When Rounder refused to provide his reason for breaking into Faith’s house, Brodie turned him around and grasped the man’s wrists. The metallic click of handcuffs echoed in the tense silence.
“All right, let’s go,” Brodie commanded. He gripped the man’s arm, steering him toward the jail.
As they walked, Joshua noticed the intruder’s head swiveling from one side to the other. Was he searching for an escape route, or were others hiding in the dark to help him?
Faith stepped closer to Joshua, her fingers brushing against his arm. “Do you think he’ll talk?”
Joshua shook his head slightly. “I don’t know. If anyone can get him to talk, it’s Brodie.”
The jail loomed before them, its weathered wooden exterior a stark reminder of Mystic’s early frontier roots. Brodie shoved Rounder through the door.
“Sit,” Brodie ordered, gesturing to a chair in front of the desk.
Rounder complied, his posture rigid with defiance. Brodie loomed over him, his eyes hard as flint.
“Now,” Brodie began, his voice carrying the weight of his authority, “you’re going to tell me exactly what you were doing in Miss Goodell’s house.”
The man’s gaze flicked between Brodie, Joshua, and Faith, who stood watching from near the door. The air in the small room felt thick with tension and unspoken questions.
A bead of sweat rolled down Rounder’s temple, but he remained silent.
Brodie leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. “You broke into a home. You’re looking at serious charges. Start talking, and maybe we can work something out.”
Joshua watched the exchange, his hand moving to rest on Faith’s shoulder. He could feel the tension in her body, knew she was itching to ask her own questions.
“Brodie,” Joshua said. “Maybe we should—”
Before he could finish, Rounder’s resolve cracked. “All right,” he said, his voice strained. “I’ll tell you what I know.”
His gaze darted around the room, his fingers drumming an erratic rhythm on his thigh. He licked his lips, hesitating for several seconds.
“I followed the woman and man from the Golden Griddle.” He nodded toward Joshua and Faith. “Snuck in through the back door when they were on the porch.”
“Why?” Brodie pressed. “What were you after?”
Rounder’s gaze locked onto Joshua. “It’s not what,” he said. “It’s who.”
“Explain,” Brodie demanded.
Rounder released a long breath. “I’m looking for Cody Burke.” His words hung heavy in the air. “He’s a bounty hunter.”
Silence fell over the room. Joshua felt as if the wind had been knocked out of him. Faith gasped beside him, her hand flying to her mouth.
Brodie’s expression remained impassive, but Joshua could see the surprise in his eyes. “Are you sure his name is Cody Burke?”
Rounder shrugged. “That’s what he called himself when I knew him.”
“What’s Burke look like?” Joshua asked.
“Big guy, over six feet. Blue eyes that see right through a man. Brownish red hair.”
“Auburn?” Brodie asked.
Rounder nodded. “Yeah, auburn. I was told he had a ranch around these parts.”
Brodie’s jaw twitched. He glanced at Joshua before returning his attention to the prisoner. “And what business do you have with him?”
Rounder’s lips curled into a bitter smile. “That’s between me and him,” he said, a challenge in his voice. “But I aim to find him, one way or another.”
Joshua’s mind whirled with questions. The man had to be talking about his brother. Cody had mentioned he sometimes used a different name when hunting outlaws. Why was Rounder searching for him? And why break into Faith’s house?
“You’re not telling us everything,” Faith interjected. “How does sneaking into my home help you find Cody?”
The man’s eyes narrowed, flickering between Faith and Joshua. “I know you’re the newspaper lady. Thought I might find some information about Burke.”
“Information like what?” Brodie asked.
“Where to find him. No one around here knows him. At least, that’s what they say.”
“Why do you want to find him?” Joshua pressed.
“I already told you. I’ve got important business with him. Personal business.”
Joshua caught Brodie’s eye, motioning for the sheriff to follow him outside. Expressions grim, the two headed out to the boardwalk, Faith right behind them.
“What are you thinking?” Brodie asked.
“I’m going to ride back to the ranch and talk to Cody. If I know my brother, he’s going to want to meet with Rounder.”
“Joshua?” Faith tightened the cinch on the saddle of her horse. When she learned he was riding back to the ranch, she’d insisted on going with him. “What could Cody have done to bring this kind of trouble?”
He shook his head imperceptibly as he helped her up into the saddle. “I don’t know. But I plan to find out.” Mounting up, he reined Jupiter toward the ranch. “Let’s go.”
They rode next to each other in silence for the first mile before Joshua broke the silence. “I can’t figure out what Rounder wants with Cody.”
“Could be a lot of reasons. Revenge for putting him in prison. Or Rounder might have information to share with Cody.”
“Did Rounder act as if he wanted to share anything with my brother?”
Faith chuckled. “I suppose not.”
Joshua looked over at her, not quite believing she’d agreed to be courted. Faith could have any single man she wanted in Mystic. Yet here she was, riding next to him.
