The Town’s Most Feared Gunslinger Risked His Life to Save a New Waitress From Outlaws — Until a Secret From Twelve Years Ago Revealed That Her Missing Father and His Missing Brother Had Vanished on the Same Night
Chapter 5
The ledger had been hidden for twelve years.
Thomas Bennett had divided it into six pieces.
Each piece was given to someone he trusted.
One was hidden inside a church.
One beneath the town well.
One in a grave.
One inside the sheriff’s office.
One in the restaurant.
And the final piece…
Elias didn’t know.
Clara looked around the restaurant.
“The restaurant?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Your father knew the owner.”
Clara thought about it.
Then she remembered the floorboard beneath table four.
She knelt.
Pried it loose.
Underneath was a small metal box.
Her hands shook.
Inside was a piece of paper.
Six names.
She read them.
Then stopped.
One name was familiar.
Sheriff Daniel Mercer.
Clara looked at Elias.
“The sheriff.”
Elias nodded.
“That’s why Crowe never went to prison.”
Suddenly the front door slammed open.
Sheriff Mercer entered.
His gun was already drawn.
“Step away from the box.”
Elias slowly stood.
“Daniel.”
“Give it to me.”
“You’re working for Crowe.”
Mercer’s face hardened.
“You don’t understand.”
“I understand perfectly.”
Mercer raised his gun.
Clara backed away.
Then another voice came from behind them.
“Actually…”
Crowe stepped through the back door.
“…he’s been working for me for eleven years.”
Elias looked around.
They were surrounded.
Crowe smiled.
“Now give me the ledger.”
Clara looked at the piece of paper in her hand.
Then she did something nobody expected.
She threw it into the stove.
Crowe’s smile disappeared.
The paper caught fire.
“You stupid girl.”
Clara looked at him.
“You wanted it.”
She smiled.
“Now you’ll never have it.”
Crowe stepped forward.
But Elias’s revolver was already aimed at his heart.
“One step closer.”
Crowe stopped.
For the first time, he looked afraid.
Then the sheriff shot Elias.
