"Ash!" Tamsin sat bolt upright on the wooden bunk. Her heart was racing, and she was visibly trembling. Rubbing her eyes, she got up and went to the barred jail window. She could have sworn she heard a shot, but it was barely light out.
No one seemed to be stirring in the town.
She returned to the bunk and began to unplait her hair. She was fully dressed, which made for a decidedly uncomfortable night. She'd slept poorly, but she couldn't remember any nightmares, not until the awful dream that woke her.
Tamsin pulled the scratchy wool blanket around her. She felt icy cold, despite the already rising temperature outside. She couldn't shake off an uneasy feeling that something bad had happened to Ash.
She brushed her hair and pinned it into a knot at the back of her head. She poured water from a tin pitcher into the matching bowl and washed her face. Soon Walker or Deputy Long would come to escort her to the boardinghouse to use the ladies' bathroom and outhouse. She hoped there wouldn't be a repeat of the first day's ordeal.
People had stared at her and called her names. A little boy, no more than eight years old, had spat at her. Back shooter, they'd called her. Murderess!
It seemed the townsfolk weren't waiting to hear her side in a court of justice. They'd already convicted her in their minds. She hoped none of her accusers would sit on the jury.
Tamsin heard the door to the street open. Shaking the water from her hands, she turned hoping to see Ash or Dimitri.
"Are you comfortable?" Henry Steele's angry gaze met hers. "We usually don't go to such pains for a horse thief and murderer."
"You know I didn't kill your brother!" Tamsin balled her fingers into fists and glared through the bars at the judge. "Not only didn't I commit the crime, but I think you know who did."
Henry Steele scowled. "Your lies are growing thin, woman. And your lawyer's tricks won't help you on the stand. You shot my brother in the back for those horses, and you're going to pay dearly for it."
She stiffened. "There's really no point to this conversation, is there? I'd prefer you spoke to Mr. Zajicek until we meet in court."
"That suits me as well."
He was barely out of the sheriff's office before Ash, Dimitri, and Helen came in. Tamsin knew by one look at their faces that they had bad news. "What is it?"
"Simply appalling," Mrs. Zajicek murmured.
"Henry Steele is going to preside over my case?"
"Not that either," Dimitri said. "We've heard no word on our request for an unbiased-"
"What, then? "Tamsin persisted.
"It's that poor boy," Mrs. Zajicek said. "The one from the stable."
Tamsin glanced at Ash.
The barrister continued: "I spoke at length with the boy yesterday. He was terrified, but he seemed sympathetic to our case. I'm afraid Javier Chispero won't be able to testify on your behalf. He's been found dead."
"Dead?" Tamsin felt sick. She remembered the boy's plain brown face and his dark, frightened eyes. "I thought I heard a shot about dawn."
"The stable owner, your Mr. Edwards, found him this morning in one of the stalls," Ash said. "It seems there's been an accident."
Tamsin sank onto the cot. "What kind of accident?"
Ash's eyes were hard. "According to Sheriff Walker, the boy fell from the hayloft onto a pitchfork."
"Poor Javier," Tamsin said. "Oh, God, I hope it's not my fault that he's dead. First Sam Steele, now the boy."
"But how could you be responsible?" Mrs. Zajicek asked. "You were here in jail. It's simply a terrible coincidence."
"It's no coincidence," Ash said. "Somebody killed Javier to keep him from telling what he knew about the missing horses."
"My thoughts exactly, Mrs. MacGreggor," Dimitri agreed. "All we have to do now is find out who murdered Javier, and that may tell us the identity of Sam Steele's real killer."
"If the murderer killed this child, Mrs. MacGreggor may be next," Helen said. "She's in great danger."
"I'll spend the next week sitting outside this cell," Ash replied. "No one will get past me to harm her."
"No," Dimitri said. "You're both wrong. Mrs. MacGreggor is as safe as in God's hands."
"How so, my dear?" his wife asked.
"The killer wants Mrs. MacGreggor alive and well to stand trial for the crime. Without her, the blame might fall elsewhere."
"You're right," Ash agreed. "I hadn't thought-"
"If you want to help, I suggest you follow Henry,"
Dimitri said. "Shadow his every move. See who he talks to and where he goes."
"That makes sense to me," Tamsin said. "I've known all along who killed Sam. I just couldn't convince any of you."
