Teresa sat on the cold floor beside Scott. She could tell that his shoulder still bothered him but there was nothing else she could do about it. She'd managed to clean the wound and prevented the infection from getting worse, but it wasn't enough. His body was bruised and gaunt from the continual abuse he received at the hands of Harper and three of his men. They'd twisted his arms behind his back and tied his hands together when they'd removed him from the cot two days ago.
The only one who didn't mistreat Scott was never around long enough for her to ask him to help her. She'd heard the others call him Frost and kept hoping for a chance to speak to him. She heard a soft moan from the man beside her and turned to cradle him in her arms.
Scott opened his eyes and regretted even that small movement. His shoulder felt better but he knew it was far from healed. He gazed into Teresa's worried eyes and tried to give the impression that he was fine. He could tell it wasn't working as she reached out and touched his cheek. "Teresa," he said softly so the others wouldn't hear.
"What is it, Scott?"
"I want you to promise me that if you get a chance to escape you'll do it."
"I won't leave without you," she told him.
"You have to," Scott said, his voice hitching on the pain from his stiff muscles.
"You two want to let me in on your little secret?" Harper asked from where he lay on the cot.
"Nothing that concerns you," Scott said as forcefully as his weakened body would allow.
Harper's laugh echoed around the cave as he stood from the cot. "Looks to me like it's time for another lesson boys. Get him on his feet," he ordered.
"No!" Teresa screamed as Reynolds and Billy came towards her and the injured man. She threw her body in front of Scott, trying to protect him from the men coming towards him. Tears rolled down her cheeks as she was pulled away from her 'brother'. She knew there was nothing she could do to help him but she continued to fight anyway.
"Stop, Teresa," Scott said with more strength than he felt.
Teresa heard him and cried openly as he was dragged to his feet. "No, God, no. Please don't do this. He's been through enough," she begged as Harper reached out and took her by the arm. He shoved her toward Frost, who'd stayed back near the fire.
Teresa fell to her knees, sobbing hysterically as she watched the men pull Scots shirt from his back and tie him to the wall of the cave. She felt strong hands reach out to her and pull her to her feet. Once again she tried to throw her body in front of Scott but was held back. She felt blood trickle down her legs and knew she'd probably cut them on the sharp rocks in the cave. Continuing her struggles did nothing and she finally admitted defeat and turned away from the horror she knew was about to happen. Her body went limp in Frost's arms and he knew she'd lost consciousness.
Frost pulled her into his arms and snuggled her face into his shoulder. He watched as Harper pulled a whip from his saddlebag and walk towards his victim. He knew there was nothing he could do for Scott Lancer but decided he'd get the girl away from here as soon as Harper and the others were engrossed in their fun.
"Now, Lancer, feel like telling me what you and the little lady were talking about?" Harper asked as he snapped the whip.
"Go to hell," Scott told him.
"You and your grandfather will get there before I do," Harper said as he once again pulled the whip over his shoulder and snapped it against Scott’s bare back.
Scott felt the whip tear into his back and bit back a scream. He didn't know how long he'd be able to remain quiet but he resolved to do so as long as he could. He tried to tune his mind away from the newfound agony that was his back. Each time the whip came down he felt his resolve weakening.
Frost could tell that the others were so intent on Harper's torture of Scott Lancer that now was as good a time as any. As quietly as possible he carried the lightweight woman out of the cave. As he slipped from the cave he heard a scream that sent shivers down his spine. He lay Teresa on the ground and hurriedly threw his saddle on his horse. He untied the other horses and lifted the woman into his arms. He shoved her up on his horse and jumped up behind her. With a loud whoop he drove the other animals in front of him and rode away from the cave as fast as he could.
Scott's scream was torn from his throat. His back felt as if it had a life of it's own. The pain felt like molten lava had been poured over him and he tried unsuccessfully to hold back the tears. "T... Teresa," he sobbed worriedly as unconsciousness mercifully took him.
"Hey, little lady, what do you think? He ain't so pretty now is he?" Harper asked as he turned away from his victim. He hurriedly searched the cave looking for the missing woman. "Frost!" he yelled. "Where are they?"
"I don't know," Reynolds answered.
