The Day After Never - Covenant (Post-Apocalyptic Dystopian Thriller - Book 3) Read Online Free Page B

the trader to know he meant business and wasn’t playing cheap.
    “You run into anyone who can help identify those two, I’d be grateful,” Cano said.
    “And how would that gratitude manifest itself?” the little man asked.
    “Another AK, at least, for you. Same for whoever helps us.”
    The trader’s eyes widened. “That’s…grateful indeed.”
    “Spread the word. My men are at the corner breakfast place. Just have ’em ask for Cano, mention you sent them, and I’ll take care of you.”
    The helper reappeared with his arm muscles bulging under the weight of the supplies. “Where you want it?” he asked.
    “Horses are outside.” Cano looked to the trader a final time. “Remember – money for nothing if you find someone to help me.”
    “Got it.”
    Luis and Cano led the helper to the horses. The young man set the bundles down and leaned into Cano. “I got a break for lunch. I ain’t afraid to go look at no dead guys. You serious about the pay?”
    Cano grinned. “Lightly used AK, all yours if you can identify them.”
    “If they were from around here, I can. I know everyone.”
    Luis sized up the man and estimated his age at somewhere around twenty. “We’ll be over at the diner.”
    “I want two AKs. One for me…and the one you woulda given Tucker.”
    Cano and Luis exchanged a look, and the Crew boss nodded slowly. “That’s reasonable. Same to me either way. You said you get off around noon? Can’t slip away now?”
    The man shook his head. “No way.”
    “All right. You know where to find us.”
    Luis and Cano watched as the young man headed back to the shop, and Cano began packing the goods into his saddlebags. “That’s one problem solved.”
    “Assuming he knows ’em.”
    “Best lead we’ve got.”
    A tall man approached from across the street, hand on his sidearm – a Colt 1911 .45-caliber pistol in a worn holster that his expression said he knew how to use. He stopped in front of them and adjusted his ten-gallon Stetson.
    “Howdy, boys. Heard you just arrived. Not going to be staying long, are you?”
    Cano looked him up and down. “What’s it to you?”
    “I’m the sheriff. Don’t want any trouble round here.”
    “We causing any?” Cano asked reasonably.
    “Heard all about a gunfight out by the lake. Be best if you weren’t here come sundown.”
    “Wasn’t planning on staying.”
    The man nodded, his eyes hard. “Good.”
    They watched the sheriff amble into the trading post, and Cano turned to Luis. “Finish stowing this stuff. I’m going to find the radio.”
    “I wish you wouldn’t pull any men from Pecos. We’re thin on the ground there…”
    Cano’s voice was hard as iron. “Don’t question me – you’re here to do what I say, and that’s all. Pack up and keep your mouth shut, understand?”
    Luis choked back the fury that surged through him and dropped his head so Cano wouldn’t see the murder in his eyes. He nodded once and moved away, fighting the urge to reach for his handgun and put a round through the man’s skull. Luis reminded himself that even if he took Cano down, he’d have to face the pair of Crew gunmen, and the odds of prevailing against all three of them were slim.
    Cano strode away, leaving Luis to stew at the insulting treatment, his back a further taunt and confirmation of Luis’s subordination.
    Luis counted slowly to ten, willing his heart rate back to normal, and began packing the goods. The long string of curses that ran through his head was as colorful as the flush that had suffused his face. Under normal circumstances, Luis would have already driven his knife into the Crew boss’s heart, but now wasn’t the time.
    He would just keep his head down and wait.
    Because eventually he’d have his chance, and then Cano would learn that he’d pushed the wrong man.
     

Chapter 5
    Colt’s horse swayed along in front of Lucas, its deliberate gait measured and even, the stride of an animal accustomed to covering long