Fic: Yesterday's Vengeance 2009 1/2

[ellery]

Title: Yesterday's Vengeance 2009
Rating: Mature readers
Word Count: total around 10,500
Warnings/Spoilers: Modern AU.
Disclaimer: Nope, don’t own Lancer.
Summary: Continuation of the Modern Lancer series. Follows Gabriel Madrid. Murdoch heads out on an unknown errand, leaving Johnny and Scott with questions and no small amount of worry.

~#~#~#~

Joe Bell was a light sleeper at the best of times. Tonight was not the best of times, but hearing the vehicle winding its way toward his cabin, he thought it just as well. A glance at the mantel clock revealed it just after three in the morning. Setting his book down, he glanced out the window. Too dark to recognize the vehicle, and yet he had no trouble with the tall figure easing out of it.

He opened the door before Murdoch Lancer had a chance to knock, and Joe’s stomach did a small flip at the grimness of the older man’s face.

“Family all right?”

Murdoch looked startled at the question, but gave a faint smile. “Everyone is fine. I have a request.”

“Must be a big one if you’re here at this time of the morning.”

“You’re the only one I can trust with this.”

Joe’s stomach did a bigger flip and he frowned. “All right. What do you need?”

Murdoch reached inside his jacket and pulled out an envelope. “If I’m not back by Friday noon, show this to my sons. Not to anybody until then.”

With some reluctance Joe took hold of the envelope. “You tell Teresa and those boys of yours you were going?”

“I left them a note.”

“You mention where you’re going?”

“No. Just to see you if I’m not back by Friday.”

Ah hell. “They’re gonna ask questions, what do I tell them?”

“Tell them that I have some business to take care of--something I should have taken care of 25 years ago.” 

“What’s this about, Murdoch?”

“A quick trip to Mesa Roja, Joe. Nothing more than that right now.”

And damn the man, Murdoch walked off leaving Joe holding the proverbial bag, the envelope in his hand feeling like a living thing.

~#~#~#~ 

Dawn had come and gone when Murdoch arrived at the Haney home on the outskirts of the small town of Mesa Roja. Early in the day for what would be considered respectable for dropping by unannounced. Yet, his knock on the door produced no results. After glancing through a couple of windows, Murdoch returned to his car.

During his research, he had found that Haney owned a mechanic shop in town.

That was his next stop.

~#~#~#~

“Twenty five years and all of a sudden it can’t wait until morning?”

Teresa winced at the disbelief in Scott’s tone and sank into the chair. It was too soon in the Lancers’ relationship for Murdoch to go do what he had to do without a decent explanation. Teresa was familiar with his ways, but his sons were still learning and the learning curve of understanding Murdoch Lancer was a steep one.

Scott picked up the coffee pot. “None of this adds up.”

Teresa had never seen Scott quite so unkempt. Shirttails hanging out and only half-buttoned, he had that look of a man pulled too early from his bed. Which was what had happened in the predawn hours when Maria discovered Murdoch’s note and dragged them all out of bed to land in the great room. Johnny made it to the chair, looking none to eager to move from his spot.

Something was going on with Johnny. He had been distracted the last few days, but she’d ferret that out later. Right now, Murdoch came first.

Johnny yawned and focused on Teresa. “He didn’t say anything to you?”

She felt the tension in her shoulders ratchet up another notch and shook her head. “Something’s been bothering him, I know that much. He’s been taking long walks.”

At their blank looks she stifled her own impatience. “He does that when he needs to think something through.”

Johnny went to take a swallow of coffee, but Teresa knew he had drained his mug a few minutes ago. He squinted into the empty crockery and then looked at her very serious. “I - I just think he’s got a woman.”

Teresa glared. “Not funny. He could be in trouble.”

Johnny laughed. “Yeah, that woman could have a husband.” 

Teresa had to move before she said anything she regretted. Hearing a vehicle come up the drive was a perfect excuse. Dawn had arrived so she could make out the truck.

“Joe?"

“Teresa?”

She looked over her shoulder at Scott. “Joe Bell is here.”

“Kind of early to be calling, isn’t it?” Johnny rubbed a hand over his face and held his mug up for Scott to refill. Scott missed it or ignored the action and came around the couch.

“Why is he here so early?”

“Why is he here at all?” Teresa felt just a teeny bit of frustrated hysteria bubbling to the surface at their blank expressions. “Joe Bell does not just drop in. He rarely leaves his place unless it’s absolutely necessary.”

