Tom murdered Liam Collins.
I wish you would have come to me sooner.
I mean, why wouldn't you trust me with something like this?
I think I know who killed Liam Collins
and it wasn't Tom.
- Then who? - The old sheriff,
my mentor, Otis Clay.
Why would a retired sheriff
kill the man sent to replace him?
Well, what if retirement wasn't his idea?
Come on, think about it.
We both know what Otis is capable of
when someone gets in his way.
I mean, the man is prideful to a fault.
That'd go a long way towards providing motive.
Besides, from what I gather from Ruby, it wasn't Griffin.
I should've came to you sooner with my suspicions.
I'm sorry.
Yeah.
I wish you had.
But I still have
too many unanswered questions with Otis,
starting with where he was the night Liam was killed.
And even more damning,
the undertaker was able to recover a .36.
Otis carries a .36 caliber.
Exactly.
And you know who doesn't?
Tom.
I wonder what Otis would have to say for himself.
And that's why I think we...
should pay him a visit.
You comin'?
- Synced and corrected by Firefly - - www.addic7ed.com -
Hoyt!
Ah, damn it.
Francis. It's good to see you.
How's, uh, how's Lucia doin'?
Visiting her abuelita.
Hadn't seen her since Founders' Day.
N-Not that I was looking for any particular reason.
So, how's everything out at the ranch?
It's been a struggle since the cattle were stolen.
Cash is tight, but we'll manage.
I heard about the shootout. What you did.
The question is, how are you?
Eh. It's just a scratch, really, you know, a little sore,
you know, a small price to pay
to keep innocent folks out of harm's way.
When we heard you were shot, we were worried.
We want you to be around for a while.
We?
Ah...
I know we're bad at showing it,
but Anna Maria and I, we...
we always considered you part of the family.
You know, it was your father's idea that we settle here.
There was a big oak tree right over there.
What? That old stump behind the dentist?
Yeah, they cut it down
so they could build the Side Step,
but, years ago, it was the only shade for miles around.
And when your father and I, we spotted it,
he said, right then and there,
"This is where we build the future".
You were born in a small cabin just outside of town.
Even though your father never saw you grow up,
you're still the firstborn son of Independence.
Take pride in that, mijo.
Take pride in that.
Good to see you, Hoyt.
Your father and I,
we were supposed to run this ranch together.
Maybe there's still a place for a Rawlins after all.
Come by later. We'll talk about the future, hmm?
Huh, I'll be damned.
Ethan, were you gonna tell me you'd be early?
- And if I had? - I would have thrown you a parade.
Well, your presence is parade enough.
Well, that's very flattering,
but if I'm not mistaken... which I rarely am...
we're not supposed to meet for a few more days.
Yes, that was the plan,
but I heard about the Eli McDowd debacle
and I got on the first coach that I could,
just to make sure you were safe and sound.
As you would for any other detective in the field.
I wouldn't leave the office for about half of them.
You know how I feel about you.
That's done.
Let's just... let's stick to business, shall we?
I can't pretend that we never happened, Kate.
It's easy. You should try it.
Now, can I please tell you
about how Tom Davidson killed Liam Collins?
Of course. What do you have?
I have a witness. The wife.
- Oh? - Mm-hmm.
Will she testify?
Plus evidence to suggest motive.
The Davidsons, they're buying up land and properties
under all these company aliases.
And you realize that owning property is not evidence,
especially for murder.
I would say eyewitness testimony is, wouldn't you?
Yes, I would, but only if she testifies.
Otherwise, I need more. I need something tangible.
Yes, Katherine, I will meet with your witness tomorrow.
Good man.
You know, I knew you'd listen to reason eventually.
- Hi. - Morning.
So, I have some good news.
Our meeting has been moved up to tomorrow.
- Tomorrow? - Hmm.
I thought we had a few more days.
Well, we did, and then Ethan arrived early, so...
All right, where is he?
He's upstairs, resting up.
Kate Carver, are you sleeping with your boss?
Listen to me, first of all, Ethan is not my boss.
He is my handler... that is a glorified messenger
who couldn't cut it in the field.
Second of all, what we had... had, past tense... was fun
and is not happening anymore.
Now, please, God, enough about my disintegrated love life.
Um, I know that I don't have to tell you that tomorrow is serious business,
and I've been thinking we may need more
than a couple of Davidson shell companies.
I was going to ask you if you feel comfortable
going against Tom in public?
