“This may just be the best gift I’ve ever received. Thank you, sir.”
“Keep your ears open for me in the jail, and I’ll be back at, say, noon tomorrow for the chair test.”
“I’ll have her ready,” replied Ken. He attempted to fight off daydreams about being back home with his girlfriend and dog on Saturday night. Only if you survive the jump and he decides to keep you around, he thought.
“Oh, last thing, Ken,” added the Sheriff. “I’ll send my girlfriend by later today. She wants to meet you.”
“Ah, okay, sir. Sure.”
* * * *
“Hi, Ken,” came the call a few hours later.
“Hey, Kate. It’s been a long time. How are you?”
“I couldn’t be better, considering the circumstances. The chair, it’s looking good,” she added.
“How did you know about this?” Ken asked.
“I know a lot about you, actually—about the chair and your upcoming jump.”
“Oh, now I get it. The Sheriff said his girlfriend would be by today. I guess that’s you.”
“That’s right. Let’s get a few things straight, though,” she added, closing the door to the side room and lowering her voice. “Sheriff Johnson and I have been together for a few years now. I’m sure the new addition to the jailhouse yesterday didn’t go unnoticed by you or the other men there.”
“No, you’re right. It was something I didn’t expect, that’s for sure.”
“Have you heard the phrase ‘A man is only as good as the woman who stands next to him?’” she asked.
“That sounds familiar,” Ken replied.
“That’s what we have here in this town now. It was the Sheriff’s idea to let you jump the courthouse, and it was mine to save you from the noose. Do you think it was just a coincidence that I handed him the 1974 Guinness Book of World Records, featuring none other than Evel Knievel at the exact moment he was wondering what to do with you all?”
“I’m not sure I follow,” said Ken.
“Here it is. I’ve known it was you inside since the beginning. You ran for City Council—and I voted for you, by the way.”
“Oh, that makes sense. And thanks for the vote!”
“Anyway, if I could have got you out of there by winning a motorcycle race, I would have done it, but the Sheriff loves the death-defying stunts, so I pushed him towards something I thought you could walk away from alive… What do you think of the helmet?” she said with a wink.
“That was you, too?” Ken asked.
“A little of both, I guess. You’re growing on him too.”
“What about Richard and the other guy?” he asked.
“Ha! I don’t give a crap about that slob Richard or James’ shooter. Nope, he came up with the gladiator thing on his own. Do you talk to those guys?”
“Hell no. I keep to myself.”
“That’s what I thought. There’s one more thing,” she said, moving in close and whispering in his ear “It doesn’t matter who wins their little fight; neither of them is getting out alive. We, you and I, just drifted apart. I know that, and I don’t blame you for it. But he doesn’t know about us, and I’m not sure what he would do if he found out. Does that make sense?”
“Completely.”
“So, the short of it is, you keep that our little secret, and I’ll do my best to keep your head on your shoulders. I also expect complete loyalty to the office of the Sheriff moving forward, assuming you make the landing.”
“And if he decides to keep me around, right?” he asked, only half-joking.
“Nope, you just make the jump and I’ll make sure you get to stay in town. Besides, I hear you have a dog and a new girlfriend to get back to.”
“I, uh…well, I mean…”
“Don’t worry about it,” she said, with a smile. “Make the landing, and you will be home on Saturday night. Are we agreed?”
“Sure, Kate. It sounds like you’re the one doing me a favor.”
“I am. See you around, Ken.”
She kissed him on the cheek and opened the door to leave, giving the shop owner a mind-your-own-business look.
* * * *
“What did you think about Ken?” asked the Sheriff as soon as he saw her at home.
“You should keep him around. You can trust him; I know that much.”
“That’s what I thought you would say, honey.”
* * * * * * *
Chapter Two
Second Chances Ranch
Weston, Colorado
James had a visitor later in the day. He was looking at the gate through his binoculars when the man arrived on horseback. James recognized him immediately.
“Jason, can you let him in through the gate?”
“Sure, but do you know him?”
“Yep, he’s one of the Sheriff’s deputies; he’s got a small farm a few miles towards town.”
“Why didn’t he just drive up here?” asked Jason, as he headed down the front porch stairs.
“Well, he either is just out for a ride on his day off or is not looking to draw any attention, and I’m guessing the latter, so let’s see what he has to say.”
“Howdy, James.”
“Deputy, how have you been?”
“Better than most, I have to admit. Oh, I didn’t mean...”
“We’ve known each other a long time,” said James. “You’re not going to offend me with anything you might say—and besides my legs, I’m better than most!”
“Point taken, old friend,” replied the deputy. “Time to state my business, I guess… I heard you had a visitor yesterday.”
“Maybe,” replied James. “What are you asking me?”
“Well, I’m not askin’ as much as I’m only giving a heads up to an old friend and one of the few men I trust in this town. Judge Lowry was arrested on Sheriff Johnson’s orders shortly after leaving your place. I wasn’t there, but it seems there was a long chase before they apprehended him.”
“What’s the charge?” asked James, trying not to act as surprised as he was about the news.
“That’s just it! I don’t know. Our
