Crow's Cock

1872

A man was looking over the ledge. The canyon was vast, and the plan was set. All the sun was abroad, the desolate land. His site was placed in the distance. Footsteps were heard as the man reacted. His face was furious at the sight of the others. They both stared at each other as the tension grew. The first man started to grab his gun. He was one of the quickest in town, and hardly anyone could beat him. One of the others held theirs and was surprisingly the faster. The man fell back as his blood oozed out of his body. His limb body started to fade. The one told the other, "We need to move his body before it is discovered." They placed in the cave, then barred the door. They rode off in the desert as if nothing ever happened.

2023

The desert's blooms shined brilliantly as the flower's colors were shown in the light. The sun shined brightly as usual. The open land was always beautiful, with its cactus budding with flowers. The desert can come alive in the most beautiful. Sedona can have its many tales and greatness but also of those of tragedy. The desolate land is now a sight for many, and its deadliness is never seen.

It all started on a day like this when three weary hikers went off the trail. The sun was still hot and boiling. The trails were ever so popular as Carl, and his two friends went on this trail in the canyon. Each step was invigorating as they went on this well-worn trail.

"Hey, I went to a cave as a boy and would like to see it again," Carl stated.

"I'd love to see the cave if it is still open," Sal replied.

The three men headed off trail towards one of the canyon walls with a small break. They all laughed when they realized they were too large to fit in the hole. So, they traveled around some of the walls.

The day was going well, and I remembered the good all day. The weather was perfect, with a pleasant backdrop. The walls were as adventurous as Carl had remembered. Each man living their boyish days forgetting about their age. Walking down another wall in search of an open wall. Small rocks started to fall. Carl pulled back his friends as the larger rocks had come down. They were thick, and many came to see the event.

The dust filled the air as a section of rock had disappeared. The dust started to settle after the gusts came through. The ragged rocks had changed with part of a path. Fear stood in place of happiness in Carl, who slowly went to the rocks. Rocks lay everywhere with hazards all around. The treacherous climb was another adventure for him. All just stared at the disarray of the mess on the cliff. As the air finally cleared from the ruckus, it was apparent that a long-lost opening was displayed. Carl could be seen on the inside checking for anyone in the rubble. Finally, emergency crews showed up to confirm the danger was over. The search was on to see if anyone was trapped in the rocks. The opening displayed the use of wooden beams among the chaos.

Carl was already in the cavern in parts he had never seen. The place was spacious and dangerous at the same time. Everyone was checking for rattlesnakes and scorpions, along with any possible victims. As the back of the cave was being explored, a frail, mummified body lay long forgotten. His suit was worn but looked formal, with sunken skin around his body. Carl screamed to let the authorities discover it for themselves. The room just laid the body of a man in a tattered suit and was from a different era.

"Maybe this is the remains of Willie Pete Borton, yet he has been missing for some time," one of the rescuers had commented.

Voices on the radio started to respond outside as the coroner and an ambulance arrived.

Carl had been escorted outside the cave and watched as the delicate remains were loaded into an ambulance. The news even appeared as reporters searched for more information on the situation. The scene was taped off, and no one was allowed to enter the forgotten cavern.

It was the highlight of the day.

Carl could just look in envy to finally go exploring again. A wall started to be constructed to keep anyone else out. The cops were swarming and confirmed no new deaths in this cascade.

It had been a day, and the investigation had just begun on the man inside the cave. A mystery of the past could be found by just one rockslide.

Detective Cortez came on the scene with a hike to start. He has always hated nature, and going to this lost space was not on his list.

Eduardo Cortez hobbled over the scramble to even enter the cave with some light provided. Legends had held that secrets were kept in such places in the area. The space was a good size and was used at once by someone but, at some point, had been closed off to conceal the body of whoever this was. The science end was checking out any evidence of who might have placed this John Doe there. It was an ancient case, with the era long gone to the day it happened. The dust started getting to the detective, coughing as he left the cavern.

