Merrell Voss, who had been listening quietly, finally spoke. "How many men does he have?" "Last I heard, around 25." Garrick replied. "All killers. Not odds any sane man would take on."
I glanced at Sihaya. The fire in her dark eyes told me she was thinking the same thing I was. Sensible odds had never stopped either of us from doing what was right. "What if we turn some of Holt's own men against him?" Sihaya said suddenly. Garrick raised an eyebrow.
"And how exactly would you pull that off?" "My brother told me things before he died." She said. "Holt rules through fear. But he also pays well. If we can convince a few of his men they'd earn more by betraying him than staying loyal."
It was dangerous. Real dangerous. But it made sense. Outlaws weren't known for loyalty when there was better money on the table. "That means getting close to his operation." I said.
"Close enough to talk to his men without getting shot on sight." "I know where his main camp is." Sihaya said quietly. "And I know someone who can help us." All eyes turned to her. "There's a man named Rook Vatcher." She continued.
"He used to ride with Holt. Left about 6 months ago. Said he was done with all the killing. Now he's hiding out in a cabin about 20 miles from here trying to live straight." "You think he'd help us?" Garrick asked.
"I think he'd help me." Sihaya said. "He was close to my brother. He owes him." The plan we built over the next 2 hours was either brilliant or suicidal. Maybe both.
Rook Vatcher would be our way in. Our only way in. But first, we had to convince him to walk away from the quiet life he'd carved out for himself. "I'll ride out to him tomorrow." I said. "See if I can bring him in."
"We'll go." Sihaya corrected. "Rook knew my brother better than anyone. If we're going to convince him, I need to be there." Garrick frowned. "That's a lot of risk for both of you."
"If Holt's got men watching him." I said. "We'll deal with them." And I meant it. Something had changed in me since I met Sihaya. The cold, calculating gunman I used to be was giving way to something else.
Something warmer. But far more dangerous. A man with something to protect. As the night wore on and we sharpened the details of the plan, I couldn't help but notice how Sihaya filled the room. Not just because of her height.