Bad Hombres by William W. Johnstone

Author:William W. Johnstone
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Pinnacle Books
Published: 2023-06-07T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 21

Slash Braddock felt eyes watching him as he returned to his wagon. He tried not to rush. That’d make it seem as if he was running away—or had something to hide. He hopped into the wagon bed and stretched out flat on his back, his heart pounding. Letting down his guard now wasn’t in the cards. He and Pecos had to clear out of High Mountain fast.

He sat up, hands going for both of his six-guns. He took in the threat, then closed his eyes and shuddered.

“What’s eatin’ you, pard? Every time you move like that for your irons makes me think something’s wrong.” Pecos sounded downright cheerful. He stood at the rear of the wagon, leaning on the lowered tailgate.

“I stepped into a den of rattlers,” Slash said. “I got out without exchangin’ warm regards in the form of .44 slugs, but they’re onto me. I know it.”

“I found out a bunch about what’s goin’ on here,” Pecos said. “All we need to do is wait around for the Colonel to show his face. He’ll show up sooner or later. Then it’ll be easy as pie. We kidnap him and drag him back to Bleed-’Em-So’s tender mercies.”

“I thought I saw him,” Slash said.

“Colonel Raymond? What’s he look like?” Slash remembered Marianne Mertz’s worshipful description. If the Colonel had been a divine being, she wouldn’t have idolized him any differently.

“I figgered it wasn’t him when our ole buddy Max from back along the road called him Benson. You sure the Colonel’s name is Raymond? That a first or last name?”

“From the way it was said, I’d reckon it’s his surname.”

“So Raymond Benson’s not him?”

“Who’s this Benson fellow you tangled with?” Pecos listened to his partner’s tale. After a long pause he said, “This must be someone high up in his command, scribblin’ notes and all. And he said ‘jump’ and our new friend Max was already five feet in the air obeyin’.”

“I caught a glimpse of what he was writin’. It looked like an inventory. You know, them lists Myra’s always insistin’ we keep and never do. Only, it wasn’t for any single business. More like what he’d find worth stealin’ in an entire town.”

“And I’d wager he had a chestful of ribbons. That makes sense. A man scoutin’ a town for the Colonel would be there for every bit of the burnin’ and lootin’ and rapin’.”

“He’s important, but he’s not their leader.”

“I shoulda got a better description of Raymond,” Pecos said. “I had my mind on other things.” He blinked and remembered Marianne Mertz, being near her, feeling her body pressed into his, the fleeting kiss that should have been more . . . if he hadn’t chickened out.

“We need to make tracks,” Slash said. “Stayin’ in town is too dangerous. Now that we know that Colonel Raymond is usin’ High Mountain as a headquarters, we—”

A cold voice cut him off.

“Mr. Benson wants a word with you,” Max said. He leveled his pistol at Slash. A slow smile crossed his lips.

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