Simon Hawke - The Six Gun Solution

“Isn’t what right, Mr. Stone?”

“I was just telling the Kid here that a man always has to have respect for the local law, because sometimes it’s all that stands between him and a bullet. Isn’t that right?”

“I reckon I can go along with that.” said Wyatt. He glanced at Scott’s open coat. “See you got that fancy gun rig George Spangenberg had over in his shop.”

“That’s right, Marshal. But I made sure to get that special permit from your brother before I put ’em on. And I picked up that one that he was keeping for me, too.”

I know. I heard about that Seein’ as how you’re workin’ to keep order in here. I don’t guess I mind that too much, so long as things don’t get out of hand. And I suppose that havin’ you wearin’ your guns is a lot safer than havin’ you without ’em. Otherwise you’re liable to prove a temptation to certain folks around here.

“I appreciate your understanding, Marshal.” Scott said. “Like I told you before, I’ll do my best to stay out of trouble.”

“Speakin’ of trouble,” Wyatt said, you bought those guns from Zeke didn’t you?”

“That’s right said Scott, suddenly on guard.

“Mind if I see one?”

“Not at all.” Scott took one of the Colts out and handed it to Wyatt.

“Sure is gaudy-lookin’.” Wyatt said. “I figure folks will be askin’ about your guns as much as they talk about how fast you are with ’em. You seen Zeke since he sold ’em to you?”

“No. I can’t say as I have. Why’?”

“Just wonderin’,” said Wyatt. “Seems after you left, he told George he was feelin’ poorly and went home. After he closed up. George rode out to look in on him and see how he was feelin’.” Wyatt shook his ahead. “Turns out Zeke wasn’t feelin’ too good. Fact is, he wasn’t feeling anything at all. He was dead.”

“Dead!” said Jenny.

“What happened?” asked Stone. “Was it fever?”

“Nope. It was a bullet A bullet from a. 45. just like this one “ he handed the Colt back to Scott. “Zeke was shot right through the heart And ole Ned, down at the corral, said you rented a horse from him this afternoon and rode out of town. Be about the same time Zeke went home to his place:

“Wyatt!” Jenny exclaimed.

“Are you suggesting that I killed him, Marshal?” Scott asked.

“I’m not suggesting anything, Kid. But I don’t suppose you’d care to tell me where you went today?”

“I took a ride out to that old claim my friends had,” Scott replied. “I thought maybe I’d file on it and find someone to work it for me. See if they were really going broke or if they’d made a strike and hadn’t told anyone about it.”

“And what did you decide?”

“I’M still thinkin’ about it.”

“Anyone see you go out there?”

“Wyatt, how can you suspect Scott of killing Zeke?” asked Jenny, shocked. “Why. Zeke never had an enemy in the world! Scott barely even knew him!”

“Like I said, Jenny. I’m not suggestin’ anything just yet. I’m only making an investigation, that’s all. What about it Kid?”

“No, nobody saw me.” Scott said.

“That horse you rented came back to the corral alone.” said Wyatt. “What happened?”

“It spooked at a rattler and threw me. just outside of town, Scott replied. “I had to walk in. If you want to examine my other gun, Marshal, you’ll see that it hasn’t been fired, either. I haven’t even had a chance to try ’em out yet. As for the one I came to town with, your brother still had that until after I got back.” He offered the other one to Earp. but Wyatt made no move to take it.

“So he did.” said Wyatt. “I already checked on that. I don’t think you had anything to do with Zeke’s murder, Kid, but there’s some that might. I don’t really think you’re a bad sort, but I still think you’re trouble. Sooner or later, you’re goin’ to have to make some choices. Whether to walk on the right side of the law or the wrong one. For somebody like you, I don’t think there’s goin’ to be any in-between. I’d think on that if I were you. Jenny, Mr. Stone…”

“Aren’t you going to ask me where I was this afternoon, Marshal?” Stone asked.

“Why, you were right here. Mr. Stone,” said Exp. “chasin’ a big winning streak. I already asked.”

He touched the brim of his hat, turned and left the saloon.

“Interesting things sure do happen around you. Kid,” said Stone. “I wonder what Zeke Bailey did to get himself killed. Like Jenny here just said, he wasn’t the sort of man that you’d think of as having any enemies.”

“Then maybe someone ought to be lookin’ at his friends.” said Scot

“I hardly knew the man myself.” said Stone.

“I didn’t say you did.” said Scott. “Besides, you were here playin’ cards all afternoon, in front of witnesses, isn’t that right”

They matched gazes for a moment. Stone smiled, but his eyes didn’t.

“That’s right. Too bad you weren’t around to sit in, Kid. Looks like you could have used some witnesses yourself. I’ll be seeing you around. Jenny.”

He tipped his hat and left. Scott stared after him.

“There’s something very odd about that man.” said Jenny.

“Yes,” said Scott, thoughtfully. “There is.”

Lucas sat across the table from Wyatt Earp in the Oriental Saloon, taking notes. On the other side of the room. Neilson was playing poker with several men. No sign of recognition had passed between them when Lucas came in. Good, thought Lucas, the kid’s playing it smart. He decided to follow Neilson’s lead for the time being. He was already on the scene and would be more on top of the situation. Maybe he was planning to make contact at the proper time. If not, and he was waiting for him to make the first move, Lucas knew he would have ample opportunity to do so in his cover as a journalist, when he sought to interview the Montana Kid. For now, he was more intent on firmly establishing his cover and getting his own reading on the situation in Tombstone. And in his cover as a journalist, he could hardly pass up the chance to interview the famous Wyatt Earp, who already possessed quite a reputation as a lawman from his days in Dodge

“He found Wyatt Earp to be amiable enough, a forthright, plainspoken man who talked easily and openly about his days as a lawman in Dodge City with Bat Masterson. He did notice, however, that while Wyatt Earp was not given to the sort of braggadocio that was often, attributed to him later, he did have a tendency to give a version of events that placed him in the most favorable light. Lucas went through the obligatory questions that a writer could be expected to ask and listened to Wyatt’s stories about Dodge, then finally brought the conversation around to Tombstone.

“Would you say that Tombstone, in its own way, is as wild a town as Dodge was. Mr. Earp

Wyatt seemed to consider his response. “Well, in some ways, yes. And in some other ways, no. We don’t really get the cattle drives the way that Dodge does, so there isn’t as much trouble with the Texans comin’ through. See, these cowboys spend a long time on the trail with nothin’ much to do. Driving cattle’s plenty of work, make no mistake, but there isn’t really anything the men can do for entertainment on the trail, so when they get to town, they tend to run a bit hog-wild. That’s understandable, so long as they don’t get too out of hand. They gamble away most everything they’ve earned and what they don’t gamble away they either drink up or spend on women. Trouble is, they get all liquored up and decide to hurrah the town. gallopin’ through and givin’ rebel yells and firin’ off their six-guns. Somebody could get hurt and property could get damaged. So when that kind of thing gets started, you have to put a stop to it right quick.