Murder at Thumb Butte by James D. Best Read Free Book Online Page A

in a friendly manner. “Mr. Brow, may we speak with you?”
    He immediately came over, extending a hand. “I don’t believe we’ve met.”
    “ Steve Dancy from New York, and this is Jeff Sharp from Nevada.” We shook all around, and I added, “We just arrived and settled into a couple of your rooms. You run a fine establishment.”
    “ Thank you, and welcome to the Palace. What can I do for you gentlemen?”
    “ We were hoping that if we bought you a beer, you might advise us on doing business in Prescott.”
    “ I might.” He gave us an appraising look. “I prefer Irish whiskey.”
    “ Then let’s order a bottle of yer best,” Sharp said with a huge grin.
    “ My best is expensive.”
    Sharp made an open-handed wave toward an empty table.
    “ Jameson!” Brow bellowed at the barkeep.
    “ The saints are with us,” Sharp said, as we took seats around a square table in the middle of the room. “I feared that by crossin’ the border, we had abandoned civilized comforts.”
    Jeff and I traded pleasantries with Brow until the bottle arrived. After glasses were filled, Brow asked, “What type of business?”
    I took an appreciative sip and said, “We’re looking—”
    “ Excuse me, gentlemen, Ah don’t mean to be rude, but do Ah know you?”
    The voice was deep and the accent from the Deep South. I turned to see a slender, well-tailored man looking directly at Sharp.
    “ Yes, I played your table in Dallas. Seems a long time ago.” Sharp turned in his seat and nodded toward me. “This is Steve Dancy from New York City.” Sharp gave me one of his wicked smiles. “Steve, I’d like to introduce Dr. John Holliday.”
    I gaped but recovered fast enough to hope I didn’t look too foolish. I stood, extending my hand. “This is an honor.”
    He gave me a perfunctory shake and returned his attention to Sharp. “Ah seem to recall a closer relationship than playing cards.”
    Sharp looked nervous, an uncommon state for him. “I was a witness at your trial for knifing Mitchell.”
    Holliday gave Sharp an appraising stare. “In my defense, if Ah recall correctly.”
    Sharp shrugged. “I merely testified that he was cheating.”
    Holliday laughed. “In Texas, that’s all the defense you need.”
    “ Are ya runnin’ faro here?” Sharp asked.
    “ No … doing too well at poker. When my luck turns sour, Ah’ll head out. What brings you to Prescott?”
    “ Mining.”
    Holliday looked puzzled. “Only small mines here … mostly played out.”
    “ We’re interested in supplying the needs of miners,” I interjected.
    Holliday looked at me as if I had just sat down. After sizing me up, he said, “In that case, Virgil Earp has a sawmill for sale.”
    “ Virgil Earp’s here in Prescott? What about his brothers?” I was embarrassed by my enthusiasm, but a book that included the Earps and Holliday would sell like hotcakes.
    “ The rest of the Earps left, and Virg’s only staying until he sells the mill. Then we’ll follow his brothers to Tombstone.”
    Sharp scratched his chin. “In another locale, a lumber mill might fit our needs, but Prescott’s too far from the new silver strikes.”
    “ Everything in Prescott’s too far from the new silver. What are you looking for?”
    “ A man,” Sharp answered.
    “ Who?” Brow interjected. “I know everyone.”
    I answered, “Elisha Campbell.”
    Holliday and Brow immediately stiffened.
    After an awkward silence, Holliday bowed slightly. “Ah’ll be leaving you gentlemen now. Good day.”
    Brow pushed away from the table. “If you men are friends of Elisha Campbell, perhaps I should leave as well.”
    “ We’re not,” Sharp said. “In fact, that man cost me a great deal.”
    “ Are you looking to kill him?” Brow asked evenly.
    “ No,” Sharp answered, a bit too forcefully.
    “ Then you may be the only man in Prescott that doesn’t want him dead.”
    I glanced at Sharp but couldn’t read his face as he evenly said, “Wantin’