Thomas stepped out of the cantina. Moments later, Red Fleming stepped from the building across the street. Neither of them was wearing a gun. At that same moment, they stepped into the street and started walking. They met in the middle.
“I knew it would be you,” Red said.
“How?”
“You’re the older one,” Red said, “like me. You’re the gun hawk, like me. What’s on your mind?”
“Stayin’ alive.”
“Funny,” Red said, “that’s what’s on my mind. Seems like we have a lot in common. Like weaker little brothers.”
“Only my brother’s not weak,” Thomas said. “If anybody puts a bullet in me, he’ll kill you.”
“Then he’ll be dead.”
“But so will you and me,” Thomas said. “We won’t know what’s goin’ on.”
“So? You got a proposition?”
“I do,” Thomas said. It had occurred to him just as he was crossing the street. “You and me, Red. Your brother says you’re fast. Let’s see how fast.”
“And then what?”
“If I kill you, we all go free,” Thomas said.
“And if I kill you?”
“Well, you could let my brother go, but somehow I don’t believe you would.”
“No, I wouldn’t.”
“Well,” Thomas said, “first things first. You and me. What about it?”
“Why not?” Red asked. “Should be interestin’. You’re supposed to be pretty fast.”
“So are you. I don’t suppose your men would go along with any decision you make if I end up killin’ you.”
“Probably not,” Red said. “My brother might not let them.”
“Well, we need to agree on one thing.”
“What’s that?”
“Whichever of us survives has to be allowed to get back across the street, and not be shot down.”
“Sure, why not?” Red said. “I’d like the chance to get back to cover.”
“What makes you think it’ll be you?”
“I guess we’ll find out,” Red said. “That’s what makes it interestin’.”
They talked a little longer, then both turned and returned to their building. James watched nervously with his gun ready. If anything happened to his brother, Red Fleming wouldn’t be able to take one more step.
When Thomas came back in, James released the breath he was holding.
“So?”
“He’ll go for it.”
“Go for what?”
“I got him to agree to a one-on-one between him and me.”
“What’s that accomplish?”
“I get to kill him.”
“And if he kills you?”
“Then you get to kill him.”
“That’s your big plan?”
Thomas took his gunbelt from James and said, “Let me know if you think of a better one. You’ve got thirty seconds.”
“This is crazy!” Harry said as Red took his gunbelt back.
“No it ain’t,” Red said, strapping it on. “I get to kill the deputy who arrested you.”
“And then what?” Harry asked.
“And then we all get to kill the other one.”
“And what are we supposed to do if he kills you?” Gareth asked.
“That’ll be up to you and my brother,” Red said. “Harry knows where I’ve got some money stashed. He’ll be able to pay you all.”
“If we kill the other brother,” Gareth said.
“Right.”
That brought back to Gareth’s mind the idea of burning the deputy out. He didn’t really care if the whole town went up in flames.
“But I’ll be back,” Red said.
“How sure are you?” Gareth asked,
“Dead sure.”
“I wish I was as confident,” the man said.
“My brother’s the fastest gun alive!” Harry said. “If he says he’ll be back, he’ll be back.”
Gareth pointed at Harry. “You just make sure you remember where that money is.”
“Okay,” Red said, adjusting his gunbelt. “I’m ready. This is gonna be a fair fight. Nobody shoots—unless he kills me. Got it?”
“We got it,” Gareth said.
“Red—”
Red put his hand on his brother’s shoulder and said, “I’ll be right back.”
“You better be.”
Red smiled and stepped out the door.
“No better ideas?” Thomas asked.
“Not in thirty seconds!”
“Then I’m doin’ this.”
“Are you gonna be able to outdraw him?”
“I won’t know until I try, James.”
James grabbed a handful of his brother’s shirt front.
“Pa always says you’re faster than he is!”
“That would be comfortin’ if Pa’s reputation was as a fast gun, but it’s not. It’s as a tough lawman.”
“Just don’t get killed!” James said.
“I’ll do my best.”
They both peered out the door.
“There he is,” James said.
Thomas put his hand on his brother’s shoulder and said, “I’ll be right back.”
“You better be!”