the witness because it would only upset them, and I don't want them to
hate me for not coming forward sooner.
' 'I'm sure they would both understand why you kept silent, but don't
worry. Cole and I don't plan to tell them. And we will leave today, '
he promised.
'Thank you, Marshal. I shall be ready in one hour.' The guard was
waiting to escort Rebecca back to the hotel.
He suggested that they alter their route and take one of the streets
parallel to the hotel. He was armed to the teeth with a pair of
six-shooters and a shotgun. Daniel noticed the way he watched the
street as he walked along and decided that Rebecca was in good hands.
'What does Grace want that's so urgent? ' Cole asked him.
'Her note just says she wants to talk to me at the hotel before she
leaves town. She thinks she's going to get out of her sickbed and
drive a wagon. The woman doesn't have the sense God gave her. '
'She's got the determination, though, ' Cole said. 'I've got the
feeling she could pull it off if we let her.'
'We aren't going to let her go anywhere alone, ' Daniel countered.
'Cooper's going to stick to both women until every member of the
Blackwater gang has been captured.'
'That could take a hell of a long time.'
'I don't think so, ' Daniel said. 'If the gang finds out about
Rebecca, they'll be coming after her, and, God willing, we'll get every
last one of them.'
'You're going to use her as bait, aren't you? ' 'I'm going to get her
to Blackwater alive.' Cole nodded agreement. 'I thought Rebecca was
the witness, but it was just a guess. Notthat isn't true. I hoped it
wasn't Jessica.'
'I can understand why. She's got enough on her plate now, raising that
baby on her own.' Cole was staring out the front window. 'Didn't you
tell me Grace wanted you to see her at the hotel? ' 'That's what her
note said, ' Daniel answered.
'She's crossing the street with Sloan hot on her trail.'
'Son of a .
. . ' Daniel ran out the doorway just as Grace came hurrying down the
boardwalk. He grabbed hold of her hand and pulled her inside the
