“Well, we—”
Cord moved in close, close enough that the knife’s point pressed against Dunlap’s greasy shirt. He knew well how Dunlap and Red made their own scores. He didn’t begrudge them this. He was content to let them take small prizes, so long as they scouted out the big scores and sent them his way. “Only he backed you down.”
“He had a gun.”
“You didn’t?”
Dunlap’s face reddened. “I did, but before I could get a clear shot, he had the barrel up against Red.”
“So Red braced him and he outmaneuvered you.”
“He was quick, damned quick, I tell you. He had that gun out and there wasn’t much I could do.”
Cord smiled. “Not without Red buying it, eh?”
That was the difference between them. Dunlap was a coward at heart. Cord was not. If this cowboy had been carrying as much as Dunlap believed, Cord would have sacrificed Red easily. He could always find more men or buy them.
“What about when he came out of DeMourey’s?” Cord asked.
“He hasn’t come out yet,” Dunlap said. “At least not when Red and I left.”
“Really? How long did you wait?”
“Half hour.” Dunlap licked his lips again. His fear was gone now, as the danger of Cord’s anger passed.
“You didn’t think to leave Red to watch DeMourey while you came and told me?”
“Well, Red, he’s…” Dunlap paused and Cord grew interested to see how he’d finish the thought.
Only a fool would have left Red to watch anything, especially someone who had held a gun on him. But only a bigger fool would speak ill of Red where he might learn about it. Cord was curious to learn exactly how big a fool Dunlap was.
“I didn’t think of that,” Dunlap answered, surprising him.
“Interesting,” Cord said. He started to wipe the knife on Dunlap’s shirt, then thought better of it. The man was filthy. His own pants were far cleaner. “Now, let’s go see what we can learn about this cowboy.”
* * * *
“That’s him,” Dunlap said without pointing. “That’s the cowboy.”
Cord followed his gaze to a tall young man with a pair of saddlebags slung over one shoulder coming out of the assay office. Though young, the man carried himself in a way that spoke of both wariness and confidence.
“Van,” Cord said. He’d gathered half his gang while he and Dunlap waited. “Follow him, find out where his claim is, but don’t get too close. He looks like a cagey one.”
Van smiled. “Not so cagey as me,” he said.
“He’ll be riding a big black-and-white spotted horse,” Dunlap offered.
“Sounds like an Appaloosa,” John said. “I heard those make great horses, good for distance and surefootedness.”
“I don’t care about the horse,” Cord snorted. “Just follow him.”
“I’ll find him,” Van said. He moved down through the gap between two saloons to get his own horse.
The cowboy crossed the street and went straight for the stables.
Cord eyed the assay office.
“We aren’t all going after him?” Dunlap asked. “I’m telling you, he carried in a rich haul.”
“No. You and Red will go back to scouting,” Cord said. He looked over the rest of his men. “Saul and Hawk, we’ll go pay a visit to DeMourey. See if this is even worth our time.”
“I’m telling you it’s worth it,” Dunlap whined. “You can’t let him get away.”
One of Cord’s eyebrows lifted, and he turned enough to eye Dunlap. “Can’t?”
Dunlap retreated a step, raising both hands defensively. “I only meant maybe I should follow along with Van or go with you.”
Cord chuckled. Dunlap was useless on a trail. He’d gotten lost twice just trying to find their camp. “I think you’ve done enough today already, Dunlap. Don’t worry, though, if this works out, you’ll collect your share.”
Dunlap licked his lips. He rubbed his hands together. “What about DeMourey? I can make him talk.”
“I think the three of us can handle him.” Cord smiled at Saul and Hawk. “Go collect Red and see if you can turn up another score. Just in case this doesn’t work out.”
“I did hear a rumor about another load from the Shooting Star,” Dunlap said.
A lie, Cord knew. The Star wouldn’t have another shipment for at least a month. But Cord let it stand. If he punished Dunlap for every lie told, he’d have been dead already, and the man was good at sniffing out gold.
“See if you can find out when,” Cord said. Then he motioned for Hawk and Saul to follow.
