Read Online Texas Tornado by Jon Sharpe - Free Book Online

made to sit on a long benched flanked by the deputies. He was surprised to see Jugs there. He noticed a bruise on her left cheek and another on her chin. She avoided meeting his gaze.
    A court clerk went through the usual rigmarole, and Mayor Horatio Stoddard, wearing a long robe and carrying a sheath of papers, grandly entered like a king about to hold court. He perched in his high seat and smiled down at them. Picking up a gavel, he rapped it several times while declaring, “Court is now in session. Let the proceedings commence.”
    â€œDon’t I get a lawyer?” Fargo asked.
    About to consult his papers, Stoddard looked up in annoyance. “Eh? What was that? You’re requesting the services of a counsel?”
    â€œWhy not?” Fargo said.
    â€œDo you have the money to hire one?”
    â€œAsk your tin star. He has my poke.”
    Stoddard turned to the marshal. “Is this true, Marshal Mako?”
    â€œNo, Your Honor. We searched him when we arrested him. He didn’t have a cent to his name.”
    Fargo wondered what they were up to and found out when the mayor nodded as if he suspected as much and said, “We’ll add vagrancy to the charges already lodged against him. That’s good for another six months.”
    â€œIf I’m found guilty,” Fargo said.
    â€œIf you’re—?” Stoddard said, and smothered a laugh. “Yes, indeed. We must adhere to the letter of the law, mustn’t we?”
    â€œYou wouldn’t know the letter of the law,” Fargo said, “if it bit you on the ass.”
    Deputy Gergan hiked his shotgun as if to bash Fargo in the face.
    â€œNo!” Stoddard barked. “No violence, if you please.” Placing his hands flat, he bent forward. “I will only warn the defendant this once. Proper decorum will be followed at all times.”
    â€œI can’t say ‘ass’?” Fargo said.
    â€œYou may not insult the integrity of this court in any manner,” Stoddard replied.
    â€œIt doesn’t have any.”
    Stoddard sat back and scowled. “Enough. If the defendant persists, you are to gag him, Marshal Mako. Is that understood?”
    â€œYes, sir,” the lawman answered.
    â€œNow, then. Where were we?” Stoddard said.
    â€œVagrancy,” Fargo reminded him.
    â€œAh yes.” Stoddard consulted a paper. “You are hereby charged with that, as well as threatening an officer of the law, consorting in proscribed carnal activities, and obstruction of justice. How does the defendant plead?”
    â€œProscribed?” Fargo said.
    â€œThat means illegal,” Stoddard said.
    â€œIt’s against the law to fuck?”
    Deputy Clyde laughed and drew a glare from Marshal Mako.
    â€œIt’s against the law to solicit the services of a prostitute,” Stoddard said.
    â€œI didn’t solicit anything,” Fargo said. “She wanted to hump me.”
    â€œOh, really?” Stoddard turned toward Jugs. “Miss Bedelia Cavendish, will you rise, please, and step to the witness stand, where the bailiff will swear you in?”
    Jugs, her chin bowed, obeyed.
    Fargo could imagine what was coming. This bunch didn’t miss a trick.
    â€œNow, then,” Stoddard began, “you just heard the defendant. I will ask you point-blank. Is he telling the truth?”
    Jugs glanced nervously at Marshal Mako, then said so quietly it was hard to hear her, “No, Your Honor.”
    â€œTell us in your own words what occurred.”
    Jugs swallowed and had to try twice before she got out, “I was working at the Tumbleweed when”—she stopped and trembled—“when this gentleman came up to me and asked me if I’d go to bed with him for, uh, forty dollars.”
    â€œAha!” Stoddard exclaimed. “And did you agree?”
    Jugs glanced at Mako again. “To my shame, Your Honor, I did.”
    â€œVery well. That will be