With a glance in her direction, Scott opened the door before Joe had a chance to knock. “Morning, Joe. Come on in.”

Bell entered the great room, and held out his hand as Johnny came forward. Scott did the introductions and Teresa felt her patience snap.

“Joe, do you know where Murdoch went?”

Bell gave her a long look and then a quirky half-smile. “He came and saw me, yes.”

“And?”

“Murdoch gave me a note to give to you all if he wasn’t back by Friday noon.”

Johnny straightened, looking much more awake than he did a minute ago. “What note?”

Scott frowned. “Where is it?”  

Bell held up his hands. “Now listen, your father gave me the note ‘cause he trusts me.  And I trust him. Anybody that can take 25 years to make up his mind must know what he’s doing.”

Teresa turned on the wide-eyed look. “Joe, please. Something isn’t right here.”

Her heart sank when she saw his jaw clench. ”You’ll get it Friday if he doesn’t come back.”

Scott laid his arm over Teresa’s shoulders, and she did her best to look fragile, leaning into his support.

“Bell –”

“Come on, Scott. Leave off.” Johnny returned to the chair, picking up his shoes. “Not fair to put Bell in this position.”

Screw fair. Teresa was about to voice her opinion on that when Scott beat her to it. “I don’t like it, Johnny--Murdoch wouldn’t slip away in the middle of the night unless -”

“Unless he wanted to do what he’s doing alone.” Johnny finished as he sat down on the footstool.

Teresa gave up on the fragile and with an irritated glance at Joe, who winced just a little, left Scott to stand before Johnny. “He may need help.”   

“Look, all he had to do was ask.”

Teresa blinked at the utter stupidity of that statement. “Murdoch?”

“Why not?”

“Murdoch Lancer. Ask for help.”

Johnny drummed his fingers on his thighs. “Okay, okay, so he wouldn’t.”

Scott finished buttoning his shirt. “I’ll ask around. See if anyone saw him leave.”

“County road 180’s a nice drive.” Bell headed toward the door. “You all have a nice day.” The door closed with a soft click behind him.

Scott smiled. “Guess that’s a place to start.”

Teresa went to the desk. “I’ll find a map.”

Johnny slid into his shoes. “Look, Scott, Murdoch’s a big boy--I mean he doesn’t need us around all the time.”

“For this, I think he does.”

Teresa did the wide-eyed stare while pulling a map out of the upper drawer. Johnny did his best to ignore her. Scott took the map and headed out the door. Johnny went to pour himself more coffee, only to find it empty. Teresa continued to stare.

Johnny thumped his mug on the coffee table. “All right, I’ll go with him.”

Teresa grinned and hoped Scott stopped to get Johnny at least another cup of coffee to go.

~#~#~#~

Years ago, he thought. The last time he’d seen Haney. And when, he supposed, the seeds for what he must do now had been planted. Standing in the yellow glare of sun with the hint of early morning chilliness behind him, Murdoch could see the sign clearly. Mesa Roja Hotel.

“You’re turn now,” he reminded himself. He wouldn’t regret the delay any more than he would regret the manipulation and bitter arguments that were used in the past. A spark of hope hit him. He wanted to believe—maybe needed to believe—he could right the wrong.

The main door opened with a jangle of bells. The staleness of air-conditioned coolness welcomed him to the front desk. 

The clerk turned at the sound and he came face to face with a woman of his own age. She straightened away from her console, brushing her hands across her brown skirt, then smiled.

“Is there a room available, non-smoking?”

Her voice had a soft laugh to it. “That would be a King-size bed, right?”

“Right.” He smiled in spite of himself.

“How many days?”

The question stumped him. He’d planned to get in and get out. No fuss. “I’m not sure, can we leave it open?”

She turned assessing eyes to him. “You’ll need to pay for the first few days up front, then depending on how full we get, we might have to shuffle you around if you decide to stay.”

“More than fair.”

“Fill out this paperwork, and sign on the bottom.”

He leaned over to the task, a wry though coming to him. “Where would we be without paperwork?”

“You’d already be sitting on your bed, that’s where.”

He chuckled and handed over his credit card, turning the signed papers towards her. The clerk scooped them both up and went back to her console. He signed the little guestbook sitting on the counter.

She stopped fussing at her computer board and stared at his MasterCard.