Suddenly they heard someone shout and the sound of galloping horses. "That Son of a bitch. Get out there and stop them," Harper shouted as he hurried out of the cave, drawing his gun as he went. By the time he got to the entrance he was to late. Frost had disappeared, the woman and other horses with him. Swearing loudly he hurried back into the cave, followed closely by his men.
"What are we gonna do now?" Billy Smith asked.
"You and Rob get out there and find the horses. They can't have gone to far," Harper said and was angered when the men didn't jump to do his bidding. "Get out there and find the damn horses," he shouted. This time the two men hurried outside. "Mike, cut him down and get everything ready. We gotta get out of here."
"Sure, Mitch," Reynolds said and used his knife to cut the ropes binding Scott. He let his body drop limply to the floor.
Harper watched as Scott fell to the floor and stood over him. He could hear Mike Reynolds hurrying around the cave and gathering their belongings. 'I'll still get my revenge against you and your grandfather. Not only have you cost me my family you've also cost me a good friend. At least I thought he was a good friend. He's gonna join you and your grandfather in death,' he thought angrily.
By the time Reynolds had finished picking most of the stuff up they heard a commotion outside the entrance. Harper and Reynolds hurried out and grinned as he saw his own horse and one other. "Where are the others?" Harper asked.
"We couldn't find em. These two were grazing just over the hill," Billy told him.
"You two go inside and bring Lancer out," Harper ordered. While they were gone, he ordered Reynolds to get up on the other horse while he mounted his own. "When they get out here I want you to hold your gun on them. If they try anything kill them."
"What?" Reynolds asked uncertainly.
"Do you want to stay behind with them?" Harper asked pulling his gun.
"No way!" Reynolds said, realizing there were only two horses and five men. "What a..." he didn't get a chance to finish as Billy and Rob exited the cave supporting a still unconscious Scott between them.
"Hey, what's goin on here?" the brothers asked in unison.
"Well, we have us a little problem. We have two horses and five men to ride em. The way I see it is Mike and I have our guns pointed at you two and we're already on the horses. That gives us squatter's rights. Lancer will be riding with me so that leaves you two. There's just no way for you two to come along. Now unbuckle those guns and throw them over there," Harper said, indicating a circle of rocks.
The brothers did as ordered and returned in time to see Harper jump off his horse. The two men debated about jumping him but one glance at Reynolds holding the gun changed their minds.
"Turn around," Harper said.
Billy and Rob glanced at each other before doing as ordered. As soon as they turned Harper brought his gun down on Billy's head, then quickly did the same to his brothers; both men slumped to the ground.
"Help me get Lancer on my horse so we can get out of here," Harper told Reynolds. The two men soon had the unconscious man on the horse and hurried away from the cave, Harper in the lead.
Frost kept up the fast pace as long as he could. Finally he reined in his horse and let her make her own pace. It wasn't long before he felt the woman in front of him begin to stir. She moaned as she opened her eyes.
"What's going on?" she asked confusedly.
"Easy, girl," Frost said. "I'm taking you back to your home."
"Home," Teresa smiled and then reality hit her and she sobbed quietly. "Scott?"
"I couldn't help him."
"But Harper will kill him."
"There was nothing I could do. I was lucky the others were watching Harper and not us. We were lucky to get away from there ourselves. I'm sorry," Frost said.
"Oh, Scott," Teresa sobbed as she conjured up an image of Scott’s battered body. The sound of a whip echoed in her ears as she leaned wearily back against Frost. "We have to go back," she said.
"It's too late. He's probably already dead."
Teresa squirmed in her seat until she was facing Frost. "Don't you dare say that! Scott's not dead. He can't be. We have to go get him," she said angrily.
"Wouldn't it be better if we got some help first?"
Teresa knew he was right and sat back dejectedly. The day dragged on as they rode towards Lancer. She tried to convince Frost to hurry but he explained that it was hard enough on the horse and they needed to save its strength.
The journey back to Lancer was a quiet and subdued one. Very few words were exchanged between Murdoch and Garrett, the ones that were, were heated and angry. They lapsed into mutual silence for the rest of the trip.
Johnny rode ahead of the wagon. His mind wondered to his brother and 'sister'. He worried whether he'd ever see them again. He knew that as long Scott and Teresa were in the hands of the kidnappers their lives were in serious danger. Somehow he had to find them before Garrett turned himself over. He knew the type of men he was dealing with from his life as gunslinger Johnny Madrid. 'I'll find a way to get you both back,' he thought.
