“Just where is Murdock these days? Last I saw of him he was staying at Jack Prendergast’s place in New Mexico Territory.”

Prayers End. And Beth…. God, he hadn’t thought about her for so long, until she had popped into his mind the night that Ginny decided to tell him everything about herself. Then, out of the blue, Elizabeth Cady’s name had loomed, once a bright flame in the darkness that had followed the news of Ginny’s death. Bleak days when he hadn’t cared if he lived or not, hadn’t quite known why he was still alive. It had taken nearly dying to bring him back to living.

That, and Beth.

He wondered if she was happy with Burneson, and hoped she was. She was just the kind of woman for a man like Martin Burneson—steady and reliable, surprisingly passionate beneath her shell of reserve. And she’d known better than he did that she wasn’t the woman for him. There had only been one woman in his life who never failed to intrigue him, all too often infuriating him, but never boring him.

And it was that woman who would be furious if he did what it was obvious Bishop wanted him to do.

“There are telegraph wires strung all the way out to San Francisco, you know.” He tossed his cards down to the scarred tabletop. “If you want Murdock, all you have to do is wire him.”

“He’s a busy man. Besides, as you have no doubt guessed by now, he is visiting Prendergast’s ranch. It would be an excellent opportunity to draft a plan without a lot of attention being drawn to your meeting.”

“If you think my arrival there would go unnoticed, you are dead wrong. Remember, I had a little trouble there once before.”

“Yes, well, I’m certain that you’re imaginative enough to find a way to speak with Murdock without a lot of notice being taken. More cards?”

“Hell, no! I’m not playing cards with you, and I’m not going to see Murdock. Get yourself another man. I’m supposed to be going to my grandfather’s, then making sure the rifles get safely to Mexico City and into the right hands, remember? That was the plan.”

“Plans so frequently change. Circumstances arise that make it necessary to be flexible, Steve. Of all the men who report to me, you are the one that Murdock trusts most. And Brandon trusts Murdock.”

“And Ginny is back at the hotel expecting me to go with her to my grandfather’s. What in hell am I supposed to tell her?”

“That is a matter between husband and wife, but I’m certain she would not begrudge you the opportunity to see an old friend. Or two.”

Behind the bland surface of Bishop’s expression lurked a hidden meaning, and Steve’s eyes narrowed.