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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Silver Moon" data-source="post: 3106864" data-attributes="member: 8530">Chapter Eighty-nine, “Wyatt Earp’s Motives“, Tuesday June 6th , 1882, 9:00 A.M. The trio of Marshall Berg, Deputy Rodriguez and Deputy Martin ride out to the hill. Before they get there, Chester pulls a spyglass from his saddlebag. He scans the summit for any signs of life.   Chester sees movement of a horse riding up the incline. He adjusts the spyglass and makes the rider out to be Miss. Josephine Marcus. The then disappears behind some trees near the top of the hill.He whispers to the others, "I just saw Josephine Marcus riding to the top. What's she doing here? It's odd for a woman to be out here by herself. Mitch? I say we ride up slowly. Don't want to spook whoever's up there with her." He draws his shotgun from the saddle holster.  They take their time and move slowly. Chester finds only one set of unique horseshoe tracks besides that of Miss. Marcus's horse. He sees enough of them though to conclude that both she and the other rider have been here before. They reach the top and hear a horse some 100 feet away along the hilltop. They dismount, with Eddie securing the horses near the top of the incline but below the crest so they won't be seen from the top."Looks like she comes up here a lot. So she knows who's camping up here. But who would she want to visit that much? From the tracks it's only her and one other person. How good are you at sneaking up on people? We can sneak up or walk out in the open. I'm for sneaking up."  The others decide that sneaking up is the best idea. Since Chester and Eduardo have far more experience with that then Berg he agrees to let them go first. They make their way over the top of the ridge, staying low and using what little rocks, shrubbery and small trees there are for cover. As they get towards the center of the hilltop they spot the two horses tied up and hear distant voices. They get closer and see two people lying on a blanket around 45 feet away. Both are fully clothed. Miss. Marcus is lying on her back looking up at the sky and chatting with her companion. He is lying beside her on his stomach and looking down, reading a newspaper while he chats. His head is covered by a cowboy hat so they cannot make out any distinctive facial features. The lawmen notice that he has a gun belt on with a revolver on each side. He also has a long-barreled rifle lying on the group within his reach.Chester nudges Eduardo and motions back down the hill. They scurry back to Berg. Chester says, "We saw our killer. We couldn't tell who he is, because his face was covered by his hat."   Eduardo adds, "If it wasn't for his two revolvers and rifle at his side, they could be any other couple enjoying the weather. Taking him isn't going to be easy. He doesn't look like a man who surrenders."Berg says, "Okay, how should we handle this. We could just wait here until they decide to leave, assuming that they're going to."  Eduardo suggests, "I could probably sneak around from the other side. The ledge isn't as steep there and I'm good at climbing. I can stay just below his line of sight until I'm around twenty feet away."Chester suggests, "So we take them from two sides? It'll be harder from him to shoot us both. But it's going to be risky. Do you want to take him alive? I don't want to shoot a man in cold blood, but he's already killed one man. We don't want to be more notches on his gun. When they're moving, he'll be more ready for trouble, so if we want to do this here, it should be now."Berg says, "We don't know for a fact that he's killed anybody. Courtright heard that from somebody in Galeyville, which is not always the most reliable place to get information. Plus we wouldn't want Miss. Marcus to get caught in a crossfire. But if we're doing this I say two directions, maybe even three. Once you two are in position I could start to ride up on my horse as a distraction while you two move in and order him to stay put."Chester replies, "We have to do this now. How many more chances will we get? Let's hope that with her there, the guy won't want to take the risk that she'd be shot too. As far as taking them, you should come up from the path because your woodcraft isn't so good. It's risky for you because he'll be watching that way. But so is blundering through the brush. Eddie, you can take the overhang route you said before. I can take a route like the third part of a triangle. That way, if there is shooting, we won't catch each other. Agreed?"Berg agrees. They decide how long it will take for Chet and Eddie to get into position and Berg adds on another ten minutes for an element of safely before beginning his grand entrance. The plan works as anticipated, with the man first hearing Berg riding up rather than either of the other two, Eddie now 20 feet away and Chet around 35 feet at the closest point he could get to. The man's reactions are good, as he spins himself over and draws one of his revolvers while moving into a kneeling position at the foot of the blanket, positioning himself between Miss. Marcus and the potential threat. Chester immediately recognizes the man as Wyatt Earp. Eddie does as well, yelling out "Wyatt No!" to his friend just as Berg rides into view. Eddie climbs up and starts to move in. Instead of firing Earp first sees who it is, glancing between Berg and Eddie. He then puts his revolver back in his holster and causally says, "Mighty risky of you sneaking up on me. What can I do for you gentlemen?"Chester and Eduardo lower their shotguns. Chester says in the same tone, "Well, Wyatt. We heard Claude Buckley's killer was camping up here. You wouldn't know anything about that, would you?"  