RattlingtheCage

by Ann Cory

  He entered the bank and shut the door hard.

  A dark-haired man with a moustache stood behind the counter. “Sir, may I help you?”

  “It’s in your best interest to.”

  “And you would be?”

  “A concerned citizen.”

  He watched the man’s Adam’s apple bob a few times. “I’ve not seen you here before.”

  “Nope, and you won’t see me for long.”

  Lawson locked the door and pulled the shades down. “You’re closing early today.”

  “Hold on there, mister.” The man scurried out from behind the partitioned area. “Excuse me, sir. You can’t…”

  Lawson drew his gun. “Answer my questions, and you can get back to your business of robbing people. Who are you?”

  “Stan Flogelman.”

  “And what do you do?”

  “Run the bank. Odd jobs. Whatever’s needed.”

  “So you know the layout of this place.”

  “Yes, I do. With my eyes closed.”

  “I’m going to need you to point out where the vault is located.”

  “It’s in the back,” he said and stretched his arm behind him. “You need a key to get in. The vault’s protected by bars.”

  “Don’t matter. I need to get in there.”

  “I can’t permit you to do that, sir.”

  Lawson plastered a grin on his face. “I’m giving you that permission.”

  Flogelman nodded and led him behind the partition. With a shaky hand he unlocked the vault. “There you go. Not much in it, I’m afraid.”

  Confusion etched Lawson’s brow. “I see that.”

  “Will you be taking all of it?”

  “What?” He spun around. “I’m not here to rob the place.” He had to think. Where else would Mitchum hide large sums of money?

  “Is there another facility where the town’s money is held?”

  “No, sir. This is it.”

  “Hm.” He thought for a moment and Montana came to his mind. “Who takes care of Montana’s financial affairs?”

  “Clint Mitchum.”

  He chewed his lip. “Why would he do that?”

  “After her mother, Miranda, died, he wanted to make sure she was taken care of.”

  “Is that normal for the sheriff to do something of that nature?”

  The banker looked at him as if he spoke Chinese. “I don’t understand.”

  “Does he do that for anyone else?”

  “Not that I reckon, no.”

  “What do you know about Montana’s debt?”

  “I didn’t know she had any.”

  “Her mother’s debt,” he said, beyond impatient. “The money Montana owes the town because of her mother’s previous financial discord. I don’t think you’re a dumb man. Don’t you keep records or receipts?”

  “Course.”

  “Show me.”

  Flogelman ushered him toward the next room. “In here.”

  Lawson followed him into an enclosed room. File cabinets lined the walls.

  “Well?”

  Stan opened a drawer and thumbed through folders. After several minutes he pulled one out.

  “Here’s her file. Appears Mitchum’s been writing checks in her name.”

  “For what?”

  “I can’t tell you that.”

  “Why the hell not?”

  “Because like Jake Sanderson, if I talk I’ll be shot.”

  Lawson raised a hand. “I didn’t kill him.”

  “I believe you. I’ve known Sanderson my entire life. He knew the risk in speaking with you.”

  A pang of guilt shot through him. “Look, I don’t know how to ask nice. If this gun helps loosen your tongue, then I’m prepared to use it.”

  “You kill me or Mitchum kills me. Either way I’m a dead man.”

  “Then die with some goddamn pride.”

  He watched the man’s eyes, the way they contemplated his words. “Montana’s money pays off Clint’s debts.”

  “What sort of debts?”

  “He’s got his hands in any illegal activity you can think of.”

  “Corrupt son of a bitch,” he grumbled. “What did he do with the town’s money?”

  “Beats me.”

  “Jake said he stashed it somewhere.”

  “Then he must’ve. Jake wouldn’t make shit up.”

  Lawson nodded. “Can’t figure out why he’d swindle Montana out of her money.”

  “Mitchum is Montana’s father.”

  The words exploded like shrapnel inside his chest. “Son of a bitch.” All this time she hadn’t said a damn word about it. Unless. “Does she know?”

