With that, he strode out of the kitchen.
Annie called. “What about breakfast?”
“I’m not hungry,” he replied without stopping in his pace.
He hurried out of the house into the warm sunshine. He debated whether he should walk to town or take Dark Knight. Deciding it was best he took his horse, he strolled down to the stables. After saddling the horse, he led him outside and mounted.
With determination etched on his face, he rode out of the ranch. He had been so distracted by Olivia, he forgot his promise to her. And so, he would remedy that by questioning everyone he could find to tell him about the raid.
He had to fulfill his promise to her of finding and apprehending the people who killed her Indian family. She might have forgotten he made the promise but he was determined not to. At least carrying out his investigation would help him forget the near-kiss incident with Olivia.
And so, Adam rode into town and went straight to the saloon where he knew he would find Henry. Sure enough, Henry was in front of the saloon, begging those going in to give him money for a drink.
“Henry.”
The crippled man frowned upon sighting him which Adam found strange.
“Please leave me alone, Marshal. I know nothing.” Henry turned away from him.
Frowning, Adam squatted beside the man. “What’s going on, Henry?”
Henry shook his head and avoided looking at him. “I don’t have to answer your questions. I don’t want to get into any trouble with no one.”
“Get into trouble with who?”
“Please leave me alone.”
“You don’t have to be afraid of anyone, Henry. I’ll protect you. The law will protect you.”
Henry let out a bark of laughter and turned to stare at Adam with mocking eyes.
“Adam, you think the law is everything, don’t you? You have no idea how much it means nothing here. You’re the only one going about feeling that the law is the ultimate thing. I’ve got news for you, Adam. The law died a long time ago in Ruby Rock and there’s nothing you can do to resurrect it except to get yourself killed.”
Adam’s lips parted in surprise.
“Do yourself a favor and let go of this investigation. It’s not going to end well. The Indians have been raided for the past five years with no one doing anything about it and it’s going to continue that way. They always get accused of cattle rustling during the raids and chased away. The ones who resist, get massacred or the folks do it just for the fun of it. Most likely to send a message to the other Indians.
“Something big is going on in this town and you, with your federal power, can’t do beans about it. So, I’ll advise you to sit in your office, look handsome, get paid, keep quiet, mind your business, and leave me the heck alone.”
With that, Henry dashed into the saloon. Adam rose, still stupefied by all Henry just divulged.
So the Indians had been raided for the past five years. Indeed, something was going on in the town. Now, all the Sioux had told him made sense.
But why were the townsfolk raiding the Indians? He sensed that it was something other than to instill fear in them. From what he had seen upon returning to the town, the various Indian tribes minded their business. They didn’t come into the town neither did they engage in cattle rustling.
So, why were the townsfolk chasing them away from their lands? And what was the something big Henry had talked about?
He knew it was fruitless going to ask the sheriff, and Amos had been avoiding him since that incident on the streets. The deputy had become closemouthed even when Adam cornered him.
The only person he knew he could ask about the raids was Olivia. After all, she had lived with the Indians for eight years.
Adam released a sigh. He had been hoping that he wouldn’t have to ask her questions. It was obvious that she was beginning to carry on with her life. He didn’t want to cause her any pain, but he had to in order to find answers.
He thought of a way to make asking her questions not to hurt her. A picnic came to his mind and a smile lifted his face. He would have to solicit the help of Annie to be able to make it a success. Swiftly, he turned and walked away from the saloon in the direction of the bakery.
Even though Adam was happy that he would see Olivia again, he was skeptical about her reception after what happened the previous night.
He could only hope that she would agree to see him.
