on the line together many times. I don’t think anyone knows him better than I do, and I am telling you, he was not involved with Frank Dodd. He may have violated a WCSA rule, but if he did, I’m sure he thought that it was the only way he could bring Dodd in. I’ll never believe he has gone bad.”
“Your loyalty is commendable,” Captain Bivens said. “But I have the integrity of the WCSA to think of. That’s why I have offered a reward of five thousand dollars for him.”
“Dead or alive,” Murtaugh said.
“You understand the way it is out here,” Captain Bivens said. “If we are to have any chance of bringing him to justice, we have to make the offer dead or alive.”
“You are condemning him to death,” Murtaugh said bitterly. “That takes on the role of judge and jury.”
“He has already been condemned. He was found guilty of murdering the express agent and sentenced to be executed. He escaped, which makes him fair game for such a reward. I have assumed no role that is inconsistent with existing circumstances. ”
Murtaugh lowered his head and pinched the bridge of his nose.
“I know you are upset and concerned about your friend,” Captain Bivens added. “But he made his own bed and now he must sleep in it. In the meantime, we go on. Are you willing to take on a new assignment?”
Murtaugh nodded.
“Good. I am putting you in charge. I want you to take two men with you. You will board the Virginia and Truckee Railroad at Carson City, and ride with it all the way to Columbus.”
“You are sending three of us?”
“Yes.”
“There must be quite a bit of money involved if you are going to use three of us.”
“One hundred thousand dollars,” Captain Bivens said.
Murtaugh whistled. “One hundred thousand dollars? That is a lot of money. Wouldn’t it be safer to just keep the shipment secret?”
“Hard to keep it secret when you have something like this going out all over the state,” Captain Bivens said, he voice registering his disgust. He picked up a newspaper from his desk.
“What is that?” Murtaugh asked.
“Read it,” Bivens said, unable to hide the disgust he felt over the article.
On Tuesday, the 4th of September, the
Bank of Carson City is transferring one hundred thousand dollars to the bank in Columbus, by way of the Virginia and Truckee Railroad, such funds representing a record for the most money ever transported by that railroad. Mr. Matthews, owner of the Bank of Carson City, explained that the bank in Columbus, being newly charted, required the funds to ensure its solvency.
The train to be utilized, the Mountain View Special, will depart Carson City at 8 p.m. on Monday, September 3rd, and arrive at Columbus at 6 a.m. before the opening of business hours on Tuesday. Depositors in the Carson City Bank need not worry for the safety of their money for, as Mr. Matthews explained, this is but a loan from which interest will accrue.
Mr. Dempster, proprietor of the Bank of Columbus, has expressed his deepest gratitude for the loan, explaining that it will help bring business and prosperity to the community.
Murtaugh looked up from the newspaper article. “That’s only four days from now,” he said.
“Yes. Can you have your men selected and be ready by then?” Captain Bivens asked.
Murtaugh nodded. “I can.”
“Then the assignment is yours.”
“Thanks,” Murtaugh said, turning away from the desk and starting toward the door.
“Mr. Murtaugh?” Captain Bivens called toward him.
Murtaugh turned back in response to the call.
“Yes, sir?”
“I am sorry about your friend. But please don’t let friendship get in the way of your performance of duty.”
“I don’t understand, sir,” Murtaugh replied. “How could my friendship with Bobby Lee affect this assignment?”
“If you are right about him, it won’t affect it in anyway,” Captain Bivens said. “But, if I am right about him …” He let the sentence trail off.
“You think he might try and hold up the train?”
“There is that possibility, yes.”
“If he does, he will no longer be my friend,” Murtaugh said. “He will just be another train robber, and that is exactly the way I will treat him.”
“You are a good man, Eddie Murtaugh,” Captain Bivens said.
“Thank you, sir. But so is Bobby Lee Cabot. I’m not worried about my obligation, because he won’t be the one robbing the train.”
Chapter Twenty
