A Lesson Learned — Darrell Maloney

Red was what old-timers call a “strange breed.” She was all woman, and a beautiful one at that. She never really wanted the attention of the men who always seemed to vie for her affection, and she hated to break their hearts. But the fact was, few of them interested her. Red lost her mother at an early age and was raised by a father who worshipped her. He also equipped her with all the tools she'd need later when times got tough. She could hunt, fish and rope a steer as well as any man. When the worst natural disaster in the history of the world destroyed life as she knew it, her toughness kept her alive. But others she loved weren't so lucky. Her husband and young son were killed in an apparent accident. An accident which severely injured Red and burned her house to the ground. An accident which turned out not to be an accident at all. They were murdered. She'd get no help from the police. Blanco's Chief of Police was a brutal banker who'd won the position by coercion. And he was at the top of her list of suspects. Austin was the home of the Texas Rangers, and she thought of going there to plea for help. But Austin was a six day ride on horseback. And she had no proof to offer them. Only her suspicions. Red decided she didn't need them. Not the police, not the Rangers. She'd solve the murders herself. And in the absence of an honest judicial system, she'd administer justice herself. The way Texans used to do it.