A Short Rope for a Tall Man by Nate Morgan

Author:Nate Morgan [Morgan, Nate]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Pinnacle Books
Published: 2023-02-15T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 24

“Your daughter,” Carson said, letting it sink in.

And just like that, it made sense, the key piece to the puzzle.

“You’re helping him rob the bank,” Carson said. “You have to, or he’ll kill your daughter.”

“Yes.” Garrison produced his handkerchief and began dabbing sweat from his bald head again. The man’s nerves were frayed. “He wouldn’t really do it, would he? She’s innocent. Emily’s never done anything to anyone.”

Carson wanted to tell the man it would all be okay, but he’d spent time with Big Bob McGraw and knew it wasn’t true. Even if Garrison cooperated and helped McGraw rob the payroll, he doubted this would all come out the way the banker wanted. McGraw wasn’t a man to leave a witness alive. He’d want a clean slate, and Carson doubted the girl would ever be seen again.

“You’ve got to listen to me,” Carson said. “If you want to see Emily alive again, you’ve got to go to the marshal and tell him what you know.”

“I told you, I can’t. He’ll kill her.”

“Send word to the marshal to meet you in secret. McGraw doesn’t need to know.”

“He thought of that,” Garrison said. “He said he’d know. He said he’s got ears and eyes everywhere.”

Maybe that was true or maybe it wasn’t. Carson had no way of knowing. “What were you and Memphis talking about?”

“I’ve said too much already. You should leave.”

“You need help with this, Mr. Garrison,” Carson insisted. “You can’t go it alone.”

His wife came forward, put a hand on her husband’s arm. “Alfred, listen to the man. We can’t just . . . I mean, we have to do something.”

“Milly, stay out of this. It’s too dangerous to—”

“No!” The force in Milly’s voice surprised both men. “She’s my daughter, too, Alfred. Just tell him.”

Garrison looked at his wife with fury in his eyes, but a second later it was gone. His shoulders slumped, face bleak with despair, and Carson knew he was looking at a man at the end of his rope.

“Tell me what you and Memphis discussed,” Carson said calmly. “I’m not one of Pike’s men. I’m not one of McGraw’s either. It’s a long story, but I’m just somebody that happened along, and I want to help. I’m no friend of McGraw’s, if that puts you at ease.”

Garrison rubbed his eyes. He suddenly seemed so tired, like he might fall over any minute.

“Just tell him,” Milly said more gently.

“Jimmy Bachman was here to make sure everything’s on track,” Garrison said. “I assured him I was doing my part and keeping my mouth shut. I’m supposed to open the back door from the inside and make sure there are no bank employees in the way. What happens after that, I don’t know. You don’t think it occurred to me to go to the marshal? Of course it did. He could have men waiting at the back door for McGraw. Set a trap for them. But then McGraw would know, wouldn’t he? He shows up to the back

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