"I owe you. Doc says I wouldn't have made it if it weren't for you bringing me here." The man's face was shiny with perspiration. He was still quite sick.
"Just be sure to take care of yourself. Glad I could help.” Lucas was about to turn when the man spoke again. "You ride with a Scotsman. That's you ain't it?"
An icy trail rode up his spine. "How do you know this?"
"I heard is all." The man's coughs were dry and hard. "If I were you, I'd tread carefully. Never know who's coming for ya."
He neared the man and peered down at him. "What have you heard?"
"Could be tomorrow or maybe a month from now. Could be any day, I don't know for sure. But there's word Bill Burns wants you for killin' his son."
"You seemed to know a lot for someone just hearing."
It was then the man's true nature shined through. His eyes were sharp, flat and darkened, the look of a man who'd killed many. "I didn't have to say what I did. Only did so because you saved my life, and because I hate the bastard. I don't ride with Bill Burns. Don't want nothin' to do with 'im."
"Is he the one who shot you?"
The man turned his head to face the wall. The conversation was over.
When Lucas turned to leave, the doctor stood at the doorway, his expression grim. No doubt, he considered what the repercussions of the conversation he overheard were for his daughter.
"I won't say anything to Sarah," he said, looking past Lucas to the man on the bed. "Just make sure Brogan comes to talk to her today."
"I will," Lucas assured the doctor and rushed from the clinic to the jailhouse. He found that Brogan had remained sitting behind the desk reading some papers.
The Scotsman looked up when Lucas entered. "Got a telegram from Boise. A judge will be coming next month. From what I understand, he's planning to make Silver City his home."
"That will come in handy. Not having to take prisoners to stand trial, or hold them until a judge comes will be good." Lucas closed the door and neared his friend.
Obviously, the look on his face was strained by the change in Brogan, who straightened and narrowed his eyes. "Something wrong?"
"You can say that. I just found a man shot by an old friend of ours. Claims Bill Burns is asking information about me."
Brogan exhaled, his face like stone. "I wondered how long it would be before he came. We should have gone further than this town."
"It's me he wants, not you. I'm the one who shot his son. Besides, we have prior warning, have to keep our ears and eyes open," Lucas told him.
When his friend waited for him to continue he did. "I'm not running from anyone. Seems as if Burns would be more careful when recruiting men for whatever he's planning. News like that travels fast."
"Probably up to something besides killing us.” Brogan lifted his cup of coffee and drank from it. It always amazed Lucas how calm his friend remained in the face of danger, when he'd been so distraught earlier when considering his beloved. He'd learned a lot from Brogan over the years they'd known each other. However, Lucas' heart thudded in his ears at the prospect of a shootout. It was one thing to happen upon an incident. Preparing for one, knowing it was coming, was different.
Lucas went to the stove and lifted the coffee pot. He poured coffee wishing it was whiskey instead.
Once he had his cup in hand, he sat on the opposite side of the desk where Brogan has spread out a map of Silver City. Both men studied the map, gauging which direction the outlaws would come in and how best to thwart their plans.
"We'll gather up a few deputies, scout around town just to be safe. When they come, I'd rather not let them get into town.” Lucas pointed at an area just west of town. "It's hilly here. We can camp out and, hopefully, catch sight of them coming."
"That's only if we get word they are," Brogan said. "We need to send a scout out."
How long before they set out and when to do it was the problem. Lucas leaned back, the chair creaking at his shift. "When do you think we should head out?"
"Not sure. Maybe Burns is going to bide his time, keep us on edge."
"I say we go find him then."
"It's a good idea," Brogan said and let out a breath. "I suppose I better tell Sarah. I'll go speak to the Cartwright brothers. You want to go see about Marcus Dolby and Robert Jones?"
"Will do. Let's meet here in a couple hours with our supplies."
As Lucas headed down the walkway to get his horse, he considered speaking to Camille. But upon thinking about it, he changed his mind. There really wasn't any reason to worry her about outlaws being about. She was already skittish enough.
Then again, what if he didn't return?
CHAPTER SIX
CAMILLE COULDN'T REMAIN locked up any longer. After dressing and eating breakfast, she went down to the shop. Outside, the town was just coming awake, only a few people mingled about. The mercantile owner stopped sweeping the front of his store and waved to someone in greeting.