Man Up

Chapter 9

Getting Ready

Deke had sent Garren out to the LadyK with instructions to get Dillon's wife and daughter, then get back to Dodge. He stopped, with the remaining men, just a few miles shy of town.

"Troxl forget the telegraph office." He waited for his brother to acknowledge. "Just cut the lines this time. We don't have enough manpower for you to take over as operator. I'm going to need you on Front Street. By Brayden's count, it was a six man posse; but if we spread out, we can box them in as soon as they hit town."

He stopped, letting his gaze pass from one man to the next. "Shoot 'em before they even know we're here. All of 'em...except Dillon. I want him." His eyes narrowed "Do you all understand."

"How we gonna know which one is Dillon, Deke?"

"He's a good head taller than anyone in town. Folks talk about him like he's a giant. But that don't make him any faster with the gun. It just makes him a bigger target.

"Fane, you take over the school. Kill the teacher. The kids will be easier to handle that way." Deke made eye contact with his youngest brother, making sure he understood. When he was sure, he glanced back at the remaining Stinner twin.

"Torie, you head on over to the bank; get those bags of money that Brayden hid. Then you meet up with Troxl and me in front of the jail." He pulled his horse in front of the others. "I reckon that's where they'll head when they come back."

As usual, Deke led the way. They rode in slow, Troxl pulling away first, then Fane and finally Torie. The oldest Spangler stopped at the mercantile. He threw his reins over the post, adjusted his Stetson and walked into the store.

Wilbur Jonas was beside himself with worry over his pretty, new salesgirl. She had returned from her errands in tears and threatening to faint at any time. He had pulled a chair in from the back room, hovering over her as she held her head in her hands, crying.

"It's was so horrible, Mr. Jonas. They shot poor Fergus and he didn't do anything." Again, she buried her face in the lace hankie that the flustered storekeeper had quickly snatched from the glass display case. Seconds before covering her eyes, she saw the man in the black Stetson enter the store.

"Don't you worry, Dayna, Everything is going to be all right now." Jonas knelt beside the overwrought young woman, patting her hand. It took him a little longer to notice the customer. "I'll be with you in just a minute."

Deke wandered closer, but not so close as to look suspicious. "Is there anything I can do? She seems to be very upset."

"The bank was robbed and she was there!" Jonas looked back to his distraught clerk. His sympathy was obvious, in both his words and gestures. "Dayna, maybe you need to go on home."

"Oh, no Mr. Jonas." Brayden was quick to put a stop to that suggestion. She needed to be in the store when Deke and his men took over. Her fake tears began to dry up and she reigned in the somewhat hysterical behavior. In its place were a couple of very feminine sniffles and a deep sigh.

"I think I'll be alright now." She looked up at the older man, "I feel much safer staying here with you." Wilbur Jonas had very little experience with women, other than his wife and none with a female like Brayden Willows. His chest puffed up so much, it was a wonder the buttons didn't pop from the pressure.

"Well, you just sit right here until you're feeling stronger." Again, he patted her hands and then stood up to attend to the man in black. "Could I help you with something?"

Deke offered his most affable smile, to both the young clerk and the proprietor. "I'm in need of some cigars."

"Cigars," Jonas repeated as he stepped toward the back room. "I have nickel ones and of course a few fifty cent ones, if you want the best." he disappeared behind the curtain, leaving the two alone.

"Are you ready?" Deke whispered to his female accomplice.

Brayden nodded and held her reticule closer feeling the familiar shape of the .45 nestled inside the fabric. "Everything went as planned."

"When you hear the signal, come out. We're going to trap them when they come down Front Street." He stepped away when he heard the old man coming back into the front of the store.

"Which ones did you say you wanted?" Jonas held the wooden box of assorted-priced cigars.

"I feel like treating myself today. Give me one of those fifty cent ones."

TBC