Gunslinger's Moon Read Online Free

admire the out of place building. Polished and strong it was the opposite of Hicks’ self-made shack. Inside, the coal mine headquarters was gloomy and quiet. The windows were covered in heavy drapes and lamps burned low. The change in temperature was shocking, the sweat cooling on his brow. Maybe because he had the chance to clear his throat of dust, Jed coughed harshly.
    “Who is there?” A man called out.
    The foreman was a rough man named Jonathan Reed. Since Miller’s death he had assumed command over the operation. Most of the duties had already been is. Now he was stuck behind a desk, trying to makes sense of numerous papers he rifled through. The foreman had less than Hicks to say. His conversation was obtuse and grudgingly. Like Ross, Jonathon seemed put out with the mere fact Jed was a gunslinger. 
    In the end, Jed gleamed no information. On the way back, he explored the miners’ camp. It was a tent city, hundreds of textile huts scattered around a couple of buildings. Two of which were saloons and a third a meager general store. The one in town looked much greater. A lack of appealing places to eat meant noon came and went as he rode. Jed ate lunch using provisions left in his saddlebags. It was a dry lunch and between it and the heat made for a terrible thirst. A thirst not sated by the warm water in his canteen.
    He met up with Carter. Together they begin asking around town while Ross went on patrol. The deputy preferred walking aimlessly than question witnesses. They first spoke with people close to the murder scene. That meant a large number of people. Carter gained some confidence and he led the questioning. Jed would interject if the sheriff missed anything. Unfortunately, most did not know anything. They heard little and they discovered only a single scream had cried into the night. Jed asked in general if they noticed any strange happenings. They had not.
    At the end of a long day Jed left Carter, promising to resume the next day. Jed was in the need of a drink. Late afternoon the Lucky Strike Saloon had many patrons. The only notable one was Hudson. He was earnestly whispering to Bjorn who was leaning forward. Jed’s mother had always warned his curiosity would land him in hot water. Unable to help himself he silently approached the bar. Somehow both men heard him. Hudson turned around fidgeting with his spectacles.
    Bjorn stood up and said, “You look in need of a drink.”
    Jed appreciatively took a shot. The whiskey was smooth and burned as it went down. Tapping for another Jed questioned Bjorn about his patrons. “You ever seen anything strange about your patrons? Have you noticed some regulars avoiding certain nights?”
    Hudson gave Bjorn a worried glance. Jed caught the look and faced the station master. “What about you Hudson? Seen anything?”
    Furiously rubbing his spectacles, he stuttered, “No, no. It’s just a strange question. Gone some nights? That doesn’t sound good.”
    Bjorn shook his head. “I haven’t seen nothing either. But looks like you scared Hudson.”
    Hudson took quick sips of his drink trying to appear at ease. Jed ordered a beer and sat at a table in the corner, thinking. He calculated what tonight was on the lunar cycle. Most gunslingers kept track of the full moon. With more than a week till the next full moon he was facing a dead end. Assuming no one had anything to add, then the only other chance he had was to try the saloons at the coal mine. For the most part, he had given up finding specific information regarding the attack. Hudson began whispering to Bjorn again. Jed tried to read their lips, frowning when he couldn’t make out the words.
    The next day they split, asking different folk. It must have seemed desperate talking to those at the other end of town. Before lunch, Jed traveled to the mining camp. Lunch was served upon long tables, seating dozens. He talked to miners as they ate, interrupting many meals. While animosity could be heard in their