A Good Day to Die by William W. Johnstone Read Free Book Online

I’ll tell it in court,” Johnny said.
    â€œMe, too” Luke chimed in.
    â€œJust a couple of public-spirited citizens, eh?’
    â€œYou know us, Sheriff. Always ready to help out the law,” Johnny said.
    Barton laughed out loud without humor at that one. “You only been back for a month or two so you might not be up to speed yet. What do you know about Vince Stafford and his Ramrod outfit?”
    â€œNot a thing.”
    â€œA bad bunch to mess with.”
    â€œThat supposed to make a difference to me?”
    â€œNot you, you’re too ornery.” Barton turned to Luke. “You got no excuse, though. You’ve been back long enough to know the way of things.”
    â€œI ain’t worried, Sheriff. I got you to protect me,” Luke said, all innocent-faced.
    â€œYeah? Who’s gonna protect me?”
    â€œDeputy Smalls?” Johnny suggested.
    â€œYou boys don’t give a good damn about nothing, do you? I like your nerve, if nothing else,” Barton said. “It’s your funeral. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
    â€œDuly noted,” Johnny said cheerfully
    Damon Bolt cleared his throat. “I’m free to go?”
    â€œFree as air,” Barton said. “If you’re smart you’ll keep going, a long way off from here.”
    â€œThat’s not my style, Sheriff.”
    â€œNo, it wouldn’t be. You’d rather stay and get killed.”
    â€œI’d rather stay,” Damon conceded.
    â€œWe won’t argue,” the sheriff said.
    â€œYou know where to find me for the inquest.”
    â€œIf you’re still alive. Vince Stafford knows where to find you, too.”
    â€œI’ll be waiting.”
    â€œHe won’t come alone.”
    â€œThe undertaker can use the business. Things have been slow around here lately.”
    â€œLaugh while you can, Damon. It won’t be so funny when the lid blows off this town.”
    â€œWe’ll see. We through here, Sheriff?”
    â€œFor now.”
    â€œI’ll be on my way, then. I’ve got a date with the barber for a shave and a haircut,” Damon said.
    â€œTell him to make the corpse presentable,” Barton said sourly.
    Damon nodded to Johnny and Luke. “Stop by the Spur later. I’ll buy you a drink.”
    â€œIt’s a go,” Johnny said. Luke nodded assent.
    Damon went up the street to the barbershop and went inside.
    â€œDecent fellow at that,” Wade Hutto said, musing.
    â€œToo bad he’s got to die,” Barton said.
    Spectators gathered around the body of Bliss Stafford, gawking, buzzing. Deputy Smalls plucked at Barton’s sleeve. “Somebody’s got to tell Vince.”
    â€œYou want to be the one to tell him his pup is dead?” Barton asked.
    â€œNo, thanks!”
    â€œHe’ll find out soon enough,” Wade Hutto said. “No doubt somebody’s already on the way to the ranch to give him the word.”
    â€œGood news always travels fast,” Barton said sarcastically.
    â€œCareful, somebody might hear you,” Hutto cautioned.
    â€œAt this point, who gives a damn?”
    â€œI do,” Hutto said. Gripping Barton’s upper arm, he led him off to one side for a private chat.
    â€œSomebody was bound to burn down Bliss Stafford sooner or later. He was a troublemaker and a damned nuisance,” Barton said.
    â€œGood riddance!” Hutto said heartily.
    â€œToo bad it was the gambler. Some lone hand done it, some drifter, we could step back and wash our hands of it. But it ain’t some nobody, it’s Damon Bolt. He’ll fight.”
    â€œHe’s got friends, too. Gun hawks. He’ll make a mouthful for Vince at that. Hard to swallow.”
    â€œI hope he chokes on it,” Barton said feelingly.
    â€œThose Staffords have been getting too big for their britches. Trouble is, the town’s in the way. Hangtown could get pretty badly