4

Pete rode hunched in the saddle until he reached town. Once there, he forced himself upright. A crowd quickly gathered when he reined up in front of the marshal’s office. Hiram Porter was at the forefront.

“What happened, Ranger? These the jaspers who robbed the bank?” he questioned

“They are,” Pete confirmed.

“You got all of ‘em?”

Before Pete could answer, Ebenezer Montrose joined Porter.

“You caught those outlaws? Good work, Ranger. Did you retrieve the stolen money?”

“I didn’t get all of ‘em. Not quite yet,” Pete answered.

Tom Pardee roused himself.

“That’s right,” he gasped. “Montrose, I’m gonna make sure you go to Hell along with the rest of us. I’m sayin’ right here you planned the entire thing. You had your own bank robbed.”

“That’s preposterous,” Montrose snapped.

“No, it’s not.” Pete growled. “I found your letter in Hunter’s saddlebags. You’re under arrest for robbery and murder, Montrose.”

With an oath, the banker pulled a short-barreled revolver from inside his coat. Before he could shoot, Pete yanked his Colt from its holster and fired. His bullet struck Montrose in the heart. The banker took two stumbling steps, then crumpled.

“Reckon I’ll be seein’ Montrose and ol’ Satan in a few minutes,” Pardee muttered. He sagged over his horse’s side.

“What in the blue blazes happened here, Ranger?” Porter demanded.

“I’ll explain it all after I see the doc,” Pete answered. “I need to get a slug outta my back.”

With that, Pete slid off Trooper and fell to the road. Once the bullet was removed, he would take several weeks to recover, before he returned to his duties as a Texas Ranger.