Slocum 420 by Jake Logan

something over and then pressed his palms together. “That’s outside of town limits.”
    â€œFunny, because when I went to the marshal about this, he said it was a town matter.”
    â€œWell, strictly speaking, it’s not something I would expect the marshal to deal with. If there was an escaped fugitive or some outlaws . . . if either of those men were ambushed by bandits . . . it would fall more in line with his regular duties.” Leaning forward expectantly, the sheriff asked, “Were either of the men shot, by any chance?”
    â€œNo.”
    Once again, the sheriff clapped his hands together as if to prove just how empty they were. “There now. That just shows it wasn’t done by any gunmen.”
    â€œA man can kill another man without using a gun,” Slocum pointed out.
    â€œVery true. From what I heard, though, those men were ripped to pieces. Mauled by some animal. The marshal’s responsibilities don’t extend to hunting wild game in the woods outside of town.”
    â€œWhat about ensuring the safety of folks who live in this town?” Slocum asked.
    â€œThat can only go so far,” the sheriff said. “Regrettably we can only keep the peace within certain limitations. If a good citizen of this town were traveling, say, to Cheyenne and got robbed there . . . neither I nor the marshal could do much about it.”
    â€œDon’t talk to us like we’re fools,” Slocum snapped. “Those two men were attacked while doing their jobs, and their jobs are at that mill, which, as I understand it, is the foundation of this damn town.”
    The sheriff’s face took on a stern expression. “I’ll thank you not to take that tone with me.”
    â€œAnd I’ll thank you to—”
    â€œWhat I believe my friend is trying to say,” Womack cut in before Slocum pushed the conversation even further in a bad direction, “is that something needs to be done about this. Whoever or whatever hurt those men is still out there.”
    â€œMan or beast,” Krueger said, “it could very well have moved on by now.”
    â€œIs that the stance of the law in this town?” Slocum asked with a snide laugh. “If that’s the case, remind me to rob the bank and then ride out of eyeshot.”
    â€œThat’s not fair, Mr. Slocum. Surely you don’t expect the law of a town to bother itself with every wild animal living in the woods?”
    â€œI would if that animal mauled two men!”
    â€œThen perhaps you’d like to go out and hunt this beast down yourself?” Krueger said as if he was issuing a challenge that he knew wouldn’t be answered.
    For that reason alone, Slocum replied, “Perhaps I will! And if I catch whoever is out there, I’ll expect to be paid!”
    The sheriff shrugged and then nodded. “That’s only fair.”
    â€œAh!” Womack said. “That sounds like a marvelous solution.”
    â€œWait. What just happened here?” Slocum asked.
    The sheriff stood up and Womack followed suit. Reaching a hand across his desk, the lawman said, “If you’re offering to lead a hunting party to find this beast, this town would be much obliged. I can send one of my boys out with you, but I don’t have nearly enough men to spare for something like this. That’s about all it boils down to, really. Surely you understand.”
    â€œYeah,” Slocum grunted as he turned to glare at the man standing beside him. “I understand just fine.”
    â€œWhich deputy would you suggest coming along with us?” Womack asked.
    After a small amount of thought, the lawman replied, “I suppose Charlie would do well enough. He’s done some hunting.”
    â€œForget it,” Slocum said. “How much of a fee are we talking, Sheriff?”
    â€œWhat do you mean, forget it?” the sheriff asked. “Are you