Busted Gulch vol 14

The Confrontation (lyttlejoe)

"Get him!"

He turned to see the woman from the cafe 

covering two of his men from behind, 

the other two raised their rifles at Billy 

but hesitated too long. 

"Just you and me, Land." 3Gun said. 

"You gonna tell me where Caroline is 

or am I gonna hafta beat it outta ya?" 

William stepped back and went for his gun. 

The sheriff clamped a hand down on William's 

and punched him in the side of the head. 

"Where is she?" 

"Where you'll never find her again!" 

"I know the whole story, Land 

so you can forget stallin'. 

Now where is she?" 

William charged, his gun hand free 

and his gun coming up fast. 

The explosion was loud and 

William stopped mid-stride, 

reeling back with arms flailing. 

He gaped down at his chest, 

up at 3Gun, and collapsed in a heap. 

"Rope those two and take 'em into the jail, 

Myna and tell Unger he's got, three new customers. 

Billy and I are going to check out this warehouse. 

And thank you." 

He winked.

Back in town Billy sat at the jailhouse desk 

reading the papers they found in the warehouse 

while 3Gun walked Myna back to the cafe. 

"It wasn't the excitement I guess you hoped for 

but you did what I needed. 

I knew we'd be outnumbered. 

I don't know what I'm gonna do about CG. 

Young Ron said there were wagon tracks 

at the graveside so I guess I begin there. 

Thanks, Myna and good luck with Lorne." 

Billy had tallied up the arms and gold that they found 

and made arrangements with the bank to store the gold. 

The weapons they'd keep at the jail until 

the Marshal came . . . again.