Read Online Kentucky Showdown by J. R. Roberts - Free Book Online Page B

I’m a gambler, not a gunman.”
    â€œI understand you might have a few gunmen on your payroll.”
    â€œNow who could have told you that?” Fontaine wondered. “The sheriff perhaps?”
    Clint didn’t answer.
    â€œYes, well,” Fontaine said, “I have men with all kinds of talents working for me. Could be some of them consider themselves to be gunmen. And if any of them are interested in you, that would be their business—and their problem, I suppose. I know I wouldn’t want to go up against you with a gun, even if I could.”
    â€œYou’ve got a man named Blacker working for you, don’t you?”
    â€œI do,” Fontaine said, looking either genuinely surprised or feigning it. “What’s your interest in Blacker?”
    â€œI don’t have any interest in him, really,” Clint said. “I’ve just heard about him since I came to town.”
    â€œWhat have you heard?”
    â€œThat he might be one of those men you talked about to consider themselves a gunman.”
    â€œAnd you’re afraid he might go after you?”
    â€œNot afraid,” Clint said, “but concerned.”
    â€œI can arrange an introduction, if you like,” Fontaine said. “Then you could ask him yourself.”
    â€œThat’s not necessary,” Clint said. “I think I got what I came here for.”
    â€œReally? I can’t imagine I’ve said anything that would be important to you.”
    Clint stood up.
    â€œI’ve taken up enough of your time.”
    As Clint turned to leave, Fontaine said, “Perhaps I could ask you some questions?”
    Clint turned back.
    â€œSure.”
    â€œHow do you think Whirlwind will do in the Derby?”
    â€œI think he’ll do well.”
    â€œWill he win?”
    â€œI don’t know,” Clint said. “Unlike you, I don’t have any information on the other horses.”
    â€œBut you’re a man who knows horseflesh,” Fontaine said. “You ran your gelding in tandem with the three-year-old. What did that tell you?”
    â€œThat the little horse is competitive,” Clint said. “He’ll try hard.”
    â€œI see. No predictions, eh?”
    â€œI’d be guessing, not predicting, Mr. Fontaine,” Clint said. “Thanks for seeing me. Have a good day.”
    â€œSame to you. Shall I have Gage show you out?”
    â€œI’ll find my own way out, thanks.”
    â€œVery well.”
    Clint left the room, got back to the front door without difficulty. Gage was waiting there, and opened the door for him.
    â€œWhat’s your name?” Clint asked.
    â€œGage, sir.”
    â€œGage, do you bet on the horses?”
    â€œOh, no, sir,” Gage said. “I work too hard for my money to gamble it. I leave that to Mr. Fontaine, and others.”
    â€œProbably a good idea,” Clint said.
    â€œGood day, sir,” Gage said.
    â€œYes,” Clint said, “good day to you, too.”
    Clint stepped outside, and Gage closed the door gently behind him. There were still no other men in sight, but Clint had the feeling he was being watched. As he mounted up and rode away, he felt an itch in the center of his back.

TWENTY-FOUR
    Gage entered the office and looked at his boss, waiting for orders.
    â€œGet me Blacker.”
    â€œYes, sir.”
    * * *
    Blacker walked into the office with none of Gage’s subservient attitude. Rather, he walked with arrogance.
    â€œAdams was just here,” Fontaine said.
    â€œI saw him.”
    â€œHe asked me about you.”
    â€œWhy would he do that?”
    â€œApparently somebody mentioned you.”
    â€œNobody mentions me,” Blacker said. “That’s how I like it.”
    â€œWell, somebody did.”
    â€œWho?”
    â€œI’m thinking maybe the sheriff.”
    â€œHackett? Yeah, he’s probably the only one. So what did you tell