Do Not Forsake Me(71)

Jake stayed right where he was, glancing at Randy with a look that told her to stay calm. “Those who died deserved what they got, Hash, especially in the shoot-out that took place later.” The handsome smile was gone and the darker Jake began to show himself.

“My son didn’t deserve to be kicked out of the jail and thrown into that prison wagon the way I’m told he was. Lloyd had no right abusin’ him like that.”

Jake leaned back, studying his coffee cup. “My son makes his own choices. I wasn’t there.”

Hash backed up a little, still holding his shotgun but not pointed at anything. “You wasn’t there because you was wounded. I hope it was one of my boys who did it—one of my poor, dead boys!”

Jake sighed. “Hash, why don’t you just take Brad home to his family and lay low for a while…till you cool off a little?”

Hash just watched him a moment, as though contemplating what he’d do next. “I’m thinkin’ that if you’re wounded, this might be a good time to beat the shit out of you, Harkner.”

People whispered. One couple got up and left.

“Might be,” Jake answered. “I don’t doubt you’d have an easy time of it, the condition I’m in right now. Then again, you might be surprised. You saw what happened to Brad, and he’s heftier and a whole lot younger than I am. It all depends on how upset I am, Hash, and right now I’m real upset about a lot of things.” He rose. “Including the fact that your worthless third son helped kill innocent men escaping from that prison wagon and that you probably know where he is.”

“I don’t know nothin’ about it. And you’re a low-down, murderin’ bastard, Harkner! Everybody knows it. They smile to your face, but they know you’ve got no right wearin’ a badge. Wasn’t long ago you was on the other side of a badge, rottin’ in prison for robbery, rape, and murder!”

Everyone froze. Jeff had no idea why, but he felt compelled to reach over and take Randy’s hand. He was surprised at how hard she gripped it when he did so.

Jake remained casual and chewed on a toothpick as he spoke. “Hash, there are other people in this restaurant, including women and children, who don’t need to hear your trash talk. Why don’t you just go home?”

Hash Bryant raised the shotgun.

Jake rested his right hand on his gun. “Don’t even think about it, Hash,” he warned. “Not in here. I don’t intend to make a mess of Sadie’s restaurant. She’s a nice lady.”

The restaurant became so silent, Jeff could hear water boiling somewhere. He noticed Randy close her eyes. Her grip on his hand was beginning to hurt.

“I’m thinkin’ that when I beat you within an inch of your life, Harkner, I want it to be when you’re healed up. A man can’t brag about beatin’ on somebody who’s wounded.”

Jake folded his arms. “Well, that’s very gentlemanly of you, Hash. I didn’t know the Bryants had a sense of honor, considering what your sons did to that fifteen-year-old girl they holed up with after robbing that bank. I’ve done pretty much everything people say I’ve done, but I’ve never abused a woman, Hash. And after what I saw out there when I arrested your boys, I have no problem with my son abusing your son, as you put it.”

Hash squinted his eyes, never moving from Jake’s gaze. “I’ve lost two sons on account of you! Two! Ted and Gordy both, and both by your gun! I’d say that requires some payback. Your son is still livin’!”

Juan muttered something in Spanish. Jake just glared at Hash Bryant, keeping his arms folded. Jeff had a feeling that if it weren’t for his leg, Jake would launch into Hash Bryant right now and drag him out into the street.

“I’d suggest that once you leave town with Brad, you stay out of town, Hash. It would be best if I didn’t see your face again, understand? If I see you in town anytime soon, I’ll throw you in jail just for being here.”

The water kept boiling, and Jeff could hear a clock ticking on the wall behind him.

“This ain’t over, Harkner.”

“Maybe not. But your wife has lost two sons because they were thieves and rapists. I’m sure she mourns them anyway, but don’t add losing her husband to the picture. Go home and stay there. Make any more trouble, and I’ll come after every damn one of you. And if anyone in my family gets hurt, I’ll kill every last Buckley and Bryant who are left.”

Hash Bryant looked around at others in the restaurant. “You hear that? A lawman who executes his prisoners.” He turned back to Jake. “Maybe that’s somethin’ my Marty is willin’ to risk.”