“A gang leaves a clear trail, Simon,” Cardwell said. “We’re just two men, and we’re gonna split up after we divvy the money. Besides, the way you tell it, that was personal. Ain’t nothin’ personal about this bank robbery.”
“Considerin’ what Dan Shaye and his sons did to the Langer gang,” Simon Jacks said, “I guess we better hope you’re right.”
25
“James!”
Shaye looked at his son’s back while James stared into the cell block at the surviving bank robber.
“Yeah, Pa?”
“Stop thinkin’ about her, son,” Shaye said. “It ain’t gonna bring her back.”
James turned his head and looked over his shoulder at his father. “I know that, Pa.”
“Close that door and come over here so we can talk.”
James did as he was told, closing the door to the cell block and then walking over to the desk. His father was sitting in his office chair, leaning over to one side to keep weight off his injured hip. He was wearing only his shirt, and was naked from the waist down. The doctor had cut his pants off him, and they were useless.
“James, I hate to give you an errand like this, but I need you to go home and get me a pair of pants. I can’t talk to the mayor and the townspeople like this.”
“That’s okay, Pa,” James said. “I need somethin’ to do, anyway.”
Shaye had painfully donned a fresh pair of trousers by the time Thomas returned with not only the mayor, but other members of the town council. James had resumed his position leaning against the far wall with his arms folded.
Timmerman’s face was ashen, and he was not the spokesman for the group, which was odd. Instead, the owner of the general store, Al Donovan, took the lead.
“Sheriff,” Donovan said, “we need to know what you’re going to do about catching these men.”
“We killed three of them, Al,” Shaye said, “and we have a fourth in a cell. We don’t know how many there were, all told, and we don’t know how many were in the bank. We do, however, have a good idea who two of them were.”
He explained to Donovan—and the rest of the council—about Ben Cardwell and Sean Davis coming to town and registering at the hotel.
“Why didn’t you arrest them when they arrived?” Donovan asked.
“I can’t arrest two men for bein’ strangers, Al,” Shaye said.
“You should gave done something!” Mayor Timmerman said.
“We did, Mr. Mayor,” Shaye said. “We watched them.”
“Apparently,” Donovan said, “you didn’t watch them long enough.”
“I don’t see that I can argue with that, Al.”
“Mr. Donovan,” Thomas said, “my pa took a bullet tryin’ to stop this robbery.”
Donovan looked at Thomas. “We appreciate that fact, Deputy,” he said, “we really do, but we need to know what’s going to be done now!”
“I’m going to interrogate the prisoner,” Shaye said, “find out how many men were involved. He should be able to tell us who was in the bank, and then we’ll know who killed all those people.” Shaye looked at Timmerman, intending to ask him a question, but thought better of it and addressed himself to Donovan once again. “Do we know how much money they got?”
“Not yet,” Donovan said.
Shaye shifted painfully in his chair. “We’re gonna be puttin’ together a posse, Al. I assume we can count on you and the other members of the council?”
“Uh, well, we’re merchants, Sheriff, not gunmen. We wouldn’t be much help to you.”
“There’s strength in numbers,” Shaye said.
“I’m sure you can find some young men from town who’ll volunteer for a posse.”
“I guess we’ll see,” Shaye said.
“Besides,” Donovan said, “how do you intend to ride with that wound?”
“I’ll be leadin’ the posse, Mr. Donovan,” Thomas said before Shaye could answer.
“You?” Donovan asked. Behind him, Timmerman snorted.
“Do you have a problem with that, Mayor?” Thomas asked.
“No offense, Deputy, but we hired your pa to be sheriff, largely because we wanted the man who had successfully hunted down the Langer gang.”
“Thomas is the one who caught Ethan Langer, Mayor,” Shaye said. “He’s very capable of leadin’ a posse.”
“And I’ll be ridin’ along too,” James chimed in.
“Both of my sons are good, experienced deputies, gentlemen,” Shaye said. “You have no worries on that account.”
“Well, fine then,” Donovan said.
“I want to talk to the man in the cell,” Mayor Timmerman said.
“I’m afraid I can’t allow that, Mayor.”
“Why not?”
“Because you’re not the law.”
“I’m a lawyer,” Timmerman said. “The man deserves to see a lawyer.”
Everyone stared at Timmerman, including his colleagues on the council.
“Mayor,” Shaye said, “are you tellin’ me that you want to represent one of the men from the gang who killed your daughter?”
Timmerman’s eyebrows shot up and his face, so pale before, suddenly suffused with blood.
“Good God, no!”
“Well then, you can’t see him,” Shaye said. “The best thing for you to do now is go and take care of your daughter, and be with your family. As for the rest of you, just go on about your business and let us get on with ours.”
“Sheriff,” Donovan said, “you can’t—”
“This way out, gents,” Thomas said.
“I’ll get the door,” James said, pushing away from the wall. He opened the door and stood there like a doorman.
“All right,” Donovan said, “but keep us informed about what you’re doing, Sheriff.”
“Don’t worry, Al,” Shaye said. “You’ll be the first to know—all of you.”
Thomas ushered the town council out of the office and James closed the door behind them.
“Ow,” Shaye said as he struggled to his feet.
“Pa, what are you doin’?” Thomas asked.
“Like I said,” he answered, “I’m gonna talk to the prisoner.”
“Are you sure you want to do that?” Thomas asked.
“Can you walk?” James asked.
“I may not be able to ride, but I think I can walk,” Shaye said. He took a couple of steps, didn’t fall down, and said, “See?”
“We’ll come in with you,” Thomas said.
“No,” Shaye said. “You boys go out and ask around, see what you can find out.”
“What are we supposed to ask?” James questioned.
“See if anyone saw anything,” Shaye said. “There had to be a man somewhere watching the horses the gang meant to use in their getaway. Also, somebody might have seen the men from the bank after they went out the back way. Go to the livery, the hotels, just ask around and find out whatever you can. The smallest detail might be helpful.”
“All right, Pa,” Thomas said. “But be careful with the prisoner. You’re not steady on your feet.”
“I’m not goin’ into the cell, Thomas,” Shaye said. “Just meet me back here in a couple of hours and we’ll compare notes.”
“When do we start lookin’ for posse members?” Thomas asked.
“Do it now, while you’re askin’ questions.”
“How many, Pa?” James asked.
“I don’t know,” Shaye said. “I’ll know better after I talk with the prisoner.”
“You think he’ll tell you anythin’?” James asked.
Shaye looked at his sons and said, “I think he better.”
26
Dan Shaye tested his legs out before entering the cell block. When he was finally sure he wouldn’t fall over, he entered, leaving his gun belt on his desk.