Chapter 9 - Wade Mercer’s Offer
Mercer found Samuel three days later.
Not with fifteen men.
Alone.
Samuel stood beside his barn.
Mercer stopped outside the fence.
"You're stubborn."
"So I've been told."
Mercer removed his hat.
"Rourke wants the ranch."
"I know."
"He wants you alive."
Samuel laughed.
"How generous."
"Until the paperwork is finished."
Samuel's expression changed.
Mercer continued.
"Sell."
"No."
"You don't understand."
"I understand perfectly."
Mercer sighed.
"I don't like Rourke either."
"Then why work for him?"
Mercer's eyes shifted.
"Because men like me get paid."
Samuel studied him.
"How much?"
"Five hundred dollars."
Samuel was surprised.
"That's all?"
Mercer looked away.
"He promised five thousand."
"Why haven't you been paid?"
Mercer said nothing.
Samuel suddenly understood.
Rourke had promised everyone something.
Mercer.
The sheriff.
The clerk.
Perhaps others.
Mercer turned his horse.
Before leaving, he said:
"Next time, I won't come alone."
Samuel watched him disappear.
Then he noticed something hanging from the saddle.
A small brass key.
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Samuel recognized it.
It belonged to the county land office.
