Slocum 420 by Jake Logan Page A

interested or not?”
    â€œI’m interested,” Slocum replied. “Just not in your deputy. If he’s got some real tracking experience, he might be of some use. As for hunting . . . hell, just about any man has done some hunting. If that’s all your man has to offer, then he’d probably just get in the way.”
    â€œHe knows these woods pretty well,” the sheriff offered.
    â€œSo do the men that Mr. Womack is offering to send along with me.”
    When the sheriff looked over at him, Womack shrugged and nodded sheepishly. Krueger looked back to Slocum with almost complete indifference. “Fine with me if you want to go it alone,” he said. “Means more men around here to keep the peace.”
    Slocum kept to himself all the comments that sprang to mind as far as the sheriff’s ability to keep the peace.
    â€œAs far as making it worth your while,” the sheriff continued, “I suppose I could pay what I’d pay any man who signed up to ride in a posse.”
    â€œDoes that go for my men as well?” Womack asked. “I’m not trying to be greedy. I just know they’ll ask.”
    â€œSure. Wouldn’t be good for them to know one’s getting paid and the rest ain’t. Any man that goes out in search of this killer, be it man or beast, will get a posse fee. Of course, since me or none of my men are going along with you, I can only pay if you bring the killer in. Otherwise, for all I know, you boys could just go out and sleep under the stars for a few nights.”
    Womack chuckled at that as if he and the sheriff were two old friends swapping jokes while smoking cigars on a porch. Slocum didn’t even pretend to be as amused.

10
    Slocum and Womack had left the sheriff’s office and were halfway down Cedar Street before either of them said a word. Casually, Womack said, “I think that went pretty well, don’t you?”
    â€œAbout as good as I should have expected, I suppose.”
    â€œWell, at any rate, it’s good that I spoke to both the lawmen. Wouldn’t want to step on any toes.”
    Finally, Slocum cracked a smile. “Step on any toes? One of those law dogs would have had to poke more than their nose out from their offices for their toes to get stepped on.”
    â€œI can’t really argue there. Are you still willing to lead the hunting party?”
    â€œI’m leading it now?”
    â€œCan’t think of any man more qualified for the job.”
    â€œWhat sort of bonus does leadership come with?” Slocum asked.
    â€œOne free drink,” Womack replied with a slap on Slocum’s back. “What the hell. Make it two!”
    Out of habit, Slocum led the way into the Axe Handle Saloon. It was the place where he’d been spending a good amount of his time when he wasn’t working at the mill. On his way inside, he glanced across the street to the Second Saloon and pondered going in there to check on Eliza. But the night was young and he figured there would be plenty of time to cross the street later on.
    The Axe Handle was a simple saloon that knew exactly what its patrons wanted. The bar took up most of one half of the narrow main floor, there was a stage that was just large enough for two or three scantily clad girls to kick up their heels, and the rest of the space was devoted to a few round card tables where games were played for all kinds of stakes. Already, several of the mill’s workers were there gambling away their pay or handing it over to any of a number of working girls making their rounds. One of those girls spotted Slocum immediately and cut her way through the crowd to greet him.
    â€œWell, well,” she said as she strutted toward him. “If it isn’t John Slocum. Here I thought you’d abandoned me for the girls across the street.” She was a bit shorter than most of the women there and had curves that bordered on being too