Defiant (22 page)

The fact that Pete was smiling at him only made Clint more furious.

“Wipe that smile off your face,” he ordered in a cold, deadly voice. He motioned toward the back room where the jail cells were and directed, “Keep walking.”

“Wait a minute—” Pete argued, believing this was some kind of game McCullough was playing
and that he could still take control of the situation.

Clint quickly put an end to that belief as he said, “It wouldn’t bother me at all to put a bullet in you right now, so don’t try anything. Just turn around.”

When Pete did as he’d ordered, Clint closed the distance between them and grabbed Pete’s gun out of his gun belt. He shoved him in the direction of the back room.

“Move.”

Clint didn’t trust him for a minute. He was ready for anything Pete might try. It actually surprised him when he didn’t put up a fight or try to get away.

“You know my deputy is due back here at any time,” Pete said, hoping to make McCullough nervous.

“Good, then Nick will be the first to find out that the real leader of the Tucker Gang is behind bars,” Clint told him as he shoved him forcefully into the empty cell and slammed the door shut, locking it and pocketing the key.

Pete turned and glared through the bars of the jail cell. He finally realized there was more going on here than just a gunfighter wanting to prove something to him. “Who are you?”

Clint looked him in the eye as he answered, “Does the name Frank Williams mean anything to you?”

Pete went still at the mention of the Ranger’s name. Warily, he answered, “He’s dead.”

“I know. I was there when it happened,” Clint
said quietly as he faced the sheriff down. A part of him still wanted to pull the trigger right then and there and claim his revenge. “He was my father.”

“You’re—” Shock radiated through Pete as he realized whom he was facing.

“That’s right, I’m Clint Williams.”

“But they said you were dead—”

Clint smiled coldly at him. “They were wrong.”

Chapter Twenty-two

Pete was cursing Clint as he watched him turn and walk back into the front office. Clint closed the door to the cell area so he wouldn’t have to listen to him.

A feeling of some satisfaction filled Clint.

He had Pete behind bars, and that was good.

But it wasn’t over yet.

He still had to bring in Tuck, Ax, and Walt—the real killers—the men who’d actually done the shooting that fateful night. Clint was exhausted, but too tense to rest. He didn’t know if they’d made it into town yet or not, but as soon as he could, he planned to head over to the Last Chance to look for them.

Pete had mentioned that Nick might show up at any time, so Clint sat down at the desk to wait for the deputy. He kept his rifle by his side, just in case there was any kind of trouble.

It had been a quiet day in Dry Springs, and Nick was in a good mood as he returned to the sheriff’s office and saw Pete’s horse tied up out front. He’d known Pete had had some personal business to take care of earlier that day, and he was glad the sheriff was back, for it was almost Nick’s quitting time. He walked into the office.

“Kane—?” Nick stopped just inside the door to find himself staring at the gunslinger. Kane was seated at the sheriff’s desk, holding a rifle.

“Hello, Nick,” Clint said easily. His manner appeared relaxed, but in truth he was tense, worrying about the deputy’s reaction to finding him there.

“What are you doing here? Where’s Pete?” Nick looked around, confused.

“He’s in back, but first we need to talk,” Clint said, not shifting his position at all, still holding the weapon.

“What do you mean, Pete’s in back?”

“Nick!”

Nick heard Pete’s shout even through the closed door and thought it sounded like he was in trouble.

“What is going on around here?” He started to go for his sidearm as he headed for the closed door.

“Don’t,” Clint ordered in a steely tone as he got to his feet with the rifle in his hands.

Nick stopped and looked at him.

“There are a few things you need to know
about Pete,” Clint began. Then, seeing Nick’s wary expression, he added, “Hear me out.”

“I’d say it looks like I don’t have much choice,” Nick returned, angry that he’d been caught off guard and was now cornered.

“You won’t be sorry,” Clint assured him.

“All right,” Nick told him cautiously. “Talk.”

“First off, my name’s not Kane McCullough. I’m Clint Williams, and up until recently I was a Texas Ranger.”

“What?” Nick exclaimed in surprise.

“That’s right. The Tucker Gang attacked and killed my family. I was shot and left for dead, but I managed to recover. I turned in my badge and came after the gang on my own. I learned just today that Pete Reynolds was the leader of the gang.”

