Читать книгу Cat - R C Hilty - Страница 10

6

Cat went over to Mike’s, hoping that he would let her shoot his Winchester. She knocked on his door.

“Come on in.”

Cat walked in. “Hi, Mike.”

“I figured it was about time for you to show up.”

“How’s that?”

“Well, it’s been a few days since you’ve been over.”

“Miss me?”

“Like the plague.”

“When you gonna admit you like me hanging around?”

“Never. Come over here, I have something to show ya.”

Cat walked over to Mike as he handed her the practice rifle he finished up the day before. Cat’s eyes got big.

“For me?”

“Calm down. This is nonfiring. You can use it to practice your trigger squeeze.”

“Wow, it sure looks real! You even put a scope on it.”

“Want it to be as close to real as possible. You can take it home and practice.”

“I will. When do I get to shoot your Winchester?”

“I figured that’s why you showed up today. I don’t see why we can’t shoot today.”

“Really?”

“Only if you want to.” Mike picked up his rifle and cartridges. “Grab that target.”

Cat smiled. “You had this planned.”

“Not me. I have the bench set up at fifty yards. I will start you off there, then I’ll move you back as you progress.”

Mike hung the target and went back to the bench. He sat the sandbags on the bench then laid the rifle on the bags.

“Now sit down behind the rifle. The bench is a good place to start. Later, we’ll get into prone, kneeling, and other shooting positions.”

Cat was all smiles. She brought the rifle up to her shoulder and looked through the scope. “This is neat.”

“All right, now make sure you hold the stock tight against your shoulder. This has a little more kick than your little Rossi. Think you’re ready?”

“As I’ll ever be.”

Mike put a live cartridge in the chamber, and Cat closed the bolt. “Line up on the bull’s-eye, and slowly squeeze the trigger.”

Cat looked through the scope. When she had a good sight picture, she squeezed the trigger. The rifle barked. Cat found herself on the ground behind the bench.

Mike started laughing. “Didn’t hold it tight, did ya?”

Cat got up and picked up her earmuffs. “Wow, guess not.”

“Let’s go see if you hit anything.” Mike had loaded that cartridge on the hot side, not enough to be dangerous, just enough to get her attention. They walked down to the target.

“Look at that, right through the center!”

Cat was rubbing her left shoulder. “Not bad, huh?”

“That’s pretty good. Shoot a couple more rounds, then we’ll move back to the hundred-yard mark. That is if you don’t want to quit.”

“What, you think I’m some kind of sissy? Of course I wanna shoot some more!”

“That’a girl.”

The rifle didn’t seem to kick as much as it did with the first shot. Cat wondered if it was because she was holding the rifle tighter against her shoulder or if Mike had something to do with the first cartridge. Cat stayed around while Mike cleaned his rifle and put it away. Cat noticed some magazines and catalogs setting on the table.

“May I look at these?”

“Sure, a friend of mine that competes at Camp Perry sent me a whole box of stuff. He even sent me some CDs, but I don’t have a computer.”

“Ben has a laptop. Maybe he can bring it over next time.”

“I’d sure like to know what’s on them. Equipment has improved since I was in the game.”

“You think I’ll ever be able to compete at places like Camp Perry?”

Mike picked up a magazine and handed it to Cat. “Take this home with you, and read about how to control your breathing. That is very important. Then you can learn how to slow your heart rate down.”

“I know about breathing, but heart rate…?”

“At a thousand yards, everything counts. You will need to be able to squeeze your shots off between heartbeats.”

“I guess I have a lot of learning to do.”

“Yes, you do. Take your practice rifle home and practice. I want you to be able to keep the dime still standing on the barrel after you squeeze the trigger.”

Cat picked up her stuff and walked toward the door. “I’ll see you later.”

“All right, remember practice, practice, practice.”

After Cat left, Mike poured himself a glass of lemonade and sat down at his kitchen table. It gave him a good feeling that he would be able to pass his knowledge down to the younger generation. Marksmanship demanded discipline from the shooter. This would help Cat with other challenges in life from schoolwork to life in general.

Mike picked up the phone and dialed Jim’s number. The phone started to ring. It was answered, “Hello.”

“Hello, Jim?”

“Yeah, this is Jim.”

“Hey, this is Mike. How’ve ya been?”

“Pretty good. Had a chance to look over the material I sent you?”

