Texas Bluff

by Robert J. Randisi

  “Same people that killed my Pa,” Butler said. “I don’t know who they are yet, though.”

  “Yet? You gonna find them?”

  “Someday,” he said. “Someday I’ll find them and kill them all.”

  She stared at him, then smiled and said, “See that? You are a good son.”

  She looked at Short, who was hoping she wouldn’t ask him about his mother.

  “Who thinks you killed Cramer?”

  “The sheriff.”

  “That skunk Courtwright?” she asked,

  “I see we agree on somethin’, Mary,” Short said.

  “We agree on more than that, Luke,” she said. “We agree that you didn’t kill that sonofabitch Cramer.”

  “But you know who did?” he asked.

  “Ya darn tootin’ I do.”

  “And you’re gonna tell us?”

  She nodded sagely, and said, “I’m gonna tell ya.”

  CHAPTER 31

  Butler and Short actually walked out of Hell’s Half Acre, and then stopped in a small saloon to discuss what they’d found out. They figured it was fairly safe to have a drink there, and each ordered a cold beer.

  “I don’t know how much good that did,” Short admitted. “She saw a man go in, saw a man come out, doesn’t know who he was, but had seen him many times before, at odd hours.”

  “The odd hours part indicates to me that he was doing specialized work for Cramer.”

  “You mean like killing for him?” Short asked.

  “Right.”

  “And then they had a fallin’ out and the employee killed the employer.”

  “Why not?”

  “So what does the killer do now?” Short asked. “He’s cut off his source of income.”

  “There’s still the price on my head,” Butler said. “It’s large enough to make up for losing his employer, until he finds a new one.”

  “Or,” Short said, “maybe he intends to take over Cramer’s business.”

  “If that’s the case,” Butler said, “then we already have his attention.”

  “If I stay out in the open to give him a try,” Short said, “the sheriff might end up bagging me first.”

  “Well then, maybe we should just keep walking up and down Rusk Street until he tries for you—or me.”

  “It ain’t natural for a man to have a bull’s-eye on his back.”

  “Tell me about it.”

  “Sorry,” Short said, “I forgot.”

  “It doesn’t matter,” Butler said. “I’ve learned to live with it.”

  “How do you live with that?”

  “How do you, Bat, or Wyatt live with the fact that someone, somewhere, is going to make a try for your reputation?”

  “You have a point there,” Short said.

  They finished their beers and went out onto the street.

  “So, do we walk back in?” Butler asked.

  Short was considering the question when several men came running at them, from both sides, brandishing guns. Neither man had a chance to draw their own weapon.

  “What the hell—” Short said, and then he saw Jim Courtwright coming across the street with a satisfied look on his face.

  “Short,” the lawman said. “You think I don’t have eyes in the Acre? I knew the minute you and your buddy, here, showed up.”

  “What do you want, Courtwright?” Short asked, trying to brazen it out. “We’ve got business—”

  “No, no, you have no business today with anybody but me. I’m takin’ you in.”

  “For what?”

  “Questioning,” Courtwright said. “We’re gonna have a nice talk about who killed Ed Cramer—although I think we both know who did it.”

  “Butler,” Short said, “why don’t you go back to the White Elephant and tell Bill what’s—”

  “Oh, no,” Courtwright said, “Mr. Butler is gonna come with us. I’ve got some questions for him, too. Now raise your hands up so my boys can take your guns.”

  Butler and Short complied.

  “Now we’ll all take a nice ride to my office,” Courtwright said. “We have lots to talk about…”

  When they got to the sheriff’s office, Butler and Short were put in cells next to each other and left there for an hour or so. Finally, Courtwright came in with two deputies, who opened their cell doors.

  “Okay, you two, out,” Courtwright said.

  “Finally came to your senses, huh?” Short asked. “I won’t press charges for false arrest—”

  “Shut up, Short,” Courtwright said. “I got enough to arrest you right now, and that’s what I’m doin’.”

  “What, no talk?” Butler asked.

  “You shut your mouth or I’ll arrest you, too.”

  “You mean you’re not?”

  “You’re free to go,” Courtwright said. “Take my advice and keep goin’.”

