Inside Faraday’s Saloon, Butch Canady stood alone with his thoughts. His thin fingers surrounded the thick glass; he downed the last shot of Scotch. He stepped back from the bar and tied down. He raised his six guns slightly and dropped them loose in the holster. His eyes went up to the Mezzanine. Alex Faraday nodded at him as he stood up. Canady walked slowly toward the swinging doors; everyone in the saloon sat quiet.
Faraday and the boys walked quickly to the second story balcony to watch the showdown from above. Canady stopped at the doors, his eyes scanned the dusty street. It was sundown, plenty of light for a fight, but no glare. He pulled his black gloves tight and pushed the door open.
There were shouts out in the street as the gunman emerged. Butch was ready; it was his chance to kill yet another man. He had no doubts he would prevail, he had fought the best. The wooden steps creaked as he stepped out on the street.
* * *
Jon heard the commotion out on the street. “Sounds like he’s comin’,” Sam said.
Jon’s head tipped back as he downed his final shot. He pulled the metal Sheriff’s badge loose and dropped it on the bar. “I’m off duty,” he said. He pulled out his pearl handled Colts and spun the cylinders out of habit, knowing they were fully loaded. Libby smiled from the end of the bar; he nodded and smiled back at his lovely lady. No time for sentimentality, she stayed her distance. Jon walked toward the street.
“Kill the bastard!” one man shouted, followed by several yea, yeas! Shouts of good luck reverberated throughout the saloon. Jon stared straight ahead as he pushed through the swinging doors. Ed wasn’t far behind. The patrons rushed over for a better look.
Jon stepped deliberately down on Pecos Street; Ed hurried down the walkway toward the alley.
The wood frame buildings cast long shadows across the street as Canady walked slowly forward, stopped and turned toward Jon. They were now about three hundred feet apart. Jon glanced up at Faraday and Cook on the balcony; he looked over and saw Ed in the open alley way looking high. A small puff of dust flew up as Canady spat tobacco on the street.
The two warriors walked slowly toward each other down Pecos Street. At fifty feet, both men stopped, their legs spread apart. The crowd was stone quiet.
Jon stared through the shadows at Canady. Both men stood perfectly still, any unnecessary movements could start the lead flying before they had their say.
“I’m gonna take all of you today, Jon, it’s a shame.” A sly grin broke out on Butch’s square dark face. His hands hung loose over his guns. “All you had to do was mind your own business, and you just couldn’t do it!”
“You talk too much, Butch! Make your move!” Jon’s anger grew as he looked over at the nasty varmint. This man needs killin’! he thought.
Canady’s eyes narrowed. A nearby horse reared up and whinnied, temporarily distracting the men. Butch went for his guns.
Jon’s six guns flew out of their holsters. Yellow flames shot from the barrels, as two bullets from Jon’s six guns blasted into Canady’s gut. His skinny body blew backward and slammed against a railing. The crowed screamed as blood squirted from the holes in Canady’s stomach. Jon rushed forward through the smoke for a better look.
Canady, struggling mightily to stay on his feet, lifted one of his six guns waist high for a shot.
He was too slow, another shot from Jon’s Colt blasted into the gnarly gunman’s chest. His body spun violently backward over the wood rail and he slammed face down on the other side. His gun fired harmlessly into the dusty street. Brownish red blood streamed out from under him. The evil man’s body jerked a couple of times and fell still. The killer was dead.
A shot rang out from near the General Store. Jon ducked as a bullet whizzed by his head. He saw a man standing on the second floor porch of the store.
Ed took dead aim and blasted away at the culprit. The man jumped over the wood banister, as his rifle fell to the street. Ed had shot the rifle out of the would-be assassin’s hand.
Still enraged, Jon ran after the escaping man. It was a foot race. The man headed for the Mesa behind the store with Jon in close pursuit. Suddenly the man slipped on some loose gravel and stumbled. Jon dove on the fallen man, grabbed hold of the handkerchief around his neck and yanked him to his feet. He doubled his fist and blasted the varmint hard to the jaw. Screaming in pain, the man fell to one knee.
“I’ve had enough!” The man’s arms covered his head as he begged Jon not to hit him again.
“Jon!” an approaching Ed shouted.
Once again the sound of his good friend’s voice kept him from administering more punishment.
Jon pulled back and took a close look at the man. He was shocked to see Slim Wilson. “What are you doing here, Slim? You’re no killer.”
“Sorry Jon, I had to do it. Faraday told me if I didn’t kill you, he’d kill me!” a somber Slim Wilson replied.
“You fool!” Jon said angrily as he let loose of the kerchief. “Take him to jail Ed and book him for attempted murder.”
Ed pulled Slim’s arms behind him and cuffed him. By now a large crowd had formed in the street. Jon looked up at the balcony at Faraday’s saloon; it was empty. Faraday and his boys had flown the coop. Distant hoof beats could be heard out in the mesa.
