Outlaw Hearts(210)

Jake puffed on the cheroot, and Miranda could feel his fury. She walked back to his side. “Do you think Lloyd is still alive?” Jake asked Charlie.

Charlie was sober now. He glanced at Miranda, back at Jake. “Could be. Latimer don’t like to kill somebody quick, if you know what I mean.”

Jake took a deep breath for control. “You’ve got to show me where Latimer’s place is, Charlie. I’ll pay you. You don’t have to go in yourself if you don’t want. Just guide me there. I’ll do the rest.”

“Hell, Jake, I’ll take you there. You don’t have to pay me. I don’t think you can do it alone, though. There must be fifteen men out there.”

“I’m gonna help,” Downing told Charlie. “I hate the sonofabitch, but I could never go after him on my own. I figure the best chance I’ll ever have is if it’s Jake Harkner who’s after the man, if Jake here is as good as everybody says he is.”

Charlie watched Jake, feeling a little sorry for him. “He is. Ain’t nobody faster. Anybody who can take on Bill Kennedy’s bunch twice and live to tell about it has to be good.” He walked closer to Jake. “I’ll do what I can too, Jake, for old times’ sake. I’ll get you in there. I know a way we can take that we won’t be seen. What we need is ol’ Jess helpin’ too. Where is he?”

Jake held his eyes. “Jess died a few months back—lung cancer.”

Miranda was surprised at the genuine sorrow in Charlie’s eyes. How strange that these men could be so vulgar and lawless, yet be capable of affection and loyalty to each other. “I’m damn sorry to hear that. I know you was good friends.”

“You know Lloyd, then?” Jake asked, his eyes bloodshot from fury and terror for his son.

Charlie nodded. “I seen him quite a few months ago down at Brown’s Park. He was drunk as a skunk, hangin’ with some rustlers, goin’ around wantin’ to know if anybody had heard of his father, the notorious Jake Harkner, sayin’ it real sarcastic like. I tried talkin’ to him, had a feelin’ you wouldn’t like him hangin’ around these parts. He just shoved me away and told me to mind my own business, but I could see right through him. That boy loves you, Jake. He just ain’t about to admit it.”

Jake glanced at Miranda, and she saw the deep pain in his eyes. He turned to his horse then and mounted up. “There’s no time to waste. Go get dressed, Charlie. There’s plenty of daylight left.”

The man nodded. “Just before we get there, I’ll draw you a layout of the place.”

The man turned, and Jake called after him. “You don’t have to do this.” He looked at Downing. “Neither one of you. You’re risking your lives.”

Downing just grinned. “I figure havin’ you along is worth five, maybe six men. Besides, some men will do anything for money.”

Jake adjusted his hat against the wind. “Money or not, I’m obliged.”

“Hell, we’ve both been gettin’ a little bored anyway,” Charlie spoke up, but Miranda did not miss the worry in his eyes. She was grateful to the man, a little surprised that he and Hank Downing had offered to help. Apparently a lot of these men were like Jake, rough on the outside, but some of them had heart.

She mounted up, and Jake looked at her. “Where do you think you’re going?”

“I’m going with you,” she answered, surprised by his question.

Jake looked at Charlie. “Can those women in there be trusted to watch after her while we’re gone?”

Charlie nodded. “Sure they can.”

“No!” Miranda protested vehemently. “Lloyd could be hurt bad by now! I have to be there, Jake! I’ll go crazy waiting here!”

“It’s too dangerous!”

“I’ve come this far, Jake Harkner! I’ll not wait here like some fainting flower! Why did you bother teaching me to shoot this pistol and that shotgun? I might be able to help you, and besides that, you or Hank or Charlie could get hurt. You need me, and that’s my son out there! If I have to kill someone to get to him, then I’ll do it! I’ve forgiven you for a lot of things, Jake Harkner, but I won’t forgive you for leaving me behind now after the hell I’ve been through coming this far!”

Jake felt torn at the look of terror and helplessness in her eyes. She was right. She’d been through more hell than any woman should know in the years she had been with him, especially these last four years that Lloyd had been missing. “All right,” he agreed. “You can go partway, but not all the way in. We’ll find a place to hide you until I can come for you. That way you’ll be close but safe.” He wanted to hold her, but he was too full of fury and dread, too tense and full of thoughts of murder to have any gentle feelings for the moment.