Queen's Peril by Darin Kennedy

Author:Darin Kennedy [Kennedy, Darin]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Falstaff Books
Published: 2019-12-11T22:00:00+00:00

16

Blood & Guts

“And I thought the back room of Mr. Matheson’s deli was cramped.” Niklaus’ feet extended well past the end of the narrow mattress. “And who did they build these beds for, anyway? Hobbits?”

“At least it’s warm.” Steven peered out the tiny window by his head. “We could be out in the snow.”

“True.” Niklaus tossed a threadbare blanket across his naked feet and rolled onto his side. “So, what do we do now?”

“We track down Emilio as quick as we can, make sure nothing happens to Archie, and try not to get ourselves killed in the process. Beyond that, I just don’t know.”

“Sounds like a plan.” Niklaus chuckled. “And hey, at least we made a good impression on local law enforcement.”

Steven held back a laugh. “Right.”

Their cordial inquisition at the saloon had gone on for another half hour. With Archie’s subtle guidance, Steven and Niklaus had managed to avoid most of the more difficult questions about their sudden appearance in Wolf’s Bend, though Steven had no doubt their every move would be scrutinized as long as they were in town. Post and Ndure’s well-rehearsed “good cop, bad cop” routine was well ahead of its time, the careful back-and-forth coming across as if lifted from a prime time detective drama. In the end, Steven’s earnestness and Niklaus’ humor had won the pair over—at least a bit—but that didn’t change the fact that neither of the two lawmen believed their story in the slightest.

And Steven didn’t blame them.

“You think Post ever cracks a smile?” Niklaus asked.

“I’m guessing not. Especially when it comes to strangers who are clearly holding things back.” Steven peeled the damp wool socks from his feet and slid between the sheets of an even smaller bed than Niklaus’. “I can’t imagine trying to be the face of law and order in a world where every man walking down the street has a six-shooter at his hip.”

“Not all that different from your America, Steven.” Niklaus rolled over and picked up the candle from the stool that served as their shared nightstand. “At least here, you know everyone’s packing heat.” He blew out the candle, sending the room into a twilight state. “Back home, you never know who might be—”

A loud crack echoed from the hall, followed closely by another. Though muffled by the heavy oak of the door, the sound was unmistakable.

“What the hell?” Steven sat up straightaway and hit his head on the darkened gas lamp above his headboard. “Were those gunshots?”

“Sure sounded like it.” Niklaus grabbed his clothes from the stool by his bed and headed for the door.

“What are you doing?” Steven peered at his friend through the dim light filtering in from the room’s tiny window. “I thought we were trying not to get ourselves killed.”

“I’m going to find out what the hell is happening.” Niklaus slid into his faded jeans and buttoned up his shirt. “Though if I end up dead in 1890, I’ll be wearing something besides a pair of long johns.”

“All right.” Steven rose and forced himself back into his still-damp clothes.

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