Thorne asked. Anyone who worked at the Looking Glass? Clara thought back to the smoke and the noise of the saloon. Most of the girls drifted like tumble weeds. But there was one, Molly.
The girl who did the laundry in the back. Molly, who had been there the night Sarah was shot. "There is Molly," Clara said slowly. "I saw her here in town just as we rode in. She was carrying a basket behind the hotel. " "Find her," Thorne said.
"Get her to swear to an affidavit. If I have two witnesses, I can get a subpoena for Pike's private records. " They found Molly an hour later, behind a boarding house on the east side of town. She was pinning wet sheets to a line. Her hands red and swollen from the lie soap. When she saw Clara, she dropped the clothes pin basket in the mud.
"No," Molly whispered, backing up until she hit the brick wall. "No, Clara, I ain't part of it, Molly. Please," Clara said, stepping over a puddle. "I just need you to tell the truth about what happened to Sarah. " "About the men Pike sent. He will kill me," Molly said, her eyes wide and terrified.
He has eyes everywhere, Clara. Even here, especially here. He is killing us anyway. Clara said, "He is taking the land. He is burning people out.
If we do not stop him, there will be nowhere left to run. " Molly looked at Eli, who stood at the alley entrance, watching the street. She looked back at Clara. "You got out. You got a husband, and I am fighting to keep him. " Clara said, "Please. " Molly let out a shuddering breath. I finish my shift at 6:00.
I will come to the lawyer's office, but then I'm getting on a train west. I won't stay. Thank you, Clara said. They walked back toward the main street, a fragile hope growing in Clara's chest. It was shattered before they reached the corner.
A man wearing a sheriff's badge stepped out of the barber shop, flanked by two deputies. It was not the Red Rock Sheriff. This was a local man. But the piece of paper in his hand was fresh. Clara Vale?
The deputy asked. Mrs. Conincaid? Eli corrected stepping in front of her. I have a warrant here for a Clara Vale.
The deputy said, ignoring Eli. Issued out of Red Rock this morning. Wired over the telegraph. Charge is grand lararseny. Theft of a diamond brooch from a Mr.
Silus Vance. That is a lie, Clara said, her voice shaking. I have never stolen anything. You can tell it to the judge, the deputy said, reaching for her arm. Eli's hand dropped to his gun.