Bleached Bones in the Dust by I. J. Parnham

Author:I. J. Parnham
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Culbin Press
Published: 2024-07-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

Montgomery leaned forward preparing to run at Lomax and wrest the gun from his grasp, but Lomax backed away for a pace while centering the gun on his chest. Montgomery rocked back down on his heels as Herman hurried out from the pass.

Herman ignored the body, proving he knew the remains were here and that they’d planned to bring their captives to this spot. Then he turned to them with his arms held out ready to grab them if they ran toward him.

“So I was right,” Montgomery said. “You have joined Arnold.”

“And I was right,” Lomax said. “An idiot like you should never have been in charge of me.”

Montgomery smiled, giving the impression that he was acquiescing. Satisfied, Lomax gestured at Herman and, taking that as his only chance, Montgomery launched himself forward, hoping to catch him unawares.

He’d managed two long paces before Lomax turned back to him, but then a whirling sound heralded a rope rasping down around his neck and pulling him up. Pike and Snyder had arrived, having slipped out of the pass unheard.

Nick also set off, aiming to run to safety, but a second lasso twirled and with unerring accuracy Pike roped him. Nick struggled, trying to unwrap the rope from around his chest, while Montgomery stayed still.

Nick’s rope had looped around his neck and his captor’s gesture of a knife across the throat said that a sharp tug would throttle him. Presently Nick admitted defeat. Now, surrounded, roped and with weapons held on them they had no choice but to accept their fate.

The next fifteen minutes were traumatic. With Lomax holding a gun on them the three other men pushed them to the ground and tied ropes to their wrists and ankles. Then they were splayed out and secured to stakes.

Montgomery looked for any opportunity to mount an escape attempt, figuring that being shot would be preferable to the terrible slow death that awaited, but the men worked with ruthless and practiced efficiently, proving they had done this before. When they stood back Montgomery strained, but his bonds were tight.

Then all he could do was offer Nick comfort. He raised himself as much as he was able and tried to catch Nick’s eye, but Nick had withdrawn into himself and was murmuring to himself, perhaps in prayer.

Lomax interrupted his efforts by letting his shadow fall over Montgomery’s face. Lomax’s form was a dark outline with the sun creating a halo effect around his head, which was in sharp contrast to the cruel knife he held aloft.

“I should thank you for returning my knife,” he said.

“Releasing Nick will show you mean that.”

“Your concern for this one is touching.” Lomax pointed at Nick. “So I’ll work on him first and let you enjoy hearing his screams for the help you can never provide.”

Montgomery jerked his head in the opposite direction to signify the dried-out husk lying beside him.

“Was your previous victim someone who also wanted my help?”

Lomax smiled and turned to the body. “You’ll get precious little comfort in your final hours, but I’ll put your mind at rest on that.

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