Hunting Harker by Greg Mitchell

Author:Greg Mitchell [Mitchell, Greg]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Robert Hale
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER NINE

Cookson’s building was a hive of activity when Parry dismounted and hitched his horse to the rail in front of it. Several horses were already there, Durango’s black being prominent among them.

Joe Murchison was talking to one of the office staff on the veranda; a hum of voices came from inside the building.

‘Where the hell have you been?’ The wagon master’s greeting was hardly cordial.

‘I’ve been asking around a few folks. What’s happening?’

‘Ollie Harker just tried to kill J.B.. Took a shot at him through one of the back windows – damn near got him, too.’

‘Are you sure it was Harker? Did anyone see him?’

‘Didn’t need to see him. He accidentally dropped a receipt made out to him. Who else would it be?’

‘As I was coming back to town a rider passed me. He was in a mighty big hurry. I couldn’t get a good look at him but he could have been an Indian or a half-breed. He had long black hair and was riding a big bay horse. How long is it since Cookson was shot at?’

‘Maybe about an hour ago. Durango found where the shot came from. There were a couple of .44 rimfire shells and the receipt was caught up in a nearby bush. Looks like the shooter dropped it but didn’t know. J.B. thinks that Harker has turned on him but can’t figure out why.’

Parry was quick to admit that he had the same problem. If Harker had disappeared with Cookson’s money it made little sense that he should go on a killing spree rather than enjoying his ill-gotten gains elsewhere. What old scores was he trying to settle?

Murchison admitted that he had similar doubts but had to consider the possibility that Harker had gone loco.

‘What happens now?’ Parry asked.

‘Durango’s taking out a few men to see if they can pick up the shooter’s tracks. J.B. is really mad. He wants whoever it was to be caught as quick as possible.’

Parry could see little sense in that course of action.

‘Durango is a good man to have in a fight but he couldn’t track an elephant in snow,’ he reasoned. ‘In a few minutes it will be dark, so the chances of him finding something are mighty slim.’

Murchison disagreed.

‘He has a good description of Harker and will know him if he runs across him.’

‘Maybe, but the odds are that Harker is dead.’

Parry saw no point in riding out with Durango’s party. Instead he attended to his horse and then walked to the Pages’ house. Kitty saw him coming and was waiting at the gate. He hoped that the smile he saw on her face was more about him than eager anticipation of his news about a new horse. When he told her about the black pony her eyes lit up and the smile became broader. She ushered him through the gate and took his arm as though she was frightened he would escape.

‘I have discussed this with my parents,’ she told him. ‘They are prepared to go to ten dollars for the right sort of pony.

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