This is the eighth in a series of annotations on writing from award-winning author, Michael W. Hinkle. A graduate of the University of Oklahoma Law School, Michael practiced twenty-five years as a trial lawyer in state and federal courts throughout the United States. Michael’s reputation and success led to his being listed as one of the best lawyers in America. Since retiring in 2005, his exceptional work as a nationally-read columnist and author have gained him wide notoriety.
Annotation on Elmore Leonard’s 1970 novel, Valdez is Coming
Elmore Leonard’s 1970 novel Valdez Is Coming employs an extraordinary plot twist at the end to rescue Bob Valdez, the main character, from certain death. Throughout the book, “the Segundo” Tanner’s right-hand man is the “business end” of Tanner’s determination to humiliate and kill Valdez. At the climax, when Valdez is cornered, outnumbered and outgunned, the Segundo’s change of heart turns the tables in Valdez’s favor.
When the reader reflects on events leading up to the climax, this proves not to be a deus ex machina conclusion. There has, in fact, been some skillful foreshadowing.
We meet the Segundo on page 37 when Valdez first approaches Tanner seeking compensation for the widowed Apache woman. On page 40, when Tanner orders Segundo to “teach him something,” Segundo shows no compunction about unleashing a barrage of gunfire and humiliating insults from Tanner’s collective henchmen. At 42
When Valdez returns for a final appeal on the widow’s behalf, Segundo executes Tanner’s order to tie Valdez to a wooden cross and send him stooped and on foot into the harsh terrain. At 68
The first can’t that the agendas of Segundo and Tanner will diverge occurs at page 101. Valdez has killed one of Tanner’s men and Tanner wants to send riders to track him down. Segundo reminds him “We start to drive tomorrow.” Tanner responds, “We start to drive when I tell you we start.” At the end of the book, this moment assumes a larger significance.
After Valdez kidnaps Mrs. Erin, Tanner orders Segundo to send men. Segundo asks, “In the dark… How do we see them?” When Tanner brushes this concern aside, Segundo doesn’t argue. “It was Tanner’s business.” At 111
When they fail to overtake Valdez and the woman and Valdez kills more men challenging Tanner to follow him, Segundo questions whether the pursuit is worth the cost. As he waits for Tanner’s reply, we catch the first glance of Segundo’s real feelings. “The Segundo was hot and thirsty. He would like a nice glass of mescal and some meat and peppers, but he was standing here waiting for this son of a bitch Americano to make up his mind.” At 115
When Tanner answers, he says, “If you were up here I’d bust your face open. And if you wanted any more I’d give you that too. Do you see the way it is?” At 116. Here, Leonard leaves us in no doubt there is no mutual warmth between these men.
The first inkling that Segundo admires Valdez comes at page 119 when Tanner, recalling Valdez’s appearance, says, “He didn’t seem like much.” “Maybe,” the Segundo said, “But he knows the Apache.”
The differences between Tanner and Segundo almost break into the open when Tanner orders Segundo to execute one of his own men. “We lost five now. We shoot our own, that’s six, but the same as Valdez killed him. How many you want to give for this man?” “As many as it takes.” At 158. This time, the tide turned in Segundo’s favor. The man is spared – if only to serve as a target for a Valdez ambush.
When the chase nears the end Segundo suggests “We got six at Mimbreno. We could send eight or 10 back and they could start South with the drive. Then we finish with him, we catch up, maybe lose only two days.” At 159. Tanner responds, “I’m going up the mountain… You’re going up the mountain and all my men are going up the mountain. My men Segundo. You savvy that?” “If you say it.” “I say it…”
At this point, we know Segundo dislikes Tanner. We know he has some level of admiration for Valdez. We know he resents the subordination of their business concerns in favor of Tanner’s personal objectives. The pursuit goes on.
After the next Valdez ambush, Segundo counts up his losses. “… Two dead on the slope, two wounded, five horses shot. Now seven dead in the grand total and, counting the men without horses who would have to walk to Mimbreno and come back, twelve men he has wiped from the board, leaving twelve to hunt and kill him.” At 166.
Now we see Segundo’s unqualified admiration. “… God in heaven, he knew how to shoot his guns. It would be something to face him… It would be good to talk to him sometime, if this had not happened and if he met the man to have a drink of mescal with him…” At 167. It is now clear that Segundo holds Valdez in much higher estimation than Tanner.
Still, Segundo seems intent on pursuing and killing Valdez.
At the end, when Valdez could have escaped but, instead, goes back for the woman, he is caught and completely at Segundo’s mercy. As they wait for Tanner to arrive, Segundo meditates. “How would you like four of him… And no Tanner… Who would you rather shoot, him or Tanner…” At 195
When Tanner gives the order to shoot Valdez, Segundo refuses. “It’s not my woman… A man holds his woman or he doesn’t. It’s up to him, a personal thing between him and the man who took the woman. All these men are thinking, what have we got to do with it?”
Segundo’s final break with Tanner changes the story’s outcome. Even though there were hints skillfully distributed through the plot line, the reader doesn’t know until the final page how the Segundo will decide. In fact, the ultimate conclusion is left to the reader’s imagination as the book concludes with Tanner and Valdez facing each other as Segundo and the others look on.
The final words from Tanner, “I should have killed you three days ago…” From Segundo, “No… Three days ago you should have started for Mexico.”
Michael W. Hinkle
Oklahoma: The Fountain of the Heartland 