by Burt Kroll
“What is it you wanta know?” Gwynn demanded.
“If Maitland brought that killer in for some special reason.”
“All right. But I don’t like this, Ward. I wouldn’t do it for anyone else around here. Hell, I could get myself killed if I ain’t careful.”
“You’ll be careful,” Merrill told him, “and you’ve had a lot of practice at listening to other people talking, Herb. Now get to it.”
The liveryman threw him a startled glance and then pushed through the batwings. He paused on the threshold to look around, then squared his shoulders and moved resolutely towards the bar. Merrill watched him for a moment then went on along the street to make a round of the town. He needed to think deeply about the set-up, but already he did not like it, and he knew it could only get worse. Events were piling up to a whole mess of trouble, and he was right at its center.
He finished up by the store, and went down the alley to the side door. Kay opened the door to his knock, and there was worry in her expression as she led him into the parlour. Lonnie had gone to bed, and Luke Parry was sitting in an easy chair, reading an eastern mail order catalogue.
“We’ve been expecting you to come back,” Luke said, lowering his book. “What was that shot we heard? I figured it couldn’t be much or you would have brought the news sooner.”
“It was bad enough,” Merrill said, and related the incident. He saw horror show in Kay’s face, and hastened to reassure her. But she would not be comforted.
“You’ve got an enemy around here, Ward,” she said tremulously, “a real snake in the grass, and he won’t be satisfied until you are dead. What can you do about him?”
“Quite a lot, if I knew who he was,” he responded. “But don’t worry yourself about it. I guess it’ll all come out into the open. Then we can deal with it.”
“The end of it might mean the end of you,” she retorted, shaking her head fearfully. “Think of Lonnie, Ward.”
“I am thinking of him,” he said sharply. “I’m handling this the only way I know how. If I don’t go out to meet this threat then I’m likely to wind up dead with a bullet in my back. There’s a time to run and a time to fight, and I figure this is one of those occasions when I’ve got to stand my ground, Kay. I don’t like it, especially aften ten years of peaceful living, but when something like this comes up I’ve got to face it.”
“I agree with you,” Luke Parry said. “I’m not a fighting man myself, but I agree with your principles, Ward, and respect you for them. Kay, you’re speaking from your heart, and Ward has got to use his head.”
“I’ll need to settle my circumstances in case anything happens to me,” Merrill said, and Kay shook her head and put her hands over her ears.
“I don’t want to hear you talk of those matters,” she said.
“It’s got to be talked out in case I don’t come through this.” His tone was sharp. “In the morning I’ll have a word with the lawyer. I’ll need to ensure that Lonnie is arranged for.”
“The boy would have a home here with us,” Luke said. “There’s no question about that. You’re risking your life for the good of the community, Ward.”
“Thanks. I know the boy would be all right, but it’s got to be done legally. I have a ranch to be disposed of, and the sooner I handle that the easier I shall feel.”
He thought of the gunman in the saloon with Maitland and clenched his teeth for a moment, fighting an impulse to go along there and call for a showdown. But he knew he could not do that. He needed to get proof before he acted, and if he did not stay cool and aware then he would surely lose out.
He looked at Kay, and was touched by her concern, but he felt as if the whole world was slightly out of perspective now. The threat of imminent action hanging over him dilated his nerves, made his instincts more acute, and he felt as if he had stepped beyond the threshold of reality. But he had to maintain contact or he would be lost. He had to act as if everything was normal and not let his innermost fears take control and betray him. There was more to it than merely going out to handle what everyone thought was his duty. He had to set himself up as a target, and if his nerve failed him or he lost his fine fighting edge then he would die, and that would be an end to it.
There was so much he wanted to say to the girl, but he could not find the words. His mind was choked with impressions and half-formed plans. If Luke Parry had not been there, he might have been able to open up his heart to her, but the older man was like a fixture in the room, and Merrill sighed with regret and decision as he arose from his seat in order to leave. He had to get back on the street. The town was like a powder keg, and he had to see that the fuse was not lit.
