Page 57 of Heart of Mystic Valley
Rounder’s eyes darted between the three of them, clearly searching for a way out of his predicament.
Joshua stepped forward, his patience wearing thin. “Out with it, Rounder.”
The tension in the air was palpable as they waited for the man’s response.
Chapter Twenty-Two
When Rounder refused to provide his reason for breaking into Faith’s house, Brodie turned him around and grasped the man’s wrists. The metallic click of handcuffs echoed in the tense silence.
“All right, let’s go,” Brodie commanded. He gripped the man’s arm, steering him toward the jail.
As they walked, Joshua noticed the intruder’s head swiveling from one side to the other. Was he searching for an escape route, or were others hiding in the dark to help him?
Faith stepped closer to Joshua, her fingers brushing against his arm. “Do you think he’ll talk?”
Joshua shook his head slightly. “I don’t know. If anyone can get him to talk, it’s Brodie.”
The jail loomed before them, its weathered wooden exterior a stark reminder of Mystic’s early frontier roots. Brodie shoved Rounder through the door.
“Sit,” Brodie ordered, gesturing to a chair in front of the desk.
Rounder complied, his posture rigid with defiance. Brodie loomed over him, his eyes hard as flint.
“Now,” Brodie began, his voice carrying the weight of his authority, “you’re going to tell me exactly what you were doing in Miss Goodell’s house.”
The man’s gaze flicked between Brodie, Joshua, and Faith, who stood watching from near the door. The air in the small room felt thick with tension and unspoken questions.
A bead of sweat rolled down Rounder’s temple, but he remained silent.
Brodie leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. “You broke into a home. You’re looking at serious charges. Start talking, and maybe we can work something out.”
Joshua watched the exchange, his hand moving to rest on Faith’s shoulder. He could feel the tension in her body, knew she was itching to ask her own questions.
“Brodie,” Joshua said. “Maybe we should—”
Before he could finish, Rounder’s resolve cracked. “All right,” he said, his voice strained. “I’ll tell you what I know.”
His gaze darted around the room, his fingers drumming an erratic rhythm on his thigh. He licked his lips, hesitating for several seconds.
“I followed the woman and man from the Golden Griddle.” He nodded toward Joshua and Faith. “Snuck in through the back door when they were on the porch.”
“Why?” Brodie pressed. “What were you after?”
Rounder’s gaze locked onto Joshua. “It’s not what,” he said. “It’s who.”
“Explain,” Brodie demanded.
Rounder released a long breath. “I’m looking for Cody Burke.” His words hung heavy in the air. “He’s a bounty hunter.”
Silence fell over the room. Joshua felt as if the wind had been knocked out of him. Faith gasped beside him, her hand flying to her mouth.
Brodie’s expression remained impassive, but Joshua could see the surprise in his eyes. “Are you sure his name is Cody Burke?”
Rounder shrugged. “That’s what he called himself when I knew him.”
“What’s Burke look like?” Joshua asked.
“Big guy, over six feet. Blue eyes that see right through a man. Brownish red hair.”
