Bloodthirsty hired guns are out to ruin a lawman's plans for progress in this action-packed Western from the award-winning author of Sharpshooter.

Born out of the grit, sweat, and drive of a cattle ranching empire, U.S. Marshal Chet Byrnes is turning the savage and lawless Arizona desert into a homeland. To some he's the hero that the West needs. To others, he's a moving target. Chet is spearheading a stage line from Gallup to the Colorado River. It'll be a boon to Navajo trading posts, and lay out the territory for new settlements. Unfortunately, it's not Gerald Hall's idea of progress-killing Chet is. The mysterious Texas gambler has hired three kill-crazy assassins-and counting-to bury Chet under a storm of bullets. To turn the tables on a game of revenge, Chet must match the deranged Texan play by play, body by body, and bullet for bullet. Come hell or high water, that stage line is going through-even if it's forged in blood.