Chapter One The Returning Cavalryman

The fat man's throat worked. "Titan's contract is registered. Killing us won't help. Mr. Crowe will send more men. The sheriff will post you. A judge will hang you. The bank will take whatever you have left." Jack crouched and pulled a folded paper from the man's belt. It bore a town office seal and the words Walker Ranch Repossession Order. A seizure notice. His name, his father's name, and his mother's name were all trapped under cold ink. Jack held the paper before the fat man's eyes. "Who signed it?" "Sheriff Harlan. The clerk too." "Where is Crowe?" The fat man clenched his teeth. Jack raised the Colt and aimed at the other knee. "Hope!" the man shouted. "Hope Town. He meets the railroad survey crew there tomorrow." Jack nodded.