He chuckled. "A small partner? You know, Crow. We have a person of interest missing from town. A woman, Emily Laroo.
You wouldn't have seen her up on that ridge, would you? " Millie's breath hitched. Jonah heard it. He saw her hand drift toward the pocket of the coat where she had hidden a small knife. I live alone, Jonah said. Is that so?
The sheriff said. He leaned in, lowering his voice. Because Mister Pritchard is very concerned about her welfare. She is a fragile creature, confused. She is wanted for questioning regarding some property theft.
It would go well for a man who helped return her. It would go very badly for a man who hid her. The threat hung in the air, smelling of stale whiskey and menace. The store had gone quiet. People were watching.
Jonah looked at the sheriff. He did not posture. He did not touch his gun. He simply stood there, radiating a stillness that was more terrifying than any shout. "If you have a warrant, show it," Jonah said.
"If you do not, get out of my way. " The sheriff's smile faltered. His hand twitched near his hip. You are walking a thin line, crow," the sheriff said softly. "That cabin is a long way from help. Accidents happen up there. " Jonah's eyes narrowed.
"You speak to me," Jonah said. His voice was a blade, sharp and cold. "If you have business, you bring it to me. Do not look past me for a long second. " The two men held the stare. Then the sheriff laughed.
A sharp barking sound. He stepped back, sweeping his arm toward the door in a mock gesture of politeness. Go on then, savage. Take your supplies, but winter is long. We will see who breaks first.
Jonah took Millie's arm and guided her out. He felt her trembling under the heavy coat. "We need a doctor," Jonah said as soon as they were on the boardwalk. "My shoulder is bleeding again. " They found the office of Dr. Clara Harrove down a side street away from the saloons.
It was a small clapboard building with a clean sign. Clara Hargrove was a woman of 50 with gray hair pulled back in a severe bun and eyes that missed nothing. She was a widow who had taken over her husband's practice and then proved she was twice the doctor he had ever been. She opened the door, took one look at Jonah's pale face and the way he held his arm, and ushered them inside. She locked the door behind them and pulled the shade down.
Coat off. She ordered Jonah. She looked at Millie who was still standing by the door wrapped in the buffalo hide. "You too, girl. " Clara said, "You are roasting in that thing. And take off the scarf.