Only 06 - Winter Fire

pause, then a fourth shot.
    â€œCompany,” Case said tersely.
    â€œJust one,” she said.
    â€œJust one showing,” Hunter countered. “Case, stay with her. Morgan, come with me.”
    â€œUte will take the cottonwoods,” Sarah said. “He always does when Conner is gone.”
    Hunter nodded. He and Morgan left for the brush behind the house at a trot, weapons in hand.
    â€œDon’t worry,” Case said. “Hunter won’t let us be outflanked.”
    â€œI hope Lola doesn’t shoot them by mistake.”
    â€œShe’ll never even see them.”
    Shivering, Sarah said nothing.
    â€œWhere’s your jacket?” Case asked.
    â€œIn the house.”
    â€œOf all the fool places for it to be,” he muttered, peeling off his own jacket and holding it out to her.
    She was already heading for the cabin at a run.
    He suspected it wasn’t the jacket she was worried about, but her shotgun.
    He was right.
    When she reappeared a moment later, there was a shotgun in her hands. She was wearing her jacket more as a means of carrying extra cartridges than for warmth. The pockets bulged with ammunition.
    â€œDon’t show yourself,” Case said.
    â€œBut—”
    Sarah’s words were cut off as he dragged her into the cover provided by brush and boulders.
    â€œYou won’t do Conner any good dead,” he said curtly.
    Case pulled out his spyglass and began watching the trail down from the rim. In tense silence she waited.
    â€œIt’s Ab,” he said.
    â€œAlone?”
    â€œAs far as I can see.”
    A prickle of unease went over Sarah’s spine. There was something in Case’s voice that made her cold. She searched his face, but saw nothing.
    Then he lowered the spyglass and turned toward her. His eyes were as empty as death.
    â€œHe has Conner’s hat.”
    All color left her face. She swayed as though she had been struck.
    He reached for her, only to have her push his hand away sharply.
    â€œI’m all right,” she said.
    Her voice was as empty as his eyes.
    â€œLikely your brother is still alive,” Case said neutrally, “or else Ab wouldn’t parade in here alone with his hat.”
    A shuddering, sawing breath was her only answer.
    â€œLet me talk to Ab,” he said.
    She hesitated, then nodded.
    â€œStay out of sight,” he added. “Ab can be…unreasonable…when women or kids are around.”
    Sarah made a harsh sound that could have been a laugh.
    â€œUnreasonable,” she said bitterly. “That’s like describing hell as a passably warm place.”
    â€œI’ll stand where you can cover Ab without shooting through me.”
    â€œStay close enough that I can hear.”
    It wasn’t a request. He knew he could stay close or she would follow him and to hell with her own safety.
    He didn’t blame her. If it had been Hunter whose hat was in Ab’s hands, Case would have done the same.
    Swiftly he made a diagonal path through the brush to a place where Ab would pass close by on his way to the cabin. He loaded both barrels of the shotgun, cocked it, and waited with the patience of death.
    Ab made no attempt to hide himself. He rode brazenly down the trail, holding Conner’s hat like a shield in front of him.
    And it was.
    No one would touch Ab until Conner’s fate was known.
    Nothing has changed , Case thought bleakly. Peace or war, vultures still follow the Culpeppers .
    Conner isn’t their first hostage .
    But by God he will be their last .
    â€œThat’s far enough,” Case said. “State your business.”
    Ab took his time about stopping the mule. His pale blue eyes searched every bit of cover. He couldn’t see the man behind the voice.
    â€œYou ain’t very neighborly,” Ab said.
    â€œKeep it in mind.”
    With deliberate movements, Ab pulled a plug of tobacco from his pocket, gnawed off a hunk, and began chewing.
    Case waited.
    By the time Ab was halfway through his chaw, it was clear that Case wasn’t going to start any conversations or make any foolish moves.
    â€œAll right,” Ab said. “I got her brother. I want her silver. We’ll swap even up.”
    â€œWhat makes you think Mrs. Kennedy has any silver?”
    â€œBeen following you. Dug every hole you dug. Empty.” Ab spat into the dirt. “The last time I backtracked you, your horses’ hooves cut deep. Been