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was a three-day wait until the paper came out on Saturday, with a few more days to see if anybody went after the bait. The stay in Dodge had eaten a hole in Danielle’s wallet. In another two weeks, she would be forced to find work, just to eat. Thursday came and went with no response to her advertising. Not until Friday was there a nibble.
    â€œWho’s there?” Danielle asked in response to a knock on her door.
    â€œI’m answerin’ your ad,” said a voice. “Do I come in, or not?”
    Danielle unlocked and opened the door.
    The man had the look of a down-and-out cowboy, with a Colt tied down on his right hip. He stood in the doorway, looking around, as though expecting a trap.
    â€œThere’s nobody here but me,” Danielle said. “Shut the door.”
    He closed the door and stood leaning against it, saying nothing.
    â€œI’m Daniel Faulkner,” said Danielle. “Who are you?”
    â€œI’m Levi Jasper, and it’s me that’s entitled to ask the questions. Why are you looking for Scovill’s friends?”
    â€œScovill and me had a job planned. He claimed he could get a gang together that he used to ride with. Then the damn fool got himself killed by some bounty hunter looking for draft dodgers. Now there’s still a twenty-five-thousand-dollar military payroll that will soon be on its way to Fort Worth, and I can’t handle it alone. Can you find the rest of the outfit?”
    â€œI dunno,” said Jasper, “and don’t know that they’ll be interested. They’re scattered all over the West. They could be in St. Louis, New Orleans, Kansas City, Denver, and God knows where else.”
    â€œAre you interested?”
    â€œMaybe, after I learn more about it. You ramrod-din’ the deal?”
    â€œNot necessarily,” Danielle said. “I just want a piece of it.
    â€œGood,” said Jasper. “I ain’t sure the boys would ride with a shirttail segundo , even if we can find ’em. You aim to advertise in more newspapers?”
    â€œIf I had some specific names, I would,” Danielle said. “Scovill never told me the names of the men he had in mind. I took a long chance, advertising for you. Tell me the names of the hombres I’m looking for, so I can ask for them by name.”
    â€œI dunno. . . .”
    â€œOh, hell,” said Danielle, “just forget it. I’m just seventeen years old, and if you’re so afraid of me, I don’t want you on this job. I’ll find somebody else.”
    â€œDamn it, nobody accuses Levi Jasper of bein’ afraid. I can give you the names of the Scovill gang, and we’ll pull this damn job of yours. One thing, though. I’m the segundo . When you find these varmints, tell ’em about Scovill, and that you’re part of the gang. Let ’em believe I planned the thing.”
    â€œI will,” said Danielle. “Now write down those names and where you expect me to find them. We don’t have that much time.”

Chapter 2
    Danielle saddled the chestnut mare and rode east to Kansas City. She regretted losing out on Levi Jasper, but she had alerted the sheriff to her presence. Undoubtedly, Jasper had asked for her at the hotel, leaving her wide open to suspicion had anything happened to him. At least she had the names of the rest of the gang that had murdered her father. Levi Jasper would have to wait for another time and place. With her money running low, Danielle made her camp by a stream and picketed the chestnut mare nearby. She had no idea what she would use for money. Worse, if she was lucky enough to find work, the trail she followed would grow colder by the day.
    Suddenly, the chestnut mare snorted. Danielle rolled to her left, her Colt in her hand, as the intruder’s weapon roared twice. He had anticipated her move, and both slugs struck the ground just inches from her. There was no moon, but the starlight and