A Man Called Banker by Terrell L. Bowers

Author:Terrell L. Bowers [Bowers, Terrell L.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2013-08-14T21:12:00+00:00

The sun was a dim glow in the eastern sky, the wind calm, the air fresh and crisp. These things Mac observed as he stood in front of the partly boarded-up window in his old room. Below, some assorted trash was still scattered about in the alley. It was a wonder the man who'd attacked him the night before hadn't broken his neck in such a fall.

Mac picked up his war bag, draped the heavy buffalo coat over his arm, and went quietly down the stairs. He had been intent on leaving, getting out before any more trouble started, but Steve Kallon was already up and about.

"I'll fix you something for breakfast if you'll give me a minute," he offered.

Mac let out a deep breath. "Might as well. I've got a long trek ahead."

He followed Steve into the kitchen, sitting at the small table used by the cook. He was slightly amazed at the ease and adroitness the little man displayed as he hurriedly prepared a breakfast of ham and eggs and toast for the two of them.

The whole thing took him less than five minutes, and he was sitting at the table with Mac.

"You're right handy around the kitchen," Mac praised.

"Yes," Steve admitted frankly. "I was a cafe owner back East for several years. The only way to make money in your own business is to do the work yourself."

Taking a bite of toast, Mac watched the little man's expression. "What do you think of Terri?"

"Wonderful girl," he said without hesitation.

"And her relationship with Troy Carstairs?"

Steve didn't try to hide the dislike he felt. "All one-sided as far as I can see. He likes her-and he doesn't care how she feels."

"About that Tellar place," Mac said, changing the subject. "What became of the place after the two Tellars were planted underground?"

"Carstairs had a loan against the place. He made a tidy sum by selling it to the High C ranch. They needed the water."

"Then the Tellars had homesteaded the place long enough to acquire a deed?"

"Yep. It was a real shame too. They had just gotten legal papers to the place the month before."

Mac noted the coincidence in the back of his mind. "Seems I heard that Carstairs has two sons?"

"Yes. Troy, whom you've met socially, and Dale. Dale isn't quite the giant Troy is, and he spends most of his time out at their ranch, but he is a dangerous customer."

"How many guns does Justin have on his payroll?"

Steve began to look suspicious. "You wouldn't be thinking of pulling up a chair in this game, would you?"

"It's a stacked deck," Mac told him truthfully, "but I could play a card or two. Might even win a hand now and again."

"In answer to your question," Steve said, his eyes bright with a new excitement, "Justin has a fistful of aces. He controls the judge, Jeb Kelly, though I doubt that Jeb would condone any outright killing. He has Dace, but Hollister might pull stakes if things get too hot.

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