Read Ralph Compton Death Rides a Chestnut Mare for Free Online Page A

muzzle flash was enough. Danielle fired twice. There was a groan and the sound of Jasper’s body striking the ground. What had she said or done that had warned Levi Jasper? After having thought about it, the outlaw had apparently become suspicious, and whatever he had perceived as a mistake on his part, he had tried to undo. But Danielle still had the names—real or fictitious—of the remaining eight outlaws. She wouldn’t need to spend anything more on advertising.
    â€œSince you won’t be needin’ it, Jasper, I’ll just see how much money you have in your pockets.”
    There was a considerable roll of bills, and Danielle took it without remorse. Saddling the chestnut mare, she continued east toward Kansas City. She must lose her trail among many others before Levi Jasper’s body was discovered. Two hours later, she reached a little river town whose name she didn’t know. But it had a hotel of sorts, a livery, a cafe, and some other buildings, including a general store. One sleepy old hostler was dozing in a chair before the livery. He sat up and looked around when he heard the chestnut mare coming.
    â€œStay where you are, old-timer,” said Danielle. “I’ll unsaddle, put her in a stall, and fork down some hay.”
    â€œI’m obliged,” the hostler said.
    With the mare safely in the livery, Danielle took a room at the one-story hotel. By the light of a lamp, feeling a little guilty, Danielle separated the roll of bills on the bed and was astounded to find there was more than six hundred dollars! Undoubtedly it was stolen, but from who, when, and where? Her conscience bothered her some, but there was no way to return the money, and besides, Danielle needed it desperately.
    â€œThe Lord works in mysterious ways” her mother was fond of saying, and Danielle said a silent prayer of thanks. Slowly, she began changing her mind about riding to Kansas City. She would be very close to St. Joe and home, and getting under way again would be hell without Jed and Tim finding her and following. With that in mind, she changed directions, riding to the southeast. Since she had no idea where to go next, why not New Orleans?
    Â 
    Springfield, Missouri. July 28, 1870.
    Â 
    Reaching Springfield, she left the chestnut mare at a livery and rented herself a modest hotel room. She had lived in Missouri all her life, but had never been south. A huge lump rose in her throat when she recalled what her father had once said.
    â€œSomeday, Danielle, when we’ve got money, we’ll all board one of the big steamers and ride all the way to New Orleans.”
    But Daniel Strange’s good intentions died with him, and there would be no steamboat ride to New Orleans. Instead, Danielle was riding obscure trails, seeking his cold-blooded killers. Eight of them remained at large, and she had no idea how long her quest would take. Jed and Tim might be grown and her mother dead by the time vengeance was hers, which was a chilling thought.
    After supper, there seemed little to do except go to bed or make the rounds of the various saloons. Danielle chose the saloons, and since she didn’t drink, she invested a few dollars in games of chance. A one-dollar bet on a roulette wheel won her ten dollars, more than she had lost all night. There were poker games in progress, and never having played before, Danielle left them alone. She could watch, however, listening to the conversation of the players. One of them mentioned a name that immediately caught her attention.
    â€œToo bad about that killing in Indian Territory a while back. But they got just one of the men. Pete Rizner rode like hell and escaped. The law ain’t done nothin’, and Pete’s mad as hell. He’s swearin’ one of the bunch of renegades was Rufe Gaddis, from right here in Missouri.”
    â€œPardner,” said Danielle, “my pa was killed by outlaws in Indian Territory not too long ago,