Black Horse Creek (9781101607466) Read Online Free Page A

his body to collect the reward—his guns, his horse ain’t enough evidence—we’ve got to have the body.” He waited a moment to make sure Grayson understood the terms. “This ain’t going out on a regular wanted poster, because we don’t want some wild, half-drunk cowboy taking a shot at Billy and sending him into hiding. We’re just giving you the opportunity to slip over into Kansas and bring him out before anybody knows about it. I’ve got a paper signed by the governor of Arkansas that authorizes you to act on the state’s behalf as a representative of the U.S. marshal service. So whaddaya say? You want the job?”
    â€œI reckon,” Grayson replied dryly. “It ain’t always easy to bring ’em back settin’ upright in the saddle, though.” He felt he needed to emphasize that fact. “And that’s a helluva long way to escort a prisoner, and that’s providin’ he ain’t run off to Montana or somewhere else.”
    â€œOne thousand dollars,” Council said. “That’s the reason the reward is that much.”
    â€œYou tellin’ me that if Billy gets his hands on a gun the day before I get him back to Fort Smith, and I have to shoot him to keep him from killin’ me, you ain’t gonna pay me the money?”
    â€œNo,” Council replied. “I ain’t saying that. I’m saying do everything you can to bring him back alive, but you’ll get your money dead or alive. But not without Billy’s body. Dammit, we’re going to hang him up for everybody to see what happens to people who shoot deputy marshals.”
    â€œJust wanted to be clear on that,” Grayson said. “I’ll go get him for you.” He got up to leave, but hesitated before the door. “I’m gonna have to buy cartridges and other supplies.”
    Council stopped him before he went further. “Damn, Grayson, we don’t ever pay bounty hunters’ expenses. You know that.”
    â€œJust thought I’d ask.” He took hold of the doorknob. Nodding toward the stove in the corner again, he suggested, “Woulda been a good idea to have a coffeepot on that stove if you’re gonna keep a fire goin’ in it.”
    *   *   *
    There had to be a pretty thick film of dust and dirt on the floor before Ed Lenta could be motivated to sweep. The store having reached that condition several days before, Ed procrastinated no longer, and put his broom to work. A small dirty cloud of dust formed over the back step of the building as Ed swept it through the door. Taking wide sweeps with the broom in an effort to send the dirt as far out in the yard as possible, he suddenly paused when he thought he heard something. Not certain that he had, he turned back toward the front door. “Damn!” he blurted in surprise to find the imposing figure standing between him and the bar, casually holding a rifle in one hand. “Grayson,” he remarked. “You ought not sneak up on a man like that. You coulda gave me a heart attack.” Still holding on to his broom, he walked over behind the bar. He had seen the notorious hunter of men several times before, and it seemed like a person never heard him coming. Even the gray gelding he rode seemed to tiptoe.
    â€œHello, Ed,” Grayson replied. “You looked awful busy there. I didn’t wanna disturb you.”
    Ed knew full well why Grayson was there, but he planned on playing dumb. His livelihood depended almost exclusively upon outlaws that sought refuge in The Nations, and his business would soon dry up if it became known that he had cooperated with the law. Grayson was no longer officially a representative of the law, but he may as well be, for he did their work for them. “What brings you out this way?” he asked.
    â€œI came over from Fort Smith just because I was curious to see if you’ve got your memory