Another detective was on the back of the scramble and greeted Det. Cortez.

"My name is Detective Sangrest of the cold case unit," said Sangrest.

"They are already looking for any evidence the killer left behind," Cortez answered after clearing his throat.

"There were remains found mummified in the back of the cave from a bygone era," Cortez continued.

"Is the body identified or still a mystery all around?" Sangrest questioned.

"There is no identification just yet, and not much is in the cavern," replied Cortez.

Both men returned to their cars along the rocky path. The darkness was not making the path easier as they stumbled to the parking lot. The darkness had set, and yet a mystery had begun. An old body and possible murder. The next day will be as long as this mystery had been.

The beating sun came out as the body was examined. The tattered suit was once well made as it was removed. It was a beautiful suit for its time and tailored for him. His body was nothing but the bones. The two detectives came to the coroner with tired faces. The items of the deceased were lying on the table.

The broken pocket watch lay in with initials W. P. B on the inside. A tattered notebook with faded notes. The paper was so fragile it was slowly lifted from the body. A worn gun belt was found, but the piece was missing. Old cash was falling apart but left on the remains. The detectives just looked at the items with wonder. Someone was not looking for gain or theft. His death was for other reasons. The watch gave the most information on his identity.

"He might just be Willie Pete Borton. He's been missing for quite some time," replied Sangrest.

"Who is Willie Pete Borton, the guy everyone is talking about," questioned Cortez.

"A conman in the 1800's had disappeared with his debt and crimes to answer for by the entire town," Sangrest informed him.

"So, there are many suspects if this is Willie Pete?" questioned Cortez.

"This will be an interesting investigation if it is him, but we know who does not like him," Sangrest replied.

The coroner was gentle, looking at the feeble corpse. The bones were old, and animals had also gotten to it. These cases were the worst since such a long time ago. The coroner looked instead irritated with the preservation. The marks were closely examined as the bones lay scattered on the table. The coroner squinted in his thick glasses as he pulled several bones to the side of the table. He just smirked, picking up a rib and pointing to some holes.

"He has been shot several times in the chest, just like the gunslinger days. Also sent the DNA for testing," The coroner replied.

"That is good to know, and we will be glad for that information. Let us know if it is Willie Pete," Sangrest said.

Both detectives started to investigate the chance it was Willie Pete finally found as a corpse. They went to the local historian and citizen detective to see who had the most significant grudge against him. The walk-through town was busy, but it was a much bigger place than it was in the days Willie Pete was alive. Andrew Walker came out of his office as he saw the detectives approaching him.

"So, you found Willie Pete, or was that just some rumors out there," Andrew commented.

"No solid evidence yet, but it might be him by some items found," Cortez replied.

"I have the file on interviews with family members of those defrauded by Willie Pete Borton; they say they were going to kill him, but he never showed up," Andrew replied.

"Do you believe them, or are they trying to make their families look better?" Sangrest questioned.

"I doubt it now, and maybe the Kerns did have something to do with, at least, the most popular rumor," commented Andrew.

The detectives gathered the files from the historian and headed back to the station. Despite not being him, it was a heads-up on whether it was Willie Pete Borton. Both were ready for this case to be over. All the witnesses and suspects are dead, and now, statements of family members are the only accounts. A call came to Det. Cortez, and he confirmed it was Willie Pete Borton. So now it was good to get the amateur detective's information. Sangrest could only dread interviewing the Bortons and Kerns with their petty feud over Cocklin Ranch. This was now a can of worms and breaking out the old wounds. The families remained in contention over all these years, and the Bortons would only start more rabbling. Only in the office could he go over the file.

Both arrived as they went to desks and looked at the extensive files of all that wanted this man to pay. His own family even hated him.

