Shadow of the Gallows (10 page)

Cobb was awake earlier than usual the following morning. He was too agitated to sleep. As he got up Steadman continued to snore in the line shack’s other bunk. Although he wanted a cup of coffee, Cobb decided to wait rather than disturb him; for it was probably the best night’s sleep Steadman had had in a long while. He stretched and crossed over to the door, inching it open. Dawn streaked the sky with blue, lighting up the line of low hills that followed the almost empty creek. Somewhere, not far away, a bird called to another but that was the only sound.

Not that Cobb was in any mood to appreciate his surroundings. He should have stayed in Newberry and let Neil come here with Steadman. Except that Jackson would never have allowed that. Cobb didn’t like being away from the centre of things, he liked to be in on the action. And while he trusted Neil to do what he’d asked him to, at least to the best of his
ability
, that might prove to be not enough. More
importantly
, he didn’t think it right that Neil should be in town where the danger might lie while he was out here, safe. Unfortunately, there was no choice. He
would just have to sit and wait. And wonder.

Hell and damnation, what was happening in Newberry….

Uproar!

Neil was also up much earlier than usual. Which was partly because he knew Jackson was expecting him and partly because he’d had to share his bed with a stranger who’d come to town for the hanging and who’d twitched and turned all night long. The dining-room was also crowded, all the talk being about Steadman and how long it was until he stepped up on to the gallows and how he would behave once the rope was round his neck. Neil even hurried his breakfast and didn’t ask for seconds mostly so he could be away before Mrs Penrose noticed Cobb was missing and asked him questions as to where he was; which, being nosy, she would do given the chance.

As Neil arrived at the jailhouse, Sparks opened the door and let him in, shutting and barring the door behind him. For once the old man was quiet. Marshal Jackson had taken off the sling he’d worn to support his wounded arm and was standing behind the desk flexing his hand and arm. He’d unlocked the gun cabinet that hung on the wall and taken out a couple of rifles. Now Sparks picked them up and made sure they were loaded and ready.

‘Not that I intend shooting anyone,’ Jackson said, in warning to Neil. ‘Steadman might be innocent but so are the townspeople and the others. These guns are for our protection. So I don’t want you getting trigger-happy.’

‘I won’t,’ Neil said.

The hanging was set for ten o’clock. They had three hours to wait. A long while. Neil wished it was time already and this was over and done with.

But it quickly became obvious they wouldn’t have to wait three hours because sightseers soon started to gather before the jail. Quickly the street was packed, other people hung from windows of nearby
buildings
, yet more had climbed up on to roofs.

They seemed to be divided into three groups: ranchers and cowboys on one side, farmers on the other and townsfolk in between. The mood was cheerful, everyone laughing and joking.

‘That won’t last long,’ Jackson gloomily predicted. ‘I’d best go out and face ’em. The longer I leave it the worse it’ll be. Damn Cobb!’ He picked up one of the rifles and handed the other to Neil. Sparks had already got hold of a shotgun. ‘Ready?’

Neil and Sparks glanced at one another. They both nodded wordlessly and followed close behind as Jackson opened the door and stepped out on to the sidewalk.

They were confronted by a sea of faces. Jackson picked out a few. Some of the townsmen, members of the town council standing together with their wives. Hugh Rowlands with his wife close by. Fred Warren and his three sons, Martin still looking bruised and pale, Peter and David grinning with expectation. Louisa hadn’t come in with them and Jackson wasn’t surprised about that for she
disapproved
of violence of any kind. And there were the Drake brothers standing on the edge of the crowd.
He would need to watch them.

‘Folks, folks!’

Gradually the noise died away as everyone stopped what they were doing to stare at Jackson. He gulped nervously.

‘Where’s Steadman?’ someone called. ‘Bring him out.’

‘When’s the hanging?’

‘There ain’t goin’ to be a hanging,’ Jackson said. ‘Not this morning anyway.’

There was a moment of deathly quiet then the shouts and questions began. The mood turned instantly ugly.

‘Why the hell not?’

‘Where is he? Don’t say the bastard’s died on us.’

‘I knew it!’ That was Peter Warren. ‘Them damn ranchers have stuck together and gotten him out.’

‘Hush, hush, let the marshal speak.’

‘Yeah, let him explain. If he can.’

‘Neil, see the Drakes’ faces,’ Sparks whispered. ‘They sure as hell don’t like this.’

Neil glanced their way. Sparks was right. Allan and Reggie both looked furious – and apprehensive.

Again silence fell. Ominous this time.

