Pearl River Junction: The Sons of Daniel Shaye

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“What did that accomplish?” Cotton asked when Shaye returned.

“Not much, I guess,” Shaye said. “Guess I just wanted to look him in the eye and let him know we knew who he was and why he was here.”

“How did he react?”

“Calmly,” Shaye replied. “Says he’s just passing through.”

“You gonna brace Collier that way?”

“I thought we both would,” Shaye said. “I figured we’d take him to see Belinda, get that much out of the way. What do you think?”

“I think maybe I should check with her.”

“Why?” Shaye asked. “She doesn’t check with you about much that she does.”

“That’s true,” Cotton said, “but I should talk to my wife, if I’m gonna bring someone like that to my home.”

“Then let’s not take him to your house,” Shaye said. “Let’s have them meet somewhere neutral.”

“Like where?”

“Like whatever hotel Collier decides to stay in. They can meet right in the lobby.”

“You think he’ll go for that?”

“He will if we don’t give him a choice,” Shaye said. “You’re the sheriff. This is your town. You call the shots.”

The door of the office opened and Thad stepped in. His face looked swollen and had purplish bruises all over it. When he and Shaye returned from the livery, Shaye had not even had to speak to Cotton on the young deputy’s behalf. The sheriff made up his own mind not to fire him.

“Maybe he’ll learn from it,” he’d said.

“We can hope so,” Shaye replied.

“You feeling any better?” Cotton asked him.

“Yes, sir,” Thad said. “Well enough to go back out on my rounds.”

“You take a seat right in one of those chairs and stay where I can see you,” Cotton said, pointing to three chairs out in front of the office. “You’re lucky I’m not firing your ass after the stunt you pulled.”

“Yes, sir.”

Thad sat in one of the chairs, shoulders slumped.

“Okay,” Cotton said then, “you’re right. We won’t give Collier any options. We’ll go and get Belinda and bring her to him…and we won’t give her any choice either.”

“They’ve both put us in this position,” Shaye said. “Why should they get a choice?”

Cotton nodded, his jaw firm.

While they continued to watch the street, the first two men who rode in walked over to the Wagon Wheel Saloon and entered. Shortly after that the second duo did the same, followed by the third. Finally, Vic Delay walked into that saloon as well.

“What’s the Wagon Wheel got that the other saloons don’t?” Shaye asked Cotton.

“Well…it’s the biggest saloon in town.”

“That’s probably it,” Shaye said. “They want to meet there and blend in.”

“But…Collier’s not here yet.”

“He’ll probably ride in any minute,” Shaye predicted. “They’re not all going to the Wagon Wheel for nothing.”

“So what do we do?” Cotton asked. “Keep waiting out here?”

Shaye tried not to tell the sheriff what to do unless the man asked first.

“I think you and James and Thad can stay out here, while Thomas and I go inside.”

“You gonna talk to them again?”

“We’re just going to be seen,” Shaye said. “That’s all. Just to let them know they’re being watched.”

“Well, okay,” Cotton said, “but if I hear a shot, I’m gonna come running in there.”

“I can’t ask for more than that,” Shaye said. “I’ll go and get Thomas.”

“Be careful, Dan.”

“I always am.”

The Wagon Wheel had a back door. Shaye decided to send Thomas in that way, while he went in the front door. The saloon was in full swing, girls working the floor, gaming tables open and operating, and a piano player tickling the ivories in a corner.

It took Shaye a few moments to locate the outlaws. Two were standing at the bar, two were at a table drinking beer and grabbing for girls, and two were gambling: one playing poker and the other standing at the wheel of fortune. Vic Delay had managed to secure himself a table at the back of the room. He was sitting alone, nursing a beer. Shaye had no doubt they were waiting for Jeb Collier to arrive.

Farther back in the room he saw Thomas, standing with his back to a wall. Just a few feet to his left was Vic Delay’s table. Shaye knew that Delay was aware of Thomas’s presence.

Shaye was torn between staying in the saloon with Thomas or stepping outside and waiting in front of the place for Jeb Collier to arrive. In the end he decided to treat Thomas as if he was just another lawman and not his son. He would not have hesitated to leave another lawman in the room alone. That was the way Thomas would want to be treated.

Shaye turned and went back out through the batwing doors.