The Pinkerton Job by J. R. Roberts Read Free Book Online

said. “Let’s meet at the mercantile.”
    â€œOkay,” Siringo said.
    They split up.
    *   *   *
    Siringo entered the sheriff’s office. There was a time when Pat Garrett would have been there, but since killing Billy the Kid, Garrett had written a book about it and had moved on to Texas, where he was the captain of a company of Texas Rangers.
    The present sheriff of Lincoln County looked up from his desk as the detective entered. He was a mild-looking bald man in his fifties.
    â€œHelp ya?” he asked.
    â€œCharlie Siringo,” Siringo said, “Pinkerton Agent, Sheriff . . .”
    â€œHapwell,” the man said, “George Hapwell. I know who you are, Mr. Siringo. What brings you to Lincoln County?”
    â€œI’m tracking a gang of rustlers,” Siringo said, “and have reason to believe they rode through here as recently as yesterday.”
    â€œRustlers?” Hapwell asked. “Through here? How many men are we talkin’ about?”
    â€œAt least a dozen,” Siringo said.
    â€œSir, if a dozen men had ridden into this town yesterday,” Hapwell said, “I would know about it.”
    â€œSo you’re sayin’ they didn’t come through town?”
    â€œThey did not.”
    â€œTheir trail leads right to the edge of town.”
    â€œI don’t know what to tell you,” Hapwell said. “A dozen men did not ride into this town yesterday, or in the past week.”
    *   *   *
    Clint found the doctor’s office, helped Horn down off his horse, and took him inside.
    â€œCan I help you gents?” a short, straw-haired man asked.
    â€œAre you the doctor?” Clint asked.
    â€œI am.”
    â€œYou’re a little young,” Horn observed.
    The doctor studied Horn and said, “Probably only a year or two younger than you. However, if one of you needs a doctor, I’m what you’ve got.”
    â€œThis man was shot several days ago,” Clint said, “and against his doctor’s orders, he’s been riding. We’d like you to take a look at the wound.”
    â€œOf course,” the doctor said. “Step through that door, please.”
    Clint helped Horn through the door and onto an examining table. The doctor followed them.
    â€œI can take it from here,” he said to Clint.
    â€œI’ll be outside,” Clint replied. “Thanks, Doc.”
    As soon as he left the room, the doctor closed the door.
    *   *   *
    â€œOkay,” Siringo said, “so a dozen men didn’t ride into town. Have any strangers been through town?”
    â€œWell,” Hapwell said, “now that you mention it, three men did ride into town yesterday.”
    Siringo wondered if the sheriff was really this stupid.
    â€œAnd did they stay overnight?”
    â€œNo,” Hapwell said, “they went to the mercantile, and then left.”
    â€œSo they were in town for . . .”
    â€œMaybe an hour.”
    â€œAnd you knew about this how?”
    â€œI happened to be in the mercantile at the time.”
    â€œSo you know what they bought?”
    â€œSome supplies,” Hapwell said. “I don’t know exactly what. You’d have to talk to Wendell Court. He owns the store.”
    â€œThank you, Sheriff.”
    â€œDo you think those were your men?”
    â€œSome of them.”
    â€œSo where do you think the others went?” Hapwell asked.
    â€œProbably just waited outside of town.”
    â€œI hope you catch up with them.”
    â€œYeah, Sheriff,” Siringo said, “so do I. Thanks for your help.”
    â€œSure,” Hapwell said. “Let me know if there’s anythin’ else I can do while you’re in town.”
    â€œI will.”
    â€œAny idea how long that might be?” Hapwell asked as Siringo walked to the door.
    â€œNo, idea,” Siringo said. “I have a