Read Missing Patriarch (9781101613399) for Free Online Page B

said.
    â€œWhat is it?”
    â€œIf I told you,” she said, “it wouldn’t be a secret, would it?”
    â€œI guess not.”
    â€œSo just shut up and eat it.”
    He did both.
    *   *   *
    They sat together later on her sofa with coffee.
    â€œI feel bad for those kids,” she said.
    â€œSo do I.”
    She looked at him.
    â€œDo you think you’ll be able to find him?”
    â€œFind who?”
    â€œI’m not stupid, Clint,” she said. “I know Jimmy left. They want you to find him and bring him back, right?”
    â€œWell . . .”
    â€œI’m not going to tell anyone,” she said. “I know those kids don’t want to be split up.”
    â€œI think I can find him.”
    â€œHow?”
    â€œJason had one piece of helpful information.”
    â€œAnd what was that?”
    â€œHe said his dad talked about a man named Donovan.”
    â€œAnd that was helpful?”
    â€œIf he was talking about Andy Donovan, then yeah,” Clint said.
    â€œWho’s Andy Donovan?”
    â€œAn outlaw,” Clint said, “and if Jimmy McCall joined his band of cutthroats, then he’s in trouble.”
    â€œJimmy’s no outlaw,” she said. “I mean, he’s not perfect, but he’s no cutthroat.”
    â€œMaybe not,” Clint said, “but if he rides with them, it could be just as bad. And there’s another thing I know about Donovan.”
    â€œWhat’s that?”
    â€œHe doesn’t like to share,” Clint said. “He’d kill his own men for a bigger share of the loot.”
    â€œWhat loot?”
    â€œWhatever loot they’re after,” Clint said. “Banks, stagecoaches, trains, Donovan doesn’t care.”
    â€œJimmy is smart, Clint,” she said, “but he doesn’t always make the right decision.”
    â€œThen I guess he’s running true to form,” he said. “Riding with Andy Donovan is never a good choice.”
    â€œBut . . . how would he know such a man?”
    â€œI don’t know,” Clint said. “Maybe they’re old friends.”
    â€œIf they were, would Donovan still kill him?”
    â€œDonovan would kill his own mother for a bigger cut,” Clint said.
    â€œJesus,” she said, “then I guess you better find him and bring him back to those kids.”
    â€œThat’s what I intend to do.”
    â€œWhen?”
    â€œI’ll check on my horse tomorrow, see if he’s ready to go,” Clint said.
    â€œAnd if he isn’t?”
    â€œI might just have to rent a horse,” he said, “although I prefer a mount I can count on. Especially if I have to go up against Andy Donovan and his boys.”
    â€œAnd you’re gonna do this for nineteen dollars and fifty-eight cents?”
    â€œNo,” Clint said, “I’m going to do it for those kids. I told them to keep the money, spend it on supplies.”
    â€œSo you’ll use your own money to rent a horse?”
    â€œI won’t have much choice,” he said.
    â€œI wish I had some money to give you.”
    â€œI have all the money I need. Plus it’s not your responsibility.”
    â€œIt’s not yours either,” she said, “but you’re gonna do it anyway.”
    â€œSomebody’s got to help those kids,” Clint said. “They can’t keep living out there alone. If I don’t bring their father back, something’s going to have to be done.”
    â€œThey’ll be split up.”
    â€œThey’ll probably be better off.”
    She snuggled up closer to him, put her head on his shoulder.
    â€œYou tell me when you’re leavin’,” she said. “I’ll look out for them until you get back.”
    â€œOkay,” he said, putting his arms around her, “that’ll work. We’ll deal with the rest when I get back, with or without