Holding Their Own XIV by Joe Nobody

Author:Joe Nobody
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Kemah Bay Mareting LLC

Chapter 9

Something about gunfighting always made Bishop extremely thirsty. The spent cordite was exhausted inches from his mouth and nose, so he could not escape his weapon’s gases. While inhaling gun smoke played a role in his condition, he could spend all day training at the range without experiencing such a severe case of cotton mouth. Some other factor was at play.

No doubt the physical exertion contributed, but again, he could run, lift, and sweat for hours without feeling like his throat was lined with sandpaper.

He was sure that combat’s unequaled adrenaline dump was the main culprit.

Sitting at Carlie’s kitchen table, nursing his third glass of water, the hounded witness recounted his engagement at the park between gulps of the cold liquid. Carlie was shocked, Terri clearly worried.

“So, one of them got away?” Terri asked, somehow always managing to hit her husband’s most sensitive button.

“Well, now, let’s not forget that I was overwhelmingly outgunned. And yet I still managed to take out seven of their murdering asses before they could make mincemeat of me,” Bishop countered, hoping to garner a smidge of sympathy before continuing. “But yes,” he continued, lowering his gaze to the floor. “I screwed up. I lost focus, and the ringleader got away. Sorry.”

Terri’s expression made it clear that second-guessing her husband’s performance wasn’t the intent. “No, don’t worry about that,” she replied, lovingly patting his hand. “I’m thankful you’re here in one piece. I’m worried about Ketchum’s reaction. He’s going to know we’re here at Carlie’s.”

“Huh?” Bishop blinked.

“His men came here. Carlie sent them to Rocky Falls. You were there waiting in ambush.”

“I didn’t ambush them,” Bishop corrected.

Shaking her head with a soft smile, she countered, “You said one man drove off, that he was their leader, right?”

“Yes.”

“And what report do you think he’s going to make to Ketchum? Do you think he’s going to admit that one guy, hiding in the weeds, managed to kill seven of his henchmen? I’d bet a chocolate cake that this VooDoo fellow runs home and tells daddy that they were ambushed… that an unknown number of men bushwhacked them out of nowhere. That the drygulchers had a good plan and had been waiting.”

It took Bishop only a few blinks to realize his wife was probably right. “Shit. I didn’t think of that.”

Terri didn’t waste another moment, turning to Carlie, she insisted, “We all have to get out of here. Quickly. I know this home and farm is all you have left, but it’s not worth your life. They will be coming back, and they’re not going to be nearly as friendly this time. You should pack up some things, and all of us should get out of here as soon as possible.”

“They’ll burn down my house!” Carlie responded, her eyes full of horror. “Even if we’re not here, they’ll destroy everything! Oh my God… what am I going to do?”

“You can rebuild,” Terri said, trying to sooth the terrified woman. “As long as you’re alive, there’s always hope. If we stay here, chances are we’ll all be killed.

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