Colby lowered his head as a militia soldier walked by and for a second stepped into the crowd, craning his head as if looking for someone. A second later, he pointed at something then walked out of view.
Near to Captain Evans, his mother was forced back against a makeshift wall of wood. Her restraints behind her back were connected to a metal loop so she couldn’t run. There was no anxiety on her face. It was steely. Laser-focused as if she knew something they didn’t. This wasn’t a woman afraid of death. If given the chance for some final words, he expected she would opt to spit in the captain’s face, defiant to her last breath.
“I know. I know what you’re thinking,” Evans addressed the crowd. “Why is your sheriff up here in restraints? I will tell you the truth because he won’t. No, he would rather hide behind lies and shield men like this,” he said, pointing to Paco. “A man who was involved in the scalping of the good people of this community. A man whose tribe entered Trinity County and Humboldt with the single purpose of stealing, killing, and destroying your families. But I heard you.” He pointed to his chest. “I heard your cries for justice, I saw you pleading your case for help and failing to get it. So I am here to give it to you. But not him. No. Dan Wilder would rather turn a blind eye.”
“That’s a lie!” Dan shouted out. “Don’t listen to him.”
“Oh, he would love nothing more than to have you not listen to me. But why is that? Huh? Maybe because we found out your sheriff’s family is the Stricklands.”
He let the family name dangle. Knowing full well the animosity, fear, and disgust many had for Hank’s family. “Isn’t that right, Dan?”
“You piece of shit!”
He laughed. “See, he doesn’t even deny it.”
“Don’t listen to him, he will…” One of the militia stepped forward and struck Dan with the butt of a gun, knocking him out cold.
“Listen to me, good people. Your sheriff might lie to you but I won’t. When you were hungry, who brought you food and water?” He waited. “When you required medical supplies, who made sure your loved ones had them?” He paused again. “And when you needed protection and were scared of a home invasion, who captured the one responsible?”
He allowed his words to sink in as he pointed to Paco.
It was perfect manipulation. The militia had rolled out the red carpet and put on one hell of a performance. How could anyone argue with that? It wasn’t like the militia had harmed the community. They had done nothing but good in their eyes. People were fickle. It was the reason why so many supported those in power even if they didn’t like them. People only cared about themselves, their needs, their wants, their protection. As long as those were being met, they didn’t care who was in charge.
“What about the woman?” someone yelled. “What is her crime?”
“I’m glad you’ve asked.” He pointed at Martha. “Martha Riker. You all know her and you all know the reputation of her family. So it will come as no surprise to you to learn that this woman has covered up crimes and conspired against us. Against you! Her son murdered three of our soldiers in cold blood. That’s right. Three men who were attempting to bring to justice the man you see before you.” He took a deep breath, pacing the stage, working it like a preacher.
Colby kept his head low.
“We will always have your backs,” Evans said, spreading thick his lies.
Most of the crowd looked on in wonder and awe. How could they not? It wasn’t like these were mere words. They had seen him deliver on his promises. He was a man of action. He had come through time and time again since the militia’s arrival.
“Now I don’t take pleasure in seeing this happen but we need to send a clear message to all that would seek to murder, conspire and lie against us. Crimes against Eureka will not go unpunished. Your families deserve better. The city of Eureka deserves to be protected and that begins with tonight’s execution. But before we do it, so you know that we aren’t just taking the reins and dealing out punishment as we so fit, we ask you this, men and women of Eureka. Do you think these three people here,” he gestured to them, “should be fed three times a day with the little supplies we have? Should they be given the protection they have refused to give others?”
Almost immediately the crowd responded with a resounding no.
Colby had to admit, he had played this well.
A community couldn’t be won over through threats of violence with a gun to their heads, but pretend to be an ally, pretend to be a victim like them and he would have them eating out of his hand.
Few knew the Wiyot Tribe enough to understand what kind of people they were. And they cared little for his mother, a woman that was on the best of days shunned for her illicit family business. And Dan, well, he hadn’t helped himself. Had he been forthright at the start about his background, maybe he would have had supporters.
“Execute them.”
“We shouldn’t give them anything!”
“They deserve death.”
Random voices cried out from the crowd.
“Very well. The people have spoken!” Evans said, grinning as he looked at the three. “Let it be agreed then that this execution tonight will mark a new era going forward in what we will allow. Tonight we will have justice!”
The crowd roared again.
Colby saw the shift, many people getting riled up.
Some remained silent, too shocked by what the others were allowing.
The fact was, it wasn’t blood they wanted, they wanted justice, safety,
