Free Ride for Rule Cordell by Cotton Smith Page A

reinforce his thought.
    Turning toward the dining table, Emmett said, “I reckon the boys’ll want to ride alongside the wagon. Think that’s all right?”
    “Sure. Do we have to cross Holt land?” Checker said.
    Emmett closed his eyes for a moment as if thinking through the route. “Yah, the fastest way’ll go across her land.”
    “So, how do we win this, John?” Bartlett asked, his mind on Checker’s earlier statement.
    “Good question. Stir up enough trouble that a real judge—and real justice—are brought in.” Checker moved to the corner table where a small framed photograph of Emmett and his late wife posed for their wedding day. “Probably…we’re going to have to get rid of Lady Holt.”
    “You mean killing her?” Bartlett raised himself halfway in the chair.
    Checker stared at him without seeing and didn’t answer. “Right now, we need to buy time. We can figure the rest later.”
    Bartlett knew his friend had no intention of answering his question.
    “We could be across her land in two hours, John. It’s just a corner piece.” Emmett added, “Should be at Rule’s by noon or so, I reckon.”

Chapter Eleven
    An hour after Checker rode out of town, Sil Jaudon was in Lady Holt’s apartment. The shouts of the jailed men had finally brought curious townsmen. His face was a red ball of crimson. Outside on the street, his men were saddled and ready to ride. He sat at a small table where she had directed his presence. In his hands was his hat with one brim pinned to its crown.
    “ Je suis desole, Madame…ah, I am sorry,” he spat. “I will bring back ze heads of theez Rangers—and ze old rancher.”
    “You didn’t do so well the first time.” Lady Holt’s eyes almost snickered.
    “ Oui , that was so. They were cunning. Surprised us. That will not happen again,” Jaudon said, his face draining of its color. “ S’il vous plait… Ah, please, let us do our job. Is that not tres bien ?”
    She stood, walked to the window and stared into the street. Dusk was taking over the day. “I thought the idea was for you to surprise them. Here’s what you’re going to do.” She spoke without turning around.
    “Madam e , but I—I want to bring vous …theez treasure. Theez rich land. Merci .”
    She turned toward him and the soft light from outside hovered about her shoulders. “I know you do, Sil. And I have great confidence that you will.” A smooth smile matched her sparkling eyes. “But when you ride, you will lead the Rangers as their captain. It is perfect.”
    Jaudon’s shaved eyebrows tightened over his eyes. “ Sacre bleu , vous cannot mean this.”
    “You doubt my word, Sil?”
    “I do not understand, Madame.” He shifted his wide rear in the chair, deciding it was sturdy enough to support him. His hat fell off his lap, but he dared not try to lean over and retrieve it.
    Haughtily, she explained that she wanted Jaudon to send his remaining gunmen to watch the Gardner Ranch. They were to spread out and keep them bottled up, but not attempt to attack. She expected the two Rangers and the Gardner family to be waiting for their advance.
    She walked to the table where he sat and put her arm on his shoulder. “Sil, we shall have some brandy. To celebrate my wonderful idea. Then you go find Tanner. He will know how to contact the governor.”
    Jaudon licked his lips. “ Je comprends . I salute vous , Madame.”
    “This will be the end of the Rangers,” she said, walking toward a cabinet. “Their captain will refuse to ride against these two.” She withdrew a filled glass decanter and two glasses. “The governor will have no choice but to fire him.”
    “ S’il vous plait , but they will only replace him with another Ranger.”
    She smiled. It was a wicked smile.
    “Ah, no, Sil. The governor will pick you.” She filled the glasses and handed him one.
    “ Merci beau coup! Captain Jaudon,” he said with his eyes sparkling. “ Oui , Captain Jaudon has a nice ring to