p&c.thunderhead-第43章

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　At　the　mention　of　the　spirals；　the　feathers　shoved　into　the　eyes；　Nora　had　gone　cold。　〃e　on；〃　she　heard　Smithback　say。　〃Nobody　could　do　all　that　from　the　back　of　a　horse。〃　
　〃There　ain't　no　other　explanation；〃　Swire　snapped。　〃I　told　you；　I　saw　no　footprints。　But　。　。　。〃　He　paused　again。　〃Yesterday　evening；　when　I　was　about　to　leave　the　horses　for　the　night；　I　thought　I　saw　a　rider　atop　the　hogback　ridge。　Man　on　a　horse；　just　standing　there；　looking　down　at　me。〃　
　〃Why　didn't　you　mention　this　before？〃　Nora　asked。　
　〃I　thought　it　was　my　imagination；　a　trick　of　the　setting　sun。　Can't　say　I　expected　to　see　another　horse　atop　that　goddamned　ridge。　Who'd　be　way　the　hell　out　here？〃　
　Who　indeed？　Nora　thought；　desperation　rising　within　her。　Over　the　past　several　days；　she'd　grown　certain　she　had　left　the　strange　apparitions　from　the　ranch　house　far　behind。　Now　that　certainty　was　fading。　Perhaps　they'd　been　followed；　after　all。　But　who　could　have　had　the　skill；　or　the　desperate　resolve；　to　track　them　across　such　a　harsh　and　barren　landscape？　
　〃That's　dry　sandy　country；〃　Swire　was　saying；　the　dark　uncertain　look　replaced　with　a　new　resolve。　〃They　can't　hide　a　track　in　it　forever。　I　just　came　in　here　to　tell　you　I'm　going　after　them。〃　He　stood　up　abruptly　and　went　into　his　tent。　
　In　the　ensuing　silence；　Nora　could　hear　the　rattle　of　metal；　the　sound　of　bullets　being　pushed　into　chambers。　A　moment　later　he　reemerged；　rifle　slung　behind　his　back；　revolver　buckled　around　his　waist。　
　〃Wait　a　minute；　Roscoe；〃　Nora　said。　
　〃Don't　try　to　stop　me；〃　Swire　said。　
　〃You　can't　just　rush　off；〃　she　replied　sharply。　〃Let's　talk　about　this。〃　
　〃Talking　to　you　only　causes　trouble。〃　
　Bonarotti　walked　wordlessly　to　his　cabinet　and　began　loading　a　small　sack　with　food。　
　〃Roscoe；〃　Sloane　said；　〃Nora's　absolutely　right。　You　can't　just　head　off　like…〃　
　〃You　shut　your　mouth。　I'm　not　going　to　have　a　bunch　of　goddamn　women　telling　me　what　to　do　with　my　own　horses。〃　
　〃Well；　how　about　a　goddamn　man；　then；〃　said　Black。　〃This　is　foolhardy。　You　could　get　hurt；　or　worse。〃　
　〃I'm　done　with　discussion；〃　Swire　said；　accepting　the　small　sack　from　Bonarotti；　tying　it　into　his　slicker；　and　throwing　it　over　his　shoulder。　
　As　Nora　watched　him；　her　fear　and　shock　at　this　new　development　suddenly　turned　to　anger：　anger　at　whatever　was　bent　on　disturbing　a　dig　that　had　begun　so　successfully；　anger　at　Swire　for　behaving　so　truculently。　〃Swire；　stand　down！〃　she　bellowed。　
　There　was　a　breathless　hush　in　the　little　valley。　Swire；　momentarily　taken　aback；　turned　to　face　her。　
　〃Now　look；〃　Nora　went　on；　aware　that　her　heart　was　hammering　in　her　rib　cage　and　that　her　tone　was　uneven；　〃we　have　to　think　this　through。　You　can't　just　run　off　without　a　plan　and　go　kill　someone。〃　