  “Nope. No one knows, except me. Fortunately she’s blessed with her momma’s good looks.”

  “She mentioned her mother died of an illness.”

  “That’s what she was told.”

  “Then what’s the truth?”

  “Miranda killed herself. She couldn’t take being under Clint’s control.”

  He closed his eyes and took a moment to gather his thoughts. “And you don’t think Montana deserves the truth?”

  “Everyone felt she’d suffered enough.”

  “But she doesn’t know the truth about her life. When she leaves this place…”

  Flogelman released a dry laugh. “Mitchum won’t ever let her leave. He makes sure his secrets stay in one place.”

  Lawson tensed. “So in his opinion, Montana’s forever indebted to him.”

  “Yep. Hell, he wants Garvey to marry her so he can keep tabs on her.”

  “Sick bastard.”

  “Always has been.”

  “Hang on a sec. If Garvey’s his son…”

  Stan shook his head.

  “He’s not his son?”

  “Nope.”

  Christ. He’d come looking for heaps of cash and stumbled on a mountain of secrets. “Let me guess. Only you know?”

  “That’s right.”

  “How is it you’ve been entrusted with all this secret information?”

  “I used to administer DNA tests in another town. Made good money that way. He sought me out. To keep my mouth shut, Mitchum brought me to Rattler City, and I’ve been here since.”

  “Another secret.”

  “Yep.”

  Lawson shifted his weight. “Shit. This just keeps getting more twisted.”

  “Most things that have to do with Mitchum are.” Stan replaced the file and closed the cabinet.

  “Why doesn’t anyone stop him?”

  He chuckled. “You treat a man well when he’s got you by the balls. Mitchum’s got something on each one of us.”

  “No one should have that kind of power.” Least of all a bully.

  Stan crooked a brow. “Tell me. What’s your business here?”

  “To take away that power.”

  “Good luck there.”

  “If Jake says the money is stashed, I have to find it.”

  “I don’t know about a hidden stash,” said Stan. “He’s never mentioned it to me. Then again I don’t know a lot about Mitchum’s doings and I prefer it that way. Tell you what. You’re welcome to search the bank.” Stan glanced at his watch. “Come back at five. I’ll keep the back door unlocked. You’ll have at best an hour before I stop by and lock everything up.”

  A trap came to Lawson’s mind. But he needed the money. “You’d do that?”

  “If you can get your ass out of there within the hour.”

  “I can.”

  “Then I will.”

  “Why help me?”

  Stan released a long exhale. “I may go along with Mitchum to his face, but I don’t advocate any of it. I’m tired of seeing this town deteriorate.”

  “Got it.”

  Lawson left the bank, his stomach full of rocks. He’d slept with the daughter of the man he came to kill. Of all the ways to put a dent in his plans, it had to include a woman. But this was Montana. Not an ordinary woman at all. She deserved to know
the truth about her money. He’d tell her and be done. She’d fast become a liability that he couldn’t afford.

  Lawson dawdled to the bar, keeping one eye over his shoulder. He half expected to get shot in the back. Outside of the bar he gave himself a pep talk. Giving bad news to people never did sit well with him.

  Montana’s eyes sparkled when he walked through the door. The rocks in his stomach tumbled.

  “You’re back,” she said, her voice full of sunshine and sweetness. Too bad he was about to start a shit storm.

  “Um, yeah.”

  “I wasn’t expecting to see you again.”

  “Well. We need to talk.”

  “I suppose I’m free,” she said, searching the crowd. “Until someone runs out of beer.”

  “This is important.” His nerves knotted. He wanted to bolt.

  Her smile dwindled. “Okay.”

  “It’s about your debt.”

  She held up a finger. “Wait. I think we both need a whiskey.”

  Over drinks, he filled Montana in on the truth about her money. He’d let her cry and let her vent.

