A phrase Marcella said struck him. 'Manipulative cowards.' "He tell you that, did he?" Tuck asked, holding his hand out for Marian to take if she wanted.
"I haven't brainwashed anyone here. They're here because they want to be. As for the sheriff," Tuck took a deep breath and he stared down at his hands, "I don't know what he's told you. About six years ago, he came into my home and hit me over the head with a shovel. He kept me locked in a basement. He didn't feed me at all, but he would spend all day slow cooking something so I could smell it, and then eat it in front of me.
"This went on for a little over three weeks. Can you imagine what that feels like? He tied my hands behind my back, so I couldn't defend myself." Tuck hated taking about this, but maybe his pain laid bare would be enough for Marcella to see how dangerous the sheriff was. Maybe it would be enough to save her. "And he thinks that kind of torture is justified. When my only 'sin' was just not telling him where robin Hood and will scarlet were. If anyone is a manipulative coward here, it's him.
"If you aren't convinced; if you go back to John and the sheriff, and you ever find yourself worried they might turn on you, find a way to let us know. We'll help in any way we can."