The day dragged into afternoon and finally evening. Dimitri and his wife brought her supper and told her that Ash was watching the judge as they'd planned.
"I don't care what they think," Helen said. "I'm still worried about you."
"I'll be fine," Tamsin replied. "At least until the trial. I can't say that the accommodations are the finest I've ever enjoyed, but no one has bothered me."
"And let's hope it stays that way," the older woman said. "Court day can't come too soon to suit me."
Sometime after midnight, Tamsin was awakened by coarse male voices and the stamping of feet. Curses and laughter followed, and shortly the deputy entered the cell area carrying a kerosene lamp. "Got company for you, woman."
Tamsin shielded her eyes from the sudden light as Deputy Joel Long set the lamp on a shelf across from her door.
Sheriff Walker and several loud strangers surged into the hall. Between them, they supported a prisoner in handcuffs. His clothing was torn, his face bruised and bloody. He seemed barely conscious.
Long unlocked the door to the cell across from Tamsin, and Walker shoved the beaten man inside. He fell forward on his knees, retched, and collapsed on his face.
"Reckon you two know each other," the sheriff said sarcastically to Tamsin.
One of the hard-faced group muttered a crude remark as Long turned the key in the lock. "Don't get too comfortable in there, Cannon," the deputy said. "You won't be there more'n a few hours."
"Yeah, then we'll hang the bastard," one of Walker's companions said. He was short and stocky with muscular arms and a full black beard. "Maybe both of them."
"None of that talk," Walker replied. "This is my jail. Cannon stays here until the proper authorities come up from Pueblo to fetch him. They can hang him down there."
"What about the woman?" another demanded.
"She's bound over for trial here. I'm sworn to uphold the law in this county, and by God I'll do it or know the reason why."
"Save us a hell of lot of money and time by stringin' 'em both up tonight," the bearded man argued.
Tamsin stared at the injured prisoner. Cannon? That wasn't Cannon. The sheriff had arrested the wrong person. This cowboy was too big, and his hair was too dark.
He moaned, spit out a tooth, and pushed himself up to a sitting position. Blood streamed from his shattered nose, and one eye was swollen shut.
"Who are you?" Tamsin asked.
He swore an oath so foul that it turned her stomach.
"You're not Jack Cannon."
"Listen, bitch, when I want something from you, I'll ask."
She retreated to the far side of the cell, away from the sickening smell of vomit. "You're an outlaw, aren't you? If you're not Cannon, who are you?"
He raised his head, glaring at her with a single bloodshot eye. "Oh, I'm a Cannon, all right. Jest not the pretty one. I'm his big brother, Boone." He hawked and spat again. "I know you, woman. You're that bitch what did Jack wrong back in Nebrasky. I seen ye with him once."
Frightened, Tamsin turned her back on him and tried to keep down the nausea rising in her throat. She'd put Jack Cannon behind her, and she didn't want any reminders of her foolhardy association with him.
"Jack'll be glad to see you, bitch," Cannon taunted. "He don't like fancy pieces turnin' their backs on him."
She clenched her teeth and tried not to listen.
"He'll be right pleased."
"He has nothing to do with me."
"Tell him that. My little brother'll be comin' fer me. He'll be comin' soon."
Tamsin shivered and prayed that Boone was wrong.
An hour before dawn, the urgent ringing of an iron bell startled her from a light doze. She'd slept in brief stretches, crouched in a corner of the cell as far from Boone Cannon as she could get.
"What's that?" she cried, not realizing that she'd spoken aloud. The lamp had burned out, and in the blackness it took her a moment to realize where she was.
"That'll be Jack," Boone cackled. "Told ya he'd come, bitch."
Tamsin tried to see out the window, but clouds covered the moon, leaving the alley pitch-dark. She felt her way to the front of the cell and began pounding on the bars." Deputy! Deputy Long! Come here! Quick!"
Outside, the bell pealed frantically.
"Fire!" a man bellowed." Fire in the church!"
Footsteps clattered past the jail windows.
"Hurry! The school's goin' up, too!"
Tamsin continued to shout for the guard. "Long!"
Banging echoed from the front office. "Fire! Open the door! The whole town could burn. It's real bad! We need more hands!"
"No! "Tamsin screamed.