“They can run, but they can’t hide,” Jon said under his breath.
Ed grimaced and pushed Slim toward the jail.
Libby pushed through the gathering crowd and hurried over to her man.
“Are you okay?” she asked.
“Yea, I’m doing okay,” Jon replied.
“Was that Slim Wilson Ed was taking to jail?” she asked.
“Sure was. He tried to kill me,” Jon replied.
“That’s not like Slim. I guess you never know.” Teary eyed, Libby looked up at him. “I’m glad you’re okay; I better go, I got work to do.” She smiled warmly, turned and started to leave.
Big Jon gently grabbed her arm, she stopped and looked back. “Love you Baby,” Jon said tenderly. She kissed two fingers and touched his cheek and then faded into the crowd.
“Forget something, Sheriff?” an apron clad Sam shouted as he pushed his way through the crowd and pinned the metal sheriff’s badge on Jon’s denim shirt. The crowd applauded. “Sam, would you run down to Baldwin’s Barber Shop and tell Tom I need to see him right away at the jail?”
“Sure thing, Sheriff.” Sam hurried off.
* * *
Ed pushed the small gate open and walked Wilson into a cell. “Sit down!” Ed ordered as he took the cuffs off the frightened man. Close behind, Jon walked in the cell and sat on the cot across from nervous ranch hand.
He looked over at Jon. “I ain’t no murderer, I want you to know that, I come from a good family!” Slim pleaded.
“I know you do, Slim,” Jon said. “Just calm down a little; I need to talk to you.”
“O...Okay Sheriff, I’ll try,” Slim replied.
“Jack made a pot of coffee a few minutes ago. You want a cup?” Jon asked.
“Yes please Jon, thank ya,” Slim replied.
Steam rose as the Jon poured a cup and handed it to Slim. Slim took a sip and looked over at the Sheriff.
“You’re in a whole heap a trouble here Slim, but I’ll go lenient on you if you tell me the truth,” Jon said sternly.
“Yea, you’ll go easy, but Faraday’ll kill me!” Slim lamented.
Jon leaned forward, elbows on his knees. “If you don’t talk, Faraday won’t have to kill you.”
“I’m darned if I do, darned if I don’t,” Slim sighed as he leaned back against the wall. He was quiet for awhile and then looked up at Jon. “Go ahead,” he said quietly.
“Do you know who killed Jed Orton?” Jon asked.
Slim’s brow furrowed, he hesitated. It seemed like forever before he spoke.
“Canady,” he said quietly.
“Who ordered Canady to kill Jed?”
Slim shook his head nervously as he stared at the floor. “Faraday,” he mumbled. The frightened man rung his hands. Beads of sweat formed on his face.
Jon looked over at Ed and smiled.
“What about Little Bear?” Jon pressed.
“I dunno. I think he just got’n the way, I guess,” Slim replied.
“What about them two varmints who tried to take me out over by the canyon?” Jon said.
“Faraday hired ’em, they were friends of Butch’s from down Tombstone way.” Slim’s face was white with fear. “That’s all I’m sayin’ Sheriff, that’s enough!”
“Thank you, Slim, you’ve been a big help.” Jon patted the terrified man on his knee. “And don’t you worry, we’ll keep you under guard ’til Faraday’s either dead or in jail.” Jon promised.
“Thanks Sheriff. Tell my folks I’m sorry, will ya?” He looked at Jon with anticipation.
“One of us will, I promise, Slim.” Jon smiled.
The heavy door clanged shut as Jon hurried over to his desk. The front door swung open and Commissioner Tom Baldwin hurried in.
“Howdy Tom,” Jon said.
“Howdy Jon, how are you?” Tom asked. “I heard the gun shots, but I couldn’t see much from my end of town.”
“I’m fine, Tom, sit down,” Jon ordered. “Cup of coffee?”
“Thought you’d never ask.” Tom slid a chair out and sat down.
Jon plopped down in his swivel chair. “We need to talk, Mr. Commissioner,” Jon said seriously.
“Fire away, Sheriff!”
“Slim Wilson tried to take me out today after I shot Canady,” Jon said matter-of-factly. “Ed here, shot the rifle out of his hands. He tried to run; we caught him and put him in jail.”
Tom looked back in the cell area, “That’s a shame, it’s not like Slim.”
“I know and he’s scared stiff, and he just spilled the beans on Faraday,” Jon said, leaning forward.
“That’s good; what’d he tell you?”
Ed handed Jon a hot cup of coffee; Jon squinted through the steam. “Glad you’re sitting down,” Jon said. “Seems as though Alex ordered Slim to try and kill me today. That sidewinder also ordered Jed Orton’s murder, which implicates him in the murder of Little Bear. Slim also told us that Alex set that trap for me out by the canyon. Looks like our fine new commissioner is implicated in two murders and two attempted murders - one on Jack and on me!” Jon scowled.
