Read Online The Gunsmith 387 by J. R. Roberts - Free Book Online

you?”
    â€œBut . . . he protects everyone,” Alberto said. “He is
el jefe
.”
    Clint didn’t think he was going to get through to the rotund little man.
    â€œDoes he frighten you, Alberto?”
    â€œOh, sí, señor,” Alberto said, “but you must understand, I am a very frightened man.”
    â€œDo I frighten you?”
    Alberto hesitated, then said, “Sí, señor.”
    â€œAlberto,” Clint said, “I am going to pour you a cup of coffee, and then you and I are gonna have a long talk.”
    Alberto didn’t know what to say to that, so he simply nodded and said, “Sí, señor.”

TWENTY
    â€œTell me about the sheriff,” Clint said.
    â€œWhat would you like to know, señor?”
    â€œEverything,” Clint said. “Everything that you know about him.”
    â€œI do not understand, señor. Are you and the sheriff not friends?”
    â€œWe are not friends. We only met recently. I need to learn if I can trust him or not.”
    Alberto studied Clint for a long moment, then asked, “This is not a test, señor?”
    â€œNot a test, Alberto. I’m being truthful.”
    Alberto seemed to breathe a sigh of relief that Clint was not friends with Sheriff Vazquez.
    â€œSeñor,” he said, “the sheriff, he is a bad man.”
    â€œBut he’s the law,” Clint said.
    â€œThat may be,” Alberto said, “but that does not mean he is a good man. I give him free food because I am afraid of him. And there are many people in town who are also afraid of him.”
    â€œBut why? What’s he done to them? Or to you?”
    â€œHe is a deadly man with a pistol, señor,” Alberto said, “and with his fists. I myself have seen him beat a man half to death.”
    â€œFor doing what?”
    â€œFor not showing him the proper respect.”
    â€œWas the man a prisoner?”
    â€œNo, señor, just a citizen of Laguna Niguel.”
    â€œThen why is he allowed to keep his badge?”
    â€œEven the town fathers fear him,” Alberto said. “No one will try to take his badge.”
    â€œBut in spite of this, does he do his job?” Clint asked. “Do the citizens of Laguna Niguel feel that he can protect them?”
    Alberto thought a moment, then said, “I have to admit the answer is yes.”
    â€œIf push comes to shove, can I trust him to watch my back?” Clint asked.
    â€œI’m sorry, what is push and shove?”
    â€œI mean, if anything happens, if there’s trouble, can I depend on him?”
    Again, Alberto took a moment to think about the answer before giving it.
    â€œI think, señor, the sheriff wants something from you,” he said, “so I believe you can trust him—until he gets it.”
    â€œThat’s very honest, Alberto,” Clint said. “I appreciate that.”
    â€œSeñor, can I ask you something?”
    â€œSure, go ahead.”
    â€œYou are the Gunsmith, no?”
    â€œI am the Gunsmith, yes,” Clint said.
    â€œPerhaps, señor,” Alberto said, “when you and the sheriff have gotten what you need from each other, before you leave Laguna Niguel, you will . . . kill him?”
    â€œI don’t know about that, Alberto,” Clint said. “I think if the town is afraid of Vazquez, and you don’t want him around, you’re all going to have to get brave and get rid of him yourself.”
    â€œSí, señor,” Alberto said. “I understand. But the sheriff does have a powerful friend in town.”
    â€œIs that right?” Clint asked. “Who would that be.”
    â€œDo you know Ernesto Paz?”
    â€œI’ve met him,” Clint admitted.
    â€œHe and Vazquez are friends, and Señor Paz puts all his power behind the sheriff.”
    â€œAnd just how much power does Señor Paz have?” Clint asked.
    â€œHe is the most