Jackson said, ‘Mr Cobb, the detective from Bellington’s Agency has found enough evidence to cast doubt on Steadman’s conviction….’

More shouts of disbelief and disagreement.

‘… He’s sent a message to Judge Bowyer asking him to reconsider the matter and until Bowyer replies, one way or the other, Cobb has taken Steadman out of town in order to keep him safe.’

‘Steadman is guilty,’ Reggie Drake yelled, to a chorus of agreement. ‘He should hang. What right has that damn fool Cobb to say otherwise and for you to agree with him?’

‘I don’t want to see an innocent man hanged for the sake of a few days.’

‘He ain’t innocent.’

Fred Warren stepped forward. ‘And what happens if Bowyer disagrees with this Cobb fella?’

‘Then Cobb will bring Steadman back and the hanging will go ahead.’

‘Oh yeah!’ Yells of disbelief. ‘Why should he come back?’

‘He won’t!’

‘This is all a damn waste of time,’ Reggie said. ‘Steadman should be hanged now. Let’s get him.’

A few people surged forward, fists were clenched and raised. Neil took a frightened step back then steadied himself. Jackson held up his rifle and fired over their heads. Everyone skidded to a halt.

‘He’s not here, I told you that. Rushing the jail won’t do any good and might get some of you hurt.’

‘Let’s get the marshal instead!’

‘Yeah!’

‘No, stop, don’t be stupid.’ Fred Warren stepped up on to the sidewalk to stand by Jackson.

‘Pa!’

‘No, Peter, listen to reason. It don’t seem right to me, but Steadman is gone. Maybe the marshal is right or maybe he’s wrong. But attacking him won’t do any good.’  

‘He’s always on the side of the ranchers! He ain’t
no proper lawman!’

‘Look,’ Jackson said, ‘I’m sure we’ll receive a reply from the judge within the next couple of days.’ He hoped so anyway. ‘There won’t be long to wait.’

‘Where is Steadman?’ Allan Drake asked.

As if, Neil thought, Jackson would tell him!

‘Somewhere safe. If he’s guilty I promise he won’t get away with this. But I think he deserves a chance.’

It was evident few others did.

‘I don’t want any trouble over this.’

‘Trouble is what you’ll damn well get,’ Reggie yelled.

‘Yeah, yeah!’

‘Go home now, all of you.’

Some of the crowd slowly, reluctantly, began to move away, the majority stayed where they were as if they couldn’t believe what they’d heard. Small groups were formed, arguing amongst themselves, complaining about the marshal, grumbling about private detectives; wanting to do something. Others shouted and yelled and seemed ready to start flinging punches. Or worse. The members of the town council, all looking furious – this was bad for business – strode up to Jackson. They were closely followed by Hugh Rowlands.

‘Jackson! We want a word with you! Now!’

‘What’s the meaning of this? How dare you take something like this on yourself.’

‘Best come in.’ With a little sigh, Jackson led the way into the jailhouse. ‘Neil.’

‘Yes, sir?’

‘When you can, go on down to the telegraph
office, find out if there’s a reply from the judge.’

Neil had no wish to be present while Jackson was bawled out by the town council and he decided that the time was already right. Everyone was much too busy yelling and arguing amongst themselves to take any notice of him. Even so he kept to the quiet of the alleys as he sprinted down to the telegraph office, which was situated just beyond the livery stable. He reached it without being accosted.

But he found there was no good news.

‘No, ain’t no reply yet,’ the operator said. ‘I think the line might be down somewhere.’

‘Hell.’ That was the last thing either Cobb or Jackson would want to hear.

‘Soon as there’s a reply I’ll bring it to the marshal, don’t worry.’

‘OK, I’ll tell him.’

Neil stepped out of the telegraph office. As he did so he heard a woman cry out from the direction of the livery stable.

It was Amy Mallory.

Neil broke into a run. Cobb had entrusted him to look after Amy and now it sounded as if she was being threatened, even hurt. Who by? One of the Drakes, Reggie most likely, or perhaps a farmer so angered that Steadman had escaped the noose he was willing to take that anger out on Steadman’s girl. As Neil ran he eased his gun in its holster.

He’d learned caution from Cobb, so instead of bursting into the stables, he came to a halt outside the door and peered round it.

Amy stood in the middle of the floor, facing him, fear in her eyes. With his back to Neil, holding on to Amy’s arm, body thrust towards her, was, surprisingly, Allan Drake.

As Neil stepped inside, Allan said, ‘Where is he? You must know.’

‘No I’ve told you, I don’t.’ Amy tried to pull away from the man. ‘Let me go. You’re hurting.’

