Free Bad Men Die by William W. Johnstone

man, es verdad .” Even in the shadows under the awning over the boardwalk, he could see her sag a little in relief. “Thank you, Señor Jensen. Thank you so much.”
    â€œNo need to thank me. I’m just going on about my business.” He took her arm. “So let’s just head for the jail—”
    Shots blasted somewhere down the street, and even as the echoes rolled through the night, Luke had a pretty good idea where the shots were coming from and what they meant.
    Frank McCluskey was making a break!

CHAPTER 10
    Deputy Fred Ordway sat in the office with his feet propped up on the desk, wondering if he might be able to sneak a piece of chicken out of the basket before he took the food in to the prisoner. The marshal had mentioned Consuela’s fried chicken earlier and it was about as close to heaven as a man could find, at least in that part of Wyoming.
    From time to time Fred thought about asking Consuela to one of the box supper socials the town held several times a year. From the looks of it, Bob was never going to get around to asking her, despite the fact that his wife had been gone for a couple years.
    Of course, every time Fred started thinking like that, he got over it and told himself to forget it. No girl as beautiful as Consuela Diaz would ever go to a social with somebody like him. Besides, she was in love with Bob. Anybody with a pair of eyes could see that.
    Except, evidently, Bob his own self.
    Fred was musing on such universal mysteries of life when the door of the marshal’s office opened. Not wanting to be caught with his feet up on the desk, Fred swung his legs down quickly and straightened in the old swivel chair. He tried to look official and efficient, but he wasn’t sure that was possible under the best of circumstances.
    He thought the visitor might be Consuela bringing the prisoner’s supper, but that wasn’t the case. The person who came in was female, though, and like Consuela, young and pretty. Blond and fair, however, not dark and sultry. She wore a blue dress and bonnet and carried what looked like a Bible in front of her like a shield.
    Fred got hurriedly to his feet. “Can I help you, ma’am?”
    â€œAre you the marshal?”
    Her voice was sweet as apple pie, Fred thought. “Uh, no, ma’am. I’m the deputy, though. Deputy Fred Ordway, at your service.”
    â€œWhy, I’m just so pleased to meet you, Deputy Ordway. My name is Sister Delia.”
    â€œSister?” Fred repeated with a slight frown.
    â€œOh, I know I’m not a nun. But I am a missionary, come to minister to the good people of Rattlesnake Wells—and the not-so-good people, too, of course. They need to hear the word of the Lord more than anyone else, don’t you think?”
    â€œWell, I, uh, suppose so.” Fred wasn’t sure what this woman was doing there, and she didn’t seem to be in a hurry to explain. “Have you had a problem? Need to report a crime?”
    â€œWhat?” She seemed genuinely puzzled, then her expression cleared and she laughed. “Oh, no, nothing like that! I’m here because I heard that you have a prisoner locked up in the jail.”
    â€œYes, ma’am. I mean sister, we do. A vicious outlaw named Frank McCluskey.”
    Her blue eyes widened. “Oh, dear. He sounds terrible. But Deputy, we mustn’t forget that no matter what Mr. McCluskey has done, he is one of God’s creatures. And as such, he needs the comfort of the Holy Word.” She lifted the Bible she held. “I would like to go share that comfort with him.”
    Fred stared at her for a second, then emphatically shook his head. “No, ma’am. I’m sorry, but the marshal would skin me alive if I ever let a lady like you into the cell with an outlaw! I know you’re just tryin’ to help, but I can’t do it.”
    â€œGoodness gracious. I don’t want to actually go into the cell