The murder of his father had brought a cold violent anger to Matt that time had turned to ice but had not diminished.

Eyes slanted sideways, the clerk said to Matt, ''Some say Jake Dill done it. Some say Cole Pitman.''

''People talk too much,'' Matt said. ''It’s up to the law to handle it.''

The clerk gave Matt a sour grin. ''Law? Who’s the law in Gaptown?''

Matt stepped back, his eyes ice-cols. ''I am,'' he said. ''I am now.''