Standoff in Santa Fe by J. R. Roberts Read Free Book Online Page A

said, “we forgot Baca. He still wears a badge.”
    â€œThen the sheriff should have all the help he needs, and not expect any from us.”
    â€œAgreed.”
    â€œI think I’m gonna to see if the general store is open yet,” Bat said. “I need some good cigars.”
    â€œI think,” Clint said, “I’m going to pull up one of these chairs and just sit awhile. I’ll be here in case you run into any trouble.”
    â€œIf I do,” Bat said, “you’ll be the first to know.”
    Bat stepped into the street and crossed while Clint sat in a wooden chair and leaned it back against the wall.
    While Clint was sitting in front of the hotel and relaxing, more and more people appeared on the streets. Some of them nodded to him when they passed; some women even graced him with smiles. More and more buckboards rolled by as businesses got rolling. And then a man on a black horse rode down the center of the street. Clint recognized him immediately, and knew that trouble had definitely come to town.
    *   *   *
    Dutch Craddock was a bounty hunter, and whether his prey was worth money alive or dead, he brought them back dead.
    Every time.
    Craddock spotted Clint Adams as soon as he came within sight of the hotel. He directed his horse that way, stopped right in front of the seated Gunsmith.
    â€œAdams.”
    â€œDutch,” Clint said. “Here for the wake?”
    â€œWhat wake?”
    â€œYou haven’t heard?”
    â€œI’m not here for any wake, Adams,” Craddock said, “unless the man I’m lookin’ for makes me kill ’im.”
    â€œDon’t they all make you kill them, Dutch?”
    â€œHey,” Dutch said, “the paper says dead or alive. I leave the choice up to them.”
    â€œSeems to me they always make the wrong choice.”
    â€œSo you’re here for some wake?” Craddock asked.
    â€œI’m here for the wake. It’s—”
    â€œI don’t even want to know,” Craddock said. “It doesn’t matter to me. You stayin’ in this hotel?”
    â€œI am.”
    â€œAny good?”
    â€œThe best one in town.”
    â€œThey still got rooms?”
    â€œThere are a lot of people in town for the wake, but I think they do.”
    â€œGood,” Craddock said. “I’ll see to my horse first.”
    Craddock started to wheel his horse around when Clint called out, “You didn’t say who you were here looking for.”
    â€œNo,” Craddock said, “I didn’t.”
    He rode away.
    *   *   *
    Bat returned smoking a big cigar but looking a bit sleepy.
    â€œYou still sittin’ here?” he asked. “I thought you’d be in bed by now.” He pulled a chair over and sat next to Clint. “What’s been goin’ on?”
    â€œAnother gun came to town.”
    â€œOh? Who was it this time?”
    â€œDutch Craddock.”
    â€œCraddock?” Bat asked, pausing with the cigar almost to his mouth. “What’s he here for?”
    â€œNot what,” Clint said. “Who? He doesn’t know anything about the wake. Didn’t even want to know who the wake was for. Just if this was a good hotel.”
    â€œWell, if he’s not here for the wake, who’s he here for?” Bat asked.
    â€œHe didn’t say.”
    Bat put the cigar in his mouth and twirled it while he thought.
    â€œIt’s got to be somebody with a price on his head,” he said. “That leaves out you, me, Luke, Heck, Bass, and Elfego Baca.”
    â€œRight,” Clint said, “but that leaves in Hardin, Allison, and Jim Miller.”
    â€œUnless it’s somebody else,” Bat said, “and Craddock got here first.”
    â€œThe question is,” Clint said, “will he be tempted to go against one of them while he’s waiting?”
    â€œI haven’t heard that Craddock ever