Prelude: That Damn Bank

[TetNak]

"What's it going to save me, a hangin'?" The man spits. "You don't hang me, I might tell ya, otherwise, forget it." He waves a hand toward the guys on the other side of the cell.

[Vardaen]

Holt shakes his head, "That ain't up to me. That's for the judge to deside. Course I'd be happy to see you dangling from the end of a rope." Holt glances at the Marshal. "You know where this dirtbag hangs up, any of his friends around town?"

[TetNak]

The marshal shrugs, "Mainly out your way. Their grandfather has a ranch, actually, another thirty miles out of town. Way out there. I don't think he has anything to do with it, who knows, they could be loading up his cattle with stolen stock." He sighs, "Otherwise they are drifters, hard to keep track of where they go."

[Vardaen]

Holt nods. "Perhaps I'll pay that ranch a visit if I get the time." The rancher watches the wounded man a few minutes, just staring him down before he turns back to the marshal. "You mentioned something about bountys?"

[TetNak]

"Yeah, I got a few, worth a pretty decent price," the marshal says. He looks sidelong at Holt, "You thinking about trying to collect? Be careful, is what I'd say. Plus, why would you need to, with your ranch and all." He nods over to the deputy, "He told me you saved your cattle besides .."

[Vardaen]

"I did, but they have the fevor, some of them do." He sighs, "Just tell me what you have, and let me decide if its worth my time, alright Marshall?" The man stands tall with folding his arms across his chest.

[TetNak]

"Alright," the marshal says, grabbing three pieces of paper off his desk and handing them over. "They are county bounties, so you'd be paid through them. Which is good, as it is decent money. 500 alive for the ring leader, I think."

[Vardaen]

Holt takes the papers and gives them a look over. The man is quiet about it as he reads the papers and looks at any pictures of the men that might be on it. "Any leads on them?"

[TetNak]

"These are bounties deal with the rustlers. I have about two dozen more."

The marshal laughs, "If you take care of those we can talk about the others." He pauses, "I'd look at that ranch, if I were you."

[Vardaen]

Holt nods, and reads over the bounties learning what he need to. "Thank you kindly marshal. I'll be back if I find any of these horse theives." The rancher tips his hat and heads out of the office. He stands for a minute on the porch of the shierff's office and considers his next move. Better check on Loretta. He heads off to check on his wife and son.