'I won't stop until you let me tell Cole I love him. I have to tell
him, ' she whispered. 'I'll help you escape, I'll do anything you say
.
. . ' Donald laughed. 'Isn't that sweet, ' he called out to the
marshals. 'The little lady wants to say something to you.'
'You got a clear shot? ' Daniel asked Cole.
'No, ' Cole answered, his voice harsh.
'Go ahead, angel, ' Donald urged. 'You can tell him.'
'Cole, ' she cried out.
He was dying inside. Dear God, please don't let him hurt her . . .
don't let him . . .
'Abilene.' He knew what she was asking him to do. He had her
permission, he had his target, his gun was cocked, but God help him, he
couldn't do it.
Daniel took the shot for him.
'No.' Cole roared the denial. In his mind's eye, everything happened
in slow motion. He saw Jessica's eyes flutter closed, saw her body
drift downward to the floor. His mind wouldn't accept any more. He
emptied his gun into the bastard, spraying him up against the wall.
Cole didn't stop. He kept pulling the trigger again and again and
again, the only sound now the clicking as the empty chambers rotated,
until Daniel grabbed the gun out of his hand.
'I didn't shoot her, ' Daniel shouted in hopes that his words would cut
through Cole's stupor. 'She's all right. She just fainted. Get her
off the floor.' Cole rushed to her side and fell to his knees. His
hand shook as he pressed his finger against the pulse point at the base
of her throat. He felt the heartbeat, strong and rapid, and felt the
tears sting his eyes.
He gently lifted her into his arms and stood, cradling her against his
chest.
Jessica heard someone sobbing. She opened her eyes and saw Grace
running toward Daniel.
There was a deputy standing in the doorway of the judge's chambers,
watching Rebecca. The woman had her bloody hand pressed against her
bosom. Her other hand was braced against the wall and she was slowly
