Chapter 8 - The Man Who Was Never DeadThe name Arthur Pendleton returned from the grave, and this time he came carrying a gun.
Ariel couldn't sleep.
Arthur had been dead.
Sheriff Briggs had confirmed it.
She had seen his name on the grave marker.
But Samuel Cross had died warning them not to trust him.
The contradiction gnawed at her.
By morning, Gerard had recovered enough to travel.
They returned to Bitter Creek disguised as travelers.
Ariel wore a plain brown coat.
Gerard hid his face beneath a wide hat.
Ruby arranged for them to stay in a storage room above the saloon.
They watched the town.
Briggs had announced Gerard's death.
The sheriff claimed the Mountain Devil had escaped only briefly before being killed in the wilderness.
Ariel almost laughed.
"They think we're dead."
"Good."
Then Ruby entered.
She locked the door.
"Someone is downstairs asking about Ariel Baker."
Ariel frowned.
"Who?"
Ruby hesitated.
"A man calling himself Arthur Pendleton."
The room went silent.
Gerard stood.
"Where?"
"Back room."
Ariel couldn't breathe.
She followed Ruby downstairs.
A man stood with his back toward them.
He turned.
It was Arthur.
Older than she remembered.
A small scar under one eye.
Same smile.
Same voice.
"Ariel."
Her knees weakened.
"You died."
He shrugged.
"That was the idea."
She slapped him.
The room went silent.
Arthur touched his cheek.
"I deserved that."
"You sent me here!"
"I sent you because Briggs was going to kill you in Philadelphia."
"You used me."
"Yes."
"You lied."
"Yes."
"You made me marry a condemned man."
Arthur glanced toward Gerard.
"I hoped you would."
Gerard stepped forward.
"Why?"
Arthur looked at him.
"Because Briggs cannot inherit Black Ridge if Gerard is married."
"That was your plan?"
"No."
Arthur's expression changed.
"That was the first step."
He handed Ariel a sealed envelope.
"Read it."
She opened it.
Inside was a federal commission.
Arthur had been an undercover investigator.
Briggs had been under surveillance for years.
Arthur's fake death was designed to force Briggs into exposing himself.
But something had gone wrong.
"The deputies died."
"Yes."
"The hanging."
"Yes."
"Who shot the rope?"
Arthur looked at Gerard.
"I did."
Ariel stared.
"You?"
"I needed Gerard alive."
Gerard's jaw tightened.
"You could have told me."
"Then Briggs would know."
Arthur turned to Ariel.
"I knew Briggs would come after you."
"You knew he'd threaten me."
"I knew."
"You knew he'd try to force me into prostitution."
Arthur lowered his gaze.
"I'm sorry."
Ariel's eyes filled with anger.
"You don't get to say you're sorry."
Arthur nodded.
"No."
Gerard moved closer.
"What happens now?"
Arthur's face became grim.
"Briggs has the territorial judge in his pocket."
"Then we'll expose him."
Arthur shook his head.
"No."
He placed another document on the table.
"Because Briggs already knows the marriage certificate exists."
Ariel's stomach tightened.
"How?"
Arthur stared toward the window.
"Someone told him."
Ruby entered.
She looked frightened.
"We have a problem."
"What's happened?"
"Briggs has arrested the preacher."
Ariel froze.
"Why?"
"He confessed that the marriage ceremony was invalid."
Gerard's expression hardened.
"What?"
Ruby swallowed.
"He says he performed it under duress."
Ariel looked at Arthur.
Arthur's face had gone pale.
Then someone downstairs shouted.
"Nobody move!"
Gunfire erupted.
Arthur drew his revolver.
Gerard grabbed Ariel.
Ruby reached for the trapdoor.
Briggs's voice boomed from below.
"Ariel Baker!"
He shouted again.
"You have until the count of ten to come down..."
May you like
A pause.
"...or I'll hang your husband twice."
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