Valley of Skulls by Jake Logan

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

13

Slocum saw a man rise from one of the gaming tables way in the back of the saloon. He had not noticed the man before, but as he walked toward the bar, Slocum’s muscles tightened and a frown flickered on his mouth like some trick of the light.

“Who’s that?” Ally asked, as Slocum’s gaze followed the man walking toward the end of the bar where Jones, Norville, and the two other men were sitting.

“That’s Steve Waller,” Slocum said. “It looks to me like he was hiding in the back, just waiting for Jones to get here.”

“Isn’t that the man who put a gun to your back?” Lem asked.

“That’s the man. He’s also the one I gave the message to deliver to Jones.”

“The message to return my father and brother to the Larimer?” Ally asked.

“Yes,” Slocum said tightly. Suddenly, his drink tasted like rain-soaked wood. He let the whiskey trickle down his throat as he watched the men greet Waller and huddle together in whispered conversation.

“What are you going to do?” Ally asked.

“Let’s see what they do,” Slocum said.

“Do you think they’ve done what you asked them to?” Lem asked.

“I hope so,” Slocum said, but with no conviction in his voice.

“I’m nervous,” Ally said after a few moments had gone by. “I wonder what they’re talking about.”

“Are you still sure that tall man is one of those you saw and heard the day your father and brother were kidnapped?” Slocum asked.

“I’m positive,” she said.

Slocum and his two companions did not have to wait long for something to happen. As they sipped their drinks, Waller got up from his bar stool, conferred with Jones a moment in soft whispers. Then, he walked toward Slocum’s table. He did not appear to be armed, Slocum noticed.

“Mr. Slocum,” Waller said when he came up to the table.

“What have you got to say, Waller?”

“I delivered your message.”

“And?”

“I can’t say much because none of us were responsible for kidnapping the Macklins.”

“Don’t ruin what you have to say by lying, Waller.”

“I’m not lying. But, I’ve been told to tell you that the Macklins will be delivered to the Larimer Hotel within the hour.”

“They’re not there now?” Slocum asked.

“I don’t know. That’s the message. That’s all I have to say.”

“Are they alive?” Ally asked.

“Ma’am, I’m just the messenger. I don’t know anything about any kidnapping and I’m just trying to help.”

Slocum stood up. Waller started to back away and return to the bar.

“Waller,” Slocum said. “They’d better be alive or you’ll be the first one I come after.”

Waller did not answer, but walked back to the bar. He stood talking to the others for a moment, then left, walking briskly to the front door. In a moment he was gone.

“Let’s go back to the hotel,” Ally said. “Lem, I’m so excited. Maybe my father and brother are all right.”

Slocum smiled at her and nodded in agreement even though his stomach swirled with a sudden pang of uneasiness. He kept his eyes on the men at the bar, sensing something

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