Yet his disappearance was finally explained at the end. So Sangrest started putting names on a board. The Borton family had provided a copy of the image of Willie Pete Borton to be placed on the top. His blonde hair waved in his fancy suits that were bought by his awful schemes. The suspect lists were the problem with a second board for those. One was just for the family and feud accusations, and the other was for the ones scammed from all the con jobs he pulled. Both just looked at the boards with some hope that the list could be shortened.

The family board was first with a family line. It started with his maternal grandfather, Samuel Alexander Cocklin. The next were the two daughters, Juliet Cocklin Borton and Kathryn Cocklin Kerns. Juliet's husband was Robert Stephen Borton, with a daughter, Claire Borton, and William Peter Borton (Willie Pete). Kathryn's husband is Ezekial Luke Kerns (Zeke), with two sons, Charlemagne James Kerns (Charlie) and Ashurbanipal Saul Kerns (Ashur). The board of the family was complete. The Kerns had also given copies of photographs to the police to represent their family correctly.

The next board was the long list of victims scammed by Willie Pete in his lifetime. The names were so many that it was just a list, but all had a motive at this point to make this charlatan disappear. The long list and others whose lines had disappeared or died off were prominent. It was quite a collection of names by many historians over the years. Though the familiar thread story on the remaining families was that harm was meant for the conman, he was gone before the hanging could commence. They would have to be interviewed again. Both parties were mad enough, but first, they must go to the remaining Borton family that had returned years ago to reclaim the ranch.

"Now we have to go tell the Borton family about the identification," Sangrest commented.

Both went over the most direct relative, and they were furious that he had been so close this entire time.

"You better make those Kerns pay for their sins; it is most likely Ashur Kerns anyway," the great-grandson said.

"We are looking at all alternatives also since there is a history of fraud," Cortez answered.

"He was getting what was his, and those Kerns were stealing his inheritance and committing fraud," answered the great-grandson.

"That is not how we do police work, and all angles must be considered," Sangrest replied.

Both detectives headed out and continued thinking about narrowing the suspect list. They had to reinterview the descendants of the townsfolk at the time. Though it was a tough time to get any difference of a story. Each told the same story, but it was unlikely that they did. They wanted to hang him, not shoot, and they would have brought him in front of everyone. So, the citizens were ruled out for now. Now for the family members of the time. Even his own father was getting fed up with his crimes, and his fight over inheritance controlled his life. His wife looked like a suspect about to run to another state to raise their son. The family was tense with Willie Pete, especially his cousin, Ashur. The two threatened each other on occasion, but still no evidence.

"We need to interview the Kerns, both Charlie's and Ashur's descendants," Sangrest replied.

This trip was more tenacious than the Bortons. The Kerns had held the land that the Bortons wanted to reclaim. The Kerns were less than satisfied to be questioned the same day they were accused.

"Do you think anyone in your family had anything to do with this crime? Sangrest questioned.

"None of my family but are sure that Robert Borton was trying to keep his son in line, or his wife Bridget had enough of his games," Samuel Kerns replied.

"Our great grandfather had never mentioned it, and he would have been proud," Jacob Kerns said.

"Well, he was found out there in the desert, and somebody shot him," Cortez inquired.

"He was a heck of a shot in the day, and it would take a quick shot to take him out," replied Samuel.

"None of our family could do that; they were ranchers," Jacob commented.

Both detectives were puzzled by the results and if he was a quick shot. It was a day for them. The family was not off the list, but old man Cocklin also had a reason to go after him. The detectives called it a day with nowhere to go with the family feud and who had more to gain.

No one could be eliminated the next day, but the ranch was looked at in a deeper context. They found Samuel Cocklin's will, which forbade Willie Pete any inheritance even if Charlie and Ashur were not alive. This could mean that he would not receive anything. Cortez finally called for evidence of any news on the fragile notepad in Willie's pocket. It could tell if he would meet someone in the desert and run into trouble. Both were eager to interview the Bortons again with the possibility of Robert, Willie Pete's father, having something to do with it. His mother, Juliet, adored her son and spoiled him, which made him worse. Now, his wife, on the other hand, was told to have some conflict with his fraud and wanted to leave him. With no word from the lab, the detectives returned to discuss the Borton side.

