Lords of an Empty Land by Randy Denmon Page A

not up for interpretation. And it is the only thing that will work.”
    Basil set down his fork and leaned back from the table. “There’s a family of five with two loaded wagons in town. Hear they’re headed east, to Winnfield and then to the railhead at Monroe. Been in town a few days. Hear they’re headed out in the morning. We could trail them. Might catch somebody preying on them.”
    Douglas took in the statement as the entire table got silent. Even the sounds of eating paused.
    After the awkward silence, the judge spoke up. “I wouldn’t recommend using innocent civilians as bait, much less women and children.”
    Basil continued to eat. “I wouldn’t consider them innocents. If these people run into those highwaymen, the only thing they’ll be meeting is their maker.”
    Douglas didn’t like the idea of it, but Basil was right. All they could do was help, and they might catch somebody alive, somebody they could try and interrogate. He turned to Basil, then Huff. Neither were interested in the judge’s idea of justice. One had a poisoned heart, his current state forced on him by a pitiless world, the other had gotten there by choice, but both seethed with a desire for their own form of justice.
    Douglas picked up his fork. “We could never follow them out of town, or even cross the ferry a few hours later. That would arouse too much suspicion. We’d need to cross the river to the north and catch up with them on the trail.... Basil, check around today, discreetly, confirm this, and see when they’re leaving. Basil’s right, they’re already bait, whether they want to be or not. All we can do is help. We’ll take the Sparta Road, cut through the woods, and be able to catch up with them by dark. Be there in case there’s any potential problems. Be much safer for them that way, and it will satisfy our needs.”
    Douglas looked at his men, then the judge. “Let’s be ready to ride in the morning. Get ready today and tonight. We’ll need a sharp eye; this may take us a few days, and nights.”

9
    In the distance, a few lights glowed. Douglas looked up at the belt of stars stretching across the sky, then to Hannah as he leaned back on a blanket spread on the bank of a small bayou on the Butler plantation. Her fresh scent and fair skin, glowing in the starlight, induced his manly cravings. Douglas had experienced women before, knowing the benefits of their soothing touch. He had in fact been engaged once, while at West Point, but his fiancée had succumbed to typhoid. He had also patronized a few of the brothels in New Orleans.
    He finally handed Hannah the almost empty bottle of champagne.
    â€œWhere did you get this?” Hannah said, her speech slightly slurred. “And how did you end up at the Butler house just after dark?”
    â€œI stole it at the Yankee ball the other night. I’m quick. I did it within eyesight of you and everybody else. And I thought I’d ride out here and check on you. Your sister and mother are gone, and I knew the judge would be in town until late. This is strictly a call within my current duties.”
    â€œAnd you happened to bring the champagne on this routine trip?”
    â€œKind of like that.” Douglas laughed. He rolled over on his side and stared at Hannah and the big ball of light crimson hair pinned up above her ears. He leaned forward and gave Hannah a quick peck on the lips. “It’s probably after ten.”
    Hannah grinned. “This was terrific . . . my father’s probably rolling over in his grave, bless him. Let’s stay here a while. It’s a magnificent night. If Uncle drinks too much, he may not even come home tonight.”
    â€œWhat about Mr. Jones?”
    â€œHe’s sound asleep. He doesn’t worry about my passing fancies, generally never gets out at night unless there’s some type of ruckus, and Uncle would love the