Yara hated that he was right.
He continued.
“You organize patrols while I’m gone.”
“Giving orders already?”
“I thought we were partners.”
She stared.
He grinned.
“Partners use whichever person fits the job.”
Her expression softened.
“Fine.”
Then she pointed a finger at him.
“If you disappear toward California, I will find you.”
“That sounds almost romantic.”
“It was a threat.”
“Still flattering.”
She rolled her eyes.
Red Rock sat six hours southwest of the valley.
Eli rode a dun mare named Copperwind into town near sunset. He left her at a stable, bought a room above the general store, and spent two days listening more than talking.
Lucien Voss was known everywhere.
Nobody liked him.
Nobody challenged him.
The sheriff drank in the same saloon where Voss’s men spent money.
That told Eli enough.
A horse broker confirmed Voss had a buyer waiting in Sonora for “thirty desert-bred animals.” A blacksmith mentioned extra ammunition being purchased by men riding north. An old freight driver said Voss had been asking about Red Mesa’s hidden valley.
The worst information came from a gambler who had worked briefly with the gang.
“They’re not stealing a few horses next time.”
Eli bought him whiskey.
“What are they doing?”
“Taking the whole herd.”
“How?”
The man laughed.
“Can’t keep coming back if the owners are still alive.”
Eli stopped smiling.
“They plan to attack the settlement.”
The gambler shrugged.
“That’s what I heard.”
Eli returned to Red Mesa the next morning.
Yara was waiting near the entrance.
She tried to look indifferent.
Failed.
“You came back.”
“I said I would.”
“Men say many things.”
“Apparently I’m unusual.”
She almost smiled.
Then she saw his face.
“What happened?”
“Call your father.”
The council gathered within the hour.
Eli laid everything out plainly.
Voss had at least sixteen armed men.
Possibly more.
He had a buyer.
He intended to eliminate resistance.
A direct fight would be dangerous.
Tahoma’s warriors were skilled but outgunned.
“So what do we do?” Naya asked.
Eli looked toward the horse corrals.
“We let Voss steal the herd.”
The entire circle erupted.
Yara stared at him.
“You have finally lost your mind.”
“Probably.”
Tahoma raised a hand.
“Let him explain.”
Eli spread the map.
“Voss believes greed makes him smart.”
He pointed toward the northern canyon.
“We move most of the real herd tonight.”
“Where?”
“A hidden basin Yara showed me yesterday.”
Yara leaned closer.
“There isn’t enough water.”
“For two days there is.”
She understood first.
“We leave a smaller group here.”
“Exactly.”
“Then what?”