Lone Star 05 by Wesley Ellis Read Free Book Online Page A

Please, all I am asking is a chance to see him.”
    Then Scott spoke up. “See, Carpenter, the lady does have a legal right to do so, if she is the prisoner’s sister. And as a federal officer, I’m obliged to tell you so.”
    â€œSilence!” The imperious command erupted from the Mormon’s lips like a cannon shot. “You speak of rights. My people have been denied their rights by your government for forty years. We have been driven from state to state, hounded like animals. Only when the great prophet Brigham Young, inspired by a holy vision, brought us here, to Deseret, did we find peace. And now even this sanctuary is being violated by thieves and murderers and fornicators and those who trade in blood and money. When will it cease? When will we know peace? Don’t talk of rights to me, Mr. Marshal. For I know that they do not exist for God’s people!”
    Then it occurred to Jessie to change tactics. Perhaps Carpenter would listen to an offer for financial support of his town—if it were presented in a properly subtle manner. After all, he was a political as well as a religious leader in this community. One cannot build the Kingdom of God without adequate funds. But it must not sound like a bribe offer.
    â€œWhat the marshal and I are saying,” she put in, “is that we fully recognize your position, and we bear no ill will toward your people. And further, Mr. Carpenter, we expect to bear any expenses we may incur and to reimbuse the town for any inconvenience we may cause. Like you, all we seek is justice.”
    Carpenter chewed on that for a while. He waved the two gun-bearing protectors away, and they disappeared into the back of the house. Hobbling out from behind the littered desk, he confronted Jessie directly. Pulling thoughtfully on his long, unkempt beard, he growled, “Yes, justice. That is the chief love of my people. After its having been denied us for so many years, it is a precious commodity indeed.”
    Jessie felt him wavering. She added, “My late father’s company is always interested in finding new locations and business interests, as well as investing in towns like Skyler. I find that we can be of great help to people in growing communities such as yours. For example, the assay office which the boy tried to rob—perhaps we could arrange to reorganize it and insure its safety. We have a very efficient operation just like it in Provo.”
    A prophetic fire lit Carpenter’s face. He smiled, revealing a set of brown-tinged teeth. “Whoever this boy is,” he said, “he has been put here for a purpose. The Lord, as we all know, works his will in mysterious ways. Yes, very mysterious.”
    Jessie and Scott exchanged puzzled glances. The Mormon evidently had his own interpretation of events.
    â€œVery well, Miss Starbuck, you may visit the prisoner for one hour,” he declared, his hard gaze leveled on Jessie. “When you have established your relationship with him, then we shall talk again. And you, Marshal Scott, shall report to me every day from now on. As a federal officer, you have been charged with the prisoner’s safety, and I want to know if it is threatened—by anyone. There are already too many unfamiliar and unfriendly faces in Skyler. And sentiment among my people is running strongly against the boy. You and I both will be well served if we see that these bounty-hunting vultures are kept away from the jail.”
    Marshal Scott nodded and tugged again at Jessie’s sleeve. It was time to go, before the volatile Carpenter changed his mind again.
    â€œThank you,” Jessie said. “I’ll return to the jail immediately and arrange for a visit with the young man. And if there is anything I can do for you, Mr. Carpenter—”
    â€œI shall let you know, Miss Starbuck.” He returned to his chair and buried himself at once in the work he had to do, letting them find their own