Bounty on a Baron

Chapter Seven

Decker followed the sheriff to the back office, smiling at the fact that the town sheriff also owned the saloon. In most places, that was considered a conflict of interest, of sorts.

“Does the town council know about this?” Decker asked as they entered the office.

“Of course,” Calder said. “I’m the head of the town council.”

“I see.”

Decker regarded the man for a few seconds. Sheriff Calder did not seem to be a particularly formidable man, physically. What was it, Decker wondered, that had apparently enabled the man to obtain the run of the town?

Could it be because he was the Baron’s contact? Perhaps it was the Baron that the townspeople were afraid of. That seemed very likely to Decker. He knew of a man who once was able to terrify a town because his brother was a known gunman. When the brother was killed by someone faster, the town turned on the man and cast him out.

What would happen to Sheriff Calder, Decker wondered, once he brought the Baron in for the bounty?

It would be interesting to come back and find out.

“Have a seat,” the sheriff said.

For now, however, Decker had to deal with Calder. He did as the other man instructed.

“Can I offer you a drink?”

“No, thanks.”

“I understand you were in here earlier looking for me,” Calder said, sitting behind his desk.

“I was looking for a man named Calder,” Decker said. “At the time, I didn’t know you were the sheriff.”

“What about when you came to my office?” “I didn’t know your name, and then when you told me, I didn’t know if you were the same Calder.”

“I’m the only Calder in town,” the lawman said. “If you didn’t know who I was, why were you in here looking for me?”

Decker decided not to beat around the bush.

“I understand that if I want to hire the Baron I have to go through you.”

The man did not answer right away, and when he did he didn’t admit anything. Apparently he wasn’t as willing to do away with beating around the bush as Decker was.

“The Baron? Should I know who that is?”

“I hope you do, or I made a trip for nothing.”

“You just might have.”

Decker leaned forward and said, “Let’s not play games, Calder.”

“Sheriff Calder,” the lawman corrected him.

“You’re proud of that star, aren’t you?”

In answer, the sheriff looked at his badge and then wiped it with his sleeve.

“How long do you think you’d keep it without the Baron to back you up?”

“I don’t need anybody to back me up.”

“Then you do know the Baron.”

“What do you want with him?”

“I want to hire him to do what he does best.”

“What’s that?”

“Kill.”

Calder studied Decker intently for a few moments.

“You don’t look like you need any help doing that.”

“I can’t do this one,” Decker said. “I need someone who’s not…involved.”

“Who do you want killed?”

“I’ll tell that to the Baron.”

“Can you afford him?”

“I don’t know,” Decker said. “What’s he cost?”

Calder named a figure.

“I can cover that.”

“I’d have to check you out, Decker.”

“What’s to check out? I told you who I am and what I do.”

“How do I know you’re not looking to cash in on the Baron?”

“Has he got a price on his head?” Decker asked innocently.

When Calder didn’t answer, Decker said, “Even if he does, he can’t very well solve my problem for me if I take him in for a bounty, can he?”

“You couldn’t take him,” the sheriff said.

“You may be right, but right now I’m more concerned with hiring him.”

Again, Calder took some time before speaking.

“I’ll have to get back to you.”

“About what?”

“I’ll have to find out if he’s available.”

“How long will that take?”

The man shrugged.

“A day, maybe two. Stick around town, play some poker. You’ll hear from me.”

That sounded to Decker like a dismissal, so he stood up.

“I’ll need to see him within the next couple of weeks, Calder. I can’t wait any longer than that.”

“Like I said, give me a couple of days.”

Decker nodded and went back into the saloon.