"Pa!" Billy Charles screamed.
Bill Burns turned to find him lying on the ground gasping for breath. His eldest son held both hands around his neck while blood poured out between the fingers. His mouth gaped open and closed as his wild eyes searched in vain for help.
"What the hell?" Bill Burns took a step towards Billy Charles only to stumble backwards when another shot sounded and a fiery sensation entered his chest. He fell to his knees and looked across the way to meet Raymond Childs’ flat eyes. "Why?" he screamed out.
"Let's say I owe the Scotsman a favor. He gets killed, I end up hung."
Before Bill Burns could lift his gun, two additional shots rang out and he toppled sideways onto the ground, his dead eyes meeting his son's.
Billy Charles died minutes later, one hand outstretched to his father. The simple man never realized how much the man disliked having him as a son.
"The sheriff's coming!"
Brogan raced in to town, bringing his horse to a stop at seeing two dead men and Raymond Childs and another man standing nearby, both with guns holstered. He dismounted and glanced at the dead men. One was Bill Burns, the other had to be the son.
He looked up to the burly, bearded man who returned his gaze. "You hoping to get a reward?"
Childs chuckled without mirth. "Doubt they'd pay it, being it's probably the same as the price on my own head."
Suspecting the other man was also an outlaw, Brogan did not expect introductions. "I am indebted to you."
"I'd say it makes us almost even," Childs replied. "You kept me from getting hung, so I'd say you are still one up on me."
"I don't believe in an innocent man being killed," Brogan replied. "Have you found out anything?"
Raymond shook his head. "It's almost as if the bastard vanished into thin air. Fell into a hole or something. Been all over, searched everywhere. No one's seen or heard from him. I'm beginning to think he's dead."
"Even if you find him, he’ll never confess to killing your wife. You should..." Brogan was about to say give up, but then thought of Sarah. If someone harmed her, he'd never give up. Never stop searching for whoever it was and wouldn't rest until seeing the person die.
"I'll see you around, Sheriff." Raymond Childs and his friend walked away while Brogan watched.
"Why didn't you arrest them, Sheriff?" A man came up and looked at the departing men. "We all saw them kill these two."
"The dead men are outlaws. They came to rob the bank."
The man blinked and stared down at the bodies. "Well, goodness gracious. What is the world coming to?"
With the danger at bay, Brogan considered if he should send help for Lucas and whatever happened with Camille.
It was probably of little use. There was no possible way to catch up to Lucas now. It was sundown and he decided it was best to go and let Sarah know of what happened. Surely his fiancée was worried about him and about what happened to her friend.
Knowing Lucas, he'd not stop despite nightfall. The man would not rest until finding Camille. Although Lucas had not said anything, it was obvious his friend was in love with the woman.
As Brogan watched men load the bodies of Bill Burns and his son, he could only surmise neither would be mourned much.
He headed to the opposite end of town to see his soon to be bride. Hopefully, in another day or two, Lucas would return with Camille.
*
As the sun fell behind the horizon, its rays continued to reach up toward the now darkening space of the sky. Lucas let out a breath and scanned the surroundings. Camille could be anywhere. Alone and no doubt afraid, he hated to think of what she was going through at the moment. It would be too dangerous for her to light a fire to keep warm by, so she was probably huddled somewhere attempting to keep warm.
The horse snorted and its ears twitching as it looked to the left. The animal had either heard or smelled something. Lucas pulled the animal to a stop and listened intently. Very softly at first, but then he heard what sounded like the breaking of branches. He pulled his steed to stand behind a copse of trees and dismounted. After tethering the horse, he went toward the noise on foot. It was becoming dark and soon he'd not be able to see much.
Whatever made the noise stopped and he cursed inwardly, unable to decipher where the sounds had come from. Once again, he remained still listening for any sounds. Finally, he heard it again. This time, the sound was moving away from him. As quickly as possible, he went in the direction of the sound ensuring not to make any noise.
Someone had placed a log up against others forming a type of shelter. He watched as the outline of the person disappeared into the shelter. If he'd not seen him or her go into the shelter, he'd probably have ridden without seeing or noticing anything.
He listened once again for more noise and when it stayed silent, he moved closer. Just as he reached the shelter, he heard sobs.