Read Online Trailsman #360 : Texas Lead Slingers (9781101544860) by Jon Sharpe - Free Book Online

Fargo said.
    â€œIs he—?” The senator entered and pressed a finger to Jules’s throat. “I should say he is. But what was he doing here?”
    Fargo stared.
    â€œNo. You misunderstand,” Deerforth said. “What I really want to know is how he got into your room?”
    Of more interest to Fargo was how Jules knew which room he was in.
    â€œI shudder to think he just walked into my home without anyone seeing him.”
    The hall was jammed. Ginny squeezed through the press, took one look, and turned away with a gasp of horror.
    Garvin Oster loomed behind her, a revolver strapped around his waist. “I was out at the stable and heard shots.” He came in and stood over the body and looked at Fargo. “This makes, what, the third time he tried to kill you? You must have been born under a lucky star, mister.”
    Senator Deerforth faced those peering in. “I’ll have to ask all of you to go back downstairs.”
    When no one moved, Garvin waded into them. “You heard the senator. Clear the hall.”
    Some muttered but they went.
    â€œWe’ll have to leave the body where it is for right now,” Senator Deerforth said. “I’ll send for the marshal. He should be here inside of an hour and we can get to the bottom of this.”
    Fargo doubted it. He began to reload.
    â€œI must say, you’re terribly calm for a man who has just taken a life.”
    â€œI’m going to take a couple more.”
    â€œWhat makes you say that?”
    Fargo nodded at the body. “He had a pard. And someone put them up to it.”
    â€œYou can’t just up and kill them.” Deerforth was going to say more but his wife reappeared, pale as a sheet, her fingers splayed over her bosom. “Virginia, dear, you shouldn’t be in here.”
    Ginny ignored him. She stepped to the dead man and touched his arm with the toe of her shoe. “Just like that,” she said.
    â€œCome away.” Deerforth put his arm over her shoulders, only to have her shake it off. “What is the matter with you?”
    â€œHe’s dead.”
    â€œYes, we can see that. He tried to murder Fargo and got his comeuppance. It’s nothing to be distraught about.”
    Tears welled in Ginny’s eyes. “An hour ago he was a living, breathing human being.”
    â€œYes, well, if he wanted to go on breathing, he shouldn’t go around trying to kill people.”
    â€œHe was alive,” Ginny said, “and now he’s not.”
    Senator Deerforth glanced at Fargo and tapped a finger to his temple. He then placed his arm around his wife again. “You’re befuddled, dear. The shock has gotten to you. I insist you let me take you to your room so you can rest. I’ll have tea or warm milk brought.”
    Ginny looked at him, tears trickling down her cheeks. “Is this what we’ve come to, Marion?”
    â€œWho, my dear? You’re not making sense.”
    She turned to Fargo. “I don’t blame you. You were only defending yourself. We do what we have to. Isn’t that right?”
    â€œGinny, please.” Deerforth guided her out, saying over his shoulder, “Sorry about this. Keep watch over the body, would you, until the marshal gets here?”
    â€œIt’s not going anywhere,” Fargo said.

18
    The marshal didn’t get done with his questions and haul off the body until nearly three.
    Fargo turned in but couldn’t sleep. His mind wouldn’t shut down. It kept trying to come up with answers but he didn’t even know the right questions. Along about five he drifted off and not two hours later was awakened by a sound out in the hall.
    Struggling to sit up, Fargo shook his head to clear it. He stumbled to the basin, filled it with the pitcher of water that was always kept handy, and dashed some on his face. It didn’t help. He dressed and strapped on his Colt and went down to the kitchen. The cook