“Doesn’t surprise me. I always thought those two Brits were a little bit too good to be true!” Tom frowned.
“What about the special election scheduled for tomorrow?’ Jon asked.
“Under these circumstances, a special election would be out of the question. I’m going to postpone it indefinitely until we get this mess sorted out.” The natty barber went on. “More importantly, we can’t have violent men like these living among us. Faraday, Cook and his bunch must come to justice. I will give you all the support you ask for.”
“Thanks Tom.” Jon reached forward for a quick handshake.
“Good luck my friend and please be careful! The town needs you!” He smiled and left the jail.
“Great!” Jon exclaimed as the door closed behind the Commissioner. “Now we have time to round up those nasty varmints.”
“Yea, but something tells me it ain’t gonna be easy,” Ed replied. “Faraday’s mansion is going to be an armed camp. Alex, Clive, and Web Norton are all crack shots, and he’ll get a few hands to join in. They’ll take up positions in the rocks on both sides of the road in. If we try and charge them, we’ll be sitting ducks.”
“You’re right,” Jon replied.
“What are we gonna do?”
“Dunno yet,” Jon said, “I’ll have to think about it. Has anybody heard anything about Camp? We’re gonna need all the help we can get.”
“He’s doin’ better, heard him out shootin’ this morning,” Jack said.
“Run down and ask him if he’s ready to ride with us, Jack,” Jon ordered.
“Sure thing Boss.” Jack grabbed his hat off the peg and headed for the stables.
“Judge is due in next week,” Jon said. “I’ll wire him to be sure he shows. It’s almost dark. First thing in the morning let’s take a ride out near Faraday’s and look things over. And no gunplay tomorrow, too many would be killed.”
“Okay, Jon, but what if he’s gone?” Ed asked.
“He’s got too much invested to run away now. He’ll try and get out of this mess first. If he can’t, then he might run,” Jon said decisively.
* * *
The ranch hands ran out to meet Faraday and the boys as they came charging in the compound. They pulled up and quickly dismounted.
“Run these horses over to the stable,” Alex ordered. “Then I want Cliff and Bill to load their rifles and take up positions in the rocks in front of the mansion. If anybody tries to ride in here, shoot them!” Faraday shouted. The men nodded. Alex tilted his head toward the house, Cook and Norton followed him in to the den.
Clive and Web took seats by the desk as Alex paced in front of the fireplace. He ran his fingers through his hair. “We better hole up here in the compound until we get this mess straightened out. Clive, I want you to send Cliff into town tomorrow and bring our attorney out here. We’ll use him as our liaison with the sheriff.”
“Okay Boss,” Clive replied.
“We’ve got big problems men. Stoudenmire’s probably got Slim singing like a bird. He--”
Web interrupted. “You shoulda never put Slim on the balcony, that was a huge mistake! Up ’til then it was a fair fight, now we could be charged with attempted murder!” Web said forcefully.
“What’s done is done, Web! It seemed like a good idea at the time. I wanted to be sure that Stoudenmire was dead,” Alex said defensively.
“Well he ain’t dead and we’re all gonna hang!” Web shouted. “I didn’t bargain for all of this when I signed on with you Mr.--!”
“Shut up, Norton! You knew damn well what you were getting into. Quit acting like a bloody coward and pull yourself together. We haven’t been hung yet!” Faraday screamed.
“Okay Alex, then what are we going to do?” Clive interrupted.
Alex and Web stared at each other for several seconds, and then Alex spoke up. “The District Judge is due in next week...”
“Judge Walker or Judge Oliver?” Clive asked.
“I’m not sure. Tom Baldwin told me the other day that Oliver was feeling better and might be coming in. But that won’t work; we have to get Walker here.” Faraday bit hard on his pipe stem.
“How are you gonna arrange that?” Web asked.
“I want you to ride to Mesa first thing in the morning. Tell Judge Walker we’re in a big mess over here and we need his help. Tell him, if he can get us out of this predicament, I will forgive his entire debt -the whole ten thousand. I know him pretty well. I think he’ll go for it.” Alex grinned.
“I’ll ride out in the mornin’,” the loyal Web replied.
Alex went on. “Meantime we have to keep Sheriff Stoudenmire at bay. I’ll use Attorney Brown for that.” He turned toward Norton, “You’re free to go now, Web.”
Norton hurried out to prepare for his trip through the desert to Mesa.
Faraday motioned for Cook to come closer.
Cook stepped over. “Yea Boss?”
“Slim’s a big problem. He knows too much. We can’t have him on the stand no matter who the judge is. Take care of it!” He looked menacingly at his big cohort.
“You want me to kill him?” a surprised Cook asked.
Alex struck a match, lit his pipe and shook the match out. The smoke drifted to the ceiling. “I’m afraid we have no other choice my friend!”