Scott knew he was moving. He felt strong arms around him but knew they weren't friendly. He remembered the times Johnny had held him as they rode home. He'd been injured and hadn't been able to ride his own horse. Johnny's arms had felt strong and gentle around him whereas these felt strong and firm. He felt as if the breath were being driven from him as the horses galloped across the land. His back burned as he was flung back against the man holding him. Suddenly memory came back to him and he knew who was holding him. He tried to pull away but didn't have the strength.
Harper felt his captive return to consciousness. He felt him fight against him and renewed his hold. "Stop it, Lancer!" he yelled in order to be heard over the horses.
Scott renewed his own effort to get free but weakened quickly. Suddenly he felt Harper pull back on the reins and the horse slowed and finally stopped. He felt one arm release him but before he could do anything there was a gun at his head.
"Get down!" Harper told him.
Scott lifted his leg over the side of the horse and fell to the ground. Before he had a chance to stand he felt his arms pulled roughly behind him. Harper's weight against Scott's back forced a cry of pain from him. He tried to squirm away from the cause of the pain but found he was pinned to the ground.
"Give me some rope, Mike," Harper said.
Reynolds jumped down from his horse and pulled a coil of rope from his saddle. Within moments Scott hands were tied tightly behind his back and he was pulled roughly to his feet.
Pain radiated from every part of his body as he was thrown face down over the back of Reynolds horse. "Tie him to the saddle," Harper ordered.
Reynolds looked from Harper to the man lying face down on his horse. Realizing what was about to happen he reached for his gun.
"I wouldn't," Harper said, his voice cold and devoid of emotion.
"You can't leave me out here," Reynolds whined.
"Watch me. Drop your gun and tie Lancer to the horse."
"I'll ride with him," Reynolds tried.
"Too tiring for the horses," Harper grinned maliciously.
Reynolds looked around at the wasteland they'd been riding through. He knew there was no way he could survive out here without a horse. He glared at Harper as he reached for his belt buckle. In a desperate move he changed direction and went for his gun. His hand hadn't touched the gun when the sound of a shot echoed through the still air. He looked unbelievingly at the small circle of blood forming on his upper left chest. He was dead before his body hit the ground.
“Guess I'll have to do it myself," Harper said as he walked to Reynolds horse and slapped his hand down on Scott's exposed back. His grin broadened as he heard the scream of agony from his victim. "Sorry ‘bout that," Harper laughed as he wrapped a rope around Scott's arms and pulled it under the horse. Once he finished securing Scott to the horse he took the reins and got back on his own. He headed the horse towards the only home he'd ever known. The home he'd grown up in. The home he associated with all the bad things that happened in his life.
Johnny stood outside the house as the sun began to sink below the horizon. His mind was filled with thoughts of rescuing his brother and 'sister'. Suddenly he was pulled from his thoughts by the sound of an approaching horse. 'Now who could that be?' he thought as the horse came closer and he made out two riders. Instinctively he knew one of the riders was Teresa. He hurried towards the horse as it neared the house and deftly lifted her down before the horse had come to a complete stop.
"Johnny," Teresa said, exhaustion evident in her voice as tears flowed freely from her eyes.
"Teresa," Johnny said, relieved to be holding his 'sister'. He held her through her sobs and waited while the man got off his horse and tied it to a post. "I don't know how you came to have my 'sister’, Mister, but I thank you for bringing her home."
"I'd hold off on your thanks till you get the whole story," Frost said. He knew and respected Johnny Madrid's reputation from stories he'd heard.
Johnny heard the unmistakable tone of respect and weariness in the man’s voice and knew he wanted to hear the story. A moan from the woman in his arms told him it would have to wait and he turned towards the house. "It'll have to wait till we get Teresa taken care of. You best come inside."
Frost followed the younger man into the brightly lit house. He felt as if he were entering the gallows in spite of the brightness. He'd been involved in the kidnapping of a man. He knew what he'd done for Teresa probably didn't make up for the other but at least she was now safe. Suddenly he felt as if a great weight had been lifted and he knew, no matter what happened to him, he'd help this family find Scott Lancer.