“Pete’s in with the Tucker Gang?” Nick repeated in shock.

“That’s right. Why do you think the posse was so quick to give up on tracking down the outlaws who tried to rob the stage? It was because Pete realized the outlaws were his gang, and he didn’t want to bring them in.”

“Are you serious?”

“I’m deadly serious.”

“So where’s the gang?”

“They’re still here in the area. I tracked them down last night and kept them under surveillance today. That’s how I found out Pete was their leader. I saw him meeting with them earlier
today, and then I followed him back to town from their camp. There are three gunmen in the gang, and they should be showing up here in town any time now. They’re expecting me to join up with them and help them pull off the robbery of an Army payroll that’s passing through the area. Pete’s already got the whole robbery planned out.”

“How do I know you’re not lying?” Nick challenged. “Why should I believe any of what you’re telling me?”

“You should believe me because it’s the truth,” Clint answered seriously. “If you need someone to confirm what I just told you, you can send a telegram to Ranger Captain Meyers. He’ll back me up on everything.”

Nick studied Clint. He remembered their earlier conversation and how he’d sensed the good in him. “I believe you.”

Relief swept through Clint. “Thanks. I appreciate your trust, but if you want to send that wire to check on me, I understand.”

They were so intent on their conversation that when the office door opened and Michelle walked in carrying a small basket, they were surprised.

“Michelle—” Nick said hesitantly, knowing she couldn’t have picked a worse time to show up.

“Hello, Nick. I brought you some sweet rolls,” she began, giving him an alluring smile before realizing Clint was with him. “Oh, hi, Cli—” Michelle cut herself off as she realized she’d almost called him by his real name.

“So you know who he really is, too?” Nick demanded, recognizing her mistake.

“Well—” she said hesitantly, uncomfortable that she might have ruined Clint’s cover. She looked at Clint, trying to judge his reaction.

“It’s all right, Michelle.” Clint encouraged her. “You can tell him the truth.”

Relieved, she looked back at Nick. “Yes, I know who he is, and I know the reason he’s here. I was one of the witnesses when he and Rachel got married.”

“You married Rachel?” Now Nick was truly shocked as he glanced over at Clint.

“Yes, I did,” he answered simply. “The reverend married us the other night, but I can’t risk being together openly with her until I’ve finished what I came here to do—and that’s taking down the Tucker Gang.”

“How can I help you?” Nick offered.

“You are so wonderful, Nick,” Michelle sighed, gazing up at the deputy with obvious yearning. “Can you get Pete to help you, too? That would really make things easier if there were three of you going after them.”

“I’m afraid not,” Nick answered. “I just found out Pete is in with the Tucker Gang. He’s the real leader.”

“Oh, no! Pete?” she gasped.

“That’s right. He’s the man who calls the shots. He’s the one responsible for the death and destruction they’ve been wreaking,” Clint explained.

“What are you going to do about him? And what
about the other members of the gang? Do you know where they are?” Michelle asked worriedly.

“Pete will be standing trial for his crimes, and as for the other three—if they’re not in town already, they soon will be. I’m supposed to meet with them at the Last Chance, and when I do, their days of murdering innocents will be over.”

“Nick—what are you going to do?” Michelle was suddenly worried about the two of them facing down the group of deadly gunmen alone.

“I’m going to help Clint bring in the gang. That’s what I’m going to do,” Nick answered.

Uncaring that Clint was there, Michelle went straight to Nick and embraced him. “Be careful—please.”

Nick put his arms around her and held her close for a moment. “Don’t worry. Everything is going to be all right.”

Michelle drew back to gaze at him. “It had better be.”

Nick couldn’t help himself. He bent down and kissed her, a quick kiss that he wished could have lasted longer. “You’d better go now.”

Michelle moved away from him and looked at both men. “I will, but don’t take any chances. Rachel and I want you both safe.”

Neither Nick nor Clint said anything for a moment after she left them.

Finally Clint spoke up, “I need to go to the Last Chance and wait for the outlaws to show up. That’s what they’re expecting me to do.”

“All right. Let me check on Pete, and I’ll go with you.”

