by Neil Webb
‘Glory is a strong-minded girl. She’s half-wild and full of passion. If she loves you she’ll be determined to have you, and I shouldn’t like to say what she isn’t capable of if she doesn’t get what she wants. Don’t play fast and loose with her.’
‘No, Aggie.’ He took her hand. ‘I’ve been on a long winding trail through life. But I think I’m coming to the cross trail, the one I missed when I was a kid. It’s not going to be easy for me to get back on the straight and narrow. I shall have a long prison sentence to serve before I’m really free. I could escape, but I’d have all these old frustrations with me again; hard riding, loneliness and fear. I’ve lost all of that while I’ve been in here, and I don’t think I want to take it up again. I’ve been a long time realizing that vengeance isn’t worth the twisted life an avenger must lead. I think I’m about ready to pay for my badness in the hope that one day I’ll really know what it is to be a free man.’
‘A woman would wait a long time for a man who thinks like that,’ Aggie said softly, her eyes shining. ‘But not the kind of woman Glory Stott is.’
‘I wouldn’t ask any woman to wait for me. It wouldn’t be fair. Just think of all the wasted years.’
‘It wouldn’t matter to a woman in love. I would wait for the man I loved if I knew he loved me.’ Aggie squeezed his hand, picked up the tray and departed. ‘Sleep well,’ she called from the doorway. ‘I’ll see you in the morning.’
Barr came in and locked the cell door and turned out the light. But Latimer did not sleep. He lay quiet in the darkness, analysing his emotions. He didn’t feel hard inside anymore. The wall which he had built up in his heart was gone, as if smashed and dissipated by the bullets that had struck him. His unswerving devotion to vengeance had melted, had run out of his system with the blood that had dripped from his wounds. A lightness filled his chest. His heart pumped joyously with new hope. Then he remembered the empty years that stretched interminably ahead, the term of imprisonment that had to be endured, and the future seemed bleak and desolate and all his optimism fled. He clenched his hands and tried to fight the bitterness crowding him in the darkness.
He lay thinking for a long time, and the hours passed slowly and silently. He tried to remember the number of charges that could be brought against him, the maximum sentence he might draw, but gave it up in hopelessness. The Judge and the jury would sentence him on the evidence before them. They would not learn of the youth thrown upon a wild, hostile world with hatred in his heart and unhealed scars in his mind. He would be able to show the scars on his body, left by the bullets of the killer who had murdered his family, but those whitish records of violence committed so long ago would not mitigate the crimes he had later committed.
Eventually he slept, and did not awaken until Aggie came into the cell block with his breakfast. He sat up slowly, his mind filled with the sombre thoughts of the night. He ached inside with the desire to become a free and honest man. He yearned for the settled life of a family man toiling for a living. But he knew in his heart that any prison sentence he received would put him behind bars for most of his natural life. Events had shaped his life. Hate held him in its cruel grasp, and he would have to do what was ordained.
‘You’re almost looking your old self, Link,’ Aggie greeted him. ‘How do you feel?’
‘Ready to make a break,’ he replied softly. ‘This evening, Aggie. Have the horse ready. I’ve got to get away. I’ve been thinking it over. I’m not going to spend the rest of my life rotting away in jail.’
‘May I come with you?’ she pleaded. ‘I’ve got nothing to tie me to this range. I’d like to get away from all the heartache I’ve found here. And you’ll need someone to take care of you until you’re well again.’
He studied her face, saw the pleading in her eyes, and sighed.
‘Saddle your horse as well, and perhaps we can make a go of it somewhere. But don’t say I haven’t warned you. It’ll be a hard life. No matter where we go there’ll always be someone who knows me. Being on the dodge is no life for a woman. You will find that out before we’ve gone many miles.’
‘I don’t care,’ she said, grasping his right hand. ‘Just let me come. That’s all I ask, Link. Let me come with you.’
‘Alright, if that’s the way it is. You’d better lay in a stock of grub. We’ll have a long haul for the first week. Barr seems set on collecting that reward money for capturing me. He looks the type who’d follow me to California and back.’
‘You’ve made me the happiest woman in the world,’ she whispered.
‘Don’t let the sheriff or Barr see you making preparations or they may get wise to us,’ he warned. ‘I’ll only get one chance to escape. If that fails they’ll have me in handcuffs and leg irons.’
