“Yeah, they let us out,” Dagen repeated, and he and the others laughed.
“I doubt that. Not after you kilt Mr. Snyder like you done.”
“How we got out don’t matter. What I want you to do is climb up there and throw down that money pouch,” Fargo said with a wave of his gun.
“We ain’t carryin’ any money,” Gentry said.
“What do you mean you ain’t carryin’ any money? What do you think all that ruckus was about back in Calabasas this mornin’? You think we was just shootin’ to hear the sound of our guns? We was tryin’ to steal the money shipment.”
“That’s right, and you kilt the expressman, so they didn’t send the money. They won’t be able to send it till they get another expressman.”
“He’s lyin’, Fargo,” Dagen said. “Look at the son of a bitch sweat.”
Fargo pointed his gun at the drummer and pulled back the hammer. “Tell me the truth, or I kill another one of your passengers.”
“I told you, we ain’t carryin’... .”
“For God’s sake man, give him the money!” the drummer shouted, his voice breaking in terror. Then, to the outlaws, he said, “He’s got the money. I seen the shotgun guard bring a pouch from the express office. It’s up there under the seat right now.”
“You chicken-shit son of a bitch,” Gentry said to Johnson.
Fargo nodded, then eased the hammer back down. “Now don’t be too hard on him, driver. He’s what I call bein’ a good citizen. I thank you for your help, friend.” He looked back at the driver. “Get up there and throw that money down.”
Gentry hesitated, and Fargo pointed his gun at him.
“Driver, you don’t want me to kill you and leave these folks stranded out here, do you? ’Cause you know damn well this little pipsqueak ain’t goin’ to be able to drive this coach.”
Glaring at the drummer, Gentry climbed up onto the box and reached under the seat. Again, he hesitated for a moment, then looked at Fargo. A sixth sense, sometimes developed by creatures on the run, told Fargo that the driver was thinking of reaching for a gun.
“Driver,” Fargo said coolly. “If you come out from under that seat with anything other than a canvas pouch, you will be dead one second later.”
The driver picked up the pouch and held his hands in the air.
“That’s better,” Fargo said. “Now, throw the pouch down here.”
The driver did as instructed.
“Hey, Fargo,” Ponci said. “I think we ought to take one of these here women with us.”
“Why?”
“Well, just seems to me like it might be a good idea,” Ponci said.
Dagen laughed. “Looks like ole Ponci’s wantin’ to do a little sportin’.”
“Yeah, but he might be right,” Fargo said, stroking his cheek as he looked at the two women. “Having us a hostage along to keep as insurance might not be a bad idea.”
Protectively, Jane Stockdale pulled Timmy closer to her.
“You better not take my mama!” Timmy said, not out of fear, but defiance.
Fargo chuckled. “He’s a feisty little shit, ain’t he? Get the hell out of the way, boy,” he said, shoving Timmy down. “Come here, you! You’re goin’ with us.” Fargo grabbed Jane.
“No!” Cloud Dancer said quickly, stepping toward the men. “Let her go! Take me instead.”
Fargo looked at Cloud Dancer for a moment. “You serious? You’re volunteerin’ to go in her place?”
“Yes.”
Fargo shoved Jane back roughly. “All right,” he said, pointing at Cloud Dancer. “As far as I’m concerned, one of you’s as good as the other. Come on.”
“Son of a bitch! Look at her, Fargo, that’s a Indian woman!” Casey said.
“So she is,” Fargo said.
“Well, what kind of a hostage is a Indian goin’ to make? I mean, there ain’t goin’ to be anybody who gives a shit what happens to her,” Casey said.
“We’ll take her,” Fargo insisted. “Let’s go.”
“Where at is the girl goin’ to ride? We didn’t bring a spare horse,” Monroe asked.
“She can ride with me,” Ponci said. He rubbed himself pointedly. “Oh, yeah. She can sit right in front of me.” He walked over to Cloud Dancer and grabbed her by the arm. “Come on, girlie. You are goin’ to like ridin’ with ole Ponci.”
“Dagen, get the horses,” Fargo said.
As Dagen went to get the horses, Fargo climbed up to the front of the stage and reached down under the seat. He pulled out a Winchester rifle, then turned and smiled down at the driver.
