“We have enough men to handle any robbery attempt, gentlemen,” he said to Shaye and Cotton. “Our men are especially trained.”
“I realize that, Mr. Brown,” Cotton said. “We just wanted to warn you and let you know we’re on top of the situation.”
“Well, we appreciate that, Sheriff,” Brown said, “but rest assured, we can handle the situation ourselves. I’ll just put two more men on duty and that should take care of it.”
“How are they armed?” Shaye asked.
Brown looked at Shaye as if he was surprised that the deputy had spoken, instead of the sheriff.
“Our men have the newest Winchesters and the training to use them,” the bank manager said.
“Have they ever killed a man?”
“W-what?”
“Have they ever killed a man before?” Shaye asked again.
“Sheriff,” Brown said, “do you usually let your subordinates—”
“Mr. Shaye is no subordinate, Mr. Brown,” Cotton informed the man. “He has volunteered to help the town on this. He’s a well-known lawman in his own right.”
“Well, that may be,” Brown said, “but whether or not our men have killed before is not germane to the discussion.”
“I’m not sure what ‘germane’ means, Mr. Brown,” Shaye said, “but it sure is important whether or not your men have killed before, because they’ll probably have to kill now. There can’t be any hesitation on their part—”
“Not to worry, uh, Deputy Shaye,” Brown said, “there will be no hesitation on the part of my men.”
“I hope not, sir,” Shaye said, “for all your sakes.”
“What an ass!” Shaye said outside.
“That’s true,” Cotton said.
“He’s going to end up getting a lot of people killed someday,” Shaye said. “Maybe even some citizens.”
“We’ll talk to the mayor and the town council now,” Cotton said, “but I got to warn you that Brown sits on the council.”
“He’s just one man,” Shaye said. “Let’s see if we can’t convince the others to take some special precautions.”
The mayor was an officious man named Walter Mann. He consented to see Cotton and Shaye without an appointment, but told the sheriff he had “five minutes.”
“It’s going to take longer than that, Mayor,” Shaye said.
The mayor sported a mane of white hair that made him seem older than he was, which Shaye figured was about his own age.
“I don’t know you,” Mann said. “You’re new.”
“Mayor, this is Daniel Shaye. He and his two sons have volunteered to be deputies during this time.”
“And what time is that, Sheriff?”
“We believe that a gang of outlaws is on its way here,” Cotton said and went on to explain about the telegram from Sheriff Coffey on Highbinder. He did not, however, say anything about Belinda and her son.
“What makes you think these men are coming here, Sheriff?”
“They were told about our bank,” Cotton said.
“Our bank is well protected.”
“There’s another man riding with the gang,” Shaye said. “His name is Vic Delay.”
Mann shook his head. “Should I know that name?”
“He has a reputation as a killer.”
“And why would he be coming here?”
“We don’t know that, Mayor,” Cotton said. “We just want to alert you and the council to what we do know.”
“Well,” Mann said, “it doesn’t sound to me like you know a lot, Riley, but I’ll convene a meeting of the council tomorrow morning, nine A.M.”
“Fine,” Cotton said. “I’ll be there.”
He and Shaye turned to leave, but then he turned back.
“I forgot to tell you. We’ve already talked with Ed Brown at the bank. He’s not taking our warning too seriously.”
“I’ll keep that in mind, Riley.”
Cotton nodded and followed Shaye out the door.
“Two jackasses,” Shaye said. “Why is it men like that hire men like us and then don’t listen?”
“We do our jobs anyway, don’t we?”
“This is the part of wearing the badge I always hated,” Shaye said, “dealing with men like that.”
“What can we do?” Cotton asked. “It’s men like that who build towns and run things.”
“Yeah,” Shaye said.
“I could use some coffee,” Cotton said. “How about you?”
“Sure.”
“I know a place that serves a great cup.”
“Not your house, I hope…no offense.”
“None taken,” Cotton said. “No, we can have coffee without having to see Belinda or Little Matt.”
“Then lead the way…”
45
Jeb Collier was still seated in the saloon with Vic Delay when Lou Tanner returned. The other men had left in search of a meal or to check out their hotel rooms. Since they were sharing two or three to a room, they’d want to get first choice of a bed.
Lou Tanner got himself a beer from the bartender and sat down across from Jeb and Vic Delay.
“What’d you find out?” Jeb asked.
“What did you send him to find out?” Delay asked.
“Why this one-horse town has a telegraph key.”
“What the hell—”
“Just listen,” Jeb said. He looked at Tanner. “Go.”
Tanner explained everything he and Samms had learned at the Highbinder bank—or what was left of it.
“That bank in Pearl River Junction has got to be busting with money, boss,” he finished.
“Sure sounds like it,” Jeb said.
“So what do we do?” Tanner asked.
“Go get yourself somethin’ to eat, Lou,” Jeb said. “Delay and I will be along in a while.
“Okay, Jeb.”
“Ben’s out there somewhere,” Jeb reminded him. “Make sure he doesn’t get into trouble.”
When Tanner left, Jeb looked across the table at Delay.
“I knew there had to be a reason for this town to have a telegraph key.”
“Whatever you say, Jeb,” Delay replied. “You plan on hittin’ that bank in Pearl River Junction now that you know it carries so much money?”
“It’s too good to pass up,” Jeb said. “You and your boys want to be in on it?”
“Why not?” Delay replied. “We’ll be there, won’t we?”
“But we can’t do it until after I finish my other business.”
“When do you want to leave?”
“Tomorrow,” Jeb said, “and we’ll still ride in the way I figured. We’ll leave this town in four sets of twos, so we don’t ride into Pearl River Junction too close together.”
“Suits me,” Delay said. “Whataya say we get somethin’ to eat now? I’m starvin’.”
As they pushed their chairs back and got up, Jeb asked, “Don’t you want to talk about the split?”