‘If they see me, I’ll tell them I’m getting ready to go back to my place. Don’t worry, Link, and please, when you make your break, try not to kill anyone. I know what getting away means to you, but we would start off on the wrong foot if you had to kill someone.’
‘Put that thought out of your mind,’ he told her. ‘I’ve told you before that I’m not that kind of a killer.’
‘That’s the only thing that worries me.’ She kissed him. ‘I’ll go now. See you later. Tomorrow at this time we should be a long way from here.’
‘I hope so,’ he replied. ‘If I’m not it means I’ve got to settle down to a fifteen-year stretch inside.’
He settled back, his eyes narrowed and filled with speculation. He had no intention of serving any time. He would get clear or die in the attempt.
NINE
After the doctor’s morning visit, Latimer settled down to some serious planning. He checked the small two-barrelled pistol that Aggie had given him, aware that his reputation as Link Latimer, backed up by the pistol, would be sufficient to get the cell door unlocked when he wanted to leave. He decided that his escape would have to be made on this day, for his time was running out. When the expected deputy from Dry Ford County arrived his chance would be past.
Aggie came in at mid-day with a tray of food. She sat silent until Latimer had finished eating. He noticed that her face was downcast and her good spirits of the early morning were gone.
‘Everything going alright, Aggie,’ he asked casually.
‘Yes. But I’ve got some news for you and I don’t know how it will affect our plans.’ She paused and thought for a moment then said, ‘It’s Glory Stott. She rode into town about half an hour ago.’
‘What?’ Latimer winced and pain shot through his wounds as he jerked up. ‘Did Rand turn her loose?’
‘No. It seems she got hold of the gun of the man Rand had left to guard her. She was a prisoner in an old line cabin. She said Rand was going to force her to marry him. Then her father was to be killed.’
‘Well I’m glad to hear that she’s alright.’ Latimer grinned. ‘But why should this affect us?’
‘I thought your attitude to Glory was too friendly,’ Aggie said soberly. ‘She’s a lovely girl. Her father is rich. She said she was in love with you. What more could a man on the dodge ask for?’
‘You’re right,’ he said, smiling thinly. ‘I guess lots of men would have jumped at that opportunity. But I’m not one of them.’
‘I’m glad to hear that,’ Aggie said. ‘Now I’ll have to be going. There are one or two more things I’ve got to get. I’ll call in here again before sundown. Don’t worry. I’m carrying out your orders.’
He patted her arm and stood up, towering above her. He favoured his right leg. She took his right hand between her own and grasped it tightly. He looked down at her, smiling his tight-lipped grin.
‘We’ve both had it rough, Aggie. Maybe we can give each other a little comfort. When we get clear I figure we ought to see a preacher and get hitched. How do you feel about that?’
‘I think it’s a wonderful idea, Link.’ Her eyes shone. ‘I hope you get away safely tonight. I think you deserve a little happiness.’
When she had departed,
he sat and mused about her for a long time, thinking he had done the right thing in planning to marry her. But he would have to find himself some sort of a job. She wouldn’t want him to use any stolen money, although he didn’t feel too badly about that himself. But his musing was interrupted by Barr coming in from the office.
‘Stott and his daughter are outside. They’d like to talk to you. Do you want to see them?’
‘Yes. I’d like to know how Stott is making out.’
But Glory Stott came in alone. She walked close to the bars and pressed herself against them, reaching through for Latimer’s free hand.
‘You didn’t come looking for me,’ she complained huskily.
‘I didn’t have the chance to come. I got your father off KS, and when I rode into town Barr slapped me in here. But I guess your father’s told you what happened.’
‘Yes. You’ve had a close call. But how are you feeling? I’m going to get you out of here, you know. They’re not sending you to prison. I want you. I’ll get you out of here and we’ll go far away.’
Latimer remained silent. He dared not say what was in his mind. How could he tell her that he was in love with Aggie? Then Stott came in, saving Latimer from the decision of whether or not he should tell Glory anything. The fat rancher looked better than Latimer had ever seen him. Stott stood at the cell door with his arm around his daughter.
