Page 21 of Cade’s Quest (The McIntyres #1)
Chapter Seventeen
W ithout his hat, bright sunlight blinded Cade as Jones hustled him down the street. A light breeze rustled his hair. People stared but no one spoke out against Luther Jones.
They were halfway to the jail before Cade remembered he hadn’t told Rain where to find Buck and he mentally kicked himself.
She needed to forget him and take Bear far away from this place but no matter how far she went, she’d always be looking over her shoulder.
There was no escape—not for him or Rain.
He certainly proved that. Neither were the kisses they’d shared in the moonlight enough to hold the fragile love they’d found.
Maxwell glanced up when they entered the jail. “What’s the meaning of this?”
“I found this thieving bank robber and I’m going to see that he pays,” Jones sneered. “Out of my way. Or would you rather I go over you?”
His face set in taut lines, Maxwell didn’t budge. “This is my town and I’m the law here. McIntyre hasn’t done anything to warrant this type of treatment. Bring charges if you can find any but I’ll say who gets arrested and who doesn’t.”
“It’s not your town now.” Jones shoved Maxwell into his chair and took the keys to the cells. “I run things my way. Your new job is to scoop horse manure from the street.”
Cade exchanged a glance with Maxwell whose face was livid then swung to Jones. “I want to see the judge.”
Luther Jones sneered. “Afraid I can’t allow that.”
“You know I’m innocent and there is no basis for these charges.” Somehow, he had to make the man listen to him. “Sheriff Maxwell knows my family and me and…”
A fist to the stomach ended his sentence. Cade doubled over. Though his eyes watered from the pain, he didn’t miss two of the men holding Maxwell’s arms while Jones drove a fist into him as well.
“Yeah, I know the McIntyres too, and they’re all a bunch of lowlife outlaws.
” Jones sneered that into Cade’s face. “And brother Jess is one of the baddest. I’ve changed my mind, boys, we’re not putting McIntyre in a cell.
We’re gonna string him up right now.” Jones motioned to the man with the rope. “Bring that here.”
Knowledge of what was coming descended like a two-ton locomotive. Cade’s stomach twisted and the breakfast he’d eaten threatened to come up. He broke free for a moment and struck Jones in the face. It felt mighty good, but it accomplished nothing because the other men tackled him.
“Boss, there’s a good hanging tree down the street,” one of the ruffians said.
“One of you finish off Maxwell. I’m tired of that man,” Jones snapped. “Let’s go.” He shoved Cade outside then down the street, attracting a crowd.
Folks stood silent, their faces grim. They didn’t like what was happening, yet they wouldn’t interfere.
When he saw no one was going to help him, doom settled in his stomach. Thoughts rushed through his head, piling up like cordwood. His mouth was as dry as cotton and he yearned for a drink of water even as he knew they wouldn’t give him so much as a thimbleful.
“Someone get me a horse,” Jones barked.
“You’re sick!” someone shouted.
None of the townsfolk followed, them having no stomach for this. People on the street hurried into their houses and as they passed by, they drew their curtains.
In short order, one of the armed men brought a horse. Thank goodness it wasn’t Buck. He couldn’t have taken that.
The tree toward which they headed loomed large so it didn’t take long to arrive.
Folks living around it lowered their blinds.
Part of the elm had been struck by lightning therefore it had no leaves.
It had always given him the shivers when he rode by the elm.
A blackened bare limb jutted out in an odd angle and a large black crow perched there, watching with its beady little eyes.
The tree seemed to be begging for something or someone.
Armed men threw Cade on the borrowed horse as others tossed the rope over the scorched limb.
He desperately searched for one small opening he could escape through. The horse was a powerful one and could easily outrun this mob of gunmen. But he failed to see a chance, however slight, and knew in his gut this was it for him.
Time slowed and everything progressed in slow motion.
The morning dew had burned off and the sky was the bluest blue he’d ever seen. It was a good day to meet his Maker. At least, he’d join his parents. It would be nice to see them again.
