Slocum, a Jury of One by Jake Logan

Author:Jake Logan
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group

When Slocum went to Meeker’s Livery Stable to find Percy, he was met by a man who identified himself as Meeker.

“You’re John Slocum, aren’t you?” Meeker asked.

“Yes.”

“What are you doing in Brimstone? You aren’t working for the law, are you? You doin’ some bounty hunting?”

“No,” Slocum replied. “Right now, I’m looking for Percy Keith.”

Meeker laughed.

“What’s so funny?”

“Here, everyone is scared to death because you are in town. They’re all wondering who you are looking for, and it turns out you are looking for the drunk. What do you want him for?” Meeker asked.

“That’s my business,” Slocum said. “Do you know where he is?”

“Yeah, I know where he is. You’ll find him passed out, facedown in a pile of horseshit out back,” Meeker said. “And as far as I’m concerned, that’s a good enough place for him. You know him?”

“I know him.”

“You know him enough to pay me what he owes me?”

“He owes you money? How is that? I thought he was working for you.”

“He’s supposed to be. But the son of a bitch took an advance on his pay, got drunk, and ain’t done a lick of work since. I was plannin’ on lettin’ him sleep in one of the stalls, too. Would’a been a nice place for him. But I ain’t letting him stay if he don’t earn it.”

“You say he’s out back?” Slocum asked, starting through the barn.

“Yes. You going to pay back the wages he took?”

“That’s your problem,” Slocum said.

As Meeker had stated, Percy was lying facedown in a pile of dung. Only the fact that his face was turned to one side kept him from suffocating.

“Damn, Percy,” Slocum said under his breath. “You are one filthy son of a bitch.”

Looking around, Slocum saw a large trough, filled with water. He reached down and, grabbing Percy by his belt, lifted him up. Half carrying and half dragging him, Slocum took Percy to the trough, then rolled him over into the water.

The shock of the water brought Percy to, and he began splashing and gasping for breath.

“Help! Help! I’m drowning!” he called.

“No, you’re not drowning,” Slocum said, pushing him back into the water. “Get some of that shit cleaned off of you.”

“Hey!” Meeker shouted, coming out back. “My horses has to drink that water.”

Slocum handed him two dollars. “When we’re finished here, you can refill it,” he said.

Percy kept trying to get out of the trough, but Slocum kept pushing him back into it until, finally, most of the surface dirt and manure was gone. Finally, he let him out. “Let’s go,” he said.

“Go where?”

“With me,” Slocum answered without being specific.

Slocum led Percy, who was dripping wet, along the back of the row of buildings and houses until he got to the house at the end. This was the house occupied by Danielle and her girls.

“You ought not to be here,” Percy said. “This is a dangerous place for you.”

“Dangerous for you, too, from what I’ve heard. Now, take your clothes off and sit there,” Slocum said, pointing to the steps at the back of the porch.

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