Billy the Kid by Theodore Taylor Read Free Book Online

territorial attorney here, Wilson. You unhappy with me, call the federal marshals in. Meanwhile, take my advice once again. Tell the railroads to start ridin' shotgun in those trains, like the stagecoaches."
    Willie took up a position at the bottom of the steps, facing the group. He purposely cloaked himself in calm.
    Banker Grayson snapped, "They got over twelve thousand this time."
    Willie acknowledged quietly, "I'm sorry, Mr. Grayson. I'll be goin' after them within an hour."
    Wilson stared at the sheriff, then turned, asking the group, "Anyone know who they were?"
    As Willie moved toward the first step, Lawyer Lapham said reluctantly, "Billy Bonney was one of them."
    Feeling as if stone had shifted under his feet, Willie gasped and froze. Had he heard right? He knew his mouth was hanging open. Billy was only nineteen. He watched, speechless, as Wilson looked at Lapham. Then the DAs eyes came slowly back to Willie and stayed. "Your cousin, eh, Willis?" There was naked satisfaction on the bulldog face.
    Willie studied Lapham in a state of shock. "You must be mistaken, Mr. Lapham. We both know Billy. Stoppin' trains isn't his style."
    The aged lawyer stood in silence, a hint of sadness around his eyes.
    Willie sought words. "He's ah ... he's been in Mexico almost two years now. He wouldn't—" The words sheared off.
    Lapham finally shook his head. "It was Billy. I know how close you are—family and all."
    "He might have looked like Billy."
    "My vision is still good, Willis. Remember how Billy sat a horse? No one else here rides that way."
    Willie felt ill. Lapham seemed very positive. And his eyes were still good, Willie knew. Vaguely he heard Wilson saying, "A year ago I told you I heard Billy was in trouble on the border. You wouldn't believe it."
    Willie fixed his gaze on Wilson. He felt anger welling up. Yes, he recalled it! No, he hadn't believed it! Billy, too, had had a run-in with Pete Wilson when the territorial attorney had first arrived. The little man wasn't one to forgive or forget.
    Wilson continued, flat and hard, "Willis, I want you to get a posse—"
    Willie interrupted with a roar, "You stick to prac-ticin' law an' I'll enforce it!"
    Immediately he regretted losing his temper. An embarrassed silence fell over the group on the courthouse steps. Sounds of squeaking wagon wheels and voices from down the street rose in the awkward gap.
    In some ways Pete Wilson was his superior. At least, they had to maintain a relationship. Willie took a deep breath and tried to recover, peeved with himself that he'd let Wilson reach him again. He'd never been able to match words with the brainy lawyer. He always felt lumbering and inadequate around him. Wilson was ten years older and fluent in speech. Willie wasn't.
    Seeking relief he glanced over at Sam Pine. "You interview the witnesses?"
    Sam nodded. "I've got everything written down, Willie. Mapes took the train on to Prescott, but I've got his statement, too."
    Willie muttered a thanks, almost feeling the thought processes in Wilson's mind—how to make this pay off. The lawyer's eyes were narrow and curtained.
    Lapham tried to break the tension. "Pete, this is shocking news. Billy is only nineteen. You've got to understand about Billy and Willis."
    The DA replied softly and victoriously, "I want to talk to some of the witnesses myself." He turned, starting for the stairs and his second-floor office.
    Lapham called toward Wilson's back. "I'll be up in a while."
    Willie was grateful for the old man's show of support. But then, he wouldn't have expected anything else from Jack Lapham. Watching the crowd disappear, Willie asked, in a monotone, "How did they ride out, Sam? Pook didn't tell me much."
    "South. Four of them."
    Lapham nodded in agreement, and then laughed hollowly. "You might have known Billy would pose as a deputy. Always did have a flair for the dramatic. Maybe he should have been an actor? He rode the train up from Wickenburg, Willis. Had