Dark Trail by Ed Gorman Page A

heads.
    Outside on the walk, Rittenauer said, “Why the hell are you getting involved in this, Guild?”
    Guild said, “She bought a gun.”
    â€œWho bought a gun?”
    â€œSarah.”
    â€œGoddamn. You’re kidding.”
    â€œNope. And you know damn well who she’ll try and use it on.”
    Sounding hurt, Rittenauer said, “Guild, what the hell did I ever do to her?”
    â€œYou’re about to shoot the man she loves.”
    Rittenauer shook his head. “You ever considered the possibility that she’s crazy?”
    â€œI’ve considered it.”
    They were forty steps down the block from the barber’s shop when a voice behind them called, “Mr. Rittenauer. Could you hold on a minute, please?”
    Rittenauer said, just before he turned around, “Shit. It’s her.”
    As Guild turned, seeing her now, he thought of what Rittenauer had just said about Sarah being crazy. She sure looked that way at the moment—drawn, fatigued, her gaze unfocused somehow, as if she were seeing ghosts and not people.
    Guild’s gaze dropped to her purse. She had her hand stuffed inside. He didn’t have to wonder what she was holding in there.
    â€œAfternoon, Sarah,” Rittenauer said, somewhat grandly, given the situation.
    â€œYou smell wonderful,” Sarah said. Her voice was flutey and girlish and sad.
    â€œSarah—” Guild started to say.
    â€œI wondered if we could talk, Mr. Rittenauer.”
    Rittenauer glanced at Guild then back to Sarah. “I don’t see why not, Sarah. As long as you quit calling me Mr. Rittenauer. Ben’ll do fine.”
    Sarah went right on. “Ben, I want you to have a happy life.”
    â€œI appreciate that, Sarah.”
    â€œYou and Beth will be able to start all over again.”
    â€œI certainly hope so.”
    â€œSo, you shouldn’t risk the gunfight this afternoon. You should leave town before it starts, forget all about it.”
    Rittenauer frowned in Guild’s direction, then said to Sarah, “I appreciate your advice and your concern, Sarah.”
    She smiled. “I knew you’d see the right way, Ben.”
    Guild started circling, tiny steps that brought him closer to Sarah.
    â€œBut I’m afraid I can’t do that, Sarah,” Rittenauer was saying.
    â€œBut why not?”
    â€œBecause I need the money. I’m not any different from Frank. I’m just another broken-down gunfighter. I don’t have a hundred dollars to my name.”
    Guild took a few more steps. Sarah was pulling again on the object inside her purse.
    â€œDon’t you love Beth?” Sarah said.
    â€œOf course I do.”
    â€œThen why put her through this?”
    â€œShe wants the money, too.”
    â€œIt’s not fair,” Sarah said.
    â€œI’m sorry,” Rittenauer said.
    Just then Guild grabbed her.
    He got her shooting arm good and tight and pulled her to him. “Give it to me, Sarah.”
    She tried to fight him. “No, Leo, you leave me alone.”
    â€œCome on, Sarah. You know how you hate people to stare.”
    And people were staring, crowding on the sidewalk now to see the gunny Ben Rittenauer watch a man and woman fight each other.
    She jerked away from Guild and got the Colt out before he could stop her.
    The crowd was excited; almost grateful to the woman for providing such a show. They fanned out even wider now. Stray bullets killed as many people as carefully aimed ones.
    In the sunlight, the barrel of the Colt looked long and all business. She held it with a steady hand. I’m giving you a choice, Ben.”
    â€œPut it away, Sarah. I’m warning you.” Ben’s face had gone quickly from concern and kindness to hard anger. Nobody should ever pull a gun on Ben Rittenauer. When that happened, he was all reflex, a man with only one thought: kill the other person.
    Rittenauer’s hand dropped to the walnut handle