have been in that bank while the robbery was going on. I usually make
my deposits about that time of day, but lately, enough cash hasn't come
in for me to go every day. No one feels like eating when they're sick,
' she explained. 'Still, I can't understand why you would put all
three of those poor ladies in jail. Why, I heard the sheriff dragged
one of them out of her sickbed, and the other two had just sat down for
their supper. I think you should have asked them your questions at the
boardinghouse. That's what I think. Jail isn't a proper place for
ladies. No sir, it doesn't seem right to me the way you're treating
them as though they're common-trash criminals. Aren't you boys going
to eat your supper? Where are you going? ' As soon as the word 'jail'
had been mentioned, Cole and Ryan had jumped to the same conclusion.
Sloan was responsible for another fiasco.
heir guess proved to be right. They ran back to the jail, cursing
under their breath most of the way, and found that the sheriff had
indeed locked all three women in one of his cells.
The idiot was actually proud of what he had done. His chest was puffed
up like a rooster's as he strutted around the office giving his
explanation.
'I had to do it, ' he began. 'I asked all of them which one was in the
bank during the holdup, and none of them would own up to it, so I put
them in a cell to think it over. I'm predicting there's going to be a
Iynching mob out front in no time at all, because people have heard by
now that we have a witness who won't step forward, and folks saw me
bring them in.' Ryan was so furious with the sheriff his hand
instinctively went to the butt of his gun. He forced himself to stop
before he did anything he would regret. Cole's hand went to Sloan's
throat. He didn't stop. He was trying to choke some sense into the
lawman when he heard what sounded like a baby laughing.
Incredulous, he roared, 'Are you out of your mind? You locked a baby
in jail? ' Ryan was rigid with anger. He sat behind the desk glaring
at the sheriff.
'Cole, quit choking him so he can explain. I want to hear what he has
to say for himself. He's going to tell me why he would lock three
women and a baby in jail.' The second Cole let go, the sheriff started
stammering. 'I didn't know what else to do with the little boy. He
wanted to stay with his mama, and he wouldrft listen to reason. He
threw himself down on the floor and had himself a real tantrum. He
isn't a baby, Marshal. He's got to be a year and a half, maybe even
two. He's still wearing nappies, but he can talk, so he can't be a
baby. Babies don't talk, ' he added authoritatively.
The muscle in Ryan's jaw twitched from clenching his teeth together.
