Desert Rage by A.T. Butler

Author:A.T. Butler [Butler, A.T.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: James Mountain Media

Chapter Eight

“I think we’re all set,” Jacob called out as he triple checked the knot on the ropes binding the last man’s wrists together.

“Yeah, you’d better pray I don’t get free,” the man closest to Jacob said, before spitting in the dirt and just missing Jacob’s boot.

Jacob had been interested but not surprised to learn that one of the three men he had apprehended trying to rob the First Bank of Olmos was Colin Maloney. Judging from what Fitz had said about this man, he was sure to be on the front lines of the assault on the bank. The other two members of the gang—Miller and Escobar—were both familiar to Santos, though Jacob had not yet heard of them.

Truth be told, there were so many wanted posters in the marshal’s office at any given time, it was no wonder Jacob had not yet come across these two. Far too many men doing heinous acts were rampant through the Arizona Territory. Now, fortunately, three of those men were in custody.

The deputies Lowry and Little already had their hands on the men, ready to transport them to the Olmos jail, dragging them if necessary. The three outlaws were bound individually and then to each other; they wouldn’t be getting free.

“I can’t thank you enough.” Sheriff Gleason took hold of the third man, wrapping his hand around his upper arm. “I’m sure Mr. DeWitt and his colleagues back east would thank you as well. You sure it’s okay to keep these men together tonight?”

“We’ll be leaving in the morning,” Santos said. “The gang can all cool their heels in the jail overnight. I’m not riding in the dark for anything.”

“You’re going to let me buy you a drink, aren’t you, Mr. Payne?” the sheriff asked.

Jacob looked to the marshal. “Not just me, I hope. I was the last person to have any part of this. You all stopped the other half-dozen men. It was a group effort.”

“Oh, the others have already agreed. Once I get these bastards booked in the jail I’ll meet you all at the saloon.”

The deputies left with the sheriff, and Jacob and Santos made their way into the saloon, finding two stools at the end of the bar. A quick word with the bartender and they each had a cold beer in front of them.

“Sheriff can get the next round,” Santos said, as he took a big gulp.

Jacob wrapped his hands around his glass, thinking about the events of the day. He took a small drink of his own beer, allowing the two men to sit in thoughtful silence another moment before broaching the problem that had been bothering him.

“That seemed too easy, didn’t it, Marshal?”

Santos looked at him in surprise. “Did it? I have to say, Payne, from where I was standing it didn’t look easy at all. In fact, the great bulk of the gang got away, including the leader. No, I’d say that while we can claim success by stopping the robbery, we could have done a lot better.

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