Double The Bounty

Chapter XXXIX

To Decker’s complete surprise, their trip back to Heartless, Wyoming, was uneventful. He had expected Brent Foxx to try and kill them, but that had not happened.

The trial of Brian Foxx had gone as well as could be expected. Decker testified to the fact that Foxx had saved not only his life, but also the lives of Felicia Wheeler and Rebecca Kendrick.

The judge then called Decker into his chambers and questioned him about the two Foxx brothers.

“This business of twins seemed farfetched,” Judge Harold Cornwall said. The judge was an impressive-looking man, even out of his robes. Snow-white hair and eyebrows, a strong jaw, and broad shoulders added much to this impression.

“It’s true, Judge.”

“I know it’s true, Decker. Nobody would ever concoct a lie like that. What I want to know from you is, do you have the right twin here?”

For a moment Decker felt unsure, then realized how silly the question was. This had to be Brian. For one thing, along the way they had stopped at several streams and waterholes and he had seen Brian with his shirt off. There had been no bullet wound.

“I have the right man, sir.”

“And you really feel that he is worthy of a pardon for his crimes?”

Though a pardon was something you got after you were convicted, Decker knew what the judge meant, and felt it prudent not to correct the man.

“Yes, sir.”

“You are acquainted with Judge Isaac Parker, aren’t you?”

“I know the judge, yes sir.”

Parker was known by the uncomplimentary nickname of “Hanging” Judge Parker, but Decker knew better than to put any credence in that. He had a lot of respect for Parker, a man he had met on numerous occasions.

“I asked him about you before I came here.”

“Yes, sir.”

“He has a high opinion of you.”

“And I have a high opinion of him, sir.”

“I see. Well, since the judge vouches for you, Decker, I’m inclined to put more faith in your opinion—in spite of your profession.”

Fine, Decker thought, the man doesn’t like bounty hunters.

“Does that mean you’ll let Foxx go, sir?”

“I’ll give my decision in the courtroom, Decker. That’s all for now.”

Decker had gone out to the courtroom and waited with everyone else for the judge to come in. When he did, he spoke the words both Decker and Foxx were hoping for.

Foxx would not be prosecuted for his crimes, as his preservation of three lives far outweighed his crimes, all of which were nonviolent.

“As for the wanted posters on Brian Foxx, they will be amended to read’Brent Foxx,’ who will continue to be wanted for the heinous crimes that he has committed.”

Decker had told the judge—and testified—that Brent Foxx had escaped while he and Brian were rescuing the girls from the comancheros.

It just seemed simpler that way.

Now that the trial was over, Decker was having dinner with Brian Foxx, Rebecca, and Felicia. He was saying good-bye to all three.

“It doesn’t seem fair to you,” Felicia said to him.

“What doesn’t?”

“Well, you brought in Brian Foxx, but you didn’t get the bounty.”

“They decided that I brought in the wrong man and wasn’t entitled to the bounty.” He looked at Brian and said, “They were right.”

“Will you go looking for Brent now?” Brian asked.

“Right now I’ve got another poster in my pocket that I don’t think will be as difficult to cash in on. As far as I know, the guy doesn’t have any brothers.”

“Giving up on Brent, then?” Rebecca asked.

He looked at Rebecca who, since the incident with the comancheros, seemed to have lost some of her lustrous beauty. Oh, she was still lovely, but the spark was gone, and he thought that a shame. Maybe it would come back someday. He hoped it would.

“No, not giving up,” he said, “but I’ve got to live and I need money. I’ll get back to Brent eventually. Besides, there’s no telling where he’s gone.”

Decker looked at Brian, who looked away. The brothers had been headed somewhere, and Decker thought that Brian had a hunch where his brother was, but he wasn’t saying.

That was his right.

“What about you, Brian?” Decker asked. “Now that you’re clear, you going to start all over again?”

“No, I guess I’ll just start riding and keep riding until something occurs Tome.”

It had been Decker’s experience that anyone who has ever gotten something for nothing tends to be spoiled for any kind of real job. He hated to think it, but after a few months—or weeks—of real work, he figured banks would start looking good to Brian Foxx again.

“Rebecca?”

Rebecca just shrugged and said, “I don’t know. I can’t seem to think straight.”

“It’ll take time.”

“I’ve got a lot of that.”

They finished dinner, and then Brian Foxx offered to walk Rebecca to her hotel.

“Those two make an odd pair.”

“I think they make a nice couple,” Felicia said.

“They make an odd couple. A few months back she was ready to kill him on sight.”

“Not him, Brent.”

“Yeah,” he said thoughtfully, “Brent.”

“Are you going to leave tomorrow, Decker?”

“Yes.”

“I guess I haven’t grown up enough for you to take me with you.”

He studied her, all cleaned up and wearing a dress and looking pretty as a newborn fawn. He also remembered a night when she killed a man.

“You’ve grown up a lot, Felicia, but your grand-father needs you.”

“I know. He lost weight while I was gone.”

“I’ll be back through here eventually.”

“Sure you will, Decker.” She stood up and said, “Thanks for dinner. I’ll say good-bye now, though, instead of in the morning.”

“I’ll be leaving pretty early.”

She nodded, leaned over, and kissed his cheek. She started for the door, then stopped and came back. The hotel dining room was crowded, but she didn’t care. She put her arms around Decker’s neck and squeezed him tight.

“You better come back, Decker,” she said into his ear forcefully. “You better!”

She released him and ran from the room.

Decker could still feel the pressure of her arms around his neck, and decided that she was right.

He’d better.

The next morning Decker checked out of his hotel and went over to the livery to claim John Henry. On the way he saw Brian and Rebecca walking down the street, arm in arm. It was not especially early, but he assumed that they were going to breakfast.

Together.

An odd couple, he thought. Nobody could convince him otherwise.