Chapter 25

They left the place, the captives huddled in the back of the carriage, their eyes still wide with fear. The sounds of the battle faded behind them, replaced by the rhythmic clatter of hooves and the creak of the carriage wheels. The desert stretched out before them, a vast and unforgiving expanse that held both promise and peril.

As they journeyed, Ben couldn’t help but glance back at Lady Maud, her expression a mask of defiance. Despite her bruised and beaten exterior, there was a fire in her eyes that hadn’t been extinguished. She had played a dangerous game, and she had lost, but she hadn’t gone down without a fight.

“You’re going to need to tell your story to the right people,” Ben said, his eyes on the horizon. “They need to know what you know, what you’ve seen.”

Lady Maud’s eyes narrowed, but she didn’t speak. Instead, she stared straight ahead, her jaw set with determination. Ben knew that she was weighing her options, trying to figure out if she had any cards left to play.

They traveled in low rumble for what felt like hours, the only sounds the wind and the rhythmic thud of the horses’ hooves. The sun was a merciless god, beating down on them with an intensity that made Ben’s skin feel like it was on fire. He pulled his hat lower, squinting against the glare.

Finally, they crested a hill, and the gleaming spires of Crookidhill Fort came into view. It was a stark contrast to the desolate landscape they had just left behind, a bastion of civilization in a sea of lawlessness. Ben felt a surge of hope, a belief that maybe, just maybe, they could bring some semblance of order to Lawless Ridge.

The gates of the fort loomed before them, the soldiers standing guard eyeing them with suspicion. Sly reined in the horses, his hand resting casually on his pistol. “Open up,” he called out, his voice carrying across the dusty expanse. “We’ve got a special delivery for the magistrate.”

The gates began to swing open, the sound of their hinges a welcome reprieve from the silence. As they drove through, Ben couldn’t help but feel a sense of relief wash over him. They had made it. They had survived the chase, the ambush, and the sheriff’s wrath.

But as they approached the magistrate’s office, he knew that their work was far from over. The sheriff was still out there, licking his wounds and plotting his next move. And there were others, like Lady Maud, who knew too much, who could either help them or bring their whole operation crashing down.

Inside the cool, dimly lit room, they faced a stern-looking man with a thick mustache and piercing eyes. He listened intently as Sly recounted their story, his expression never changing. When he finally spoke, his voice was like a whip crack. “Bring them in,” he said, gesturing to the captives.

Ben watched as the scarred sheriff and his men were led away, their heads bowed in defeat. It was a victory, but it was only the beginning. They had to use this momentum to bring down the rest of the human trafficking ring, to free the town from its grip.

Goldie was waiting for him at the Golden Ranch, her face a picture of relief when she saw Ben. The air was thick with the scent of cooking meat and the sounds of laughter and music, a stark contrast to the tension of their mission.

“We did it, sweetheart” Ben breathed, her eyes shining with pride as he rushed over to embrace his beloved wife. His arms felt like a warm blanket, the kind of comfort he hadn’t felt in a long time. “We brought them to the court.”

Goldie hugged him tightly, her breasts pressing against his chest. “I knew you could do it,” she murmured, her voice filled with love and admiration.

The celebration at the Golden Ranch was in full swing. The air was thick with the smell of roasting meat and the sound of laughter and music filled the air. The captives had been given food, water, and a place to rest, their expressions a mix of relief and fear as they took in their new surroundings.

Ben pulled Goldie aside, his eyes searching hers. “How are the two women?” he asked, his voice tight with concern.

Goldie’s smile was soft and reassuring. “They’re safe now,” she said, her hand reaching up to cup his cheek. “We’ve got them in the kitchen, serving for the dinner. They’re scared, but they know they’re in good hands. They said they will go home tommorow,” she said, his voice tight with emotion.

Ben nodded, his heart swelling with pride. “They’ve got guts,” he said, his eyes shining with admiration. “What are their names?”

“The young one is Frances Jones,” Goldie said, her voice gentle. “And the other is Ollie Caldwell.”

Ben nodded thoughtfully. “They’re strong, Goldie,” he said, his voice thick with emotion. “They’ve survived a lot, and they’re going to keep on fighting.” He paused, looking into her eyes. “I want to give them some cash,” he said firmly.

Goldie’s smile grew, her eyes sparkling with love. “You’re a good man, Ben Owens,” she said, leaning up to kiss him gently. “Now, come on,” she added, taking his hand. “You’re all dirty from the road. You need to take a bath before we sit down to eat.”

They made their way to the bathroom, a small but cozy space with a steaming tub and a washbasin. Goldie filled the tub with hot water from the stove, her hands deft as she added a few drops of sweet-smelling soap. Ben stripped off his dusty clothes, feeling the grime of the journey slough away as he sank into the water.

Goldie knelt beside the tub, a soft cloth in her hand. She began to wash Ben, her touch gentle yet firm as she scrubbed away the dirt and sweat that clung to his skin. Ben closed his eyes, letting out a contented sigh as her hands moved over his body. He felt the tension in his muscles melt away with each stroke, his mind clearing of the day’s horrors.

When she reached his face, he took the cloth from her, his eyes opening to meet hers. “There’s something I need to tell you, Goldie,” he said, his voice serious. “When we take a peak to the auction place, I found something.”

Her eyes searched his, and he could see the question in them. “What did you find?” she asked, her voice low.

Ben took a deep breath, his heart hammering in his chest. “Our sheriff, Sly” he began, his voice tight. “His name is Sergeant Phillip Barrera.”

Goldie’s eyes widened, her hand hovering over the washcloth. “What?” she breathed, her voice barely above a whisper.

“I read it on the telescope,” Ben said, his voice gruff. “Before we left Bareflats, I caught a name on the telescope. They had the name ‘Sergeant Phillip Barrera’ on them.”

Goldie’s eyes searched his, her mind racing. “Are you sure, honey?” she asked, her voice trembling slightly.

Ben nodded, his jaw set with determination. “I’m sure,” he said, his eyes never leaving hers. “And that’s not all. I noticed something else, too. The soldiers, they obey Sly more than they do Tyller. They look at him with respect, like he’s ... like he’s their leader.”

Goldie’s eyes searched Ben’s, trying to gauge his thoughts. “Sly has always had a good head for strategy,” she said slowly, her voice measured. “He’s helped us a lot since we started this whole thing. Maybe, just maybe, he’s got something to offer that we haven’t considered.”

Ben nodded, his expression serious. “I know, Goldie,” he said, his eyes never leaving hers. “But we can’t ignore what we’ve found. We have to know who we’re working with.” He took a deep breath, his resolve firm. “We’ll talk to him, find out the truth. If he’s on the level, we’ll work together. If not...” He trailed off, not needing to finish the thought.