The Man who Tamed Lone Pine by I. J. Parnham

Author:I. J. Parnham
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Culbin Press
Published: 2022-02-21T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

“This is terrible,” Clarke said.

Shackleton had led him into the stable so that he could examine the body that he’d draped over the back of his horse.

“I know,” Shackleton said. “Deputy Jackson seemed a good man.”

Clarke rubbed his face, his eyes wide and concerned. He turned to the door nervously as if he expected someone to follow them in and accuse him.

“He was, so what will people say when they hear about this?”

Shackleton drew Clarke away from the body. He faced him and placed a hand on each of his shoulders.

“I could understand you being depressed after what Temple nearly did to you, but you have to stop feeling sorry for yourself and work out who’s behind this.”

“That’s easy for you to say. You haven’t had to put up with watching as everything you’ve worked to achieve slips away.”

“I wouldn’t expect to hear that from the man I knew five years ago. Be that man again and you’ll destroy whoever is behind this, but carry on like this and he’ll destroy you.”

“I understand what you’re saying,” Clarke said with a single nod, but his eyes remained cold.

Shackleton raised his hands, but he doubted that he’d had any effect. Seeking an excuse to linger so he could find another way to talk Clarke around, he gestured at Jackson’s body.

“Do you want help to deal with him?” he asked.

“I don’t.” Clarke turned his back on him and faced the body.

“In that case I’ll be in the Lucky Star saloon before I move on out, if you want to ask me anything else.”

“I don’t. You’ve told me everything I need to know.” Clarke continued to face the bullet-ridden body, so Shackleton headed to the doorway. “Thank you for everything you’ve done, both five years ago and now.”

Clarke’s voice cracked on the last words, but he still turned to Shackleton and smiled. On that positive note Shackleton left the stable, but after a few paces he stopped and turned back to the building.

Clarke was standing there with a hand resting on Jackson’s back and his head bowed. He looked so defeated that Shackleton couldn’t help but think this would be the last time he’d see him alive.

He dismissed that thought with a shudder and moved on to the saloon. In the early afternoon few customers were drinking, but he recognized the undertaker Lawrence Stacks, who was standing at the bar. Shackleton stood beside him and ordered a drink.

“I’d heard you were seen heading back into town,” Lawrence said. “I thought it must be a mistake.”

Shackleton swirled his whiskey and took a sip.

“I’m just washing the dust away before heading back out.” He turned to Lawrence, who frowned. Shackleton leaned toward him. “I guess that means news of why I returned to Lone Pine hasn’t spread yet.”

He ordered Lawrence a drink and explained about Jackson’s demise. Lawrence winced.

“I’m getting too much business these days,” Lawrence said when Shackleton had finished. “I may not have agreed with Jackson about his reports on Clarke’s activities, but I respected his integrity in stating what he’d been told in open court.

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