they hit another bank in Hollister, Oklahoma. Once again, they went in
during the night, but they didn't use kerosene."
"Did they tear up the place? " Ryan shook his head. "They were nice
and tidy. They didn't touch anything but the money, and they didn't
leave any evidence behind."
"How do you know the two robberies were related? " "Gut feeling
mostly, " Ryan said. "There were a couple of similarities.
As I said before, they went in during the night, and in both cases,
government money had just been deposited for the army salaries at the
nearby forts."
"Where was the third bank? " "Pelton, Kansas, " Ryan answered. "They
changed the way they did things with that robbery.
They went in at closing time, just like they did here. There were
seven people inside. Two were killed. The shooting started when one
of the employees went for his gun. He died gripping it in his hand,
but he didn't get a shot off."
"So you did have witnesses? " "Yes, but they weren't helpful. They
said the men wore masks and that only one did all the talking. They
said he had a southern drawl."
"How many men did they say came into the bank? " "Seven."
"And they were after army payroll again? " "Yes." Cole filed the
information away.
Then he asked, "Where did they strike next? " "They went back to
Texas, " Ryan answered, "and robbed a bank in Dillon."
"That's your hometown, isn't it? " Ryan looked startled. Cole quickly
explained.
"I did a halfhearted search for you when you took the compass from my
mother."
"What else did you find out? " Cole shrugged. "Nothing much. Was
anyone killed in the robbery in Dillon? " he asked, switching the
topic back to the more pressing matter.
"Yes." His voice turned harsh, angry. "Too damned many." Cole
waited, but Ryan didn't give him any particulars. When Cole prodded
him for details, he became agitated.
"Look, it's all in the files. I've gone through them at least a
hundred times, but maybe when you read the reports, you'll find
something I missed. The bank in Dillon was the last one they hit that
year. They lay low in the fall and winter months, then start in again
in the spring and summer months. It's sporadic, yet consistent, " he
added. "Last year they moved north and became even more violent, and
this year, all three banks they've robbed have been in Montana
Territory."
"Probably because there are so many places to hide."
"Yes. I think so too. They've stayed away from the big cities."
"Sheriff Norton told me about the witness you had in Middleton." Ryan
nodded. "Luke MacFarland was his name. He happened to be walking past
the bank during the robbery. He told me he heard gunshots, but that he
was already looking in through the space between the window and the
shades because of something else he heard."