Blood Trail Read Online Free PDF Page B

the big flap on it. He had no idea what was inside, but if the man wanted him to know, he’d tell him eventually.
    â€œAre you ready?” Clint asked.
    â€œYes, I am ready.” Talbot turned to Gerhardt and shook his hand.
    â€œWe’ll keep her safe,” his friend said again. “I promise you.”
    â€œI know you will.”
    â€œGo with God.”
    â€œI hope so,” Talbot said with feeling. “I sincerely hope so.”
    Gerhardt looked at Clint and said, “Good luck to you, Mr. Adams.”
    â€œThanks,” Clint said as Talbot mounted his horse. “I think I’m going to need it.”
    Talbot and Clint turned their horses and rode back to Effingham.

TWELVE
    When they got back to town, Clint got Talbot his own room at the hotel. He assured the dubious desk clerk that the town would be paying for it.
    They went up to his room so he could leave his gear. He put the canvas bag on the bed and looked around.
    â€œI have never been in such a room,” Talbot said.
    To Clint the room was much like any other hotel he’d ever been in. Nothing special.
    To Frederick Talbot, it was a palace.
    â€œI feel guilty being here while Sarah sleeps in the back of our wagon.”
    â€œWe still have time to go and get her,” Clint said. “They don’t leave ’til morning.”
    â€œNo, no,” Talbot said, “she is safer there with the Gerhardts.”
    â€œAll right, then,” Clint said. “Let’s go and find the sheriff.”
    â€œYes, all right.”
    Talbot picked up his bag and slipped it over his head.
    â€œNo gun?” Clint asked.
    â€œI have a gun,” Talbot assured him, “but I will also need a rifle.”
    â€œWe’ll get you one,” Clint said.
    He looked at the bag as they left the hotel. Whatever was in it bulged, but he still didn’t ask.
    * * *
    â€œWhat’s in the bag?” Sheriff Bullet asked.
    As Clint and Talbot entered the office, that was the first thing Bullet said.
    â€œJust some items I will be needing,” Talbot said.
    â€œHe’ll need a rifle, Ray,” Clint said.
    â€œTake one off the rack.”
    Talbot went to the rack and immediately took down a Winchester.
    â€œNever have I had such a rifle,” he said.
    â€œWell, you don’t have it now,” Bullet said. “But you can borrow it.”
    â€œOf course,” Talbot said. “I will give it back when we are finished.”
    â€œGood,” Bullet said.
    â€œIf we are still alive.”
    â€œAnd what’s that supposed to mean?” Bullet asked.
    â€œWe are obviously going after a killer who enjoys killing,” Talbot said. “In my experience they are the most difficult to catch.”
    â€œJust the same,” Bullet said, “I’d appreciate a little more confidence than that.”
    â€œI understand,” Talbot said, but he didn’t go on to offer any.
    Bullet looked at Clint.
    â€œAre things squared away at the wagon train camp?” he asked.
    â€œPretty much,” Clint said. “They’re ready to pull out in the morning. We’ve tried to make arrangements to keep Talbot’s daughter safe. But I have a question.”
    â€œWhat is it?”
    â€œAre you ready to let them pull out?”
    â€œSure. Why not?”
    â€œDo you think that one of them could be the killer?”
    â€œNo!” Talbot said.
    They both looked at the Romanian.
    â€œWhy not?” Clint asked.
    â€œI would not have brought my daughter along with this group if there was a killer among them.”
    â€œYou’d be able to tell?” Bullet asked.
    â€œYes.”
    â€œHow?”
    â€œIt is what I do.”
    Bullet looked at Clint for understanding, didn’t seem to get it.
    â€œWere you a lawman in your country?” the sheriff asked.
    â€œNo.”
    â€œHe was a hunter,” Clint offered.
    â€œAnd you feel that you know a