Page 27 of Redeeming the Outlaw
“Esther?” Reverend Billings asked, concern furrowing his brow.
“She’s safe, for now,” Whit assured him, his gaze meeting the Reverend’s steady one. “You need to get to Marshal Briggs as quickly as possible. Let him know the Richards gang took Esther, and they are coming for Hart. This is important. They are camped near Flat Junction. He’ll need Joe or Devin Moore.” As Reverend Billings mounted the horse, Whit’s thoughts raced with worry.What if he couldn’t save Esther? What if this plan failed?
“You said the Chapman Ranch? Flat Junction? Joe or Devin Moore?”
“Yes. Briggs should be there for dinner and cribbage with Weston tonight.”
“God bless you, son,” the Reverend replied, his hand gripping Whit’s shoulder with gratitude. “I knew there was good in you.”
“Wait.” Whit grabbed the halter. “Go toward the Stagecoach Bridge and through the Hartman’s land. Cut over by the barn. You won’t run into anyone over there. Do not let anyone knowI’m with them, or I told you.”
“I won’t, but why?”
“If you do, Esther and I might both die. Go,” Whit urged, his voice catching with emotion. He watched Reverend Billings ride off toward the stagecoach road and bridge which crossed the creek.
“Lord, guide me,” he prayed silently, watching the Reverend disappear into the night. Whit looked at the sky. He needed to get back to the camp before Briggs arrived. He didn’t care about being a part of the gang, now he knew what they were preparing for.
It didn’t involve cattle or stealing. It revolved around the gang who completely dedicated themselves to an old lady’s whims. They willingly indulged her sick daydream of misguided justice and her unwavering determination to mend a broken family. The cost of lives lost along the way was of no concern to them.
He had to return to the camp, find Esther, and make a run for it.
The camp was in disarray when he arrived. The large wagon containing most of the supplies was missing, Ma and Libby were nowhere to be found. Men were laying on bedrolls around the fire.
He swung off his horse and hurried to Esther, who was sitting on a log, her hands tied in front of her.
“What’s the meaning of this?” Whit asked, lifting Esther up.He tugged on the bonds binding her wrists.
“I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” Brodie said. “Ma wants her to stay tied up.”
“Where is Ma?”
“She’s headed toward Lincoln. We found what we were looking for, so there isn’t a reason for her to stay.”
“Heard you found the kid?” Whit undid the knots and released Esther’s hands.
Brodie’s eyes narrowed, and he pulled his knife from its scabbard. “How do you know that?”
“Tom told me. I took care of him, though.”
“What do you mean, you took care of him?”
“I went to take care of the problem.” Whit glanced at Esther. “Tom was running his mouth at Marcy’s.”
“Are you sure it was Tom?”
Whit shrugged. “Why is everyone questioning me today? I don’t have time for someone who is going to rat out their friends. It’s a good thing we were moving. I guess all this time he was spending in town, word got to the marshal where we were hiding out. How do you think Briggs knew about everything happening?” He glared at Brodie.
“It’s a good thing Tom is gone, then.”
“Yeah. It is. We need to pack up whatever is left and get out of here,” he ordered, his voice tense with urgency.
“Whit, what’s going on?” Austin asked, concern etched on his boyish face.
“Marshal’s coming. I don’t know how long we have. We need to get out of here.” Whit turned back to Brodie, who was staring at him. “Doesn’t seem you trust me, after everything I’ve done.”
“You have to earn trust, boy,” Brodie growled
Whit stepped forward and clenched his fists. “I break into the marshal’s office and steal his journal. I plant false evidence leading him to Grand Platte. Then you have me steal cattle from ranches, where I might add, the owners know me. Then today, Snake tries to kill me.” He was close enough to see the depths of Brodie’s one good eye. It was black and lifeless. Ma taught him there was always good in people. It was why she had stayed with Randall Hartman for so long. Looking at Brodie, Whit could see there was nothing good in him at all. Glancing at Esther, he lifted a finger and pointed at her. “I learn you find the kid, which means going to town to kill my wife’s family.”