- Testify? - Mm-hmm.
It would be his word against mine.
Well, we need a stronger case.
I thought that's what Ethan is for.
Doesn't he have the resources
to open up a real investigation?
Yes, he does, but we still have to be thorough.
When things like this proceed without caution,
people... people get hurt.
And I refuse to make that mistake.
I will find out what I can.
Oh, well, hiya, sunshine.
What brings you to Hagan's on this beautiful morning?
Just looking for Sheriff Davidson.
He's not at the jailhouse.
Have you seen him?
He hasn't left his new office.
Thank you.
Bye, Kai.
Hi.
He didn't even know I was here.
I think he likes you.
Yeah, well, what can I say?
I have that effect on some people.
That's not a heart I'm willing to break.
_
- Sheriff. - Kai.
You wanted to see me?
Is this about the other night at the restaurant?
I understand you used to work the railroads.
Did you ever see or speak to the men in charge?
Never spoke. Only saw them at the fights.
The fights?
We work long hours.
We were underfed and underpaid.
To earn extra money, the workers would fight each other.
Fights.
Aw, hell no.
Tricky son of a bitch! That's a sacred tree stump!
What else can you tell me about these fights?
The bosses would dust off their top hats
and watch.
Place bets.
For us, it was life or death.
For them, a source of amusement.
A spectacle.
Did you ever fight?
Get your damn hands off me, Hoyt.
No.
I didn't mean nothing by it.
I'm just saying, have some decency.
Here's your damn hat back.
I was just watering!
Thanks for dropping in, Kai.
Hey, boss, I got a question for you.
Mr. Virgil Green.
Indeed. Who's asking?
Tom Davidson,
sheriff and proprietor of this fine establishment.
I'd like to welcome you to Independence.
My Aunt Teresa told me you'd be coming through town.
And I must say, your timing is impeccable.
You've arrived on the occasion
of our town's inaugural Fight Night.
Would you be interested in staying?
- I'd be honored. - Excellent.
I'll put you up in our best suite,
and consider yourself a guest of honor.
And if there's anything that you need, don't hesitate to ask.
- Miss Carver here... - Hi.
... will handle everything.
Thank you.
So, what else makes you think that Otis killed Liam Collins?
A .36 is common enough.
You don't find it curious
that he hasn't been in town since the murder?
He lived in town over ten years and now he's a ghost.
Doesn't mean he's guilty.
And that's why we're going to go
let him tell his side of the story.
And it shouldn't be that hard either.
Only thing that man loved more than the law was talking.
From the news out of Austin
to the latest rash he found on his person.
Not only that, but...
I'm sure whatever he has to say, it's been wearing on him.
You may be right.
But I hope for your town's sake, you're wrong.
Howdy, boys!
Next time you might want to announce yourselves.
Excuse the mess.
Well, we, uh, we missed you in town.
I was wondering why you haven't been around.
Oh, you know how it is.
I got things to do. You get busy.
Besides, I wouldn't want to step on the new sheriff's boots.
He doesn't need the old guard looking over his shoulder.
Never mind all that.
My friends are here.
Let's have ourselves a drink.
No, thanks. We're all right.
What's with you two?
Gus, you on duty or something?
Otis, I think you need to take a seat.
I got to ask you some questions.
- On the house. - Thanks, Kai.
Mmm.
You really think you're going to find anything in that book?
Went over this for weeks with Liam.
He brought it back after accepting the offer out here.
I keep thinking there must be something in here,
some thing he didn't tell me. Some reason why.
Let me take a look.
Ah, "From one sheriff to the next".
This was a gift?
From the previous sheriff of Independence.
Otis Clay.
Liam met with him to formally accept the job.
But what did you know about him?
He was a law-and-order type,
the good kind, I guess you could say, but...
He wasn't too happy about his early retirement.
He was the last person
Liam spoke to here before we left Boston.
Maybe he has some information
that would help our case with Ethan.
Is Otis still around?
He lives a couple miles out of town.
If you leave now, you could be back before dark.
Cover for me with Tom?
Sure.
Few things I want to discuss with His Majesty anyway.
Okay.
You. You're not seriously
thinking about throwing a Fight Night here.
I didn't realize I was required to check with my dancers first.
It is a horrible idea. Tom Hagan tried it once.
- Disaster. - Yeah, well, I'm not Hagan.
