Summer of the Eagles (Jess Hazzard Book 1) by Jackie Clay

Author:Jackie Clay [Clay, Jackie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Mason Marshall Press
Published: 2015-02-03T05:00:00+00:00

Although Jess could not see the early rays of dawn, he knew it must be time when the Deputy opened the cell door.

"It's gettin' light," the deputy said quietly. "He wants you."

"Yeah." Jess stiffly got to his feet. His back would not allow him to straighten, but he forced himself upright and was soon able to follow the deputy's lead.

"I want you to know I'm sorry about all this. Wish there was something I could do. If there was any way I could get you out, I would."

Blueson interrupted by slamming the office door open. "Where the hell's the 'breed?" he roared impatiently. "Ah! I've waited a long time for this," he said with a coarse laugh.

Jess stumbled over the doorsill as the two men led him outside. Strangely enough, he felt nothing. His soul was numb from so many conflicts – his hatred for Blueson, bitterness toward the liars who had so easily sworn his life away, his affection for Scotty, great gratitude for Doc Stone's trust and kindness. And Sean. There were no words to describe his feelings toward the man who had become more than a brother to him.

And the woman's dark face. Jess sighed. Maybe she's an angel I'll meet in the other world. He smiled slightly, wryly. Or just a foolish dream.

Nowhere was there fear for himself. From birth, he was always but a step away from Death's door and came to regard it as something inescapable. To fear death was to fear life. Soldiers, gunmen, outlaws, "good" townspeople, and finally the badge of justice gone insane, they all tried to bring him fear and death and they all failed. Until now.

The ground was rubbery under two inches of new snow as Jess was led to the gallows. The air smelled fresh and invigorating. Somewhere close, a shutter flapped noisily in the cold morning wind and children played with a barking dog. As they walked down the street, he heard a low murmur ahead. Jess knew it was a crowd gathering around the gallows. They were the kind of people who get entertainment from death. And, today, there were more than an average number of these vultures crowded around the scaffolding, waiting. A church bell tolled mournfully, though Hazzard knew it was too early for church.

Ahead, Jess heard Blueson pause and there was the hollow sound of his heavy boot on a wooden step. There was the smell of newly cut pine. Were they there already?

"There's eight steps," the deputy said unsteadily.

Hazzard felt for the first one and stepped up. He cursed his blindness as he stumbled up the rough stairway. Then he stood on the platform and he could smell Blueson's hot breath on his face. The fetid smell sickened him.

"Shorten this rope up!" Blueson commanded. "This rope's too long. We don't want it to be easy on the 'breed by breakin' his neck, do we? Shorten her up so he'll kick!"

The rough rope was dropped over Jess's neck. Somehow, Jess found comfort in the deputy standing beside him.

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