Brand 10 by Neil Hunter

Author:Neil Hunter
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: gunslingers, western ebook, neil hunter, jason brand, 1800s historical fiction, 1800s america, us western action 1800s, western action and adventure ebook, western action and bounty hunters
Publisher: Piccadilly Publishing

Chapter Eight

‘Only one of you,’ a voice called from the back of the room. ‘What do think about that?’

‘Not a great deal coming from a man who stands in the shadow. Step out and face me.’

There was no response to that.

Before anything else happened two men came into the saloon. One was the man who had stepped out earlier. With him was a skinny individual carrying a battered leather bag. He had a harried look to him, as if all of life was a worry and he was carrying most of it on his boney shoulders. He wore baggy dark pants tucked into mule-ear boots and a crumpled off-white shirt under a stained vest.

‘You Dunmore?’ Brand asked.

‘Yeah.’

‘Then I got a patient for you. One of the two legged kind.’

Brand moved aside so Dunmore could see Lige Costigan. The doctor peered at Costigan, seeing the blood, and shook his head. He made a visual inspection of Costigan’s shoulder, clucking to himself.

‘Bullet’s still in there. Nothin’ I can do here,’ he said. ‘Have to move him down to my office.’ He glanced across at McCoy, fidgeting uncomfortably. ‘No one told me a Ranger was involved.’

‘You done something wrong?’ McCoy asked.

Dunmore cleared his throat. ‘Nooo,’ he said, drawing out the single word.

‘Don’t worry about him,’ Brand said. ‘I shot Costigan.’

Dunmore seemed mollified at that. He looked around the saloon. ‘Couple of you people help this man down to my place.’

With Costigan gone the tension in the saloon eased off. Although there were still hostile glares Brand and McCoy were generally ignored. Brand led the way outside. The Ranger didn’t holster his guns until they were clear.

‘Eating house along the street,’ Brand said. ‘Don’t know about you but I could favor a cup of coffee.’

‘Sounds about right.’

~*~

The eating-house was cool and shadowed from the hot Texas sun. Brand and McCoy took a table facing the door and kitchen. The waitress, a rawboned woman in her forties with a white apron over a loose gingham dress wandered over. They ordered coffee, waited until the steaming mugs had been delivered before either of them spoke.

‘Elias Bodine,’ McCoy said as a conversation opener.

‘The name isn’t new to you?’

‘We on a share by share basis here?’

Brand tasted his coffee. Found it strong and full of flavor.

‘Who is he?’ Brand said, playing cautious.

‘A man with influence. Important friends. Money and lots of it.’ McCoy paused to drink. ‘And secrets…’

‘You after him?’

‘Yes, and I intend to bring him down.’

‘He wanted for a crime?’

‘Having a hell of a time proving it but I will see that sonofabitch in chains before I quit.’ McCoy leaned back in the hard chair. ‘Your turn.’

‘My assignment is to locate the men who hit that train in Handy and took something away.’

‘Has to more than a pile of money. You going to tell me what?’

‘There were two Pinkerton agents on that train. They were bringing evidence to Washington that would name names and present documented evidence concerning a group involved in high level corruption. Those involved include businessmen, politicians, bankers.

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