Doralice

Prologue

"It would have been a whole lot easier if you'd just agreed to take the job, Mr. Maverick."

Bart nodded in agreement with Maude Donovan, who was currently holding all the cards. Not literally, of course, but the gun aimed at a bound and gagged Bret Maverick was a powerful persuader. "Now that you have my attention, Mrs. Donovan, just exactly where is your daughter?"

"Like I tried to explain before, Mr. Maverick, she's in a Mexican jail in Reynosa. Right across the border. It's simple. All you have to do is get her out and bring her home."

'Nothing's ever simple,' he thought. "And if I don't, Mrs. Donovan?"

Maude pulled back the hammer and fired, almost hitting Bret. "Next time I don't miss."

Bart tipped his hat. "Yes, ma'am, I believe we understand each other. You will take good care of him while I'm gone?"

Maude Donovan laughed wickedly. "Oh I intend to, Mr. Maverick. I certainly intend to."