Silver Creek - G.L. Snodgrass Page 0,69
they’re going to end up following the Emigrant Trail along the Humboldt all the way to the Utah territory,” Luke said.
Felton frowned as he turned to look back at the working men. “I guess it could be worse. They could be locked up each night and spend their days carving stones out of a quarry under a Nevada summer sun.”
Luke didn’t respond. The closer they had gotten to the prison the more morose Felton had become before finally coming to accept his fate.
It was late afternoon when they rode into Carson City, the state capital. The town was bigger than anything Luke had seen since leaving Virginia. Actual brick buildings mixed in with wooden shacks. Growing so fast they couldn’t keep up. The silver and gold from the mountains financing it all.
“There it is,” Luke said pointing to a large wooden building.
“Looks like a hotel,” Felton replied.
“Used to be,” Luke said as he pulled his horse off to the left. “But don’t be thinking you can just walk away. They got a dozen Piute scouts to track down prisoners that wander off and they get paid for each body they bring back. No questions asked.”
Felton swallowed hard then took a deep breath before sighing. “Well, let’s get this over with. You got a life to get back to.”
Luke swung down and tied off his horse then waited for Felton to climb down. “You keep your head down and do what you’re told,” he said to the man next to him, “and you’ll come out fine the other end.”
Felton scoffed, “That’s the problem, I ain’t never been smart when it comes to listening to other people.”
A tightness in his gut surprised Luke, he hadn’t expected to regret taking the man to prison, but it was there. The knowledge that this man would be losing his freedom, his ability to control his own life. It didn’t sit well. But then without consequences, society itself would fall apart.
After handing over the paperwork to the guard at the front gate, Luke turned and removed the shackles from Felton’s wrists then held out his hand. “Good Luck.”
The man’s eyes opened in surprise at the offered hand then smiled as he shook it. “Thanks, Sheriff, if’n you’re still around, I’ll set you up for a drink in the Red House when I get out.”
Luke nodded, “And I’ll get the second one.”
Felton smiled then nodded to the guard that he was ready. The man took him by the elbow and led him away.
Watching him go, Luke couldn’t stop from thinking about how a few reckless actions had led to so much death and mayhem. And now the man was going to pay with three horrible years being removed from his life.
The anti-climatic feeling was a surprise. It was over. With a heavy sigh, Luke turned and retrieved the horses. A nervous anxiety filled him. Now for the next task.
He was so close to finding out the answers he needed. Unfortunately, it was too late in the day. The offices were closed. Instead, he dropped off the horse at the livery, then got himself a hotel room. He’d have to get to the records office first thing in the morning, then return to the trail back to Reno and a stage.
As he lay in bed with his hands crossed behind his head he thought about Becky. What was she doing? Was she smiling? God, how he loved it when she smiled. One of her smiles made the world feel right and proper.
The next morning broke bright and clear. A high blue sky with a hint of the heat coming later in the day. Distant white clouds tickled the High Sierras. Luke’s stomach clenched with anticipation. Please let me find out what I need, he thought to himself as he crossed the street for the state’s building.
An officious clerk with a brocade vest and a green visor looked up from his books when Luke stepped in.
“Can I help you?”
“Luke Parker, Sheriff out of Silver Creek,” Luke said as he pulled his jacket aside to expose his star. “Need to see your papers on land claims in the Silver Creek area.”
The clerk shrugged. “It ain’t private information. Silver Creek? That up north of the Humboldt?”
“Yes,” Luke said as he tried to hold down the anticipation.
Turning to a large cabinet, the clerk riffled through several files until he found what he was looking for. “This might be a place to start.”
Taking a deep breath, Luke opened the file and started going