Chapter 36
Contains spoilersOverview
As twilight deepened, the street battle shifted from a firefight to a tense standoff. Corbett "Drummer" Denton and Orphan Annie wounded and killed members of Gold team while Julia Sigsby pushed to secure Luke Ellis inside the sheriff’s station. With townspeople quietly arming on the flanks, Sigsby ordered Tom Jones and Alice Green to enter the station to seize the boy.
Summary
Robin Lecks attempted to shoot Corbett "Drummer" Denton with a Micro pistol at long distance in fading light, hitting his shoulder instead of center mass. Orphan Annie held her ground and returned heavy fire with Drummer’s .45 and .38, killing automatic rifleman Tony Fizzale despite incoming rounds nicking her serape.
Drummer recovered and used a .30–06 to shoot Robin Lecks as Robin struggled with a jammed Sig, dropping her fully. Julia Sigsby screamed for a ceasefire and emphasized capturing Luke Ellis, calling out names and trying to reassert control over her scattered force.
Tom Jones and Alice Green took positions at the sheriff’s station doors while Josh Gottfried and Winona Briggs covered Julia Sigsby. Dr. James Evans, acting on his own, approached Drummer and Annie to disavow involvement, but Orphan Annie shot him in the foot with the .38 to stop him, telling him to sit down.
Julia Sigsby, unflinching, warned Drummer and Annie to hold fire or be killed by Josh and Winona, then advanced toward her remaining team without waiting for a reply. Drummer and Annie hesitated, noticing townspeople beginning to arm: a Dobira brother with a pistol approaching on one side, and Addie Goolsby with Richard Bilson carrying hunting rifles on the other.
Recognizing the growing local resistance, Annie reflected that the interlopers were about to learn what it meant to be in the South. Julia Sigsby then ordered Tom Jones and Alice Green to enter the sheriff’s station to “get the boy,” and they went inside, escalating the immediate threat to Luke Ellis.
Who Appears
- Corbett "Drummer" Denton
local ally; wounded in the shoulder by Robin Lecks; shot Robin Lecks and coordinated with Orphan Annie.
- Orphan Annie
local ally; dual-wielded Drummer’s handguns; killed Tony Fizzale; shot Dr. James Evans in the foot; held position against Gold team.
- Julia Sigsby
Institute leader; ordered a ceasefire and prioritized capturing Luke; sent Tom Jones and Alice Green into the station.
- Robin Lecks
Gold team shooter; wounded Drummer but suffered a jam and was then shot down by Drummer.
- Tony Fizzale
Gold team rifleman; killed by Orphan Annie.
- Tom Jones
Gold team operative; entered the sheriff’s station to seize Luke.
- Alice Green
Gold team operative; entered the sheriff’s station with Tom Jones.
- Josh Gottfried
Gold team operative; covered Julia Sigsby and threatened the ambushers.
- Winona Briggs
Gold team operative; covered Julia Sigsby and threatened the ambushers.
- Dr. James Evans
Institute doctor; tried to disengage, was shot in the foot by Orphan Annie.
- Dobira brother
local store owner; new; approached armed with a pistol to support the defenders.
- Addie Goolsby
local widow; new; arrived in robe and slippers with a hunting rifle.
- Richard Bilson
father of the Bilson twins; new; arrived with a hunting rifle.
- Luke Ellis
kidnapped boy; target inside the sheriff’s station; pursued by Tom Jones and Alice Green.