Double The Bounty

Chapter XVIII

“All right,” Brent Foxx finally said, “I’m tired of sitting here doing nothing. We’ve been here a week and nothing’s been accomplished.”

“Which means?’” Brian asked.

“Which means we can either split up, or I can go your way. Those seem to be my only two choices.”

“Brent—”

“Then again, you only have two choices. We could split up, or you could go my way.”

“Brent—”

“I know, I know, you’re the older brother, the big brain. You’ve made all the decisions up to now, and we’ve done all right.”

Brian decided to keep quiet and let his brother work it out. He poured himself another drink and waited.

“Well, I guess if I go with you we can at least keep this scam going. It’s worked too well up to now to let it just die. Of course, poor Sam here will be out of business if we leave.”

“We’ll pay him enough to keep him going until he can get himself another setup. There are always men on the run looking for a place to hide out.”

“And the girls?”

“We’ll give them some money, too.”

“I was kind of hoping to take the cute one along.”

“That kind of trouble we don’t need.”

“You’re right. I guess one more night with her will have to do it. Will you be ready to leave tomorrow?”

“In the morning,” Brian said.

“Fine. I’ll go and give the ladies the bad news. Will you be over later?”

Brian nodded.

“See you later, brother.” Brent started for the door and then stopped and turned. “I’m glad we got this all worked out.”

“So am I, Brent.”

As Brent left the saloon, Brian poured himself another drink. He was genuinely glad that it had been worked out amiably—but he was concerned that it had come too easily. His brother had something up his sleeve, and it made Brian nervous as hell.

On his way to see the two girls, Brent was glad he had finally figured out a way to break the stalemate that had existed between his brother and himself. Brian had always been the boss, and that had been fine when they were younger, but Brent was older now and he thought that it was time he started thinking for himself.