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Alexis felt a twinge of guilt as she turned Shadow towards the road, following Alex on Lightning. At dinner Alex had casually suggested they to to Sardis for the day, ostensibly to visit friends and do some shopping. It was something they did regularly and Aunt Rebecca suspected nothing. The barn was far enough from the house that if Aunt Rebecca was still watching as they left she wouldn't notice the saddlebags they used for longer trips of the bedrolls behind the saddles. A mile from the ranch they turned towards the border. They met travelers every half hour or so, usually wagons but occasionally a pair or small group. Few people traveled alone and they did not meet any solitary travelers. With army patrols traversing the road with no fixed schedule meeting any criminal types would be unlikely. They were well armed with rifles in saddle scabbards and each carried a pair of revolvers. It was cool enough to wear a light jacket to conceal the handguns. The small moon was high and gave little light and they stopped to camp just before sunset. They found a place well off the road screened by a small group of fanged alder trees and some scrubby undergrowth. After they set up their small tent and had a small meal of trail rations before retiring to their sleeping bags. They talked for a while but after a long day on the road quickly fell asleep. The next morning they were up at first light and after a light breakfast were on their way. Again they met a handful of travelers before arriving at Carver's Creek. The settlement was scattered around a large walled enclosure, all of the buildings close enough for the occupants to take refuge in the fort quickly even if they had no horses. The Montgomery boarding house was the oldest and largest of several inside the walls. "Are you traveling alone?" Mrs. Quincy asked. "We heard about your family - the telegrams that came the day it happened didn't give any details but a runner came yesterday with a newsletter. I'm sorry - what brings you here, alone?" "We're expecting someone," Alex replied. "Two men - you may know one or both of them. They should be here tomorrow or the next day. We'll need rooms for several days at least." "I have two rooms together with a shared bath on the second floor," Mrs. Quincy said. "The folks that were here in time for dinner are just finishing - would you like something brought up to your rooms?" "We'd appreciate it," Alex replied. "We'd like to clean up first - is an hour all right?" "Certainly. Let me get someone to carry your bags." "That's all right," Alex said. "They're not heavy - we can manage. Thanks." They had left their sleeping bags with the horses but the bags were heavier than he had let on and carrying them and their rifles made climbing the stairs a bit of work but he didn't want anyone else handling their bags. The rooms were large - building material was cheap and abundant out here - and simply furnished. The house had running water supplied from a well with a mule-drawn pump. The little animals - similar to horses but without horns and not very good runners - only had to work a few hours daily to keep the tank on top of the house filled. There was even a small stove for heating water for a warm bath in cold weather. Cold weather was still some time off, Alexis thought as she drew a bath. She wanted to be home before winter but if she had to spend the winter out here to bring the killers to justice she would do it. Being clean and in clean clothes again felt good. She couldn't remember the last time she had gone a day without it. She went over to Alex's room and left the door open so the employee bringing their dinner could see that they were both there. "Aunt Rebecca would have found the note last night," Alex said. "When we didn't come home she would check our rooms. She knows we're here or headed this way - I'll check with the telegraph office in the morning to see if she has sent a message." "Do you think she'll do that?" Alexis asked. "Or just send Lukas and Reuben after us?" "We can check with the sheriff," Alex replied. "What if Aunt Rebecca asked him to arrest us and send us back?" "Let's hope she doesn't think of it. If there's nothing at the telegraph office... I'll have to think about it." Their dinner arrived and they ate quietly. They were both tired and ready to sleep and Alexis went back to her room afterwards.
They had breakfast in the large dining room. A couple of deputy marshals were present but the marshal was not. They had met him a couple of times and he knew their parents slightly. "If he doesn't show up and arrest us," Alex said, "we'll go to the telegraph office and see if there's a message for us. If Aunt Rebecca sent someone after us they wouldn't have started late in the day, so they would be on the road now." There was. SENDING LUKAS AND REUBEN STOP STAY THERE STOP REBECCA. "OK," Alexis said, "they'll be here tomorow. If we reply to the message they won't be worried and in a rush." "Right," said Alex. "I'll send it now and we'll go to the marshal's office. We have today and part of tomorrow to see if we can get some useful information. Maybe it will help convince them not to take us back." Marshal Burroughs was a tall man, well over six feet and stoutly built. He reminded Alex and Alexis of their grandfather on their mother's side. He was dressed like his deputies in the tan and forest green uniform of the territorial marshals. They worked for the territorial governor and Burroughs was one of about three dozen responsible for the various settlements. He did not seem happy to see them. "Don't be angry at Mrs. Quincy," he said. "She was concerned about you being alone and asked me to keep an eye on the house until whomever you're expecting shows up. You are expecting someone, aren't you?" "Yes," Alex replied. "They should be here tomorrow." "Look," Burroughs said, "I'm as angry about what happened to your folks as anyone, more than most. They were good people... I'm guessing your aunt Rebecca doesn't know you're here." "She does," Alex replied. "While we're waiting for Lukas and Reuben to arrive, what can you tell us about the men we're after?" "Lukas Maxwell? And Reuben Black? I should have known." "Look, Marshall," Alexis said, "Aunt Rebecca has told them to take us back. We intend to see this done personally..." "As they should," Burroughs said. "This is no job for two...." "Children?" asked Alexis. "Legally," Burroughs replied. "And I'm responsible for your safety. You're staying here until Lukas arrives. What happens next is up to your aunt. Understand?" "Have you made any progress in finding the men we're after?" Alex asked. "An investigator from San Marcos arrived last week," replied Burroughs. "He's in charge of the case - I have no involvement unless he needs something from me." "We'ed like to see him," Alexis said. "Where is he?" "You two are to stay put until tommorrow when Lukas arrives. What happens after that is up to him." "Please," Alexis said. "At least tell him we're here. Let him decide if he wants to see us." Burroughs picked up some papers and looked down at them but appeared to be thinking about something else. They didn't get on well. Alex thought. "Go back to the boarding house," Burroughs said. "I'll tell him you're here and where to find you." "We want to hear from him," Alex said. "Even if he doesn't want to see us, have him send a message." "I will. Now get out of here."
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