Chapter 3

"He's alone," Steve angrily observed. If only they could get their hands on Palmer and, moreover, his weapon, they might stand a chance of surviving this ordeal.

Noticing that Steve was eager to take out Officer Ruben Palmer, Mike took a firm hold of the young man's arm, drawing his attention and shook his head. "Don't even think about. You just sit tight, Buddy Boy and let me handle it." Mike used hand gestures to get his message across to Steve who looked frustrated and crestfallen.

"I might not be able to hear real good right now, but I'm not completely useless," Steve replied in a louder voice than he intended.

Mike motioned for Steve to keep quiet then pulled his partner by the arm to one corner of the room. "Stay there. Do not move, you got that?" He mouthed, locking eyes with Steve who sighed heavily then nodded in defeat.

Doug Nelson, who had been curiously watching the exchange, now looked a little uneasy as he too cast his eyes out through the window and saw a man in uniform heading toward the cabin. "Look, man, we don't want any part of your troubles."

"Doug, I understand but regardless whether or not you help us, trouble is on its way to your doorstep. If you do help us then I promise you we'll be on our way just as soon as we take that man out. Please, help us," Mike negotiated, hoping to win the hippie's cooperation.

Doug sighed and remained silent. The young blonde woman who had been eyeing Steve with concern stepped up to Doug's side and held his hand. "Let's help them," she whispered.

Doug looked at his companion then back at Mike. He nodded reluctantly as confirmation that they would help their guests just as a knock on the door sounded.

"When I give the word, open the door and invite him in," Mike quietly relayed his instructions then stood to one side of the door so that when it opened he would be behind it.

The two young ladies stood to one side of the room, with the intention of blocking Steve from view when the stranger at the door walked in.

Doug carefully opened the door and greeted the lawman standing on the doorstep. "Peace and love brother. What brings you to our humble home?"

"Say, have you seen two men walking around? The younger one is about my height and the other is taller and older?" Palmer questioned in a casual manner, all the while his eyes tried to take in the interior of the cabin from where he stood.

"No, but perhaps Wanda or Leah may have seen them. Please come in," Doug invited the stranger nervously into his home.

Palmer stepped inside and took off his cap. His eyes found two young ladies standing side by side smiling at him flirtatiously.

The distraction that Wanda and Leah provided gave Mike the opportunity he needed. As soon as Doug closed the door behind Palmer, Mike tackled the cop to the ground.

Not wanting to be a part of the violent struggle, Doug quickly made his way over to the girls and wrapped his arms around them. Steve, on the other hand, moved away from corner and rushed to help his partner who had just received a sharp elbow jab to the chin.

Palmer scrambled to his feet and reached for his revolver when another body crashed into him, sending them both sprawling into the wooden table.

Mike straightened up, rubbed his aching chin then sought his partner amid the upended furniture. To his horror he saw Steve trying to detangle himself from the table and a chair, while his adversary drew out his pistol.

"Steve!" Mike's shout may as well have been a whisper to Steve's ears as the young man's eyes zeroed in on the barrel of a .38 caliber weapon aimed straight at him.

"Don't move, old man," Palmer warned. "Or I'll blow a hole in your boy here."

Furious and fearful for his partner's safety, Mike froze where he was. Steve, still very dizzy from his fall, stopped trying to scramble to his feet and looked down the gun barrel that was only inches from his face.

Palmer clicked the safety off.