  They walked Short and Butler out into the office, where Short got pushed into a chair. Butler was given back his gun, unloaded. Yeah, he thought, as if he’d try to shoot his way out with Short.

  “Like I said,” Courtwright said to Butler, “there’s the door. Just keep goin’, friend.”

  “I’ll see you soon, Luke,” Butler said. “Don’t worry about a thing.”

  “See you, Butler,” Short said.

  “If anything happens to him while he’s in your custody,” Butler said, “you’ll answer to me.”

  Courtwright snarled, “Get out!”

  CHAPTER 32

  When Al Newman opened the door to his home and saw Butler standing on the doorstep he was pleasantly surprised.

  “Got a game?” he asked.

  “I’ve got a big game,” Butler said, “and you’re going to be one of the main players.”

  “Come on in,” Newman said, “and tell me all about it. I’ve got the feeling we’re not talking about poker.”

  Butler had returned to the White Elephant, found Jerry, and told him what had happened. He then asked the bartender if he knew where Al Newman lived.

  “What do you want with him?”

  “He’s a lawyer.”

  “Ain’t he supposed to be retired?”

  “Maybe I’ll bring him out of retirement,” Butler said. “Do you know where he lives?”

  “No,” Jerry said, “but try Mr. Ward. They’re supposed to be friends.”

  That was right. Butler remember Newman saying he was friends with Ward, which was not enough to get him into Luke Short’s game.

  “Where is he?”

  “In the office.”

  Butler walked in without knocking, surprising Ward.

  “What the—”

  “Luke’s been arrested for the murder of Ed Cramer,” Butler said.

  “How did that happen?” Ward demanded. “I thought you two were going to lay low?”

  “It doesn’t matter how it happened, just that it did,” Butler said. “Luke’s going to need a lawyer. Do you know where Al Newman lives?”

  “Well, yes, but Al’s retired—”

  “I don’t care,” Butler said. “I’m going to ask him to represent Luke, try to get him out of Courtwright’s custody before something happens.”

  “You don’t think that Courtwright would—” Ward started, but Butler cut him off.

  “I don’t know what can happen in that jail,” he said. “Anything’s possible. Come on, Bill, give me the address.”

  Ward gave Butler the address and Butler immediately went to the man’s house.

  As Butler followed Newman to the living room a woman came out of the kitchen, drying her hands on the apron she wore around her waist.

  “I thought I heard a knock—oh, we have company.”

  “Helen, this is Mr. Butler,” Newman said. “I told you about him.”

  “Oh, yes,” she said, with a smile, “this is the gentleman who got you into an all-night poker game at the White Elephant.” The handsome woman in her late forties looked Butler up and down, then said, “I’m sorry I can’t say
it’s nice to meet you, Mr. Butler. I really don’t think my husband should be patronizing places like that.” She looked at her husband. “I have a roast in the oven.” She turned and went back into the kitchen.

  “That was rude,” Newman said. “I apologize; I’ll have a talk with her.”

  “That’s okay,” Butler said. “I think she’ll probably be even madder at me when she finds out why I’m here.”

  “And just why are you here?”

  “Jim Courtwright has arrested Luke Short for murdering Ed Cramer.”

  “Cramer? The owner of the Bloody Spur?”

  “That’s him.”

  Newman rubbed his jaw with his right hand.

  “Did he do it?”

  “No, he didn’t do it,” Butler said. “I want you to get him out.”

  “Me?” Newman said. “I told you the other night, Butler, I’m retired. I can recommend somebody, but that’s all I can—”

  “That’ll take too long,” Butler said. “Courtwright hates Luke, Al. Something bad will happen if we leave him in that jail.”

  “What kind of evidence does Courtwright have?” Newman asked.

  “None, because Luke didn’t do it. Oh, he’s got a witness who saw Luke threaten to blow the back of Cramer’s head out.”

  “And is that how he died?”

  “Yes.”

  Newman turned and looked over his shoulder at the kitchen.

  “I have to talk to my wife,” he said. “Wait for me out front.”

  “What if she says no?” Butler asked.

