Jon grabbed a couple of cartridges out of his desk drawer and dropped them in the empty chambers on his six gun. He spun the cylinder and snapped it into place; he eased the ivory handled gun back into its holster.
The front door to the jail creaked open. “Howdy Sheriff, needin’ any help round here?” said the friendly voice.
“Well, Jack, how in the heck are ya? Good to see you again! Come over here and sit down,” Jon said, as his hand motioned toward the chair. The two shook hands as Jack plopped down in a chair.
“How are you feeling?”
“Pretty darn good, thank you.” Jack smiled. “The Doc gave me a clean bill a health. If you’ve got work, I’m ready.”
Jon’s hand reached in the open drawer. “Here you go, Deputy, been holding it for you ‘til you got back.” The metal badge rattled as Jon tossed it on the desk in front of Jack.
Jack snatched it up and quickly pinned it on his calico shirt.
Suddenly the door flew open again and Ed Morgan rushed in.
“Alex Faraday and his boys just came bustin’ into town. They look real mad and they’re all packin’. Faraday told me he wants to see the sheriff right away,” Ed said anxiously.
“Where’s he at?” Jon asked.
“Down at his saloon.”
Jon pushed up on the arms of his swivel chair; he jumped up and hurried over to the gun cabinet. He reached in and grabbed a .50-.70 Remington and tossed it over to Jack.
“Let’s go,” Jon ordered.
The three lawmen hurried out the door and headed for Faraday’s. Jon’s hand went up, they stopped in the street.
“Spread out,” he ordered.
Ed and Jack moved to each side of Jon, several feet away. Four horses were strapped to the hitching post out front.
Jon turned to Ed. “Looks like he brought the whole gang to the party.”
Ed smiled.
Jon yanked his gun out of its holster, pointed the barrel to the sky and squeezed the trigger. There were two loud blasts as smoke filled the air. The horses whinnied and pranced nervously. Muffled screams could be heard inside the saloon as the music stopped. It got dead quiet.
Jon’s eyes searched the front of the building for any sign of activity. Jack held tightly to his rifle. Ed, always cool under pressure, stood still in the street.
After several minutes, four thin fingers appeared on the outside of the swinging door. The door pushed open; Alex Faraday walked out onto the wooden walkway. Dressed to kill, he fidgeted nervously with the ring on his right hand as he spoke. “So good to see you gentlemen and just what are we celebrating with all the gunfire?” the pompous Brit asked sarcastically.
“Ed here tells me you want to see me, Alex,” Jon said coolly.
“That’s what I like about you Sheriff, you get right to the point,” he replied.
“I got things to do Faraday, spit it out!” Jon barked.
“Why yes, of course.” Faraday went on, “I understand that one of my ranch hands was killed in cold blood today at the Barbee.”
“Ranch hand my foot, Zing was a killer and you know it. He drew first; it was self defense,” Jon said angrily.
“Is that so? Well my witness saw something completely different,” the uppity Brit replied, nose in the air.
“I really don’t give a damn what your witness saw, Alex,” Jon shouted.
Faraday tipped his head. Cook, Canady and Norton spread out behind Faraday on the walkway.
Malone cocked his rifle.
Jon eyes narrowed as he walked over and stuck his nose in Clive’s face. “Maybe your witness would like to say that in front of me,” Jon said menacingly, glaring at Cook. Clive looked away from Jon; he said nothing.
Jon backed down to the street still glaring at the humiliated Cook. “You’ve got no witness, there’s nothing to investigate, Alex. Zing went first; the whole town saw it.”
Faraday looked disgustedly at Cook; he turned back to the sheriff. “How about trying to drown my courageous friend here?” he said sarcastically.
“Clive insulted Miss Thompson. I’m sure that even you wouldn’t approve of that Alex,” Jon said.
“Well, I guess I have never been one for insulting the ladies,” Faraday reluctantly replied.
“We’ve got a bigger problem here,” Jon said, quickly changing the subject. “Jed Orton was murdered today.”
“Yes, yes, I heard about that. Have you found that thieving Indian yet?”
