Bullet Catch Showdown by I. J. Parnham

Author:I. J. Parnham
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Culbin Press
Published: 2022-06-13T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

“Keep walking and stay with the crowd,” Hayward said.

“We can’t stay with them forever,” Ralston said. “Everyone’s got somewhere to go to.”

Reluctantly Hayward nodded. On the train they’d stayed in a crowded car so Logan hadn’t made a move on them. Around twenty people had disembarked at Prudence and they’d slipped into the center of that group, but now those people were spreading out as they sought out hotels.

“Agreed. The moment Logan gets close, we run for the law office.”

“So you’re still determined that we avoid sorting out this mess ourselves?”

“Logan killed a lawman. That’s all I intend to tell the law. Once that’s sorted out, we’ll deal with Severin together.”

Ralston said nothing for several strides. Then he gave a firm nod while pointing ahead.

“Unless we get the chance to deal with him first.”

Three buildings away stood a music hall and a notice outside announced that tomorrow night Malachi would be performing. Tonight’s show had just ended, and when two men emerged to open doors, people spilled out on to the hardpan while chatting about the night’s entertainment.

Hayward turned around. Logan and his two men were walking fifty yards behind them while eyeing the commotion with irritation.

“We know where Malachi will be for the next two nights. That’ll give us enough time to find Severin.”

“I don’t need time.” Ralston pointed at a man and woman who were walking arm in arm through the door. “That’s Severin O’Hara.”

Hayward nodded and, with their next actions decided, he put Logan from his mind and waded into the throng. The crowd swept them along and even if they’d wanted to seek a different direction, they’d have found it impossible.

They were thirty paces behind their quarries, but at least two dozen people were between them and they couldn’t get closer as they were bustled along to the saloon beside the music hall. Although the Broken Arrow was a large building, it couldn’t cater for all the people so Hayward hoped Logan might be kept outside, but Ralston dashed that hope when he pointed over his shoulder.

Twenty feet back Logan was trapped in the doorway amid a block of people. Dale and Gomez were barging customers aside, but with humanity pressing in on every side they couldn’t make headway.

“Logan showed in Carmon that he won’t act when lots of people are around,” Hayward said, shouting to be heard over the hubbub. “But he might take advantage of the confusion, so we should head for the law office. It’s opposite the saloon.”

“I’ve seen something better.” Ralston pointed, the action knocking the man in front of him and making him grumble. “Sheriff Simmons is at the bar.”

Hayward smiled, and when Ralston returned the smile, they moved toward Simmons, making Logan redouble his efforts and shove people aside as he tried to reach them. Hayward and Ralston failed to make headway and worse, the mass of people moved them past the bar.

Ahead, the only people who moved against the tide were their quarries and the couple managed to snake around several customers to reach the stairs.

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