Broadway Bounty

Chapter Twenty-one

When he woke up, he saw Linda, dressed in her uniform.

When she saw he was awake, she came over to him and said, “That’s right—this time we got you a bed.”

“Are you all right?”

“I’m fine,” she said, taking his wrist to take his pulse. “I’ll be fine as long as we don’t talk about it—”

“But—”

“—yet.”

“Linda, I’m sorry—”

“Your back wounds have been seen to by a real doctor this time,” she said, “and I’m on duty, so I’ll have to leave you.”

She started for the door, and he said, “But this was your day off.”

“Was is right,” she said. “Right now I think I need to work. Lieutenant Tally is outside. Shall I tell him that you’re still asleep?”

“No, no,” Decker said, “send him in.”

“All right,” she said and stepped out.

Decker wondered if he’d ever see her again. Hearing that he was a bounty hunter and accepting it was one thing but being personally involved in—and threatened because of—his profession was another thing entirely.

When the door opened again, Lieutenant Tally walked in.

“That’s quite a girl,” he said.

“Yeah,” Decker said.

“Think she’s scared off now?”

“The thought had crossed my mind, Lieutenant,” Decker said. “Would you get me my clothes, please? I’m getting out of here.”

“No, you’re not.”

“Yes, I am.”

“Decker, play it smart for a change.”

“Which means what?”

“If you had let me put a man on you, this might not have happened.”

“Might not have,” Decker said, coming down heavy on the might. “Just for your information, I took him alive. The idiot shot himself after I had him nice and subdued.”

“I see.”

“I could have found out who hired him.”

“Could have,” Tally said, coming down heavy on the could. “Maybe if you’d tell me who you’re looking for—”

Decker shook his head.

“Does that mean you won’t tell me or that you aren’t looking for anyone?”

“Same difference.”

“So you are looking for someone,” Tally said. “I did some checking on you, Decker.”

“That’s so?”

“Yes.”

“What did you find out?”

“That you’ve never taken a vacation in your life.”

“I was due.”

“I also found out that you’re just about the best bounty man in the West.”

“Hmm,” Decker said, “I’d like to know who told you that?”

“Sorry,” Tally said, “I was sworn to secrecy.”

“I see.”

“Must be a hell of a price to bring you all the way to New York.”

“A price doesn’t always explain everything, Lieutenant,” Decker said. “Not even for a bounty man.”

“Then maybe you want to tell me what the whole explanation is?”

Decker didn’t reply.

“Decker, I can take Miss Hamilton down to my office and find out what you’ve told her. If I read you right, you’ve probably told her a lot more than you’ve told me.”

“Don’t do that,” Decker said.

“One way or another,” Tally said, “I want to find out what’s going on.”

Decker took a moment. Then he said, “All right.” He told Tally what had happened to Dover in Harrison City.

“So you came in his place,” Tally said, “and whoever killed him has been trying to have you killed, thinking you’re him.”

“Yes.”

“And if he found out you weren’t Dover?”

“It wouldn’t make any difference,” Decker said. “I still want him. I figure him not knowing Dover’s dead gives me a small edge.”

“And it’s getting smaller by the minute,” Tally said.

“Tell me about Razor,” Decker said.

“What’s to tell?”

“Is he for hire off the street, or would my man have had to make a contact?”

Tally’s eyebrows went up.

“You are good, aren’t you? You’re quite right. Your man would have had to hire Razor through a contact.”

“Like who?”

Rubbing his jaw, Tally turned and headed for the door.

“Like who, Tally?” Decker shouted.

“Get some rest,” Tally said. “If you still want out in the morning, I’ll come and get you.”

“Tally!” Decker shouted, but the policeman went through the door and was gone.