hate to lose you. But I think you’ve earned the right to stay in one place. I suspect any office job, even here, would drive you crazy in a week.

“I will telegraph the governor immediately. Harry and I helped him out not too long ago, which is a good thing. John, hold on to your badge and any company equipment until this goes through. If it does not, we will revisit your situation then.

“Sarah, your assignment commences at the end of your two-week holiday.”

“One other thing for both of you,” Sarah began.

“Due to the urgency of getting to Washington, we missed having a real church wedding. We are going to have a small one and hope both of you and your wives will be our guests?” She omitted the fact they missed having any wedding at all.

“Let us know when and where,” Hume said.

“I wouldn’t miss it for the world. I’m almost disappointed Jim agreed to you being a regional detective, Sarah. I was prepared to hire you on the spot to do the very thing for my company,” Morse said.

“I’m honored, Harry. I would have accepted here and now.”

They parted with handshakes, as was Hume’s way.

At Pope’s desk, he took a telegraph form and penned a wire to the governor asking for the sheriff appointment in Marin County. He mentioned he had the support of the current sheriff, some key California law enforcement notables and some folks back east with whom he had worked. He said they would contact him separately. The telegram was gone before they left the Wells Fargo building.

Now, hurry up and wait.

They stopped on the way to the return ferry for a celebratory lunch. They loaded Caesar and one of the several cow ponies Israel had left and had moved to Marin when he vacated the ranch.

The next day, Israel and Pope went to the ranch. They had a nearby lawyer who specialized in land deals. He listed it for sale. Even a low bid would more than cover the acquisition of the new, adjacent land in Marin.

“Sonny,” Israel began once they started the ride to the ferry from the ranch, “I never got a chance to tell you the story I wanted to after dinner the first night. How ’bout now?”

“Sure, Grandpa. Unless it’s something Millie and Sarah need to hear with me.”

“Millie already knows. You can tell Sarah if you think it’s important.

“I was married after your grandma. Married to a beautiful Indian princess. We lived with the tribe then in a cabin for several years. It was a good marriage. One day I was trapping and a small war party from another tribe out of the area came by. They killed her and savaged her badly. I had already lost one wife and I was filled with hate.

“Boy, I tracked them down like you and I did those who killed the rest of our family five years later. I killed all six of them in one fight. Four were hand to hand. Or Bowie knife to body or throat would be more correct. I took their scalps to her father. He was a big chief. After a period of mourning, and he was as sad as me, he put together a war party. I didn’t go. They rode into the camp of the other tribe and killed every soul there.

“He was an honorable man and knew I wouldn’t hold with killing women and children and old folks. So, he spared me. First and foremost, he was a chief. He had to do it his way as a sign for every other tribe.

“We had a burial ceremony for my wife when he got back. I gathered her ashes and gave them to the four winds. She’s out there somewhere, smiling down.

“Her spirit animal was a hawk. Every time I see one soaring, I think it’s probably her, checking on me.

“With the bad luck I had with wives, I was scared to marry Millie. But I knew now there was two of us, you and me, to protect her. With you living close now, I feel calm. Calm for the first time in years, Sonny Boy.”

Pope looked at his grandfather. He thought Israel Pope was the most dangerous man alive. Even in his mid-sixties. He had no idea his grandfather was convinced Pope himself was. Even so, together, it would have been difficult to find a more fearsome pair. Add Sarah, and they were stronger yet.

Not beginning to think about this, they rode on, lost in their own thoughts. Happy to be