Red Rock Crossing by G Mitchell

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

CHAPTER TEN

A couple of hours after darkness fell, his face masked and feet shod in moccasins, Missouri stole out again and, keeping to the brush behind the buildings, made his way to the back of the hotel. He paused at the stables long enough to ascertain that the rangers had moved into the main building. This arrangement pleased him in one way as he had more opportunities to move freely outside the hotel. Quietly he stole up to a lighted back window and peered through. The curtains were open slightly and through the gap he could see Agnes Shelley preparing food in a large crockery bowl. The sound of female voices came through the glass and by changing his position slightly, the watcher could see that Jane Shelley was also in the room. She appeared to be drying dishes that she took from a large tub of water.

Silently Missouri drew his revolver and cocked it. He would have preferred to kill the girl in some more spectacular manner but decided to take the opportunity that had presented itself, He eased back the hammer and sighted through the notch in it that did duty as a rear sight. He hoped that the window glass would not affect the bullet’s flight. Just as his finger began to apply pressure to the trigger, Jane moved out of the killer’s range of vision. Knowing by the voices that she was still in the room, he waited. For some minutes the girl was out of Missouri’s range of vision as she went about various tasks. Cursing silently at the restricted view caused by the curtains, he waited.

Again she came into view and the waiting gunman lined his sights on the target.

Missouri did not know what came first, the heavy hand on his shoulder, or the desperate shout of, ‘No!’

He whirled and fired into the dark form that had thrown an arm around him. The gun exploded and the shooter felt his attacker shudder. He fired twice more before the man reeled away and collapsed on the ground. Once again Missouri fled. Lacking the element of surprise, it was too dangerous to remain where he was and try for another shot at Jane. His survival depended upon stealth and a confrontation with armed men would quickly end his career.

Pedro, the stable hand, was gasping for breath and struggling to rise but the three bullets had done their work and he fell back to the ground with his heart arteries blasted apart.

Mother and daughter both screamed in alarm at the shots outside the kitchen window. Ben heard the commotion and bounded down the stairs. He knew the firing had come from just behind the building. As he passed the kitchen door, he saw to his relief that both women were frightened but unharmed.

‘Be careful,’ Jane called. ‘Someone’s outside shooting.’

Ordering Jane to extinguish the lamp, Ben threw open the back door and launched himself into the darkness outside. He kept moving as his eyes tried to adjust to the change in light.

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