A Powerless World | Book 3 | Defend The Homestead Hunt, Jack (read my book TXT) 📖

tucked in his waistband. He wasn’t going to shoot him, that would have been foolish surrounded by armed militia. Besides, he’d heard more derogative terms than that in his time as a cop, but he wanted something to be clear.

Before he grabbed the grip, he felt Hazel stop him by placing her arm around his waist. “Dan. If you want an answer. The answer is no. We won’t be moving. So you can be on your way.” She looked at the captain. “And as for you, I would appreciate some respect,” she said.

Evans hocked spit on the ground then wiped his lips with his forearm. “Respect goes two ways, lady, and you have to be in a position to earn it. How about you swing by my place tonight?”

“You sonofabitch!” Colby said, taking a step forward.

Dan was quick to get in between. “All right, all right,” he said, noticing the tension building. “Look, Colby, give it some thought. Either way, I would appreciate it if you dropped by the reservation. If it’s not them, maybe they know who might be responsible.” He tipped his hat. “You have a good day.”

As he went to walk away, Evans piped up. “I think you forgot something, sheriff.”

Dan stopped and looked back.

The captain added, “The firearms.”

“Firearms?” Hazel asked.

“Yes. We’re collecting them.”

Dan hurried over. “No, we agreed it’s only for those entering the city.”

“No. It includes everyone in the county.”

“Captain, a word please.”

Evans stared at Colby with a deadpan expression. The captain walked a short distance away, so they were out of earshot. Colby watched them get into a heated exchange before Evans got back on his horse, tossed him a dirty look, and rode off.

Dan returned, shuffling like a sorry excuse of a man. “I’m sorry about that. Um. You’ll have to forgive the captain. He can get hotheaded and he has some of his own ideas for the county.”

“Seems so. Are you trying to get folks to give up their firearms, Dan?” Colby asked. “Because if you are, be prepared to get blood on your hands.”

He raised a hand and gritted his teeth. “I know. I know. It’s only for those entering the city. It’s meant to prevent any further bloodshed. Look, I know I said we need an answer now but I’d be willing to extend a courtesy to the Riker family, especially if you would be willing to talk to the tribe and the rest of your family.”

“Scared to go up the mountain, Dan, and speak to them yourself?” Hazel asked. “Or has Hank ordered you not to?”

“Hank doesn’t tell me anything and if he did, I’d take it all with a grain of salt.” He turned his attention back to Colby. “Can you do that?”

“If I speak with the Wiyot Tribe, it’s not because of you, Dan. It’s out of courtesy to them to let them know what might be coming their way.”

Dan nodded and rolled his bottom lip into his mouth then breathed out a heavy sigh. Colby understood the pressure he must have been under trying to maintain order but allowing outsiders, men like Evans, to dictate new rules was a bad idea. “Okay. Well, like I said. Think it over. In the meantime, I wish to pass on my condolences.”

“You’re a month late,” Hazel said.

Dan frowned then he clued in. “Not for Bruce. For Lincoln. You are aware, right…?”

Colby’s eyes widened, and he got this sick feeling in the pit of his stomach.

“Jessie came by yesterday. Said he was attacked in Trinity County. I figured he would have told you…”

Before he could finish, Colby made a beeline toward the horses that were tied up in a stable at the side of the home. Hazel wasn’t that far behind him. “Hey, Colby. I’ll keep Alicia here. Tell your mother I’ll be by. I’m sorry, son,” she said.

Colby untied the tether, mounted the horse, and brought it out. Kane had followed him over. “You can’t come, boy.” He shouted to Alicia, “Can you keep an eye on him for me.”

“Sure, but Colby…”

He looked down at her, distracted, grief filling up in his chest, making it hard to breathe. She touched his hand and squeezed it. “Let me come with you.”

“No, it’s best you stay here.”

“You keep pushing me to one side. I’ve lost people too. You were there for me back in L.A. Allow me to do the same for you.”

He nodded. “All right.” He reached a hand down and she took it and he pulled her up onto the back of the horse. “All right, change of plans. Let’s go, Kane,” he said, giving the horse a nudge.

The horse couldn’t move fast enough. It galloped out of Garberville, across the Alderpoint Bridge, and up into the foothills of the mountain. Kane struggled to keep up with the mare. “Come on, boy!” Colby bellowed. Even if he fell behind he had his scent, and would eventually find them.

Colby gripped the reins tight and pulled on them to slow the horse as they approached the entrance to the farm. Several of his family were outside as he stopped the horse and climbed off. All eyes fell upon Alicia, mouths widened, gawking.

“Where is he?” he asked Dylan who dropped down off the porch.

“Inside with mother.” He placed a hand on Colby’s chest. “Careful, Colby, she’s not herself.” He nodded and walked in, leaving Alicia outside. Inside the home he found his mother sitting beside a bed. Lincoln was there, missing one arm, pale, and in death’s grip.

He stopped at the doorway as shock took over.

It was one thing to lose his father, a man who he’d been at odds with for many years, but to lose Lincoln was far harder. His mother turned and got up, tears rolling down her cheeks, and embraced him. Martha sobbed into his chest as he stared at his brother.

“I’m glad you’re here,” she said.

He wished he could say the same.

Chapter Ten

Captain Evans was fuming. He’d kept his anger in check for