“Yes, sir. I mentioned this in my statement to Governor Ireland.”
“Would you kindly indicate how we could get into the Hole in the Wall?”
Couldn’t you have asked me something easier? Casey found no need to examine the map. “You can’t. There’s only one way inside—through the opening. Two men with Winchesters can easily hold off any posse. Most likely you’d have to bribe another outlaw to gain access.”
“What about Brown’s Park?” Joe pointed to the familiar area in the far northwestern corner of Colorado and the Utah Territory.
She didn’t need to take a look at his map there, either. “It will take a long time before lawmen can cleverly outdo the outlaws in this area.”
“Why?” Joe’s question sounded angry, even hostile.
Casey carefully picked her words. “Outlaws are clever. They aren’t afraid to take a gamble on the odds against them. This is serious business for them. Not only are they getting rich, but they’re also working on their reputations.” She hesitated and clenched her fists in her lap. “Most lawmen—forgive me, gentlemen, for being blunt—form a posse and take off after them without any forethought or plan. Now I can show you trails leading out of the various hideouts.” She leaned over the table and pointed to Brown’s Park. “But it won’t assist you in finding outlaws. It will only help your men get out alive.”
Joe continued the lengthy process of questions and answers. At last he folded the map and handed it back to Zach. “Your information will definitely help us. We also have several wanted men who’ve disappeared. Possibly headed north to Canada or south to Mexico and South America. Given the list, can you help us locate them?”
“I’ll do my best,” Casey said. “Please understand, the locations may be outdated. Usually outlaws return to the same hideouts to rest up and plan their next job. But with a hint of trouble, they move on. An outlaw changes his name as often as respectable folk say their prayers.”
The meeting lasted until early evening. They broke once for water and continued on. Casey and Joe were tense with the tedious questions and answers, and the other two who had labored over the written portion were equally tired.
“I believe we’re finished, Miss O’Hare,” Joe finally concluded. “I want to thank you for your cooperation. It will be rewarded. I promise.”
Was he sincere? “I appreciate the government giving me this opportunity to tell the truth and possibly clear my name.” She watched for movements in his face. None. No help at all. “How long before I can expect to hear from the President?”
“Six weeks, I’m sure. Since the governor’s office researched your other documents, the process should not be any longer than that.” He pulled a folded piece of paper from his saddlebag on the table. “Here’s the governor’s pardon just as I told you at the start of the day. I know you heard his decision before our meeting. This is the official document.”
Casey took the paper and read it slowly. She savored every word. Her eyes dampened upon completion, and she held it firmly in her grasp. “Thank you, sir. God bless you for delivering this to me.”
The two federal marshals stood. “Good luck, Miss O’Hare,” Joe said. “I wish you the best. Is there anything else you’d like to say on your behalf?”
Casey didn’t need to deliberate the matter. “Only that I would be forever grateful if you could stop Davis Jenkins.” Even the name of the dreaded outlaw upon her lips caused her to tremble.
“Yes, ma’am. With your information, I hope we’re able to find him and a lot more like him,” Zach said. “And I want to thank you for your patience while I recorded your statements. After listening to your answers, I plan to write my own recommendation to the President.”
Afterward, the wagon creaked and groaned away from the deserted house and back toward the ranch. Twilight shadows darkened to evening against a three-quarter moon and the first hint of stars.
“It went well,” Morgan said. “Casey, you displayed considerable control the whole time.”
“It wasn’t me.” The emotional strain of the day left her exhausted. “God must have stood right behind my chair with His hand on my shoulder and directed it all. And I couldn’t have done nearly so well if you hadn’t been there to support me.”
Morgan lifted his hat and wiped his wet forehead. “I’m so proud of you, and I’ll make sure Ben knows about the official