Silver Creek - G.L. Snodgrass Page 0,59

so.’

Luke pretended not to see Becky’s look as he asked the judge, “What do you need from me?”

Judge Simmons smiled reassuringly. “We were through here last year. Held the trials in the church. It should work well enough this time. I can’t abide holding a trial in a saloon. Sends the wrong message. If Reverend Prescott is still here, he’ll know how I like things set up. ”

“And I will need a list of witnesses,” Braum interjected. “Any physical evidence or written statements.”

Luke nodded as he felt his world shifting away from him. He was no longer in control. These men would be in charge from this point forward. Much like in the Army. There was always someone higher up the food chain.

Returning to his desk he pulled out the paperwork he’d prepared just for this moment.

Braum began rifling through it, nodding, as he bit at his lower lip.

“Tomorrow at noon?” the judge asked Braum. “We’ve got a case in Jarbridge, and knowing that lot. If we don’t hurry, they’ll just hang the man before we get there.”

“Yes,” Braum said. “It seems pretty clear cut.”

“Very well then, Sheriff,” the judge said as he held out his hand again. “Have the prisoner presented before me at noon tomorrow in Reverend Prescott’s church. Until then, I will be over at the hotel.”

Braum nodded as he finished reading. “Can your deputy take me to the people on this list?”

Luke indicated that Jake should do as Mr. Braum requested. “Start with Scarlet over at the Red House,” he told his brother.

Rebecca stepped forward. “She isn’t there anymore. She left two nights ago and moved in with Reverend Prescott and his wife.”

Jake laughed. “I bet Frost is as angry as a scorched snake at losing her.”

Luke felt a warmth fill him, he hoped she made it. Had Carver talked to her? Was that why she’d left the Red House?

Once everyone was off on their tasks he turned to Becky and sighed, ready to restart their argument. And yes, he was perfectly aware that she’d been provided with more ammunition.

“Never mind,” she said as she smiled at him. “I couldn’t change your mind if the moon crashed into the earth. You’d just put your head down and keep swinging.”

“I don’t know no other way,” he said to her as he pulled her into a hug.

“That is why I love you,” she mumbled into his chest as her arms wrapped around him and held on as if he were a rock in a raging storm. “Just you don’t go getting yourself killed. You hear me?”

He started to laugh then thought better of it. Instead, he kissed the top of her head and said, “Yes Ma’am.”

Chapter Twenty-Three

Rebecca’s stomach churned with worry as she stepped into the church now courtroom. Would they ever get out of this mess? she wondered. When could she have Luke all to herself? When could they rest and stop fearing every second of the day?

Sighing to herself, she slipped into a pew in the back and checked the bonnet’s knot under her chin. Seeing Helen and Chester come in, she slid over to make room. Helen had closed the restaurant for the day. It seemed only smart. More than half the town was going to be here to watch the show.

Her heart jumped when she saw Luke and Jake in the front of the church. Both men, tall and strong. Luke looked out over the crowd.

The pulpit had been removed to be replaced by a heavy desk and chair facing the crowd. Across from it, a long table had been created by someone laying planks across sawhorses. Mark Felton sat behind the makeshift tables with his hands in shackles. Next to him, Mr. Braum was reading through a set of papers.

Twelve chairs had been set to the side, obviously for the jury. Rebecca’s stomach clenched with nervousness. What would the Feltons do when their brother was convicted?

Mr. Chambers sat on the other side of Felton, looking off into the distance. Rebecca wondered if the man was going over his opening arguments. Though really, there wasn’t much he could say. Mark Felton was guilty of attempted murder and everyone knew it.

Sheriff Reed and another man stepped into the church and made their way down the aisle to sit in the front right pew. The miner, Rebecca realized, the one Felton had beaten. He still carried a nasty cut above his left eye.

Luke ignored them as he scanned the crowd for any trouble when he stopped