This I know. You know, he listens to me
and he learns from his mistakes,
which Fight Night was one of.
By the way, it cost hundreds of dollars to repair afterwards,
not to mention the hell that crowd puts my girls through.
Dancers can have the night off.
Was thinking of bringing the White Doves in anyway.
But how is it different for them?
Miss Carver, this is about more than just making a profit.
I'm doing this for Independence.
I didn't peg you for selfless.
Well, I guess you could write a new song about me then.
I'll pass.
I want to start giving back to this town
and I want to do it my way.
What the hell are you gonna do about fighters?
Drag a couple of drunks out of a saloon,
pit 'em against each other?
You worry about bringing that charm and wit
to keep the crowds at bay.
I'll take care of the fighters.
Hey!
Exactly what kind of pugilist did you have in mind, huh?
See it?
That's going to leave one hell of a scar right there.
Him? Yeah, good luck.
He'd never risk messing up his pretty face.
- We'll see about that. - What?
Course I heard about Griffin.
They say he killed that young sheriff coming in.
But there are questions whether or not we got the right man.
You mean you think you killed the wrong man.
You want some help from your old boss?
I see.
Let's get to it then.
So what was Mr. Collins shot with?
- Believe it was a revolver. - A .36.
This should work. Come on.
How do you know it was a revolver, a .36 no less?
The powder burn on his shirt.
Figured it happened pretty close.
Easy shot.
Any chance he had an accomplice?
Possibly.
Another set of prints were found at the campsite.
How'd you find the body?
Moved. Buried in a shallow grave.
That is curious.
As is burying a man murdered in cold blood.
Any idea when this all happened?
He was supposed to arrive in Independence that Sunday.
Between the train and their wagon party,
I figure somewhere around the first.
Lot of rain the week before. Cloudy, not a lot of stars.
Wouldn't even see him coming.
Remember our first case together?
Llewelyn boy who disappeared down that well?
If it wasn't for you finding him, Cal...
Damn lucky to have you two by my side.
Still can't believe how y'all met.
Buffalo soldier on one side,
driving out an Apache on the other.
Could have killed each other, but you didn't.
He was shot.
Didn't seem like he was in a rush to get back.
It would have made more sense
to stick with Calian and his people
than go to a man who didn't care about either of us.
It's a hard world.
Not easy to make the right choices sometimes.
Thankful you two did.
I made the wrong decision with you, though, didn't I, Gus?
What's that about?
I should have had you take my place when I left.
But it wasn't all up to me,
but I'll tell you this.
I wish to hell it wasn't that Tom Davidson
or that son of a bitch Liam Collins.
Half of me thinks it's not so bad he's dead.
Put him out of his misery.
Well, who the hell's this now?
Otis, this is Abigail Walker.
New law clerk Tom brought in for help.
Pleasure to meet you, Mr. Clay.
Please. Call me Otis.
Why don't we go back inside so we can talk some more?
What are you doing here?
I wanted to speak to the old sheriff.
It's not a good time.
Augustus believes he has something to do with Liam's murder,
as an accomplice, maybe more.
I don't know about that, but I do know
he met with Liam before accepting the job out here.
Abby, you should go.
No.
I'm the law clerk after all.
Someone has to take his account.
So, just picture it.
The Winning Spirit of Independence.
Sounds like something that more suits a horse.
- Why me? - I've seen you in action.
Easily quickest draw in the town.
I can only imagine what you can do with those fists.
Or I could ask that tracker friend Calian of yours
if you'd like.
No, I'm not saying I couldn't be persuaded.
I just need to know what's in it for me.
Town hero isn't enough, huh? I can understand that.
All right. What'd you have in mind?
That's a good question. I don't know.
Month of free drinks at Hagan's?
Tell your deputy to lay off with his baseless accusations.
Week's worth of beer.
And I'll talk to Augustus for you.
The thing is...
a man willing to put himself in harm's way
could use a little padding in his pockets.
Assuming bets can be placed.
That wouldn't be illegal, right?
I don't see an issue with a few small wagers.
- Deal. - Deal.
Who am I gonna be fighting?
Someone from out of town. From Brenham.
Think of it as a chance to give Independence a win.
I also want tonight to make a lasting impression.
Well, that's a Hoyt Rawlins specialty.
Why don't you just say what you're getting at, Augustus?
You think I was involved in Liam Collins' murder.
- That it? - Otis, listen...
