Killing Halfbreed by Zack Mason Read Free Book Online

only incensed them all the more.
    The townspeople suddenly quieted unexpectedly.  I turned to see what had captured their attention.
    The jail door had reopened.
    The mayor and several members of the town council emerged, along with the sheriff’s deputy.  A man I didn't know walked in the center of them.  Each of the council members hung their heads, as if ashamed, except for one, Tom Burgess, the town mayor.  The deputy sneered angrily, but averted his face south as well.
    They escorted the stranger toward me.  At first, I thought the man was another prisoner, but I hadn’t heard of any other recent crimes, and he wasn’t manacled like I was.  He walked freely.
    I held my breath as the small group approached, waiting for a break in the strange suspense.  They passed me by, without even a glance my way, and proceeded up the steps to the platform of the gallows.  The crowd remained silent as they watched the events unfold.
    To my surprise, Tom Burgess walked the stranger to the center of the platform and placed the noose around his neck as the rest of the council looked on.  I could see that Burgess had tears in his eyes as he leaned in, his mouth close to the stranger’s ear.
    “Are you sure?” he whispered.
    The stranger nodded and looked down at me.  He had kind eyes.  His smile was out of place.
    Burgess gave the signal to Joe Klein, another councilman who stood by the lever which would drop the trap door.  A hush fell over all as Klein lifted a trembling hand to the lever.  He hesitated for what seemed an eternity, then finally brought the lever down swiftly.
    The trap door slammed open and the stranger dropped through the hole, his neck breaking instantly.  The sound of its crack rang throughout the street.
    Before I knew what was happening, the sheriff had whisked me back inside the jail.
     
    ***
     
    McCraigh yanked me through the door and slammed it shut behind us.  He ripped my hands upward and unlocked the cuffs.
    Glaring at me with an undisguised fury, he growled through gritted teeth, “Go on, get out of here, and make it quick.”
    I stared, unbelieving, at my freed wrists and stammered, “I...I don’t understand, Sheriff.  What’s going on?  Why are you letting me go?”
    His smoldering eyes told me he was having trouble controlling himself.
    “You saw that man they hung out there?  He was hung in your place!  I don’t have to tell you that I don’t like it.  Not one bit!  If it were up to me, I’d hang you twice, you sorry excuse for a dog.  I wish to God I could have strung you up, but it ain’t in my hands.  The crime’s been paid for as far as the law is concerned and you’re free to go.  Now git, before I lose my temper!”  He literally snarled these last words.
    I continued to stare, not quite grasping or believing what he was saying, what was happening.  I was supposed to lose my life today.  What in the world was going on?
    “Sheriff, I don’t know what game you’re playing, but this doesn’t make any sense.  If I walk out that door, they’re gonna grab me and hang me anyway.  Just go ahead and do it yourself and stop playing around!”
    “The town council knows all about this.  They’re not going to harm you, but I can’t vouch for the people.  Right now, they’re still stunned and not real sure what’s going on, but if you wait around much longer they’re going to collect their senses and then you’re right, they will get you.  I almost wish that would happen, but then all this would be a complete waste, so git, before I throw you out!”
    “But...but... I killed Logan, not that other man!  Who was he?  How can you just hang a man in my place?  That can’t be legal!”
    His eyes burned through me.
    He was done talking.  He slugged me in the stomach, and hard.  I doubled over, gasping in the face of the unexpected blow.  He ripped the door open and shoved me through it.
    “I said git, and you’d better git out of Cottonwood Valley