Blood on the Verde River Read Online Free

that?” Jenn asked, coming in from the kitchen.
    â€œAw, my stable man thinks he should go along,” Marge said. “He insulted Chet, saying his Spanish was not too clear.”
    Chet shook his head at her words. “I wasn’t insulted. I was amused.”
    â€œWill JD come and go with you?” Jenn asked.
    Chet shrugged his shoulders.
    â€œIf JD’s brother Reg was here, he’d go too, but he’s at Hackberry,” Marge said to her. “They’re Chet’s boys.”
    â€œThey are my boys until the new one gets here.” He hugged Marge.
    She escaped. “You go sleep, Chet Byrnes. Jenn and I will put the things you will need in a pannier or two and have them ready. Raphael can pick you out some good horses and have them saddled in the morning. If Jesus wants to go, take him along. He needs to know these things, too.” She stomped her heel on the floor. “Go sleep.”
    â€œYes ma’am.”
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    Marge woke him. “JD came back with Jesus last night. Jenn told both boys the story of her daughter.”
    â€œNeither of you women slept?”
    â€œNo. Raphael has the packhorses loaded and ready. I could not think of one more thing some unemployed ranch hands might need. I think he’d like to go this time. He still regrets that deputy telling him he could not follow and help you go after those horse rustlers and murderers.”
    â€œHe has no need to fuss over that. Consider the source.”
    â€œWhat do you really think happened to Bonnie?”
    Chet shook his head. “A whore is a simple commodity. Some people kill them out of meanness. They sell them into slavery. For no reason, they torture them and slap them around like they were jackasses.”
    â€œI’d simply never thought about that being the case.”
    â€œIt is not peaches and sex. The dark side is so close to them every day they work. The people who manipulate them don’t care. Abuse is a tough game they must play.”
    She hugged him and wept on his shoulder. “Be careful, my love. Don’t take any chances. Our baby is resting good. I never had one kick me before. I can’t wait for it to do that to me.”
    â€œGod bless it and you. I will be back. I promise.”
    She kissed him hard. “I’ll pray for your return. If you need anything, send a telegram. I’ll send the men to help you.”
    â€œWord travels fast. That is all they need to know.”
    â€œYes. Jenn has to go back and run her business. I’ll help her get through this some way.”
    â€œThat’s great. I bet those two guys are worn out riding all night.”
    Marge shook her head. “They’re as anxious as you are to ride on this morning.”
    In the backyard, Chet met up with JD and Jesus and shook Raphael’s calloused hand. “Thank you for packing the horses.”
    The short foreman hugged him. “Be very careful. Those men in that business will cut your throat for a quarter. I hope you find her, mi amigo . I can help you, wire me. I know that country well.”
    â€œTake care of my wife. I will return as soon as I can.”
    The three swung in the saddle. Chet waved good-bye and then led the way down the lane to the road. JD fell in behind him. Leading the two packhorses, Jesus rode last, and they left at a long trot in the first rays of sunlight.
    After crossing the Prescott Valley, they turned left on the Black Canyon stage route headed south. He planned to get past Hassayampa City, where they knew him, before dark and stay at a ranch near there. The day grew hotter as they rode south, passing by north and south bound stages in clouds of dust that obscured them from being recognized by anyone.
    When they passed the cutoff where the stage robbers took Heck as a hostage, Chet felt a knot in his throat that he could not swallow. He spent the saddest days of his life on that road to the mountains trailing the kidnappers and