“I’ll be back in a few minutes with the keys,” Randall said in a whisper just as the door opened.
Rafe didn’t answer but retreated to the cot, assuming the same position he’d been in when Randall entered.
“Find out what you needed, Mr.Randall?”the deputy asked.
Randall nodded and followed the deputy out, who once more locked the door.
Rafe stared at the door.He didn’t know what he felt.Except fear for Shea.He put his arm on the raised knee and rested his head on his hand.There was nothing he could do now but wait.
Chapter 24
Jack Randall knew he was out of his element.He’d never been a brave man, though he had faked bravery well enough.And now he was alone in what he was doing.
His legs shook slightly as he followed the deputy down the stairs.He thought of everything that could go wrong.He thought of the hate he’d seen in Rafe Tyler’s eyes, as strong as it had been ten years earlier.The meeting had been far harder than he’d expected, but then he’d always been able to justify and minimize the effect of his actions.
It wasn’t too late to back out.
And then he thought of Shea.Alone.Without warm clothes.Without a weapon.Two days now.He stiffened his backbone as they walked into the sheriff’s office.
The deputy handed him his gunbelt and turned around to hang up the keys alongside another set.The key to the irons.Jack slipped his gun out of the holster and struck the deputy on the back of the head.He caught the body with his right arm and lowered it to the ground.He leaned down.The man was breathing.
Jack took the deputy’s gun, then grabbed the two sets of keys.He moved quickly outside and up the steps.He had to try several keys before finding the one that unlocked the door.
Tyler was sitting on the cot, but he straightened the minute Jack entered the room.
“The deputy?”
“Unconscious downstairs,” Jack said, kneeling at Rafe’s feet, unfastening the leg irons.
Jack turned away.
“The handcuffs,” Tyler reminded him.
“They stay on,” Jack said.He pulled out his gun, holding it on Rafe, and reached for the derringer.
“What was that about trust?”Rafe said.
Jack shrugged.“Just a precaution.The handcuffs shouldn’t slow you down.”
“What if I refuse to go?”
“You won’t,” Jack said.“I’m the only chance you have.”
Rafe shrugged, and Jack knew he was thinking he could overpower him later.But right now, at least, he couldn’t argue.“Horses?”
“We’ll have to get one at the stable.I couldn’t risk taking a riderless horse from the Circle R.Too many people milling about, coming and going while looking for Shea.”
He opened the door, waited for Rafe to go out ahead of him, then locked it.The tactic might stall pursuers.At the bottom of the steps he paused.“Where’s your horse?”
“The livery stable.”
“What is it?”
“A bay.White stripe down its face.”
The last of daylight had faded.They were standing at the side of the sheriff’s office in the shadows.Jack glanced down at the handcuffs on Rafe’s wrists.“Stay here.I’ll see if I can get your horse.”
Tyler just glared at him, and Randall knew that sooner or later there would be an accounting.But Tyler needed him now with those handcuffs.He wouldn’t run out on him.Not yet.
