The Last Outlaw(117)

The policeman scowled. “I’ll see what I can do.” He turned and walked back down the hill. Minutes later, he’d cleared out most of the onlookers.

Cole went back up the hill and poured some water from a canteen into his hat to water the horses, then led them to a grove of small trees on the other side of the hill, away from where people could see them. He took down his bedroll, made camp, and waited. Jake needed to be alone.

Sometime in the night, Jake came to the campsite and took down his own bedroll. He opened it and stretched out on it, then lit a cigarette.

“Coffee’s still hot,” Cole told him.

“Thanks.” Jake took a deep drag on the cigarette. “In the morning, I’ll have you return that sledgehammer to the mortician and tell him where to put the headstone I ordered. I’ll leave town the back way and wait for you. I’ve drawn enough attention. We’ll head on into Mexico. There’s a man down there who needs killing.”

The mood Jake was in, Cole had no doubt Sidney Wayland didn’t have long to live. “I’ll be ready.”

Jake smoked quietly, laying his head back on his saddle. “I’m trusting you with that girl, Cole. I’m staying behind to kill Sidney Wayland after we get Annie out of there, so it’s possible I won’t be going back with you.”

“Don’t be talkin’ like that, Jake. I ain’t leavin’ without you.”

“You do what you have to do to make sure Annie is safe. That’s all that matters.” Jake took a deep breath. “What happened here today needed to happen.”

“It’s okay.”

“I just want my mother and brother to be remembered. Someone should know they existed.”

“I can’t blame you there.” Cole wasn’t sure what else to say. “Your mother produced a fine son, Jake. I’m guessin’ she’s watchin’ and she’s happy you found her again and you’re honorin’ her this way. She’s happy for all the joy you’ve found in that family of yours. She’s probably with those grandbabies right now, thinkin’ how proud she is that they came from her blood. You remember it’s her blood in you and those young ones too—not just your pa’s.”

Jake felt for his mother’s crucifix under his shirt, something of hers he’d kept ever since she died. He’d hidden it from his father because he knew the man would try to sell it for whiskey money. He’d worn the cross next to his heart through all his outlaw years and all his married years, those awful years in prison, all of it. Lo siento, mi mater. Favor perdoname. Que Dios te acompane. He rolled to his side and fell asleep with his hand wrapped around the crucifix. He wished the town hadn’t buried his father all those years ago. He should have been stripped and left for the buzzards to feast on.





Forty-three


After destroying one of Brownsville’s “famous” landmarks, Jake figured he’d better get out of town a different way than using the main crossing point. He headed west first, keeping Outlaw at a slow walk along the Rio Grande as he waited for Cole to catch up.

By midmorning, the two of them headed across the Rio Grande in a more nondescript area. One Mexican soldier stopped them, asking their business.

“Venimos aquí para las hermosas mexicanas,” Jake told him, expressing his desire to find beautiful Mexican women.

The soldier grinned broadly. “Sí, aquí tenemos las mujeres más bellas!”

Jake smiled and nodded. “Entiendo que hay un sitio por estas partes que se llama La Casa de Mujeres Celestiales. Queremos encontrar el sitio.”

“Ah, sí!” The soldier pointed to the east. “Sur de Matamoros. Es una hacienda Hermosa.” The man grabbed his privates and laughed. “Te va costar mucha lana para una de esas mujeres!”

“Pagaré lo que sea.” Jake tipped his hat and rode off.

“What was that all about?” Cole asked when he caught up.

“I told him we were looking for beautiful women and would pay whatever it cost for the best. The place we’re looking for is just south of Matamoros.” Jake removed his hat and wiped at sweat on his brow. “I’ve been living in the Colorado foothills so long I’ve forgotten how hot it can get down here. I miss the J&L already.”

“You aren’t the only one.”

“Did you take care of the tombstone?”

“Yes, sir.”

“If I don’t make it back, you make sure it’s there before you go home. Will you do that?”

“’Course I will.”

They rode silently for a good hour. “Sorry I went a little crazy yesterday,” Jake finally said.