Whispers from Thunder Valley

"Marshal, got three riders approaching from the south. They're flying Union colors."

"Any sign of the gold shipment with them?"

"No sir. Just the riders. Moving fast too."

"Open the gates. Something ain't right."

"Marshal! Marshal Harrison! They hit us at Thunder Pass!"

"Slow down, Lieutenant. Catch your breath. What happened to the rest of your unit?"

"Ambushed. The whole convoy. Never saw them coming."

"The Confederates?"

"No sir. It was Shaw's gang. At least thirty men strong now."

"Impossible. Shaw's dead. I put him in the ground myself two years ago at Fort Gibson."

"Begging your pardon, Marshal, but unless he's got a twin brother, that was him leading the charge."

"You're certain?"

"Clear as day. Still got that burn scar down his face from the prison fire."

"Mother of God... Private, get me my horse!"

"Sir, you can't be thinking of going after them. They've got a three-hour head start, and a storm's brewing in the mountains."

"That gold was meant for the widows and children of Union soldiers. I'm not letting Shaw steal from the dead."

"Marshal, what about the town? We're already short-handed with the influenza going around."

"Deputy Williams can handle things here. Lieutenant, how many men did you lose?"

"Seven good soldiers. They didn't stand a chance. Shaw's got this new repeating rifle. Never seen anything like it."

"Winchester's latest model. He must have friends in high places now."

"There's more, sir. They took Sarah too."

"What? Your sister Sarah? The schoolteacher?"

"She was traveling with us to your town. Shaw recognized her from somewhere. Called her by name."

"She was my witness. Two years ago, at the trial. She's the one who identified Shaw as the man who murdered her husband."

"Then she's as good as dead if we don't move now."

"Private, I need six volunteers who can ride hard and shoot straight. And send a wire to Fort Smith. Tell them Shaw's alive and heading north with the Union gold."

"Yes sir. What about Judge Parker? Should we notify him too?"

"No time. Shaw's got friends everywhere. Even in the courthouse."

"Marshal, I know these mountains. There's an old Cherokee trail that could cut three hours off their lead."

"Those paths are treacherous in good weather. With a storm coming..."

"It's our only chance of catching them before they reach Indian Territory. Once they cross that line..."

"We lose jurisdiction. I know. Private, are those volunteers ready?"

"Five men, sir. All former cavalry."

"It'll have to do. Lieutenant, can you still ride?"

"Just try and stop me. That's my sister out there."

"Get them mounted up. We ride in ten minutes."

"Marshal, one more thing. Shaw was wearing a badge."

"What kind of badge?"

"U.S. Marshal's star. Gold, not brass."

"Seems our dead man's been busy. Making friends in mighty high places."

"Could explain how he knew about the gold shipment."

"And how he got those Winchester rifles. The War Department's keeping those under tight lock and key."

"You thinking what I'm thinking, Marshal?"

"Someone in Washington's playing both sides. Again."

"Just like during the war."

"Some folks never learned that the fighting's over. They just changed battlefields."

"Thunder's getting closer. Storm's almost on us."

"Good. We'll use it for cover. Shaw always did hate the rain."

"Because of the prison fire?"

"Because he can't shoot straight in it. That fancy new rifle won't help him much in a downpour."

"You've got that look, Marshal. The same one from Fort Gibson."

"What look is that, Lieutenant?"

"Like you're about to do something that'll either get you a medal or get you killed."

"Already got enough medals. Never did me any good."

"Your plan?"

"Shaw's expecting us to follow the main trail. He'll have men watching it."

"But we're taking the Cherokee path?"

"Part of us are. You and two men. Make noise, leave tracks."

"While you..."

"Take the rest through Thunder Valley."

"That's suicide! The valley's flooded this time of year."

"Exactly why Shaw won't expect it. He thinks he knows me."

"And the girl? Sarah?"

"Shaw won't kill her. Not yet. He needs her."

"For what?"

"Leverage. Insurance. And bait."

"You think he planned this whole thing just to draw you out?"

"The gold's just a bonus. Shaw's had two years to plan his revenge."

"Then we're walking right into his trap."

"No, Lieutenant. He's walking into mine."

"What aren't you telling me, Marshal?"

"Shaw didn't escape that prison fire by himself. He had help."

"From who?"

"My brother."

"Your brother? I thought he died at Gettysburg."

"That's what the records say. Truth's a bit more complicated."

"How complicated?"

"He's been working undercover. Feeding me information about Shaw's operation for the past year."

"And you're just telling me this now?"

"Fewer people know, fewer can talk. Shaw's got ears everywhere."

"Even in your own town?"

"Especially in my town. Why do you think I sent for Sarah to testify two years ago instead of using local witnesses?"

"So what's the real plan?"

"My brother's arranged a little surprise for Shaw in Thunder Valley. But we have to time it just right."

"The storm..."

"Will cover the sound of the dynamite."

"You're going to blow the valley?"

"Just the entrance. Turn it into a bottle. Shaw rides in..."

"He can't ride out. Brilliant. Unless..."

"Unless what?"

"Unless your brother's playing both sides too."

"He isn't."

"You sound mighty sure for someone who hasn't seen him in ten years."

"Twelve. And I'm sure because he's the one who helped Sarah escape the first time."

"First time? There's a lot about this story I'm not hearing, isn't there?"

"Let's just say Shaw's obsession with her goes deeper than witness testimony."

"How deep?"

"She was supposed to be his wife. Before the war. Before she met Sarah's husband."

"Jesus..."

"Now you understand why we can't fail."

"The men are ready, Marshal. Storm's hitting hard now."

"Perfect. Lieutenant, take Wilson and Parker up the Cherokee trail. The rest of you, with me."

"God be with you, Marshal."

"Save the prayers for Shaw. He's the one who'll need them."

"What if your brother's signal doesn't come?"

"Then this is probably my last ride."

"And if it does come?"

"Then it's definitely Shaw's."

"See you in Thunder Valley."

"One way or another."