Of course, in order to do that, Slim would need to kill the thing that ran the saloon. And that would queer the deal—assuming Slim got off a shot before the thing killed him. Why hadn’t Judd killed Slim quick and quiet? Or had he, and this was just a way to explain the other man’s absence? No way to tell, and no time to ask. “My men will take over the train station and shoot any of the Others who are still in there,” Durango said. Parlan’s hands went cold. Taking over the station wasn’t part of the plan. Not his plan, anyway. “And the Bonney boys?” The other men looked at each other and shrugged. “Taking care of their own business, I guess,” William Parker said. “We’ve got enough men, whether Frank and Eli show up or not.” Judd gave Parlan a cold smile, as if he’d already set payback in motion for the anticipated double-cross. Parlan remembered the one other person who wasn’t in the room. “Where’s Dalton?” “Probably going round to have a talk with his bitch sister,” Judd replied. “I found out she was in town and where she lived.” “And you told him?” He’d told no one that he’d seen Abigail in town because he hadn’t wanted anyone in the family distracted by that news. Judd smiled. “I did. Figured she owed him more than she owed me.” Parlan bit back his anger. “It could have waited until after the fight.” Judd’s smile turned mocking. “We’ve got enough men for this fight. We’ll win it without him.” Durango Jones and the Parkers were watching this byplay with growing suspicion. If Judd McCall was turning on Parlan Blackstone just before a fight, something was very wrong. Trying to regain the upper hand, Parlan said, “You have a feeling we’re going to win?” Judd’s smile sharpened. “Don’t you?” * * * * * * Even Rusty’s wild barking couldn’t compete with the pounding on the screen door’s frame. Running to the front of the house, Barb grabbed the pup’s collar and stared at Kenneth Stone, who stood there wringing his hands. “Maddie?” she asked, hoping he said no. She was still putting together emergency supplies. She wasn’t ready to flee if that’s what Kenneth had come to tell her. “No.” Kenneth hesitated. “I have a feeling the doctors need to be at the hospital today. It’s a very strong feeling.” “We’ve barely got the hospital open and only for emergencies,” Barb protested. “There’s going to be an emergency.” His eyes pleaded with her. “Evan says you should call because Jana is your housemate. The doc will think I’m overreacting, but he’ll listen to you. Please.” Intuits were sure there was going to be an emergency. Oh gods. “I’ll call. Are you packed in case … ?” “Almost, but Kane is uneasy about something and keeps getting in the way. Almost bit me when I came over to talk to you. Didn’t want me leaving the house.” “Go home. Stay inside. I’ll make the call.” * * * * * * Looking out the door of the land agent’s office, Jana couldn’t see the other side of the square, didn’t know when the men would walk out and do the posturing that, hopefully, wouldn’t end in a real fight. “Anything we should do?” Dawn Werner asked as she cuddled her puppy to keep it quiet. “Stay inside and stay away from the windows until you get the all clear,” Jana replied. She felt a puff of air against her neck a moment before Dawn gasped. “Deputy Jana, a Hawk says there is a stranger sniffing around the Maddie’s house,” Air said. “The stranger has a gun. Kane is staying inside to protect the sweet blood.” Which left everyone else on the street unprotected. “Tell Virgil I’m heading to Maddie’s house to back up Kane.” Jana went out the back door of the land agent’s office and ran to her vehicle. She’d parked on the street instead of in the parking lot behind the sheriff’s office. Now she was glad of the extra precaution since she could drive away without anyone in the town square being the wiser. “I’m coming, Kane,” she whispered. “Hold on.” * * * * * * Abigail stuffed a dress and two sets of underwear into a small carryall. She added her prosperity and protection stones and all the money she could find around the house—including the stash she’d found in an envelope taped to the underside of the drawer in her bedside table. She had the feeling that she had to get out, had to get away, had to leave now. She stuffed a large bottle of water, a jar of peanut butter, a sleeve of crackers, and a spoon into the carryall. She dashed out the front door—and froze when a voice said, “You bitch. You’re the reason my name is on a wanted poster.” * * * * * * Barb listened to the doctor tell her with growing impatience that he wasn’t going to the hospital today, that he had office hours today, that there was no reason … “Doc, are you an Intuit?” Barb interrupted. A weighted silence. “Yes. I am.” “Then you understand that some things shouldn’t be dismissed.” “You’re not an Intuit, Ms. Debany.” “No, but I was asked to tell you that it was important—vital—that you work at the hospital today.” She swallowed hard, remembering little Maddie’s hand pointing at all of them like a gun. “Something bad is going to happen. You need to go to the hospital now or you won’t be able to get there and help the people who need you.” Heavy breathing. Then the doctor said, “I’ll make some calls and get to the hospital as soon as I can.” “Thank you.” She hung up and started to call Jana. Before she finished dialing, she heard someone outside say in a loud voice, “You bitch. You’re the reason my name is on a wanted poster.” * * * * * * Tolya walked out of the government building, Yuri beside him. Virgil, in Wolf form, was waiting for him in the square. John was also in the square near the spring, keeping watch for any humans who might be doing something sneaky. The other Sanguinati were in position, as was Scythe.