Blue-Eyed Devil

34

VIRGIL AND I were at our post out front of the Boston House when Chauncey Teagarden strolled past us, wearing his ivory-handled Colt.

“Afternoon, Virgil,” he said. “Everett.”

I nodded.

Virgil said, “Afternoon.”

Chauncey stood for a moment looking at Virgil. Virgil had no reaction. Chauncey shook his head slightly.

“The great Virgil Cole,” he said.

“You’ll be checking that Colt with Fat Willis,” Virgil said.

“Of course,” Chauncey said.

He looked another moment at Virgil and then went i nside.

“You sure do impress him,” I said.

Virgil smiled.

“More important I am,” Virgil said. “Better he’ll feel when he kills me.”

“If he kills you,” I said.

“If he don’t, won’t matter to him one way or other,” Virgil said.

“’Cause you’ll have killed him.”

“Yep.”

“It’s like he’s… flirting,” I said.

“Is, ain’t it,” Virgil said.

“Like he wants to get to know you,” I said.

“Some fellas like that,” Virgil said.

“Enjoy the work more if they know you well,” I said. “’Fore they kill you?”

“Something like that,” Virgil said.

“Heard he was from New Orleans,” I said. “Won some duels down there.”

“Heard that, too,” Virgil said.

“Means he got self-control,” I said. “Being quick don’t make no difference in a duel.”

“And he can shoot,” Virgil said. “You can’t, you don’t win many duels.”

“So, what we don’t know is how fast?” I said.

“Killed Burleigh Ouellette,” Virgil said.

“Burleigh was quick,” I said. “Chauncey got him?”

“Did,” Virgil said.

“And you figure he’s here to get you,” I said.

“That’s what he’s here for,” Virgil said.

“You figure the general hired him?”

“Be my guess,” Virgil said.

“So, what’s Teagarden waiting for?” I said.

“Needs a situation where it’s just me and him. He ain’t gonna fight us both at the same time.”

I nodded.

“Needs me to draw first, and he’s figuring how to do that,” Virgil said.

“And maybe he’s enjoying the game,” I said.

“Probably,” Virgil said.

“You think he can do it?” I said.

“Kill me?” Virgil said.

“Yeah.”

“No,” Virgil said. “I don’t.”

“You never do,” I said.

“Correct,” Virgil said.

“And you been right, so far,” I said.