CHAPTER 33
Al Newman came walking out of the courthouse with Luke Short at his side.
“You did it!” Butler said. “You got him out.”
“The judge I spoke to did not take kindly to Sheriff Courtwright’s preemptive action,” Newman said. “He told the sheriff to make sure he had some evidence next time he made an arrest.”
Butler shook Short’s hand.
“He also told me to watch my ass,” Short said. “The judge is among those in our fair city in favor of closing down the gambling houses.”
“And he still cut you loose,” Butler said. “Sounds like a fair-minded man.”
“He is,” Newman said. “It’s the only reason Short is out.”
“No, it’s not,” Short said to Newman. “I’m out because you vouched for me. I owe you big, Al.”
“Just remember that next time you’re putting together a big game,” Newman said.
“Don’t worry, I will.”
Short stepped into the street to stop a passing cab. Newman grabbed Butler’s shoulder.
“I did this as a favor to you, you know,” he said. “You’re the one who got me into that game the other night, not Luke.”
“I don’t care why you did it, Al,” Butler said, “just that you did it.” He shook the man’s hand. “Thank you. And tell your wife I’m sorry.”
“It won’t do any good,” Newman said. “The only person she’s mad at more than you is me.”
Newman pointed at Short, who was holding a cab for Butler.
“Keep him out of trouble.”
“Al, the only way we’re going to clear him is to find out who really did it,” Butler said, “and we have an idea. We talked to this woman—”
Newman put both hands up, palms out, and said, “I don’t want to hear it. Just keep in mind that I vouched for Luke.”
“I will,” Butler said. “Thanks again.”
Butler joined Short in the cab as Newman walked the other way.
“Worried about his reputation?” Short asked.
“He did put it on the line for you,” Butler pointed out.
“I get the feeling he did it for you,” Short said, “but whatever the reason, I’m thankful. I think Courtwright was planning on having me killed while trying to escape tonight.”
“That’s why I knew we had to get you out of there fast,” Butler said.
“Well, I appreciate the quick action, Butler, but we still have to find the man old Mary Cronin saw coming and going in and out of the Bloody Spur.”
“Sutherland,” Butler said.
“That’s what the bartender said. So our job right now is to find a man named Sutherland.”
“Who may or may not have a reputation as a killer,” Butler said.
“My thinkin’ is,” Short said, “this is a man who’s still lookin’ for a reputation.”
“So he can kill you and get himself known, and then kill me and get himself some money.”
“And after all that,” Short said, “maybe he can take over Cramer’s businesses.”
“Not if we can help it.”
When they got back to the White Elephant, Short went to the office to talk to his partner. He told Butler he was going to have to calm Bill Ward down and it would probably take a while.
“I’m afraid he’s either going to have a heart attack,” Short said, “or offer to buy me out.”
“Without you he’d lose the gambling business you bring in,” Butler said.
“That may not be worth it for him,” Short said, “if I keep finding trouble.”
“What happens if it’s trouble that keeps finding you?” Butler asked.
“I don’t think he’ll see the difference,” Short said. “I’ll see you later on. Thanks again.”
“Glad I could help.”
“So far,” Short said, “I can honestly report to Bat and Wyatt that you’ve been doing a bang-up job of keeping me out of jail…and alive.”
“I’ll see if I can keep to that high standard,” Butler said.