Free Angel Gone Bad by Sabine Starr Page B

comforting weight of the derringer and the Spider Grandmother deck in her reticule.
    â€œYou’ll be in my sight most of the time.” Rune rose to his feet, ducking his head to avoid the ceiling. “If you run into trouble, I’ll be there.”
    She tried to make light of the situation. “What have I to fear? I carry this deadly derringer.”
    Rune smiled, blue eyes twinkling with humor. “You’re a deadeye shot at a yard. Any guy with a lick of sense will get out of your way.”
    â€œRight.”
    Angel moved into the aisle, walked to the exit, and stepped down to the platform. Rune was a strong, vital presence behind her. She looked about the town. Paris wasn’t as wild as the Bend, but it was plenty busy.
    She set off down a boardwalk, following Rune’s instructions. She stepped around folks, inclining her head in greeting to female shoppers. She passed Harris Mercantile, noting the large size of the store and the front windows full of bright colors and enticing merchandise. The front door was open and chairs were being set up inside. She felt her heart accelerate, anticipating a new audience.
    When she came to the U.S. Marshal’s office of the Eastern District of Texas, she hesitated before going inside. She glanced to the side and saw Rune stop and pretend to look in a store’s front window. As she reached for the doorknob, the door opened, and a tall, lean man stepped out.
    â€œPardon, ma’am,” he said.
    From Rune’s description, she recognized Marshal Bill Phillips and thanked her lucky stars for him making her job easier. She smiled and quickly gave the AHTA hand sign. “I need your help.”
    He looked surprised. “Could I see that again?”
    She gave the sign once more. “I’m an AHTA widow.”
    Marshal Phillips nodded. “How may I help you?”
    â€œVerity Whiteside is a friend of mine. Deputy Tate Thornton, her fiancé, has disappeared.”
    â€œI’m well aware of that fact. We’re doing all we can do to locate him.”
    â€œI understand. She is . . . well, indisposed, so I promised I would check to see if there was any progress.”
    â€œWould you like to come inside where it’s cooler and more private?” He gestured toward the door.
    â€œThank you, but no. I can’t stay long.”
    â€œIn that case, there’s still no word about him.”
    â€œI understand he was investigating the Badger Gang.”
    â€œWe’re all trying to get a lead on that gang. I heard yesterday that they may be holed up near Horsethief Spring in the Ouachita Mountains. That’s out of our jurisdiction, but Marshal Boles in the Western District of Arkansas has his deputies on the case. If he hears anything about Tate, he’ll let me know.” Marshal Phillips shook his head. “Sorry I can’t be of more help.”
    â€œThank you. Verity will be happy to hear you’re still looking for Tate.”
    â€œYou bet we are. Check back with my office. We’re doing our best. When you talk with AHTA members, please let them know we always appreciate their help.”
    â€œI’ll do that.”
    He held out his hand to shake. “I didn’t catch your name.”
    She smiled as she shook his hand. “Perhaps another time.” She turned and quickly walked back down the boardwalk, feeling his gaze sharp between her shoulder blades.
    As she moved past Rune, she looked the other way, hoping the marshal didn’t decide to question her more or notice the gunslinger dogging her tracks. As quickly as possible, she stepped inside a store and pretended to shop while the proprietor helped other customers.
    That had gone much more quickly and easily than she had expected, so she was ahead of schedule. Now she had to kill time before her reading at Harris Mercantile. In hindsight, she wished she had read first and talked to the marshal second, but she’d been afraid