Sterling's Way (Lawmen & Outlaws) by Sarita Leone Read Free Book Online

a suit and bolo tie, had to be the banker.
    Jack walked right up to the suited man and wasted no time on preliminary small talk. Idle chitchat was for social occasions, which this was definitely not.
    He held out his hand. “Jack Sterling. I have some business to discuss with you, Brown. I don’t imagine you would care for your employees to hear what I’ve got to say, so perhaps we should find somewhere private where we can speak freely.”
    Wordlessly the man took Jack’s hand and gave it a limp shake. He stared into Jack’s eyes with a look of complete bafflement.
    The cowboy cleared his throat. “I believe you’re looking for me, Mr. Sterling. The man whose hand you just shook is Mr. Griffin’s. Ted is my secretary.”
    One of the things he hated most was feeling foolish, and that’s precisely how he felt now. His hot-headedness had made him rush to judgment, something he knew better than to do but had done anyhow. Before he could open his mouth to speak, the banker went on as smoothly as if having his employee mistaken for himself was something that happened on a daily basis.
    Jack had to hand it to him. The man was as swift as a rattler crossing a stretch of hot sand.
    “If you like, we can conduct our business in my office.” Holding his hand out and gesturing to the open doorway, Randall Brown effectively gained the upper hand.
    Jack let him have it—for now—and brushed past him into the office space. He kept his back turned while Brown closed the door behind them.
    Gauging a man’s character on first sight was something Jack typically did easily. It had been a major mistake to underestimate Brown, giving his garb far too much weight. It was an error Jack did not plan to repeat.
    Time to take back what’s mine .
    He waited until his opponent stood behind his desk before he spoke.
    “So you’re Randall Brown?” He ignored the offered hand. He had already shaken a hand. Now it was time to get down to business.
    To his credit, Brown recovered from the slight without overt annoyance. He stuck his right thumb beneath the top edge of the gun belt he wore low on his hips. The gesture was not lost on Jack, who had already taken note of the blued revolver in the black leather holster.
    “I am. And, as you were so quick to point out in the outer office, you are Jack Sterling. Would you care to have a seat?”
    Brown folded himself into the chair behind his desk but Jack remained on his feet. He thought better with his boots planted firmly on the ground.
    “I’ll stand.”
    “Suit yourself. Now, what exactly do you so urgently wish to discuss with me? I hate to be—” He raised one eyebrow so high it nearly disappeared into his hairline. The motion made a jagged scar at the man’s right temple prominent. The half-sneer he gave when he paused was not lost on Jack, either. “—rude, but I must point out that you don’t have an appointment, Mr. Sterling. Or are we on a first-name basis, considering the way you so informally made you way in here?”
    “Sterling will do just fine.” The man’s tone irritated Jack so much that his words dripped disdain. Had it not been for this banker’s thievery he would not have the misfortune to be in this stuffy office. He fisted his right hand by his side.
    “Fine, if that’s the way you want it, Sterling .”
    “It is.” Jack forced his fingers to relax, and then flexed his hand. Every muscle in his body was tense, but he made himself appear calm. Letting this land thief know how much he was affected by their meeting would be a mistake. Jack wasn’t willing to make any errors where this banker was concerned. Not if he could help it.
    “I’m a busy man. I don’t have a great deal of spare time, so if you’ve got something to say I’d appreciate you just saying it. What brings you into my office?”
    “You’re a bigger thief than I thought you would be.” Jack spat the words. He had not planned to get his back up but the hurry-up-and-get-out attitude