“No, seems he disappeared,” Jon replied.
“Hmmm, that’s interesting. He must have run off. Well, regardless, the other commissioners and I met briefly today; we are planning a special election two weeks from today to replace Orton. I suggest you get the announcement out as soon as possible.”
“Your announcement will be out plenty fast enough Faraday!” Jon barked at the haughty Englishman. “And I’m still investigating Jed’s death, and right now, nobody’s off the table. I want you and your boys to stay in county ‘til I’m done. If you try to leave, I’ll have you arrested!”
“Why that’s ridiculous, you can’t do that my fine man. We’ve done nothing to deserve such restrictions. It’s obvious to everyone that Little Bear killed Orton, you have no right--”
“You heard me Alex,” Jon interrupted the haughty Brit.
Indignant, Faraday’s face turned red with anger as his fingers continued to fidget with his gold ring. He glared at Jon. “Election is in two weeks, no later! Let’s go boys!” The four men hurried toward their horses.
Jon stepped forward; he grabbed Butch Canady firmly by the arm. Startled, Canady’s square evil face turned and looked hard at Jon. “You’re not messing with greenhorns this time, Butch.” The corners of Jon’s mouth broke into a smile as he spoke to the heartless killer.
Canady yanked his arm free. The four men quickly mounted up and rode out of town.
“Follow them as far as Jed’s place, Jack,” Jon ordered. “See what you can find out. I think they’re knee deep in Jed’s murder.”
“Will do, Boss.” Jack smiled, happy to be working. He mounted up and quickly rode out of town.
Jon looked over at Ed. “Been a long one, partner, how ’bout some grub?”
“Thought you’d never ask,” Ed replied.
The two lawmen pushed the door open as they headed for the bar. Jon looked up and saw Libby step out of her room. She hurried down the spiral oak staircase to greet him.
Jon stepped on the rail and leaned on the bar; Ed moved in next to him.
“Evening Sam,” Jon announced.
Surprised by the sound of Jon’s voice, Sam turned quickly around. “Well hello Jon! Sorry I didn’t see you come in.” Sam set two shot glasses on the bar and quickly poured the two men a drink.
Jon and Ed downed their shots. Libby arrived and put her arm in Jon’s. “Good evening,” she said softly.
A big smile broke out on Jon’s face, “Evenin’, Darlin’,” Jon replied, eyes twinkling.
“Got a minute?” she asked.
“Always my dear,” Jon said with a smile. Her hand slid down his arm and grasped his hand. Her slim figure effortlessly negotiated the tables and chairs as she led him to their corner table.
Jon grabbed the back of the oak chair, Libby sat down. Jon sat across from her, back to the wall.
“What’s up?” he asked.
Libby leaned forward talking quietly. “One of my regular customers was over at Faraday’s Saloon today when Alex and his gang rode in. He was sitting at the end of the bar. The gang sat pretty close to him and didn’t pay him much heed. After a couple of drinks they started jabbering quite a bit. Canady said he was itching to take you out. He heard Faraday say that something has to be done about that sheriff.”
“Hmmm, doesn’t surprise me.” Jon grimaced.
“I think Zing Fuller’s death kind of frightened them,” Libby replied. “They’re scared and they think you’re a problem; they want you out of the way.”
“Sounds like they’re getting desperate,” Jon replied.
“I’m worried Jon, they’re dangerous men. I have awful thoughts all the time!” she said.
“Don’t you worry your pretty little face, Libby. I’ve faced tougher hombres than these before.” Jon smiled, put his hand on the side of her face and gently stroked her cheek. “I’ll be fine.”
“Do you think Little Bear killed Jed Orton?” Libby asked, wanting to change the subject.
“Not sure. I found pieces of black cotton on some of the velvet mesquites by his cabin.”
“Canady?” Libby said quickly. “He always wears black.”
“Yes I know, but I can’t prove it yet. I got Jack trailing him right now.”
“I hope you find something out. How about some dinner? I’ve got lamb chops and dressing tonight.”
“It smells great!” Jon said.
“I’ll invite Ed to join you.”
“Sounds good, Baby.”