Read Online Deadman Canyon by Louis Trimble - Free Book Online Page B

of the valley for good.”
    “I’ve already planned a way to get rid of Belden,” Vanner said.
    Damson walked slowly and carefully to the door. “You better make it quick,” he warned. “And remember, we ain’t got the sheriff in our hip pocket just because he don’t like Belden.”
    “I know what kind of man Roy Ponders is,” Vanner answered shortly. “I know just how far we can count on his dislike of Belden and on his desire to keep a peaceful town here. You let me worry about such things.”
    “I don’t like it,” Damson complained. “I say let’s get rid of Coniff tonight and Belden too.”
    “No,” Vanner said flatly. “Somebody has to take the blame for killing Coniff.” He stood and smiled his cold, thin smile. “I’ve already prepared for the possibility someone would catch Coniff and bring him in to jail.”
    Damson made a snorting sound. “You mean that story you started around town that the judge was worried about going broke if Belden came back and started his ranch?”
    “Exactly,” Vanner said.
    Damson shook his head. “Ain’t nobody going to believe that,” he said decisively. “Everyone in town knows the judge’d give his right arm away to help someone he likes. And he likes Belden. Always did,” he added in a surly voice. “Besides, how will a rumor like that help us?”
    “It’s very simple,” Vanner explained with soft patience. “We’ve got a lot of people thinking we’re all right just because I made you lend money to the little ranchers and because we bought the Cattlemen’s and turned it into a place where a man could come and get good food and liquor cheap and find an honest game of cards.” He paused and added, “Not to mention the pretty girls Molly brings in to dance with the men on Saturday nights. That means these people are on our side right now.”
    He stood thoughtfully and then said, “Now all I have to do is make the rumors a little stronger — get the story started that the judge is really worried that Belden is going to be a success. People will figure out for themselves that the judge paid Coniff — his own top hand — to get rid of Belden.”
    “What difference does that make?” Damson shouted. “Coniff didn’t do it. Belden ain’t dead!”
    “No, but Coniff will be by tomorrow night. And who’ll get the blame for killing him?”
    “Belden,” Damson said hopefully.
    “Not Belden,” Vanner answered. “He won’t be around to be accused of killing anybody. But Tom Roddy will.”
    “Roddy!” Damson cried. “Why waste time on an old fool like that?”
    “Because Roddy pokes his nose into everything,” Vanner said. “And ever since Belden came back, he’s been poking deeper. If he gets even a little smell of what we’re doing, he’ll guess the rest. I’ve been meaning to take care of him for a long time. Now I’m going to do it.”
    Damson snorted. “You’re crazy! Nobody in Wildhorse would ever believe Roddy killed anybody.”
    “They will when I start some more stories moving,” Vanner said confidently. “Who does Coniff work for? Judge Lyles. Everybody knows that. And everybody has heard the story we started the day Belden came back — that the judge will be bankrupt if he loses the use of all that good, grazing land Belden owns.”
    “You’re still crazy,” Damson said. “Sure everybody’s heard the story. But that don’t mean they believe it.”
    “Plenty of them do,” Vanner said. “What do you think the dealers and waiters and the dancing girls do here? They listen to the talk. And they tell me what they hear.”
    He shook his head at Damson. “I’ve told you before that I use my head. I don’t make a move until I’m sure. And right now I’m sure of the temper of the local people who come in here. It won’t take much more talk to light a fuse under them. Figure it out for yourself. Who does Tom Roddy think is the greatest man alive? Judge Lyles! Roddy likes Belden, yes. But he’ll protect the