Joel Long's sleepy voice was barely audible as the door hinges squeaked. "What can I-"
The deputy's words twisted to a surprised gasp and then a gargled choking. Something heavy sagged against wood, then hit the floor.
Footfalls grew closer and the inner door to the cell area swung wide.
"Brother? You in here? Light a lamp, damn it. How am I supposed to see anything in here."
Tamsin went numb.
"Jack! I expected ya to throw a rope on the winder bars and yank 'em out," Boone said.
"No need, was there? Bring the light, Billy! Billy and me just walked in the front door, all friendly like."
A circle of yellow light illuminated Jack's smiling face. "You owe me for this, Boone. Didn't I warn you about whores and whiskey? If you'd listened to me and stayed out of that saloon, you wouldn't be in here looking like a slab of beef, would you?"
"Shut up and open the door," Boone growled.
The second outlaw dangled a ring of keys in one hand, a drawn Colt in the other. "Guess you're lookin' for these."
Tamsin backed to the far wall of the cell.
"Reckon you'll be glad you come fer me, brother," Boone said." Look-ee here."
Jack's accomplice, the one he'd called Billy, undid Boone's lock. Jack came toward Tamsin. "Well, well." He motioned for Billy to open her cell, too.
"Leave me alone," Tamsin said.
"Come down in the world, haven't you, Miss High-and-Mighty?"
"Take him and go," she pleaded.
"And leave you here to face all the trouble?" He pushed back the door. "Come on, Red."
"No."
"Damn it, Tamsin. We haven't got all night. I've got a dead lawman out there, and we can't wait all night for you to make up your mind."
"Just go, please."
Jack shrugged. "That's your last word?"
"Yes!"
He glanced at the outlaw with the gun. "What's the rule?"
Boone laughed. "No witnesses."
"Sorry, Tamsin. I'd like to make an exception for you, but…" He motioned to Billy. "Kill her."
Tamsin's heart skipped a beat." No! I'm coming. Don't shoot me."
Jack advanced on her. She shivered but forced herself to come toward him. "You're certain this time?" he asked.
She nodded. "I'll come."
He grabbed a handful of her hair and pulled her close. She gasped but didn't cry out as he slapped her hard across the face. "I owed you that one," he reminded her. "That's your first lesson."
Blood trickled from Tamsin's split lip, and it took all her willpower to keep from throwing herself on him and trying to pound his nose as flat as his brother's.
"Jack!" Boone urged. "Yah waitin' for the swivin' posse to come back?"
Jack released his grip on Tamsin and started for the door. Billy looked at her questioningly. She took a deep breath and hurried after the outlaw leader.
Outside, two silent men on horseback waited. At the far end of the street, pandemonium reigned. Tamsin could see people crowding the street. Flames shot through the roof of the Methodist church, engulfing the schoolhouse and turning the sky red. Shouting townsmen ran through the smoke and confusion with buckets of water amid crying women, barking dogs, and panicked livestock.
Jack swung up onto a gray horse, sidled it over to the high wooden walkway, and offered Tamsin his hand. She took it, and let him pull her up behind him.
"Don't fall off," Jack warned. "If you do, Billy will put a bullet in you. He's a good man. I never have to give him an order twice."
"Hey, there!" Sheriff Walker ran toward them. "What do you think-"
A rifle cracked from a rooftop across the street, and Walker dived for cover. Jack put spurs to the horse, and they galloped away from the fire and out of Sweetwater.
"Morgan! Ash Morgan!"
Ash handed his water bucket to the next man in line and turned toward Sheriff Walker. Ash's eyes stung with smoke, and his face felt scorched by the heat of the flames. Coughing, he walked back toward Walker.
The sheriff held his arm clutched against his chest. "Your woman just broke out of jail," Walker said. "And she took Boone Cannon with her."
"What?" Ash stared at him in disbelief. "Tamsin broke out of jail? That's not possible. And what the hell is this about Boone Cannon? She was the only prisoner in-"
"Boys from south of here brought Cannon in after midnight. Seems the rest of the gang came after him. I'd lay odds they set the fire as well."
Ash pulled his shirttail out of his trousers and wiped his eyes. He heard what Walker said, but the words didn't make sense. "Tamsin's gone? Cannon's bunch took her? Where was your deputy? Why didn't he protect her?"
