Two guns. One bounty. And a man who had been hunting the wrong enemy for fifteen years.
CHAPTER 7
The battle lasted until sunset.
When it ended, only nine men remained.
Clay.
Scott.
Thomas.
And six wounded survivors.
They hid inside an abandoned mine.
Scott treated a bullet wound in his shoulder.
Thomas sat across from Clay.
“You’ve been quiet.”
Clay stared at him.
“You know my name.”
“I know more than that.”
Clay’s hand moved toward his gun.
Thomas smiled.
“Your father was Samuel Taylor.”
Clay froze.
“How do you know?”
“I knew him.”
Clay stood.
“My father died when I was twelve.”
“No.”
Thomas shook his head.
“He disappeared.”
Clay’s face hardened.
“My mother said he was killed.”
“She lied.”
Scott looked up.
Clay stared at Thomas.
“Why?”
“Because your father was one of Harrow’s men.”
Clay stepped closer.
Thomas continued.
“He helped steal the payroll.”
“You’re lying.”
“He tried to expose Harrow.”
Clay’s voice dropped.
“Then what happened?”
“Harrow killed him.”
Clay’s fists tightened.
Thomas reached into his coat.
A photograph.
A younger Samuel Taylor stood beside Harrow.
On the back was a date.
The day before Red Creek.
Clay stared at it.
His entire childhood suddenly felt like a lie.
Thomas whispered:
“Your father wasn’t a hero.”
Clay looked up.
“But he tried to become one.”
Silence filled the mine.
Scott watched Clay carefully.
Finally, Clay sat down.
“Why tell me?”
Thomas looked toward the entrance.
“Because if we survive tomorrow, you’ll need to know who you’re really hunting.”
Clay looked at him.
“You.”
Thomas smiled sadly.
“Eventually.”