  “You misunderstand me,” Newman said. “I’m not asking her permission, I’m just going to talk to her. Wait outside.”

  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.

  CHAPTER 34

  Butler had never heard the name Sutherland before today. More importantly Luke Short, who knew everybody there was to know who had a reputation with cards or a gun, had never heard the name. Short was probably right. This was a local tough looking to make a name for himself. And if he was local, he had to be known by locals.

  Butler knew the men he’d played poker with, and the only local there had been Al Newman. He couldn’t go to him for help, anymore, without risking the great wrath of his wife.

  He’d known Victor somewhat, but Victor was dead.

  That left the bartender Jerry, who Luke Short seemed to think of as a scrapper.

  As usual, Jerry was behind the bar. In fact, Butler couldn’t recall a time when Jerry wasn’t working behind the bar. The man never seemed to take any time off. But he was a local, so Butler decided to try the name on him.

  He elbowed his way to the bar. Men moved aside because if they didn’t know him by name, they knew him on sight as somebody who was close to Luke Short.

  He got Jerry’s attention and waved him over. When the bartender pointed to the beer questioningly, Butler shook his head and waved him over again.

  “What’s the deal” Jerry asked. “Not thirsty today?”

  “How long have you lived in Fort Worth?” Butler asked him.

  “All my life,” Jerry said. “Why?”

  “Do you know a man named Sutherland?”

  Butler saw the man stiffen, knew immediately that he recognized the name. Now the question came up, was he going to lie about it?

  “Why are you askin’ about him?”

  “Because I need to find him.”

  “You don’t want to find him, Butl—”

  “Look,” Butler said, “I’m pretty sure he killed Victor, and tried to kill me. I also think he killed Ed Cramer. So if you know anything about him, now’s the time to spill it. Luke’s life is on the line here, too.”

  “Mr. Short? Why?”

  “Because the law thinks he killed Cramer. Come on, Jerry. We need your help here.”

  “Look, all I know is that he hangs out downtown,” Jerry said.

  “In Hell’s Half Acre?”

  “Well…sort of.”

  “What does that mean, Jerry?”

/>   “I’m a bartender, I hear talk—but that’s all it is, talk. I don’t know nothin’ for sure.”

  “So tell me what you don’t know for sure,” Butler said, “and I’ll check it out.”

  “There’s a whorehouse on Main Street, just a couple of blocks off the docks. He’s supposed to be there a lot.”

  “Tell me more.”

  “I don’t know no more,” Jerry said. “There’s supposed to be a girl there he likes.”

  “Come up with a name.”

  “Geez, Butler, you want—wait a minute,” Jerry said. “I remember. Somebody said it was Lily, like that actress, Lilly Langtry.”

  “Lily.”

  “That’s all I know,” Jerry said, “I swear. Butler, if I could help Mr. Short I would.”

  “I believe you, Jerry,” Butler said. “Thanks for the information. Now one more thing.”

  “What’s that?”

  “If Luke asks you where I am, you don’t know.”

  “Okay.”

  “And don’t tell him what you told me.”

  “You ain’t goin’ into Hell’s Half Acre alone, are you, Butler?”

  “Just remember,” Butler said. “Don’t tell him about Sutherland.”

  “Nothin’.”

  “Nothing.”

  “You want me to lie to Mr.—”

  “I don’t want him going down there, Jerry,” Butler said. “The sheriff already has it in for him, and Sutherland likes to shoot people from rooftops. I want Luke to stay inside, where it’s safe.”

  Jerry looked confused, but he said, “Well, all right, if that’s the way you want it.”

  “That’s how I want it.”

  “What about Mr. Ward?” Jerry said. “What if he asks where you are?”

  “He won’t,” Butler said, “but if he does, don’t tell him, either.”

  “So nobody but me is gonna know you’re down there?”

  “Now you’ve got it,” Butler said. “Thanks, Jerry.”

  Jerry watched as Butler went out the door. He didn’t like the responsibility he’d just been given.

  CHAPTER 35

  Butler went up to his room and changed from his usual suit to trail clothes he thought would help him blend in more down in the Acre. Then he carefully left the White Elephant by the back way because he didn’t want to run into Short.