The Lawman

Chapter Fourteen

The doctor pronounced twenty-three of the bandidos dead, and three so badly injured they probably would not last the night. There were the three from the livery who were thrown in jail, and Gilberto, who was patched up and tossed in jail with them. Raquel was given the second cell in the two-cell jailhouse.

“If you want me, señor” she told Decker seductively as he put her in her cell, “just come and get me.”

“That’s very tempting,” he admitted.

The doctor had bandaged his shoulder wound—which was not as bad as Juanita’s—and announced that both Juanita and her father would survive.

One of the townsmen had been killed, and one injured.

Decker found Jose sitting behind the desk in the sheriff’s office. He hung the cell keys on a hook on the wall.

“You have a sheriff’s office, but no sheriff?” he asked.

“Well, to tell you the truth,” Jose said, opening a drawer, “before Gilberto and his men…adopted…this town, I was the sheriff.”

To illustrate his point he took a sheriff’s star out of the drawer and pinned it to his chest.

“You gave us back our town, señor, and for that we thank you.”

“Why didn’t you do it before?”

“We needed a leader.”

“You were the sheriff.”

“Ah, yes, but I was never a leader, señor. I knew that. If Gilberto ever thought I was, he would have killed me.”

“So now you’re the sheriff again.”

Smiling, Jose said, “Thanks to you.”

“I get the feelin’ I was used, Jose, and I don’t like it.”

“Señor? I do not understand?”

“Never mind. Enjoy your town.”

“Señor Decker.”

“What?” Decker asked at the door.

“Wouldn’t you like to stay with us—at least until your wound heals?”

“My wound will heal fine in the saddle. I’ve got a man to find.”

“Aman?”

“That’s right. That’s my business, just like yours was taking care of your town—only I take care of my own business…Sheriff.”

“I am sorry I do not meet with your approval, señor. Perhaps I can help you. Who is this man you seek?”

“His name is Moran.”

“I do not know the name. Perhaps if you described him for me?”

Decker did, giving the description that was on the poster, and then he showed Jose the poster.

“Ah, of course. I know this man!”

“You know him?”

“Well, I saw him.”

“When?”

“A week or so ago. He passed through here, stayed for one night.”

“This man?” Decker asked, tapping the poster while it was still in Jose’s hand. “You’re sure.”

“He ate over at the cantina. Even played poker with us. You can ask Paco and Juanita.”

“I will,” Decker said, taking the poster back. “Which way did he go when he left?”

“He continued south.”

Well, at least he had a definite direction in which to go, now.

“Will you be staying in town for the night at least?” Jose asked.

His shoulder wound was hurting, but he didn’t want Jose to know that.

“I might as well give my horse a night’s rest.”

“I will tell the clerk at the hotel that you are not to be charged for the night. The same for the livery.”

“Thanks a lot.”

“It is the least we can do, señor. After all, you did give us back our town.”

Yeah, Decker thought, until the next bandido comes along and asks for it.