　〃I've　got　a　plan；〃　came　the　answer。　〃And　there's　nothing　to　think　about。　I'm　gonna　find　the　bastard　that…〃　
　〃Agreed；〃　Nora　said；　cutting　off　Swire's　words。　〃But　you're　not　the　person　to　do　it。〃　
　〃What？〃　Swire's　expression　turned　to　one　of　scornful　disbelief。　〃And　just　who　else　is　going　to　do　it　for　me？〃　
　〃I　am。〃　
　Swire　opened　his　mouth　to　speak。　
　〃Think　for　a　minute；〃　Nora　went　on　quickly。　〃He；　or　they；　or　whatever；　killed　two　horses。　Not　for　food；　not　for　sport；　but　to　send　a　message。　Doesn't　that　tell　you　something？　What　about　the　rest　of　the　horses？　What　do　you　think　is　going　to　happen　to　them　while　you　set　out　on　your　lynching　party？　Those　are　your　animals。　You're　the　only　person　who　knows　enough　to　keep　them　safe　until　all　this　is　resolved。〃　
　Swire　pursed　his　lips　and　smoothed　a　finger　over　his　mustache。　〃Someone　else　can　watch　the　horses　while　I'm　gone。〃　
　〃Like　who？〃　
　Swire　didn't　answer　for　a　moment。　〃You　don't　know　the　first　thing　about　tracking；〃　he　said。　
　〃As　a　matter　of　fact；　I　do。　Anyone　who　grew　up　on　a　ranch　knows　something　about　tracking。　I've　looked　for　plenty　of　lost　cows　in　my　day。　I　may　not　be　in　your　league；　but　you　said　it　yourself：　out　here　in　sandy　country；　there's　no　great　trick　to　it。〃　She　leaned　toward　him。　〃The　fact　is；　if　somebody　has　to　go；　I'm　the　only　choice。　Aaron；　Sloane；　and　Enrique's　work　is　essential　here。　You're　vital　to　the　horses。　Luigi's　our　only　cook。　Peter　isn't　an　experienced　enough　rider。　And　besides；　he's　necessary　for　munications。〃　
　Swire　looked　at　her　appraisingly；　but　remained　silent。　
　Black　turned　to　Nora。　〃This　is　insane。　You；　alone？　You　can't　go；　you're　the　expedition　director。〃　
　〃That's　why　I　can't　ask　anybody　else　to　do　this。〃　Nora　looked　around。　〃I'll　only　be　gone　a　day；　overnight　at　the　most。　Meanwhile；　you；　Sloane；　and　Aragon　can　make　decisions　by　majority　consent。　I'll　find　out　who　did　this；　and　why。〃　
　〃I　think　we　should　simply　call　the　police；〃　Black　said。　〃We　have　a　radio。〃　
　Aragon　burst　out　in　a　sudden；　uncharacteristic　laugh。　〃Call　the　police？　What　police？〃　
　〃Why　not？　We're　still　in　America；　aren't　we？〃　
　〃Are　we？〃　Aragon　murmured。　
　There　was　a　brief　pause。　Then　Smithback　spoke　up；　surprisingly　quiet　and　firm。　〃It's　pretty　obvious　that　she　can't　go　alone。　I'm　the　only　person　who　can　be　spared　from　the　dig。　I'll　go　with　her。〃　
　〃No；〃　Nora　said　automatically。　
　〃Why　not？　The　trash　mound　can　spare　me　for　a　day。　Aaron　over　here　hasn't　been　getting　nearly　enough　exercise　lately。　I'm　not　a　bad　horseman　and；　if　necessary；　I'm　not　a　bad　shot；　either。〃　
　〃There's　something　else　to　think　about；〃　Aragon　said。　〃You　said　these　killings　were　meant　to　send　a　message。　Have　you　thought　about　the　other　possibility？〃　
　Nora　looked　at　him。　〃And　what's　that？〃　
