The assault came from all sides. The mayor, to his credit, weathered it all without interruption. With his tanned features holding just the right amount of surprise and confusion, he held his hands up in a defensive stance, listening to first Na, then Jorge, and surprisingly enough, the Father McCarthy air their grievances. His eyes widened in particular at the priest's mention of his slain horse. A throat slashed? A beast?
This was news to him.
"Ladies, gentlemen, please! Let us deliberate," Briggs protested, "Now see here-"
He was clearly unprepared for this foray. But like any competent leader, he quickly recovered. The older man shot a bewildered look at Samuel first, then somewhere beyond the newcomers.
"Boys? Are you cognizant of these accusations?"
The stalwart sheriff at his side remained still as his bulwark. Silent, and appearing largely disconnected. But his other associate was not so.
"Ask yer pet bandit here," came an immediate sneer from the hall. Garrett had slunk into the lobby mere moments after Jorge, and he hung up against the back wall like one great big stain. He scowled at the assembled group.
The mayor's brow furrowed. "Why, I don't believe so. Samuel and Wicks had him pinned up not long after entering town."
"Yeah? Sure he ain't rally up some
friends to come through town?"
"Come now, be a reasonable man."
"Tuh," The deputy spat. "Reasonable. Hmph. Why don't ya ask Sam what he thinks? Sam?"
Samuel Pike roused from his waking slumber at last, and he heaved a sigh, perhaps annoyed at the interruption.
"Check the stables. Angel thought it best...He thought on it and I...heard him saying the animals were best pent up in the stables." Like a cow chewing cud. The man's cadence was just as slow, and he inspected his sleeves as he went on, "No idea if he went and did it. I assume so."
"Why don't we see for ourselves?" Briggs quickly interjected. He turned to look at the assembled party and smiled broadly. "Come. This will illuminate the dilemma without delay. You'll see that there's a simple and concise explanation for this entire mishap. We are not a town to entertain crime and, uh, certainly not horse thievery. Highland is…
Well. There's certainly no town as perfect as this one."
---------------------------------------
The mustang was gone.
It had featured so prominently in the palisade prior that the enclosure appeared lacking without it. Foreign, too, was the new look of the wooden planks rimming it. Someone - Angel or Wicks, likely - had shaved the tops of the fence down to be vertically linear. Fresh planks were nailed over the gaps unevenly. Within the palisade, the ground was smooth and undisturbed. There was no sign a horse had ever been kept there.
They found Angel in the midst of an unlikely activity: painting the northwest side of the palisade. He was intently focused on his work. It took calling his name to grab his attention, and he spun about, eyes widening at the sight.
"Mr. May- Samuel, oh! Well." He gave a startled laugh, taking in his sudden audience. "Well now. Good morning to you all."
"Morning," Briggs instantly replied, and Angel, noticing the company of women, quickly tucked his shirt into his pants and began wiping his hands off with a rag. The mayor grinned, pointing at him rudely.
"Ladies, gentleman: this gentleman here is Mr. Taylor or 'Angel', as the folks sometimes call him. He officiates over the stables and at times assumes the mantle of deputy, though as of late he shows no predilection for such. A very kind soul, this one; should you ever need a helping hand, he is swift to provide aid."
"When I can," Angel joked lightly. His eyes danced lightly over the group, sparking somewhat at spying Henrietta.
Before he could speak again, the mayor butt in, "So Angel. We have on our hands a most unwelcome debacle. Horses have gone missing, and these fine citizens are inquiring after their location. Would you have any information to provide regarding this?" He clapped a hand on the man's shoulder, squeezing lightly.
"Missing?" Angel echoed. "I don't rem -"
Suddenly he stopped. He turned on his heel, blue eyes blinking slowly as surveyed the nearby stable walls. The tall, wide wooden doors to the stables were pulled shut. Angel studied them wordlessly, his expression clouded over.
"I...brought them to the stables. Last night," He said, "In the pens. To keep safe -"
"There you have it!" Briggs boomed, shaking the man's captive shoulder, and Angel startled, life filling his face once more. "Right there in the stables safe and sound. Now then."
He clasped his hands together.
"What say we promenade further to the post office? You
must meet the postman. Truly a vivacious man."