California Killing Read Online Free

them obeyed.
    Magda, familiar with this side of her husband's character, hurried to do what he ordered. He watched her haul on the ropes securing the back flaps before he turned to peer down the trail. "Stay under cover unless I call you."
    "Yes, John," she responded meekly as the canvas covers fell into place.
    They were still moving slightly when the stage rolled into sight from out of the rain, flanked by two outriders either side and trailed by several more horsemen. Stricklyn allowed the aim of the rifle to drop as Dayton hauled on the reins to bring the four horse stage team to a halt. The riders moved forward to form an arc around the rear of the crippled wagon, their faces blank of expression. Their hands hovered near, but did not touch their guns.
    "Why we stopped?" Hood called from within the stage.
    "I think we been held up, Sam," Kilroy answered from the center of the group of horsemen.
    As a burst of laughter sounded, Stricklyn tightened his grip on the rifle and fought the impulse to raise the barrel. Hood poked his hairless head through the stage window. He stared coldly at Stricklyn for long moments, then cracked open his lips in a crooked smile.
    "Howdy, mister," he greeted brightly. He pushed open the door and stepped down. He held Dexter's money satchel loosely in his left hand and swung it gently to and fro as he moved, between the horsemen and halted a few yards in front of Stricklyn, peering around the man at the broken wheel. He shook his head in mock sympathy. "You got a problem."
    "Horse was scared off the trail by a snake," Stricklyn replied, licking rain from his lips, fully aware he could expect no help from this quarter.
    "See you tried to lift her."
    "Haven't got the weight."
    Hood sniffed. "Us little fellers got a lot to put up with." He glanced over his shoulder. "You guys got any ideas?"
    "Aw, Sam, you know it hurts my head to think," Dayton whined, and drew laughter.
    Kilroy looked up at the low sky. "Rain don't let off, come morning she ought to float down to the coast."
    Stricklyn swallowed hard, his apprehension deepening.
    "Go see what's in the wagon; Jose," Hood instructed. "Maybe if we can get some freight off, feller'll be able to get her up."
    As the young Mexican dismounted, Stricklyn took a pace backwards and brought up the rifle. He drew a bead on Hood's chest. Hood wiped the parody of a smile from his face and his eyes seemed to protrude even more.
    "Stay away!" Stricklyn ordered, and every man was surprised by the authority in the command.
    Hood recovered quickly and glanced at the rear of the wagon in time to see the canvas covers sway. He sighed and looked back into Stricklyn's nondescript face. "You men," he said evenly. "This guy don't stick his rifle in the mud, barrel down, by the time I count to three, blast the wagon. An' don't' stop 'til there ain't nothin' left 'cepting kindling wood. Then you can roast him alive. One ... two…"
    Stricklyn saw every man but Hood reach for a weapon. Desperation flashed through his eyes. He turned the Symmes towards the ground and thrust it forcefully downwards. When he released his hold, the rifle remained upright with half of its long barrel buried in the mud.
    Hood nodded. "You're like me, mister. Small but smart." He jerked the rifle from its resting place. "Jose, I thought I told you to golook in the wagon?"
    The Mexican boyran forward and Stricklyn turned to watch him, his face a mask of anguish. But then a swishing sound captured his attention. As he swung his head around, the bald-headed man was grinning. Then a laugh ripped from Hood's throat as a powerful swing of his arm sent the stock of the Symmes thudding into its owner's middle. Stricklyn choked his pain and began to fold, clutching his stomach and retching. Hood brought up his arm and swung the rifle from a different angle. It crashed into the back of Stricklyn's neck and sent the man face down into the mud and his own vomit.
    "Just ain't your day, mister," Hood muttered