Читать книгу Settling The Score - George McLane Wood - Страница 43

Chapter Six

Jeff felt better, refreshed. That dip in the creek had helped him take the rest of that prison stink out of his nose. He put on his hat and sat down on the ground. He was pulling a boot on when Ed showed up, leading his horse. “Was that who I think it was? Was that derby hat fellow, Lester Willis? Did you talk to him about gettin’ a horse?”

“Why, hell no, I didn’t say anything to him, Ed. I stayed hidden. Murphy’s hired a man to gun me, I believe. What I heard Lester say convinced me to keep quiet, stay hidden, and wait till I have the advantage over them. I couldn’t take a chance of both men pulling on me when I’m up to my neck in that creek, now could I?

“And yes, Ed, that sure was Lester Willis and he ain’t changed one bit. He’s the same hombre who damn near beat you to death. You remember that? And he’s the one who lied to the judge and said I was drunk when I stabbed Hobie Gilbert during a fistfight, and Jorn Murphy told the judge the same damn story. You knew I fought Gilbert, but I wasn’t drunk. Old Hobie whipped me good, and I had his marks on my face to prove it when they jailed me, but I didn’t stab him. Lester Willis did it on Murphy’s orders. And you expected me to ask him about a horse?

“The jury bought what they both told them, so the judge had to send me to prison. If I hadn’t been a good boy and earned some good behavior time, I’d still be there yet. I’m damn glad you didn’t bust in and start blabbing or we’d both be dead now. That fellow with Lester, I gotta tell you, Ed, I really believe, that man is a shooter.” Jeff pulled on his second boot, stood, and stomped his feet to get his toes settled. He strapped on his gun belt, put on his vest, and picked up Winnie.

“Hell, I know all that. I’m remembering all that, Jeff. I always knew you never killed that feller like they said. I could’ve spoke up for you, but it wouldn’t done no good. Nobody has much use for anything I say around Jasper, you know that. Say, Jeff, have I got time for a fast minute or two in that creek?” asked Ed.

“No, we need to go. We’ve wasted enough time. Besides, you shouldn’t have taken so long behind those bushes.” Muttering to himself, Ed stepped up on his big gelding.