Chapter Two Three Seconds in Hope

"Leave Hope. If I see you draw for Titan again, I'll bury you under their rail." Rusk lowered his head and backed away, clutching his ruined hand. Someone in the crowd whispered, "Lord above." Another voice answered, "Like a ghost." "Ghost Rider," someone said more softly. The name moved like wind along the street, into every doorway, every window, every listening ear. Crowe finally spoke. "Mr. Walker." His voice was not loud, but several people stepped back by instinct. Jack turned to him. Crowe gave a slight smile. "I regret what happened to your father." Jack did not move. "Regret?" "Development on the frontier is always accompanied by misunderstandings. Contracts, debts, land surveys. These things are complicated for farmers.