The Lawman

Chapter Forty-one

Outside Decker turned the knob of the back door slowly and found it locked. He moved back to the window and heard the shot. He saw Crystal fall and watched Moran move around behind the desk and take out some money.

He wasn’t going to leave the two women alive. He couldn’t, especially since the blonde had turned out to be a bounty hunter.

He hurried back to the door, Colt in hand, braced himself, and then kicked out at the door as hard as he could just above the doorknob.

As the door slammed open Moran turned and brought his gun to bear on it. Anne Merritt took the opportunity to leap from her crouch, banging into him and knocking him off balance.

Decker entered in a crouch and saw Moran staggering for his balance.

“Moran!” he shouted.

Moran braced himself against the wall with one hand and pointed his gun.

“Don’t!” Decker shouted, and fired.

His bullet struck Moran high on the right shoulder. Moran squeezed the trigger of his gun but his shot went wild as he was spun around to face the wall. He stuck there for a moment, then slid down the wall to the floor.

Anne Merritt hurried to him and pulled the gun free from his nerveless fingers.

“Are you all right?” Decker asked Anne.

“I’m fine, but they both need a doctor.”

Decker checked Crystal’s wound, then went over and looked at Moran’s. It was his opinion that they would both live.

“We’ll get them one.”

“Decker!” Moran said. His eyes were glazed, but he recognized Decker.

“That’s me.”

“You’re the…bounty hunter,” Moran said through clenched teeth.

“One of them, anyway,” Decker said, looking at Anne Merritt.

“Why…such a high price…for a few banks?” Moran asked.

“Because that bank manager you hit in Pemberton died, Moran. You’re wanted for murder.”

Moran closed his eyes.

Anne Merritt said to Decker, “Where’d you come from?”

“I just happened along.”

“I’m glad you did.”

“Me too.”

She looked him up and down and then said, “You could have dressed better, though.”

“Didn’t have time to change. Why don’t you go for the doctor while I wait with them,” he said. “Crystal’s in no condition to be moved.”

“All right. I’ll be right back.”

She moved to the back door and started out, but as she did there was a shot and a bullet dug into the door frame just above her head.

“What the—” Decker said.

From behind him he heard a low laugh, like a death rattle, and turned to look at Moran.

“My boys, Decker,” Moran said, gritting his teeth against the pain. “Now you’ve got to face my boys. You ain’t taking me nowhere!”