to smash across Beaudineâs head, but instead took a deep breath they all could hear, and turned the gun around in his palm, aiming it again at the major.
Howardâs hand and voice were shaking, his chest heaving, âI made a promise I wouldnât swear or kill no more, but youâre pushinâ me with this; this part of a million dollars, that ainât real!â
Beaudine said, âHoward, I know what it is to be out of control, but Iâm about myself right now, and you need to be the same. This money is real. You know that.â
âWhat makes it more real now than that night with the doc and his family?â
Beaudine looked straight down the barrel of Howardâs gun to his flicking eyes. âAll of these people who want a piece, like Madame Kate on the floor. Doesnât that tell you? I wrote that letter for Dev Bishop, believing every word. Men facing death tend to be truthful.â
âJohn Bishop wasnât.â
Beaudine corrected Lem with a scolding. âBishop refused to cooperate. Thereâs a difference. After that night, I never stopped looking. You scattered, but I stayed with it, and every time I turn around, thereâs someone new who wants a share, because they knew that gold was someplace. And the doctorâs the key to the moneybox.â
Lem said, âHe didnât give it up before, and now heâs got nothing to lose, so why would he tell?â
âBecause thereâs only one thing he cares about nowâus. Heâll bargain.â
Lem smiled. âThe gold for the chance to wipe us out.â He put his hand on Howardâs arm, lowering his gun. âThis Creed will deliver?â
âHe will, but wonât be alone.â
âThis half a million is gonna have a lot of blood on it.â
Beaudine pocketed one last jade trinket. âWhat half a million doesnât?â
Chaney finally said, âMaybe everyone here, if Bishop uses that double-barrel rig. Iâve seen it, you havenât.â
Beaudine looked down on Chaney. âYouâre new to me, and not impressive at all.â
Lem cut him off, âHeâll be more use than Chester was. At least heâs seen Bishop, the way he is now.â
Chaney said, âSo did Chester Pardee.â
Beaudine straightened his collar. âThen itâs up to you to be properly prepared. You want some kind of a share of this? Youâre going to earn it.â He walked out of Kateâs office tall and straight, ready for a parade.
On the front porch, Soiled Dove was rubbing her feet with both hands, as Howard and Chaney swung onto their horses. Lem took a torch from a barrel by the front door, watching Dove as he lit it.
Doveâs lower lip protruded, more snuff filling it. âThatâs a courtesy for the boys who ride in at night. The good customers.â
Lem got onto his horse with the torch. âIâll come back, and promise to spend a fortune.â
Howard punched the air with a giant fist, and said, âIâm back-slidinâ. Five minutes with Beaudine, and I donât have a Christian feeling left. Thereâs lumber âround back. I could make that dead woman a coffin. It wonât take long.â
Lem said, âYouâre wanting to do it is enough to keep your soul safe.â
Chaney said, âI figured weâd be given a map or something, not drafted into another war.â
Lem turned his eye on Chaney. âAnother? I didnât know you served. Thank you for your sacrifice.â
Lem snickered at his own joke, making Chaney feel like a fool, again. Chaney let his fingers dance on the Colt heâd just re-holstered, playing with the idea of ending this game right now.
Lem had been watching Chaneyâs hand. âStakes getting too high?â
Thatâs when Soiled Dove piped up. âSo, you all arrest that crazy man?â
Lem said, âHeâs coming with us.â
âThe regular
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