What the hell is this? I didn't pull that damn trigger.
- Just tell us why you stepped down as sheriff. - I retired.
I don't need to explain myself to you.
Did you ever meet with Liam Collins?
Once. Months back.
He wanted to get out of Boston in a hurry.
Did he say why?
No, but I have some ideas.
Was he running from someone in Boston?
Or did someone want him out here, or... ?
Thought crossed my mind, too.
Felt like someone was pulling the strings.
- Who? - Hell. You don't think those Davidsons
- know how to throw their money around? - The Davidsons?
Yeah, and anyone else with more money than sense.
The rest of us just have to go along to get along.
Look at me, for Pete's sake.
Wait, wait, wait, I thought you said you wanted to retire.
I never said I wanted to.
I was forced out! All right?
Didn't think you'd understand.
I was offered money and I took it.
By who?
Got word from the judge,
cash and a land offer.
Judge Carter?
Nah, some other circuit judge. I don't remember.
I loved my job.
Now, way I see it, newcomer taking your job
seems like an awful good reason to put him down.
You think I'd kill a man for that?
Well, if you didn't, then who did?
I don't know.
Collins was clearly running from something.
Looking over his shoulder.
Thought there was someone following them.
Them?
He had a wife.
Far as I know, they never found her,
did they?
Look, did you ever meet with Tom Davidson
prior to him being named sheriff?
Hell no.
Son of a bitch just took my job.
Didn't even have the decency to come and shake my hand.
And you ask why I haven't been back to town.
My succession had been handled.
Without me.
I'm sorry, Augustus.
You still haven't answered where you were that night,
the night Liam Collins was murdered.
With Francis Reyes.
He asked for some help on a cattle drive
on the night in question.
And Francis will attest to that?
I'm getting fed up with the accusations.
Taking a payoff don't make me a killer.
But getting treated like one is starting to piss me off!
Get your things. We're going for a ride.
And leave your gun.
I have to get back to town.
I have some things to attend to.
Do you want me to come with you?
No, thank you.
Just let me know what happens at the Reyes ranch.
Best we head back now
if we're gonna make it back before sundown.
Why didn't you tell me about her?
Is that why you've been keeping secrets?
Can't alibi myself.
What the hell are we waiting for?
Let's get this over with.
Hey! That's enough.
Come on, sweetie, I'm sorry.
Go on. It's time.
Let's get this disaster on the road, huh?
? Out of the woods like a pack of wolves... ?
Stage fright doesn't seem like your thing, Carver.
Ah, well, boxing doesn't seem like yours.
Best of luck out there.
? Seeing red till the end of time... ?
All right, you vagabonds, bad eggs, ne'er-do-wells,
this is the moment you've all been waiting for!
Get your cash out, place your bets!
Our first fighter,
he is as lean and mean as he is dimwitted.
He is the fastest draw west of the Mississippi.
He is the very spirit of Independence.
Ladies and gentlemen, Hoyt Rawlins.
And coming to us all the way from Brenham,
the town that cannot be bothered
to pick its own damn cotton,
prized champion Andrew Jones.
I can't keep this crowd under control for much longer.
Fight starts at sundown.
Let 'em get riled up.
? Ah-ooh. ?
Remember the LeBlanc twins?
It was hours before we found them
passed out behind the mission.
Got drunk off the Blood of Christ.
Yeah, I miss those days. Us three against the world.
Hey, you all right?
Yeah.
Tension between you two is thick as molasses.
Hope it don't last.
Loyalty's hard to come by out here.
Y'all have clearly lost some trust in me,
so you may not want to hear it,
but one of my regrets as sheriff
was not solving the mystery of her going missing.
Hope y'all come to forgive me. I did everything I could.
Everything you could, Sheriff?
Is that what you tell yourself?
There's Francis now.
Your witness to question, Deputy.
A vision from the past.
What brings you all up here?
Ah, Mr. Reyes.
Sorry to take you away from your work.
I need to ask you about your last cattle drive.
When was that?
Well, Otis knows.
Left on the first.
It was a long while, too.
No star to guide us.
Anything suspicious happen on that drive?
No. It was a good haul.
We were glad to have Otis along to help.
Am I missing something?
What do you say now, Deputy?
I think that's all I needed.
Well, I'll get back, then.
Appreciate you for taking the time.
You see your way out?
Satisfied?
All right, now,
place your bets!
- Bet against me, sweetheart. - What?
