Fort Buzzard by William W. Johnstone

Author:William W. Johnstone
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Pinnacle Books
Published: 2024-05-17T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 21

“Angus!” Booker said as he finally managed to clamber to his feet. He swayed a little as he went on. “You got here just in time. I’m gonna beat this big troublemaker to death—”

Gullickson broke in again on his henchman’s threat. “I asked what’s going on here, and you still haven’t told me, Josiah.”

Gullickson’s tone was sharp enough that Booker flinched slightly, as if the words cut him like a whip. But he lifted his arm and pointed at Jamie as he said, “This one and his friend attacked us and started a fight for no reason.”

Stanton was bruised and bloody and breathing heavily, but he spoke up as he supported himself against the bar.

“I may have . . . thrown the first punch,” he said, “but I had a damned good reason. Your man . . . threw Mrs. O’Sullivan on the ground!”

“Is that true?” Gullickson demanded.

“She tripped and fell!” Booker said. “And it wouldn’t have happened if she hadn’t interfered while we were trying to get O’Sullivan to pay what he owes. She was on me like a harpy, and Haines pulled her off, that’s all.”

With his arm around his wife’s shoulders as she leaned against him, O’Sullivan said, “That’s not true. Haines shoved her to the ground. Everybody in here saw it, Angus. These two gents”—he nodded toward Jamie and Stanton—“just stepped in to defend her, that’s all.”

Gullickson came closer. Jamie noticed that everyone in the place was careful not to get in his way. The four shotgunners followed closely behind him. At a slight signal from him, they lowered the weapons somewhat, but they were still ready to blast away if needed.

“Did I hear right, Seamus?” Gullickson asked. “You didn’t pay Booker what you owe?”

O’Sullivan swallowed hard. “I’m going to, Angus,” he said. “I give you my word on that, and you know my word is good. I’ll get the payment together tomorrow or the next day . . .”

The saloonkeeper’s voice trailed off as if he couldn’t find the will to continue. All he could do was stand there and wait to find out what his fate was going to be.

Gullickson smiled and reached up to pat O’Sullivan on the shoulder. “That’s fine,” he said. “We’re partners, Seamus. Certainly one partner can wait a day or two for the other to fulfill an obligation.”

O’Sullivan practically wilted with relief. “I’m thanking you, Angus, I surely am. And you won’t be sorry for your patience. Together, we’ll make this saloon the finest establishment between St. Louis and San Francisco!”

“I’m sure we will,” Gullickson agreed. “Josiah will come by day after tomorrow to pick up the money.”

“Aye, and it’ll be ready for him, I swear it.”

Gullickson said, “You’d best get back behind the bar. You don’t want your customers going thirsty.”

“No, sir! No, I sure don’t.” O’Sullivan started to steer his wife toward the bar on this side of the room. “Mary Alice, dear, why don’t you go in the back and lie down—”

“Nonsense,” she said as she pulled away from his comforting arm.

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