Slocum's Silver Burden by Jake Logan Read Free Book Online Page B

got back two bits with his ticket, then went to find a spot where he could spy on Jack without being noticed.
    He found it by a pillar holding up the northern side of the dock. The ferry was a huge two-story side-wheel steamboat rivaling anything he had seen on the Mississippi. Slocum settled down, hat pulled low on his forehead so he could look around without exposing his face. Jack hadn’t seen him, but if he intended following him to the ends of the earth, being recognized later as the man from the ferry taking too much interest in the outlaw would only cause trouble.
    The ferry let out a gout of steam, and the whistle began its high-pitched shrieking. The crewmen lowered chains on a loading platform and let the crowd surge onto the broad decks. Slocum waited for Jack to disappear inside the cabin, where benches lined the walls and a bar at the far end served beer and whiskey, before going to board himself. He stopped dead in his tracks and stared. He pulled his hat lower and turned away so he cast a sidelong look as Tamara Crittenden boarded the ferry.
    Only when she had passed over her ticket did Slocum board, but he wondered at the way she looked about furtively, as if seeking out Jack—and wanting to avoid him. She had changed into riding clothes. From the weight of her purse, she carried the pistol that had been in her desk drawer.
    When Jack appeared on the top deck and leaned on the railing, Tamara quickly lowered her head and ducked behind a large man in a threadbare suit, using him as a shield.
    Slocum wondered at the game of cat and mouse being played out. Tamara didn’t want Jack spotting her. And Slocum followed both the woman and her outlaw lover. The ferry lurched, forcing him to grab on to a railing. This was getting more interesting by the minute.

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    Slocum hunched over and tried not to stand out in the crowd. Being six feet tall put him half a head above most men. Seeing his battered Stetson bobbing along might draw unwanted attention from Jack or, more worrisome for Slocum, Tamara Crittenden. She was the wild card in a hand he played in a game without knowing the rules. She had obviously played a role in the silver robbery, but was she now acting as a spy for David Collingswood? Why did she cozy up to Jack, then secretly follow him? Slocum considered the possibility that Collingswood had an entire posse of men out hunting for the train robbers and still used his secretary for the same goal without letting anyone else know.
    The questions made Slocum’s curiosity bump itch something fierce. He had lost some money to the street thieves, but even if he had been flat broke, he would have pressed on to find the answers to questions bubbling up in his head. That Tamara was a lovely woman didn’t hurt, but she had no problem stealing from her employer. That made her as dangerous as Jack and the rest of his gang.
    The crowd pushed across the deck and onto the pier. Slocum let the people carry him along. He exited before the two he trailed, so he eased away from the crush and found a spot down the street where he could watch carefully for Jack and Tamara. He had to wait only a few seconds for Jack. The outlaw rushed away, head down and intent on some unknown destination. Slocum let out a sigh of relief. The man had been only a few yards behind on the boat. But Slocum held his position until Tamara stepped onto dry land. She had eyes only for Jack as he coursed down the street. She passed within a few yards, never noticing Slocum.
    He started after her, then realized how much of a disadvantage he would be at if Jack went to a livery and mounted up. He considered stealing a horse, but that would cause such a ruckus, even Tamara, intent on her robber boyfriend, would notice. He edged down the side of the street opposite Tamara. If he kept her in sight, following Jack would take care of itself.
    When the woman broke into a run, he knew what had happened. Jack had reclaimed his horse and was on his