Slocum and the James Gang by Jake Logan

Author:Jake Logan
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group
Published: 2010-10-21T16:00:00+00:00

11

“This is the life,” Zeke said, boots hiked up to the table top and a bottle of whiskey in his hand. He took another long pull on it and offered it to Slocum.

The whiskey was bitter and left an aftertaste in Slocum’s mouth. Or maybe it was the way Jesse James had taken over Encantado that caused the bad taste. He had seen this kind of invasion happen too many times while riding with guerrilla bands. They cowed the citizens of a town, then took whatever they wanted. It wasn’t any different from being a train robber, but Slocum felt it was dirtier somehow. It certainly left him feeling like he needed a bath—and he knew no amount of scrubbing could ever wipe away what he felt.

“Dennison seems like he’s been ready to be mayor of a town for all his life,” Slocum said.

“I’m gettin’ me one, too. Jesse promised. Not right away, but soon.”

“Where’s he going next?”

“Someplace bigger’s my guess. He didn’t tell me. He plays those cards real close to his vest.” Zeke took another drink and balanced the bottle on the edge of the table, where it teetered and then fell. He paid no attention to it but yelled, “Bartender! Bring us another bottle. This one’s empty.”

Slocum saw the suppressed fury on the barkeep’s face, but the man brought a new bottle and put it on the table, just an inch beyond Zeke’s reach.

“You and Dennison getting to be partners?” Slocum asked. “Seems like you’re admiring what he does more and more.”

“He knows what he’s doing. Him and Jesse are tight. You could do worse than to be like Charlie, too. But then you know Jesse and he’s promised you the chance to be governor of an entire state.” Zeke heaved a sigh, strained, and got the bottle into his grip. “Governor. That’s what I want to be.”

“Not president?”

“Jesse’s claimed that for himself.”

“When a country’s formed like this, a coup isn’t that unusual,” Slocum said.

“You thinkin’ on overthrowing Jesse? That’s mighty bold, Slocum.”

“Just pointing out that hitching your wagon to the wrong star might bring you crashing down to earth.”

Zeke laughed, drank a little more, and then dropped his feet to the floor with a thud. He leaned forward and tried to keep his voice down to a whisper. He didn’t succeed.

“Jesse’s the right star, and I know how to drive wagons and throw a diamond hitch on a pack mule. I never amounted to much and my pa always beat me and said I’d never amount to a hill of beans. This’ll show ’em. Why, I might end up as mayor of Taos.”

“Taos?”

“Yeah, sure, why not? I heard Jesse say he’d start you out in Santa Fe ’fore letting you work up to governor. Don’t know how he’s gonna cut out the state but maybe me and you, we can be governors of adjoining states.”

“Might happen,” Slocum said. He knew Jesse was promising all his gang positions of power and hinting that along with such titles would come the spoils.

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