“Yeah, I have some of it in front of me now. Cat shot my .308 Winchester. She didn’t do too bad. I want to either build her a rifle or have one built. Wondering which caliber you recommend.”

“There are a lot of good ones out there. Thinking one thousand yards or better?”

“Yeah, that’s her goal, at least one thousand yards.”

“Some guys are using the .50 BMG. The .418 Rigby ain’t bad. Personally, I like the 6BR or the .338 Lapua.”

“I was thinking about the .338 Lapua. From what I have read it’s a good round.”

“I like it. If you are looking for a gunsmith to build a rifle, there’s a guy in North Manchester, Indiana, who builds rifles for competitions.”

“Does he build them for southpaws?”

“That I don’t know. I can send you his address and number. If not, Surgeon rifles build a hell of a rifle, might cost a little more for a left-handed action. Another thing you might be able to do is buy an action from Surgeon and have him build a rifle around it.”

“That’s an idea. I’ll write him a letter and ask him. I’m thinking about taking Cat to Camp Perry next summer.”

“That’d be great.”

“Yeah, thought we’d stay through the centerfire competition.”

“I can book you a room in the same hotel that I’ll be staying at. My daughter will be there, Cat can stay with her.”

“All right, I’ll talk to ya later.”

“Okay, bye.”

*****

Cat rode her bike over to Mike’s. Mike was sitting on his porch drinking a cup of coffee. As Cat walked up to the porch, Mike said, “A bit chilly for riding your, bike ain’t it?”

“Was gonna say the same thing about sitting on the porch.”

“Weatherman said it’s gonna warm up later this afternoon. Maybe we can go back and see if you can put anything in the X-ring.”

“That sounds good.”

“What’s the matter? You look like somebody shot your best coon dog.”

“Is it that obvious?”

“You’re not the easiest to read, but yes.”

“I was over to Widow Johnson’s yesterday. She is about out of meat. I’ve been teaching her oldest how to shoot, but I won’t be able to take him deer hunting till next season.”

“You’ve taking a liking to them, haven’t you?

“Yeah, her kids are great, and she is such a nice lady. I’d like to go out and get her a deer, but with Hot Shot still in town, I can’t take the chance. He is bound and determined to catch me at something. It was a lot simpler when he wasn’t here. Then I could just go to the meadow at night and get one.”

“I figured that’s how you were supplying Widow Johnson and a couple other families with venison.”

“Yeah, that’s what I was doing. I am sure you knew that. That’s how I happened to be there when Conrad ran into trouble.”

“Yeah, I did.”

“I guess I could give her some out of our freezer.”

“Hang on a minute, you still playing Cat and Warden?”

“Sure, anything to make him look stupid, not that he needs any help.”

Mike had an idea. He didn’t much care for Shot, especially with the way he was always after Cat.

“How do you usually take the venison to Widow Johnson?”

“I wrap it in old bedsheets that Mom has thrown out then put it in plastic bags. I put it in my backpack then take it to her house.”

“Okay, tell you what. You go home, get your backpack, sheets, and plastic bags. Be back here in a couple hours.”

“What you up to?”

“You’ll see. Now get going.”

“Okay, see ya in a couple hours.” Cat jumped on her bike and headed home.

Mike went into the house, grabbed a couple of coolers, and put them in the back of his pickup. He drove over to a butcher shop in the next town. He walked in. A big guy came up to the counter.

“Hey, Tiny, how’s it going?”

“Mike, is that you?” Tiny walked around the counter and shook Mike’s hand. “Haven’t seen you in a coon’s age, thought maybe the buzzards got ya. How ya been?”

“Nah, not yet. Hey, I need some chunks of beef.”

“What would you like? I’m just getting ready to cut up a front quarter.”

“Just give me some chuck roasts. Cut it so it will fit in these coolers.”

“Gonna have a barbecue?”

“More like a roast.”

Tiny took the coolers to the back room. In a few minutes, he came back with the coolers filled with meat. He helped Mike carry them out to his truck. Mike went back inside and paid the bill.

“Thanks, Tiny. I’ll see ya later.”

“Thank you, hope that works out for ya.”

“I’m sure it will.”

*****

Widow Johnson and her kids were in the grocery store to pick up a few things.

The oldest boy asked his mother, “Is Cat ever gonna bring us anymore deer meat? I’m getting tired of cheap hotdogs.”

“I don’t know. She’s been pretty busy.”

