Pearl River Junction: The Sons of Daniel Shaye

23

“Let’s just leave, James,” Thomas said. “There’s nothin’ else we can do.”

“All right.”

They pushed their chairs back and stood up. The bartender was behind the bar, watching all five men warily. There was a shotgun under the bar, but he wasn’t going to get involved.

As they headed for the door, one of the men pushed away from the bar, followed by the other two, although Thomas could see one of them was moving reluctantly.

“Hold on, gents,” the man said. “What’s your hurry?”

“No hurry,” Thomas said. “It’s closin’ time and we’re leavin’.”

“But we ain’t even met yet,” the man said. “My name’s Cobb. What’s yours?”

“It’s a little late to be makin’ new friends, don’t you think?” Thomas asked. “Besides, I get the feelin’ you and your partners already know our names.”

“Shaye, right?” Cobb asked. “Dan Shaye’s sons?”

“That’s right,” James said. “What about it?”

“I was just wonderin’,” Cobb said, chuckling. “Didn’t your daddy give you your own names?”

“Friend,” Thomas said, “we don’t have time for this. Move out of the way. We’re leavin’.”

“With your tails between your legs?” Cobb asked.

“What?” James asked. Thomas put a steadying hand on his little brother’s arm.

“That’s the only way you’re leavin’,” Cobb said. “With your tails between your legs…ain’t that right, boys?”

“Uh, right,” Franks said.

“Um…” Martin said.

Thomas looked at the other two men. One looked confused and the other simply looked drunk.

“You fellas gonna let your friend’s mouth get you into all kinds of trouble?” he asked them. “Because that’s what he’s doin’. He’s lookin’ for trouble.”

“And he’s gonna find it,” James added.

“You boys got guns on,” Thomas said. “You ready to use ’em?”

“Hey…” Harley Franks said. “Hey…nobody said anything about no gunplay.”

“Well,” Thomas said, “your friend says we’re leavin’ here with our tails between our legs. The only way we’re gonna do that is if you fellas know how to use those guns of yours.”

“Cobb—” Martin said.

“Shut up, Kel. They’re bluffin’.”

“Bluffin’?” Thomas said. “What would we be bluffin’ about, Cobb?”

“You ain’t gonna use them guns.”

“Why not?” Thomas asked. “You seem to know our reputation. What makes you think I won’t kill you to get by you and then go back to my hotel and sleep like a baby?”

Cobb stared at Thomas. James looked at the other men, both of whom were shuffling their feet nervously.

“Time for you two to go,” he said.

Martin and Franks exchanged a glance.

“Now!” James snapped. “Last chance.”

Both men jumped, then turned and headed for the door.

“Sorry, Cobb,” Franks said on his way out.

Both men went through the batwing doors so quickly that they swung back and forth violently in their wake. Cobb didn’t turn his head or take his eyes off Thomas. It was as if he were afraid to, afraid that Thomas would shoot him down if he did.

“Now it’s your turn,” Thomas said. “Turn around and walk away.”

“With my tail between my legs?”

“That’s exactly—” James started, but Thomas cut him off.

“No,” Thomas said. “You can leave with your…dignity, if you like. Let’s just say this was all a mistake.”

Cobb continued to stare at him.

“Back out if you want,” Thomas said. “We’ll wait.”

Joe Cobb kept his hand away from his gun and started taking steps backward. Eventually, he had to turn his head to find the door, but he did it quickly. It wasn’t until he had one foot out the door that he stopped and turned back.

“I can’t do it,” he said.

Thomas turned his head and looked at James.

“Step away,” he said.

James obeyed.

“Bartender?” Thomas said. “You watchin’ this?”

“Uh, y-yes, sir.”

“Good.” He turned back to Cobb. “Last chance.”

“I can’t,” Cobb said and went for his gun.

Thomas’s hand flashed down, drew his gun, and fired before Cobb had a chance to clear leather. The impact of the shot to the man’s chest tossed him through the batwing doors and off the boardwalk, where he landed on his back in the street.

“Jesus…” the bartender said.

“Yeah…” James said.

Thomas ejected the spent shell, replaced it, holstered the gun, and then said to James, “We’ll have to wait here for the law.”