Warm yet insincere pleasantries passed between Maltz and James.
Arthur, having made up his mind, let his smile fade and stared straight at Cook behind James. Cook was James's deputy, a born-and-bred South Los native. Of course, he had only become a Third-Rank Police Officer because his father had been a moderately famous bounty hunter who had amassed considerable wealth and connections in his youth.
Unfortunately, Old Cook had walked into an ambush during a bounty hunt and taken an arrow to the knee.
Fortunately, Old Cook enjoyed a happy retirement, with a wife, a son, and a farm outside the city.
Arthur knew about Cook because he was the man Maltz hoped to win over.
Compared with James's terrible reputation, Cook's was far better-at least he did what he was paid to do.
Cook soon noticed Arthur's gaze.
The bounty hunter's son might not have measured up to his father, but he still possessed the vigilance expected of him.
A moment later, however, Cook frowned.
Arthur was still looking at him. Normally, someone caught staring would immediately look away and pretend nothing had happened.
Occasionally, someone more shameless would smile.
But someone like Arthur, who continued staring straight at a person even after being caught, was practically unheard of.
More importantly, Arthur's expression was solemn.
That solemnity made Cook instinctively glance down-he suspected his fly was open.
But it wasn't!
His fly was fine!
Cook immediately raised his head and glared at Arthur. He thought Arthur was making a fool of him.
But when he looked up, he discovered that Arthur's gaze had already left him and settled on James. This time, not only was Arthur's expression solemn, but his eyes were grave as well.
What's going on?
Did something happen?
Cook began to grow suspicious and uneasy.
He