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God's voice every day at noon on the dot, and refused counsel. The
Lord, he declared, would step forward and testify on his behalf.
Ironically, the judge who heard the case just happened to have carrot
orange hair, and it didn't take him any time at all to recommend to the
jury that the guilty man be hanged.
Cooper had done and seen it all. Deeply tanned with creases at the
corners of his brown eyes and prematurely silver-tipped hair, he looked
more like a senator than a lawman. Nothing ever fazed him. After
reading Daniel's notes, he tossed the pad on the desk and sat down.
The two deputies leaned against the wall behind him.
"It seems to me that you're letting these three women run your
investigation, " he remarked as he stretched his long legs out and
crossed one ankle over the other.
Cole heard the comment as he came in the door. He had just returned
from the hotel.
Daniel introduced him to Cooper and his deputies. "This is Marshal
Clayborne, " he said. "He's new to the job." The deputies rushed
forward to shake his hand. Spencer looked awestruck and asked, "Is
your first name Cole? Are you that Clayborne brother? " "Yes, " Cole
answered.
"I've heard all about you, sir."
"Is that right? " Cole asked, wondering what he had heard.
"Yes, sir, " Spencer said. He looked at the other deputy and
whispered, "Clayborne's a legend in Montana." Cobb was dutifully
impressed. Cooper saw Cole roll his eyes in exasperation, and grinned
in reaction.
"Why don't you boys go on over to the hotel now and get cleaned up.
After you eat, take the watch from the sheriff and his men for a
while.
" "Yes, sir, " Spencer said. He nudged Cobb out the doorway but paused
to look at Cole. "Marshal Clayborne, sir? Is it true what happened
down in Springfield? " "Don't believe everything you hear, " Cole
replied.
"But it's true, isn't it? You shot all four of the Murphy gang before
any of them could get their guns out, didn't you, sir? " "Get going,
Spencer, " Cooper ordered. "You're embarrassing Marshal Clayborne. "
Cole laughed. As soon as the door closed behind the deputies, he said,
"They look awfully young."
"They are young, " Cooper agreed. "But they're fast with a gun and
they want to be lawmen. They're both tougher than they look." Daniel
spoke to Cole then. "I've decided to change the plans. Cooper's going
to take Rebecca to Blackwater, and you and I will take Grace and
Jessica. We'll split up and all meet in Red Arrow on Thursday, barring
any unforeseen problems."
"That's fine with me, " Cole said.
"I thought we should all travel together, " Cooper interjected. "But
Daniel thinks it's safer if we take separate trains."
"Three beautiful women are bound to draw a lot of attention, " Cole
said.