Unless Summer continued to search for their siblings, they’d be lost forever.
Bitter failure washed over him in waves.
He’d failed to reunite his family. Failed to fix up the homeplace.
Failed in keeping Rain and Bear safe and giving them stability.
Despair and anguish drove out all other thoughts and a hollow desolation descended.
His heartbeat slowed as did the blood in his veins.
He stared straight ahead, seeing nothing.
In all the flurry, someone brought Jones’s horse and he mounted up. Reaching for the noose, Jones put it around Cade’s neck. The hemp was rough and scratchy, digging into the tender skin.
Summer ran to Jones, tears rolling in rivulets down her face. “Please, stop. Please don’t do this! He didn’t do anything wrong,” she begged.
Why had she come to watch this? She should’ve stayed far away.
Yet, it was a comfort of sorts for him to have her there.
Two other women arrived, and through the fog in his head, he made out the bold newspaper woman—and beautiful Rain.
No, no! He struggled to breathe, and tears welled up inside, thickening his throat.
He didn’t want her to see him like this.
The memory of her hair shining in the sunlight, their laughter over nothing, and the taste of her luscious lips crossed his mind.
He prayed she would find a good husband to love her.
“Stop this travesty. This man hasn’t even had the benefit of a trial,” Abigail said, her voice ringing out loud and clear. “The governor will hear about this. Men are innocent until proven guilty and you have failed to prove any of your claims that you purport to be true.”
“Stay out of this, lady,” Jones bellowed, pointing a finger. “You’re walking a fine line.”
“You’d love to silence me,” Abigail answered, lifting her chin. “As long as I have a voice, I’ll keep using it. You’ll never be free of me. I’ll hound you for the rest of your days and make your life a living hell.”
Jones wiped spittle from his mouth. “I don’t care who your daddy is, who the governor is, and I sure don’t give a rat’s hind leg who you are. Now, get back!”
However, Abigail stepped even closer instead of backward.
“I’m not afraid of you,” Abigail answered. “You’re nothing but a big bully. Someone will take you down.”
“Get her out of here!” Jones shouted.
The horse Cade was on began to sidestep, putting a strain on the noose. “Whoa,” he said softly to the animal, and it quieted.
Several of the armed men took Abigail by the arms, hustling her away. Thankfully, Rain kept silent, simply watching, a river of tears streaming down her pretty face.
Jones rested an arm on the pommel. “Any last words, McIntyre?”
“I have a question. Why? You know I didn’t rob that bank so why did you come after me anyway? I think I deserve to know.”
“Because you ran. I don’t like it when any man or woman runs from me. Besides, I know you were somehow involved in that robbery. I just can’t prove it, but you were working with them.”
“So the punishment is a hanging?” Something was horribly wrong with the man.
“And when I catch your brother Jess, I’ll hang him too. Might even hang your sweet sister.” Jones ran a hand across his bristly jaw. “Still debating that.” He smiled coldly. “She’s a pretty thing. Might have a little fun with her first.”
“You’re an animal!” Cade resisted the urge to lunge at him. Any movement would set the horse in motion. Besides, his hands were in manacles so it would be wasted effort.
Todd Jameson from the mercantile, still wearing his apron, stepped forward, an open Bible in his hand. “Whatsoever you sow, shall you also reap. You might get away with this on earth, Luther Jones, but God will have the final say.”
“You, sir, have no business here.” Jones shook a fist at him.
“You’re dead wrong. This concerns the whole town,” Jameson answered in a clear voice. “It’s every citizen’s business and we have a duty, an obligation, to speak against wrongdoing.”
Armed men appeared at Jameson’s side and hustled him away.
“Wait!” The telegraph operator ran toward them, waving a paper. “I have a message.”
“Too late!” Jones slapped the flank of the horse Cade was on and he was dangling in midair.
He tried to swallow but the rope had cut off that ability. The rough hemp dug into his throat like a hand itching to end his existence.
A woman screamed as he fought against rising panic.