The family was less amused as one of the great-grandsons, Peter, answered, "Robert wanted to calm his son down but could not find him, and his fears that foul play had met him."

"Robert also lost all his wealth in the next three years and would have never hurt his own boy," Peter replied.

"His wife was another story and already left him a week before Willie Pete disappeared," Gordon answered.

"As for old man, Cocklin was too weak at the time to run the entire ranch and not quick with the trigger as rumor goes," Peter piped in.

"Is That all you need from our family accusing our side of killing their own relative?" Gordon, Willie Pete's nephew, questioned.

Cortez gently smiled and thanked them for their cooperation, then returned to the station to review more notes from the historian and his sources.

The overall feeling is that, most likely, they had nothing to do with the death, and Willie Pete could have run into a gun slinger also. Though his valuable belongings were never taken. The phone rang as they stared at the suspect boards in disbelief. They were told to come to the lab, and some notes had been recovered. It was a nice break in case they needed it. Maybe he wrote down who did it.

They hurried as the lab tech showed them some copied sheets, which was shocking. It was a list of events that Willie Pete had written. First printed, to ensure Crows Cock my name for Grandpa's ranch to be fully mine. The first hindrance was my annoying cousins Charlie and Ashur, the only heirs named in the will. The words needed to be included but could be put together on other pages. First in line, Kill Ashur; he was always in the way. Second, locate Charlie and end him too.

The last two heirs will open the way for my inheritance even if my grandpa must die early. Ashur will be hunting in the desert, and I will find him.

This amazed everyone in the room as the long-lost print revealed Willie Pete's true motives. He planned on stealing the rights to the ranch and renaming it under his own idea. Maybe he was stopped by one of the Kerns, and they just kept their mouths shut about the killing. Both knew that they needed to reinterview the Kerns for further information since neither cousin ended up dead.

The Kerns were not thrilled to hear that Willie Pete plotted to murder them either, nor were they surprised. They all just sat in the room as Samuel brought out an old recording.

"We thought it was just blabbering about losing his mind, but it does mention a cave," Samuel replied to the detectives.

"It is a recording of Charlie Kerns before he died; he made no sense and never mentioned Willie Pete by name," Jacob commented.

Sangrest thanked the Kerns for the information and returned to the station to listen to Charlie's last confession. It was a confusing story, but what could be heard was Pa had to do it, or we were dead, and Ashur would have been also. The cave was the only safe place for secrets hidden, was another statement. He seemed upset that the whole event happened in a place called the East Ridge. This place was well known for looking over the desert and perfect hiding for a sinister plot.

"Here is my theory: Willie Pete was waiting to surprise Ashur to kill him but ran across Zeke and Charlie instead, and then Zeke kills him in self-defense," Sangrest starts the theory.

"Then, knowing that the court favored Robert Borton, they hid Willie Pete's Body in the cave and lived their lives on till Charlie could not keep the secret forever," Cortez finished the theory.

The evidence available was convincing that it was not a murder, as everyone had suspected, but of the death of self-defense. They knew it was time to let the Bortons and Kerns in on all the facts this time. The facts had been explored, and only a theory could be offered, but it could hopefully end this bitter feud.

The two families were unhappy to be in the same room, but the evidence was pleasing. Charlie was said to have made a confession about moving the body, and Zeke was responsible for the death. Willie Pete was implicated in his deadly scheme that led to his own death. The Bortons were screaming that the ranch should be given up so the debt could be paid. The Kerns were adamant that Willie Pete got what he deserved and was justified in his death. The feud continues, but the mystery has been solved despite the many disagreements about the death of Willie Pete. Sangrest and Cortez just shook their heads as they left the room, leaving the families in the fight.