The next aisle over, Officer Shot was listening. I knew it. I’ll get her before I leave town. He left the store and staked out Widow Johnson’s house.

*****

Cat was sitting on Mike’s porch with her backpack when Mike pulled up. He got out of his truck and carried the coolers into the house.

Cat followed him in. “What are we going to do?”

“The way I see it, Shot wants to throw you in jail. I say let him.”

“Say what?”

“Don’t worry. He will have to let you out.”

“I don’t know if I like this plan.”

“It’ll be great. Now cut up this meat and put it in your backpack like you do the venison.”

Cat was starting to get the idea. She cut it into pieces that would fit into the bags she brought then put in her backpack. “Now what?”

“Take it over to Widow Johnson’s, and see if Shot takes the bait.”

“This is a lot earlier than I usually go.”

“Don’t matter, I’d bet my last bullet he’s already watching the widow’s place.”

Cat hiked over to Widow Johnson’s place. Sure enough, Officer Shot was parked off the road behind a couple of trees. She walked along the side of the house to the back door, resisting the urge to sneak over and let the air out of his tires. She looked back. Shot was reading a book. I don’t think Hot Shot saw me. I had better walk around the house to make sure.

Officer Shot looked up from his book just in time to see Cat walk down the side of the house. I gotcha now, girly.

Cat knocked on the back door. Widow Johnson came to the door. “Cat! My land girl, what’a doing?”

“I brought you some meat.”

“You shouldn’t have. You’re gonna get yourself in trouble.”

“I’ll be all right.”

Cat set the backpack down and started putting the meat on the table. Widow Johnson got a knife and freezer bags. “The boys are sure gonna be happy, but you’re taking a big chance coming this early, especially with that game warden after you the way he is.”

“Ah, don’t worry, hard to outsmart me.”

The back door opened. Officer Shot came busting into the kitchen. “Hold it right there! I finally caught you, girly!”

“Oh yeah, where’s your search warrant?”

“Don’t need one, probable cause.”

“For what?”

“Illegal deer meat, I knew you were no good.”

“I didn’t do anything illegal.”

“Yeah, right, get your hands behind your back.” Shot put handcuffs on Cat.

Widow Johnson walked toward Cat. “Why you picking on this girl?”

“Shut up and get back, or I will charge you too.”

Cat looked at Widow Johnson. “Don’t worry, I’ll be all right.”

“Shut up, girly.”

As Shot walked Cat out of the house, she turned to Widow Johnson and winked. Widow Johnson smiled to herself, wondering what Cat was up to. Shot put Cat in his truck, fastened her seat belt, and drove off.

*****

Judge Bean sat down to eat a steak and fried potatoes. “Finally, I get to relax and eat a decent home-cooked meal.” After taking his first bite, he said, “Not bad if I say so myself.”

The phone rang.

“Now what?” He answered the phone, “Hello.”

“You let that girl go!” summoned the voice on the other end.

“What are you talking about?”

“Cat! That hotshot arrested Cat. Now you let her go!” continued the voice.

“I don’t know what you are talking about. I just got home…trying to eat my supper.”

“You get to town and release her.”

“Calm down. I’m on my way.”

Judge Bean put his supper in the oven. “Never fails.” As he was getting his boots on, the phone rang again. “Hello.”

“What you mean arresting Cat?” bellowed the caller.

“I didn’t arrest her. I’m heading to town now.”

Judge Bean hung up the phone, and it immediately started ringing again. “I’ll let voice mail get it.” He grabbed his coat and picked up his cell phone. It already had five text messages and six missed calls.

“Oh, this is going to be a long night!”

*****

A small crowd was forming around the jail when Shot and Cat showed up. He took her inside and locked her in the cell. The crowd booed Shot as he retrieved the backpack from his truck.

The crowd had grown by the time Judge Bean got to town. As he got out of his car, he heard, “Let Cat go.”

He walked into the office. Officer Shot was sitting at Judge Bean’s desk with the backpack.

“First thing, get out of my chair.”

Officer Shot got up. “I told you that girl was no good.”

“Okay, tell me what happened.”

“I was at the store when I heard one of the widow’s boys ask when Cat was going to bring them some more deer meat, so I staked out her house. Pretty soon Cat shows up with this backpack. I went inside the house, and they were cutting up the meat to put it in the freezer. That’s when I arrested her.”

“You just can’t leave her alone, can ya?”

“She was breaking the law.”

“All right, sit while I go back and talk to Cat.”