Kay saw him to the door, and he took her hands gently as he thanked her for taking care of Lonnie. He could tell that there was much she wanted to say, but she, too, was unable to unburden herself, and he promised himself that he would find the time and the opportunity to talk to her freely and honestly. He owed her that much, and just wished that he would get the time now to follow his instincts. He impulsively kissed her on the cheek before turning away, and her voice was tremulous as she told him to take care.
He went back to the street and stood near the saloon, watching the comings and goings of the patrons, and when Herb Gwynn finally emerged from the place he went forward to the stableman’s side. Gwynn started nervously at the sight of him, and drew into the shadows.
“I don’t wanta be seen talking to you, Ward,” Gwynn said. “I figure you’re the target they got earmarked.”
“Get down to brass tacks, Herb,” Merrill told him grimly.
“You’re right about Maitland hiring that feller. They was talking about someone who’s gonna be shot down as soon as that other outfit arrives and the war between the trail hands takes place. Under its cover that black-clad man, whose name is Grit Brannigan, is gonna put a slug through you where it’ll do the most harm. Maitland is gonna pay him five hundred dollars for that job. Now I got to be going, Ward. I’ll keep my mouth shut about this, you can bet. If Brannigan heard that I’d talked to you he’d plug me. You don’t have to worry that I’ll spill anything. This is one time I ain’t repeating what I overheard!
“Thanks, Herb. I figure you’ve just saved my life, and you’ve given me some proof that Maitland has been causing my trouble. I don’t know how I’m gonna handle that yet, but I’ll know who to watch after this. I won’t forget this.”
“You don’t owe me a thing, Ward. Just keep my name out of it if it comes to evidence and the like. I want no part of that.”
“You have my promise,” Merrill said harshly, and Gwynn nodded in relief and hurried away back to his stable.
Merrill stood lost in thought, but there was a quickening of his pulses now. He had the rights of it. He figured that Maitland wanted him dead in order to buy up his spread, although that was the helluva reason for killing a man, but Brannigan was here, and that was stark reality. He realized that he would have to watch points now, but at least he knew who to watch, and for that he was thankful. It seemed to him that the trouble coming with the arrival of the second cow outfit was going to be the signal for general hell to break out, and that was only a day or so away. It gave him no time at all to make any plans, and he fancied that plans were not necessary anyway. This was one grim game he would have to play as it came, and with that knowledge in mind he went along to the law office.
Nine
Merrill slept that night in the spare room at Luke Parry’s store, and the next day, he was up early and on the street. Portville was quiet, and he walked along the street with his gaze taking in the details of his surroundings. He greeted the early risers around the street, and made his way to the law office, greeting Si Kester there. The town marshal was in charge of the office, and he seemed to be in a bad humor when he replied to Merrill’s rather lighthearted words. But Merrill was elated despite the gravity of the situation because he knew who to watch now, and he was primed for trouble and ready to slip into action should
it be necessary.
He studied the town marshal’s fleshy face, wondering what was in Kester’s mind, recalling all that Kay had told him about the man. He could understand anyone being jealous of the reputation of Ward Merrill, but he could not accept that anyone, especially a man like the town marshal, would go further than mere dislike. But one could not tell what a man was capable of until the chips were down, and although Kester now seemed cleared of being involved in active trouble against him, Merrill did not entirely overlook the local lawman.
“Ward, I got to talk to you,” Kester said suddenly, in a reluctant tone. “I been meaning to get around to it for some days now, but you’ve been away and up against it, and then I lost your only prisoner.”
“I don’t see how you can be blamed for what happened here when Wood was killed,” Merrill replied. “It could have happened to anyone.”
