Page 43 of Charlotte's Reckoning
“Got something for ya, Sheriff,”Seth called.
The older manwho had deputized him less than a week ago walked in from a back room. He skidded to a halt, his jaw dropping in shock as his gaze went from him to Thorn and returned to him.
“Damn, kid. I never expected to see you again. At least not alive.”
He couldn’t count the times he’d heard a similar comment right before a sheriff, town council, or mayor handed overthereward moneytheyowed him. If bank robbing wasn’t his thing, like his pa and Judd asserted, he sure seemed to have a knack for bounty hunting. But the disrespect was annoying. Maybe he should grow a beard.
Seth offered him Thorn’s lead rope that connected his bound wrists to the shackles he’d created with more rope around his ankles. When he took it, Seth unpinned his deputy’s badge.
“I won’t need this anymore,”he said as he handed it over.
“Or, you could keep it and try your hand at the other fugitives I got wanted posters for. Let me get this one in a cell, andI’ll show you.”
When the iron bars clanged shut on Thorn and his stagecoach/bank robbing career, he asked the sheriff, “How are the judges in these parts? What kind of sentence do you think he’ll get?”
“That wanted poster was outdated, printed before the driver he shot during the robbery died. That elevates the crime to murder, a capital offense.”The sheriff clapped him on the back. “You did good, kid.”
He managed not to bristle and shake off the man’s hand. At what age, and after hauling in how many dangerous outlaws, would he stop being a kid?
“About my reward,”he promptedthe older man.
“I thought you said you’d do it for free for Thorn.”
“As I recall, I said could, and almost. But thiskidisn’t a fool.”
The sheriff’s grin vanished upon hearing Seth’s brusque tone. “Right,”he said, clearing his throat and getting wise to the insult he kept hurling. “I didn’t expect for you to bring him in today—”
“You mean ever, don’t you?”
“Yeah,”he admitted. “But I’ll know better next time. Since this time is a surprise, I’ll have to arrange for a bank draft. You can collect it at First National across the street by noon tomorrow. Fortunately, the deposit he stole was headed for the Omaha Bank on the other end of town.”
“Much obliged, Sheriff. I’ll swing by afterward and see what other jobs I can help you with.”
On his way to the door, the sheriff called out, “Say, Walker. You didn’t find the deposit on him, did you?”
“Sorry, Sheriff. The reward was for the man, not the money. You’ll have to get that out of him. Hopefully, before they slip the noose around his neck.”
The sheriffcast a determined look at his sole prisoner. Seth followed his gaze, locking eyes with the soon-to-be-charged murderer through the bars of his cell. He read hatred in them and fear.
When he left the jailhouse, another job finished, he expected to feel satisfaction. His instinct warned this wasn’t the last he’d heard of Thorn. Pushing that disturbing thought aside, he crossed the street to the hotel.
Restless and impatient, Seth waited for the couple ahead of him to check in. The same clerk from the week before greeted him with a smile. “Back for more pie? It’s cherry tonight, but just as tasty.”
“Maybe,” Seth replied noncommittally. “Acquaintances of mine are staying here. Fenton and Lottie, a tall man and a striking redhead. Could I get their room number?”
“I remember Mr. Sneed and his lovely wife, Charlotte. But you missed them. They only stayed with us for a night.”
Wife! That was an unexpected twist. Maybe she wasn’t the girl from the fire after all. Still, he wanted to be sure. “Did they mention where they were heading?”
“I’m sorry, sir,” the clerk said, his smile fading. “That’s not information we usually share about our guests.” He looked at Seth quizzically. “Is there anything else I can help you with?”
“I need a room for tonight,” Seth replied. He had no choice but to stay in Omaha to claim his reward at the bank tomorrow.
The clerk’s smile returned as he laid the registration book on the counter for Seth to sign in.
Minutes later, as he made his way down the hall to the restaurant, the scent of roasting meat and coffee filled the air. But his thoughts weren’t on filling his belly like the last time he’d made this walk. Images of dark-haired Jade and redheaded Charlotte swirled in his head, fueling the question nagging at him—was it the same woman, or two different ones?
***
