by Unknown
Reluctantly, he nodded and reached into his back pockets for a pair of handcuffs. "I will leave these off you until we get close to town if you give me your word not to make a run for it." Adam drew a deep breath, realizing from Coy's past behavior what a risk he was taking. He simply could not bring himself to let Blair see him taking her brother away in handcuffs.
"Who in the hell am I supposed to have killed?" Coy asked, appearing to be completely confused and bewildered.
"Radigan and one of the men who beat you so badly the night of the dance ... I don't know his identity yet. I wasn't given time even to start conducting an investigation."
Coy was trying so hard not to show how upset he was. He laughed but it was a pathetic attempt. "I always thought that an investigation was conducted first, then if there was any evidence, the suspect was arrested."
"That is the usual procedure but there is enough circumstantial evidence to warrant my arresting you, and besides. ..."
". . . he has a duty to perform!" Blair said scornfully. "To hell with justice, duty comes first!"
Adam shook his head. "That's not the reason and you know it, sweetheart."
"Don't you dare call me that name again!"
The muscles in Adam's jaw tensed. He felt she was only lashing out at him through frustration and fear. Later, after she had time to reason everything out in her mind, she would understand . . . at least he hoped so.
"Coy, there will be less trouble by my arresting you now. A lynch mob gathered in town and they were too fired up to consider the evidence is almost all circumstantial. All they know, two men were murdered—and there was bad blood between you —and you swore to get even with the men who beat you so badly. I'll admit, I made a bargain with that mob. They were in such a frenzy, it was either I had to come out and arrest you, or they would have come with guns and a rope. And, you know how loyal the Bar 4 men are. They would never have let them take you without a fight."
Coy squared his shoulders. "Since you put it that way, seems like I don't have much of a choice, does it? All right, I'll go with you . . . and I will give you my word not to make a break for it."
"Since Coy is willing to go with you," Warren stated gruffly, "I'll not object, but me and my hands are riding in, too. I trust you Adam, but I refuse to take the chance that one man can control an angry mob."
"I figured you would want to. I've already told the townspeople that you would be coming in, and what they could expect if they tried to storm the jail or start trouble. Just give me your word that you or your hands won't start anything."
Warren wagged his finger at Adam. "You have my word. We won't start anything, but we'll damn sure finish it if they decide they don't want to wait for a fair trial!"
"That's all a man can ask."
Warren looked at Blair. "Go tell Jake to get the men together and to hitch the wagon."
"All right, but I'm going, too."
He had already started shaking his head before she finished talking. "No, you need to stay here where it's safe."
She defiantly tossed her head and placed her hands on her hips. "I'm going, Warren, and there is absolutely nothing you can say or do to stop me!"
"No," he said slowly, "I suppose there isn't."
She paused on the steps and gave Adam a vicious, burning look, then she raised her chin and pushed past him without a backward glance.
Coy rode into town between Adam and Tom, followed by Warren and Blair in the wagon, and they were followed by almost every man that worked for the Bar 4. But right before they reached town, each man pulled his rifle from the saddle boot. They all propped the rifle butts on their legs with the barrels pointing to the sky. It was their way of stating their readiness to fight, but the manner in which they held their rifles indicated their willingness to keep it peaceful.
The mob that had been so boisterous was now quiet, but sullen and still angry. The men stepped off the sidewalks and walked on either side of the formidable-looking force that rode in, although, they did keep their distance.
Noticing Seth tugging at his ear, Adam dismounted near where he was standing and whispered under his breath, "Hit Matthew, force me to arrest you. I want you with us."
When Matthew came out to assist with the prisoner, Seth lurched right into Matthew's path and nearly fell. After regaining his balance, he roughly shoved him. "You smart . . . why don't you look out where you are going? What makes you think you have the right to push men around just because you wear a badge?"
Matthew was confused but not dense. He realized Seth was up to something but did not know what. Since he was obviously spoiling for a fight, he would oblige him. "Mister, I don't know what kind of a burr you have under your blanket, but you stumbled against me! I suggest you stay out of the saloon until you have a chance to sober up."