“Sure it could,” argued Kester irritably. “But it was me it happened to, and that’s the point. I’ve been uneasy about the way you handled your law work all those years ago and figured I could do as well or better if the chance came up. I listened to the locals talking about your exploits and wished I got the opportunity to prove myself. But nothing ever happened around here. This was just a sleepy little town, and I couldn’t do a damn thing. But now the situation has changed and it looks as if all hell is about to bust loose. That’s why I wanta talk to you. I don’t figure I’m gonna be able to stand up to the strain of it. I’ll be all right when the action starts, but it’s the waiting that gets me.”
Merrill nodded his understanding. “Don’t worry about it, Si. I know exactly what you mean. He thought of the trouble building up for himself and felt a tremor of iciness behind his breastbone. He sighed. “You ain’t alone with those nasty feelings. I sure got myself a mess of worry. I figure you’ll come out on top when the chips are down, and that’s when it really counts. Forget about it until it happens. That’s the best way. And remember that you’re not alone in this. We are with you, and there are the special deputies. Anyway, the trouble might pass us by, and then you’ll find you’ve had all the worry for nothing.”
“But I’m responsible for what happens around town,” Kester argued. “I don’t think I’m gonna be much use. Maybe I’m losing my nerve. Perhaps I ought to quit now, before it’s too late for the council to find a replacement.”
“I reckon you’re a good man and you’ll do whatever becomes necessary,” Merrill said thoughtfully. “You’ve handled troublemakers around here before, so I don’t see why this should suddenly come up, unless there is another reason you’re not telling me.”
There was a silence while they gazed at each other, and Merrill saw Kester shake his head.
“I don’t know what you mean,” the town marshal said.
“You and me have never hit it off, Si. I don’t know why, and I don’t care. But there’s always been an atmosphere between us. As far as I know I’ve never done anything against you. But there it is. All I do know is that I’ve been getting trouble lately that’s stirred up by some local man behind the scenes.”
“You mean all the shooting that’s been going on around you! Hell, you don’t think I know anything about that, do you?”
“Every man in the town has been under suspicion,” Merrill retorted. “You can see that I had to look at it like that, can’t you?”
“I guess I would have done the same thing. But I don’t know a thing about that. Hell, I’m a lawman. I uphold the law, not break it. And at least six gunnies were brought in against you! I wouldn’t have the kind of dough that would take to buy their services.”
“I already crossed you off my list so you don’t need to get het up. But that’s a good point about being able to pay for those gunmen. I guess that limits the game a little, huh?”
“Do you have any idea who might be back of it?” Kester demanded eagerly. “If you do I’ll go with you to face him. I could do with some action to clear the air.”
Merrill shook his head. “A good lawman learns when to move in and when to hold his hand,” he replied. “You just concentrate on what might happen later. That other cow outfit is due to arrive tomorrow, I believe. We’ll have to be on our toes then. If we can keep them apart while they are in town then we’ll miss a lot of bad trouble.”
“The sheriff has been making plans. He figures he can’t bar the cattlemen from the town entirely, but there are two saloons, and he reckons to make one outfit use one and the other to stay in the other one. I don’t know if it will work, but it’s worth a try.”
“Where is Walt? I’d better talk to him and find out what he wants me to do.” Merrill tried to relax his mind. He felt easier about Kester now, and fancied the man would come up to scratch when the chips were down. Everyone felt nervy when action was pending, and if he stood his ground when the crucial time came then there would be no problems.
“I expect he’ll be out at the cow-camp now,” Kester said. “He’s gonna lay it on thick and heavy to the cattlemen. There’s to be no trouble in the town. Later, he’s gonna ride out to meet the herd coming in. The Big J, I think it’s called. He’s gonna warn those cowpokes out on the trail what to expect if they’re hell-bent on trouble when they get here. If they take the warning seriously they’ll settle their differences with Freeman’s outfit out of town. Then we’ll all be happy.”
Merrill nodded. “I’ll ride out to edge of town and see Walt,” he said. “I need to get some things sorted out with him.”
