"It's still circumstantial evidence, isn't it? " "Did I mention he tried to kill the sheriff before he was captured? " Cole shook his head. "No, you didn't mention that. He won't be walking away free and clear, then.

They'll hold him for attempted murder."

"But I want to get him for the robberies. If he's one of the gang, then he's going to talk to me and tell me everything. I want all the other names."

"How do you think you're going to convince him to talk? " "I'll figure out something, " Daniel replied. "It would make it easier if there was a witness to point him out . . . " "I wouldn't get my hopes up, Daniel.

Those women could have told the same story for an altogether different reason. You think two of them are hell-bent to protect the third woman. I'm not sure. It occurs to me that we don't know anything relevant about these women, and I think it's time we looked into their backgrounds."

"I'm not taking anything they tell us as true until I've checked it out."

"Good, " Cole replied. He glanced out the window again, just in time to see Rebecca strike the reporter's arm with her parasol. Even from the distance separating them, he could see how pale and upset she was.

Not paying any attention to what she was doing, she picked up her skirts and rushed into the street, almost running headfirst into a horse and buggy.

Carver pulled her back in the nick of time.

A minute later, she came running into the office, ordering her guard to remain outside to watch the door. Cole and Daniel waited for her to regain her breath.

Daniel offered her a chair, but she declined the invitation to sit and began to pace around the office. It was very apparent that she was highly agitated.

"Why have you assigned a guard to follow me? " she asked.

"For protection, " Cole answered.

"But why do you think I need to be protected? " "After the mob here last night, we thought it was best to hire guards for all three of you just to make sure no one tries to bother you."

"Does the guard upset you? " Cole asked.

"No, " she answered. "I am upset, but not because of Mr. Carver.

He's only doing his job."

"Then what's bothering you? " Cole asked.

"I've just heard the most startling news from that despicable reporter this morning. He told me that one of the Blackwater gang has been captured. Was the reporter lying or was he telling the truth? "

Because she was looking at Daniel, he stepped forward to answer. "Yes, it's true. One of them was caught."

"Is he dead or alive? " she cried out. "Alive, " Daniel answered.

"But just barely."

"I hope he dies, " she whispered, and then bowed her head. "No, I shouldn't say that. It's just that there's been so much killing, and if he's responsible, he should pay for his crimes. Do they know the man's name? " "I don't know if the authorities know his name or not, "

Daniel said. "I didn't ask."

"Are they bringing him back to Rockford Falls to stand trial? " "No, they've taken him to Blackwater, Texas.

" "Is that a long way from here? " "Yes, " Cole answered.

She looked relieved.

"Good, " she whispered. "I won't have to worry about him getting loose and coming after Jessica and Grace and me." She collapsed into a chair and began to fan herself with her handkerchief. "The murderer has confessed to his crimes, hasn't he? " "No, he hasn't."

"But they're sure he's one of them? They won't let him out, will they?

" She sounded terrified of the possibility. Daniel quickly put her mind to rest. "They won't let him out, " he assured her.

She glanced down at her lap. "Oh, Lord, my hands are shaking. I'm not used to this kind of excitement, and this past week has been hellacious.

First, there were the murders at the bank, and then I was named a witness in the paper, and the fire last night . . . It's too much.

It's simply too much." Her voice broke.

Daniel sat down on the edge of the desk to face her. "I know how distressing this is, but . . . " "No, you don't know, " she cried out.

"I'm. . scared." . so . . .

After whispering the admission, she burst into tears and buried her face in her hands. "I've been such a coward, but I'm going to do the right thing now. You don't need to bother Jessica or Grace any longer because . . . " She didn't go on. Daniel leaned toward her and tried to look sympathetic, while Cole shoved a glass of water into her hand.

"Here, drink this, " he suggested.

She wiped her face with her handkerchief and looked up at him. "Try to understand. I didn't want anyone to know . . . I'm engaged to the most wonderful man. He's a respected businessman and very careful about appearances. A scandal would ruin him. It's taken him five long years to get up the courage to propose to me. I thought I could go back home and pretend none of this happened. You would catch the men eventually. My fiance runs with a very sophisticated, wealthy crowd.

Can you see why I would keep silent? " "Rebecca, what are you telling us? " Cole asked.

"I'm your witness. I was hiding under the desk when the Blackwater gang came inside. The purse you found belongs to me." Both marshals tried to contain their reaction to the news. Relief flooded through Cole, and he felt guilty about that. He was just so damned happy it wasn't Jessica.

Daniel felt a burst of excitement rush through his veins. She was there, and, God willing, she saw all of them.

"They'll try to kill me, won't they? " she whispered.

"We'll protect you, " Cole fervently promised.

"You'll try, but they'll find a way to silence me."

"We aren't going to let anyone hurt you, " Daniel vowed.

She wiped the tears away from her face before speaking again. "I know I should have come forward sooner, but I was very frightened. I just wanted to pretend it didn't happen, and I kept hoping that you would catch them . . . eventually. I'm so sorry I lied. It isn't like me to act so cowardly."

"You were scared, " Cole said.

"Yes, " she whispered. "And now poor Jessica and Grace have both been dragged into this nightmare. Neither one of them was in the bank at closing time. I know because I was there, and if I had had the courage to speak up sooner, they wouldn't be living in fear now."

"You were seen inside the bank earlier that afternoon, " Cole said.

"Yes, I was there, but I went back. I needed to finish some business.

I thought I could just run into the bank and . . . " A defeated look crossed her face. "I'll go to Blackwater with you and look at the man they've captured, " she whispered. "If he's one of the Blackwater gang, I'll point him out and testify in court." She wiped another tear from her cheek before continuing. "I'm begging you. Let Jessica and Grace get on with their lives. They want to leave town this afternoon, as soon as they can, and I think they should be allowed to, " she added. "They shouldn't be hounded or punished any longer because of my cowardice. You don't have to worry that the gang will come after them.