Return of the Gun by R. B. Conroy

Author:R. B. Conroy [Conroy, R B]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: R B Conroy, Western, Return of the Gun
Publisher: CCB Publishing
Published: 2012-02-21T17:53:38+00:00

Chapter 14

The light from the quarter moon illuminated the well-worn trail as Jon made his way back to El Cabrera. The wonderful hospitality of his old friend Carlos had caused him to stay at the vineyard well into the night. He was feeling no pain, humming one of his favorite tunes, “Old Dan Tucker,” as he rode along the moonlit path. It was near midnight when he arrived in town. The street was empty except for several horses tied to the hitching post in front of the Dead End. Jon spurred Babe forward past the popular haunt. Light from the lanterns inside threw yellow squares across the street. Jon glanced inside; a bargirl gently laid her arm on the shoulder of one of the many gamblers. The diehards were still up testing lady luck. Tempted to stop and play a while, he rode on instead.

The street turned dark and quiet after Jon passed the saloon and rode toward Callahan’s; he looked into the shadows and noticed Stanton’s fancy buggy sitting in front of the popular boardinghouse. He pulled up to the hitching post, dismounted and tied down. The front door was partially open—someone had entered in a hurry. Jon could hear voices coming from Maggie’s room as he carefully pushed the door open and gently closed it behind him. Trying not to disturb the late night lovers, Jon walked quietly toward the stairs to his room. His pace slowed when he heard Maggie whimpering and sobbing. Concerned, Jon stopped to listen.

“You damn whore!” Stanton shouted angrily. “You’ve made me look like a fool!”

Suddenly Jon’s mind cleared. His senses went on full alert.

“I’ll teach you, you dirty—”

“No, George, no! Not again! Please!” Maggie’s voice was full of terror. Jon heard what sounded like a buggy whip hitting flesh as Maggie screamed in pain.

Anger shot through Jon like a bolt of lightning as he leaped over the front desk. He grabbed the door handle. It wouldn’t budge—the door was locked. He leaned back, raised his leg and kicked. The door flew open. Jon burst into the room, fists doubled. He was sickened by what he saw. Maggie’s nightgown was down to her waist, and she was kneeling face down on her bed. Blood oozed from several wounds on her bare back as the muscular Stanton, buggy whip in hand, spun toward Jon.

“What the hell…” the surprised mogul bellowed.

Jon rushed over, yanked the buggy whip out of Stanton’ s hand and threw it across the room.

“How ’bout tryin’ me on for size, George?” Jon’s fist blasted into Stanton’s gut.

His eyes went wide with shock. “Oh Gawd!” he screamed as he folded over in pain.

Maggie leaned up and slid her calico nightgown up over her bare breasts. She scooted over on her knees and cowered near the end of the bed as Jon’s brutal beating continued. Jon grabbed Stanton by his ears and slammed his knee into the brute’s forehead, knocking him backward against the wall. George bounced off the wall and began staggering around and looking for a weapon, he saw a cast iron stoker by the fireplace.

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