Read Online Fistful of Feet by Jordan Krall - Free Book Online Page B

Truth is old Frank Dozier over there doesn’t come in for the girls, he comes in to play cards. He always loses, too, but that doesn’t matter. His daddy was rich and left him everything when he died.”
       Keith said, “You want to know how his daddy died?”
       Betty threw her hands up. “Oh my god, not this story again!”
       “Let me tell her. She don’t know it.” He laughed as Betty walked away. “You see, honey, Adam Dozier, that’s Frank Dozier’s rich daddy, owned a bunch of mines all around Screwhorse. Mined for silver mostly but occasionally he’d find other things worth selling. One day he was supervising one of the mines and there they are, digging and digging, doing whatever miners do and guess what they find all buried fifty feet under the ground?”
        “What?” Rebecca wasn’t that interested but knew that Black Boned Keith seemed to be a regular customer and therefore that meant he liked to spend money. It was in her best interest to stay on his good side.
       “They found teeth.” Keith paused for dramatic effect. “And I don’t mean animal teeth. I mean human teeth, thousands and thousands of human teeth. One of the miners actually ran out screaming, ran away and never came back. Adam Dozier had no use for nonsense like that so he went in to see for himself and guess what happened?”
       “I don’t know. What?”
       “According to all his men, Adam Dozier let out a scream like all bloody hell and then tried to turn tail and run away but tripped and fell right in a pile of teeth. The men were too scared or confused to do anything because Dozier was both screaming and laughing until he sunk down into the teeth and they were only able to see his fingers. Then soon he stopped making noise.” He paused, widening his eyes. “He drowned.”
       Rebecca smiled. She was expecting Keith to start laughing, telling her that it was just a joke and that the real Adam Dozier had died of old age. Instead, he just looked at her with a serious expression and nodded.
       He said, “You understand? He didn’t drown in water. He drowned in teeth.”
       She didn’t know what he expected her to say so she just said, “Well.”
       “I know it’s strange but strange things do happen.”
       “Thanks for the story,” Rebecca said. “I guess that explains why Frank over there is such a cranky son of a bitch.” She touched his arm lightly. “Keith, where’s the General Store at? I need to pick up a few things.”
       “Just go out the door and turn right. Down the ways a bit. Place is owned by Tom Duma and his wife. Good people.”
       “Thank you,” she said. As she was walking out, she caught a glimpse of a man staring at her. He was dressed nicely, even too nicely considering he was drinking whiskey in a whorehouse. Wasn’t he on the stagecoach with her? Rebecca thought he looked familiar but wasn’t sure.
       Normally she didn’t like people staring at her but now that she was a working woman, she knew she’d have to get used to it if she wanted to make money. So Rebecca smiled at the man but continued to walk out. Maybe she’ll approach him when she came back.
       Once she was outside, Rebecca stood out on the porch for a few minutes, taking in the sights and sounds of Screwhorse. Main Street was bustling with men, women, and horses. Again, she felt that dread in her gut. Rebecca hoped it was just nerves.
       She walked down towards the General Store and walked inside. A smiling man behind the counter greeted her.
       “Hello there! What could I do for you?”
       Rebecca gave the man a great big smile. “I just moved in town so I need a few things.”
       The man put out his hand and Rebecca shook it. “My name’s Tom Duma.”
       “Rebecca Bywater.”
       “You staying at the hotel?”
       “No, I’m staying at Betty’s.”
       Tom Duma’s smile faded. “Oh.”
       “What’s wrong? I