Warren Pike.
Two others stood behind.
Eliza stopped.
Pike smiled.
“Morning.”
Caleb moved in front of her.
“Move.”
“Got updated warrant.”
“Federal?”
Pike produced document.
Territorial marshal.
Caleb took it.
This one was real enough to matter.
Charge remained murder.
Pike said:
“Mrs. Hart comes with us.”
Eliza stepped beside Caleb.
“My name is Morgan.”
Pike’s smile weakened.
“What?”
She held certified marriage record.
“Eliza Morgan.”
Widow of Samuel Morgan.”
People nearby turned.
Pike recovered.
“Doesn't change murder charge.”
“No.”
A voice behind crowd said:
“But it changes jurisdiction.”
An older man stepped from church.
Marshal’s star.
Caleb knew him vaguely.
Marshal Owen Hale.
Crowe had telegraphed ahead.
Hale looked at Pike.
“County deputy does not execute territorial arrest without my office.”
Pike’s face hardened.
“I was authorized.”
“By whom?”
Pike hesitated.
Hale extended hand.
“Give warrant.”
Pike did.
Marshal read.
Then looked at Eliza.
“You willing to surrender pending hearing?”
Caleb started to object.
Eliza touched arm.
“Yes.”
He turned.
“No.”
“Caleb.”
“You go into jail, Hollis owns jail.”
Marshal Hale said:
“Not mine.”
Caleb stared at him.
Hale continued:
“She’ll remain in federal holding room at courthouse.”
“Female matron.”
“You can visit.”
“Twins stay with whoever she designates.”
Eliza looked at Caleb.
“With him.”
Caleb’s chest tightened.
Pike laughed.
“Mountain hermit raising infants.”
Caleb stepped forward.
Marshal intervened.
“Enough.”
Eliza handed Ruth to Caleb.
Then Rose.
He stood holding both, suddenly unable to use hands for violence.
Perhaps deliberate.
Eliza whispered:
“I need to do this.”
“Why?”
“Because I am tired of running.”
Caleb understood.
He hated it.
But understood.
Before guards escorted her away, he said:
“I’ll get you out.”
She looked directly at him.
“No.”
He frowned.
“We will get me out.”
Caleb almost smiled.
“Fine.”
She leaned closer.
“And don't lose girls.”
“Impossible.”
“Rose kicks blanket off.”
“I know.”
“Ruth eats slower.”
“I know.”
“They sleep better touching.”
“I know.”
Eliza’s eyes filled.
“You know.”
Caleb whispered:
“Yes.”
She touched his cheek once.
Then left.
That night Caleb sat in hotel with two crying infants and discovered there were limits to human endurance.
Rose cried.
Ruth joined.
Caleb fed Rose.
Ruth cried louder.
He switched.
Rose screamed.
Someone knocked wall.
Caleb shouted:
“Come do better!”
Silence.
Then door opened.
Marshal Hale’s wife entered.
She was sixty.
Looked amused.
“Give me one.”
Caleb stared suspiciously.
“You cannot hold two forever.”
“I’ve been doing fine.”
Both babies screamed.