didn't mean that to be her name, but she is the fastest horse I've ever seen, so, yeah, I'll call her Swift."
"Well if you can tear your eyes away, I have something else to show you in the barn."
"You don't need to give me anything else," Fury said. "The horse is more than enough."
"Remember what I said. If I'm training you, you take what I give you, no questions asked. Anyway, what's in the barn is already yours. Come on."
Fury nodded and treaded her way to the barn with Hank.
"All right, Hank, what do you want to show me?" Fury asked as they walked into the barn.
"This way." Hank led her to a stall.
"See there." He pointed to a black and white dog being tormented by a scrawny brown pup. The mother dog lay patiently while the pup attacked her ears.
"Oh, him," Fury's voice dropped.
"What do you mean, 'oh, him'? Your parents gave him to you for your birthday."
"I know, but that was before. What am I going to do with a dog when I'm tracking murderers?"
"Don't be so quick to judge; a dog, a good dog, can help you."
"What do you mean?"
"Well, for one thing, he would be a watch dog. He will hear things long before you do. He also can be trained to protect you. He can sniff out people. There are a lot of things a dog can be trained to do."
"You think that dog can help me?" Fury nodded her head toward the pup, who was now hopelessly chasing his tail.
"Yes, I do. His mama is the smartest dog I've ever owned."
"Sally is a smart dog, but that doesn't mean he will be, and I don't have the time to train him."
"Give him a chance. You've worked with me and your father, training hunting dogs. As I recollect, not only did you train them to hunt, you taught them to do tricks."
"I don't think dog tricks are going to help me hunt killers."
"I'm not saying that. I'm saying you are a natural when it comes to training animals. Work with him for a while, and if you don't think it's worth it, then leave him with me."
"All right," Fury sighed as she watched the pup bark at his own shadow, "but he doesn't seem very bright."
"Come on; he's a pup. You gotta give him a chance. What are you gonna call him?"
"I named him when I was here with Papa. His name is Max."
"Good, you stay here with Max for a while and get acquainted. I'm going in to clean our guns."
Fury watched as Hank disappeared into the cabin, then she turned her attention back to the runt of a pup. "What am I supposed to do with you?"
Max looked at her and whined.
"Hey, don't take it personally."
The pup sat back on his haunches and cried.
"Oh, come on," Fury said as she entered the stall.
"It's not like I don't like you," she said as she picked up the pup. "I just don't think it's a good idea to take you with me."
Fury chuckled when the pup began to lick her chin. "All right, Max, I'll spend a little time with you, but that doesn't mean I'm taking you with me."
From Mrs. Alston's description of Hank Black Hawk, Travis expected a dilapidated shack not a quaint cabin nestled in the serene countryside. He envisioned broken windows and holes in the roof, not flowers and a porch swing, not smoke billowing from the chimney, not a home. Travis hoped the man would be as inviting as his homestead.
Travis needed answers, his visit with the Pendergrass family the prior evening proved fruitless. Darcy sobbed the entire time and her parents were filled with self-recrimination. Travis hoped his visit with Black Hawk would make up for the precious time he lost, time he needed to find Belle.
Travis remembered what Mrs. Alston said about Black Hawk, he was cautious as he approached the door. He knocked on the door.
He heard the rasping sound of a chair scraping against the floor. The door opened and Travis was greeted by a rifle.
"Whoa!" Travis shouted, as he raised his arms, "Put your rifle down, mister. I'm a Texas Ranger I need to ask you some questions concerning Belle Alston."
Hank slowly lowered his gun.
"What you want to know about Belle?"
"May I please come in?"
"No! Ask your questions."
Travis let out a frustrated sigh.
"I am investigating Belle's disappearance and I understand you were close to the family. Did Belle come here after the murder of her parents?"
"Belle is not in my home." Hank hoped saying Belle was not in his home would save him from a lie. He valued honesty.
"Do you have any idea where she might have gone?"
"Sorry, can't help you with that either. Look, son, John Alston was my best friend and I considered his family, my family, if I knew where Belle was, right now, I would tell you."
Again, he took his honesty to the limit, technically Hank did not know where Belle was 'right now'.
"I have nothing else to say," Hank added.
"If you think of anything please inform the sheriff and he will pass on the information to me. Thank you for your help Mr. Black Hawk."
He extended his hand to shake Hank's but was met by a closing door.
Travis did not know that the girl he searched for was just a few feet away in the barn.
After six months, the search for the Alston murderers and for their daughter faded away. Only two people held on to the hope that Belle lived—Kate Alston and Ranger Travis Parker. Although the official search for Belle had ended, Travis continued to look for her. No matter what assignment, Belle remained ever present in his mind.
Over the months, Fury trained with Hank. They began every day early and ended every day late. Under Hank's tutelage, Fury improved her shooting and riding skills. He also taught her to track and fight. In the evenings, they sat by the fireplace as Hank shared his knowledge as a deputy with her. When she was not with Hank, she could be found training Swift and Max. But training with the animals was not always work; sometimes she would play games with them. They loved playing a kind of horse and dog hide and seek. Fury cupped her hands like blinders over the horse's eyes and commanded Swift to find Max. Usually, the horse found him in no time. Fury wondered if he wanted to be found. The pup proved to be as smart as his mother, and Fury was pleased at how quickly he learned.
