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moment, Lane just stared at the dark-haired, mustachioed weasel of a man wearing the sheriff’s badge. Sizing the fellow up, he could guess what a poor excuse for a lawman he was. Ever so slowly, Lane took his own badge out of his pocket and pinned it on his shirt.
    “I’m Ranger Lane Madison, and I’m here on business.”
    Sheriff Brown’s eyes widened at the news, and he swallowed tightly as he stared at the imposing figure standing before him. It was no wonder he’d thought the stranger looked dangerous. He was—this man was a Texas Ranger.
    “What brings you to Black Rock, Ranger Madison?” he asked quickly. “Things have been real quiet around here lately.”
    Lane ignored him and got straight down to business.
    “I’m after the Cooper Gang,” he answered tersely.
    “The Cooper Gang?” the lawman repeated, suddenly sounding more than a little unsettled.
    “That’s right.” Lane watched the sheriff carefully, judging his reaction. “I’ve been tracking the killer Dan Cooper and his men, and I have reason to believe they were headed this way. I wondered if you had seen or heard anything of them over the last week or so?”
    “No, no, I haven’t heard a thing,” Brown quickly denied, “and I surely would have known if they were anywhere around here—”
    “Are you certain?” Lane pressed. Judging from the way the sheriff was acting, Lane had no doubt the man was a coward—and a liar.
    “Yeah, yeah, I’m certain.”
    Lane’s disgust with the man grew. Lawmen were supposed to be brave, to protect their towns even at the risk of their own lives, not run and hide at the first sign of trouble. “I was just down at the Tumbleweed, and I heard talk there that there were some bad boys in town a few days ago.”
    “There was no one here causing any trouble. It’s been real quiet this week,” Brown denied.
    “Well, if you do happen to hear anything about the gang’s whereabouts, or if you remember anything that I should be aware of, let me know. I’ll be staying here in town at the hotel tonight.”
    “I’m not going to remember anything about any gunfighters,” Sheriff Brown told him heatedly, growing angry and more uneasy at the Ranger’s arrogant ways. He drew himself up straight as he glared at the other man. “Because there isn’t anything to remember.”
    Lane nodded and turned to leave the office. He wasn’t quite sure what was going on in Black Rock, but it seemed like a lot of folks in this town had something to hide, and he was going to find out what it was.
    Lane got his horse from where he’d left it tied up in front of the saloon and then went to take a room at the hotel.

Chapter Three
    Sheriff Brown was shaking in his boots at the thought of having a Texas Ranger right there in his town. He watched until Ranger Madison had moved out of sight and then left his office to head down to the Tumbleweed. He hurried up to the bar and ordered a stiff drink.
    “What’s the matter, Sheriff?” Harold asked, puzzled by the lawman’s frightened behavior. There were no outlaws or dangerous gunmen in town tonight, so he had no idea why the man was acting so scared. “Something troubling you?”
    “Oh, yeah,” Sheriff Brown said, downing most of his drink in one big swallow and then shoving the nearly empty glass back at the barkeep for a quick refill.
    Harold obliged and then waited as the sheriff drank most of the second shot.
    “There’s a Texas Ranger in town, and he’s looking for the Cooper Gang,” Brown finally managed to choke out.
    Harold tensed. “Is his name Madison?”
    “Yeah, that’s his name. Lane Madison.”
    Harold swore under his breath. “I was wondering what he was up to, and now I know. So, he’s after Dan and the boys, is he?”
    “That’s right.”
    “He’s going to need a lot of luck, going up against them.”
    “If he ever finds them. You didn’t tell him anything, did you?”
    “No, not a word.”
    “Good,” Brown said shakily. “We don’t