The Devil's Collector Read Online Free Page A

wanted Sonnet to experience after killing a man.
    He turned around and said to the bartender, “Two more beers.”
    â€œYes,
sir
,” the bartender said. “On the house!”

EIGHT
    When the sheriff arrived, he didn’t take them to his office. He took them to the mayor’s office.
    His name was Andy Green, and Clint could see what Ed Grenke meant when he said the man was useless. He was completely unimpressive as physical specimens go, and apparently devoid of good sense. He let them keep their guns as he escorted them to the mayor’s office.
    â€œGentlemen,” the mayor said as they entered, “please, have a seat.”
    They both sat in front of his desk.
    â€œThat’s all, Andy.”
    â€œBut sir—”
    â€œGo.”
    He went.
    The mayor was a tall, slender man in his fifties, wearing a three-piece suit. He sat back in his chair and regarded them.
    â€œI need your names.”
    â€œClint Adams.”
    â€œJack Sonnet.”
    â€œI’m Mayor Leon Polk. Which one of you killed Dix Williams?”
    â€œI did,” Sonnet said.
    â€œYou’re kind of young.”
    Sonnet just stared at the man.
    â€œAnd what did you do?” the mayor asked Clint.
    â€œI just watched.”
    â€œAnd backed him up.”
    â€œIn case Williams had some friends.”
    â€œNot much danger in that,” the mayor said. “I’m quite glad you killed him. We’ve been looking for a way to get him out of town.”
    â€œYou’re welcome.”
    â€œI know who you are, Mr. Adams,” Polk said. “I was wondering if you’d entertain taking the position of town marshal?”
    â€œNo,” Clint said.
    â€œHow about you, son?”
    â€œYou want me to be marshal?”
    â€œWhy not?”
    â€œI have things to do.”
    â€œMore men to kill?” Polk asked.
    Again, he asked a question Jack Sonnet was not going to answer.
    â€œAll right, well,” Mayor Polk said, “in that case I’ll need you both to leave town before you kill someone else.”
    â€œThat was our plan, Mayor,” Clint said.
    â€œGood,” Polk said, “then we’re on the same page.”
    â€œDefinitely,” Clint said.
    â€œThen good day, gentlemen,” Polk said. “And again, my thanks.”
    â€¢Â â€¢Â â€¢
    Outside on the street, Jack Sonnet asked, “Where to now?”
    â€œA hotel,” Clint said.
    â€œI thought you told the mayor we were leavin’ town,” Sonnet said.
    â€œWe are,” Clint said, “in the morning. I want the horses to have some rest and—oh, by the way—us, too. And since Dix Williams had no friends in town, I don’t think we have to worry about reprisals.”
    â€œWhat about the sheriff?”
    â€œNow, I really don’t think we have anything to worry about from him, do you?”
    â€œNo,” Sonnet said, “I suppose not.”
    â€œBesides,” Clint said, “do you even know where we’re going after this?”
    â€œNot yet. I need to send a telegram.”
    â€œOkay, then,” Clint said, “we’ll get a room, something to eat, and then you send your telegram. Tomorrow we’ll get going again.”

NINE
    D ELINE , M ISSOURI
    â€œCoffee,” the naked Carlotta Carlyle asked, “or me first?”
    â€œYou,” Cole Damon said.
    He reached out, grabbed her hands, and pulled her down on top of him. Her big breasts were solid cushions between them. They almost smothered him. He extricated his face from between them and chewed avidly on her large nipples.
    Damon had been in Deline for a few weeks. He had gone to Carlotta’s whorehouse the very first day and—after eyeing the girls in the sitting room—had decided on the madam herself. She was a few years older than he was, but that didn’t matter much to him. She was also the richest woman in town.
    She slithered down between