Death Came Calling by Adam Smith

Author:Adam Smith
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780719821141
Publisher: Robert Hale

At every turn, Sheriff Cairney expected Lowe’s men to wait in ambush. They could easily take the longer route to town and, at full gallop, could have got in front of himself and Lowe.

As the lights in Bristow started to appear in the distance, Ray began to relax slightly.

‘You won’t get away with this, Cairney,’ Lowe grumbled.

‘It’s you who won’t get away with it, Lowe. Six people, five innocent people and one of your so-called number have been killed. And for what? A quick buck?’

‘It’s more than a “quick buck” as you call it. There’s thousands at stake here and the town can only benefit in the long run.’

‘You mean you, Jenkins and Waring will benefit. Foreclosing on ranches and homesteads, most of whom supply the town with food, will put the price of everything up. You know that. Not to mention the livelihoods you’ll ruin. All you’re interested in is yourself.’

‘You’re a fool. You could have been a rich man, but I tell you this, your days as sheriff of Bristow are coming to an end,’ Lowe said.

‘I can sleep at night, Lowe. Can you?’ Ray spat trail dust out of his mouth.

‘I sleep just fine.’

Both men flinched as a rifle shot rang out and a plume of dust rose in the air as the slug hit the ground in front of the sheriff’s horse.

‘That’s far enough, Cairney.’ A voice shouted in a gruff tone, and at the same time eight riders appeared above a crest.

‘Well, well,’ Ray said. ‘Your partners in crime have appeared.’ Ray’s hand slipped to the butt of his Colt.

‘I wouldn’t try that.’ It was Waring who hollered, a crooked grin on his face. ‘Told you you wouldn’t keep me in jail,’ he added.

‘Enough chit-chat, turn Ambrose loose,’ Clint Jenkins ordered, ‘you’re finished in Bristow.’

‘Seems like I have no choice,’ Ray said in a soft voice.

‘None whatsoever,’ Jenkins said.

‘Throw down that Colt and unsheathe the rifle,’ Waring ordered and Ray complied.

‘Now what? You gonna kill me too?’ Ray asked.

‘No, we wouldn’t kill an officer of the law – unless we had to!’ Jenkins retorted. ‘You just turn around and head north – and don’t come back!’

‘Now, release Mr Lowe,’ Waring said.

Ray didn’t move a muscle, but at a sign from Waring, the rannies they had brought with them drew their guns and cocked them.

‘Thought you said you wouldn’t kill an officer of the law?’ Ray said.

‘I said we wouldn’t, but they might,’ Waring answered, pointing at the men.

Grudgingly, Ray unlocked the handcuffs binding Lowe and released the halter from the man’s horse.

‘Now ride,’ Waring commanded.

Ray wheeled his horse round and set off at a walk, no sense in tiring the animal, he thought.

Suddenly, he stopped. Turning, he called out, ‘What happened to Otis?’

‘Sheriff Otis is fine, don’t worry about him, we got him in our pockets,’ Waring replied.

‘Hmm.’ Ray didn’t want to believe that. He just hoped Otis was playing possum until the federal marshal arrived – if he ever did!

Ray walked his mount on.

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