‘Tell me where Steadman is.’

‘Let her be,’ Neil said angrily. ‘Like she says, she don’t know where he is.’

With a snarl of fury Allan swung round. He thrust
Amy from him, almost sending her toppling to the ground.

‘Stop that!’ Neil didn’t like to see a woman being hurt.

‘Stay the hell out of this,’ Allan shouted.

He raised his arm and punched Neil in the chest. Neil fell backwards and hit against the door of one of the stalls. Allan marched up to him, fury contorting his face.

‘So, kid, do you know where he is?’

‘No.’

‘Then you’re of no use to me.’ And the man drew his gun and pointed it at Neil.

‘Don’t!’ Amy screamed and jumped at Allan, struggling with him.

His gun fell out of his hand and to the floor. Quickly Neil kicked it out of the way. Allan shrugged Amy off him, called her a nasty name, and shoved her so hard that this time she couldn’t save herself from crashing to the ground.

Shakily, Neil got to his feet and drew his own gun. ‘Stop this! Or I’ll shoot you.’

Breathing heavily Allan looked at him, then at Amy who had sat up and was rubbing her arm. For a moment Neil thought he wasn’t going to take any notice of his warning but then he took a deep breath and managed to calm down.

‘I’m sorry, Miss Mallory.’ He spoke in an imploring tone, holding out a hand towards her. ‘I really didn’t mean to hurt you.’

She refused to look at him.

‘Amy, sweetheart, I love you. I always have.’

At this Amy did look up, eyes widening with surprise. ‘But for some reason you seem to prefer that bastard, Steadman, to me. You deserve better.’ When she didn’t reply, Allan’s face and voice
hardened
. ‘I want you, Amy. I mean to have you.’

Still no reply.

‘You haven’t heard the last of this, either of you.’ And Allan pushed by Neil and ran out of the stables.

‘Miss Mallory, are you all right?’ Neil holstered his gun and went over to her, reaching out a hand to help her up.

‘I think so,’ Amy replied, brushing down her skirt. ‘He came in here and started demanding to know where Tom was. He wouldn’t listen to me. I was quite scared of him. Thank goodness you came along when you did or I’m not sure what he might have done.’

‘Where’s Greg?’

‘Earlier this morning Marshal Jackson asked if he would go down to the red-light district and help Bob Sparks patrol it once he’d broken the news Tom had gone in case there was trouble. We didn’t expect trouble to come here.’

She tried to laugh but it was obvious to Neil she had been badly frightened. He didn’t blame her. There had been something about Allan Drake that had frightened him as well, and not just because the man had tried to shoot him.

‘Don’t leave me, will you?’

‘No, of course not. But I think the best place for you is the marshal’s office. You’ll be safe there.’

Amy nodded agreement. She picked up the gun
Drake had left behind and shoved it in the belt of her skirt.

‘Neil, did you hear what Allan said? That he loved me! What did he mean by that? Reggie is nearly always the one who leaves and collects their horses when they come to town. Allan rarely even comes to town and I don’t think I’ve seen him in here above a couple of times. In fact I don’t think I’ve ever exchanged more than a few words with him. How can he possibly love me?’

‘Never mind about that. Let’s go.’ Neil didn’t want to be caught alone with Amy if Drake decided to return. One hand on the butt of his gun and the other at Amy’s elbow he led the way out of the stable. To his relief there was no sign of Allan, or Reggie.

In fact they saw no one until they came to the plaza. It was still full of people, all of whom appeared to be venting their outrage at the jailhouse.

‘Oh!’ Amy said in horrified surprise.

‘Don’t worry.’ Neil pulled her close. ‘Let’s hurry.’ He wondered if he’d made a mistake in coming here, knew that at the least he shouldn’t have been in such a rush to get Amy to the jailhouse but should have followed the alleys again. It was too late to go back because some of the crowd had already turned and spotted them, were pointing and nudging their neighbours. They would be no safer going back to the stables, less, because at least Jackson was in the jail to help them.

They hadn’t gone very far when suddenly Peter and David Warren stepped out in front of them.

‘You’re with that detective, ain’t you?’ Peter
accused Neil.

‘And you’re Steadman’s girl,’ David added.

‘This is nothing to do with Miss Mallory,’ Neil said, trying to push by them.

‘Steadman is a damn killer and you’re helping that damn detective set him free,’ Peter went on. ‘And she’s the killer’s girlfriend. And you’re protecting her.’

He raised his fists and Neil feared he was about to have another fight on his hands, one in which several of the people round about might join in.

