The Bank Robbers of Mesquite by Neal Chadwick

Author:Neal Chadwick
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: BEKKERpublishing
Published: 2024-12-09T00:00:00+00:00

​Chapter 6: The betrayal

The first few days in Silver Creek were quiet. Roy Smith and Mike Jones began to organize the town watch and set up joint patrols with the few remaining brave citizens. Slowly, an air of normality returned to the town and people began to venture out onto the streets again. It seemed as if Roy and Mike could bring peace back here too.

But the peace and quiet in Silver Creek was deceptive. One evening, as Roy and Mike sat in the makeshift sheriff's station planning the next day, they heard a loud bang. The windows shook and smoke billowed from one of the far buildings. They were on their feet in an instant, running towards the noise along with a handful of armed citizens.

When they reached the destroyed building, they saw a scene of horror. It was the stable where their provisions and horses had been kept. Much of the building was in ruins, and some of the precious animals were dead or badly injured. In front of the ruins stood a man, well-dressed and straight-backed, looking at them with an icy stare - it was Black Jack McCall himself.

"I figured you rats would show up if I made enough noise," Black Jack said coldly, raising a hand to command his men, who stepped out of the shadows and closed in around Roy and Mike. The townsfolk who had come to help slowly stepped backwards and began to disappear.

"What do you want, McCall?" roared Roy, his hand on his revolver. "Why didn't you confront us directly?"

Black Jack grinned demonically. "Because I enjoy watching the cat play with the mouse. And besides," he pointed to the right, "I wanted to make sure your faithful friend had your back." Out of the shadows stepped a man Roy never expected to see - Samuel Kelley, the supposed informant and a former henchman of Big Joe.

"Kelley!" cried Roy, his heart heavy with disappointment. "What does that mean? You betrayed us?"

Kelley grinned nervously and shrugged his shoulders. "A man does what he has to do to survive. McCall made me an offer I couldn't refuse."

"You're a fucking coward," Mike growled, his fists clenched.

"That may be," Kelley said lightly, "but I'm a living coward." But there was a trace of uncertainty in his eyes, a flicker that Roy noticed.

Roy knew they didn't stand a chance if they jumped straight into a gunfight. "Let the innocent people out of here, McCall," he demanded. "It's between you and us."

Black Jack shook his head. "Unfortunately, Sheriff, it's not that simple. This town is just another pawn in my path to power. But I'm not unreasonable. Drop your weapons, and maybe I'll let you live."

Roy and Mike exchanged a glance. In the silent communication that only years of partnership allow, they made their decision in a flash. With a nod of their heads, they signaled their agreement and dropped their weapons, but not without a plan in mind. Suddenly, Mike pulled out a small concealed pistol he had hidden up his sleeve and fired at one of the criminals guarding them.

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