“Something wrong?”

The smile was gone from her face. The chill in her look knifed through him and made him wonder what he did. He thought over his words. There was nothing offensive that he could tell.

“Murdoch…Murdoch Lancer?”

“That’s me. Is there something wrong? I have other identification.”

“No…no. I’m sorry.” She forced a smile at him. “Here is your room key. I…I hope you’ll be comfortable enough.”

~#~#~#~

She watched the tall man pick up his suitcase and head off to the elevator, making sure he was behind the closed doors before turning to the back room.

“Judd!”

Her husband, standing near the coffee pot, looked at her. “Ellie? What’s wrong?”

“Murdoch Lancer is here.”

He set his cup down a little too hard and it clanged against the Formica countertop. “Now that’s a name from the past. Did he say why?”

She shook her head. “But he doesn’t know how long he’s staying. Said he wasn’t sure and asked to keep the end date open. Judd, he…he could have come here looking for you.”

“You don’t think that little item crossed my mind?” He leaned a hip against the counter. “But why after all these years? Twenty-five long years. It’s a long time to hold a grudge.”

“Maybe I’m wrong.” But she wasn’t convinced. “Judd, I don’t want you to get hurt.”

“Now there’s little chance of that happening, Ellie.”

She walked over to the counter beside him. “You know I can’t help worrying.”

Judd reached out and grabbed her wrist, turning her to face him. His eyes narrowed and studied her. “Why?”

“You’re my husband, isn’t that enough?”

“I’m not sure, is it?”

She pulled away, feeling the regret of years past weighing her down. And now Murdoch Lancer. God, when would it end?

“Ellie? I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have said that.”

She left his side and went to the table, scraping out a chair. “I suppose it’s my own fault, expecting you to forgive and forget.”

“All that time I was away.” Judd’ eyes grew hard, frightening her. “Those eighteen filthy, miserable years. I can’t ever get them back.”

She tried to stop it, but the quiver in her voice betrayed her true feelings. “I’ve tried to make it up to you, Judd. What more can I do?”

The backdoor swung open with a squeak. They both startled, then relaxed when Judd’s employee walked in 

“Hi, Mrs. Haney. I’m dying for a cup of coffee. Hey, Judd, I hope you’re still not mad about that bumper. I’ll pop it right out. Owner won’t even know it was ever there.”

Judd wasn’t listening. “I’m going to find Lancer.”

“No, let him make the first move. Or let me go and talk to him. I can find out what he wants and why he’s here.”

The cold look was back. “I know why he’s here…”

Judd straightened and headed for the half open door, pushing Bill aside.

“Well geez, I guess you are still mad.”

Ellie watched the door swing shut. “It’s not you, Bill. Judd has some things on his mind. Specifically, Murdoch Lancer.”

Bill slipped around the table to grab a cup from shelf. “Who’s he?”

“It’s a very long and involved story. But suffice to say he’s someone who swore he’d find my husband one day…and kill him.”

Bill poured himself a cup of coffee, shaking his head. “No, Ma’am.”

Distracted, she looked at Bill. “What?”

He smiled and lifted the cup to his lips. “I said, no ma’am. At least while I’m around.”

~#~#~#~

The knock on the door was less unexpected than the response to his, “Who is it?”

“Judd Haney.”

That hadn’t taken long. “Come in.”

An older, but recognizable man stepped into the room. The years hadn’t been kind to him – prison was a hard way to live.

Judd was wary and stayed close to the door after shutting it. “It’s been a long time, Murdoch.”

“Twenty-four years, eight months, eleven days.” But who was counting?

“Twelve days.” Guess Haney was.

Murdoch gave him that. If anyone knew the days better than he did, it would be Haney.

“One of my staff told me you were out of prison and working as a mechanic. Thought it was time we got this settled once and for all.”

“Any time you’re ready.”

“How did you know I was here?”

“My wife works the front desk.”

Wife? “Twenty-five years ago I wouldn’t have figured you were the marrying kind.”

“People change.”

Murdoch hoped that was true more often than not. “Have you?”

“Prison is bound to have some effect.”

“Why here?”

“I’ve got people in this town who know me--everything about me. They made sure I had something when I got out.”

“Eighteen years. I didn’t think the law would find you, Judd. I sure couldn’t.”

If Murdoch hadn’t been watching Haney’s every move, he would have missed the slight twitch. “They didn’t. My wife turned me in.”

