Dalton's Valley by Ed Law

Author:Ed Law
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Culbin Press
Published: 2023-09-04T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

“It sounds like the good citizens of Two Forks had a tough time at the hands of Deke Grant,” Sheriff Rory Blake said as he handed Dalton another cup of coffee.

Dalton nodded and sipped the coffee. For the last hour he had sat in the law office while Blake probed him about the events that had taken place in White Falls and before in Two Forks.

Blake had accepted Dalton’s need to kill Deke, but he had pried for more details. Although Dalton had related a true version of events, in that what he’d said was true, he’d failed to reveal all the details.

After Paul had double-crossed him by meeting Deke, Dalton owed him no favors, but Paul had inadvertently led him to Deke and he had warned him of his presence in the alleyway. Also Billy had seemed a decent young man and so deserving of a second chance.

“Deke was a mean one and that’s the truth,” Dalton said, finishing off his tale.

“Did you see anyone with him?” Blake asked.

Dalton raised his eyebrows, conveying that this question had surprised him and he hadn’t thought that Deke might have accomplices.

“Nope, but then again Two Forks is a long way from anyone. We don’t get many visitors.”

Dalton hoped his emphasis on how far away Two Forks was from White Falls would ensure Blake would never embark on such a journey to check out his version of events. Sure enough, Blake nodded.

“I’ve never been there myself. I don’t reckon I ever will, no matter how fine a place it sounds.”

Dalton avoided sighing with relief. “Do you mean there are others like him out there? I’d hate to think another Deke Grant might ride into town and raise hell.”

“He had two accomplices, Paul Stark and Billy Boyd. Neither were as ornery as he was, but I’d still keep on the lookout for them.”

Dalton agreed that he would and when he’d finished his coffee, he decided that the longer he stayed here, the greater the chance he would accidentally reveal something that would cause Paul a problem. He pointed to the door.

“Can I go now?”

“In a moment,” Blake said and headed to his desk. He rummaged inside and returned clutching a large wad of dollars.

“I don’t need no reward for getting the man who shot up our town.”

“I know, but there was already a five-hundred dollar reward on Deke Grant’s head.” Blake began counting the bills into Dalton’s hand.

“Even though there wasn’t a Wanted poster outside.”

“There’s one in Durando.” Blake paused from counting. “Deke and his accomplices robbed and killed a man there, a doctor by the name of Zachary Jones, a good man and worth ten of each one of them.”

“I’m obliged for the information. It makes me feel easier about taking the money.”

Blake restarted his counting. “It’s worth every dollar to be rid of him. If you ever meet the other two, information on them will be worth the same again.”

Blake placed the last bill in Dalton’s hand and smiled.

“I’ll be sure to remember that,” Dalton said, closing his grasp around the money.

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