Wyatt Earp stands up. He says, "I would be curious to know who told you that. You mean that somebody told you I was here? You didn't follow Miss Marcus? All I know about Claude Buckley's killing is what I read in the newspaper and I can prove that to you. I was right here with Miss Marcus when Buckley was killed." She exclaims, "That's true." Earp continues "Today's paper indicates that the town is now full of priests. Find one of them who can be discrete and they can ask her about it in conjunction with a Truthfulness incantation." Mitchell Berg says, "And why is it that you are up here?" Earp gestures in the direction of the ranch below and says "Last January the owners of that ranch saved my brother's life. I owe them for that. The male partner, Nanuet, has gone out of town so I'm helping keep a protective eye on the place until he's back."  Berg replies, "And that's all you are doing? You've given up your quest for vengeance against the Cowboy Gang?" Earp replies, "The main reason I'm still in the area is to be with Miss. Marcus, she's staying in Promise City for the next two weeks. It's not like I can just ride into town and check into a hotel room. This was as a good a place as any, although now that people know I'm here I'll have to find myself somewhere else. It looks like you were set up, it sounds like they wanted us to shoot each other. As for the Cowboy Gang, protecting ranch is below will probably bring them to me. Twice now I've seen them scouting this place from that next hill a mile to the south. Both times I followed them when they left. Once they went to then watch the Phillips Ranch, which I read got hit by rustlers. They other time I followed them back to the Crazy-8 Ranch. And it's a good thing I was there then or two of you would now be lying dead on Boot Hill."Chester says, "So, the Cowboy Gang... wait a minute. You were the one who shot Bryson and Garvin? Thanks for saving our bacon out there. I wish you hadn't gunned down Garvin; he was lowering his rifle. But that's a judgment call.”  Earp replies, "I was a good distance off and had already pulled the trigger before he started to lower his rifle. I only fired after they drew on the both of you, didn't see that I had any choice. You'll recall I made no attempt to shoot at the third one there who hadn't threatened you."   Chester takes off his hat and scratches his head. "I know. I guess it's more me wishing that it hadn't come down to shooting, but they started it. I was pretty mad at the time, but I realize what happened." Chester continues, “As far as where we heard where you were camping, someone in Galeyville let that loose.”   Josie says, "Somebody must have seen me coming up here on one of my prior visits. I should have been more careful.”    Chester says, “Why would a person want us to kill each other rather than doing the job himself? Simpler that way. Anyway, we will get a priest to shake out the truth, if you don't mind. Gotta be complete."Berg says, "Makes sense, although it might have actually been the bounty hunter Courtright they were actually trying to set up instead of us since he's the one they told." Eddie says, "Mitch, we can't bring Wyatt in. Putting him in jail would be a death sentence since those Cowboys would dynamite the entire city block just to get at him if they knew he was trapped in the town jail." Berg says, "Well, technically he's a wanted man but those are Federal and County charges, not our jurisdiction. We only have authority to deal with crimes that started in town. So we'll follow the suggestion of having Miss Marcus talk to the priest. If the alibi pans out then we're square. Chet, Eddie and I will stay here with him while you ride into town with the lady.  We should be back in an hour or so."  "Will do, boss." Chester says to Earp, "Do you know anything about Courtright? Who'd want him dead?"Earp says, "He's said to be the fastest draw around, presumably even faster than me. Worked as a Marshall in Fort Worth I believe. I've heard different stories of how many men he's killed, number ranges from four to thirteen. It could just be that some Galeyville idiot just wanted him up here for the sport of finding out which of us outdrew the other."Berg says, "We can discuss that later Deputy. Please get Miss Marcus to town and see to that priest."   Chester says, "OK, Marshall. We'll be back soon." He says to Josephine, "Are you ready to head to town?"   She replies, "Yes, Deputy. I knew I should have taken more precautions coming out here. What's done is done."  She and Chester mount their horses and ride down the hill. Chester asks, "How long have you know he was here? You're lucky it was us finding you and not Sheriff Hunter."Josie says, "I've known for almost a week. You can't tell anybody, I...I was engaged to Sheriff Behan. If he finds out....well, I'd rather not think about it."  