Two guns. One bounty. And a man who had been hunting the wrong enemy for fifteen years.
CHAPTER 6
They reached Red Valley at dawn.
Thomas was waiting.
Not alone.
Twenty riders surrounded the valley.
Clay immediately drew his revolver.
Scott did the same.
Thomas Adam stepped forward.
He was older than Clay expected.
Gray beard.
Scarred face.
Calm eyes.
He smiled.
“Colonel Wood.”
Scott aimed at him.
“You killed my family.”
Thomas didn’t move.
“No.”
Scott’s finger tightened.
“You were there.”
“Yes.”
“You watched them die.”
Thomas nodded.
“I did.”
Clay looked at him.
“Why?”
Thomas looked at Scott.
“Because I was trying to save your son.”
Scott froze.
Thomas continued.
“Your son saw Harrow take the money.”
Scott’s breathing changed.
“He was alive?”
“For three days.”
“What happened?”
Thomas looked away.
“Harrow found him.”
Scott lowered his gun slightly.
Thomas looked back.
“I found your boy afterward.”
Scott’s voice cracked.
“What did he say?”
Thomas reached into his coat.
He removed a small wooden horse.
Scott recognized it immediately.
He had carved it for his son.
“He said his father would come.”
Scott closed his eyes.
Thomas continued.
“I promised him you would.”
Scott whispered:
“You let him die.”
“I was surrounded.”
“You could have saved him.”
“I tried.”
Scott raised his revolver.
Clay stepped between them.
“Not yet.”
Scott looked furious.
“Move.”
“No.”
Thomas watched them.
Then he smiled.
“Good.”
Clay frowned.
“Good?”
Thomas nodded.
“Because now I know which one of you is capable of thinking.”
A rifle fired from the ridge.
Thomas’s men immediately turned.
Someone had betrayed him.
Harrow’s soldiers attacked from both sides.
The valley erupted.
Thomas looked at Clay.
“Choose.”
Clay stared at him.
Then at Scott.
Then at the soldiers.
“Today?”
He cocked his revolver.
“We survive.”
Scott nodded.
For the first time, the two enemies stood shoulder to shoulder.
