Page 105 of Gideon

“Oh, I’m not too worried about Agent Beck. I don’t think he’ll be interested in continuing your little arrangement once he hears about tonight.”

Gideon pulled his phone from his pocket.

“At least Beck was smart enough to make sure I wasn’t recording before he said something he regretted.”

Cole edged forward with his weapon raised. “We can’t let him get away with this.”

Peters slowly put a hand on Cole’s arm. “Careful. We don’t want to do anything we can’t take back.”

“Nowyou’re worried about him taking a life?” Gideon said. “What about when he set my dad’s place on fire and almost killed him?”

“I didn’t tell him to do that,” Peters said.

“I was following orders,” Cole said. “I didn’t have a choice.”

“Yeah, but they weren’t my orders.”

“Enough,” Fairfax said when he saw Carlos return. He waited while the other man whispered in his ear. Then his eyes widened, and he looked at Gideon. “Where are they?”

“Safe.”

Fairfax’s jaw worked as he controlled his anger before he spoke. “What do you want?”

“I want you to return everyone’s property. Homes. Businesses. Farmland. Everything.”

“I own those fair and square. I paid for it all.”

“Paid for it by forcing them to settle well below market value. But if you’d rather, I can let the others come down and deal with you. There’s a few who I had to spend a lot of time talking down, but I can let them have their turn if you’d prefer. Otherwise, you can work with us peacefully, and no one has to get hurt. Well, maybe some pride will have to be sacrificed.”

Gideon could see Fairfax’s mind working, trying to find a way out. “Is that all you want?”

“I want you to sign an affidavit stating how everyone here has been involved.”

“It would never hold up in court,” Peters said.

“We’ll see.”

“That’s it.” Cole put his gun down and raised his hands. “I’m out of this. None of this was my idea.”

“You sniveling cow,” Fairfax said. “You’re in this as deep as the rest of us.”

“I don’t know,” Gideon said. “I wouldn’t say quite as deep. Especially if he’s willing to testify against you.”

“Whatever you want,” Cole said.

“Shut up, you idiot,” Fairfax said. “I’ll get the paperwork to give everything back. But that’s it.”

“I’m not finished,” Gideon said. “I also want you to sign an affidavit confirming all we’ve talked about here tonight.”

“Is that really necessary?”

“After everything that’s happened, and all the dirty contacts you guys have, I believe it is.” He whistled, and some from the permitter came in. “I’ve asked a few of my guys to come down and assist while we sort out the particulars.” He picked up Cole’s weapon, then said, “Would you mind handing over your weapon as well, Sheriff?”

“You can’t take my weapon.”

“I think it’s best if I do. Don’t worry. I’ve got Gunther—you know Gunther? He runs the hunting store in town. He has a lot of experience with firearms. He’ll make sure they’re all secure.”

“Gentlemen,” Nikki said. She was the last to reach them. She tucked her hands in her jeans pocket as she sidled up next to Gideon. “Nice night, isn’t it?”

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