EDGE: Blood Run (Edge series Book 14) by George G. Gilman

Author:George G. Gilman [Gilman, George G.]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: General Fiction
Publisher: Lobo publications (A High Plains Wesrern)
Published: 2013-03-01T05:00:00+00:00

* * *

“IT is the punishment of the Lord,” the white-haired Arch-Angel Luke said simply. “And verification that He does not approve violence in the doing of His work. The Angels of Paradise regret it was our actions which caused you to kill our brother, sinner.”

The cemetery was peacefully sited among trees to one side of the town. Edge had attended the burial service for Angel Angus because it was pleasant to sit astride the stallion in the cool shade before moving out into the hot sun of afternoon. The whole population of Paradise were present, standing bowed-head and silent amid many simple wooden crosses marking the graves of Angels who had died less violently than this newest entrant from earthly to heavenly paradise.

The citizens’ firm belief that every event was pre-ordained had rapidly countered the shock at the shooting in the barn and the half-breed had not been molested again. While the body was removed and the grave dug. Sarah and Edith had completed Edge’s order. Then he had used the forge fire in the blacksmith section of the stables to heat some beans and boil water for coffee. When he emerged to saddle the stallion, the town and the fields spread out below it were deserted. Luke’s booming voice, intoning a prayer over the body of Angus had drawn him to the cool grove of trees by the cemetery. Now, the short, simple burial service was over and Luke, backed by the regular group which seemed to be members of some kind of council, appeared to be attempting an apology to Edge. But the expression of regret and laying the incident at the doorstep of the Lord’s will was as far as he got.

Then, as the half-breed gave a curt nod of acknowledgement, Luke held up a staying hand.

“You owe us no favors, sinner,” he intoned. “But we would deem it one if you did not talk of Paradise on your travels. Few sinners discover this valley. When one does, it invariably results in trouble.”

Edge shook his head. “I only talk when there’s good reason to say something, feller,” he replied. “Ain’t no good reason to talk about this place.”

Luke lowered his hand. The men backing him dispersed first, and then the lesser angels of Paradise moved out of the grove after them.

“We especially would not wish the law to know of Paradise, sinner,” the white-haired old man said. “We live by the Lord’s rules which do not always match those made by man. Just one of the reasons why the Earthly Angels have chosen to isolate themselves from the rest of humanity.”

“I especially don’t talk with lawman,” Edge told him with a wry smile, thinking fleetingly of a time, long ago, when he had worn a badge.* “Same reason.”

(*See—Edge: Ten Thousand Dollars American.)

He tugged gently on the reins to turn the stallion away from Luke, then tapped the animal lightly with his heels to walk him across the grove. Behind him, as a sign of democracy at

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