"This is what you can do with your damn suggestions!" Seth drew back his fist to hit him, but froze when he felt a gun press into his back.
Adam muttered coldly, "Hit him and that's the last thing you will ever do!" He glanced at Tom. "Watch my prisoner in case this is a plot to throw me off guard so the mob can grab him."
Tom shook his head. "I assure you, it's not a plot. That man works for me. Let him go."
"I don't care who in the hell he works for! The mood this crowd is in, I’ll not tolerate any man pushing my deputy around. He can cool his heels in jail overnight . . . maybe tomorrow he won't be so hot-tempered. Besides," he smiled thinly, "I can't be showing any favoritism, now can I?"
"No, I suppose you can't," Tom replied, obviously piqued, but unable to protest further as Matthew escorted his hand into the jail.
Adam climbed into the back of Warren's wagon and addressed the crowd. "I have something to say to all of you. The Bar 4 men have rifles and are ready to fight, and I’ve noticed you men who were so anxious to have a hanging are wearing guns now." He looked out over them, his brow furrowed with concern. "You men know what's at stake here. I wish you would all go home and stay there, but you're too damn stubborn and you're filled with too much hatred. But one gunshot, one wrong word, one look taken the wrong way, and this town will destroy itself. You people asked for law and order, so give it a chance to work. If Coy is found guilty, he will be punished. If he is innocent, then it is up to the law to find the guilty party. So for God's sake ... no, for your sake, and the sake of this town, act like rational human beings."
After Coy was safely locked up, Warren's men split into two groups; half of them took position across from the railroad tracks, and the other half stood behind the jail but across the street, since the back of the depot faced the town's main street. To acknowledge Adam’s plea for peace, Warren instructed his men to lay their rifles aside but to still wear their gunbelts.
The men who had been part of the mob gathered into small groups, and it was noted that a few had even removed their gunbelts. Tom joined Matthew who stood guard outside the jail door with a shotgun in his hands.
Inside the jail, Adam stepped close to the cell and said in a low voice, "Now, maybe we can get to the bottom of all this. Seth, you gave the signal for trouble, what are they planning?"
"There is going to be an attempt made on Coy’s life tonight and it won't be by a lynch mob." He started to say something else, but quickly clamped his lips tightly together when the door opened and Blair walked inside.
"Damn it, Blair ..." Adam muttered angrily.
She spoke, her voice infused with biting sarcasm, "That was quite an interesting speech you gave out there . . . very touching! But it was just as I thought, all of your concern is for this blasted town and none for Coy!"
Adam roughly grabbed her by her shoulders. He rasped through clenched teeth, "Go home, go to the hotel, just get the hell out of here. ..."
"I will not!" she uttered defiantly. "I'll not leave here until Coy is released! Just because you are frightened by those hate-filled bigots, doesn't mean I am."
&
nbsp; Rancor sharpened his voice. "Blair, I refuse to let a good man die because you are too damn stubborn to listen to reason. I am ordering you to leave!" Adam did not know how much time they had before the attempt on Coy's life was made; he wanted Blair out of harm's way, and they had to have time to plan some sort of strategy.
She reacted angrily to the challenge of his voice, "I wish you would show half as much concern for my brother! And you can order me all you like . . . but I'm still not leaving."
"Sis, for once in your life, will you do as you're told?" Coy hissed. He jabbed himself in the chest. "I'm the good man he was referring to!"
A jumble of confused thoughts assailed her. She looked sharply at Coy, then to Adam. "Wha ... I don't understand. I thought you. ..."
"No, Sis, that's the trouble, you never think. You just go charging in without ever considering the consequences." He shrugged his shoulders in mock resignation and smiled. "But it's hard to be mad at you . . . especially since you were defending me."
