"The army answers to civilian oversight in all matters not directly related to combat operations. And unless we're at war, which we're not, you answer to me."
"Now, stand your men down."
For a long moment, I thought Hollis might refuse. Thought he might shoot Kuruk or me or both of us and claim it was self-defense. But then he stepped back and gestured sharply to his soldiers. "Stand down."
"For now."
The tension broke like a fever. People began talking among themselves, arguing, debating. Some sided with Hollis, insisting the Apache must be guilty. But others, a growing number, seemed willing to consider that maybe, just maybe, things weren't as simple as they'd been told.
Judge Thornton approached Kuruk. "Chief, I'll need you to testify at the inquiry. It will be held in three days, enough time to examine the Morrison ranch properly."
"Can you agree to that?"
Kuruk looked at me, then at the judge. "I will come. But I will bring my warriors."
"I will not walk into a trap."
"That's acceptable. Mr. Garrett, I assume you'll testify as well?"
"Yes, sir."
"Good. Then we'll reconvene in three days. Until then, I suggest everyone go about their business and let cooler heads prevail."
The crowd dispersed slowly. Hollis and his men withdrew toward the fort, but not before Hollis fixed me with a stare that promised retribution. Kuruk mounted his horse. Before leaving, he looked down at me.
"You are either very brave or very foolish, Silas Garrett. But you kept your word. I will remember that."
He rode out with his warriors, Takala among them. She looked back once, and in that glance I saw relief and something else. Pride, maybe. Quinn and I stood alone in the street as the last of the crowd melted away.
"Well," he said. "That went better than expected."
"It's not over. Hollis won't let this go."
"No. But we bought time. And sometimes that's all you can do."
Judge Thornton approached us. "Mr. Garrett, a word?"
We followed him to his hotel room. He poured three glasses of whiskey and handed them around. "I want you to understand something," he said.
"I stopped Hollis today because I believe in law and order, but I'm not naive. The army wants this war. Important people in Washington want this war."