TW12 The Six-Gun Solution NEW (6 page)

"Really? You seem to know a lot about the people in this town."

She blushed and looked down. "You must think I'm an awful gossip."

"No, I don't. Just that I'm new in town and it's useful to hear such things. Might help me stay out of trouble."

"Seems to me like you've already found some. With Slim and Jack, I mean. Not that anybody's going to miss them overmuch. They were rustlers, you know. Real troublemakers."

"I gather there's a lot of rustling going on around here," Neilson said.

“ Oh, yes. And there's a lot who don't mind it. They can get their cattle and their horses cheaper when they're rustled up from Mexico. Or from one of the bigger spreads around here. People don't ask a lot of questions when they're getting a bargain. Course, the big ranchers, they don't like it one bit, but they don't have all that much to say about it. The rustlers don't bother the smaller ranches and they usually get a real welcome there. And they never cause much trouble in town, either. At least they didn't until lately."

"Oh? What changed things?"

"Well, there's a lot of money in this town right now. It's growing bigger every day. And that's a lot of bullion going out on the two stage lines. That can be real tempting for some people who don't have too many scruples."

Jenny downed her "smidgen" of wine in one quick gulp and held her glass out for more as she spoke. Scott refilled it.

"So you're saying the town's attracting a bad element?"

"Oh, there's no doubt about that! Sheriff Johnny Behan? You run into him yet?"

"No, I can't say I have."

"Well, you ask me, he's one of them. He's a real handsome man, though his hair's thin on top, and he goes around like he's God's gift to women. He's good friends with Ike Clanton and his bunch. And his deputy, Billy Breakenridge, he's not much better. Sadie calls him Billy Blab, because he talks so much and is real full of himself."

“Sadie?"

“Oh, that's right. you wouldn't know her. Actually, her name is Josephine, but her middle name is Sarah so her close friends call her Sadie. She used to be Johnny Behan's girl, only now she's with Wyatt and there's been bad blood between the two men ever since. See, her daddy paid for her to build this house in town when she was engaged to Johnny, only now Johnny's on the outs with her and she's with Wyatt, but Johnny owns the lot the house is standing on and one night, he came to try and dispossess her. Only Morg was there and he knocked Johnny clear off the front porch."

"Sounds like things keep jumping around here," Neilson said, with a smile. He refilled Jenny's glass as she held it out again for another smidgen. "I just might stick around a while."

"What brings you to Tombstone, Scott? If you don't mind my asking, that is."

“No, I don't mind. I came looking for some friends of mine. Only I found out they'd been killed. Maybe you knew them - Ben Summers, Josh Billings and Joe McEnery?"

"Oh. My, yes!" she said. "They were friends of yours? It was an awful thing, what happened. They were real gentlemen, all three of them, always so nice and so polite. Never pawing at you like a lot of men do. Ben and Josh were always friendly, but Joe was kind of sweet on me. He used to sneak over sometimes to see me, when the others weren't around. See, they were all supposed to be saving up to buy a ranch together out in Oklahoma and he didn't want the other two to know that he was spending any of it on me.

"I see," said Scott. What he hadn't wanted them to know was that he was going to a hooker. That son of thing was against regulations, though it was known to happen. Observers were only human, after all, and long-term postings had their hardships.

"You don't approve of me,” she said.

"No, I wouldn't say that. A girl has to make a living. I'd say that Joe McEnery had good taste.”

She lowered her eyes demurely. "It's sweet of you to say that, Scott."

"Did you see Joe often?"

"Every now and then."

"Did he ever say anything about anyone in town he might be worried about? Someone he had trouble with, perhaps, or someone new in town who looked suspicious to him?"

"Well, he did ask some questions, once or twice," she replied. "He seemed curious about that Mr. Drake and a few others."

"Mr. Drake?"

