like this could close his store and force him to file for bankruptcy. It was hard enough to keep a store open with the economy as tight as it had been for the past two years.
Jude wasn’t armed, but he couldn’t stand back and let this happen to another business owner in Little Falls—especially in broad daylight. He refused to let fear stop him from doing what was right.
He approached slowly, not wanting to startle the men, knowing they probably had weapons.
One of the men exited the store with a bag over his shoulder.
“What’s going on?” Jude asked.
The man jumped and pulled his pistol from his holster. “What do you want?”
Jude put up his hands to let him know he wasn’t armed. “I’d like to know what you’re doing.”
Hugh stepped out of the store next, his fingers hovering over his pistol. “It’s none of your business, Allen.”
Jude slowly lowered his arms. “Maybe it’s not, but Roger Harper is a friend.”
Hugh stared at Jude for a minute and then motioned his head toward the other man. “Mick, go inside and clear everyone out. We’re done for now.”
Mick put his pistol back into the holster and disappeared inside.
Hugh took a step toward Jude. “I don’t know what you think you saw, but I’d advise you to keep it to yourself.”
“I know exactly what I saw.”
“Do you?” Hugh was so close, his stale breath filled Jude’s nostrils. “I’ve seen a few things myself.”
Jude frowned as the other three men filed out the back door of Harper’s Emporium. Each man carried a sack slung over his back. One or two cast a glance at Jude as they walked calmly down the alley toward their waiting horses.
“I know a thing or two about your maids.” Hugh’s voice became low and threatening. “And I know a few people who don’t like what you’re doing. I’d watch your step. All I’d need to do is mention your name to the right people and no one in your hotel would be safe.”
Jude tried not to show Hugh how close his words came to their mark. The women under his protection had no one in the world to trust but him. He couldn’t put them at risk. “You have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Don’t I? I’d especially watch out for Jack Dew.” Hugh narrowed his eyes. “He suspects what you’ve been doing and he said he’ll kill you if one of his ladies goes missing. No questions asked.”
Jude would never admit anything to Hugh—but he couldn’t back down now, either.
“Roger Harper doesn’t deserve to be robbed. He’s a hardworking man with a family to support—”
“My men got families to support, too.”
“At least Roger is doing it honestly.”
Hugh took a step forward. “You really want to mess with me?”
Jude clenched his jaw, anger and frustration warring within his chest. “Keep your men away from the honest folks and we’ll have no trouble.”
“Keep your mouth shut and we’ll have no trouble—and neither will your prostitutes.”
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