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Inside the house all seemed normal. Aunt Rebecca was there with the housekeeper, Anna Henderson. Aunt Rebecca's husband, a Ranger, had been killed in a battle with Mandinkaras when they had been married for only a couple of years. Emotionally devastated by his death she never married again and came to live with her brother. She was quiet and did not socialize much and spent most of her time sewing, gardening and other domestic activities. Alexis didn't want to think about how this would affect her. She was however surprisingly calm and lucid. She rose from her chair as they entered and hugged Alexis and Alex, holding them both tightly. "Let's go into the dining room," she said. "Enak, could you come with us? Billy, can you check on things outside and let me know it there anything requires immediate attention?" Billy nodded and turned to go. They followed Aunt Rebecca into the dining room. The large dining table was an anniversary present from their grandfather. He was back in Tennessee - Alexis wondered if he had been notified. Their grandmother had died several years ago. Aunt Rebecca sat at the head of the table, where their father had always sat. Alexis and Alex sat on one side and Enak took a seat across from them. "I was in the garden," she said. "I heard shooting and came into the house. I looked out the front door to see men on horses, shooting at our people. Frank and Sarah were out there with rifles, with Enak and several of our people. There were so many of them, your mother and father, Caleb, and two more of our people were down before our other people arrived. They had cover away from the house and shot several of the bandits before they withdrew. Your father lived long enough to tell me he loves you and for me to take care of you." She paused, wiped her eyes with a handkerchief, they waited. Finally she continued. "We have to go on. Our grief can wait. Three of our people died, we have to see to their needs. Eli Stone will be here by evening - he will handle the business affairs. Enak will get things organized here." Alexis looked over at her brother, wondering if she was expressionless as he was. "Aunt Becky," she said, "I'd like to be alone for a while, if you don't mind." "I understand," Rebecca replied. "We'll have dinner at seven - is that all right?" "Sure." Their rooms were opposite each other at the end of the west wing. As they stopped outside Alexis said "I don't want to be alone. Would you stay with me?" They lay down on the bed, Alexis with her head on Alex's chest. She laid a hand on his chest and he covered it with his. She sobbed, as silently as she could but he could feel it. He wiped his own eyes occasionally. Finally they both fell asleep.
They didn't wake when Rebecca knocked on the door and she came in. She touched Alexis gently on the cheek. "Dinner will be ready in a few minutes," she said when they were awake. Eli Stone had arrived and joined them. Rebecca and Anna had prepared a simple meal and they sat down with Eli and Enak. They were all subdued and ate quietly with little conversation. Eli waited until they were finished before addressing them. "Alex, Alexis, your parents knew that it was possible that they both might die at the same time. It's one of the things we have to be prepared for out here. Your father had set up a trust to care for you, Doyl Brown at the bank is the admistrator, or rather the bank's trust department is. Doyl is the chief trust officer. "I'm familiar with the general terms of the will. It names Rebecca as your guardian until you are eighteen. You are probably aware that your father was fairly wealthy - he owns the ranch and a house and a couple of other properties in Sardis, and has investments in some businesses there. It will take a while to sort all that out - the main thing is you will be provided for and have no financial worries." "When will the killers be dealt with?" Alex asked. Alexis had been about to ask the same question. "That is something I can't tell you," Eli replied. "Tomorrow a Ranger captain will be here - Harry Crawford from the post at Sardis - and will be able to tell you how things stand. The bandits are known to have fled to the border. Once we find out who they are we may have an idea of where to find them." "We don't know?" Alexis asked. "I expect we soon will," Eli replied. "Three of them were killed but two were only wounded and are expected to survive. They'll give up their comrades quickly enough." "And then the Rangers will go after them?" asked Alex. "Not the Rangers," Eli replied, "most likely. If they crossed the border - and they were seen headed that way. Texas has no jurisdiction there. Federal marshals - assisted by the Army when warranted - are responsible for law enforcement in the territories. When warrants are issued they will be subject to arrest when they are located." "When they are located?" asked Alexis. "Are the marshals going to look for them?" "Not exactly," Eli replied. "They enforce the law in the terriories and bring criminals back to Texas for trial. While they are patrolling they will be looking for any fugitives. They'll try to find the ones who did this and when they do they'll be brought in." "You mean no one is going to hunt them?" Alexis asked. "Not specifically them. They don't have the manpower. If they can be identified - and I believe we'll have that information before long - it will make it easier to find them. Once we know who they are we can find out where they are." "Then who is going to..." She looked helplessly at Alex, at Aunt Rebecca. "Eli," Aunt Rebecca said, "this is unacceptable. I understand the situation but we can not, will not wait to see these people found and punished. You and Enak know people, we have the money to pay them. Do you understand?" "I understand that people - bounty hunters - will go into the territories," Eli replied. "And there are those that, for enough money, will to just about anything. Most are fairly unsavory types to say the least. What do you want done?" Eli had been a friend of the family for years and Alexis knew he must be angry. And he was a lawyer. We don't need a lawyer. We need justice." "We want the men who did this brought to justice," Aunt Rebecca said. "Whatever it costs." Eli looked at Alexis and Alex. "Your father and mother were my friends," he said. "And they were good people. You're what, fifteen now?" "In September," Alex replied. "We want these men punished. As Aunt Rebecca said, whatever it costs." "I'm your family lawyer," Eli said. "There is a lot of work to be done here, the ranch has to continue operating. What you want... as I said... Enak?" "Lukas Maxwell," replied Enak. "If you want the job done." "I've heard of him," said Eli. "Nothing good as I recall." "I'd be surprised if you had," Enak said. "Maybe he was a good kid but I never met anyone who knew him when he was younger. He is principled, in things that matter." "Do you trust him?" Eli asked. "He's a mercenary and a successful one. You don't have a career like his by not being trustworthy - at least to your clients. Reuben Black knows him better than anyone I know - he's worked for him some." "Reuben is reportedly rather shady," said Eli. "I suppose most men in that business are." "Generally. You want to talk to him?" Eli looked at Aunt Rebecca. "Yes," Alex and Alexis said at the same time. "Please do," said Rebecca.
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