The sheriff scratched his bushy brows. “What are you talking about?”
Adam hit his hand hard on the table. “You know what I’m talking about. I saw the petitionyoumade the mayor file against me.”
The sheriff threw back his head and raucous laughter reverberated from his throat.
“You’re a disgrace to the law and the oath you took on the day they made you sheriff. How can you sell your conscience because of money?” Drawing closer, Adam, with clenched teeth, said, “It’s not too late to change your ways, Joe. Tell me all I need to know about Gabe Winters and the raid, and I’ll make sure you get a light sentence.”
The sheriff swung his head legs down from the table and sat up. A lazy grin spread across his face. In a low tone, he remarked, “Why don’tItellyouwhat to do instead.”
Regarding him with skepticism, Adam replied, “I’m listening.”
Maintaining his smile, the sheriff said, “Why don’t you forget thisgood marshalnonsense? There’s money to be made if only you knew how much.”
Adam’s lips parted with surprise as he gazed at the sheriff with incredulous eyes.
The older man went on, “With the pittance we’re paid, I reckon in our old age, we’ll still be a little better than beggars.” Leaning back, he smiled. “I saw a good deal, and I took it. Do you know how many mouths I have to feed? I have seven children and I have to send money home every month for my younger ones to take care of my sick mother.” He shrugged. “I had to take the deal.”
“That’s not enough for you to break the oath you swore. You knew how much the job paid before you took it.”
The sheriff waved a hand in the air. “That’s hogwash and you know it. I can’t say I blame you. You’re young, single, and without a care in the world. Perhaps when you’re married and have mouths to feed, you will understand.”
Jerking his chin, Adam sneered. “I will never be like you even if I have the entire world to feed. You’re just a greedy old man.”
Joe Tate shot to his feet. “Mind your words, Marshal.”
Adam folded his arms across his chest. “Why should I? You’re a man without integrity so you shouldn’t be affronted when I tell you the truth about yourself.”
“Listen to me before it’s too late, Adam.” He raised a warning finger. “This road will lead to nothing but destruction. You can’t fight against what’s going on. The earlier you join in and make serious money, the better for you because you won’t like what’s coming to you.”
Adam’s face contorted. “What are you talking about, Joe? What’s coming to me?”
Grinning with a shrug, the sheriff answered, “You’ll see if you don’t drop the case.”
Adam scoffed. “Threats don’t work on me. You should know that by now.”
“It’s not a threat, it’s a warning.”
“We’ll see.” Adam strode out of the place with a sense of foreboding.
Adam decided he wouldn’t wait for the go ahead from any federal authority to make his arrests. Gabe Winters was likely to do something to either him or Olivia, and he couldn’t allow that. His thoughts flickered to Olivia and how he had treated her that morning, but he hastily pushed it away. Thinking of her now would becloud his senses. He would apologize to her later. But for now, justice needed to be served.
He hurried to the court to draw up the warrant for Gabe Winters’s arrest again. Things were about to let loose, but he didn’t care. He was, however, stunned when he got to the courthouse and was told the judge wasn’t in residence. The older man had gone to Washington.
Adam found that odd because he could have sworn he caught a glimpse of the man a few hours ago.
“He left about an hour ago,” the court clerk told him with interest.
Adam gritted his teeth with annoyance. Did this mean he wouldn’t arrest Gabe Winters? Who knew how long the judge would be away? He shook his head. It was best the odious man was behind bars pending when the judge would return. At least, that would put a stop to whatever the man had planned for him or anyone else.
With purposeful strides, Adam left the courthouse and hurried to the stables where he got his horse and rode with speed to the bank. He grinned when he saw two guards had been posted out front, probably to keep him from getting into the bank. If anyone dared to stop him from arresting the banker, they would find themselves in deep trouble. If he had to arrest everyone in the bank, he would do it. No way would he allow Gabe Winters sleep in the comfort of his house that night. The jail was the best place for him.
“Gentlemen, get out of my way if you know what’s good for you,” he warned as soon as he reached the door and the men blocked his path.
“We have orders not to allow you in,” one of the men responded.
Adam grimaced and slid his gun from his holster. “Then you’re both under arrest for trying to obstruct the duties of a federal marshal. Would you like to know how many years you’d spend in jail for such a crime?”
Upon hearing that, a scowl covered their faces.
