Fallen Angel

Part 3

Hank returned to Silver Rock an hour after he'd left, empty-handed. He dropped off Carlin's horse at the livery before heading to the sheriff's office. On the way, more than one person stopped him to ask about the events at the bank and the results of his chase. By the time he reached the small building adjacent to the jail, which served as office and lodging for the sheriff, he was even more frustrated than he'd been when he lost Trent Carlin's trail.

He went into the front room of the building that had a desk, two chairs, a pot-bellied stove, and a gun rack. Two doors were located on opposite walls, one leading to the jail cells, the other to the back room where he had slept the night before. That door opened and Gina looked out at him. A hand went to her throat and she sighed. "Did you catch him?" she asked.

"No, I lost the trail!" Hank barked. She could see as well as the rest of the townspeople that he was alone. She opened her mouth to speak but no words came. She only stared back at him and he instantly regretted the harsh reply. The last thing he'd wanted to do was hurt her. "I'm sorry," he said. "That was uncalled for. I failed to do my job, and now everyone knows it. I shouldn't have taken my anger out on you." He sat down in one of the chairs by the desk and put his head in his hands.

He heard the door shut and sighed. "One of these days that temper is going to get me in a lot of trouble."

He felt a small hand on his shoulder and stilled. Then her soft voice whispered, "But not today."

Slowly he looked up at her. She was almost smiling at him, but it was enough. She wasn't upset and that was more than he deserved. "How's Zeke doing?" he asked, rising to his feet.

"He'd do much better if he just accepted the fact that he really is hurt," Gina said, this time letting the whole smile light her race. "The doctor left just before you returned. The bullet had gone straight through, so he only had to stitch him up a bit. He's supposed to be resting."

As if he'd heard her, a loud yell suddenly issued from the back room. "Is that you, Hank? Get in here and tell me what happened!"

With a look of panic Gina opened the door and hurried into the room, Hank coming right behind her. Zeke was sitting up on the little cot, and his eyes lit up when he saw Hank. His joy was short lived though as Gina started pushing him back down. "Sheriff, you know what the doctor said. You've got to rest or you'll start the bleeding again."

Ignoring her, Zeke reached out a hand toward Hank and said, "I'm sorry, Hank. I was a fool and should've let you handle it. You'd have caught Trent by now if I hadn't gotten in the way."

"I don't know what would've happened if you hadn't done what you did," Hank said softly. "He led me a ways before crossing the river. I couldn't pick up the trail after that."

"He'll be back," Zeke said, leaning down on the bed. "He'll be after you for killing Tim."

"Then I'll just have to be ready for him."

There was a moment of silence as the three stared at each other. Then Gina moved toward the door. "I should be getting back to the saloon. You don't need me here anymore. You be sure and rest, Sheriff. You promised the doctor."

"Only because you made me." But Zeke was already struggling to keep his eyes open. As Hank followed her out of the room he heard a barely muffled, "Thanks for everything," and he saw her smile.

"I'll walk you back," he said once he'd closed the door to Zeke's room.

"I'll be all right," Gina said quickly. "It's not far. And shouldn't you stay with your friend?"

"He doesn't need me to watch him sleep." Before she could protest he walked out of the building and held the door open for her.

The town was fairly quiet for the middle of the day, most everybody was home eating lunch, but a few people were out and about. More than once Hank felt the curious stares as he and Gina made their way down the boardwalk.