“Your wife? Why?”

“Ask her sometime.”

“It doesn’t really matter now, does it? You’re a free man now, with a wife, work, comfortable house…”

“Get on with it, Murdoch. Why’d you come here?”

“Guess I’ve changed, too. I was a hot-headed, self-righteous kid who made those threats twenty-five years ago. I’m asking you to forget them. So we can both live the rest of our lives without looking over our shoulders. I just want to know one thing.”

“And that is?”

“Why did you do it?”

“It was job. I was paid to do it.”

Another bit of information Murdoch hadn’t expected. “Who paid you?”

“If I knew that, I would have turned him or her in and saved myself some years.”

“You must know something.”

“Nothing. This was a professional hire – never knew who I was dealing with. Cash and carry with threats attached about what would happen if I took the money and ran. But I had my pride back then and I wasn’t about to damage my reputation. It was easy money, I thought. It cost me more than it was worth.”

“Then the past is dead weight. Forget it. I’m getting too old to lug it around.”

Haney tilted his head to the side, gave Murdoch a long look. “You came here to tell me that?”

“I didn’t know how you’d take it, but that’s why I’m here. And to know why.”

“Well, we’ll see, but I won’t turn my back on you.” Haney reached back for the door to open it and step backwards out of it. “Not yet.” He closed the door.

Murdoch stared at it – more concerned now than when set out on this road trip. It had bothered him for years, the not knowing. It was worse to find out that he knew even less. 

~#~#~#~

Ellie was seconds away from rushing up the back stairs when Judd came around to the landing. “What did he say?”

Judd walked down the stairs in no hurry. “Forget the past, he said, it’s dead weight.”

A wave of relief washed through her. “It’s been weighing us all down.” Maybe they could move on.

“Ellie, I doubt he came here for a forgive and forget. I gave him too many reasons to hate me.”

The relief died away. “But that was years ago.”

“Nobody changes that much – not even Murdoch Lancer. Just wait. He’ll be coming after me and I’ll get that dead weight right between the eyes.” He headed out of the hotel.

Ellie watched him go, feeling like she was back to twenty-five years ago.

~#~#~#~ 

Haney’s past actions occupied a fraction of Murdoch’s thinking, even as he watched the man walk down the street. Letting the curtain drop back into place, he turned back towards the room.

Who had paid Haney all those years ago?

And that brought back the question of Day Pardee. Johnny had doubts that Pardee had acted on his own – he and his men had made a living being paid for causing trouble. The two events were years apart, but could they be connected? 

Murdoch paced – not much – the area was too small. He left the room, needing space to work through thoughts that were more overwhelming than his original intentions in finding Haney.

He headed for the stairs.

Maybe hire the Pinkerton Agency to look into it?

Murdoch’s right foot caught on something on the landing, his left ankle twisted, upsetting his balance further.

Falling.

His instinctive grab for the banister missed – his head didn’t.

~#~#~#~

“Something on your mind, beside the obvious?”

Pulled out of his thoughts, Johnny glanced over to Scott. “The obvious is enough right now.”

“No doubt, but you’ve got Teresa wondering what’s going on with you.”

He tried for innocence. “With me?”

Scott shook his head with a smile. “Nice try, but as of late, you’ve been in the room, but you sure haven’t been present.”

Johnny never could quite pull it off.

Ah, hell. He’d have to tell them about Gabriel sooner than later - even if he had been hoping for later. As far as family reconciliations went theirs had more than their share of interruptions.

His grip tightened on the steering wheel. “You notice that every time we come to a lull we no sooner take a breath and there’s another drama just waiting?”

Scott gave him a long considering look. “That has become troublesome.”

“So lets get this one handled before the next one, okay?”

“I wait with bated breath,” came the very dry reply and Scott glanced down at the map, then out the windshield. “Town should be right over this hill.”

Johnny drove into the small town of Mesa Roja, eyes skipping over the few cars parked in front of the stores, most in front of the bar in the hopes of spotting a familiar one. Like many of the small towns in the US this one was struggling.

Johnny slid into a parking spot in front of the Mesa Roja hotel. The only hotel he had spotted and it showed signs of some upkeep. “Quaint little town.”

Scott slid out of the Jeep, looking around. “This has to be what Bell was hinting at. There’s no other town near here. If he’s here, this is the place he’d check into.”

