Read A Grave for Lassiter for Free Online Page A

his excitement. To look upon Lassiter’s dead face would give him one of the greatest pleasures of life.
    Up on the high road a pair of drifters came across a big sorrell that was brush scratched and hung up by the reins in a big clump of thornbush. It was pretty well marked up. One rein had been torn loose as if the animal might have been tied and then panicked for one reason or another and bolted into the brush.
    One of the men, rotund in shabby clothing, cocked an eye at the horse. “Would bring a good price.”
    â€œAn’ be hung for a hoss thief?” grunted his bearded companion.
    â€œThis fella’s carryin’ a 77 brand. Wouldn’t take but a few minutes of heatin’ up your harness ring an’ turning 77 into a double hour glass.”
    The bearded one gave a short laugh. “Let’s us go somewhere an’ heat up that harness ring.”
    They led the horse on up the mountain.
    Early next morning Melody started for Aspen Creek. She was worried about Vance, after what she had recently heard concerning Lassiter. Lena Overmeyer, who was the doctor’s sister, and working as Melody’s housekeeper, had been on the street when the visit had been made to the bank.
    â€œI was with Ruth Simmons and she saw that man Lassiter and literally froze. The things she told me about him. And I can say, Melody, that some of my brother’s patients confirmed it.”
    Melody, already overwrought by all that had happened, was badly shaken at the disclosure. It had come right after she told Lena Overmeyer that a housekeeper could no longer be afforded. From then on, Melody would have to take care of her own house.
    Among other things Lena had said was that Lassiter, a known killer, was also a swindler. It was very upsetting when she thought of how her two uncles had apparently been taken in by the man.
    Now she mainly worried about Herm’s stepson. Vance seemed friendly but she had noticed an undercurrent of tension whenever Lassiter was around. Perhaps Vance was aware of Lassiter’s reputation, yet he had gone blindly off to the mountains with him. Only to do her a favor; to help get the freight wagon out of the mud. But in the company of a man of Lassiter’s reputation, anything could happen.
    After reaching Aspen Creek, Dad Hornbeck told her Lassiter and Vance Vanderson had gone north to the wagon. She and Hornbeck arrived there shortly before noon.
    She was surprised to find her wagon and the mule team off the road. The mules were muddied as were the wagon wheels. But there was no sign of Lassiter or Vance. What in the world had happened to them? she asked herself. She called their names until she was hoarse, but got no response.
    Dad Hornbeck drove the mule team down the mountain grade, Melody riding her saddler. Lassiter had taken a light wagon, Hornbeck had told her, but it was gone. It worried her. However, when she got back to the Aspen Creek office, it was standing in front. Beside it stood Vance Vanderson, looking a little pale but unharmed. In relief, she ran to him, seized both of his hands and beamed up into his face.
    â€œOh, I’m so thankful you’re all right,” she cried.
    A warm smile broke across his face. Before realizing what happened, she was being enfolded in his arms. She couldn’t decide whether she liked his sudden boldness or not.
    Pushing away from him, she asked, “Where’s Lassiter?”
    â€œDead.”
    A hand flew to her mouth. She hated it when anyone passed over the line, as her mother used to say. Even a renegade like Lassiter.
    Two men had tried to jump them, Vanderson said sincerely. Lassiter had panicked and run into a mine tunnel. There was shooting. Somehow parts of the tunnel ceiling were jarred loose by concussion and came down.
    â€œAnyway, I drove off the two men, but Lassiter failed to come out of the tunnel. I went back to look for him. I found him on the floor, on his back. A chunk of rock had