Between Santa Fe and Tucson

Between Santa Fe and Tucson is a work of fiction set in the mid-1870’s. The setting is mostly around Santa Fe in the New Mexico Territory, as well as parts of Colorado and the Arizona Territory.

Between Santa Fe and Tucson continues the story of Sheriff Rankin Scott, who, as the Sheriff of Colfax County, avenged the murder of his brother, MacKenzie, and brought a most unexpected killer, Gloria Stokes, to the type of justice normally reserved for men. Rankin ended the reign of crime of the notorious Carleton Gang, and in so doing formed a bond of friendship with Judge Walter Freeman. Sheriff Scott and Judge Freeman also formed a relationship of respect and friendship with Chief Howling Wolf and the Apache tribe that he led with integrity and fairness.

The westward movement of settlers and land developers placed the Apache tribes at risk of losing their land and being placed on reservations. Lt. Gates, who commanded the Army Post at Fort Wingate, made a move to wage war on the Apaches. Sheriff Scott developed a plan to bluff Gates into backing away from his immediate plan. Rankin’s plan worked, at least for the time being.

In this third book, Between Santa Fe and Tucson, Sheriff Scott and Judge Freeman continued to protect the people of Santa Fe, and to administer justice equitably and fairly. They intervened to save a rancher family from loosing their ranch to unscrupulous gamblers.

When the President of the United States visited Santa Fe, in response to rumors about trouble with the Apaches, Sarah and Rankin were able to have their wedding, and to entertain the president at the same time.

Sheriff Scott, Judge Freeman, and a US Marshal teamed up to thwart a scheme that would accuse Chief Falling Waters and his people of crimes they did not do. Lt. Gates was again involved in the effort to take away the Apaches’ land and herd them onto a reservation. The sheriff, judge, and marshal intervened to help the chiefs in their efforts to make sure that Gates was not successful.