Blood on the Verde River Read Online Free PDF

into the town on the San Pedro River about sundown, Chet noticed several putas in scanty clothing standing by the doors of the narrow adobe cribs. As the men passed, the women offered their services loudly.
    Coming to Wheeler Livery Stable, the men put up their horses and planned to sleep in the bunk-room. When Chet and Jesus headed out for supper, JD parted their company, telling them he’d see them later.
    Chet recalled the ladies of the night they’d seen earlier. He had no interest and neither did Jesus so they went on without JD to a café the stable man said served decent food.
    After dinner, Chet and Jesus returned to the bunkhouse and turned in.
    Chet didn’t hear JD came in, but he was asleep in the hay the next morning. Chet woke up the two young men. “Better get some breakfast. That gal at the café said she’d have food ready at daybreak.”
    The men grumbled a bit, then rose and made their way to the stable.
    â€œDamn I’m sore. Are you two?” Chet asked them, busy slapping on saddles and packs.
    â€œJust my back,” JD said, holding his hips and drawing a laugh from Chet and Jesus.
    â€œYou can’t complain about that,” Chet said. “All this riding is the real work.”
    They led their horses to the café and hitched them out front. The lamps were on when they went inside. Each one took off this hat for the woman in her thirties named Lizzy. She sat them down at a large table in the back and took their orders.
    The town law sauntered in. He strolled to the back and told them good morning. Chet told him to take a seat and introduced his men and himself to the man.
    â€œEarl’s my name. Earl Stover. I’m the law here and want to welcome you three to Benson. You chose a good place to eat breakfast. Lizzy is a great woman and if she ever shuts down, I’d find a new town to be the marshal in. Nice to meet ’cha.” He nodded to each one and took his place at the table.
    â€œYou fellers look prepared to do some serious traveling.”
    â€œWe’re looking over the country,” Chet said.
    â€œLots to see around here. Down the road is Tombstone. Hell on wheels, I call it. Here, things are pretty quiet. It’s not a bad place to settle down and make a home.”
    â€œWell, we’ll be looking. Thanks.”
    â€œJust wanted you to know that.”
    â€œYou’ve been the law here for a long time?” Chet asked to make conversation.
    â€œThree years. Pretty quiet. Oh, I get a few drunks and some petty stealing of chickens, but most times it’s quiet. I did some boomtowns back a few years ago in Colorado. Got enough of that in a big hurry.”
    â€œI bet you did.”
    â€œLizzy,” Stover called to the woman. “Bring me some hot sauce with my eggs.”
    â€œI will. I’m fixing the usual for you.”
    â€œGood girl. Thanks. That’s why I’m here. She sure takes good care of me.”
    Chet nodded. Something about the man struck him. He looked capable of exploding if things stressed him. Chet figured the marshal could get angry fast if things didn’t go his way.
    When they finished eating, Chet and the others said good-bye to the marshal, then JD and Jesus left the café. Chet paid the woman, giving her a tip that she thanked him for.
    â€œDid he think we were outlaws?” JD asked, looking back at the diner before he mounted up
    â€œI don’t know. He is the law here. Maybe checking us out.” In the saddle, Chet smiled at Jesus. “You think we look like outlaws?”
    â€œNo. But he was a tough acting man. I was glad to get out of there, but her food was good.”
    â€œIt was fine food. Let’s find Tombstone, guys.”
    â€œI’m ready,” JD said, and they swung out from the livery and trailed down the empty street.
    Chet saw Stover standing behind the glass window of the café, giving them what he called the hard eye.