Do Not Forsake Me(31)

So, they were still in town.

“I know Gordy Bryant was with Bo. Any idea who the third man was?”

“No, sir. Never seen him before, but he was a younger man, wore a gun in a way that looked like he knew how to use it, if you know what I mean. Kind of low, like the way you wear yours.”

So he was a hired gun. How could Buckley have hired someone so fast? Had he hired the man even before Jake brought in his father and the others? “Thanks for the information, Tobe.”

Jake shoved his rifle and shotgun into the saddle loops that held them, then mounted Prince. He ducked his head as he rode out of the stable and to the right toward the jailhouse. A little voice told him to go and get Lloyd, but he’d be damned if he’d bother his newlywed son this morning. Besides, he’d sure as hell gone up against more than three men on his own, and he was counting on the fact that they were probably sleeping off a drunk from last night. Bo Buckley was a heavy drinker.

He continued to check rooftops and alleys as he approached the jail, figuring that if things were okay there, he’d check out the saloons in town, see if he could find out where Buckley and the other two men had spent the night.

He passed a saloon, which was still closed, but there sat Jeff Trubridge on a bench in front of it. Jake drew his horse to a halt. “Well, well, I might have known you’d already be up, snooping around.”

Jeff jumped up and greeted him. “Morning, Marshal. I figured you’d come by early. I asked around and a couple of people told me you always make really early rounds. I wanted to observe. It’s a fine, peaceful morning, isn’t it?” He walked up and put out his hand. Jake leaned down to shake it and Jeff lowered his voice.

“Jake, there’s a man on the roof of the hardware store across from the jail. And one of those men I saw yesterday—he’s inside. I saw him go in earlier and heard a scuffle, but no gunshots. I think they’re waiting for you.”

Jake kept hold of his hand, squeezing it lightly. “Well then, I’m glad you’re an early riser.” He let go and casually dismounted, tying his horse. “Don’t look around,” he told Jeff. “Just go sit back down on that bench. What about the third man you saw yesterday?”

“I don’t know. I only saw two.”

Jake rubbed at the back of his neck. “Well, when the shooting starts, you get yourself into that alley and behind some cover.”

“Yes, sir.” Jeff swallowed. “Don’t you want me to go get your son?”

Jake tossed his cigarette to the ground and stepped it out. Jeff couldn’t imagine how he could act so casual knowing several men with guns were waiting for him.

“No,” Jake told him. “It’s too late, and I don’t want to risk my son getting shot on the first day of his marriage. You just do like I said. And if all goes well today, you’ve got your story. I’ll owe you—plenty.”

Jeff nodded. “Thank you, sir.” They both stood at the side of Jake’s horse opposite the jail so they would be hard to see. “Can I help?” Jeff asked. “I could get your rifle or shotgun off your horse.”

Jake actually grinned in spite of the situation he was in. “Jeff, have you ever held or shot a gun in your life?”

Jeff smiled sheepishly. “No, sir.”

“Which means you’d be more danger than good, but thanks for the offer.”

“Aren’t you afraid they’ll all just start shooting?”

“No.” Jake leaned against a post as though just having a normal, friendly conversation. “They want me to face them down so they can say they shot me in a real gunfight. If they back-shoot me, they can’t take credit for being the brave bastards who killed Jake Harkner.”

“Hell, Jake, my legs feel like rubber. I’m not even sure I can run into that alley. Maybe I’ll die today.”

Jake grinned again. “Don’t worry. They don’t give a shit about you. It’s me they want. You just head for that alley casual-like. I’m going over to the jail.”

Jeff took a deep breath. “Yes, sir.” Casual? Jeff wanted to duck and run. He watched in terror as Jake headed for the jail, crossing the alley and stepping up onto the boardwalk. He stopped before he reached the one small front window of the jail and leaned against the brick wall.

“You in there, Sparky?” he called out.

No reply.

Someone crouched over moved along the rooftop across the street. Whoever it was carefully peeked over the fake front at the top. In almost the same instant, Jake’s gun boomed.

Jeff jumped up and ran into the alley, pulling Jake’s horse with him. He was amazed at how fast it happened. A second later, a body rolled off the side of the hardware store, then crashed into the alley next to it, his rifle tumbling down and landing near him. A passerby who’d been approaching the store ran inside and slammed the door.