“No. But I make it fun,” she said, bouncing up from her chair and leading the way back to his office. She was aware that there was little that could be done to stop the militia if they intended to overthrow what order was in place, but she wouldn’t stand by and just let it happen. Although she despised the Stricklands, Dan was an anomaly who had demonstrated that he was trying his best. That was why she was convinced she might be able to get through to him.
They filled his cramped office like sardines in a can.
Before Dan could get started she began. “When I presented the evidence for the arrest of Alby, I thought we had an understanding?”
“We did. I mean we do.”
“I’d like to think that I proved that I value law and order, would you agree?”
“Possibly,” he said, his gaze roaming their faces.
“Then may I ask what the punishment is for having a firearm on you in the town of Eureka? I mean, with the new rules and all?”
“You would be given a warning, the firearm would be removed, or if you aren’t staying, you would be removed.”
“And would that involve beating a person to almost the point of death?”
Dan cocked his head. “No. Where are you going with this, Martha?”
“Jessie is laid up in bed. Beaten to a pulp by your militia.”
“They’re not mine and I was not aware of this. I was told he was given a warning.”
She stifled a laugh and lowered her head, then removed a cigarette from her bag and lit it. “Do you think a warning looks like this?” She took out a snapshot she’d taken with a Polaroid camera. Martha tossed it on the desk in front of him. It was of Jessie before they cleaned him up, his face bloody, barely recognizable.
Dan shook his head with a look of disgust. “I never approved of this.”
“Well, someone did and from what we’ve been able to glean from Nina, the militia did that.” She paused for effect or simply to let him chew it over. “Of course, after they attempted to rape her. Thankfully, my son didn’t allow that and they left her alone for your family to inflict their own punishment on her.”
“Punishment?”
“She was pregnant. Nina was pregnant with Jessie’s child. But I guess Stricklands have a problem with things like that. What with the way Ryland dealt with the news of Skye’s pregnancy.”
“You’re losing me,” he said. “Martha, would you get to the point!”
“They aborted the baby. Nina’s baby. Your family did it by force.”
He sank back in his chair, bringing a hand up to his forehead, clearly distressed. They were dumping a lot on his plate all at once, but it was about to get worse. “And that’s not all. They killed one of the Wiyot Tribe.”
He groaned. “I know about that.”
“Do you?” Colby said. “Let me guess, they left out the part where they executed an unarmed man without reason. But you would know that, right, because you know I killed a few of their men after they attempted to shoot me.”
“Self-defense?” he asked.
“That’s right. Except my friend didn’t get to defend himself. They didn’t give him that opportunity,” Colby added.
Dan got up and brought two fingers up to the bridge of his nose and squeezed hard while resting the other hand on his service weapon.
“Where is Paco?” Colby asked.
“He was booked into the jail. Until we determine his involvement in the scalpings.”
“Have you charged him with anything?” Martha asked.
“Well… we…” he trailed off and Martha knew he had nothing.
Colby piped up. “Just as I thought. Forty-eight hours, Dan. You can’t hold him longer than that without a charge.”
“Listen to me. If we release him, there will be chaos. Locals know he’s here. It’s only because we’re holding him that they haven’t started rioting. They want blood for what has happened.”
“You mean the militia does. Man, wake up and see what is happening here!” Martha said. “They are doing whatever the hell they like and right now you’re caught in the middle of it. So what are you going to do?”
Outside the door, Martha could hear a commotion. Arguing. Raised voices. Boots making their way toward the office. As quick as a flash, Dan went around the desk and opened the door to a wall of armed militia.
Chapter Twenty-One
Captain Evans and Lieutenant Hale were among the group outside. As soon as they came into view, rifles were raised on both sides, and yelling ensued. All the while Dan was caught in the middle, one hand extended in their direction, the other toward the militia. “No. Put your weapons down. Listen to me. Stand down!”
“Keep them up, boys,” Martha said, a handgun in her grip. She was ready to use it and die right then if need be. Several deputies rushed to help but were stopped by more militia that appeared behind them.
“Captain. Tell your men to stand down!” Dan barked.
“I will not.”
“Stand down!” Dan bellowed.
“Not until we have him in custody.”
He wouldn’t take his eyes off Colby.
“Yeah, and what about your men? You shot that man in cold blood!” Colby yelled.
“He resisted arrest.”
“Bullshit.”
“You want to die now?” Evans yelled.
“Do you?” Colby shot back, rifle aimed at his face.
Dan was losing his shit. “Stand down!”
“Never.”
“I told you, you are not in charge.”
“And neither is a Strickland!” Evans shot back. There was silence. “That’s right. I found out about you. Tell me, Dan, do the good people of Eureka know? Do your deputies know?” He waited for an answer, a smile spreading. “Now step aside, sheriff, or else.”
“Or else what?” Dan sneered at him. “Your services are no longer needed. You will leave Eureka now!”
Evans laughed. “You think that’s how this ends?”
Dan nodded.
“You’re making a big mistake, sheriff. I’m giving you one last chance. Move out of the fucking way.” More deputies appeared, guns out, offering support. If a round was fired now, so much blood would be