Adam again grasped her by the shoulders, but this time, his touch was gentle but firm. "Blair, look at me. I love you, and I understand your anger and resentment, but I don't have time to mince words or to consider your feelings right now. Coy's life is in jeopardy, not by me or by anything I've done, though. So if you love him as much as you claim, you will sit in my chair and keep your mouth shut."
Adam turned to Seth. "Now, who is suppose to kill Coy?"
"Wait a minute," Coy interrupted. He gestured his thumb toward Seth. "Since I have a definite interest in this matter, you'll have to forgive me for being skeptical over anything he has to say. Especially when I recall who his boss is."
Adam placed his finger to his lips and motioned toward the door with his head. "You don't have to worry about him," he said very softly. "This is my other brother, Seth Cahill."
"Your brother . . . ? I thought he . . ."
"He has been pretending to work for Tom Bastrop. In reality, he carries a badge just like me and Matthew. Now that that matter is cleared up, let's get back down to business. Seth, tell us what you know."
"Before we started drifting into town last night, it just so happened that I walked by the boss's window and overheard him talking to his foreman—who is also his partner. That's when I heard them say something about if all went according to plan, Tom would kill Coy tonight. It seems that his hatred for you is the reason why Coy is being framed —and he is being framed; I will testify to that in any court of law. But, the clincher to this entire affair is — " he looked at Blair, " — Coy's sister is somehow involved in all of this. Don't ask me how because I don't know, I suddenly had to unhappen by the window before I got caught."
"I am involved? But, I'm not! I had no idea "
"Hush, Blair." Thoughtfully, Adam drummed his fingers on his knee and chewed on his bottom lip. "We have to put our heads together and try to figure out what he's planning. Then, if we can surprise him with a plan of our own. . . ." He looked at Coy. "Your life is on the line here, and probably mine, too. It's my duty, but if you would agree to act as bait, we might clear your name along with saving your life."
"I'd rather be used as bait to catch the bastard who is trying to frame me than to stand trial for a crime I didn't commit, or to face a lynch mob. Any way I can help, I will." Then he frowned and scratched his head. "I realize I ought to be worrying about my own hide, but I can't help but worry about Blair's involvement with Tom Bastrop, unless ... he plans to use her to get to you. But why should he hate you that much?"
"I have no idea. ..." Then Adam's eyes narrowed. It was as if a sudden burst of light exploded inside of him. He moistened his lips. "It just occurred to me that we might be looking at this from the wrong direction. ..."
Adam explained his thoughts; some based on facts, some based on mere speculation. But, under the circumstances it sounded reasonable to all of them, although Tom Bastrop's sanity would have to be questioned for even considering such a abominable idea.
When Adam finished he added, "I think I should go talk to Warren and let him know our plan, I’ll get him to pull his men back. If we're going to act as bait, we should make it as tempting as possible. Then, too, Matthew will have to be told, and I suppose we'll need a witness. We'll have to take one of the townspeople into our confidence — someone we can trust —yet he will have to be someone the people also trust."
"Sounds to me that you just described a preacher or a bartender," Coy said dryly.
"How about Shelton?" Adam quickly suggested.
Coy agreed. "He has an honest reputation and he's well respected. I think most people would believe him."
Adam turned to Blair. "Sweetheart, I hate to ask this of you . . . but later, we'll need someone to get Tom away from the jail for at least ten minutes, just long enough for us to smuggle Shelton in—that is, if he agrees. Tom can't know anybody is locked in the cell except for Coy . . . and John Smith."
"Of course I will do it. And Adam, I am so sorry. I acted like a fool . . ."
He smiled and winked at her. "You can beg me to forgive you later. Right now, there are more important matters facing us. I want you to storm out of the jail, madder than hell so Tom won't get suspicious. I will follow within a few minutes. . . ."
Late that night, the town was reasonably quiet; Adam had closed all of the saloons to prevent the men from bracing their anger and courage with a whiskey bottle.
When Adam stepped out of the jail, Matthew said to him, "I thought you’d never get hungry enough for supper, I am about to starve. Tom, you won’t mind standing guard alone, will you?"
