Lawrence's house. He saw Jessica and Caleb in the street, slowed down
to make sure they were all right, and then continued on to Cole, who
was standing over the dead gunman. Panting, Daniel watched as Cole
kicked the man over onto his back. Every bone in the man's face had
been crushed by the fall. The damage was so severe his own mother
wouldn't have recognized him now.
"Do you know who he is? " Daniel asked.
Cole shook his head. "Maybe Rebecca can tell us . . . if she can
recognize him. He was probably one of the gang."
"Yeah, well, Grace just told me she was in the bank. She swears she's
the witness." Cole was taken aback by the announcement. "Which one's
telling the truth? " "Damned if I know, " Daniel muttered. He
squatted down next to the body and began to search the pockets, looking
for identification.
Cole waited for another minute or two until he was certain he'd gotten
his anger under control. Then he slowly crossed the street to Jessica,
who was doubled over, hugging her son. Cole put his arms around her
and lifted her up. She tried to jerk away from him. He noticed the
six-shooter in her hand and quickly grabbed it, tossing it on the
ground behind him.
Caleb reached for him, but Jessica wouldn't let the boy go. She was
still trembling and taking deep, gasping breaths.
"Why the hell didn't you drop when I told you to? " Cole asked in a
voice as smooth as molasses.
What he said and how he said it confused her. She couldn't tell if he
was angry or not. "What did you say? " "I asked you to explain why
you didn't dive for cover when I ordered you to, " he repeated.
"You're angry."
"Yes, I am."
"You want to shout at me, don't you?
" "Yes, I do, " he admitted. "But I won't. It would upset Caleb, and
yelling is pointless. Next time, Jessica, do as I say. I can't
protect you unless you do."
"Next time? " she shouted.
Caleb burst into tears again.
"Ah, hell, now look what you've done, " Cole muttered.
Daniel joined them. Without a thought as to what he was doing, he took
the baby away from Jessica, turning so that Caleb wouldn't see the body
behind them.
"Poor baby, " he whispered as he gently patted Caleb's back.
Properly soothe , the baby put his head down on Daniel's shoulder and
stuck his thumb in his mouth.
"Did you find any identification? " Cole asked him.
"No, " Daniel answered. "His pockets were empty." Jessica grabbed
hold of Cole's hand. It had finally dawned on her what he had said.
"I didn't do as you ordered because Iwasn't thinking. I only wanted to
get to my son to protect him from that madman."
"I understand, " he said. "But, Jessica, I can't . . . " She squeezed
his hand as she interrupted. "I'm sorry if my conduct upsets you or