The Lawman

Chapter Forty

When he got to the building he found the front door locked. Knocking on it would only alert Moran, if he was inside. Decker went around to the back, checking windows, and finally found the one he was looking for. He was surprised by what he saw through it.

Moran was there with his hands in the air, his gun still holstered. Decker could see his own gun, too, tucked into Moran’s belt. Crystal was there, and the blonde whore from the night before was holding a derringer on both of them.

What the hell was going on now?

He listened intently at the window.

“That’s a very tiny gun, Gloria,” Moran said.

“Don’t worry, it makes very deadly holes.”

“I’m sure it does. You ladies want to tell me what this is about? Surely you’re not fighting over me.”

“Ha!” Crystal said.

“I’m taking Crystal back to Texas, Red.”

“Why?”

“She stole some money from my father, made him the laughingstock of town. People are talking behind his back about how the old fool fell for a younger woman and got what he deserved.”

“I’m sorry” Crystal said. “I really liked your father, Gloria, but I needed the money.”

“Sure, everybody needs money. When I got back to town and heard what had happened, I got your description and started tracking you and finally found you here. I was lucky that you’re a redhead. There aren’t that many in Mexico, and you made an impression wherever you went.”

“But I left Texas over three months ago.”

“And I’ve been tracking you that long. We’re going back, Crystal.”

“You can’t take me away from here. I’m not wanted here in Mexico.”

“You are in Texas, and when I get you over the border I’ll turn you in.”

“Is there a reward?” Moran asked.

“No,” Gloria said. “She broke the law, but nobody bothered to put out a poster on her. After all, all she did was remove an old fool from his money. When I get her back, though, I’ll make sure she’s prosecuted.”

“Well, baby,” Moran said to Crystal, “I guess this is goodbye.”

“You bastard!” Crystal shouted at him. “You could stop her!”

“She might shoot me.”

“You want her to take me back so you can have this place to yourself.”

“Actually, I was planning on leaving today anyway, Crystal, but now a couple of things have come up that might change my mind.”

With Crystal gone he wouldn’t have to split the profits with anyone, and if he could convince the woman in the jail cell to work for him, his profits might even double. Of course, he might have to make certain concessions to the town council, and he knew he’d eventually get bored again, but for now things were once again taking an interesting turn.

“She’s all yours, Gloria—is that your name, by the way? Gloria?”

“My name is Anne Merritt.”

“Well, Anne Merritt, in one respect I’m sorry you’re leaving. I was planning on getting to know you a whole lot better.”

“You don’t understand, Red,” Gloria—or Anne Merritt—said.

“What don’t I understand, Anne?”

“You’re coming back with us.”

“I’m going back?” he asked, laughing. “Now, why would I want to go back?”

“Because there’s a poster out on you, and I aim to collect the twenty-five hundred dollar reward.”

“Twenty-five hundred—now how would you know about that?”

“It’s my business to know, Red,” Anne said. “I’m a bounty hunter.”

Moran stared at her, said, “Jesus!” and Crystal started to laugh.

Decker thought it was funny, too. He’d travelled all this way and put all this time into tracking Moran, and the man had been snatched out from under his nose by a woman!

His humor faded quickly, though, as Decker realized the dangerous position Anne Merritt had put herself in. She was in a small room with two people who didn’t want to go with her, and all she was armed with was a derringer.

There was a back door to the office, and Decker moved towards it, hoping that the blonde woman would ask Moran for his guns.

“All right, Moran, I’ll take your guns,” Anne Merritt said.

“My guns? So you can use them against me instead of that toy?”

“I assure you I’m quite profficient with this toy, Moran. Your guns, please.”

“Sure, honey, here.”

With that Moran took Decker’s gun from his belt and tossed it to the woman. Surprised, she made a move to catch it, and Moran took advantage of the moment. He took two quick steps and pushed Crystal into Anne Merritt. The derringer in Anne’s hand went off and Crystal cried out. She fell to the floor, clutching her stomach. Anne looked at Moran and saw that he had his gun pointed at her. She had not caught the other gun, and her derringer was pointing at the floor.

“Drop it,” Moran said.

She obeyed.

“She needs a doctor,” Anne said, squatting down by Crystal.

“A doctor can’t help her. She’s gutshot.”

Anne looked at the wound and saw that it was off to the right.

“She’s not,” she insisted. “A doctor can help her.”

“Get her one when I’m gone, then.”

Moran moved around behind the desk, opened a drawer and took out a sheaf of money. Seeing Anne watching him he smiled at her.

“We haven’t had time to put in a safe yet,” he said, tucking the money inside his shirt.

“Bastard!” Crystal said from the floor, her pain evident in her voice.

“It was nice while it lasted, ladies,” Moran said. He started for the office door, then stopped and turned back to them.

“Listen, Gloria—I mean, Anne. If I leave you here you’re not gonna try and track me down, are you?”

“You damn well better believe I am, Moran!”

Moran shook his head and said, “That’s too bad. You’re so pretty.”

He pointed his gun at her.