Chapter 60: Blood Feud! (Part 2)
Micah lay on the cold ground, his body constantly twisting and twitching, trying to break free from the sturdy lasso, but it was clearly all in vain.
Just then, Hosea walked up to Micah expressionlessly and held a yellowed wanted poster before his eyes.
In an instant, Micah's frantic struggling ceased abruptly. He was as stunned as if he had been struck by lightning, a look of utter despair appearing on his face.
He stared wide-eyed at the portrait, his heart filled with doubt and fear.
He truly couldn't understand how Johnny had learned of a secret he had hidden so deeply.
One must know that even in camp, he had never dared to open this wanted poster!
Because he knew that being discovered would lead to a situation beyond redemption.
However, despite his heart having fallen into a deep abyss of despair, Micah still hadn't completely given up on his last shred of hope.
He slowly raised his head, looking pitifully at Dutch standing nearby with eyes full of tears.
A look of pleading flowed from his eyes, as if begging the other man to show mercy and grant him a way to live.
But at this moment, Dutch appeared exceptionally cold and heartless, completely unmoved by Micah's bitter pleading.
He narrowed his eyes slightly, gave Micah a cold glance, and then signaled to Little Edmond behind him with a look.
Upon receiving the instruction, Little Edmond couldn't help but get excited; after all, this was the first time he would showcase his unique methods in front of an audience!
For someone like him who pursued alternative art, how sacred an event this was!
He could hardly hide his excitement, staring intently at Micah as if carefully savoring a most precious work of art.
Before long, under everyone's gaze, Micah was turned into rat scraps. (I don't dare describe it in too much detail.)
Even though he didn't skin the rat himself, Johnny still felt satisfied, as if all the effort had been worth it!
According to Ms. Grimshaw, the Van der Linde Gang had dealt with traitors before, but they usually gave them a quick death.
It had never been as cruel and heartless as today. But at this moment, everyone unexpectedly understood the reason behind Dutch's actions.
When this series of bloody operations ended, everyone simultaneously turned their gaze toward Kieran, who was curled up in a corner.
Kieran was instantly scared out of his wits, his legs giving way as he fell straight to his knees.
His mouth was like an open bamboo tube, words pouring out like spilled beans:
"I beg you, good sirs, spare my life! I swear to heaven, I'm really not a member of the ODriscoll Gang! I'm just a lowly horse-grooming servant!
If you have any questions, just ask, but no one has asked me a single word this whole time!!!"
Looking at the mentally broken Kieran, who was covered in tears and snot, everyone couldn't help but feel a bit awkward and at a loss for a moment.
Dutch turned to Arthur and asked with a puzzled expression, "Arthur! Did you not question him before?"
Arthur, however, was full of confusion, instinctively asking back, "Wasn't that supposed to be yours and Bill's responsibility?"
As soon as these words were spoken, the atmosphere on the scene fell into extreme embarrassment, and for a while, there was dead silence.
Fortunately, at the critical moment, the witty and steady Hosea stepped forward to smooth things over. He cleared his throat and asked Kieran in a gentle voice:
"Well then, young man, do you know if there is an ODriscoll Gang camp near Valentine?"
Kieran instantly gave the location of Six Point Cabin according to the address in his memory.
He also specifically explained that Colm had a trusted subordinate who didn't participate in the train robbery, and nine times out of ten, he was staying there.
Actually, since Colm's death, Dutch's focus had long since shifted; he spent every day thinking about how to pull off another big job.
It was only because the Gang members weren't all together that he temporarily focused on finding the missing members.
Furthermore, after all these days, Dutch could see that the man didn't look like an ODriscoll at all—at least, he didn't seem to have that spark of hatred for the Van der Linde Gang.
So, he signaled John with his eyes to take him to verify the existence of Six Point Cabin another day, and then focused his attention on Johnny.
Seeing that things were nearing an end, Johnny unhesitatingly chose to burn his bridges, knocking Little Edmond unconscious with an Electric Cannon.
Then, while tying him up, he told everyone that this was the serial killer he was supposed to catch.
The group was shocked; they had originally thought he was a helper from the Skinners Gang that Johnny had specifically brought in, but it turned out he was the wanted criminal mentioned before!!!
Susan, standing nearby, remarked that if Mary-Beth slacked off while writing her novels in the future, she would tell her the terrifying news of the killer being near the camp as a story.
With Susan smoothing things over, the atmosphere improved again.
Dutch looked at Johnny with a smile and said slowly:
"Hey, Johnny! During the days you were away, Arthur and Charles haven't been idle. The two of them teamed up to catch several wanted criminals for you, and they're all tied up tightly in the woods in front of Horseshoe Overlook right now.
As for you, escort these fellows to the Sheriff tomorrow to collect the bounties.
However, you should wait for the right moment before handing over this terrifying serial killer.
Haha, I firmly believe that with your abilities, you can definitely use this opportunity to leap into becoming the most famous Bounty Hunter in these parts!"
At this moment, Arthur saw his chance. With the corners of his mouth curling up into a sly smile, he took the opportunity to tease Johnny:
"Hehe, everyone better keep an eye on this fellow Johnny! Who knows if one night, while we're all asleep, this guy might sneakily tie us up too and send us to the Sheriff for a huge bounty! If that really happened, it would be too bad!"
As soon as he finished speaking, the surrounding people burst into loud laughter, which echoed in the air for a long time.
Seeing the atmosphere so cheerful, the smile on Dutch's face deepened. He cleared his throat and then instructed the crowd:
"Alright, alright, let's leave the jokes at that. Johnny, John, you two stay behind to handle the follow-up.
The rest of you, mount your horses with me and return to camp first.
Remember, regarding everything that happened today, not a single word is to be leaked out!
If anyone in the Gang asks, tell them with one voice that Micah was quietly executed by the Sheriff of Strawberry on that very day. Understood?"
In fact, everyone understood that those who could appear here were the core figures of the Van der Linde Gang, except for Kieran who was brought along.
The reason Dutch did this was a disguised admission that he had been fooled by Micah and had misjudged him; he also admitted that Mac and Davie were indirectly killed by him.
But as the leader of the Van der Linde Gang, he still couldn't make up his mind to make it public.
So he told those present, also hoping to gain their support.
Starting from the last ice-breaking session with John, Dutch had publicly admitted that the Blackwater Town ferry job was a failed plan. Calling these people together this time showed that Dutch had come to his senses and returned to being that wise leader.
Everyone nodded in agreement, indicating they would certainly keep their lips sealed.
Subsequently, the sound of hoofbeats filled the air as the group rode further and further away, leaving only Johnny and John standing there, watching their departing figures...
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