Read Online The Killing Blow by J. R. Roberts - Free Book Online

trouble, she walked under a dark cloud that seemed like more trouble than her boy spending a night or two in jail.”
    â€œI’ll bet you’d know if he did.”
    â€œI probably would,” the barber admitted. After putting his mug down and picking up his razor, he added, “And he didn’t. Near as I can figure, Josh got caught up in something that was more than he could handle. Lord knows that happens to plenty of young men his age.”
    Clint had to keep from chuckling as the barber shaved him. “You ever think about becoming a detective?”
    â€œNo, sir,” the barber replied. “I do just fine with my shop.”
    â€œThe best in town.”

FOURTEEN
    After cleaning up, Clint found a place where Eclipse could get brushed and fed before scouting out a good hotel for himself. Clint settled on a place that was closer to the river end of town and was lucky enough to rent the last room overlooking the water. He also got a real good view of the docks used for traders, but wasn’t about to complain.
    After all that walking around, Clint felt a hunger in his belly that quickly became a rumble in his ears. He changed into some clothes that better suited his freshly cleaned face and then walked down to the little stretch of houses where Allison had told him to be for supper.
    As he approached the second house in the row, Clint could smell everything from pies baking to biscuits burning and every last bit of it only made him hungrier. By the time he knocked on the door, he considered begging for scraps in the event he’d gone to the wrong house.
    Fortunately, Joseph was the one who pulled open the door.
    â€œMr. Adams! You came!”
    â€œOf course I came,” Clint said. “I’m hungry.”
    Without missing a beat, the boy turned and shouted over his shoulder, “Momma, Clint’s hungry!”
    Wincing at how bad that sounded, Clint started explaining himself the moment someone else came to the door. “I was just kidding around with Joseph,” he said to a stern-looking old woman with her hair tied up in a bun. “I came to visit, not just eat.”
    â€œYou don’t want any of our food?” the old lady asked.
    â€œNo. I meant . . .”
    She broke into a smile that was warmer than the heat coming from her own kitchen. “Come on in, Mr. Adams. We were expecting you.”
    Clint took off his hat and walked into the house. It was fairly small and full of chairs, cases and several bookshelves, but had the comforting feel that only organized clutter could bring. His eyes were immediately drawn to the kitchen, which was actually just the rear section of the three-room home. Allison was there, busily tending to several bubbling pots.
    â€œThere you are, Clint! I was wondering if you were ever going to show.”
    â€œI didn’t want to get here too early,” he said.
    â€œThat’s partially my fault. I was so anxious after all that happened, I had to keep my hands busy. I’ve been cooking all day.”
    The old woman made her way to where Joseph was tearing a hunk from a loaf of bread and swatted the boy’s hand. “And Joey’s been eating all day.”
    â€œHave not,” the boy grumbled as he tore off his bread and skulked away.
    The old woman smiled even wider as she watched the boy leave. Turning to Clint, she said, “My name is Sophia, by the way. I’ve heard a lot about you.”
    Clint shook the woman’s hand. The strength in her grip was hard to miss. “Obviously not enough to prevent you from letting me into your home.”
    â€œWell, I must admit you’re cleaner than I would have thought.”
    â€œMother!” Allison said in a surprised shout that made her seem more like a teenaged girl than a mother, herself. “He’s a guest.”
    Sophia shrugged and walked over to the stove. “I’ve seen plenty of hunters and plenty of trappers. They are