“She’ll lie to you.”

Judge Bean went back to talk to Cat, wondering how she could’ve let Shot catch her. “What’d you do? I told you to be careful.”

“All I did was take some beef that Mike had bought to Widow Johnson’s place.”

“You… Mike did what?”

“Widow Johnson told me she was out of meat, so I told Mike. He went out and bought some beef. I put it in my backpack and took it to her. Then Officer Shot shows up, busts through the door, and starts yelling that I had done something illegal.”

“Did you tell him that it was beef?”

“No, he didn’t give me a chance. He just kept yelling about how he finally caught me.”

“If I had to guess, I’d say this was all Mike’s idea.”

Cat didn’t say anything. Judge Bean walked back to the front.

Judge Bean opened the door and looked at the crowd. This could get ugly. So this is how Matt Dillon felt. He walked out of the jail.

“Everybody, calm down.”

A voice from the crowd, “As soon as you let Cat go.”

“Give me a minute.”

The crowd had grown even larger than when he had entered the jail. Mike was standing by Cat’s parents. Betty turned to Dave.

“What are we going to do? I knew she would get into more trouble, now she’s in jail.”

Mike turned around. “Don’t worry. She’ll be out in no time.”

Judge Bean spotted Mike. “Mike, get your ass in here now!”

Mike turned to Dave. “Might as well come with me, y’all don’t want to miss the show.”

Mike, Dave, and Betty went inside. Judge Bean shut the door.

“Take a seat.”

As Betty sat down, “What’s this about?”

“That’s what we’re gonna find out. Officer Shot, why did you bring Cat in?”

“I caught her with illegal deer meat at the widow’s place. The evidence is on your desk.”

“I see.”

“It’s all right there. I told you she was up to no good.”

“So how did you catch her?”

“I staked out the widow’s place.”

Betty stood up. “Don’t you have anything better to do than picking on girls and widows?”

Judge Bean pointed to the chair. “Calm down, Betty, take a seat. We’ll get this sorted out.”

Officer Shot continued, “I saw Cat with a backpack go into the widow’s house. I waited for a bit, then I went inside.”

“So you just walked in with no search warrant.”

“I had probable cause.”

“You saw her kill a deer?”

“Well, no, but she was sneaking to the widow’s place with her backpack.”

“Sounds pretty lame to me.”

“Don’t matter, I caught her red-handed.”

“You’re sure it’s deer meat?”

“What else would it be? I can have the meat tested.”

“That probably won’t be necessary. Mike, you have anything to say?”

Mike, trying not to laugh, said, “Yeah, I went over to Ribeye and Sons and bought some beef roasts for the widow. I told Cat to take it to the widow. Here is the receipt.”

“Knowing full well that Officer Shot would be watching Cat?”

Mike said laughing, “Yep, he’s such an easy mark.”

Dave and Betty started laughing. Judge Bean was doing his best not to. Officer Shot was more than a little annoyed.

Officer Shot stood up. “We can charge them with interfering with law enforcement.”

Judge Bean replied, “Have you seen that crowd out there? It would be best to drop this whole thing. You had better stop with this vendetta against Cat. You started gaining a little respect when you caught those slime balls, which, do I have to remind you, without Cat’s help, you wouldn’t have caught them?”

Judge Bean let Cat out of her cell. He turned to everyone, “Now, no more playing games. Officer Shot, go out and look for some real criminals.”

“Yes, Judge.”

“Mike, get this meat back to the widow’s before it spoils. Now, since it’s your fault my supper was interrupted, you owe me a steak dinner.”

“Yes, Judge.”

“Dave, Betty, take your daughter home.”

“Yes, Judge.”

“All of you, get out of my office, now!”

Mike grabbed the meat. The rest of them followed him out the door. When the crowd saw Cat coming out, they all cheered. As Officer Shot walked to his truck, an old woman walked up and hit him with her handbag. “Pick on somebody your own size, you big bully.”

Cat asked her dad, “Is it all right if I go with Mike and help Widow Johnson with the meat?”

“You gonna stay out of jail?”

Cat smiled, “At least for a day or two.”

Mike said, “I’ll make sure she gets home.”

Dave said, “I don’t think the judge was too happy about his supper getting interrupted.”

“No, probably not, but he’ll get over it. I bet ole Hot Shot wishes he’d left Cat alone.”

“It was entertaining.”

“I’ll say. Best money I’ve ever spent!”