Wanted, he read, for robbery, murder, abduction, and rape. Jackson “Jake” Lloyd Harkner, description: approx. 6’1”, 200#, believed to be part Mexican, dark hair and eyes, dark skin. $5,000 reward if caught alive. $3,000 dead. Armed and dangerous.
Jake stepped back and glanced around. People walked by on their busy errands, no one paying him much attention. He adjusted his hat, feeling more than uncomfortable at the sight of the poster. He decided he had better do what he came here to do and get the hell out of Missouri. He remounted Outlaw and headed for the small frame church the old lady had indicated to him. As he came closer, a short, graying man emerged from the front doors of the white building. He made his way down the steps, glancing at Jake and smiling. “Excuse me, sir!” Jake called out. “Might you be the Reverend Bishop?”
The man brightened. “Yes, I’m Reverend Bishop. Can I do something for you?”
“Possibly.” Jake halted Outlaw and again dismounted, holding the reins as he removed his hat respectfully. “I’m told you often help people who are headed west find traveling companions.”
“Yes, I do, but most have gone by now. You have to get an early start in the spring in order to make it all the way west before bad weather sets in.”
Jake watched the man’s kind, sparkling eyes, wondering at how some people were almost innocent in their trust. He wondered how the reverend would feel if he knew the truth about him. Would he still smile like that?
“I know that,” he answered. “But there is someone I’m looking for, a Mrs. Miranda Hayes. Back in Illinois, I was a good friend of her family,” he lied, “her father, Dr. Baker, and her brother Wesley. I came here looking for them, went to Kansas City and found out the good doctor had been killed by outlaws. I was real sorry to hear that. Then they told me Wesley had gone to Nevada months ago, and that Mrs. Hayes had been married and lost her husband to the war. She just recently left to go to Nevada to find her brother.” Jake shook his head, putting on a look of dire concern. “I can’t imagine that poor young woman heading out alone to a place like that. I thought I’d try to find her, at least go along for extra protection. I owe that much to her father, who saved my life once.”
The reverend frowned. “Oh, it is too bad you didn’t show up sooner. On a trip like that, and with women and children along, you just can’t have enough men to provide and protect, Mr., uh, what was your name?”
“Jake,” Jake replied too quickly. He cursed himself for it, feeling he shouldn’t have used any part of his real name. “Jake Turner,” he finished, using the name of the farmer from whom he had purchased the packhorse. “You know Mrs. Hayes then?”
“I certainly do!”
Jake felt a rush of warmth, wondered why his heart always pounded a little faster when he thought about seeing Miranda again.
“A beautiful young woman, she is. Being widowed and all, I knew she would want good, trustworthy people with whom to travel, so I introduced her to a fellow reverend, Wilbur Jennings. Reverend Jennings is headed for Virginia City with his family. They intend to bring Christianity to the poor, lost miners there who need Christ’s guidance and teaching. Reverend Jennings and his family plan to build a church there and start a school.”
Jake could hardly believe how trusting this man was, so willing to give out information, apparently not doubting for a moment that he might not be telling the truth.
“Jennings?” he asked. “Is it a big family?”
“Oh, yes! The reverend and his wife have four children, and the reverend’s two younger brothers, his father, a brother-in-law and nephew, and a friend of the family are all going. In fact, they’re traveling with a trader, Hap Dearing, and four extra men. Mrs. Hayes should be quite safe, I assure you. The traders know how to defend themselves. Mr. Dearing has made the trip to Nevada before. Fact is, I imagine Mrs. Hayes herself can do a good job protecting herself. Did they tell you back in Kansas City about her shooting that outlaw, Jake Harkner?”
The man’s trusting ignorance made Jake almost want to laugh. “Yes, they did. I’m just glad she wasn’t hurt. It must have been very unsettling for her.”
“Yes, I think it was. She didn’t seem to want to talk much about it. I think it still upsets her. She certainly is a brave woman.” The man adjusted his hat. “Even so, I expect she’d be happy to see an old friend of her father and brother show up. I think she was pretty scared to set out for Nevada, but she’s a determined lady. I expect by now they are well on their way out of Omaha—took a steamboat upriver first. I do hope they’re having good weather. Spring can be mighty tricky.”