"Oh, well, he had a room right here in this hotel, but he checked out and left town. Nathan Drake, his name was, a rich man from back East somewhere. He came out here looking to make some investments, like a lot of people do. He wasn't interested in silver, I don't' think, just property, only he didn't find anything here that suited him. Then there was that Mr. Stone, from San Francisco. Joe was curious about him, as well. He's a gambler and you can find him most nights in the Oriental or the Alhambra. He's new in town, only came in a few weeks ago. And Zeke Bailey. Joe asked about him, as well. Zeke's a gunsmith, works for Mr. Spangenberg at his shop over on Fourth Street. He came to town about a month or so ago and old George Spangenberg, he says he's just a wonder when it comes to tuning guns and fixing them. Zeke makes knives, too. Beautiful things they are. I've seen some of them in the shop. He has a little place just outside of town, where he's got himself a forge and all. Zeke's kind of quiet and keeps to himself a lot. And there's a few other people that Joe asked about. To tell the truth. I think Joe distrusted just about everyone he didn't know. Most folks around here think those three were greenhorns, nice enough, but city boys who didn't know their business and were slowly going broke out there. Me, I think they made themselves a strike and didn't talk about it, for fear of someone robbing them. I think they were hiding what they found till they were ready to pull out. Only it looks like someone found out about it anyway and killed them for it. I guess Joe was right to worry."

The bottle was empty and Scott had only drunk two glasses.

"Oh, look at me!" said Jenny. "My, here I was rattling on so, I went and drank up all that wine and didn't even notice! Now I'm feeling a bit tipsy. Scott, you naughty boy. I do believe you're trying to get me drunk and take advantage of me!"

"I'd never take advantage of a lady," Scott replied.

"Well, aren't you the proper gentleman. But what must you think of me, talking so and drinking all that wine!"

“I think you must have been thirsty," Neilson replied, with a smile.

"Now you're teasing me!"

"Well, maybe a little. But I have enjoyed talking to you, Jenny. You seem to know a lot about what happens in this town. I'd like to try and find out what happened to my friends. You've been very helpful. Maybe we could talk some more."

"You mean, like in private?" she asked, looking at him.

Neilson had been thinking about that. She did seem like a font of valuable information and information was exactly what he needed now. A friend like Jenny could be very helpful. Yet, if he turned her down, he might offend her. Or was he just rationalizing the fact that he was sexually attracted to her? He'd been rendered immune to most diseases, including those that were sexually transmitted, but he wasn't sure if getting involved with her would be a very smart thing to do.

On the other hand, he did need intelligence. . .

Before he could decide, he heard a loud voice say. “I'm lookin' for the Montana Kid."

"Oh. dear." said Jenny. "It's Ross Demming."

"Demming?" Neilson said, looking over his shoulder.

“The brother of one of the men you killed. And the other man with him is Frank McLaury. Don't say anything. Maybe they won't know who you are."

But Demming's gaze had already settled on him.

"You,” he said. "You're the one. You're the polecat who shot my brother.” The room had become completely silent, save for the sound of chairs scraping as people quickly moved out of the way. Neilson turned away from him and remained seated.

"He's not wearing a gun, Ross," Jenny said. "If you shoot an unarmed man, it will be murder.”

"You stay out of this, Jenny. It's none of your affair. He murdered Jack."

"It was a fair fight," Jenny said, “I was there. I saw it. Ask anyone in town. Jack jerked his pistol first “

"I said, stay out of it!"

"Frank, you get him out of here before there's trouble," Jenny said, speaking to McLaury. "You have more sense. You get him out of here right now."

"Jack was a friend of mine, Jenny. And Ross has a right to be upset about his brother bein' shot down by some young gunfighter out to make a reputation for himself."

"He's got no right to shoot an unarmed man!"

"The Kid can have one of my guns," said McLaury, pulling one of his Colts out of its holster. He held it out butt first. "Here, Kid. Take it. It'll be a fair fight. They say you're good. Let's see how good you are."

Neilson still sat with his back to them. His heart was beating fast and his stomach felt tight.

"I don't want any trouble," he said. "I've got no quarrel with you, Mr. Demming. Or with you, Mr. McLaury. What I did yesterday, I did because I had no choice."

"What makes you think you've got a choice right now?” asked Ross.

"Take the gun, Kid," said McLaury. "Unless you're yellow.”

“All right,” said Scott. "I'm yellow."

"You take that gun," said Ross. "You stand up and take it, right now, or so help me. I'll let you have it in the back."

There was the sound of soft coughing behind Demming and a voice said, "Two can play at that game."

Demming and McLaury both stood very still.

"This ain't none of your affair, Holliday." said Frank McLaury, without turning around.