Yes.
Hey, hey, what the hell are you doing?
Get your guard up. Come on.
Hey, that's about enough for one night.
Six! Seven! Eight!
Nine! Ten!
Hey, hey, got to get up.
- Come on, let's go, come on. - Yeah.
What the hell was that? You almost got yourself killed.
Well, look at you. Almost like you care about me.
Damn it.
Hey.
You missed Hoyt getting clobbered.
Hey, what'd you find? You know what?
I'm gonna ask you later.
I wouldn't be able to hear you over this damn crowd anyway.
Sheriff! Sheriff! Sheriff! Sheriff! Sheriff...
Well, look who thinks he's fighting for this town now.
Sheriff! Sheriff! Sheriff!
Come on, give it to him!
Hold on to him, Sheriff!
Knock him down, Sheriff!
- Come on, Tom! Come on! - Come on, Sheriff! You got this!
You need to tire him out.
I got this.
Listen to me or he's going to win.
Keep moving. Make him chase you.
Wear him down. Draw him to the corner.
Move in close.
Yes, then, when he drops his hands, strike.
Quickly. Here, here, here.
Do you understand?
Yes.
Sheriff.
You're gonna get murdered. Why are you doing this?
I'm gonna make something of this town.
Come on, knock his head off, Sheriff!
You can do it!
One, two, three, four,
five, six, seven, eight...
... nine, ten.
You didn't just watch the fights along the rail lines, did you?
Ah, yeah.
That son of a bitch is going to walk out
after all that.
For a little grizzly bear of a man, he hit like a dead fish.
I almost regret taking that dive now.
Could've beaten Brenham's finest with both my eyes shut.
- Hell. - Put on a good show of it, though.
Pete, you ain't wrong.
Anyway, pleasure doing business with you.
And don't worry, it's for a good cause.
Sheriff! Sheriff! Sheriff!
Sheriff! Sheriff!
Sheriff! Sheriff! Sheriff!
Sheriff! Sheriff!
Sheriff! Sheriff! Sheriff!
Now where could he be?
When a man's gotta go, I guess.
Undercooked a deer last week.
It wasn't pretty.
No, it's not that.
Sometimes he does that.
Wanders off.
Otis, I want to apologize for suspecting you in all this.
You'd be a crap lawman if you didn't.
And an even crappier protégé.
It's a testament to myself when you think of it.
Francis and I didn't stray a lick from the trail that night.
But you know who did?
Those two ranch hands over there.
Wasn't sure before.
But now you are?
Damn it. Otis.
I'm fine.
Where'd that first shot come from anyhow?
I don't know. Here.
Here, keep pressure on this.
Damn it!
Calian. What happened? What happened?
I don't know.
Francis.
It was him. He shot him!
Wait, wait, wait, wait.
Get away from him!
Hoyt, Hoyt. Don't, don't. Stay back.
No, no, no, no.
Francis. Francis.
What did you do?
Calian, Calian,
what in the hell happened here?
I don't know.
Kate. Kate.
Good Lord, who did you rob?
It was all a lie.
Liam was paid off to be here...
... by the Davidsons.
I-I went to the bank,
I said we had to requisition Liam's accounts, and-and... look.
$7,500.
That's three times what he ever made in Boston.
He lied.
He lied to me.
"Things aren't quite what they seem in Independence.
Nestled between charming oak land and serene savannas,
this small town has enough spirit and pride
to fill plenty a freight wagon.
Between the delicious treats
found at Sung's Kitchen, to the soft caresses
of White Doves, it's the town's new sheriff
Tom Davidson who embodies the true nature of Independence,
defending the town's reputation in the ring
against prized champion Andrew Jones,
a resident of rival town Brenham.
In a true David-son versus Goliath fray,
Tom stood up against the mountain of the man,
able to defeat the giant playing fast and smart,
a certain competency many fail to learn out here in the West".
This is printed statewide,
all the way to Kansas City.
Friend gave me the early edition.
So the railroad executive
left without a word but you managed to make the papers?
Me.
Us.
And the town.
Eat.
Right.
"If there's any hope in connecting
the many terrains and cultures in Texas by rail,
let us implore the railroad to consider
Independence a town worth building through".
"While it may not bear the sounds and sights of Dallas or Austin,
it's the perfect spot for those who wish
to reconnect with their humanity and sense of community.
Independence, a town to behold.
No truer destination in the American West".
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