Bad Blood by Ethan Flagg

Author:Ethan Flagg [Flagg, Ethan]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Robert Hale
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER NINE

BUSINESS DEALINGS

‘Will you get a load of that!’ Jim Stott’s startled exclamation to his pal Jubal Cade was directed towards a procession now making its way down the main street of Bloomfield. It had also attracted a host of other curious watchers. Both men stared open-mouthed as Buck Medwell led the way.

Behind him, and securely tied to their saddles, were two of Deakin’s men. A third, and one who was clearly dead, lay slung across his saddle. The survivors were looking decidedly down on their luck. Hangdog expressions told of a confrontation that for them had gone sadly awry.

‘Looks like somebody was hoping to kibosh your plan for a stagecoach line by stealing the horses,’ Cade ejaculated. ‘That new man you hired sure put the mockers on that.’

‘And I reckon I know exactly who the culprit is,’ Stott remarked evincing a hard smile. ‘Guess we were both right about me taking on this guy.’

The line of horses followed under the expert control of Grizzly Dick. The two friends sauntered across as the unusual spectacle drew to a halt outside the Broken Wheel. ‘You skulking in there, Deakin?’ Buck called out. ‘I have something for you.’ Moments later the saloon owner emerged. As dapper as ever, his customary air of detachment threatened to disintegrate at the sight of his tethered men. A glowering expression wrestled with Buck’s ice-cold smile.

‘They look kinda sad, don’t they?’ he said handing over the reins. ‘Don’t be too hard on them, Jack. The poor saps could have ended up like Prairie Dog.’ Without another word, he pushed on down the street to the livery stable. Stott followed. He had been joined by his daughter.

Once they were ensconced in the office, questions as to the outcome of the brief but significant mission came thick and fast. It was Grizzly who replayed the details in his usual idiosyncratic style. Buck meanwhile was settling the horses down behind the barn in the corral, ensuring that the gate was firmly locked.

He was joined by Julia, who was concerned about the danger into which he had been precipitated. ‘Pa would never have sent you and Grizzly out there if he’d had any idea that Deakin would pull a stunt like that.’ A concerned finger played across the dried blood of the knife injury. Buck suppressed a tingling shudder. ‘That cut needs dressing,’ she said, concerned for his welfare. ‘Come back inside and I’ll see to it.’ There was no dispute from the patient. Indeed, he was avidly looking forward to the extra attention. ‘I don’t know how you can be so calm, under the circumstances.’

Buck shrugged. ‘Your father put me in charge because he reckoned I had what it takes. Least I could do was make sure his confidence in me was repaid.’ In truth, at that moment he would have walked over hot coals to earn this girl’s warm smile and glowing esteem. And linking her arm through his made him feel ten feet tall. Then the recollection of having killed a man hit home.

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