Read Online Vengeance is Mine by Reavis Z Wortham - Free Book Online

he’d run out of energy.
    Ned took the opportunity and stood.
    Wade gathered himself. “Are you leaving, Mr. Ned?”
    â€œI’m trying to. I’ll drop by and talk to Karen Ann and her folks, but if they haven’t done anything other than change the locks, there ain’t much I can do right now.”
    â€œWell now, I’d be proud if you did that.” He started to leave, then dug in his pants pocket and came out with a handful of silver dollars. He handed one to each of the surprised men. “I’d like to buy y’all dinner today. I’ll see you soon.”
    After he left, the three lawmen frowned and shook their heads. “How come him to do that?” Ned asked.
    â€œPeople do funny things,” O.C. stood. “Let’s go eat.” He handed the silver dollar to John and Ned did the same, both knowing the money would go to Rachel for food or clothing for her kids.
    Before they could step off the curb, Cody pulled up in his red and white El Camino and spoke through the open passenger window. “Ned, we need to go to work. Howdy, Judge, John.”
    Ned leaned forward and peered into the window. “What is it?”
    â€œGene Stark called and said he found his brother shot to death up out toward Bill Stiles’ place. Tommy Lee’s still sitting in his truck, with the side of his head blowed off.”
    John struck out across the lot between them and the courthouse, where his car was parked next to the “colored” bathroom. “I’ll meet y’all out there.” Center Springs was far out of his assigned area, but John had long ago adopted the Parkers as part of his own family and was always willing to help.
    â€œAll right, then. We’ll see you there.” Ned screwed himself into the front seat of the El Camino’s cab. “Dammit, boy, when are you gonna get you something decent to drive?”
    They were still arguing when Cody pulled away from the curb to take Ned to his own car parked on the square. O.C. stood alone on the sidewalk and shivered, worried that a dark train might be coming for them once again.
    Finally, he walked toward Frenchie’s to eat alone.

Chapter Nine
    They drove east down Route 66 through Santa Fe before Anthony whipped the Plymouth into a dismal used car lot on the outskirts of town. A salesman in a drugstore cowboy hat and a gaudy bolo tie had Anthony’s door open almost before he could kill the engine. “Howdy, folks! How can I help you?”
    Anthony shouldered himself out of the car, forcing the aggressive ducktailed salesman to back up. “I need to trade this car in, but I have a problem.” He winked. “How about I give you the keys and pay you half again what that fifty-eight Buick there is worth?”
    Bolo Tie squinted one eye, noting the suit and Anthony’s flat eyes. “You must be in a hurry.”
    Anthony leaned close and spoke in a conspirator’s whisper. “Yeah. Her husband is looking for us and…well, you know the story.”
    Tilting his hat back, Bolo Tie rocked on his heels with a lascivious look on his face. “I see. A young couple in love is it? No title?”
    It was all Anthony could do not to punch him in the mouth. He shrugged.
    Bolo Tie scratched his cheek. “Well, I could get in trouble for this, but I know how young love is. That Buick might be a tad more than half again, but I bet we can come to an agreement.” He jerked his head toward the tiny office. “C’mon on and let’s get this done.”
    Anthony leaned into the car. “Doll, pull around to the back and we’ll unload the trunk after I make this deal. It’ll take both of us because there’s something in there that you can’t lift.”
    â€œThat’s what’s making the rear end sag so heavy?”
    He smiled. “Sure is. I think there’s a safe in there.”
    â€œUm hum.