The Gunslinger Who Came to Bury His Past — Then the Town Gave Him a Reason to Draw Again
CHAPTER 11
Gabriel escaped through the floor of the train carriage.
He found Ada in the next compartment.
Elias had already freed her.
Together, they reached the cargo car.
Calder Boone was waiting.
“You again.”
Gabriel raised his gun.
Boone shook his head.
“Not tonight.”
He handed Gabriel a key.
“Your father’s final evidence.”
Gabriel stared.
“You had it?”
“All these years.”
“Why?”
“Because I promised him.”
Boone looked away.
“He saved my life once.”
Gabriel slowly lowered his gun.
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Because I was afraid.”
“Of what?”
“That you’d become exactly what Vane wanted.”
Gabriel understood.
Revenge.
Vane wanted Gabriel to become another outlaw.
Another violent man.
Another reason for the town to live in fear.
Boone continued.
“Your father knew you.”
“He knew I’d come back.”
“He knew you’d have to choose.”
“Choose what?”
Boone looked at Ada.
“Justice.”
Then he opened the door.
Vane stood on the other side.
He raised his gun.
Boone stepped in front of Gabriel.
The shot came.
Boone fell.
Gabriel caught him.
“Why?”
Boone smiled weakly.
“Because your father asked me to.”
He died before Gabriel could answer.
Vane ran.
Gabriel wanted to follow.
Ada grabbed his arm.
“No.”
He looked at her.
“He’s running.”
“Exactly.”
She pointed toward the engine.
“He’s going somewhere.”
Gabriel understood.
The train wasn’t carrying the ledger.
It was carrying something far more valuable.
The original land deed.
If Vane reached the railroad headquarters, everything would disappear.
Gabriel looked at Ada.
“Stay here.”
She shook her head.
“No.”
He smiled.
“Stubborn.”
“Learned from you.”
Together, they ran toward the engine.
