Kill Crazy by William W. Johnstone Read Free Book Online

was smitten with Biff Johnson’s recently arrived red-haired beauty, and had put on his finest clothes to come into town this afternoon.
    He brought twenty dollars with him, and intended to use as much of the money as was necessary to entice Cindy Boyce to spend all her time, just with him.
    He had been waiting patiently for her to leave the table where she was sitting with Schumacher and some other man, a short, sandy-haired man whom he didn’t recognize.
    Finally, after waiting for at least half an hour, he walked over to the table.
    â€œCindy, I been here for half an hour,” Kennedy said. “I wish you would keep me company. I got me some money to spend, and I aim to spend it on you, which you should like, ’cause I ain’t seen either one of these fellers buy you so much as one drink in all the time I been here.”
    Cindy smiled up at Kennedy.
    â€œI’m sorry, honey. I didn’t know you were waiting for me. Of course I’ll spend some time with you.
    Kennedy grinned broadly, but the grin left his face when he saw the little sandy-haired man reach out and pull Cindy back down in her chair.
    â€œYou ain’t goin’ nowhere,” he said. “You’ll be stayin’ right here with me.”
    â€œMister, if you don’t get your hands offen her, I’m goin’ to mop up this floor with your scrawny little ass,” Kennedy said angrily.
    â€œHe’s right, Emile. I have been with you long enough,” Cindy said. “I need to spend a little time with some of my other friends, now.”
    Emile smiled as well, but his smile was totally without mirth.
    â€œCowboy, I don’t believe I know your name,” Emile said.
    â€œIt’s Burt Kennedy. Not that it makes any difference to you.”
    â€œOh, that’s where you’re wrong. It does make a difference to me, Kennedy. You see, me an’ you are about to have us a fight.”
    Kennedy grinned broadly. “A fight? Yeah,” he said. “But you’re a little scrawny to be fightin’ me all by yourself, ain’t you? What about you, Schumacher? You aimin’ to join in? That would make two of you and one of me. That might even the odds up a bit.”
    â€œKennedy, I don’t think you know what you are getting into here,” Schumacher said.
    Kennedy laughed. “Yeah, I do. Come on, I think I’m goin’ to enjoy this.” He made his hands into fists, then held them out in front of his face, moving his right hand in tiny circles. “Come on,” he said. “I’m goin’ to put the lights out for both of you.”
    â€œHuh-uh,” Emile said. “That ain’t the kind of fight I’m talkin’ about. We’re goin’ to fight with guns ’cause I plan to make this permanent.”
    â€œNo, I ain’t goin’ to get into no gunfight with you or anyone else,” Kennedy said.
    â€œI ain’t in this fight,” Schumacher said, getting up from the table and walking away.
    â€œWell, that just leaves me an’ you now, don’t it?” Emile said.
    â€œThat’s right, just me an’ you,” Kennedy said. He smiled. “But don’t worry, I’ll make it quick for you.”
    â€œHow quick? This quick?” Emile replied.
    Emile drew his pistol, pointed it at Kennedy’s head, then put it back in his holster.
    â€œWas that quick enough for you?”
    The speed of Emile’s draw, as well as the unexpectedness of it, caused Kennedy to react in shock. He held his hand out toward Emile.
    â€œThis here argument don’t have nothin’ to do with guns.”
    â€œI’ll let you draw first,” Emilie said.
    â€œI told you, there ain’t goin’ to be no gunfight.” Kennedy doubled up his fists again. “But if you’d like to come over here and take your beatin’ like a man, I’d be glad to oblige you.”
    â€œI said draw,”