Texas Bluff

CHAPTER 24

Short and Butler walked the length and width of the roof. The only place they found anything was right in front. Scuff marks, a place where a couple of knees had probably spent some time.

“I haven’t been on the trail in a while,” Short said, “but it looks to me like somebody spent some time here, waiting.”

“What are those spots?” Butler asked, pointing.

“Urine,” Short said. “That’s why I say he was here a while.” He bent over, looked at something but didn’t touch it. “Here are a couple of pieces of chewed jerky.”

“Somebody really put time into this,” Butler said.

“And they’re not going to be happy they missed you and got the wrong man.”

“They’ll try again.”

“Let’s get downstairs, and get you inside,” Short said. “Whatever is going on, looks like you’re the first target.”

As Short had predicted Long-haired Jim Courtwright did not appear. As far as the lawman was concerned, a dead gambler was a good gambler—and that went for people like Victor, who worked for gamblers.

When they got inside they saw that Jerry had gotten help carrying Victor inside.

“Take him to the office,” Short said. “We’ll have the undertaker pick him up.”

“Walk right through the place with him, Luke?” Jerry asked. “It’s real busy.”

“Who are you kiddin’, Jerry,” Luke said. “Half of these men won’t even notice you.”

Jerry signaled the men he’d recruit and together they picked Victor up and carried him to the office. They passed Bill Ward along the way.

“What the hell happened?” he demanded. He was looking at the shattered window.

“Somebody tried to kill Butler,” Short said.

“Victor warned me, and got killed for it.”

“And the window?”

“The bullet meant for me missed and shattered the window,” Butler said. “But I’m fine, thanks for asking.”

Ward looked properly chastised.

“I’m sorry Butler,” he said. “Of course I’m glad you’re all right, and I’m sorry Victor’s dead.”

“We’ll get somebody to fix the window, Bill,” Short said. “Don’t worry.”

“I’m not—”

“What about Victor’s family?” Butler asked. “Somebody is going to have to tell them.”

“He didn’t have any,” Short said. “This place is the closest thing he had to a home.”

“Look,” Ward said, “I didn’t mean—”

“We’ll be paying for his funeral,” Short said, “right, Bill?”

“Yes, of course we will.”

Jerry reappeared at that moment.

“Send somebody for the undertaker,” Short told him, “and get somebody to board that window up until we can get it fixed.”

“Okay, boss.”

Short turned to Butler.

“You take your meals inside from now on,” Short said. “Also, I’ll give you a room upstairs.”

“I’ve got a hotel—”

“I don’t care,” Short said. “If they want us, next time I want them to have to come in.”

“Okay, Luke.”

“I’ll go with you now to get your gear.”

“I don’t need a babysitter, Luke,” Butler said. “The shooter’s gone for now. I’ll agree with you wanting me to stay here, but I think I’m safe picking up my things by myself.”

“Okay, fine, Short said, “but if you get killed this time it’s on your head.”

“Should we send for the sheriff?” Ward asked.

“That’s a laugh,” Short said.

“Why?”

“I’m sure the sheriff has heard all about this by now, Bill,” Butler said. “He’s hoping one of us is the corpse.”

“He’s in for a disappointment, then,” Short said. “Look, go and get your things before they get a chance to set up again.”

“Okay, I’m going,” Butler said, “but you’ve got to do something for me if I stay here.”

“What’s that?” Short asked.

“Get me a game.”