The air conditioning was a relief from the hot, noonday sun. Johnny met the woman behind the counter smile. “Nice quiet town.”

She smiled. “Double or singles?”

Leaning against the counter, Scott took off his sunglasses and brushed his forearm across his forehead. “Well, for now all we need is some information.”

“What did you need?”

“We’re looking for a man named Lancer, Murdoch Lancer. Has he checked in here?”

Johnny listened as he looked about. The hotel could do with a renovation, but it was still in good shape. He heard the woman clicking on the keyboard.

“I don’t think so, but let me check.”

Johnny turned to watch her.

“Are you friends of his?”

“More or less, he’s our father.”

“No, no Murdoch Lancer registered here.” She shut down the screen.

No, they couldn’t get that lucky, but Johnny had hoped they wouldn’t have to search for long. Beside him, he watched Scott’s hints of frustration. “Let’s go look around town.”

The woman spoke up again. “Wouldn’t waste time looking for him in this town. Strangers stick out, and we haven’t had any in days.”

What an odd thing to say. “Thanks anyway.” They headed for the door.

“Are you planning to say in town?”

This time, Scott turned to look back. “We aren’t sure yet, but thank you again.” Once outside he looked at Johnny as they both slid on their sunglasses. “They must need the business.”

“This whole town needs business.” A sign caught Johnny’s eye and he pointed it out. “I say we give that place a little business.”

“I could use a beer.”

They jaywalked across the street – not that they had to worry about any traffic. The bar, like the town itself, showed some signs of life. A few men were at the tables. The bar itself was empty with the exception of the bartender behind it, who greeted them with, “Hey, what’ll it be?”

Out of the corner of his eye, Johnny could see Scott scoping out the place. “Couple of beers. Whatever you have on tap.”

The bartender pulled out a couple of glasses. “Haven’t seen you before.”

Scott turned to the bar and reached for the beer. “Just passing through. You don’t happen to know a man by the name of Murdoch Lancer, do you?”

Setting down the second beer, the bartender took a swipe at the bar with the dishtowel hooked at his waist. “Nope, never heard of him.”

“I have.”

Johnny turned to see an older man at the door feeling Scott straighten up beside him.

“Fact is, I knew Murdoch Lancer before you two were born.” He walked towards them, holding out a hand to Johnny. “Judd Haney.”

Passing his beer to his left hand, Johnny shook Haney’s. “Johnny Lancer. This is my brother Scott. You seen him lately?”

Haney shook Scott’s hand. “No, I haven’t. Last I heard, his company was growing fast and he had started some wildlife preserve.”

“Yeah, he’s still has all that.”

“Didn’t know Murdoch had any sons.”

Scott set his beer down. “It’s a surprise to many.”

“Why do you think Murdoch’s out this way?”

Johnny wiped the froth off his upper lip. “It’s personal.”

“No trouble I hope.”

Something was a little off kilter with everyone in the town as far as Johnny was concerned. “Why? Is he here?”

“No, son, he isn’t. If you think he headed this way, there’s another town another thirty or so miles away. Bigger, has more going for it. You’re more likely to find someone like Murdoch Lancer there.”

“Well, we’ll just have us another beer.”

The bartender shot a meaningful look a Haney’s way then turned to them. “Sorry, boys, that’s it for beer today. Especially if you’re driving.”

“We haven’t decided…”

Johnny felt a grip on his arm. “Johnny, let’s go.”

“Not yet.”

“Now!” Scott tightened his hold and pulled him away from the bar. Feeling like he was about to start throwing chairs, Johnny headed for the door.

“If Mr. Lancer shows, I’ll let him know his sons are looking for him.”

“You do that.” Scott’s tone was clipped.

The door took some abuse when Johnny slammed through it. Feeling lost as to what to do next, he plopped down on the curb. Scott followed him out and stood beside him.

“You saw they were trying to get rid of us, didn’t you?”

Scott glanced down at him. “I saw. We’ll never find anything out doing it your way.”

As much as he hated to admit it, Scott was right. “You know, I’m beginning to dislike this town just enough to stay awhile. You want to get a room?”

Scott’s eyes focused on something in the distance. “You check us in. I’m going to look around.” He headed off down the sidewalk.

Standing, Johnny dusted off the back of his jeans and headed back to the hotel.

~#~#~#~

The auto shop had a lot behind. Scott headed for it – wanting to make sure he could validate what he was seeing.

