Crow Bait

Nineteen

Twenty miles outside Kingman, Arizona

The three men reined in, looked at the three signs on the signpost. One of them said HENDERSON, NV. 77 MILES, pointing north.

“That’s where I’m headed,” Adderly said. He looked at the other two men. “You comin’?”

Sweet shook his head. “I’m gettin’ away from here, not goin’ back into Nevada.”

The third man, Cardiff, laughed and said, “You really think Lancaster walked outta that desert?”

“I ain’t takin’ any chances,” Sweet said. “I’m headin’ for Flagstaff.”

Adderly looked at Cardiff. “Where ya goin’?”

“I got a girl in Peach Springs.”

Adderly looked at the signpost. There was nothing there for Peach Springs.

“Where the hell is that?” he asked.

“About forty miles northeast,” Cardiff said. He looked at Sweet. “I’ll ride a short way with you.”

“Fine with me.”

Sweet looked at Adderly. “You’re crazy to go back into Nevada.”

“Listen,” he said, “as long as we stay away from Laughlin and Desert Hills, we should be okay.”

“Suit yourself,” Sweet said. He looked at Cardiff. “You ready?”

“Ready.”

“See you fellas somewhere down the trail,” Adderly said.

As he rode off, Sweet said to Cardiff, “I don’t wanna work with him again.”

“No, me neither,” Cardiff said.

“You hear him say my name when we had Lancaster down?” Sweet asked.

“Is that what’s botherin’ you?” Cardiff asked. “I just don’t like the way he smells.”

“He said my name,” Sweet said. “What if Lancaster does walk out of that desert?”

“Then I guess he’ll be lookin’ for you,” Cardiff said.

“That’s why I’m headin’ for Flagstaff.”

And that’s why, Cardiff thought, I’m only ridin’ a short way with you.