Shaye claimed the surrendered weapons from the bartender, then waited at the north end of town. As the gang rode by, he gave them each their weapon.
“Don’t come back to town,” he told them.
“We wouldn’t think of it, Sheriff,” Bentley said.
Shaye watched them ride away and wished he had one more deputy to send after them, to trail them. He had a feeling Bentley was a long time compadre of the Fleming boys. But he was going to have to leave it to his sons to find Red and Harry.
Once the Fleming men were gone, Shaye walked back to the center of town and entered City Hall. It was the newest building in Vengeance Creek, a two-story brick structure that would also house the Vengeance Creek Police Department if the mayor ever got the town council to approve it. Shaye knew this, but hadn’t shared the information with his sons. Not yet, anyway.
A police department was in the distant—well, maybe not so distant—future, but certainly not something to worry about yet. He was there to talk to the mayor, whose office was on the second floor.
As he entered the outer office a middle-aged woman, seated at a desk, looked up and smiled. Agatha Helmund was a part-time employee of the city, working as a receptionist for the mayor when she wasn’t working in Miss Mitzi’s Dress Shop. She was a widow, so both jobs kept her fairly busy and away from her empty home.
“Good afternoon, Sheriff.”
“Agatha,” he greeted. Upon their initial meeting, she had insisted he call her by her first name. “Not so good, I’m afraid. Is he in?”
“He is, but he’s left instructions not to be disturbed unless it’s an emergency.”
“I believe this qualifies,” he said. “Harvey Ludlow’s been killed.”
“Oh, my!” she said. “Oh, my goodness.” She slid her chair back. “I’ll tell him you’re here.” She stood, turned to walk away, then turned back. “H-how did he—I mean, how was he killed?”
“I think I should tell the mayor that before I tell you, Agatha,” Shaye said.
“Yes, yes, of course you must,” she said. “I’m sure he’ll see you.”
She went to the door of the mayor’s office, knocked and entered. In moments she returned, leaving the door open behind her.
“You can go in, Sheriff.”
“Thank you, Agatha.”
Shaye entered the office and Agatha closed the door behind him. Mayor Abner Snow stood behind his huge desk, looking alarmed.
“What the hell happened to Harvey, Sheriff?” he demanded, brusquely.
“It was Red Fleming, Mayor,” Shaye said. “He broke his brother out of jail and killed Harvey in the process.”
“And where were you and your deputies when this happened?” Snow demanded.
“We were in the Renegade, facing down the rest of his men,” Shaye said.
“I didn’t hear any gunfire.”
“There was none,” Shaye sad. “Harvey was stabbed, and we dispatched Fleming’s other men without firing any shots. He simply used them to distract us. I’m afraid I was . . . snookered,” Shaye said, embarrassed.
Snow sat heavily behind his desk and waved at Shaye to sit also.
“Where are your boys, Sheriff?”
“They’re tracking the Fleming brothers,” Shaye said, seating himself.
“Without you?”
“They’re very capable, Mayor,” Shaye said. “Besides, I promised you I’d be here in case Cole Doucette showed up, didn’t I?”
“I’m glad to hear that,” the mayor said. “I’m sorry about Harvey, and I’m sure your boys will drag Harry Fleming back here to stand trial. But I got this today, first thing in the morning.” He picked up a telegram from his desk.
“What’s that?”
“I put the word out on Cole Doucette,” the mayor said. “This telegram says he’s headed in this direction.”
“But does it say he’s actually comin’ here?”
“It doesn’t say that,” Snow replied, “but why else would he be coming this way?”
“I guess we’ll find out soon enough,” Shaye said. “How far away does it put him?”
“In New Mexico,” the mayor said. “If he keeps coming, he could be here in four or five days.”
“Well then,” Shaye said, standing, “I guess we’ll just have to wait and see, won’t we?”
“I think we have to do more than that,” Snow said.
“Whataya mean?”
“It also says he’s got some men with him.”
“How many?”
“I don’t know exactly, but since you sent both of your deputies out to chase down the Fleming brothers, maybe you better hire some new ones.”
“Do you think I can just pin some tin on a few shirts and have deputies?” Shaye asked. “Men who’ll be able to face up to Cole Doucette in four days?”
“I don’t know, Sheriff,” Mayor Snow said. “I guess that would depend on how fast and how well you can train them. Or maybe what you need to do is find men who can already handle a gun.”
“I’m not about to pin some badge on a couple of hired guns, Mr. Mayor,” Shaye said. “If Cole Doucette really does arrive here, you’re just gonna have to leave it to me how we handle him. After all, that’s what you asked me to do.”
Shaye turned and headed for the door.
“Dan,” Mayor Snow said, “Doucette’s not about to hesitate to go through you to get to me.”
“Well,” Shaye said, “that’s just somethin’ else we’ll have to see about, ain’t it?”