Read Online Gunsmith 360 : The Mad Scientist of the West (9781101545997) by J. R. Roberts - Free Book Online Page A

the day he grew antsy.
    While Tesla sat inside and went through his books, Clint went out back to check on the meat. He’d hung it high. Judging by the claw marks on the back of the house, some kind of animal had tried to climb up the wall and get it. He doubted it was the big cat. That animal probably could have leaped that high if it really wanted to.
    He walked around the entire house, checking for any sign of the big cat. There were other tracks, smaller animals like badgers, prairie dogs, mule deer, and the like. No sign, though, that the big one had come around—yet.
    He went around to the front of the house and wished they had brought some wooden chairs with them. He made do by sitting down on the edge of the porch.
    He spent a couple of hours there, just watching, until it was time to make supper.
    Â 
    Tesla agreed that heated venison stew would make a fine meal.
    â€œWhat were you doing outside today?” Tesla asked as they ate.
    â€œStaying out of your way,” Clint said.
    â€œDid you see anything?”
    â€œIf you mean the cat, no. I’ve seen other tracks, but not his.”
    â€œThat is good, right?”
    â€œSo far.”
    â€œWell, I can use your help with something.”
    â€œWhat would that be?”
    â€œSince we brought the antennae in,” Tesla said, “I’d like to erect them on the roof. Can you help me with that?”
    â€œSure,” Clint said. “We’ll still have some daylight after we finish eating. Let’s do it then. Do you want to be on the roof, or on the ground?”

TWENTY-TWO
    When Roman, Lefty, and Donnie got back to the saloon, Givens was at the bar, alone.
    â€œWhere are your new friends?” Roman asked.
    â€œJoe and Les went to get somethin’ to eat.”
    â€œSo you got their names?”
    â€œWell, of course,” Givens said. “If I’m gonna help them unload their wagon, we should know each other’s names, right?”
    â€œSo they hired you?”
    â€œIn a minute.”
    â€œGood. Did they tell you the names of the other two?” Roman asked.
    â€œJust one,” Givens said. “Nikola Tesla.”
    â€œNikola?” Donnie said. “What the hell kinda name is that?”
    â€œForeign,” Givens said. “They said the guy was foreign.”
    â€œWell, the one with the ax handle, he ain’t foreign,” Lefty said. “I’d still like to know who he is.”
    â€œWhat happened with the sheriff?” Givens asked.
    â€œNothin’,” Roman said.
    â€œShe ain’t around,” Lefty said. “I think maybe you scared her off.”
    â€œIt don’t matter,” Givens said. “Joe and Les are gonna take us right to Mr. Tesla and his friend.”
    â€œWhen?” Roman asked.
    â€œFirst thing in the mornin’.”
    â€œSo we got all night?” Donnie asked.
    â€œAll night,” Givens said.
    â€œGood,” he said. “Lookin’ for that sheriff started me thinking about whores.”
    â€œMe, too,” Lefty said.
    â€œWell, go ahead,” Roman said. “Have all the whores you can afford. Just meet me in front of the livery first thing in the morning.”
    â€œJust don’t show yerselves until me and my new friends head out,” Givens said.
    â€œYou got it,” Lefty said, and he and Donnie headed out the door.
    â€œWhat’re you gonna do, Givens?” Roman asked.
    â€œEat somethin’, and then come right back here. Why? You thinkin’ about whores, too?”
    â€œWell . . .”

TWENTY-THREE
    Miranda camped on the trail that night, spent most of the night awake. She felt someone—something—in the dark, watching her. Her horse was uneasy, and several times she had to calm it so it would not pull free of its restraint. If it had been the men from Gunnison, they would surely have taken her. More likely it was an animal, hungry, but frightened of the fire.