"I just made it my affair. Wyatt's on his way and so is Virgil. They heard you just rode into town and forgot to check your guns. Morg just got in on the stage, so I expect he'll be along, as well. And I don't think they'll take too kindly to your actions. Funny thing, though, how the sheriff never seems to be around at times like this. Where do you figure Johnny went?"

"Okay, Holliday,” said Frank McLaury. "You win. This time. Come on, Ross. Let's go."

"Before you turn around, Frank, put away that six-gun, nice and easy. I wouldn't want to chance your pulling a border roll on me. Hear Curly Bill's right good with it and he's been teaching you."

Slowly, McLaury put away his gun and turned around, with his hands held out from his sides.

"Okay? Now if you stand aside, Doc, we'll be going. Come on, Ross."

Demming shot a hard look at Neilson. "This isn't over, Kid. Not by a long shot. You hear me, yellowbelly? It isn't over!"

"Right now it is," said Holliday. "Now git!"

The two men went past him and out into the street. Neilson exhaled heavily as Holliday backed over to their table, then holstered his nickel plated Colt.

"Thanks,” said Scott.

"Don't mention it," Holliday replied. "Evening Jenny."

"Doc, was I ever glad to see you!" she said.

Holliday smiled thinly. "Always a pleasure to see you too, honey." He looked up as Wyatt Earp came in. "Well, howdy, Wyatt. We almost had us some excitement here just now."

"I know," said Wyatt, grimly. "Virg and Morg just took Frank and Ross to jail for carryin' their guns in town. What happened here?"

"They came in looking for the Kid," said Doc. "I heard Demming threaten to shoot him in the back."

"He's right, Wyatt," Jenny said. "The Kid and I were talking and those two came in, looking for trouble. Ross wanted to kill him. And he would have, if it hadn't been for Doc.”

Wyatt Earp gave Neilson a hard look. "I knew you were going to be trouble," he said.

"I was only having dinner, Marshal," Scott said. "I didn't do a thing."

"I want you on the next stage out of town,” said Wyatt.

"I haven't broken any laws. Mr. Earp. Unless it's against the law to have men threaten you while you're eating dinner."

"Don't sass me, son. I haven't got the patience for it."

"I'm not carrying a gun, Marshal. I'm obeying the law, just like your brother told me to. I haven't done anything to be run out of town for."

"There's no reason for you to stay around," said Wyatt. "And I can think of lots of reasons for you to leave. Next time, Doc might not be there to protect you."

“I'm obliged to Mr. Holliday," said Scott. "But I've still got some business here in town. And I haven't broken any laws. Those cowboys did. They're the ones you should be running out of town."

"They'll be leavin', soon as they've paid their fines," said Wyatt. "And I don't need you to tell me my job. I know what business you have here and it's trouble.”

"Your brother said that I could ask around and try to find out what happened to my friends,” said Neilson. "That's all I was doing, Marshal. Asking. I told you, I don't want any trouble. Not with you and not with anybody else, either."

Wyatt stared at him for a long moment. Neilson met his gaze.

"The next stage leaves at noon tomorrow," Wyatt said. "If you're smart, Kid, you'll be on it." He touched the brim of his hat. "Jenny.” He turned around and left.

"If I were you, Kid, I'd do as he said," said Holliday.

"I haven't done anything wrong, Mr. Holliday. Or is that how you people do things here in Tombstone? Fine the outlaws a few dollars, but run law-abiding people out of town?"

Holliday shook his head. 'You've got Wyatt wrong. He's only trying to do his job. And he's looking out for you, as well."

"I can look out for myself.”

"Is that right? Tell me, what would you have done if I hadn't come along when I did?"

Scott looked up at him, then made a quick movement with his wrists, crossing them and pulling two slim throwing knives from concealed sheaths strapped to his forearms, turning quickly in his chair and hurling them. They stuck in the wall by the entryway, exactly where Frank McLaury and Ross Demming had stood.

Jenny gasped, as did a number of other people in the dining room. Someone invoked the Lord's name, softly, and there was an undertone of excited murmuring.

Holliday stared at the knives. “You seem to be a young man of many talents," he said. "You practice that back on the farm, as well?"

"There a law against carrying knives in Tombstone?" Scott asked him.