He Was the Deadliest Gun in the Territory — Until a Child Gave Him Something Worth Fighting For
Chapter 7
Martin was caught before sunset.
He was hiding near the old railway station.
Cole found him first.
The younger man raised his hands.
“I didn’t want to do it.”
“You stole the key.”
“They have my wife.”
“Who?”
“Crowe.”
Martin’s voice broke.
“He said he’d kill her if I didn’t bring it.”
Cole lowered his gun.
“Where is she?”
“I don’t know.”
Martin looked at Evelyn.
“I swear.”
Evelyn stepped forward.
“Why didn’t you come to me?”
“Because I knew what Crowe would do.”
Cole believed him.
Not because Martin deserved trust.
Because Cole recognized the fear in his eyes.
He had seen that kind of fear before.
“Where’s the key?”
Martin swallowed.
“Crowe has it.”
Cole looked at Evelyn.
“We’re going to get it back.”
Evelyn shook her head.
“No.”
“What?”
“You’re going to get yourself killed.”
Cole smiled.
“Probably.”
“That isn’t funny.”
“I know.”
Evelyn grabbed his arm.
“Cole.”
He looked at her.
For a moment, neither spoke.
Then she whispered:
“Come back.”
Cole nodded.
“I will.”
It was the first promise he had made in years.
And he intended to keep it.
