Texas Bluff

CHAPTER 17

“Sit down,” Ed Cramer said to Kale Sutherland.

The gunman sat.

“Did you hear that Luke Short was here earlier today?” Cramer asked.

“I heard,” Sutherland said. “And I heard what he did.”

“I don’t want to talk about that,” Cramer said.

Sutherland shrugged.

“You’re the boss.”

That was why Cramer liked Sutherland, and why he used him.

“He had a man with him,” Cramer said, “a gambler named Butler. Do you know him?”

“No.”

“Never heard of him?”

“No.”

“He took one of my men,” Cramer sad, “disarmed him pretty easily. Intimidated Zeke.”

“That don’t sound too hard.”

“I want to know who he is,” Cramer said. “I want to know everything about him before I have you kill him.”

“All right.”

“And then, not until I give the word.”

“Okay.”

“How long will it take?” Cramer asked. “Gathering this information.”

“I got to send some telegrams,” Sutherland said. “Check some contacts. Probably a few days.”

“Fine,” Cramer said.

“What about our plans for the White Elephant?” Sutherland asked.

“Stay away from there for a while,” Cramer said. “And keep your men away. I’ll give the go-ahead when the time comes.”

“That it?”

“That’s all.”

Sutherland stood up, but didn’t leave.

“What?” Cramer asked.

“When am I gonna get the okay to take a run at Luke Short?”

“Soon,” Cramer said, “very soon, Sutherland.”

“Can’t be soon enough for me,” the gunman said, and left.