He left the office and walked along the street to the stable, where he saddled his horse. He did not see Herb Gwynn and wondered if the liveryman would keep his mouth shut about what he had overheard in the saloon. Gwynn had been scared, so it was likely that he would think of his own skin and remain silent. As he led his horse out of the stable, he came face to face with Grit Bannerman, and the somber-looking gunman subjected him to a long, intent gaze from under the wide brim of his black Stetson.
“Morning, lawman,” he greeted in a harsh voice.
“Morning,” Merrill responded easily, his face betraying nothing of the emotions churning inside him. He fancied that he could rely upon the information Gwynn had given him that this man would not make any attempt to kill him until the town was filled with fighting cowboys, and he nodded slowly as he took Brannigan’s measure. “You’re a stranger in town,” he commented, aware that he had to maintain appearances, and this was one question any stranger could expect to be asked, especially if he wore twin guns and looked as if he used them to earn his living. “Are you sticking around long?”
“Not too long. Just resting up my horse,” came the steady reply. “I reckon I’ll be in town to see the fun that’s coming, from what I’ve heard. But it’s gonna be tough on you lawmen, huh? I’ve seen cow towns where two outfits have gone to war. It ain’t a pretty sight.”
“I’ve seen that kind of thing myself,” Merrill replied.
“Maybe you’d better move on before the trouble starts. It could turn nasty.”
“I can take care of myself,” came the steady reply, and Brannigan smiled mirthlessly.
“I figure it’s you lawmen who will have to watch your step.”
Merrill nodded as he stepped up into his saddle, and he rode along the street without another glance at the gunman. He lifted a hand to Luke Parry, who was on the sidewalk in front of the store, and then continued out of town until he came to the cattle-pens and the railroad station. There was a long line of cattle-cars standing in a siding and dust was flying where a bunch of cowhands were busy loading the penned cattle, which had come up from Texas, into the waiting cars.
Walt Oakley was sitting his horse just outside the rising dust, watching the operation, and his craggy face was set in harsh lines. He smiled a greeting to Merrill, who kneed his horse in beside the sheriff’s, and motioned with his hand towards the busy scene in front of them.
“Looks like they’re gonna be done around here before nightfall,” he commented. “If they are, then I want
them on their way out of here soon after.” He twisted in his saddle and pointed to the south. “See that?” he demanded.
Merrill shifted in his saddle and peered in the direction the older lawman indicated. His lips pulled tight when he saw what looked like a low dark cloud on the horizon.
“Dust from the Big J trail outfit,” Oakley said needlessly. “I reckon they’re gonna be here before sundown. They’ve been making fast time, and I reckon the Big J trail-hands have been pushing hard so they could get here before this bunch pulls out. We’re gonna have to get all our special deputies out to make a show of force around town. No way are we gonna let the two bunches get together inside of town limits.”
“I reckon the Big J trail boss will be riding in ahead of his herd to contact his buyers,” Merrill mused. “We could get hold of him and warn him to hold his herd back out of the pens until Freeman’s bunch here have pulled out and finished.”
“That’s a good idea. Will you stick around here and keep an eye on things? I want to go take a look around town and talk to some of the special deputies we’ve got lined up. They need to know that tonight will be the night.”
“You can leave it to me, and if anyone does show up from Big J I’ll lay down the law in no uncertain tones,” Merrill replied. He nodded as he met Oakley’s grim gaze, and the sheriff smiled faintly and rode off, heading back to town.
Merrill dismounted and tied his reins to a fence. He stayed out of the dust and watched the toiling cowpokes loading the fractious cattle into the cars. The work was going on fast and steadily, and he was aware of the skill these men employed although there did not seem to be an art in the way they were handling the stock. But the pens were being emptied systematically and the cars on the tracks were being filled.
Merrill kept an eye on the dust cloud to the south. It did not appear to be moving towards him, but he knew the cattle could make about twelve miles a day, and the herd was now within six or seven miles of town. They would be here in time to load the pens before nightfall, and then the outfit would be free to spend some time in town, and that was when the trouble would start.