"Of course not. You two go on ahead and enjoy your supper. I think Adam's speech had a sobering effect on that mob, so there shouldn't be any trouble."
Tom waited until the deputies were out of sight, then he opened the door and slipped inside.
The lamp cast a dim light, but he was able to see through the bars. Coy sat on the side of his bunk with his head propped in his hands. John was covered with a light-weight blanket and was snoring.
Coy started when the door opened, then he breathed a heavy sigh of relief when he saw Tom. "Damn! You scared me to death! I didn't know who was coming through that door." He laughed bitterly. "Guess I’m too jumpy, but I’ve never been faced with a murder charge or a lynch mob before either. I’ll say one thing, though, it's good to see a friendly face."
"What makes you think mine is friendly?" Tom asked, walking closer. "You Townsends have always acted so high and mighty, but I've finally put you in your proper places . . . than is, except for that pretty little sister of yours."
Coy frowned. "Tom, what are you talking about? Man, you're not making any sense."
"I'm making plenty of sense," he boasted with a taunting sneer. "I'm going to kill you, but I'm not without mercy. If you red heathens have a god, you had better make your peace with him and do it quick, I don't know how much time I have."
"Kill me? Why?" Coy asked incredulously. "What have I ever done to hurt you?"
"Nothing, really; you're just in my way and I have to get rid of you." He laughed. "But I never thought I’d be able to solve two problems by killing you."
"What problems are you going to solve by killing me? If I’m going to die, I’d like to know the reason why." Thus far, Adam had been right. Men who schemed and plotted liked to brag about how smart they were. Coy only hoped Tom would continue to talk instead of deciding to pull the triggers on the shotgun he was holding.
Tom rocked back on his heels. "I am now holding the leases to about twenty thousand more acres of land . . . but I want the entire valley. When I kill you, I plan to hit myself in the head with my gun and later claim that I was jumped by men trying to break you out of jail. It won't matter if the people think Warren was responsible, or if it was the lynch mob. If they think your brother's men tried to break you out, they'll either string Warren up or run him out of the area on a rail. If they think the mob was re
sponsible, I'll marry Blair and after this all dies down, I'll arrange for Warren to have an accident — either way, the Bar 4 is mine!"
"It seems to me the deputy might have a say-so in all of this. I think that you're forgetting that he and Blair plan to be married."
"Use your head, boy. I thought you were smarter than that! I hate that son of a bitch, and to be honest about it, I'd rather kill him than you. But if I did that, she'd never have anything to do with me. Who do you think she'll blame for your death? Certainly not me, because the gun will accidentally discharge in the struggle. She'll hate Adam because if he had never arrested you, you wouldn't be dead. Naturally, I'll be close by to comfort and console her." He chuckled aloud. "It's a brilliant plan even if I do say so myself."
Suddenly, Adam shouted, "Dive, Coy!"
Coy hit the floor as Adam flung back the blanket covering his face. Surprise registered on Tom's face for a minute instant before he raised the shotgun to fire it. But Adam's bullet had already found its mark and Tom slumped to the floor.
The door burst open; Matthew and Seth rushed inside with Blair right at their heels. When she saw Adam and Coy were safe, tears of relief streaked down her cheeks.
Matthew quickly unlocked the cell and Adam hurried out, warning Coy to stay inside the cell until Shelton could tell the townspeople what had happened. He knelt beside Seth, who was checking Tom's wound.
"Kill him, John, do it for me," Tom mumbled weakly when he saw Adam. Then his eyes widened when he remembered Adam was John.
Adam could see the man was near death; not to gloat, but so that he would know, Adam explained, "Your plan had one major flaw. John is my brother. After we exchanged clothes, he went to supper with Matthew."
"Damn!" Tom muttered, then closed his eyes and he died.
The night was dimly lit by a crescent moon.
Blair sat on the wagon seat between Coy and Adam, and Warren lay in the back as they headed toward the Bar 4.