The Killing Season by Compton Ralph

Author:Compton, Ralph
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: PENGUIN group
Published: 2010-02-26T05:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 19

Hays, Kansas. August 25, 1874

“Damn it, Elsa, I know what I’m doing,” Clell Shanklin said irritably. “Gonzolos and his boys was mad as hell when that last shipment slipped through a day early. Now I got to redeem myself, and this Kansas-Pacific shipment should do it.”

“This time, you can’t blame it on Melanie,” Elsa snapped. “I can’t believe she’s gone.”

“I told you what she had to say when I broke up with her,” Shanklin lied. “She knows it’s you and me, and she’s gone off to sulk. She wants nothing more to do with you. Why do you reckon you’ve had no answer to your telegrams?”

“I suppose I’m getting what I deserve,” said Elsa. “Ten days ago, I had a business of my own, a life of my own, and a daughter. Now all I have are the clothes on my back, a room in a grubby plains hotel, and a husband who’s a damned thief.”

Shanklin laughed. “Elsa, Elsa, you took me for better or worse, and you knew what the ‘worse’ was, goin’ in. I’m a thief, but by God, I tried all the other ways, and you know what I got? A few mules, some secondhand wagons, and a never-ending drudgery of hauling other men’s silver and gold. I aim to end up rich or dead.”

“And I have an idea which it’s going to be,” said Elsa. “How much longer do we have to squat here, waiting for this mangy coyote of a Mexican outlaw?”

“Chapa will be here when he gets here,” Shanklin said, “and if you’re smart, you’ll be a mite more cautious how you speak of him when he’s around. Chapa doesn’t appreciate disloyalty, and whatever you think of our plans, you’ll do well to keep your mouth shut.”

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