Unexpected by Lietha Wards Read Free Book Online

them rotting under the sun.  It wasn’t like her to be so unfeeling, but what they did to her brother was unforgivable.
    “I didn’t want them stinking up the landscape and scaring cattle,” he remarked looking down at her seeing her reluctant expression.
    She bit her lip to keep from smiling.  Lord help her in taking pleasure in something so morbid, but Cogan was right, they were bad men, but regardless, they should have a decent burial.
    “You’re a murderer!” s houted Elroy.
    Cogan narrowed his eyes and looked past Gus focusing on the weasel sitting behind him.  “You care to get down and tell me that one on one?”
    That shut him up.
    “Ryker gonna live?” Gus asked with genuine concern.  He believed the stranger about them ganging up on Ryker.  Ryker Hamilton was a good honorable man, just like his father, and no one would question the defense because of the history Butch had with innocent townsfolk.
    “ Yes. No thanks to their efforts,” Josie shot pointing at Elroy who sneered again. Chew was caked in between his teeth and Josie felt repulsed.  She wondered if he ever even washed. As for his fearless demeanor, he knew he was untouchable. Gus would never do anything to anger Butch.
    “Butch wants him arrested, ” Elroy demanded.
    “Butch isn’t my boss. ”
    “He’s the mayor! ” Elroy protested almost having his voice rise to that high pitched squeal again.
    “And like him I was elected by the people without stuffing the ballot box,” Gus answered without taking his eyes off the stranger. “What’s your name stranger?”
    “Cogan Reid.” Cogan let a smile pull on his lips before addressing Elroy again. “For a man sitting behind a lawman with two armed goons, you act brave. Last time I saw you, you were leaving failed lynching in a trail of yellow dust.” Cogan was referring to the day before. Elroy rode out of there hell bent like a coward less than a second after he shot him through the hand.  He’d left the rest of the men to die.
    Elroy turned red with rage and stood in his stirrups. His voice rose to that unusual pitch again and the men next to him winced. “I’m no coward, you son of a—”
    Gus turned and looked at him again. “Shut it Elroy. I see no crime here except for one man protecting another against an illegal hanging.  It sounds like you were on their land and tried to lynch the owner. If anything, I should arrest you for attempted murder.  Mr. Reid had every right to come to Ryker’s defense.  You and the others should be tried instead, if they weren’t corpses.”
    “You take a stranger’s word over mine!” Elroy spat back.
    “No, I take Miss Hamilton’s word over yours.  Her family has been here for years and you are some hired mercenary from God knows where.”
    “You can’t prove a damn thing,” Elroy countered with confidence. “The judge won’t even look at this case.”
    “No, except for the word of a stranger I can’t.  So I’m telling you that if Ryker dies, I’ll be charging you with murder Elroy.  You just consider yourself lucky that I don’t wire for the Marshal.” He turned back to Cogan. “And consider it even.  Right stranger?”
    “You won’t get trouble from me unless it comes lookin’ sheriff.”  His dark eyes went back to Elroy.  The corner of his mouth twitched as he dared him to do just that.
    “Just the same.   You should leave if you’re not from around here.  Folks don’t take kindly to strangers killing their citizens,” Gus added.  He knew no good could come of Cogan Reid’s presence. A war was going to break out.  He didn’t want the innocent to get caught in the crossfire.
    “Townsfolk will be celebrating,” said Josie staring pointedly at Gus. “Ryker and I are the only ones who would ever say that to Butch’s face, but it’s true.” Gus’s cowardice disgusted her and she made no secret about it in her expression. 
    Gus ’s face softened.  He knew how this looked and it bothered him