"Long's dead. Knifed to death." Walker grimaced. "I'm bleedin' like a stuck pig. I came on them while they were makin' their getaway and caught a slug in the arm."
"Jack? Was he with them?"
"Couldn't make out faces. Doubt if I'd recognize him if I had. But I saw your woman. She's part of this, Morgan. She shot Sam Steele, and she's as guilty of Joel Long's killing as any of the rest."
"You're wrong," Ash shouted. "They must have taken her as a hostage. She wouldn't-"
"Shit, I saw her. She didn't try to run. One of them called to her, and she took his hand and climbed up behind him. Face it, bounty hunter. She made a fool of you."
Ash's gut cramped as though he'd taken a bullet. Fear for Tamsin's safety squeezed his chest and made it hard to draw breath or think straight.
Walker was out of his mind! Nobody could make him believe Tamsin capable of such a crime or of going willingly with the outlaws. He had to go after her-had to get her away from Jack before what happened to Becky…
Cold fury replaced the confusion in Ash's mind. Years of hunting dangerous men had made him methodical. "You forming a posse to go after them?"
"Hell, yes. Soon as I get the doc to sew up this arm. You volunteering?"
Ash shook his head. Other searchers would only slow him down. "I work best alone."
"Still defending her?" Walker spat on the ground by Ash's boots. "You're bad as she is. Get in my way, and-"
"If Boone Cannon was in your jail, you should have set more than one man to guard him. Did you think Texas Jack would let you hang his brother? Joel Long was nothin' but a kid. He didn't have the experience to deal with the Cannons, but you should have. Long's blood is on your hands, Walker."
"How the hell was I supposed to know Jack Cannon would set Sweetwater on fire?"
"You should have known he'd do something crazy. You're not fit to wear that badge."
Walker took a step toward him. "And you are?"
"I don't want your job. I just think this county deserves better than it's gettin' for its money."
The sheriff's angry retort was lost in the commotion as Ash headed for the boardinghouse and his gear. Minutes, even seconds, counted. But if he ran off half-cocked, he'd end up dead, and Tamsin would pay the final price.
In his room, Ash gathered ammunition, strapped on his gun belt, and picked up his rifle. Shouldering his bedroll, he moved out into the hall. Dimitri and his wife were there.
"I heard what happened," the lawyer said.
"Cannon took her. She didn't go on her own."
"No," Dimitri agreed. "I didn't think she would."
"Bring her back safely," Helen called after Ash. "She loves you."
"And he loves her," Dimitri said softly. "He just hasn't admitted it yet."
In the stable, Ash saddled both Shiloh and Dancer. The stallion rolled his eyes and tossed his head, but Ash yanked the girth tight, strapped on his bedroll, and led both horses out of the building. Max Spence, the barn owner, waited outside in the yard.
"I don't think the fire will come this way, Mr. Morgan, but if it does, I'll get your other animals to safety."
"You'd better." Ash took a firm hold of Dancer's bridle, thrust a boot into the stirrup, and mounted the big bay stud. "That mare's worth more than your house."
"You're going after the escaped outlaw, aren't you?"
Ash grabbed Shiloh's lead rope and kicked Dancer hard in the sides. "I'm going after my woman."
He followed the road west, away from the scattered houses, toward the mountains. He didn't know how long Cannon would keep to the trail or what direction Jack would take if he left it. When dawn came, there might be tracks to follow.
They had a start. On a horse like Dancer it would still take time to gain on them. If they stopped to take their sport with Tamsin, there was nothing he could do to help her.
But he didn't think Jack would be so careless. Jack hadn't lived as long as he had by being stupid. He had to think like the outlaw. What would he do if he were Texas Jack? That was easy. He'd push hard until the horses faltered. He'd slow the pace, but he wouldn't go to ground until dark.
And when he called it quits, he'd need grass for the horses and water for the animals and himself.
If he were Jack, he'd go to his uncle's cabin and stay there a few days before cutting south to Mexico.
Old Leon's place lay northwest, a long journey if Ash retraced his path southwest through the pass to Jacob's cabin and followed the canyons north. But it wasn't that far from Sweetwater, maybe a hard day's ride.
"He's headed for the cabin, damn it," Ash shouted. Jack had to be, because if he wasn't… Ash blinked the dust and wetness from his eyes and lashed the stallion into a dead run.