West of the Big River by James J Griffin

Author:James J Griffin
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: action, historical, classic, western, texas ranger, tradition, true west, ranger sergeant js turnbow
Publisher: Western Fictioneers

Chapter 5

Sheriff Spears was waiting for Turnbo when he arrived at the local lawman's office around seven-thirty the next morning.

"Morning, J.S.," he said. "I was a bit worried you weren't gonna be back today. When I checked the livery stable during my last rounds yesterday evenin', your horse wasn't there, so I knew you still hadn't returned. Told ol' Hank to let me know if you got back. Same with Duke at the hotel, but I never heard from either one of 'em. What time'd you get back in?"

"Way past midnight," Turnbo answered. "The hostler was sleepin' and I didn't want to bother him, so I cared for Hat myself. Same thing at the hotel, clerk was asleep, so I just got my key and headed upstairs. I was so plumb tuckered out I barely got back to my room before fallin' asleep."

"I understand," Spears said. "Coffee's hot on the stove. Grab yourself a cup."

"I could sure use one. Thanks," Turnbo said. He took a mug from the shelf and filled it, then took out the makings and rolled a cigarette. The sheriff waited until he had the smoke lit before he continued.

"You find out anything new about those bank robbers?" Spears asked.

Turnbo took a swallow of his coffee before replying.

"Not much. Only real new piece of information was that the head of the outfit uses a Remington, not a Colt. And he's left-handed." Turnbo took another gulp. "Jim, you make a real fine cup of coffee."

"Thanks," Spears said. "Well, you might not've uncovered anything, but I've got some real good news. While you were gone, there was an attempted robbery of the First State Bank right here in San Angelo."

Turnbo raised an eyebrow. The surprise on his face was plain.

"Someone tried to rob a bank right here in San Angelo?"

"That's right," Spears confirmed. "Only it wasn't just someone, it was three men. Dunno what they were thinkin', tryin' to pull off a holdup in the middle of town in broad daylight, but it sure didn't work. We got the whole bunch."

"You captured all of 'em?"

"Wish we had, but no. They came out of the bank shootin'. Bastards killed Gil Scott, one of my deputies, before we got them pinned down. They wouldn't surrender. Didn't give us a choice but to kill every last one of those sons of bitches. Serves 'em right, though, far as I'm concerned. Gil was a fine young man, one of the best. He was gonna be married to Fiona O'Brien, the bootmaker's daughter, in a week. Killin' those renegades also saves the bother and expense of a trial and hangin'."

"Reckon you're right, but I sure would've liked to talk to at least one of those hombres," Turnbo said.

"No need to, far as I can tell," Spears answered. "One of the men was tall and lanky, sportin' a thin beard. Second had straw-colored hair and blue eyes. Third was a redhead. Looks like that gang of bank robbers is finished."

"You really think it's the same men as the ones we've been after?" Turnbo asked.

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