‘I’m glad to see you’re looking better,’ Stott greeted. ‘As you can see,’ he patted Glory’s shoulder, ‘I’m alright now.’
‘I’m glad she’s back with you, Stott. Had any luck with your hiring?’
‘There are some men coming in on the six o’clock train. We’ll have you out of here tonight. Glory said she’s going to take you on the range. She knows better than anyone where to hide away.’
‘It’s good of you to take the trouble now you’ve got her back. But you’re likely to pick up a load of grief by trying to help me. I haven’t done that much for you.’
‘Nonsense.’ Stott kissed his daughter on the forehead. ‘Do you know what I’ve done, Latimer? I’ve signed half my ranch over to you. You and Glory own it equal shares. That beats Rand, doesn’t it? When one of you two die the other gets all of the ranch. I’ve taken a great liking to you, Latimer, the way you butted in on this range against all the odds and started cleaning up. Like I said, you’ll take good care of Glory for me. I’ve never had a son, though that was my dearest wish, but you are the pattern I would have taken had I got one. Money talks a lot, you know, and friends can help. I’ve sent off a word to the State capital. I’m trying to get you pardoned. I think I can swing it too. Does that prove I’m trying to square matters all round?’
‘Sounds pretty good to me,’ Latimer declared. ‘But let’s get back to the present. Do you think you’re safe in town? There’s not much protection from the law, and Rand won’t take things easy when he finds that Glory has run out on him. She was his ace in the hole.’
‘I’ll face Rand through gunsmoke when I clap eyes on him,’ Stott said grimly. ‘He’s had his day around here, and I’m the man who should try and stop him. I brought him in here. When I get a new crew behind me, I’m going out to KS. Rand has seen nothing yet. I owe him something for taking Glory away.’
‘Well you’ll get your chance of him now,’ said Barr, coming in from the office. The deputy held a shotgun in his big right hand. ‘I’ve just heard that Rand and three sidekicks rode along the main street three minutes ago. Rand has gone into the hotel, after publicly giving orders for Glory to be taken again and Stott and Link Latimer to be killed. He’s come to town to do just that, and there ain’t a man, woman or child on the street. How’d you like that?’
Latimer limped to the bars of the door. ‘Where’s the sheriff?’ he demanded. ‘If he lets me out of here for ten minutes, I’ll do for Rand.’
‘I’ve sent for him.’ Barr handled the shotgun. ‘No one is going to walk in here shooting again.’
Stott was suddenly nervous. The big rancher tested the gun in his holster.
‘You can’t match Rand for speed, Stott,’ Latimer said. ‘If you’re going after him, you better carry your gun in your hand. That will give you a better chance.’
‘Stay here, Glory,’ Stott ordered. ‘You’ll be safe. I’m going after Rand. It’s my play. I’ll shoot him on sight. Promise me you’ll stay here, girl, until the shooting is over.’
‘I’ll stay, but please be careful.’
Stott nodded. He was past words now. He nodded nervously at Latimer, then went out. Glory turned to Barr.
‘Why don’t you let Latimer out?’ she demanded. ‘He’ll soon put Rand on his back. He wouldn’t skulk in here with a shotgun in his hand.’
‘I’m not skulking,’ Barr said heatedly. ‘I’m on duty and I’m guarding my prisoner. Walsh will be here in a minute, and if he tells me to go along the street after Rand then I’ll go.’
There was a noise at the back window of the jail and Barr stepped along the passage to check. A Colt hammered and a slug ricocheted through the cells. Barr lifted the muzzle of the shotgun and rocked the building with a thunderous report as he fired. Buckshot whirled through the bars, and a loud voice outside howled agony on the echoes of the detonation.
‘First time unlucky for someone,’ Barr remarked, loading his gun. ‘That takes care of one of them.’ The deputy came back, chuckling. ‘I guess Rand ordered that trip once too often.’
Barr cut off his speech then and stood stock still with the gun in his hands still broken open. He held the weapon by the barrel in his left hand, a fresh cartridge in his right hand. Latimer followed the direction of Barr’s surprised glance, and saw another gunman standing in the doorway of the law office. The man held a levelled sixgun. Latimer put his right hand into his pocket and his eager fingers closed on the two-shot Derringer.