“How about we pick up the pace?” Before he could respond, Faith kicked her horse and took off.
Both were still laughing when they crested the hill to look out on the ranch.
From their position, they could see the entire homestead.
The corrals, barn, large ranch house, bunkhouse, hay storage, and building where they kept tools and extra tack.
Though the partial moon didn’t provide much light, it was an impressive sight.
“Do you think you could ever live out here, Faith?”
The question surprised her, and made her stomach twist. “Are you asking if I could give up the newspaper to live on the ranch?”
“Not give up the Gazette. I’d never ask you to walk away from your father’s legacy.”
She waited for him to say more. Instead, he nudged Jupiter and headed down the hill toward home.
“Jim Rounder? Haven’t heard his name in a while.” Cody stared down into a cup of coffee. “Hoped to never hear it again.”
Most of the family was still up when Joshua and Faith walked in the front door. Annalee had made coffee and sliced more of the pie left over from supper.
Joshua exchanged a glance with Faith, reaching out to thread his fingers through hers, before asking the question both wanted answered. “How do you know him?”
When Cody looked up, there was noticeable pain in his eyes. “Rounder identified Miriam’s and Sophia’s killers.”
The room quieted at the mention of Cody’s late wife and daughter.
“Rounder rode with me to where they were hiding out. Afterward, he rode back to town with me.” A brittle chuckle broke from deep in his throat. “He talked the whole way back. Drove me crazy, but it kept my mind off, well… everything.”
“He’s a little crusty,” Faith said.
Cody looked at her and nodded. “That, he is.”
“So, why do you think he wants to see you now?” Grayson asked.
He shook his head. “I have no idea. It’s been a while since what happened. Maybe he’s come to collect on the debt I owe him.”
“Debt?” Annalee asked.
“Rounder refused payment for helping me find the killers. Instead, he asked for a chit to collect on when needed. He’s probably in trouble and hopes I can help him.” Cody picked up his empty coffee cup and stood. “I won’t know until the two of us talk.”
Cody pulled out a chair in front of Brodie’s desk the next morning, then changed his mind about sitting. He wanted to get this over, discover what the erstwhile outlaw had to say.
Brodie sat on the other side of the desk, watching the man who’d been his closest friend since they were children.
Back then, they’d made a rivalry of everything.
Finishing assignments, having the better lunch, racing their horses, even liking the same girl.
When Brodie had told Cody he was going to marry his friend’s sister one day, it had led to a fight, ending with both of them being tossed out of school for a week.
Brodie still had feelings for Annalee, but he’d kept those thoughts to himself since Cody’s return to Mystic.
Standing, Brodie grabbed the ring of keys, picking out the one to Rounder’s cell. “Let’s get this done,” he said, heading to the back of the jail.
Rounder’s eyes widened and a smile appeared at the sight of Cody. “If it isn’t the bounty hunter. How ya doing, Burke?”
Cody stared through the bars at the man he’d let ride away in exchange for guiding him to the killers he’d been tracking. “The correct question is, what do you want, Rounder?”
Rising from where he sat on the cot, Rounder stepped toward the cell door. “Got some news for you. Get me out of here and I’ll tell you.”
Cody smirked. “Tell me, then I’ll talk to the sheriff about letting you go. Of course, Faith will have to drop the charges for breaking into her house.”
“After all I did for you? I expected a little more gratitude.”
Cody let out a breath, knowing Rounder was right. He looked at Brodie. “What do you say?”
Shrugging, he unlocked the cell. “You try anything at all, Rounder, and I’ll make sure you stay behind bars for longer than you can imagine.”
When Rounder came through the open cell door, Brodie grabbed his arm and secured one end of the handcuffs he’d been holding to the man’s wrist. Walking him to the front, he waited until Rounder sat down before securing the other end of the cuffs to the chair.
Brodie shot a look at Cody. “He’s all yours.” Walking around the desk, he took a seat.
Cody leaned a hip against Brodie’s desk, crossing his arms. “What do you have for me?”
“First, you need to promise no matter what I tell you, I’ll be let go.”
“Depends on what you tell me,” Cody said. “And it’ll be up to the sheriff, not me.”
Rounder’s features drew into a tense expression, his gaze narrowing as he stared at the cuffs securing him to the chair. Raising his head, he flicked a look at Brodie before nodding.
“I know where you can find the gang who robbed the bank.”
Brodie sat up straighter. “How do you know where they’re hiding?”
“’Cause I rode with them.”
“You were part of the gang?” Brodie asked.
“I was part of it. Not any longer. I’ll tell you, then you help me get work around here, and drop any charges against me.”
“I’ll have to talk to the president of the bank and to Miss Goodell,” Brodie said.
Rounder thought for moment, then nodded.
“So, where are they?” Cody asked.
“They’re at a hotel in Bozeman. The plan is to board a train tomorrow to Seattle.”