Chapter 84: The Greatness of Maternal Love
Expressionless, Johnny pulled a Slugging Round from his bandolier and expertly loaded it into the barrel with a smooth, swift motion.
Next, he lightly pushed the hammer to reset it before slowly sliding the pistol back into its holster.
After completing this series of actions, he turned back and asked in an unusually calm tone:
"Where is your husband? How could he feel safe letting you come alone to handle something as dangerous as debt collection?"
At that moment, the composure the woman had been struggling to maintain suddenly collapsed like a flood breaking through a dam.
Tears fell down her pale cheeks like pearls from a broken string.
Her body trembled slightly as sobs began to rise, her voice filled with endless grief and despair.
After a long while, the woman finally calmed her emotions a bit and began to tell Johnny about her tragic ordeal.
As it turned out, her husband had become hopelessly addicted to gambling and even resorted to cheating at the table, only to be caught and beaten to death on the spot.
Not only that, but the small amount of savings they had at home was ruthlessly plundered by those heartless men.
Now, she was left all alone, struggling to survive with two young children.
To support her family, she had found a job as a maid at a ranch in Valentine, but the meager monthly salary of 13 dollars was a mere drop in the bucket for the family, nowhere near enough to feed two hungry children.
Driven to desperation, she remembered that her husband had once lent someone money.
Clinging to a sliver of hope, she summoned the courage to find that person, wanting to reclaim the debt.
However, to her absolute shock, as soon as the man heard she was there to collect a debt, he beat her mercilessly without a word.
At this point, the woman stopped crying, raised her hand to carefully count the bills from earlier, and finally pulled out 15 dollars to hand to Johnny, her voice trembling:
"Kind sir, I only want the portion that belongs to me. Please take all of this! Please believe me, I will absolutely not go to the police!"
Johnny chuckled at her words, saying there was no need for that.
He only took 5 dollars from the pile and then said to the woman:
"The police station is just ahead. Sheriff Malloy and I are good friends; we'll just go and explain the situation to him. Consider that 10 dollars as the interest he owed you."
With that, he motioned for the woman to get on the horse.
The woman stood frozen in place, and after a moment of thought, Johnny understood why.
So, Johnny reached out and pulled her up to sit sideways in front of him.
The two reached the front of the police station in no time. Johnny dismounted first, then gentlemanly took her hand to help her down.
They walked through the door.
Sheriff Malloy looked at Johnny, thinking to himself that he didn't seem to have issued any bounties today, so why was he here at this hour?
He guessed it might be about the Prestigious Bounty Hunter License, so he spoke up:
"Mr. Van der Linde, I think you should send your photo and your horse's data to the Federation as soon as possible, otherwise the Federation won't be able to issue your certificate and saddle."
"There are photo studios in both Saint Denis and Rhodes Town. You can take a train there to get one taken, or have the negatives developed."
Johnny indicated that wasn't the case and proceeded to recount the events in detail.
Malloy took a deep drag of his cigarette and then said:
"Well, that certainly counts as self-defense. But next time you run into something like this, shouldn't you leave it to me to handle?"
Johnny caught the underlying meaning, so he took the 5 dollars from his satchel, handed it to Sheriff Malloy, and spoke:
"I won't let the officers collecting the body work for nothing; this is a token of my appreciation."
"By the way, does he have any family? I can help notify them. I'm actually a very kind person!"
Sheriff Malloy was speechless. Indeed, you are very 'kind'—in a lethal sort of way.
However, he still spoke up to explain that the man was a notorious local bully whose family had long since died. He was all alone, which was why he acted so recklessly.
But he mostly skirted the edge of the law, so the Sheriff hadn't been able to do anything to him.
Johnny wanted to perform another act of 'enlightenment through death,' but the opportunity was gone.
So, he walked out of the police station with the woman. Standing by the horse, he said:
"I have a job I'd like to offer you, if you're interested. The monthly salary is 25 dollars.
All you need to do is help wash the outer clothing for 23 people. For the rest of the time, you are completely free to be with your children!
What do you think?" Johnny looked at her with a smile, his eyes full of sincerity.
Hearing these words, her heart was instantly thrown into a conflict.
Originally, she really didn't want to trouble this kind man who had already shown her such great favor.
But at the thought of her hungry children and their desperate living situation, her so-called pride seemed utterly insignificant.
After a fierce internal struggle, she finally couldn't suppress her excitement and said with a slightly trembling voice:
"Thank you so much for giving me such an opportunity! My name is Evelyn Harris. On behalf of my two children—Glen and Eddie—I express our deepest gratitude to you.
I really don't know how to repay your kindness!"
Then, she asked cautiously, "May I have the honor of knowing your name, benefactor?"
Johnny smiled slightly and responded readily, "Haha, no need to be formal. My name is Johnny Van der Linde.
"It's getting late now, and I happen to be passing near your home. Why don't I see you back? I might as well see this good deed through to the end!"
Along the way, the two chatted about domestic trifles. Johnny also thoughtfully reminded Evelyn that she could use the next few days to go back to her former workplace to settle her previous wages.
Once everything was settled, she just needed to leave a message for him at the Post Office.
In this way, the two talked as they walked, and a long time passed without them noticing.
Finally, they arrived at Evelyn's residence—Clawson's Rest.
The house was somewhat old, but it felt warm and inviting.
Johnny gently escorted Evelyn to the door, then waved goodbye, preparing to leave.
However, unexpectedly, Evelyn warmly invited Johnny to take a short rest there.
She suggested they share a cup of fragrant coffee before he continued on his way.
Though Johnny felt a slight hesitation, he ultimately couldn't resist Evelyn's sincere and earnest gaze and words, and he followed her into the house.
The moment they stepped through the door, Johnny was surprised to find that all the windows in Evelyn's home were firmly boarded up with thick planks.
This strange sight sparked doubt in his heart, and he couldn't help but wonder about the reason behind it.
Facing Johnny's curious inquiry, Evelyn showed a hint of bitterness and helplessness as she explained softly:
"This was a last resort, just to prevent the children from running out and getting into danger.
After all, I'm the only one left to look after them now..."
Just then, a burst of cheerful footsteps and clear laughter came from inside.
It turned out that Evelyn's two adorable children had heard their mother returning and came running out with great joy.
They were like two lively little deer, jumping and skipping, their faces overflowing with happy smiles.
But when their eyes fell upon the tall, strange, and cold Johnny standing behind their mother, the joy on their faces vanished instantly, replaced by terror and unease.
The two little ones were like startled rabbits, huddling tightly behind their mother and peeking timidly at this uninvited guest.
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