The car was there, dusty, but looking the same as it had before. Not dents or dings. Just abandoned.

“Can I help you with something?”

Turning, Scott watched as the mechanic wiped his hands on a rag and walked over. “Where did you get this car?”

“It was towed in. Heard it was sitting on the side of the road for some time. Not sure how long. The highway patrol is tracking down the owner.”

“Must not be trying too hard.”

“Don’t suppose abandoned vehicles take priority over other things.” The mechanic gestured towards the street. “I’m closing up for the day. Did you need anything else?”

Answers, but looking at the mechanic, Scott didn’t think he would get the ones he needed.

~#~#~#~ 

“I’m sorry, we just rented out the last room.”

Johnny glanced out through the front window to the empty street. “What? Did they come in on foot?”

“A large party was dropped off.”

Wasn’t that convenient? Johnny headed around the counter to look at the guest list.

She pushed against him. “Mr. Lancer…”

“Don’t use that name around here, ‘cause if anyone hears it they don’t sell you a drink or book you a room in this town.” He scanned the list of rooms and names.

She tugged at his arm. “It’s against the rules.”

Brushing her off, he spied the small guest book tucked underneath the counter. “I’m against them, too, ma’am.” He flipped through the pages – it settled open where a page was missing. “What a surprise, a page is torn out. Did you do this?”

Moving away from the desk, Ellie turned away in disgust. “Of course not.”

He followed her out behind the desk. “Where’s Murdoch? With all the hinky things going on, he’s here, and I’m gonna find him if I have to check every room.”

Ellie just gave him a pained, pathetic look that didn’t cause him to feel any sympathy. He had a worry that if they didn’t find Murdoch soon, they wouldn’t find him. He ran for the stairs.

Johnny didn’t know Ellie had followed him until he barged into the first room and was looking around.

“He’s gone. I swear it.”

Spinning around, he got in her face. “Ma’am, you’ve lied before and you’re lying again.”

She turned away from him. “I had to. I had to protect my husband.”

“What are you talking about? Who’s your husband?”

“Judd Haney. Murdoch Lancer once threatened to kill him. I thought you and your brother were a part of it.”

What? Johnny didn’t know a lot about Murdoch, but this didn’t sound right. He turned her to face him. “You’re not makin’ any sense. Where’s my father now?”

“I don’t know.”

Damn it! “You’re lying again.”

“He was here -- left at check-out time.”

“Where did he go?”

The obnoxious bell rang downstairs. “I have to take care of that.” She rushed out of the room.

~#~#~#~ 

Scott hoped Johnny was in a room. Be too easy to lose another Lancer in this town. He pounded on the bell. A guest book that he hadn’t seen before sat on the counter. A quick look through and he found the missing page. Tossing it down, he pounded on the bell.

Ellie rushed down the stairs. “I’m sorry.”

Scott met her at the bottom of the steps. “Where’s Johnny?”

“Right behind you.” Johnny’s hip brushed against Scott’s shoulder as he slid down the banister.

“I found Murdoch’s car at the auto shop lot.”

Johnny landed on his feet. “You sure its his?”

“I’m sure. He’s here somewhere.”

Johnny headed to the desk, leaning over. “And you swore he was gone.”

“That’s right, boys, he’s gone.”

They both turned at that to find the mechanic pointing a rifle at them.

“Bill!”

“Don’t worry, Mrs. Haney. It’s time these two find themselves on the outside of this town.” He jerked the rifle to point them out the door. “You’ve harassed the Haneys enough. You stick around here any longer and you won’t like what’ll happen.”

“Like Murdoch Lancer?”

“Your old man had plans to kill Mr. Haney. Figure you might be in on that.”

Scott didn’t know Murdoch as well as he should have as a son, but he didn’t see the man as someone willing to commit murder – much less tell everyone he was going to do it. “Why would our father want to kill Haney?”

“You’d have to ask him.” Another gesture of the rifle had them walking out of the hotel. Scott looked back to see Mrs. Haney watching them go.

~#~#~#~

“What’s going on, Ellie?”

Spinning around, Ellie rushed to him. “Judd, Bill has taking Murdoch’s sons out of town. He has a rifle. It’s not going to work. They find out what happened to their father and they’ll be back.”

“By then it won’t matter.”

“It will to them. They’ll be back or they’ll send the police.”

Go to Part Two