Read Online Slocum 419 by Jake Logan - Free Book Online Page B

to find me.”
    â€œOkay, Doc,” Wolf said. “I’m betting Bert’s not going to need you no more.”
    â€œI’ll take a look in a few days and change his bandage. See that he stays off his leg as much as possible.”
    â€œWill do,” Wolf said and holstered his pistol.
    Alcorn left and Hobart watched him walk away as he gazed out the window.
    â€œQuack,” Wolf said.
    â€œWhat do you mean?” Bert asked. He turned over on his side to look at Steiner.
    â€œThem sawbones. They’re all the same. They act high and mighty, dab on some liniment, and give you some pills that don’t do a damned thing.”
    â€œYou sound like you got some experience with doctors, boss,” Bert said.
    â€œI’ve patched myself up a time or two,” Wolf said. “I got no use for a quack sawbones.”
    â€œSomebody’s coming,” Hobart said from his perch by the front window.
    â€œWho is it?” Wolf asked.
    â€œClemson, I think.”
    â€œThat peckerhead,” Wolf said. “He’s got the spine of a jellyfish. I can’t stand his constant whining about one thing or another.”
    â€œHe looks like he’s got a weight on his mind,” Hobart said.
    â€œYeah, his hat,” Wolf said. “He has the brains of a pissant.”
    Hobart laughed. Loomis grimaced in pain as he tried to sit up.
    â€œHobart, help Bert get off that table and into a chair.”
    Hobart got up and walked to where Loomis was struggling to sit up. He helped him down from the table. Bert leaned on Hobart’s shoulder as they walked to a chair. Bert groaned as he sat down. He was out of breath from the effort.
    There was a knock on the door.
    â€œLet Clemson in,” Wolf said.
    Hobart opened the door. Clemson walked in, adjusting his eyes to the dimmer light inside the room.
    â€œWhat you got on your mind?” Wolf asked.
    â€œThat man what’s been pokin’ around at the claims office, Slocum. I got a way to get to him, Wolf.”
    â€œSet down and let’s hear it,” Wolf said.
    â€œWell, sir, I got my two gals. And they’re willin’ to put that jasper into, what shall I say, a compromisin’ position over at the hotel. Clara’s willin’ and she’ll point him out when he gets back to the hotel.”
    â€œDid you know Slocum kilt two of my best men? Put a slug into Bert’s leg to boot?”
    â€œNaw, who’d he kill?”
    â€œThat’s beside the point. Like you said, Slocum’s puttin’ his nose where it don’t belong. So you aim to put your twins up to what? Seducin’ that sidewinder?”
    â€œWell, it worked before. My gals are willin’ and able.”
    â€œThen what? You goin’ to shoot Slocum while he’s dallyin’ with your gals?”
    â€œWell, no. Not me personally. Maybe, when the time’s right . . .”
    â€œI don’t want to get my hands dirty just yet, Clemson,” Wolf said. “There’s a man or two I can send over with you.”
    â€œThat would work,” Clemson said. He kept shifting his weight from one foot to another. And his hands trembled slightly as he stood before Steiner.
    â€œWhen?” Wolf asked.
    â€œClara wants to do it tonight. When Slocum comes back to the hotel.”
    â€œWhat if he don’t?” Wolf said.
    â€œI reckon he has to sleep somewhere. Clara’s goin’ to find out which room he’s in. Then she’ll plant my girls in the lobby, all prettied up. Believe me, no man could turn them down.”
    â€œYou’re pretty free with them gals,” Wolf said.
    â€œAll in your service, Wolf. That’s the way we planned it and it’s worked so far.”
    â€œYou got the conscience of a snail,” Wolf said. “And the morals of an alley cat.”
    â€œYes, sir. I want to get rich, same as you.”
    â€œI’ll send Rafe Overton and Jake