Blood on the Verde River by Dusty Richards Page B

how did you learn that?”
    â€œI’ve been learning things these past few days to try and solve this. Is the sumbitch upstairs in one of the whorehouses?”
    â€œNo. He has a house over by the Methodist church.”
    â€œSit down. It’s okay. So he deals in this slavery business too?”
    â€œI’m not sure of that.” Valerie chewed on her lip before she continued. “She said he could get her a better job through him.”
    She sat down and gripped the sides of her seat. “I am not a scared person. But these guys involved in this business can really hurt you.”
    â€œI can too. I mean, hurt him.”
    â€œI want you to find her—alive. I can’t tell you anything else.” She chewed on her lip again. “You’re a married man, aren’t you? I can tell. You have a don’t touch me look about you. Your wife and Jenn are both damn lucky to have you.”
    â€œNo, I’m the lucky one. My wife isn’t in the place you are. But if I give you stage fare to go to Preskitt, you can work for Jenn, and I guarantee you won’t be under any pressure up there.”
    Valerie closed her eyes. “She won’t hire me.”
    â€œI know her. You want the stage ticket?”
    She shrunk in the chair. “If you don’t find Bonnie, she will blame me.”
    â€œNo. A ticket is twenty dollars. My men will carry your luggage down to the depot and put you on the stage. I will wire Jenn and she will meet you tomorrow or whenever the stage gets there.”
    Valerie wrung her hands then nodded. “I accept.”
    Chet went over, unlocked the door, opened it, and looked across the street where those two slim boys of his were leaning their butts on the hitch rail. They’d followed him. Their pants were tucked in their boot tops, high crown hats were cocked on the back of their heads, and silk kerchiefs were around their necks. They stood, waiting.
    Shaking his head, he waved for them to come over. With smug smiles, they came loose from their braces on the rack and walked over.
    â€œValerie needs some help getting her things to the stage depot. We’re buying her a ticket to Preskitt.”
    â€œWho will tell my boss?” she asked.
    â€œWe will,” Chet said.
    â€œTell him I’m sorry.” She began to cry.
    â€œDon’t cry, Valerie.” JD hugged her shoulder. “Men can’t take crying,”
    â€œI’m sorry. I left Texas to come out here to become a woman of the night. I found I hated it. Then I was trapped here. Now I’m going to leave here and make a new start.” She sniffed. “I hope it will work.”
    â€œWe’ll be certain it is a good start,” JD said, and they helped her pack.
    Chet agreed. “I’ll wire Jenn and she’ll meet the stage.”
    â€œHow do I thank you guys?”
    â€œSmile for us,” JD said.
    â€œThat’s good,” Jesus added when she forced one.
    The three waited with her at the stage depot and at ten o’clock they loaded her things on the stage. Chet told the driver to be sure she got on the Black Canyon Stage at Hayden Mills. He’d already wired Jenn that she was coming. She stood on her toes and kissed all three. “Thanks.”
    Then she smiled and climbed in the coach. The driver climbed on top, took the reins, and shouted at the ready horses. The stage rocked out of Tombstone.
    â€œWhere are we going?” JD asked as they left the station.
    â€œTo tell her boss that she quit,” Chet answered.
    â€œDo you think we can ever find Bonnie Allen?” JD asked.
    Chet nodded. “I haven’t given up.”
    â€œI just asked.”

C HAPTER 3
    The café was closed when Chet and his crew got there and it was too late to return to the Hamptons so they slept at the livery. At dawn, they went down the block and he told her boss she’d left.
    He scowled at them. “Why?”
    â€œShe got a