Thunderbolts and Claws Chapter Eighteen
Excerpt from Ch 17
"Yes." Bear rested his hands on his hips. "Let them see me in town and 'just happen' to overhear what I say. Then, keep an eye on them."
"That's dangerous!" Anna, who had been in the kitchen, stepped into the room. "I mean, who can say they don't have other men looking for you? Who says you could get to town without getting shot?"
"Not if I go into town hidden in the back of a wagon, one that Jarrod or Heath is driving." Bear replied as he looked at Fen, Jarrod and Heath.
Leaving the sheriff's office, Jarrod and Heath walked past one building after another thinking how – on their way to town- the plans they had changed. The change of plans was the main reason for the visit to the sheriff's office first.
"I'm not saying your plan is a bad one, Mr. Douglas," Jarrod, who had wound up driving the wagon, spoke low—making it appear as if he was talking to Heath and Fen-who were riding their horses alongside the wagon even as he was talking to their new friend hiding under the tarp they'd placed in the back of the wagon. "I'm just saying it will take too long…and that gives plenty of time for Mr. Justin to hire someone else."
"You have another idea?" Bear, who had to admit he agreed with Jarrod, wasn't about to ignore any other options.
"I think I do." Jarrod then began telling Heath, Fen and Bear what he was thinking.
"Think this will work?" Fen asked as they drew closer to the bank.
"I sure hope so." Jarrod started climbing the few steps to the business's front door. Fen was right behind him. Once inside they looked around. They were relieved to see only a couple of patrons-and they were talking to the teller. The two gentlemen made their way to the other side of the room, stood near a fake plant and began talking in low whispers. Naturally, the teller and the men the teller was helping thought nothing of it and continued on with their business. On the other hand, Mr. Justin- whose office door was slightly open-could hear everything Jarrod and Fen were saying. If he knew the two men had not started talking until they knew for sure his door was open enough for him to 'overhear' them talking, Mr. Justin would have become highly suspicious. As it was, he found himself hanging on every word they were saying-especially since Bear was mentioned almost immediately.
"I'm glad to see you here. Mr. Douglas sent word that he wants to meet the sheriff at the livery stable. From the way the message was worded, the sheriff feels strongly that the gentleman everyone calls Bear has solid evidence that one 'very good citizen' isn't what he appears to be. I want to meet with Bear after I'm done here. I won't be more than ten minutes. I think it wouldn't hurt if you went with me. We can be there in less than ten minutes. Before you ask, I talked to the sheriff become coming here. He has an urgent matter and asked me to go in his stead. If you're with me, I think it will help make it so Mr. Douglas will trust me."
"Let's get your business over with. The sooner we meet with Bear the better." Fen glanced towards the slightly open office door and replied to Jarrod. As they headed for the counter where the bank teller had just finished up with the other patrons, they had to fight from grinning – as Mr. Justin could be heard exiting his office. In a matter of a split second, the man was walking out of the building. As he did so, the banker was unaware that Jarrod and Fen had apologized to the teller - saying they'd forgotten something and would be back- and were now successfully following him.
If the two men could read minds, Jarrod and Fen would have heard Mr. Justin cursing his luck. Bear was supposed to be dead. The fact that he was alive and waiting at the livery stable with evidence to ruin the banker was bad enough. Only, Mr. Justin couldn't help but silently grumble when it came to 'ten minutes'. 'Ten lousy minutes! Just my luck! I know plenty of other men willing to do this job only there's no way they can get here that fast. My word, even if I sent a telegram, it would take that long- if not longer- to get to any of them!'
When it became crystal clear that the banker was indeed heading for the livery stable, Jarrod and Fen darted down an alley way, then turned onto the dirt path that ran behind the building until they reached the back of the livery stable. Moments later they were up in the loft hidden from view, along with Heath who had been waiting for them, while Bear was seated on a crate that set next to a wall. Not a split second later, the banker was entering the livery stable.
"Hello, Mr. Justin." Bear kept his voice level and his eyes wide open. After all, there was always a chance the man had- somehow signaled Mr. Stokes to follow him. All right, Bear knew there wasn't much chance of that. After all, he was sure Fen and Jarrod would have seen something and told him instead of joining Heath up in the loft. Though, after all his experiences he wasn't taking any chances. If he could have looked up at the loft he'd have known Jarrod and Heath weren't taking any risks either.
Mr. Justin, who was already nervous, didn't feel like exchanging any greetings or wasting any time. "Let's not beat around the bush, shall we? I know why you're here and who you're waiting for."
"I was simply relaxing before heading home. Who do you think I'm waiting for?" Bear put a puzzled look at his face, knowing that he needed the banker to actually say what was going in in front of witnesses-even if the man wasn't aware of the Barkleys' and Fen's presence.
"Don't feign innocence with me!" Mr. Justin's tone was screeching – though he was forcing himself not to yell. "You know full well what I'm talking about."
"I'm afraid I don…" Bear started to reply only to have Mr. Stokes-who had seen how fast his friend was heading to the livery stable - open the door and walked in. Instantly, he came to the wrong conclusion and blew up.
"You double crosser; you're playing both sides!" Mr. Stokes yelled-but not so loud as to attract any attention.
"How dare you say such a thing! I am not! He's waiting for the sheriff! He's going to tell him all about our land scams and counterfeiting operations!" The whole time the banker was talking, he was pointing at Bear.
"Then why haven't you shot him!" Mr. Stokes asked Mr. Justin. Even as he asked the question he pulled his gun. After all, seeing no weapon on Bear, Mr. Stokes figured he'd have no trouble killing the man. However, as he raised his pistol Heath shot him instead. The action had Mr. Justin whirling around, cursing and starting to pull his gun out only to have Bear slam into him. Mr. Justin's gun was knocked out his hand, but it didn't stop him from trying to fight Bear and get away. Though, it did no good. Before Mr. Justin knew it, the sheriff was pulling him off Bear and handcuffing him. On the other hand, Fen, Heath and Jarrod were making sure the people who had gathered upon hearing the shot ring out left.
After commenting he'd never had a plan go so smoothly, Jarrod pointed to the now dead Mr. Stokes. "We'll get him to the undertaker. Go ahead and go home to your wife and son." He looked at Bear.
"I'll do that…after talking with the sheriff."
The sheriff had them all grinning as he told Bear that he had a good idea .. just before forcing Mr. Justin out of the livery stable.