They ride back to town and go directly to the church. They find the five priests inside in their studies. He doesn't think that Minerva knows that particular spell and after Minerva Chester knows the Bishop's assistant Demetrius best and asks for him. The three head over to Minerva's house where they can have some privacy and Chester explains what he needs. Demetrius confirms that he does indeed know the Truthfulness spell. He gets out his holy symbol and begins the incantation. The holy symbol begins to glow and a golden light appears on his hands. He then touches Josie and the light transfers partially to her. He nods to Chester to ask his questions.  Chester starts, "Miss Marcus. Were you with Wyatt Earp at when Claude Buckley was killed?"She replies, "Yes, I was up early that day and rented a horse from Drover's. I rode out there and was there from around 9:00 in the morning until well into the afternoon. Wyatt never left the hill."  Chester looks at Brother Demetrius, who nods. He continues, "If Wyatt didn't kill Buckley, do you know who did?"  She replies, "No, I don't know many people here in town and don't go looking for trouble." Demetrius nods again.Chester says, "Did Wyatt shoot Denny Garvin and Gordy Bryson at the Thayer Ranch?"  She replies, "He said that he did. I have no reason to doubt it." Demetrius nods again.  Chester pauses to prepare his next question, then says, "Why is he staying in the area? Is it to wait for you to get done?"  She replies, "Yes." For the first time Demetrius nods back and forth instead of up and down.   Chester says casually, "I guess the truth prayer works. What is Wyatt sticking around for, then?" He adds with a harder edge, "What aren't you telling me, Miss Marcus?"She hesitates. Then she says, "There are some people he wants, three Cowboy Gang members who had a hand in his brother Morgan's death. And he now also wants to find the two wizards who were responsible for his brother Warren's death."  Chester says, "Thank you. I know it must be hard for you to reveal his secrets. Who are these people? The cowboys and the wizards?"  She hesitates and then says, "The cowboys are Charlie Villars, Bronco Madson and Buckskin Frank Leslie. The wizards are Jacques Dumont and Madge Duprey."Chester exclaims, "Damn. I can't let him kill them, especially not a Deputy Sheriff. Isn't there some other way? Or is revenge the only thing that keeps him going?"  Josie replies, "No, he keeps going for me. Once his brothers have been avenged he and I will have a happy long life together." Demetrius nods again, indicating that she believes that.Chester asks, "Then why don't you ask him to leave the area? If he keeps going down this path, he's going to end up dead. I know you don't want that. Nemesis will watch over him for only so long."  Josie replies, "I have asked him too. He's obsessed. Maybe you can help talk him out of this vendetta, I've been unable to."  Chester blows out a breath. He says, "I'll do it. But if you weren't able to, I don't know what I can say. Did you know his brothers well? Maybe they wouldn't have wanted him to spend his life this way."    Josie replies, "They appeared to all be cut from the same cloth with a stubborn streak a mile long. Deputy, do you have to tell Marshall Berg what I told you? I'm afraid he may try to arrest Wyatt and what Eduardo said was true, locking Wyatt up in the town jail would be a death sentence. Those Cowboys would stop at nothing to kill him, lawmen or citizens in the way would just be slaughtered."Chester states, "Miss Marcus, you're putting me in a corner here. You're right, though. A lot of people could get hurt if the Cowboys found out. You have my word, that I won't tell him. Anyway, I bet the Marshall can figure out that revenge is still on Wyatt's mind. I said I'd talk to Wyatt and I will. Brother Demetrius, I don't have any more questions for Miss Marcus. Thank you. This is under the seal of confession?"Demetrius says, "Yes, I will keep this in confidence. I will also be in town until Friday or Saturday if either of you need anything further from me. I am good listener if you just wish to talk."  Chester says, "Okay, thank you again. Miss Marcus, I'm going back." Josie leaves to head back to her room at the Double Eagle Boarding House and Demetrius heads back to the church.Chester stops by the office to tell Helen that they found someone on the hill, but they're not sure if he's the killer. He then rides back to the hilltop. Berg gives him a questioning look. Chester says, "She and Wyatt were together when Buckley was shot. And he did shoot Garvin and Bryson at the ranch."   Wyatt says, "I told you so. Now can I go?" Berg asks Chester, "Anything else you want to add, Chet?"   The deputy replies, "No, sir."Berg looks at Wyatt. "Well it looks like our business here is concluded. You haven't done anything wrong in Promise City, so I can't take you in. Try to keep it that way."  The three lawmen ride back to town. Chester is surprised that Berg doesn't ask him any further questions along the way. The rest of Tuesday is quiet for Chester, with him working until 9:00 PM when Helen comes by to take the first part of the night shift. Chet heads over to the Lucky Lady and watches Clarisse sing until the saloon closes.</blockquote>

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