Nick went into the cell area to make sure Pete was securely locked up.

“It’s about time you showed up!” Pete snarled. “Get me out of here!”

“That’s not going to happen. You’re under arrest for murder and robbery. You’re not going anywhere,” Mick said.

“Let me out of here, now.” There was a threat in Pete’s tone.

“No. Your days of robbing and killing are over. The next time you get out of that cell, it’s going to be to stand trial.” Nick started to leave.

“You’re going to regret this!”

Nick turned on him and pinned him with a cold-eyed glare. “No. I’m not.”

Nick walked out. He locked the door to the cell area, then got several sets of handcuffs to take with them. He left the office with Clint, heading for the Last Chance.

Michelle rushed to Rachel’s house, praying that her friend would be home so she could let her know what was going on. She knocked on the door loudly and waited in tense anticipation for someone to answer the summons. She was relieved when Mrs. Hammond finally came to the door.

“Why, Michelle, this is a pleasant surprise. Come in,” Anne invited.

“Thanks, Mrs. Hammond. Is Rachel here? I have to talk to her. It’s an emergency!”

Anne could tell this was serious. “Wait in the parlor. I’ll go get her.”

Anne hurried upstairs, calling out to her daughter as she went.

Rachel heard her mother’s call and came out of her room. “What is it, Mother?”

“Michelle’s here, and she says it’s important.”

Rachel wasted no time going downstairs with her mother.

“She’s in the parlor waiting.”

They went in to find Michelle anxiously pacing the room.

“Michelle? What’s wrong?”

“Oh, Rachel—thank heaven you’re here.” Michelle hurried to give her a quick hug. “I just left the sheriff’s office, and I’m so scared!”

“Why?”

Michelle quickly related what she’d learned. “Clint and Nick are on their way to arrest the gang right now at the Last Chance. But there are only the two of them against the three gunmen! They could be killed!”

As Rachel listened, her heart began to pound. She knew Clint would want her to stay out of it, but he had saved her twice, and if he was going to be in trouble, she had to help him in any way she could. “I’ve got to go there—”

“Not by yourself, you’re not,” Michelle said. “We have to help them. But how? What can we do?”

Rachel looked over at her mother as an idea came to her.

“I know exactly what we can do,” she said firmly. She asked her mother, “Can you get Papa? I think we need to go to the Last Chance again and pray for lost souls.”

“Your father’s at church. We can stop there on our way to the saloon,” her mother told her.

“You’re going, too?” Rachel was surprised.

“Clint’s my son-in-law. Of course I’m going along.”

“All right. Let’s go.” Rachel was ready to help Clint put an end to the days of terror caused by this murderous gang. “I only have to get one thing.”

“What’s that?” Michelle asked.

“My gun,” Rachel answered.

Her mother didn’t protest Rachel’s decision. She and Michelle waited while Rachel got the gun from where it was kept locked up.

As they left the house, Anne felt armed, too. She had her Bible with her.

Within minutes, reached the church. Rachel hoped to find more people there who would be willing to march with them to the Last Chance.

Martin was in the meeting room talking with Eve and several other members of the congregation when they came in.

“Excuse me a moment,” Martin told those he was meeting with. He could tell something was wrong, for his wife and daughter looked very serious. “What’s happened?”

Rachel quickly told her father everything. “Can you come with us to the saloon? Just like we did the last time?”

“Rachel, considering the circumstances, the wise thing to do would be for you to stay right here in church and pray for Clint and Nick.”

She met his gaze straight on. “We can pray on our way to the saloon and while we’re there. Clint has saved me twice. I have to help him. Our showing up at the Last Chance would create a diversion, and that might be just what Clint and Nick need to make the arrests without putting anyone in danger.”

Martin knew the situation was treacherous, but he also realized his daughter was right. “Let me talk to the others and see. Wait here. I’ll be right back.”

He returned to the meeting room to tell the people there what was happening. When he came back out, they all were following him, with Eve in the lead.

“Is it really true about Sheriff Reynolds?” Eve asked, stunned by the news that he was a part of the outlaw gang.

“Yes. Clint and Nick have him locked up at the jail, and they’re going after the other members of the gang right now.”