Read Online One Went to Denver and the Other Went Wrong (Code of the West) by Stephen Bly - Free Book Online Page B

Tap did so and then sauntered down the stark corridor and stopped by Wade Eagleman’s cell.
      “Tap!”
      “I was afraid you’d be sleepin’.”
      “Oh, sure. No need to stay awake and worry. After all, I’ve got forty-eight hours before they hang me. What happened to those papers?”
      “I gave them to Mr. Whitney at the governor’s office. He promised he’d review the case. I told them this had to be taken care of immediately.”
      “If they take a couple more days, it won’t matter,” Wade muttered.
      “I’ll head right over to the governor’s office and see what happened.” Tap lowered his voice. “I know who shot Billingsly.”
      “Who?”
      “Barranca.”
      “Vic Barranca? But isn’t he serving time in Texas? Or was it New Mexico?”
      “Both. But he’s here in town, and your driftin’ accusers said it was Barranca.”
      “It doesn’t look good, Tap. I’ve got too much Indian blood. No one will give it a second thought. I’ve seen it before.”
      “Maybe I can round up a crew, and we’ll try to bust you out,” Tap whispered.
      “Right at the moment anything sounds mighty good.”
      “Look, I’ve got to go talk to that fellow Whitney and then confront Barranca. I’ll be back and let you know.”
      “I’m not goin’ anywhere.”
      “Wade, I’ll be back or I’ll be dead. You can count on it.”
      “I know. Thanks. If I get out of this thing, I owe you a big one, partner.”
      “When you get out. I’ve got that big one already lined up.”
      Tap was standing on the front steps of the governor’s office when the first few staff members returned from their lunch break and let him in.
      “I need to talk to either the governor or Mr. Whitney.”
      An older gray-haired man flashed a pleasant smile.
      “Wait right here, please.”
      Tap waited. And waited.
      It was after 3:00 P.M. before the man returned to the hallway.
      “Now you wanted an appointment with the governor?”
      “Yeah, I’ve been waitin’ all afternoon.”
      “How is Thursday? At 10:30 A.M. What is the nature of your business?
      “What? I’ve got to speak to the governor today.”
      “I’m afraid that would be impossible.”
      “It’s a matter of life and death."
      “I’m certainly sorry for that, but the governor’s left for the day.”
      “How about Mr. Whitney?”
      “I’m afraid he’s gone too.”
      “So who’s in charge now? I brought some papers for a review of a hangin’ case, and I want to make sure something gets done about it.”
      “Calm down, sir. I’m very sorry. No one in the office is qualified to handle that kind of work but Mr. Whitney. And the governor, of course.”
      “You mean an innocent man could hang because everyone happens to be gone for the day?”
      “If you’ll come back on Thursday at—”
      “Next Thursday? Wade Eagleman will be dead by then,” Tap bellowed.
      “I’ll have to ask you to leave.”
      “You’re goin’ to have to ask me to do a whole lot more.” Tap stopped himself, spun on his heels, and left the governor’s office.
      Lord, an innocent man’s about to be hung, and nobody cares. Nobody but You and me.
      The Pearly Gate Dance Hall lived up to its reputation. It was just getting dark when Tap finally found the place. Several men were passed out on the front porch in the cold November air. One man came flying out the door and landed face first in the street. He rolled over and crawled to the wooden sidewalk.
      The smoke and noise was so thick inside that Tap had to pause by the door and wait until he could distinguish the drunks from the dance-hall girls.
      He crowded up to the bar and shoved in between a bearded old man who appeared to be asleep and a man with a wispy goatee and a bright red face.
      “What are you drinkin’, mister?” the bartender hollered.
      “Just need to ask a question.”
      “If you ain’t drinkin’, get out of