Dooley entered the barracks, looked at Erskine, lying on his bunk.
“So?” Erskine asked.
“He’s at the saloon, with Brent and the others.”
“It’s about time.” Erskine swung his feet to the floor, pulled on his boots, then stood up and strapped on his gun. ”Okay, let’s go.”
They left the barracks and walked quickly across the compound.
“Where you off to, Erskine?” Brenda asked, at the gate.
Erskine knew he had to be careful. Whatever he said, she’d take it back to Stoll.
“I’ve got some business in town,” he said. “I’ll be back in a while.”
“That’s good,” she said, “because Father will be lookin’ for you, in a while.”
“Yeah, yeah.”
Brenda was wearing a tight dress, and Dooley tripped over his own feet, trying to get a good look at her. She smiled at him and blew a kiss, which made him trip, again.
Erskine slapped him in the back of the head and said, “Get yourself straight!”
“Yeah, yeah ... ” Dooley said.
They went through the gate and headed for town.
~*~
“We have to keep our eyes open,” Clint said.
“For somebody trying to kill you?” Tully asked.
“For anybody we recognize as one of Stoll disciples.”
“More like acolytes,” Father Paul said.
“What’s the difference?” Gator asked.
“A disciple is a student,” Father Paul told him, “while an acolyte is a follower, usually of a religious leader.”
“Well,” Clint said, “whatever they’re called, we need to watch for them.”
“I wouldn’t recognize any of them,” Tully said.
“How about from boot hill?” Clint asked.
“Well,” Tully said, “maybe one or two.”
“That’s all you need.” He looked at Gator and Father Paul. “How about you two?”
“Sure,” Father Paul said, “they came to my church on more than one occasion, to intimidate my people.”
“Same thing with my saloon.”
“And your whorehouse?” Father Paul asked.
“Yes,” Gator said, “and my whorehouse.”
“Okay, okay,” Clint said, “let’s keep our focus.”
“Why don’t we just go out to the compound?” Tully asked. “They’re bound to be there.”
“I think Erskine and his men are in this for money,” Clint said. “That means they won’t want to spend so much time at the compound. There’s got to be someplace else they spend time.”
“Normally, that’d be a saloon,” Gator said.
“It may still be a saloon,” Clint said. “One that only serves them.”
“You think there’s a saloon operatin’ somewhere in town, in secret?” Gator asked.
“I do,” Clint said. “These men are drinkers, they have to be drinking somewhere.” Clint looked at Gator. “Is that something you can find out?”
“Yeah, maybe,” Gator said.
“Meanwhile, if we spot a disciple or a acolyte or whatever, we follow them. Maybe they’ll lead us to where they meet. Okay?”
“Okay,” Tully said.
“Sure,” Gator said. “I’ll try to find out another way, but if I see one of them, I’ll follow ’im.”
“I will, too,” Father Paul said.
“Okay, good,” Clint said. “Now let’s walk back to town separately, and not be seen together unless we’ve got something solid.”
“I’ll go first,” Gator said. “Maybe I can find somethin’ out today.”
“Good.”
As Gator left the house Clint said, “Father, you go next.”
“All right.”
After the priest left Tully asked, “Is Father Paul going to carry a gun?”
“No,” Clint said, “he can’t do that.”
“Well, I can. I’m not leaving this house without a gun.”
“That’s fine,” Clint said, “but don’t use it unless your life depends on it, or if I tell you to. You got that?”
“I got it.”
“Do you feel well enough to go out?”
“Yes,” Tully said. “I have a headache, but I’m okay.”
“I’m going to leave, then,” Clint said. ”Give me a few minutes, and then head out.”
“Okay.”
Tully looked nervous. Clint hesitated before leaving, wanting to make sure the young man’s head was in the right place.
“Look, Lewis, it’s okay to be scared.”
“Good,” Tully said, “because I am.”
“Just don’t overreact.”
“I’ll try not to,” Tully said. “I mean, I’ll try my best, but I’m not getting beat up, or hit on the head, again.”
“That’s fine,” Clint said.
“And what about Sheriff Gaines?” Tully asked. “Is he on our side?”
“Actually,” Clint said, “I don’t know who’s side he’s on, and that’s part of the problem.”
“What is, exactly?”
Clint walked to the door, looked back at Tully and said, “He doesn’t know what side he’s on, either.”