The cowboy moved with startling speed.
He caught the man's wrist, twisted, and sent him crashing onto the floor.
The second man reached for the revolver lying near the sheriff's papers.
The stranger's gun came free.
A shot thundered through the room.
The bullet struck the wooden desk beside the outlaw's hand.
The revolver spun across the floor.
Silence followed.
The stranger lowered his gun.
"I said stop."
Pike stared at him.
For the first time that afternoon, the smile disappeared from his face.
Outside, people had heard the gunshot.
Voices were approaching.
Pike understood that a killing inside the sheriff's office would attract attention.
He stepped backward.
"This isn't your business."
The cowboy looked directly at him.
"It is now."
Pike studied the stranger.
"What do they call you?"
The cowboy said nothing.
Pike waited.
Still nothing.
Then Pike smiled again.
"Everyone has a name."
The cowboy's eyes remained cold.
"Not everyone needs to know mine."
Pike turned toward the door.
"This town belongs to me."
The cowboy answered quietly.
"Then somebody ought to take it back."
Pike's jaw tightened.
He pointed toward Evelyn.
"She stole something from me."
Evelyn immediately shook her head.
"I stole nothing."
Pike ignored her.
"Before sundown, she gives it back."
He looked at the stranger.
"Or this town gets uglier."
Then Pike walked out.
His men followed.
Deputy Wade Harland paused at the doorway.
He stared at the stranger for several seconds.
Then he followed Pike.
The room finally seemed to breathe.
Evelyn slowly stood.
Her hands were shaking.
The stranger holstered his revolver.
Then he removed his coat and placed it around her shoulders.
"Are you hurt?"
Evelyn swallowed.
"Not badly."
His eyes told her he knew she was lying.
But he didn't push.
He turned toward the sheriff.
"You going to keep sitting there?"
Amos finally looked up.
The stranger stared at him.
"Or are you going to remember what that badge is supposed to mean?"
Amos looked away.
Evelyn felt something inside her break.
Not because of the stranger.
Because of her father.
The man who had once taught her to believe in justice could not even look at her.
The cowboy walked toward the door.
Evelyn stopped him.
"Wait."
He turned.
"Who are you?"
He looked at her for a moment.
"Just passing through."
"No," Evelyn said.
Her voice was quiet.
"You aren't."
The cowboy looked toward the street.
For the first time, something like regret appeared in his eyes.
"No."
He said.
"Not anymore."
His name, she would later learn, was Caleb Roark.
And before the week was over, everyone in Las Vegas would know it.
THE LEDGER
The sheriff's office remained silent long after Caleb left.
Evelyn stood beside the window watching him cross the street.
He did not look back.
He simply walked toward the livery stable, moving with the calm confidence of a man who had survived too many dangerous places to be impressed by one more.
Her father remained behind the desk.
"You knew."
Amos closed his eyes.
"Knew what?"
"You knew what Pike was doing."
Amos said nothing.
Evelyn walked toward him.
"The ledger."
Her father's face changed.
That was enough.
"You know about it."
Amos finally looked at her.
"Where did you find it?"
"Under the floorboards."
His voice became urgent.
"Did Pike see it?"
"No."
"Does anyone else know?"
"I made copies."
Amos stood.
"Where?"
"I won't tell you."
"Evelyn—"
"You watched them put their hands on me."
Amos froze.
She continued.
"You sat there."
"I was trying to protect you."
"Protect me?"
Her laugh was bitter.
"You call that protection?"
Amos looked toward the door.
"You don't understand what Pike is capable of."
"Then tell me."
Silence.
Evelyn stared at him.
"Tell me why you let him own you."
Amos's shoulders sagged.
"I didn't start this."
"Maybe not."
She pointed toward his badge.
"But you continued it."
For several seconds neither spoke.
Finally Amos whispered:
"Years ago, Pike came to me."
He explained that Pike had offered money at first.
Then favors.
Then threats.
A rancher refused to sell land.
The rancher was arrested on a false charge.
Another refused.
His cattle disappeared.