John Lee Johnson Must Die by Conn Hamlett

Author:Conn Hamlett [Hamlett, Conn]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781458222770
Publisher: Abbott Press
Published: 2020-03-11T04:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 6

Still one hundred miles away from Baileysboro, Judith’s coach pulled off the road at sundown near a wooden bridge that crossed a small stream. After all these weeks, they had established a routine: her coach always remained a short distance apart from the men but close enough for protection. The men handled the horses and established two campfires. They had heard that this part of Texas was primarily free from riffraff, and security wasn’t as rigid.

On this particular occasion, Judith, bored with her own company, went to the campfire and was invited to sit on a horse blanket. She leaned back against Felix Green’s saddle. She could sense that everyone was in better spirits since the journey would be over in less than a week.

Judith had taken note that the cheerless Felix Green, who in the past had acted as though she didn’t exist, was treating her to the point of deference. He brought her a large tin of coffee. While he handed her the cup, his eyes seemed fascinated by her golden pinky rings. As he dragged his vision from those shiny bands, he gave her one of his rare smiles and asked whether he could sit next to her. She gave him a puzzled look and shrugged indifferently. He took that shrug as a yes.

When the sun dipped over the flat edge of the landscape, sending soft shades of yellow and orange over the scene, it set a mellow mood. Trivial conversation and jokes became less frequent. There were longer pauses as if everyone were prepped for personal reflections.

She could feel Felix’s edge-of-the-eye looks at her. She knew this strange man lately had undergone a strange transformation, especially toward her. She inwardly was glad he wasn’t as dour acting as though he suffered from dyspepsia or being a grouch like he had been during the previous three weeks of the journey. But as much as Judith analyzed his strange metamorphosis, the more confused she became.

Giving in to temptation, Judith chanced a quick glance at Felix. His eyes were fixated on her rings. She quickly averted her glance back to the campfire and the general environment. She wondered whether Felix wanted her rings because they were gold or whether he had fallen in love with her. Or were his intentions sinister?

Felix, seated on the sand beside her, placed his empty coffee cup to the side. In a low, surreptitious voice he asked, “Miss Lancaster, would you mind takin’ a walk with me?”

Judith gave him a curious look. She turned her head, with her eyes pinpointed in thought. The promise of finding out his intentions was too enticing. She tossed the coffee dregs from her cup, placed it beside Felix’s, and gave him a nod.

The others sat nonplussed as the two incongruous people rose and walked toward the bridge.

Lefty watched their backs in the growing umbra. He gave a Can you believe this? look to Slick and received the same disbelieving glance back.

When Judith and Felix were out of

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