Five Points by J. R. Roberts Read Free Book Online Page A

and knock on his door, but he didn’t answer. He was doing just what Bethany said he was doing, sulking.
    He hated when Ma slapped him, and he hated it when she did it in front of Bethany. But there was nothing he could do about it. She was his ma.
    And despite what Bethany said, she was the only ma she had ever known. Ben didn’t know how Bethany could disrespect her so. Ma was a strong woman who ran her own business, and was successful at it. She knew what she was doing. He wished she and Bethany got along better, so Bethany could learn more from her.
    And Ma was right about one thing: Despite the fact that she was his half sister, Ben loved Bethany. He was in love with her, but he knew Bethany would never look at him the same way.
    Maybe Ma was right.
    Maybe he was sick.

FIFTEEN
    True to her word, Angie made sure Clint had the best dish in the house—beef stew. And she kept the cold beer coming, too.
    â€œReady for dessert?” she said when she picked up his clean plate.
    â€œI’m ready for some pie.”
    â€œOh,” she said. “Okay, pie first, and then dessert.”
    He wasn’t sure if she was just flirting with him, or if she really wanted something more. He watched her with the other patrons, and while they all seemed to be following her cleavage, she did not seem to be giving them the attention she was giving him. Not that this was something new to him. He’d had connections with many women right from their first meeting, and often it ended up with them in bed.
    He was hoping that this was one of those times.
    â€œWait a minute,” Red said when Bethany was in the middle of her story. “Tall with a scar on his cheek— here?” He touched his own face.
    â€œThat’s right.”
    â€œThat’s the Gunsmith?”
    â€œWell, yeah . . .”
    Red looked at Appo.
    â€œThe man I told you about in the station? The one who caught me? That was him.”
    â€œHe caught you?” Bethany asked, eyes widening.
    â€œNow wait,” Appo said. “You can’t be sure it was the same man.”
    â€œHe had a gun on him,” Red said. “He had it in his belt in the back. I felt it.”
    Appo looked at Bethany, who was staring back with frightened eyes.
    â€œDid you have any contact with this man?”
    â€œNo!” she said. “I wanted to try . . . but I didn’t have time.”
    â€œCould he be connected with this woman who was killed?”
    â€œI don’t know,” she said.
    Appo rubbed his jaw.
    â€œThat’d be one hell of a coincidence.”
    â€œRed’s gotta be wrong,” Bethany said.
    â€œWhy would Captain Byrnes be meeting this man at the station?” Appo asked. He was talking to himself more than to the two young people with him. “The man would have to be someone of substance. ”
    â€œLike the Gunsmith!” Red said.
    â€œRed,” Appo said, “you put the word out on the street. I want to know what hotel the captain has put this man up at.”
    â€œI can do that.”
    â€œGeorge,” Bethany said, “if it is the Gunsmith—”
    â€œIt may just be a coincidence that he’s here, Bethany.”
    â€œBut you don’t believe in coincidences, George.”
    â€œNo, you’re right, girl,” Appo said. “I don’t.”
    The pie and coffee at the tavern were excellent. Clint didn’t know how the hotel was going to be, but the captain had put him next to a good place to drink and eat.
    Angie came over and poured him some more coffee, bending over so that her breasts were nice and close to him.
    â€œYou keep doing that,” he said, “and I’m just going to have to take you up to my room with me.”
    She stood up straight, put one hand on her hip, and said, “I thought you’d never ask.”
    She walked away then, leaving him unsure whether or not she was kidding.
    He finished his coffee and when she came