Messenger of Death

An excommunicated fundamentalist Mormon leader who preaches polygamy and the doctrine of blood atonement. He commands a devoted following at his compound and wields religious authority as a form of power. His estrangement from his son and doctrinal dispute with his brother drive the family feud at the story’s heart.

Patriarch of the Beecham family, living with his three wives. He is arrested for his own protection after the massacre and seeks answers about who killed his family. His return home spirals into a confrontation with the Beecham dynasty’s religious and mortal conflicts.

Willis’s brother who runs a large farm on an artesian lake. He embodies a more secular, practical counterpoint to Willis’s fervor and becomes entangled in the feud when he suggests Willis may be responsible for the killings. He reveals the underlying tension that sparks the wider conspiracy.

A Denver newspaper reporter who covers the massacre and pursues the truth behind the Beecham feud. He collaborates with Jastra Watson to investigate and expose the conspiracy, facing political pressure and danger along the way.

A wealthy local businessman whose political ambitions intersect with the murder plot. He uses his influence to manipulate events and ultimately hires the assassin, linking corporate greed to political power.

A local editor who aids Garret in pursuing the truth. Her involvement helps push the investigation forward, serving as a catalyst for uncovering hidden motives behind the murders.

The police chief involved in the investigation and the political context surrounding the murders. He becomes a focal point in the tension between law enforcement and the powerful interests behind the killings.

A hired killer involved in orchestrating the massacres, acting as a key instrument of the conspirators. His role illustrates how outside agents are used to escalate violence and manipulate outcomes.

The mastermind behind the killings who orchestrates the hit and directs the junior partner. His actions show the depth of the conspiracy and reveal the corporate backer behind the bloodshed.