Cross-Fire by George G. Gilman

Author:George G. Gilman
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Action & Adventure, Westerns, Teen & Young Adult, Literature & Fiction, Genre Fiction, General Fiction
Publisher: Lobo Publications
Published: 2014-07-18T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter Six

SHERIFF South had seen the way Steele always had the Colt Hartford within easy reach and he sensed that this was not entirely for protection. So he did not broach the subject of the rifle’s surrender. Lodge and Lind followed his example in holstering their guns and continued to show expressions which were intrigued and anxious in equal parts. No further mention was made of arresting Steele, but from both the Virginian and the sheriff there seemed a tacit acceptance of their positions. Steele had agreed to cooperate providing South did not push too hard.

And it was obviously this unspoken agreement which disturbed the two deputies as they were assigned their duties - Lind to check over and take care of the corpse and Lodge to question Mason after the wounded youngster had been carried into the doctor’s office.

The group of bystanders - which had been swelled to a large crowd as people came running, attracted by the shots—also expressed uncomprehending curiosity at Joe South’s lack of decisive action. But, in no fear of losing their jobs, they were able to voice their feelings.

“Well, ain’t you gonna take away his rifle, Joe?” a man asked.

“He just gunned down two men, sheriff. Right here on Ogden Street in Black Rock.” This from an attractive young woman. She sounded as if she could not believe the evidence of her own eyes.

“And for money, from what he said,” added a man at the woman’s side.

“He’s not the sort I want staying at my place,” a pale faced, ramrod-stiff Kate Porter exclaimed, shaking off the support of two elderly men. Her blue eyes fixed Steele with an accusing stare. “Whatever you took into my house will be outside the front door just as soon as I get back!”

As the volume of noise rose, so each voice cut across another and none could be heard clearly. Steele remained in a casual attitude, his expression neutral. But the verbal onslaught got to the sheriff, who reddened and grew tense.

“Go about your business!” he suddenly roared. It brought silence to the street and he lowered his voice. “And let the law attend to what it has to do.” His dull gray eyes raked the faces of the crowd and he nodded his satisfaction with what he had achieved. Then he jerked a thumb over his shoulder as he looked at the Virginian. “You want to step inside and explain yourself, Steele?”

There was no visible or audible threat from South, but neither was he making a request.

Steele showed a wry smile as he started forward. He glanced up at the sky and then around at the faces in the crowd. “It is getting a little heated out here,” he said softly.

“On your way, I told you!” the lawman barked as Steele stepped up on to the sidewalk to go behind him, and only a handful of the bystanders began to move.

“Five minutes to stage time!” a man yelled from down in front of the railroad depot. And

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