True to the Law by Jo Goodman Read Free Book Online Page B

gaming.” He pointed to his beer. “Or drinking.”
    “I haven’t forgotten what I said. I meant it.”
    Cobb’s eyes narrowed slightly. “You’ve got something in mind, though. I can see it.”
    She touched the corner of her mouth self-consciously. No, she hadn’t pushed out her tongue. “What gave me away?”
    “You don’t really expect me to tell you.”
    She shrugged and took a bite of food. “Bitter Springs has no marshal. Did you know that?”
    “No. No one’s mentioned it.”
    “I didn’t hear about it until weeks after I arrived. Most folks think it should be kept quiet around strangers, at least until they’re fairly confident the strangers aren’t bank robbers or cattle thieves.”
    “Or card cheats.”
    “Especially not card cheats.”
    “You don’t think it should be kept secret?”
    “I think the town should have a lawman. There used to be a deputy. If I recall correctly, his name was Dan Sugar. But he’s gone now, and no one has a good word to say about him anyway. Mrs. Sterling’s husband was marshal years ago, and he was well liked. He was killed in an ambush outside of town.”
    “I was aware of what happened to Marshal Sterling. Finn told me. He left out the part about the position still being vacant.”
    “It’s hard to imagine, but I suppose even Finn can mind his tongue from time to time.”
    Cobb jabbed a dumpling. “Why do you believe Bitter Springs needs a marshal? Is there some problem Finn hasn’t shared with me?”
    “I don’t think so. There are disputes, of course, but Terry McCormick settles those. He’s the mayor. If it’s a property dispute, Harry Sample or his cousin Charles from the land office gets involved. Sometimes it’s a matter for a judge to decide and one comes in from Rawlins. That’s only happened once since I arrived.”
    “And when did you arrive?”
    “The first week of June.”
    “So you’ve been here a little more than four months. Do you think you know enough to say whether or not Bitter Springs needs another marshal?”
    “I’m allowed to have an opinion.”
    “Of course. It’s generally better if it’s an informed one. There’s probably a good reason why no one is clamoring to fill the vacancy.”
    “But I think I—”
    Cobb interrupted her. “It doesn’t matter, Miss Morrow. Even if I could get elected to the position, I’m not interested in wearing a badge again or staying in Bitter Springs that long.”
    Tru felt as if she had been pushed back in her chair. Cobb Bridger had not raised his voice in the least, rather it had become softer at the same time it was gathering intensity. There was a real force to it. She did not think she had imagined that. Her father had spoken similarly when he felt passionate about his subject, which he frequently did standing at the pulpit above the congregation at Olde St. John’s Episcopal Church. Tru also had occasion to hear her father practice his sermons and knew that the modulation of his voice was often carefully calculated to underscore a point.
    Tru folded her hands around her teacup, warming them. “I don’t know if you could be clearer, Mr. Bridger, but I am compelled to correct an assumption you made. There is no election. The mayor and council can appoint you. They have that federal authority by virtue of their offices.”
    “Miss Morrow.”
    She recognized the feigned patience in his tone. “Yes?”
    “I am not interested.”
    “Now,” she said. “You are not interested now. You might find yourself in need of another diversion. It’s hard to say how a losing streak at the card table might influence your thinking.”
    Cobb shook his head, but it was more in admiration than negation. “And I thought you could be dissuaded.” He lifted his beer before he inched forward in his chair just enough so he could recline. Beneath the table he crossed his legs at the ankles. “Very well. But why me, Miss Morrow? Why now? You’ve had months to apply yourself to the problem of