　〃That　the　killings　were　done　to　lure　people　away　from　camp；　where　they　could　be　dealt　with　individually？　Perhaps　this　man　on　the　ridge　showed　himself　to　Swire　deliberately。〃　
　Nora　licked　her　lips。　
　〃Another　reason　for　me　to　go；〃　Smithback　said。　
　〃Now　hold　on；〃　came　the　cold　voice　of　Swire。　〃Aren't　we　forgetting　about　the　Devil's　Backbone？　Three　of　my　horses　are　already　dead；　thanks　to　that　goddamn　ridge。〃　
　Nora　turned　to　him。　〃I've　been　thinking　about　that；〃　she　said。　〃You　said　you　saw　a　rider　atop　the　ridge　the　other　day。　And　obviously；　people　got　into　the　outer　valley　on　horseback　last　night。　There's　no　other　way　in　save　over　the　ridge。　I'll　bet　they　used　unshod　horses。〃　
　〃Unshod？〃　Smithback　asked。　
　Nora　nodded。　〃A　horse　without　shoes　would　have　surer　footing　on　a　narrow　trail　like　the　Devil's　Backbone。　Iron　on　stone　is　like　a　skater　on　ice。　But　the　keratin　of　a　horse's　hoof　would　grip　the　stone。〃　
　Swire　was　still　staring　at　her。　〃I'm　not　letting　my　horses　get　their　hooves　all　chewed　up　out　in　that　bad　country。〃　
　〃We'd　tack　the　shoes　back　on　once　we　get　to　the　bottom　of　the　ridge。　You've　got　farrier's　tools；　don't　you？〃　
　Swire　nodded　slowly。　
　〃All　I'm　going　to　do；〃　she　continued；　〃is　try　to　find　out　who　did　this；　and　why。　We　can　let　the　law　take　care　of　it　when　we　get　back　to　civilization。〃　
　〃That's　just　what　I'm　afraid　of；〃　said　Swire。　
　〃Do　you　want　to　spend　the　rest　of　your　life　in　prison　for　murder？〃　Nora　asked。　〃Because　that's　exactly　what　will　happen　if　you　go　out　there　and　shoot　somebody。〃　
　Swire　did　not　reply。　Wordlessly；　the　cook　turned　on　his　heel　and　entered　his　tent。　A　moment　later；　he　emerged　with　his　weapon；　a　box　of　bullets；　and　a　leather　holster。　He　handed　them　to　Nora。　Strapping　the　holster　around　her　waist；　Nora　opened　the　heavy　gun；　spun　the　cylinder；　and　closed　it　again。　Ripping　the　top　off　the　box　of　bullets；　she　poured　its　contents　into　one　hand　and　rapidly　shoved　them　into　the　bullet　loops。　Then　she　dropped　the　empty　box　into　the　fire　and　turned　toward　Swire。　
　〃We'll　take　care　of　it；〃　she　said　evenly。　
　
　
33
　
　SKIP　PAUSED　AT　THE　METAL　DOOR　TO　ELMO'S　Auto　Shoppe；　pausing　a　moment　to　build　up　a　full　head　of　righteous　indignation。　The　metal；　quonset…hut　garage　lay　baking　in　the　heat　at　the　long　sad　end　of　Cerrillos　Road；　an　ugly　strip　of　fast…food　restaurants；　used　automobile　dealerships；　and　malls　south　of　town。　Beyond　Elmo's　stretched　nothing　but　bulldozed　flat　prairie；　decorated　with　billboards；　FOR　LEASE　and　WILL　BUILD　TO　SUIT　signs…the　expanding　edge　of　Santa　Fe's　uncontrolled　growth。　
　Skip　set　the　expression　on　his　face　and　pushed　through　the　door；　pulling　Teddy　Bear　behind　him　on　a　short；　thick　leather　leash。　In　the　farthest　bay；　perched　high　atop　the　hydraulic　lift；　sat　his　Fury；　tires　drooping　mournfully。　It　was　a　great　deal　sandier　than　it　had　been　the　day　before。　
