Resolution

55.

Wolfson got ahead of us. He came back from his travels with a big-bodied, dark-haired man named Major Lujack.

“Major Lujack is the head of Lujack Detective Agency in Wichita,” Wolfson said. “And a retired Cavalry officer.”

“Battle of Muddy River?” I said.

Lujack looked at me and nodded.

“You’ve heard of Major Lujack?” Wolfson said.

“Slaughtered a camp full of Comanche women and children, ” I said. “In eastern Colorado. While back. Got a medal for it, and was discharged two weeks later.”

“Everett’s retired Army, too,” Virgil said.

“It was an honorable discharge,” Lujack said.

“Army covered it up,” I said. “Made it sound like a battle. But they got rid of you.”

“Who’s this?” Virgil said.

He was looking at a willowy, round-faced, sloe-eyed man with a flat crowned hat and striped pants, who was standing next to Lujack.

“My assistant,” Lujack said. “Mr. Swann.”

“I’m Mr. Cole,” Virgil said. “This is Mr. Hitch.”

Swann nodded.

“Major Lujack is here to help us with the settlers and all,” Wolfson said. “The rest of his people will be arriving soon.”

Both Lujack and Swann wore guns. They seemed comfortable with them.

“How many,” Virgil said.

“Three squads of five men and a squad leader,” Lujack said.

“Plus you and Mr. Swann,” Virgil said. “So twenty.”

“Yes,” Lujack said.

Virgil was looking at Swann. Swann was looking back at Virgil.

“You fellas have had a long ride,” Wolfson said. “Lemme show you your rooms.”

“Certainly,” Lujack said.

He looked at me. Swann looked hard at Virgil. Then they turned and followed Wolfson.

“Whaddya know about Lujack?” Virgil said.

“He’s a butcher,” I said.

“Why’d he do it?”

“Don’t know,” I said. “Don’t know why he even attacked them. There wasn’t a warrior within fifty miles.”

“And the Army gave him the boot?”

“Yeah. Some of his command had refused to keep up the killing once they realized they weren’t fighting men. Afterwards, he was in the process of court-martialing them.”

“Insubordination?” Virgil said.

I grinned.

“Desertion,” I said. “In the face of the enemy.”

“Even the Army couldn’t stomach it,” Virgil said.

“That’s right,” I said. “They called it a victory, promoted him to major, cancelled the court-martial process, and gave him an honorable discharge.”

“Three squads,” Virgil said. “Each with a squad leader.”

“Plus Lujack and Swann,” I said. “You know anything ’bout Mr. Swann.”

“Pretty much all I need to,” Virgil said.

“Ever hear of him?” I said.

“Nope,” Virgil said.

“But you know what he is,” I said.

“I do,” Virgil said. “You?”

“Yeah,” I said. “I know what he is.”

“Might be we’re being replaced,” Virgil said.

“Do look kind of suspicious,” I said. “How ’bout Cato and Rose.”

“Days are numbered,” Virgil said. “But Wolfson’ll wait until all the squads arrive. Case we resent it.”

“We gonna resent it?” I said.

“Hell, no,” Virgil said. “Makes it easier to change sides.”