  A few beats later, she spoke. “How did you find out?”

  “I can be persuasive.”

  Head in her hands, she groaned. “You must think I’m an idiot.”

  “The only idiots are the ones running this tar pit.”

  She glanced up, her eyes puffy and red. “What should I do?”

  “I can’t help you there. I just figured you should know.”

  Lawson watched her stare out at the bar. His body sagged. He felt like an ass not telling her about Mitchum or her mother.

  Checking the clock, he wanted the world to crumble overtop him. “I hate to do this, but I have to go. I’m expected somewhere. I can’t be late.”

  “Oh. Okay.”

  “I’d stay if I could.”

  “Uh huh. Will I see you later?”

  Her fallen expression made it difficult to lie. “I don’t think so. Maybe?”

  She nodded, her lashes damp and thick.

  Lawson pulled his weighted body to his feet and lumbered away. Her pain didn’t concern him, or so he told himself.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Montana shuffled around the bar in a daze. She had trouble swallowing the news she’d been fed.

  “Afternoon, Montana.”

  The hairs on her arm spiked. She turned. “Garvey.”

  “Where’s your boyfriend?”

  Her mouth tightened. “Don’t have one.”

  “You know who I mean.”

  She folded her arms and looked him square in the eye. “No, I don’t.”

  His face pinched. “That guy Lawson. Has he been in?”

  “It’s not a crime for a man to come in for a drink. This is a bar.”

  “You’re not as pretty when you’re being a smartass.”

  Montana clasped her hands. “Best news I’ve heard all day.” She smiled inside from the irritation that creased his brow.

  “I’m here for Lawson. He’s under arrest for the murder of Jake Sanderson. And for assaulting an officer of the law.”

  “Just ’cause you carry a badge doesn’t mean you can force yourself on someone and get away with it.”

  Garvey stepped close, his mouth to her ear. “You know you wanted it.”

  She struck out at his face.

  He caught her wrist with a viper hold and twisted.

  “Ow. Let go.”

  Heads turned but no one moved to help.

  He released her, his eyes venomous. “You’ve got customers to serve. Best you get back to work. Remember, you have a debt to repay.”

  The words hit the bottom of her stomach. “Sure, Garvey.”

  “See ya around.”

  Montana stroked her wrist. She hated Garvey more than ever. She wanted to pull his gun from his holster and use it on him. Not like she knew how to use a gun. But if she did, she’d fire until the barrel emptied.

  * * * * *

  Clint stood, leaned up against the car waiting for Garvey.

  “Hey Pop, what’re you doing here?”

  “We need to talk with Chuck.”

  “What for?”

  “We’re going to take Montana for a ride. I need to make sure he keeps the buffoons in there loaded and stupid.”

  “What can I do?”

  “You handle Montana.”

  “My pleasure.”

  Clint bit back the frustration at seeing Garvey’s juvenile grin.

  “I’m going to head to the back. I want you to drive the car around.”

  “You got it, Pop.”

  Ignoring the odors of piss and garbage, Clint banged on the back door.

  Chuck answered and he pushed his way inside.

  “Hey, what’s going on?”

  “Leave the door open. Garvey’s coming.”

  “What’d you push me for?”

  “I ain’t got time to explain. I need to borrow Montana for the night.”

  “But I’m not feeling well,” he whined. “I planned to…”

  “Leave early,” he finished. “We all know you go hook up with that tramp Betsy instead of finishing out your shifts. Tonight you’ll have to close up yourself. There’s some extra money in it for you.”

  Clint caught the flicker in his eye and knew he’d been bought.

  “Fine,” he grumbled. “I’ll stay.”

  “All ready, Pop.” Garvey waltzed inside, his paunch bigger than the last time Clint had seen it.

  “’Bout time.” He swung a glance at Chuck. “Go ask Montana to come back here, but don’t tell her why. We’ll take care of that part.”

  “If you say so.”

