Whitewater Run by Caleb Rand

Author:Caleb Rand [Rand, Caleb]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Robert Hale
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 8

Under the stars, Billy just about kept Bigg Harmer in sight. Ahead of them and glimmering in the darkness was their goal, Pelicano. Somewhere near was a big, dark-haired man who dressed fancy and was partial to women and gambling. Tyler Quince was also a liar and a killer.

Riding steady, Billy caught up with Harmer on the western outskirts of town. The sheriff’s mount was at a standstill, sweat-lathered and breathing like a steam engine. Seeing Billy approaching, Harmer flicked the reins and kicked the horse’s flank. It drew a big snort, but that was all.

Slewing his dun to a standstill, Billy grinned humourlessly. ‘Having trouble here, Sheriff?’

Harmer kicked free of the stirrups. ‘Yeah. We’re both all in.’ Harmer swung heavily to the ground and stumbled. ‘I guess this belly shot’s taken more out of me than I thought,’ he rasped. For a second he turned his back on Billy, a dark silhouette before the glint of Pelicano’s lights.

‘Are you OK? What’s going on?’ Billy asked.

The lawman turned back fast. ‘Just this,’ he said, having drawn his Colt. ‘Get down.’ Then he gasped when he saw that Billy already had the drop on him.

‘You’ve pointed that goddamn smoke pole at me once too often, you old goat,’ Billy replied. ‘So put it away, unless you’re going to use it.’

Harmer kept his old Colt levelled. ‘Words ain’t ever fazed me much, young feller.’ Casting his eyes towards the horizon, he cursed. ‘You can see that red glow from here, so why can’t Quince?’

‘He probably can. Or will shortly. Then what do you think he’ll do? Ride out to investigate with fire buckets?’

‘I think he’ll know I’m real close. So I don’t want you messing up or getting in the way. I’m guessing I had to stop you. Or try.’

‘I could say the same about you, Sheriff,’ Billy snapped back.

‘Stop me? Yeah, we never did get to figuring out who you really were, Billy Newton . . . what you’re wanting to be here for.’

Billy didn’t respond, just stared poker-faced at the sheriff. A mutual respect made both men reluctant to start shooting. Yet within the next few minutes, they knew they would have to exchange bullets if one of them didn’t back down.

‘Quince murdered my daughter,’ Harmer said with urgent feeling. ‘That’s what gives me the right to make it even.’

Billy’s expression was colder now. ‘She’ll be avenged at the end of a rope. Somewhere between here and Big China Wash.’

‘Huh. Now I know it was you shot the rancher a couple of years ago.’ Harmer wiped the back of his left hand across his eyes. ‘Perhaps you haven’t got the stomach for summary justice. Is that it, Newton . . . or should I say Finch?’

‘Whatever, Sheriff. To all of it. You’ll abide by that star of yours when the time comes, but I’m not carrying the same consideration.’

‘I was a father before I was a sheriff, mister. So now we know the set of things, you can get out of my way.

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