The Complete Western Stories of Elmore Leonard - Elmore Leonard [221]
WHEN HE HEARD the horse come down out of the woods it was barely more than an hour later. Ofelio looked out, expecting to see John Stam on the bay, but it was Billy-Jack Trew walking his horse into the yard. Quickly the old man climbed the ladder to the loft. The deputy went to the house first and called out. When there was no answer he approached the barn and called Ofelio’s name.
He’s found them! But what brought him? Ah, the old man thought, remembering, he wants to buy a horse. He spoke of that yesterday. But he found them instead. Where is Señor Stam? Why didn’t he see him? He heard the deputy call again, but still Ofelio did not come out. He remained crouched in the darkness of the barn loft until he heard the deputy leave.
The door opened and John Stam stood below in the strip of outside light.
Resignedly, Ofelio said, “I am here,” looking down, thinking: He was close all the time. He followed the deputy back and if I had called he would have killed both of us. And he is very capable of killing.
John Stam looked up, studying the old man. Finally he said, “You were there last night; I’m sure of it now… else you wouldn’t be hiding, afraid of admitting something. You were smart not to talk to him. Maybe you’re remembering you owe me something for keeping you on, even though you’re not good for anything.” He added abruptly, “You believe in God?”
Ofelio nodded.
“Then,” John Stam said, “swear to God you’ll never mention my name in connection with what happened.”
Ofelio nodded again, resignedly, thinking of his obligation to this man. “I swear it,” he said.
The rain came in the late afternoon, keeping Ofelio inside the barn. He crouched in the doorway, listening to the soft hissing of the rain in the trees, watching the puddles forming in the wagon tracks. His eyes would go to the house, picturing John Stam inside alone with his thoughts and waiting. They will come. Perhaps the rain will delay them, Ofelio thought, but they will come.
The sheriff will say, Mr. Stam this is a terrible thing we have to tell you. What? Well, you know the stallion Joe Slidell was breaking? Well, it must have got loose. It looks like Joe tried to catch him and …Joegot under his hooves. And, Mrs. Stam was there …wefiguredshewasup to look at your new horse—saying this with embarrassment. She must have become frightened when it happened and she ran. In the dark she went over the side of the ravine. Billy-Jack found them this morning….
He did not hear them because of the rain. He was staring at a puddle and when he looked up there was Val Dodson and Billy-Jack Trew. It was too late to climb to the loft.
Billy-Jack smiled. “I was around earlier, but I didn’t see you.” His hat was low, shielding his face from the light rain, as was Dodson’s.
Ofelio could feel himself trembling. He is watching now from a window. Mother of God, help me.
Dodson said, “Where’s Stam?”
Ofelio hesitated, then nodded toward the house.
“Come on,” Dodson said. “Let’s get it over with.”
Billy-Jack Trew leaned closer, resting his forearm on the saddle horn. He said gently, “Have you seen anything more since yesterday?”
Ofelio looked up, seeing the wet smiling face and another image that was in his mind—a great stallion in the dawn light—and the words came out suddenly, as if forced from his mouth. He said, “I saw a nagual !”
Dodson groaned. “Not again,” and nudged his horse with his knees.
“Wait a minute,” Billy-Jack said quickly. Then to Ofelio, “This nagual, you actually saw it?”
The old man bit his lips. “Yes.”
“It was an animal you saw, then.”
“It was a nagual.”
Dodson said, “You stand in the rain and talk crazy. I’m getting this over with.”
Billy-Jack swung down next to the old man. “Listen a minute, Val.” To Ofelio, gently again, “But it was in the form of an animal?”
Ofelio’s head nodded slowly.
“What did the animal look like?”
“It was,” the old man said slowly, not looking at the deputy, “a great stallion.” He said quickly, “I can tell you no more than that.