“Certainly if we are shot at, we should return fire,” Malcolm said.
“No, I ain’t talkin’ about just returnin’ fire. I mean we should just start shootin’ at anybody and ever’body.”
“Why would you suggest such a thing?” Malcolm asked.
“You want to get away, don’t you?” Pettigrew asked.
“Yes, of course.”
“Then Shaw is right. If we start shootin’ up the town on the way out, there ain’t nobody goin’ to think about shootin’ us. Only thing they’re goin’ to be thinkin’ about is not gettin’ kilt. Near ’bout ever’one is goin’ to just try and find ’em a place to get out of the line of fire.”
“All right,” Malcolm said. “This is your country, I shall defer to your suggestion.”
When Malcolm and the others rode into town the next morning, approaching as planned from opposite ends of Central Avenue, Cheyenne was in the middle of its mid-morning commerce cycle. At the Wyoming Freight and Transport Company, three wagons were backed up against the loading dock taking on freight that had come into town by train, but would have to be delivered to the various destinations by wagon.
A boy of about sixteen was sweeping the front porch of Dunnigan’s General Store. A dog that lay sleeping on the porch made no effort to move, nor did the boy make an effort to move him.
There were two Chinese women doing laundry outside Wo Ching’s Laundry and they were carrying on a spirited conversation in their own language.
A man was standing on the porch roof of Sikes’ Hardware store, painting the false front.
Malcolm dismounted in front of White’s Apothecary, then started walking toward the bank. He saw Pettigrew approaching the bank from the other side. Arriving at the bank door simultaneously, they went inside without acknowledging each other. Malcolm stepped up to the table, while Pettigrew, holding a twenty-dollar bill, went up to the teller’s window and stood in line as if waiting to make change. There were four other customers in the bank, three men and one woman.
The others came as planned. When all seven were in the bank, Malcolm nodded at Pettigrew, who nodded at the others. Pettigrew drew his pistol, which was the signal for all to draw their weapons.
“Ever’body put their hands up!” Pettigrew yelled. “This is a bank holdup!”
“Oh, my!” Lisenby said.
“Open that safe!”
“I don’t know the combination,” Lisenby said. “Only Mr. Snellgrove knows.”
“Who is Snellgrove?”
“He isn’t here.”
“You are lying, Mr. Lisenby,” Malcolm said. “That gentlemen is Mr. Snellgrove.”
“Mr. Malcolm, you?” Lisenby said, surprised by Malcolm’s comment. “You are with them? But, you were going to make a deposit.”
“I decided I would rather make a withdrawal,” Malcolm said, laughing at his own joke.
“How the hell does he know your name?” Pogue asked.
“It’s quite simple, Mr. Pogue. I told him my name,” Malcolm said, purposely using Pogue’s name.
“That was a dumb thing to do,” Pogue said.
Malcolm looked over at Snellgrove. “Mr. Snellgrove, I appreciated the guided tour you provided for me yesterday. Now, if you would be so good, sir, please open the safe for us.”
“No,” Snellgrove said.
Pettigrew pointed his pistol at Snellgrove. “Open the safe, or I’ll kill you.”
“What would that accomplish?” Snellgrove asked. “If I am dead, then no one will be able to open the safe.”
“You’re right,” Pettigrew said. He pointed his pistol at one of the male customers. “Open your safe or I’ll kill this man here.”
“I have no intention of opening the safe.”
Pettigrew pulled the trigger. The pistol boomed and smoke poured out of the end of the barrel. Even before the smoke drifted away, the customer was lying on the floor of the bank with a bullet in his heart.
“God in Heaven, man!” Snellgrove shouted. “You murdered him!”
“No, Mr. Snellgrove, ’tis you who committed the murder,” Malcolm said. “You didn’t pull the trigger, true enough, but you were given the opportunity to cooperate with us, and you refused to do so. That sealed the man’s fate.”
“How can someone like you be in league with people like this?” Snellgrove asked. “You aren’t like them.”
“I would advise you to cooperate,” Malcolm said. “My friend does seem quite determined to see you open the safe.”
“No.”
Pettigrew pointed at one of the other men.
“No, please, I beg of you!” the man said. “I have a wife and children.”
Pettigrew looked over at Snellgrove. “Did you hear what he said? He has a wife and children. You want to be