Johnny heard Murdoch and Garrett arguing. He'd been outside because he didn't want to listen to it any longer. He didn't blame Murdoch for what he was saying to the older man. Harlan G elderly man sitting on the settee and wondered why he hadn't gone to help the others. The man never spoke but his eyes didn't leave Frost.
An hour later Johnny and Murdoch came into the room where the two men sat in an uncomfortable silence. Johnny walked to Frost and held out his hand. "I'm Johnny Lancer, this is Murdoch Lancer and," looking at the older man across the room. "That's Harlan Garrett. I want to thank you for bringing Teresa back home but how and where did you find her?"
"More importantly was my grandson with her?" Harlan Garrett asked with no concern for the girl sleeping in her room.
"Your grandson?" Frost asked and instantly realized the man sitting on the settee was the man Harper was after. He didn't seem as formidable as Harper had made him out to be.
"Yes, my grandson, was he with that girl?" Garrett asked impatiently.
"Now, you just wait a minute," Murdoch shouted angrily. "That girl up there means a lot to all of us. You may not care about her but we do."
"The only one I'm concerned about is my grandson," Garrett said and turned back to the stranger. "I don't care who you are or how you found her. I just want to know where my grandson is."
"Be quiet, Harlan," Murdoch said icily. "You are a guest in my home and therefore can be turned out at any time. Sit down and let the man talk."
"Well, I never," Garrett said but sat back in his seat.
"What's your name?" Johnny asked.
"Names Jacob Frost."
"Well, Mr. Frost, how did you find Teresa?' Murdoch asked.
"It's a long story, Mr. Lancer. First I think you should know your son is still alive."
Three sets of eyes rose suspiciously. "How do you know?" Murdoch asked hopefully.
"Where is he?" Garrett asked.
Johnny stood silently glaring at the man. His years as a gunslinger and a card player helped him to read a man's face. He knew this was probably a long story and he wanted to hear the whole thing. He also knew this man played a large part in his brother's disappearance and he would make him pay if Scott didn't make it. "Where is he?" Johnny repeated Garrett's question.
"I don't know," Frost said.
"What do you mean you don't know?" Garrett shouted. "Tell me where he is."
"Will you shut up and let us handle this?" Murdoch told his father in law. "Why don't you tell us the whole story?" he said to Frost.
Frost began the story with how he'd met Mitch Harper and their growing partnership. He explained Harper's hatred of Harlan Garrett and Scott Lancer and how he'd planned his revenge. He told them how Teresa had ended up in his hands and how he'd managed to escape with her while Harpers attention was focused on Scott. As he finished he met Johnny's cold eyes. "I can show you where the cave is," he told him.
"Let's go," Johnny said, his calm voice hid the barely restrained anger he felt. He'd listened quietly while Frost had described Scott's shoulder wound and the subsequent care by Teresa. The last straw had come when the man had told them that when he'd left the cave Scott was being whipped by Harper while the others watched and laughed. He knew they all owed Frost a debt for bringing Teresa home safely but visions of his brother's torture at the hands of a madman made his blood run cold. Johnny Lancer was a force to be reckoned with on any day but when his family was involved that force grew tenfold.
“Let me make sure Teresa's ok and we'll leave right away," Murdoch told his son. He hurried to Teresa's room. Jelly sat in a chair by the bed and spoke soothingly to the girl. She whimpered in her sleep calling for Scott and crying softly. "How is she?"
"She's havin’ some terrible dreams, Murdoch. The girl's been through a lot."
"I know. Can you stay with her, old friend?"
Jelly locked eyes with Murdoch and he knew something had happened. "You know where Scott is, don't you?" he asked.
"We know where he was. I haven't got time to answer any more questions, Jelly. Please stay with her."
"You know I will," Jelly said simply. He loved the girl on the bed as if she were his own flesh and blood. As Murdoch left the room he heard Jelly say quietly. "We always seem to be the ones sitting at home waiting for our loved ones to come back safely, don't we, Teresa?"
Murdoch smiled as he hurried outside where Johnny had already saddled their horses. Three ranch hands were ready to ride out with them. He climbed onto his own horse and they followed Frost.
Harlan Garrett watched as they rode away. 'Bring back my grandson, Murdoch, he's the only one I got,' he thought and went back inside the house.
 |
 |
 |
 |