‘Peter!’ It was Fred Warren. He shoved David out of the way and faced his eldest son. ‘I know you’re angry but I didn’t bring you up to bully women. You should be ashamed of yourself.’

To Neil’s relief Peter looked shamefaced.

‘Let them be on their way.’

‘I’m sorry,’ Peter mumbled and stood aside.

Warren remained on Amy’s other side as they walked to the jailhouse.

‘Thanks,’ Neil said.

‘Oh, I ain’t doing it for you, I’m doing it for my boys. Steadman should’ve been hanged today.’

‘But he didn’t do it,’ Neil said. ‘And Mr Cobb knows who did and now I think I know why.’

‘Who?’ Warren demanded. ‘Why?’

‘I need to tell the marshal and Mr Cobb first.’

They were at the jailhouse door at last and Jackson opened it for Neil and Amy to go through, while Warren turned away to find his sons. Immediately Amy sank down on one of the chairs and put her head in her hands.

‘It’s so awful out there. I didn’t expect this.’

‘You’re all right now.’

‘Miss Mallory, are you OK? I shouldn’t have left you alone.’ Jackson made sure the door was locked and secure. ‘Neil, what’s happened?’

Quickly Neil told him.

‘Allan Drake? Allan was threatening Miss Mallory? It’s hard to believe.’

‘It’s true and as he left he told Amy he love d her and that she deserved better than Steadman. It was as if he couldn’t believe she could prefer anyone to him.’

‘God!’

‘It doesn’t make sense,’ Amy said, trying not to cry. ‘Not Allan. I could believe it if Reggie thought he was in love with me. He thinks he’s in love with most every woman he sees. But not Allan.’

‘Don’t you realize what this means?’

‘No, what?’ Both Jackson and Amy stared at Neil.

‘Mr Cobb thought there might be more behind this than the Drakes wanting Bannister’s land but he didn’t know what. Well, now we do know, don’t we?’

‘Oh God,’ Jackson said with a nod. ‘Allan is in love with Miss Mallory. With Steadman dead he believes that not only will he and his brother be able to take over Bannister’s land and water but that Amy will be free for him to woo.’

‘Exactly.’

Amy turned pale. ‘How can he? I won’t … it’s ridiculous!’ She raised stricken eyes towards the two men. ‘But if he loves me then why was he willing to blacken my name with rumours about me and
Bannister? Was it just to cause more trouble for Tom.’

Neil thought about that. ‘That was probably part of it but’ – he’d seen the mad look in Allan’s eyes – ‘I reckon he just couldn’t stand the thought of you loving Tom instead of him and so wanted to punish you for doing so.’

‘And perhaps to try and get the pair of you to argue and fall out of love,’ Jackson added.

‘I’ll tell him I don’t care for him and never could and put a stop to this nonsense.’

‘From the way Allan Drake was behaving I doubt he’d listen. Or be able to tell the truth from his
imagination
. He loves you and he obviously believes that given the chance you’ll love him back.’

‘But….’

‘No, Miss Mallory, Neil’s right. It won’t do any good for you to approach him. It might make things worse and might put you in danger.’

‘But we must do something.’

Jackson went over to the window and stared out at the crowds milling around in the plaza. ‘Things won’t quieten down for a while. I don’t like to leave the town until they do but Mr Cobb needs to know about this. And quickly.’

‘I could go,’ Neil offered.

‘You don’t know the way.’

‘I know the area,’ Amy said. ‘I could take Neil.’

‘I’m not sure—’

Amy went on. ‘Your job as town marshal means you should be here looking after the town. Keeping people quiet. You’re the only one who can do that.
Neil can’t. Nor can Sparks and Greg. No one will listen to them.’

‘Greg could go with Neil.’

‘No, please, Marshal, I want to see Tom, especially now when the last piece of the puzzle has fallen into place that proves his innocence and the Drake
brothers
’ guilt.’

Jackson made up his mind. ‘OK. They’ve gone to the line shack at Simmons Creek. Do you know where that is?’

‘I know where Simmons Creek is, yes.’ Amy nodded. ‘The shack shouldn’t be hard to find. It won’t take us long. I’ll go and saddle two horses.’

‘Wait.’ Jackson caught her arm before she could leave the jailhouse. ‘Let a few more people get off the streets first.’

‘Why?’ Amy was anxious to be on her way, wanted to find out for herself how Tom was.

‘It’ll be safer that way and a couple of hours more can’t make any difference.’

‘The marshal is right,’ Neil added. ‘Mr Cobb and Steadman ain’t going anywhere.’

Amy nodded reluctant agreement.

‘I promise we’ll go as soon as we can.’