"Hank mentioned he was short on help."
The trucks pulled into the yard.
Men climbed out.
Ranchers.
Neighbors.
Friends.
People I'd known my entire life.
One of them tipped his hat.
"Heard there was trouble."
Another nodded.
"We'll help."
A third looked toward Beast.
"Figured you could use backup."
For several seconds nobody spoke.
Because everyone understood what this really meant.
Nobody was saying Gerald's name.
Nobody had to.
The message was clear.
If Gerald wanted Sadie Walker...
He was going to have to get through Eagle River first.
Beside me, Beast folded his arms.
The smallest smile touched his face.
The dangerous one.
The Ranger smile.
The one that promised bad things for bad people.
"Poor Gerald."
The sheriff laughed.
I laughed.
Even Hank laughed.
Because for the first time since this started...
