Page 98 of Red Hawk's Woman

“But you’re married. I know your wife.”

John Owens chuckled. “Of course I’m married. But a man, such as myself, is entitled to have his mistresses.”

Effie felt rather sick, and before she could stop herself, she said, “You’re despicable.”

“I’m a man.”

“I’m not so sure.”

“Doesn’t matter what you think. Hand them over. All four of them. I know you have the other two on you.”

“No, I don’t, and no, I won’t,” she said, admitting nothing.

“I know you have them on you. You wouldn’t take a chance and leave them behind.”

“I might. How did you find out about this place?”

“Madeline observed that you leave to go somewhere early in the morning. She thought for a while it was only to meet your Indian lover. But this morning she followed you here, and I came after her.”

“I see.”

“Now, give them to me.”

“No.”

“Then you will die, for I know you have the other two on you.”

But he didn’t shoot. Instead, without so much as pausing for breath, he set upon her, wrestling the artifacts out of her hands. One by one he grasped hold of them, placing them to the side, while he held her hands. “Now where are the others?”

She turned mute.

“Come on, if you won’t give them up, then it will be my pleasure to find them. You’re no more than a whore anyway. You, taking an Indian lover.”

“He is my husband.”

John Owens laughed. “There is no such thing between a white woman and an Indian.”

Without a hint of conscience, he lifted her skirts and tore off her pantalettes. He had no more than set upon her, when he beheld the satchels, tied around her waist.

“Ah, there they are.” He ripped them off her and stood. “And now I have all four. Thank you, Miss Effie. I’m sorry I have to do this,” he added with a cold smile.

Without even a pause, he pointed the gun at her.

Chapter

Twenty-Three

“Leave this place! Get away from here!” shouted Red Hawk, waving his arms at the Thunder Being.

As lightning shot through the being, he laughed. “Come, make me leave.”

“You will not tempt me.”

“Do I not?” said the Thunderer. “If I do not tempt you, why are you here, when your wife is in danger?”

“You lie.”

The Thunder Being merely laughed.