By the time everything settled, the first rays of sunlight were already spreading across the horizon.
On the nearby train, passengers were celebrating their survival, while the women who had been taken captive were crying openly in relief.
Stephen sat on his horse, facing the sunrise, and stretched lazily.
That night had been exhausting.
He had not been injured, but after everything that had happened, fatigue still caught up with him.
Fortunately, he had slept during the journey earlier, so his mind was still fairly sharp.
“Haha, I was wondering who had the guts to go head-to-head with the O’Driscoll Gang.
Turns out it was you.”
A man in a police uniform walked over.
Seeing him, Stephen swung down from his horse to greet him.
“Sheriff Sam.
You were on duty at Riggs Station today?” Stephen asked with a smile.
Sheriff Sam was the sheriff of Strawberry Town.
Because of their line of work, the two got along well.
They had worked together many times.
At this point, they could almost be considered comrades.
“Yeah.
I was patrolling around Riggs Station yesterday and ended up staying there overnight,” Sheriff Sam said with a grin.
“Though it looks like whether I came or not did not make much difference.”
“Not at all.
You showed up at just the right time,” Stephen replied with a faint smile.
After all, American police had a reputation for showing up after everything was over.
For Sheriff Sam to arrive before it was completely finished already counted as improving the average response time.
Sheriff Sam caught the joke and laughed.
“I was ready to head over as soon as I heard the gunfire, but I could not just rush in with a handful of mounted officers.
That would have been irresponsible.”
“I get it.” Stephen shrugged.
“So where are you heading next?” Sheriff Sam took out a pack of cigarettes and handed one over.
Stephen accepted, lit it, took a slow drag, and said, “I’m tired.
Thinking of heading to Blackwater for a break.”
“That doesn’t sound like you,” Sheriff Sam said with a chuckle.
“You, taking a vacation?”
“Why not?
I’m still human.
I need rest too.”
“Fair enough.
Go get some rest.
Things have been tense lately,” Sheriff Sam said, taking a breath.
“Because of what happened in Blackwater, we’re tightening security everywhere.”
“The Van der Linde Gang incident?” Stephen asked.
Sheriff Sam nodded, looking troubled.
“They went too far.
Not just the $150,000 robbery.
There was a massacre in Blackwater.
From what I know, dozens of people died.”
“Civilians, police, Pinkertons, even bounty hunters who went to help.
The casualties were heavy.”
Stephen said nothing and continued smoking.
Sheriff Sam pulled out a small stack of slips, took a pen, wrote something, and handed one over.
“What’s this?” Stephen looked at the paper, confused when he saw it was a pass.
“Blackwater is sealed off right now.
Police and Pinkertons are checking everyone going in or out,” Sheriff Sam said.
“Without this, someone like you is not getting through easily.”
He gestured at Stephen’s long knife and firearms.
“With that kind of gear, you would be stopped for sure.”
“I’m the sheriff of Strawberry Town.
Same state.
My pass still carries some weight there.”
“Thanks.” Stephen nodded.
“I owe you one.”
“Forget it.
Just charge me a little less next time we work together,” Sheriff Sam said helplessly.
“Our dear mayor is too busy with his tourism plans to fund actual law enforcement.”
As they talked, the rest of the officers had finished up.
The mounted police were escorting the captured bandits away.
“Oh, right.
When you get back, question them for me.
See if anyone knows where Colm is,” Stephen said, patting his shoulder.
“Got it.
I’ll keep an eye out,” Sheriff Sam replied before waving and heading off.
Stephen watched as the officers rode away with the prisoners, then turned to leave as well.
He had barely moved when Maria Ivanova caught up to him.
“Hey, give me an address.
I’ll send you a new rifle,” she called out.
“Strawberry Town.
Just send it there,” Stephen replied without turning back, then rode off.
…
The train did not go all the way to Blackwater.
From Riggs Station, the rest of the journey had to be done on horseback.
Stephen rode slowly across the Montana River.
This river marked the boundary between Strawberry Town and Blackwater.
Once he crossed it, he was in Blackwater territory.
Blackwater was one of the largest towns in the region, second only to Saint Denis.
The nearby Iron Lake connected southward toward Mexico, and from there, ships could travel all the way to the Pacific.
With waterways running in all directions, this place had become a major shipping hub in the West, with merchant vessels arriving daily.
But now, the atmosphere was tense.
Stephen had barely crossed the river when several patrol officers approached and surrounded him.
Seeing him armed, they immediately raised their weapons.
“This is a pass issued by the sheriff of Strawberry Town.
I’m on your side.”
Stephen raised his hands slowly.
“I’ve got a pass.
It’s in my jacket.
I’m taking it out with my left hand.”
Under their watch, he carefully pulled out the pass along with his bounty hunter identification and handed them over.
The lead officer stepped forward, inspected them, then signaled the others to lower their guns.
“Blackwater just went through a serious incident.
We have to be careful.”
He looked Stephen straight in the eye.
“What are you here for?”
“Vacation,” Stephen answered without hesitation.
“Even bounty hunters need a break.
I’m just looking for a place to relax and have a drink.”
The officer studied him for a moment longer.
When he found nothing suspicious, he finally waved him through.