Frank waited patiently while the two men lifted Cranton, his hands tied tightly behind his back, onto the back of the buckboard. The man had lost a lot of blood but he didn’t doubt the outlaw leader would live to stand his trial. The fire which had partially destroyed the stables had been extinguished and several men were now out, rounding up the horses which had stampeded during the night.
Everley and Anne came out a few minutes later. Throwing an enquiring glance in the girl’s direction, he said, ‘I reckon you went through a lot last night, Anne. You still thinkin’ of staying here on the ranch?’
He saw her smile and there was a warm glow at the back of her eyes. ‘It won’t always be like this. Now we’ve beaten those outlaws and if Bellamy is put in jail, I think Condor could grow into a fine town.’ She paused; then went on, ‘It would take more than what happened last night to make me run.’
Returning her smile, he said, ‘I guess it would.’
Standing beside the buckboard, he waited until she had climbed on board, her father sitting beside her. Taking the reins, Everley flicked the whip, heading towards the trail into town. A few moments later, Frank was riding beside them. Behind him came a small group of men from the neighbouring ranches, all grim and determined men, ready for any trouble which might arise.
Several of the townsfolk were abroad on the boardwalks as they rode into Condor. Hauling on the reins as they reached the sheriff’s office, Everley motioned to two of the men with them.
Getting down from the saddle, Frank looped the stallion’s reins over the hitching rail, then unlocked the door. Already, a curious crowd had gathered as the two men pulled Cranton from the buckboard and forced him inside.
‘I need a doctor,’ the outlaw muttered, as they took him to one of the cells, thrusting him onto the low bunk.
Slamming the cell door shut, Frank said, ‘I’ll see that Doc Pearson takes a look at those wounds, Cranton. In the meantime, just lie there and reflect on your past sins. It won’t be long before there’s a rope waitin’ for you.’
‘If I do swing, that polecat Bellamy will be beside me,’ Cranton snarled viciously.
Frank grinned. ‘You can be sure o’ that,’ he said tightly.
Going outside, he found Everley and Anne standing on the boardwalk a few feet away.
‘We both want to be in on this, Frank,’ Everley said harshly. ‘This crooked banker would’ve seen all of us ground into the earth if he’d had his way.’
Together, they walked to the bank standing adjacent to the doctor’s surgery. For a moment, Frank debated whether to ask the doctor to go along and check on Cranton, then dismissed the thought. The outlaw leader could wait for a while until he had finished with Bellamy.
Thrusting open the door of the bank, he went inside with Anne, her father close on their heels. There were several customers inside. They watched with open curiosity as Frank walked around the side of the counter.
One of the clerks moved forward. ‘You can’t go in there, Sheriff. Mister Bellamy doesn’t want to be disturbed. He’s goin’ over the bank accounts and—’
Frank spoke through tightly clenched teeth. ‘Just get back to your job unless you want to be arrested for impedin’ the law.’
For a moment, the teller tried to make a stand, then noticed the look on Frank’s face and hurried back to his place behind the counter.
Pushing open the office door, Frank went inside. Bellamy was seated in his usual place behind the desk. He looked up sharply as they entered. For an instant, an expression of fear flashed across his puffy features, then he drew himself together.
‘What’s the meanin’ of this intrusion, Sheriff?’ he demanded harshly. ‘I’m getting’ a little tired o’ you exceedin’ your authority in this town and—’
‘On your feet, Bellamy,’ Frank said with a trace of menace in his voice. ‘I’m arrestin’ you for your part in these stage hold-ups, for bein’ implicated in the murder of Sheriff McDonald, and hirin’ outlaws to raid the ranches.’
Bellamy pushed himself upright. There was a sneering smile on his thick lips. ‘You’ve got no proof of any of this.’
‘No?’ Everley stepped forward. ‘Right now we’ve got that outlaw Cranton safely locked away in jail. He’s spilled everythin’.’
‘You’re lyin’.’
‘You reckon so?’ Frank took a step forward. ‘Mebbe you’ll change your mind about that when we put you into the cell next to him. Now get your coat and come with us.’
Bellamy’s shoudlers slumped fractionally. He seemed on the point of saying something more; then thought better of it. Turning, he took his coat down from the peg on the wall. Then, before either man could move, his hand flashed down to the pocket, pulling out a derringer.
He pointed it directly at Anne. ‘Over against the wall, both of you,’ he snapped, speaking to Frank and Everley. ‘If you make one move towards your guns, the girl gets it. From this distance, I can’t miss.’
Cursing under his breath, Frank moved back, keeping his hands well away from his sides. With Anne’s life at stake, he knew there was nothing he could do.
Edging around the side of the desk, Bellamy ordered Anne to turn round. Thrusting the gun into her back, he snarled, ‘I’m goin’ to walk out of here with her in front of me. Leave this room before I’ve gone or make any wrong move and I swear I’ll kill her. If you value your daughter’s life, Everley, you’ll make sure this trigger-happy sheriff doesn’t do anything foolish.’
Helplessly, Frank ground his teeth in silent fury. Inwardly, he berated himself for not expecting something like this on Bellamy’s part.
Anne walked slowly in front of the banker, a riot of thoughts running through her mind. She knew that Bellamy meant every word he said. With a rope staring him in the face, he would shoot her down without a second thought.
Slowly, she stepped out onto the boardwalk with the banker just behind her. There had been several people in the bank, consternation written on their faces. But there was nothing they could do to help her.
The sudden shot, when it came, sending echoes chasing each other along the street, made her flinch. For several moments, she stood there, unable to comprehend what had happened, scarcely able to believe she was still alive. Then she turned slowly just as Frank and her father came running through the door of the bank.
Curt Bellamy lay face downward in the dust, the derringer lying a couple of inches from his outstretched hand.
‘Guess I can still handle a gun when I have to.’
Ben Sheldon, a bandage around his head, stood leaning against the window of the doctor’s surgery, a smoking Colt in his right hand. Grinning broadly, he added, ‘I don’t hold with shootin’ a man in the back but in this instance, I’ll make an exception for a snake like Bellamy.’
‘Thanks, Ben. It seems you’re always in the right place at the right time.’
Frank stepped forward and caught Anne’s arm as she swayed slightly, tearing her gaze from the dead man at her feet. ‘It’s all over,’ he said quietly, as she leaned against him. ‘Once the folk o’ this town discover who those men on the Town Committee have been in cahoots with, I reckon they’ll make a lot o’ changes. First thing they’re goin’ to need is a new sheriff.’
She looked up at him in surprise, a wondering expression in her eyes. ‘You’re giving up this job?’
He nodded. ‘That’s right, once they elect a new lawman. I had to quit the job in Dodge City after what happened. Then I swore never to carry a gun again. Somehow, I think a more peaceful life on the land would suit me better if your father’s offer is still open.’
‘You know that goes without saying, Frank,’ Everley said. ‘Once you’ve finished here, you’ll be welcome.’
Anne slipped her hand into Frank’s as they walked back to the waiting buckboard. As he helped her onto the seat, she leaned forward. Her grip on his hand tightened as she murmured, ‘Don’t make it too long, Frank.’