‘Well, well,’ said the gunman, stepping into the passage. ‘So I get the great Link Latimer and the girl. Rand has offered two hundred dollars to the man who brings the girl back to him. Looks like this is my lucky day. You,’ he directed Barr, ‘drop that gun and your gun belt. Do it slow and maybe you’ll live.’
Barr had inserted a fresh cartridge, but the shotgun was still broken open in his hands. Latimer watched closely. He dared not fire the Derringer while Glory, half paralysed with fear, stood under the gunman’s direct aim.
‘Come over here, out of the way, Glory,’ Latimer called, and the girl moved out of the line of fire, but she stepped between Latimer and the gunman.
It was then that Barr made a desperate play for mastery. The deputy dropped the shotgun from his left hand, and while the gunman’s eyes instinctively followed the weapon to the ground, Barr’s right hand sneaked to the Colt at his hip. Gunfire crashed and smoke filtered through the cells. The gunman fired rapidly, and two shots struck Barr in the chest. The big deputy staggered backwards, fighting to bring his Colt into action, but he was dead before the echoes of the shots faded. His body thudded to the ground.
Latimer stepped closer to the bars. He bought out the Derringer, thrust his gunhand through the bars, and snapped off one shot. Blood spurted from the gunman’s throat. The man uttered a gurgling sound and threw down his gun. He dropped to his knees, clutching at his throat, then fell upon his face and kicked out his life with convulsive movements.
‘Quick,’ Latimer said to a shocked Glory. ‘Get the cell keys off Barr and let me out. I may be in time to save your father. Hurry it up, girl. This shooting will bring half the town in here.’
White-faced and shaking, Glory stumbled to where Barr lay spread-eagled upon his back. She averted her sickened gaze from the lawman’s tortured face, shuddering at the gory mess that had been his chest. She took the keys from Barr’s pocket and returned to Latimer, unlocking the cell door with trembling fingers.
Latimer sighed with relief as he stepped out of the cell. He limped to inspect the gunman, and was not surprised to see that the man was dead. A glance at Barr was more than sufficient
to know that the lawman had preceded the gunman out of this world.
Latimer bent and picked up the gunman’s Colt. He reloaded the spent chambers, then removed the gun belt from the man’s waist and made Glory buckle it around his own. He slid the Colt into leather, then eased it in the holster. The weight at his hip made him feel happier. ‘Stay here, Glory. This won’t take long. I’ll come back for you as soon as Rand is finished. But I want to catch up with your father. He’s no match for Rand.’
The girl nodded dumbly. She was almost overcome with shock. Latimer reeled as he turned to the door. A spasm of dizziness swept through him. He had to grasp the bars of a cell until it passed. It was just his luck, he thought. A gunfight with Rand would be one of the toughest he had ever faced, and he was nowhere like fit for the chore. Maybe it was Rand’s lucky day. He cursed silently and thrust off his weakness.
He stepped into the law office, then froze. Sheriff Walsh was coming in at the doorway, and the old lawman held a Colt in his right hand.
‘Where are you going, Latimer?’
‘To get Rand. I’ll come back when it’s over.’
‘Rand has just gunned down Kenton Stott. The big man faced Rand and a sidekick, and went for the sidekick first. He got the gunnie, but Rand knocked him off. I’ve come for a shotgun.’
There was a gasp behind Latimer and Glory Stott rushed past him. Latimer felt her hand at his waist as she passed, and the gun at his hip slid out of the holster.
‘I’ll kill Rand if he has hurt my father,’ the girl screamed wildly. She ran across the office with the big Colt in her hand, and dashed out to the street.
Latimer hurried forward, unmindful of his wounded leg, as the girl’s footsteps faded outside. The sheriff barred his way with levelled gun.
‘Barr is lying dead in the cells,’ Latimer said, ‘and there’s a gunman with him. There’s another gunman out back by the window. Are you going to try and stop me taking after Rand?’
‘No.’ Walsh almost shouted in his urgency. ‘Take my gun and go after that killer. You’re a free man, Latimer. I’ve never intended handing you over to anyone as Link Latimer. I never wired Dry Ford County, and I tore up that “Wanted” notice. You’ve done a lot for this town, and that is why I held fire. This is one way we can repay you. I’ve only kept you in the cells these last days because it was the safest place while you were off your feet.’