　Beneath　it　stood　the　proprietor　of　Elmo's　Auto　Shoppe；　a　tall；　gangly　man　in　faded　dungarees　and　torn　T…shirt。　The　shirt　was　liberally　stained　with　oil；　and　it　sported　an　oversized　Rolling　Stones　tongue；　jutting　salaciously　from　dewlap　lips。　The　shirt　formed　an　appropriate　reflection　of　Elmo's　own　pendulous　lips　and　doleful　expression。　
　〃Why'd　you　have　to　bring　that　with　you？〃　Elmo　whined；　nodding　at　the　dog。　〃I'm　allergic　to　dog　hair。〃　
　Skip　opened　his　mouth　to　deliver　his　speech　and　Elmo　raised　his　clipboard　in　protest。　〃Broken　rocker　assembly；〃　he　began　quickly；　licking　a　long；　grease…sodden　finger　and　folding　the　pages　on　his　clipboard　back　as　he　spoke。　〃Emergency　brake　trashed。　Hub　bent。　You're　looking　at；　oh；　five；　six　hundred　at　least。　Plus　the　tow　from　the　third　fairway。〃　
　〃Like　hell　I　am！〃　Skip　dragged　Teddy　Bear　forward　and　paced　angrily　in　the　shadow　of　his　car；　forgetting　his　carefully　crafted　speech。　〃I　had　this　in　here　for　an　oil　change　and　tuneup　just　three　weeks　ago。　Why　the　hell　didn't　you　tell　me　the　brakes　were　going？〃　
　Elmo　turned　his　lachrymose　face　toward　Skip。　His　droopy　eyes　always　looked　on　the　verge　of　weeping。　〃I　checked　that　invoice　already。　There　was　nothing　wrong　with　the　brakes。〃　
　〃That's　bullshit。〃　Skip　glanced　at　the　mechanic　in　disbelief。　He　so　rarely　bothered　to　pay　for　car　servicing　that　now；　having　shelled　out　fifty…seven　dollars　just　a　few　weeks　before；　his　righteous　indignation　knew　no　bounds。　〃I　tell　you；　I　had　zero　brakes　left。　Zero。　I　might　as　well　have　tried　to　use　a　kickstand。　I　could　have　been　killed。　And　now　you　want　me　to　pay　for　the　privilege？　Yeah；　right。〃　
　〃The　brake　system　was　dry　as　a　bone；〃　said　Elmo；　doggedly；　looking　at　the　floor。　
　〃See？〃　Skip　slapped　a　balled　fist　against　his　palm。　〃That　proves　it。　You　should　have　seen　that　leak　when　the　car　was　here　before。　I'm　not　going　to　pay　for…〃　
　〃But　there　ain't　no　leak。〃　
　Skip　halted　in　mid…rant。　〃Huh？〃　
　Elmo　shrugged；　his　eyes　rolling　toward　Skip。　〃We　pressure…tested　the　brake　system。　There's　no　leak；　no　sprung　seal；　nothing。〃　
　Skip　stared　at　Elmo。　〃That　doesn't　make　sense。〃　
　Elmo　shrugged　again。　〃Besides；　there　would　have　been　signs　of　a　leak。　Look　at　that。〃　He　grabbed　a　basket　lamp　and　pointed　it　up　at　the　Fury。　
　〃It's　the　underside　of　a　car。　It's　sandy　and　greasy。　So　what？〃　
　〃But　none　of　that's　brake　fluid。　No　drips；　no　spray　marks。　Nothing　to　show　any　leak　at　all。　Where　do　you　park　it　regularly？〃　
　〃In　my　driveway；　of　course…〃　
　〃You　see　a　big　stain　on　the　ground　lately？〃　
　〃Nothing　I　noticed。〃　
　Elmo　looked　down　again；　nodding　sagely；　his　big　ears　wagging。　
　Skip　started　to　retort；　then　stopped；　mouth　open。　〃What　are　you　saying？〃　he　said　at　last。　
　〃I　ain't　saying　nothing。　Your　brakes　were　drained　clean。〃　Elmo's　rubbery　lips　twi