  Clint motioned to Garvey. “Go stand over there. When she walks by you grab her from behind.”

  Garvey nodded. “Sure, Pop.”

  He stared at the boy. Whatever prompted the change, he liked it. Made his heart proud to know he hadn’t failed the Mitchum name after all.

  Montana entered the back area and flinched. “What are—”

  Garvey grabbed her arms and held them behind her.

  “Garvey, what the hell are you doing?”

  Clint reached out and held her chin. “We have business with you, young lady. I suggest you quit squirming and shut your mouth.”

  She jerked her face away. “Whatever. How long will this take?”

  “Few hours,” Clint answered.

  Her lips pursed. “Dammit. I make good tips my last hour.”

  “Now see,” started Garvey. “If you married me, I wouldn’t make you work.”

  “I’ll never marry you,” she spat.

  Garvey thrust her over his shoulder and winked. “Okay, Pops, what’s next?”

  “Need to make a stop at the house first. We have to make our pretty little guest more presentable.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  Montana sat slumped in the backseat with Clint beside her. Garvey’s crazed eyes flared in the rearview mirror.

  “What are you going to do to me?”

  “Just fix you up a bit,” said Clint and patted her thigh. “Don’t worry, we won’t hurt you. Much.”

  “Sure about that?” She directed the question to Garvey. Her wrist still throbbed from his previous vice-like grip.

  “You just do what you’re told, and you’ll be fine,” snapped Clint.

  “Hey, Pop,” said Garvey. “There are some men out in front of the house.”

  Montana arranged herself for a better look. “Who are they?”

  “Some old friends come to help me wrangle up a prisoner.”

  She knew he meant Lawson. “He hasn’t done anything.”

  “He killed Jake Sanderson. He roughed up my boy. He’s a Cage. All good reasons to hang him.”

  “Where’s the proof that he killed Jake? No one saw him do it.”

  “I did,” said Garvey. His mouth filled the mirror with a vile grin.

  Montana cocked a brow. “Oh really?”

  “I saw him go insid
e Jake’s house.”

  “But you don’t know what went on in there,” she reasoned.

  “Why else would he go in there but to kill him?”

  “To talk. He’s innocent.”

  Garvey stopped the car.

  “You two stay in here,” said Clint, opening the door. “I’ve got some things to talk to them boys about.”

  She fixed her gaze at Garvey. “He’s innocent and you know it.”

  “Like hell he’s innocent. I suppose you want me to think you’re innocent too?”

  “I don’t care what you think about me.”

  Garvey twisted to face her. “Neither one of you are innocent. I saw you.”

  “You saw me what?”

  “In the truck. Acting like a whore. Guess you’re more like your momma than I thought.”

  Her breath quickened.

  “What did you see?”

  “Enough.”

  “Jesus, you watched?”

  “Couldn’t tear my eyes away. Should’ve been us together. You disappoint me.”

  She understood the change in him. Any rational thoughts in his head were replaced by a true hatred for Lawson. “Get over yourself. You know your father killed Jake. He’s nothing but a heartless, murdering bastard.”

  Garvey reached over and gnarled her hair in his fist. “My pops is a good guy. Someday he’s going to be your father-in-law. I suggest you start showing respect.”

  “That will never happen. I don’t care what you do to me. I’ll never, ever be your wife. Now let me go.”

  Clint swung open the door and ducked down. “Okay, let’s get you inside, little miss.” With forceful hands he wrenched her out of the car.

  “Where you taking her, Pop?”

  “You just never mind, boy. Wait here until we come back out.”

  Montana pulled away. “I can walk on my own.”

  “Just come on,” he said, and shoved her into the arms of a large man who loomed a good three feet taller than her. She didn’t dare put up a fight against him. He’d break her bones.

  “Take her in the house. Tie her up and get a gag around that mouth. She’s a mouthy one. Rough her up enough so it shows. Then bring her back out here.”

  “Please, let me go,” she sobbed.