Lucille nodded, giving Aida a gentle shove toward Cole. “There will be time to catch up,” she said. “But we need to make sure you’re all safe.”
Preach’s arm went around Lucille as Doc led their horses to the stable. Aida frowned but followed Cole to where he ushered her. He eyed her. He could almost feel her willful resistance. She seemed angry, and on the verge of tears. Christ, if crying wasn’t exactly what the girl needed.
There would be time, but he knew how he would bring her to where she needed to be.
***
Aida sat at a table in the back of a darkened room in Litchfield.
“I sent them, honey,” Lucille said gently, taking Aida’s hand in her own. The woman she’d known since she was a baby, the only one she’d ever known as mother, now sat with her, explaining why everything had transpired. She gestured to Preach and Cole. Junior and Doc had retired to their rooms, and Aida now sat with a cup of hot tea next to Cole. He’d removed his hat and watched her now with weary eyes, as the truth unfolded.
“My brother is sheriff here in Litchfield, and the only honest law-abiding man I know. Preach knew that Monty and Pearson and their men were unstoppable, and he also knew he and Mr. Clemens were the only ones Monty and Pearson trusted.”
“It was the only way we could bring them out,” Preach said. “Stage a high-end robbery.” His eyes flitted to Cole. “And Justice has been in bed with them for the past year.”
“Where are they all now?” Aida asked. It was all so much to take in.
“You know Monty and Pearson were killed,” Cole said.
Aida flinched. They weren’t the only ones who’d been killed.
“Lucille was waiting here for her brother, knew that Justice and the rest of Monty’s men would be running to Litchfield with their prize. They walked right into the trap set, and were all caught.”
Aida gasped. “Will they hang?”
Cole looked away and worked his jaw for a moment before speaking. “Yes.” He ran a hand over his face and she knew then how hard this had all been, how hard it would be yet.
She breathed out, before she resumed speaking. “And what will come of you two? Are you still running from the law?”
Lucille shook her head. “They were commissioned, honey. Theyarethe law.”
Aida’s eyes widened. “You two?”
Cole nodded.
Lucille continued. “My brother knew the only way to bring Monty and Pearson to justice would be if one of their own betrayed them. Cole has been working for months to gain their trust so that they could be brought to justice.”
Cole flinched at the wordjusticeand Aida’s heart went out to him.
“And Justice was part of their group?”
Cole nodded soberly.
Aida frowned. “But… what about me? How do I fit into all of this?”
“That’s where I come in,” Lucille said. “I didn’t leave you because I needed to leave, Aida. I left because I knew you needed to be free from the home you were in, and had no means to do so.Isent them to get you. It was on their way, and I knew I could trust them to bring you here.”
But Aida was still trying to understand. She turned to Cole. “You told me he owed you money. He didn’t?”
Cole shook his head. She could forgive the lie. She’d been rescued. Her tormentor was dead.
Aida turned to Lucille. “You knew he was… treating me the way he did?” she asked quietly.
Lucille nodded. “He was an awful man,” she whispered. “You weren’t the only one he mistreated. I’m not sorry to hear of his demise.”
“Nor am I,” Aida whispered. She turned to Cole. “Did you know?”
He shook his head. “All I was told was that you had to get out of there, and I knew I trusted the source. Wasn’t until you told me that I knew why.”