for last.”
“He’s my brother—”
“Not anymore.”
Decker put both hands on the seat on either side of him and pushed. He rose to his feet and felt his legs shake, but they held.
“We’d better get started.”
“You can’t ride.”
“Your brother managed to ride with a bullet in him, didn’t he?”
“A small-caliber bullet—and your wound is worse. The bullet went in
“You’ve got me wrapped up pretty tight. Let’s take a chance.”
“And where do you want to go?”
“I don’t know,” Decker said. “We’ll head back toward Arizona and take Rebecca home.”
“To Arizona?”
Decker nodded.
“I don’t think she wants to go. In fact, I know she doesn’t.”
“Where does she want to go, then?”
“I don’t think she knows. She’s still pretty shook up. I think she’ll just ride with you wherever you go.”
“All right.”
“Were you going to turn me in in Arizona?”
“If I was going to turn you in, it would be for something that you did.”
“In Wyoming.”
Decker looked at Brian and said, “Why didn’t you leave, Brian? Why didn’t you just mount up and leave?”
“You would have died, and that would have left the girls alone.”
“I don’t understand you.”
“Why? Because I robbed banks and trains, that means I can’t have compassion?
“Look,” Decker said, “come back with me and I’ll stand up for you. I’ll explain that there were two of you, and that the violent crimes were committed by your brother. I’ll tell them what you did here for the girls, and for me.”
“And then what? They’ll only put me in prison for twenty years?”
“Maybe not at all. You may get a clean slate, Brian. If you do, it would be up to you what you did with it.”
While Brian thought about it, Decker tested his legs by walking around. Now that he was on his feet, he was starting to feel stronger.
“Well?” he asked, looking at Brian.
“All right. I’ll go back with you.”
“Good. Let’s get the girls and get started. How many horses do we have?”
“Four. I managed to round up some of the comanchero ponies.”
“John Henry?”
“Your gelding? He’s fine. Felicia’s been looking after him.”
“Why don’t you go out and tell the girls we’ll be leaving.”
“All right. We’ll pack up and come and get you when we’re ready.”
“Fine.”
Brian left and Decker walked over to a window. Looking out, he thought, Brent is out there somewhere, and his mind isn’t all there.
Suddenly he felt as if a Foxx was hunting
PART FIVE
FOXX TRIAL
Chapter XXXIX
To Decker’s complete surprise, their trip back to Heartless, Wyoming, was uneventful. He had expected Brent Foxx to try and kill them, but that had not happened.
The trial of Brian Foxx had gone as well as could be expected. Decker testified to the fact that Foxx had saved not only his life, but also the lives of Felicia Wheeler and Rebecca Kendrick.
The judge then called Decker into his chambers and questioned him about the two Foxx brothers.
“This business of twins seemed farfetched,” Judge Harold Cornwall said. The judge was an impressive- looking man, even out of his robes. Snow-white hair and eyebrows, a strong jaw, and broad shoulders added much to this impression.
“It’s true, Judge.”
“I know it’s true, Decker. Nobody would ever concoct a lie like that. What I want to know from you is, do you have the right twin here?”
For a moment Decker felt unsure, then realized how silly the question was. This had to be Brian. For one thing, along the way they had stopped at several streams and waterholes and he had seen Brian with his shirt off. There had been no bullet wound.
“I have the right man, sir.”
“And you really feel that he is worthy of a pardon for his crimes?”
Though a pardon was something you got after you were convicted, Decker knew what the judge meant, and felt it prudent not to correct the man.
“Yes, sir.”
“You are acquainted with Judge Isaac Parker, aren’t you?”
“I know the judge, yes sir.”
Parker was known by the uncomplimentary nickname of “Hanging” Judge Parker, but Decker knew better than to put any credence in that. He had a lot of respect for Parker, a man he had met on numerous occasions.
“I asked him about you before I came here.”
“Yes, sir.”
“He has a high opinion of you.”
“And I have a high opinion of him, sir.”
“I see. Well, since the judge vouches for you, Decker, I’m inclined to put more faith in your opinion—in spite of your profession.”
Fine, Decker thought, the man doesn’t like bounty hunters.
“Does that mean you’ll let Foxx go, sir?”
“I’ll give my decision in the courtroom, Decker. That’s all for now.”
Decker had gone out to the courtroom and waited with everyone else for the judge to come in. When he did, he spoke the words both Decker and Foxx were hoping for.
Foxx would not be prosecuted for his crimes, as his preservation of three lives far outweighed his crimes, all of which were nonviolent.
