The Loner: Killer Poker by Johnstone J.A

Author:Johnstone, J.A. [Johnstone, J.A.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Pinnacle Books
Published: 2011-04-01T05:00:00+00:00

A soft rapping on the door woke him later. He sat up, yawned, and swung his legs off the bed. He went to the door and opened it, finding one of the pretty hostesses standing there. She smiled at him. “Mr. Masterson wanted to let you know the next round of the tournament will begin in about an hour, Mr. Browning.”

“Thank you,” Conrad said, covering up another yawn as he did so. “Do you know what time it is?”

“Almost six o’clock, sir.”

Conrad frowned. “In the morning?” That would mean he hadn’t gotten much sleep at all.

“No, sir. Six o’clock in the evening.”

“Oh.” That made more sense. His deep, dreamless sleep had lasted more than twelve hours. A sudden growl from his belly confirmed that. He was ravenously hungry. “Thank you. Could I get a basin of hot water?”

“Certainly, sir.”

After he had shaved and cleaned up, Conrad slapped as many of the wrinkles out of his clothes as he could and went to join the others in the tournament room. He found a sense of anticipation in the air. Even though only eight players would be continuing the game, many of the men who had taken part planned to stay and watch.

Bat Masterson was standing beside the table of food and drink. Conrad went over to join him and began filling a plate. One of the hostesses poured a cup of coffee for him.

“Feeling better?” Masterson asked.

“Almost human again,” Conrad replied, smiling.

“You were worn out, and I can’t say as I blame you. By the way, I paid a visit to the hospital earlier to check on Arturo.”

“How’s he doing?”

“Trying to tell the doctors and the nurses how they can run things better.” Masterson chuckled. “That fella’s got opinions on just about everything, doesn’t he?”

“And he doesn’t mind expressing them. I’m glad to hear it. It sounds like he’s getting back to normal in a hurry.”

Masterson grew more serious as he went on, “I took the liberty of hiring some men to sit outside his room and keep an eye on him.”

“Guards, you mean?”

“That’s right. I don’t think that woman would try to hurt him while he’s in the hospital, but you never know.”

Conrad thought about it and nodded slowly. “You’re right. That was smart of you, Bat, and I appreciate it. Arturo can testify that she was trying to have me killed. Of course, so can the man who was arrested, not to mention you and me.”

“She can’t get to him in jail or to us,” Masterson pointed out. “Arturo was out there defenseless. Not anymore, though.”

The food and coffee made Conrad feel better, not to mention what Masterson had told him about Arturo. He looked around the room, searching for Rance McKinney, but didn’t see him. With a slight feeling of alarm, he asked where the rancher was.

“One of his men showed up a few hours ago with a message from his foreman,” Masterson explained. “Some sort of trouble at the ranch, I expect. Rance said he’d have to go and take care of it but insisted he’d be back in time to take part in the next round.

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