Read Online Showdown by William W. Johnstone - Free Book Online

gunhawk said.
    â€œThen get out of my way.”
    Tyler stepped aside and Frank walked past him. He stepped out into the cool and rainy night to stand under the boardwalk awning.
    Doc Raven appeared out of the darkness. “I was standing just outside the door, listening. Care for a few words of advice?”
    â€œSpeak your piece, Doc.”
    â€œSaddle up and get the hell gone from here, Frank.”
    â€œCan’t do it.”
    â€œYou mean you won’t.”
    â€œI reckon.”
    â€œYou are a very stubborn man.”
    â€œI been told that before.”
    â€œWhere is the body from the second shooting?”
    â€œStill on the floor. Somebody will probably get tired of stepping over him and drag him out before long.”
    â€œDid you know either dead man?”
    â€œNo. But I discovered one thing: Brooks is insane.”
    â€œYes. I’ve suspected that for several years. Martin is not much better.”
    â€œBrooks is kill-crazy. If you’ve got any unsolved gunshot murders around here, I’d sure look hard at him.”
    â€œI can’t think of any.” Raven checked his watch, then snapped it shut. “I’ve got to ride out in the country a few miles to check on a patient, Frank. I’ll see you tonight.”
    â€œI reckon I’ll be here.”
    Frank checked on Dog and Horse, and then went back to his room and stretched out on the bed. Within minutes, he was deep in sleep.
    * * *
    When Frank stepped out onto the boardwalk, it was full dark and pouring rain. He walked to the cafe and had supper, then took a packet of scraps to Dog and sat with him for a time after the big cur ate.
    â€œThe doc’s right, Dog. We ought to pack up and pull out. But I just don’t have it in me to run. I’ve made it through some hard times, though, so I reckon I’ll make it through this mess.”
    His quiet speaking to Dog was shattered by a couple of gunshots from up the street. Frank paused, waiting for more shots, but none came. A few minutes later, Bob came stomping and muttering into the livery. Frank stepped out of the stall, and Bob pulled up short when he spotted him.
    â€œDamn crazy gunhands,” the liveryman said. “They keep shootin’ each other, your problem’s gonna be solved. There won’t be none left.”
    â€œThat’ll suit me just fine, Bob. Who got shot?”
    â€œI don’t know his name. Some gunslick from New Mexico Territory. But this one wasn’t as slick as he thought. Took two slugs in the belly. He’s still alive, but not for long.”
    â€œDoc make it back?”
    â€œNot yet.”
    â€œFellow’s gonna die hard gut-shot.”
    â€œThat trouble you?”
    â€œNot really. Who shot him?”
    â€œDon’t know him neither. Man ain’t been in town more’un two hours. Just rode in. Someone called him Vickers.”
    â€œI know him. He’s mean as a rattlesnake and just as quick. He must have just made it through before the slides closed the road.”
    â€œHe’s here. That’s all I know. And walkin’ round trouble-huntin’. That ain’t all neither.”
    â€œWhat else?”
    â€œThat bodyguard you hit on the noggin with the coffeepot?”
    â€œSonny. Yes. What about him?”
    â€œHe’s in the saloon makin’ all kinds of mouth ’bout what he’s gonna do to you.”
    Frank smiled. “He doesn’t worry me near as much as all these hard cases gathering in town. Sonny will do what his employers tell him to do.”
    â€œThat’s just it, Frank. He quit them city folks.”
    â€œHe’s got the bounty money on his mind, Bob. I can’t worry about him any more than I worry about the others. Bob, I may decide to sleep here tonight. I’ll make me a pallet in the loft. That all right with you?”
    â€œSure. Help yourself. I’m going to my shack. See you in the