Page 52 of Wyoming Cowboy Undercover

Nash threw Rocco a furtive glance, but none of them responded.

“I understand if you’re not permitted to confirm or deny,” Marshall said. “But I believe your informant was talking about my brother, Cormac. The otherlesserknown McCoy.”

Mercy’s head popped up, her eyes snapping wide in shock. She stared at her father before glancing at Rocco. She shook her head, and he could tell that she didn’t know.

Was it possible that Percy had been talking about Marshall’s brother?

“Dr. Tiggs regularly went to his camp to tend to their horses. Mac was too radical for the Shining Light. Dangerous in the extremism that he preached—antigovernment and no laws but those of Mother Nature. He eventually left with a bunch of my people, our people, since we started this together. His faction broke away nineteen years ago, on the same day that my wife, Ayanna, left. Three paths that had been one became fractured and diverged.”

Mercy stiffened and wrung her hands.

There was something more at play here, between her and her father. What sick game was he up to?

“I don’t consider Mac one of the fallen, not like my former wife,” Marshall said. “He calls his people the Brotherhood of the Silver Light, but they venture far too close to the sun. Whereas Ayanna wandered off in darkness. But if something big and horrible is planned for tomorrow, Mac would be the McCoy that you’re looking for.”

Had Percy meant that they had been wrong about Marshall? Had he been trying to tell him about Mac McCoy?

“What about your weapons supplier?” Rocco asked.

“I make all my arrangements through Mac. Like I said, he’s not fallen. Contact is permitted.”

“Where can we find him?” Nash asked.

“Up in the mountains. But he has a tight-knit group. Not so easily infiltrated like mine,” Marshall said, sliding a glance at Becca. “You won’t get access or answers without my assistance.”

Becca leaned forward, crossing her legs at the ankles. “What would getting your assistance require?”

“I feel certain that my cooperation would go a long, long way in fostering goodwill with your task force.” Marshall smiled at Rocco.

Those were his words verbatim. Mercy had told him everything.

“But I would like verbal assurances,” Marshall added, “that we will no longer be harassed or spied on and that I can in good faith tell my people that they have nothing to fear from you.”

“So long as you don’t break the law,” Nash said, “you’ll have nothing to worry about. And yes, your unsolicited cooperation will not only be significant, but also documented. Which will carry weight.”

Marshall clasped his hands on the desk. “This is how we’ll proceed. I’ll send Rocco to Cormac’s camp. Along with Mercy.”

Alex made a guttural noise like that of a wounded animal, drawing everyone’s attention. “No, you can’t.”

“Silence.” Marshall raised his palm at Alex. “It’s the only way Mac will let Rocco in. If she’s there with him, pretending to be his betrothed, and explains that he’s too radical for my people, there won’t be questions. Then it will be up to Agent Kekoa to do his job.”

“No!” Alex stormed up to the desk. “You can’t do this!”

“You forget yourself, son.” Marshall stood and put a hand on his shoulder. “Have faith in me. All will be well. Mercy has decided to take her vows to the Shining Light and to marry you. Isn’t that right, my dear?”

Everyone turned to look at her. Rocco’s heart throbbed in his chest.

Biting her lip, she held his stare. “Yes.”

His lungs squeezed so hard he could barely breathe.

“See.” Marshall patted Alex on the back. “This trip to the mountains will help the task force stop something heinous from happening and allow Mercy to say her goodbyes. I have things well in hand.”

Alex remained silent, but he didn’t look convinced.

“Won’t Cormac question the timing of their arrival and think it suspicious?” Nash asked.

Nodding, Marshall sat back down. “Certainly. That’s why it has to be Mercy who accompanies him. Mac never could deny her anything.”

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