My Heroes Have Always Been Hitmen (Humorous Romantic Shorts) (Greatest Hits Mysteries) Read Online Free PDF Page A

paranoia?
    I could use that. Figgins ' fear of strangers could be exploited to my advantage. AND , I could have the showdown at high noon I'd always wanted—which made me very happy. It wouldn't look like a contract killing at all—just a duel, instigated by a mysterious, world-weary traveler who'd had enough of Marshal Figgins. It was perfect.
    But the problem was that Figgins was a cheater. He 'd most certainly set up these men coming in tomorrow to ambush me once I'd won—which of course, I would. My record with a pistol was flawless, and he didn't know that. Figgins was known for using others to do his dirty work, which told me he wasn't that accurate with a gun. Or worse, they'd try to kill me before I fired. That would suck.
    So how to deal with these other men? That was the real problem.
    There was a knock at the door , and Jeb asked if I wanted supper. I grabbed my jacket, and together we made our way down to the dining room.
    Penny was busy , since every table was full. Every now and then, though, I was rewarded as she caught my eye and smiled. I smiled back when I could, and then I noticed that someone in the room was not smiling. In fact, he was staring at me with a fury I could not mistake.
    Marshal Figgins was sitting at his reserved table. And he 'd noticed my attention to Miss Philpot. He also noticed her smiling at me. I stared back, practicing my menacing cowboy squint. It begins , I thought.
    " You really must like trouble," Jeb said quietly as he watched me.
    I nodded. It would be wrong to deny it. The marshal's jealousy did speed things up a bit. Maybe we could get this duel out of the way tonight, before his reinforcements arrived. I was just as good a shot in the dark as I was in broad daylight.
    The problem with that idea was that I hadn 't done anything for him to try to arrest me. And he hadn't done anything for me to challenge him to a gunfight. Sigh. Why did everything have to be so difficult?             
    " Up for a drink?" I asked Jeb.
    He nodded . "Wouldn't miss it for the world." He cracked his knuckles as we paid the bill. No one was waiting for us outside this time. That was somewhat disappointing. I liked a little action before a showdown. I think Jeb wanted something to happen too. Instead, we made our way to the saloon unscathed.
    We 'd just sat down at a table with our whiskey when Rocco, Axel, and Hank came in and joined us. I made my introductions all around, and Jeb seemed to fit in nicely. It was only a matter of minutes before the cards came out.
    Rocco dealt the cards as Hank leaned forward. "Word on the street is you got yerself mixed up with the marshal, Rio."
    " Yup," I said as I rearranged my cards. "I don't think he likes me much."
    Jeb hid a grin behind his cards but said nothing.
    Axel shook his head. "Well nice knowin' ya."
    Rocco kicked him under the table loud ly enough for me to hear. "Just play yer damn cards, Axel."
    There was something going on here . I waited for the next hand before speaking.
    " I hear Figgins has men comin' in tomorrow. That can't be all for me…" I feigned innocence, and the men laughed.
    " He's got some business at the border, I heared," Rocco said solemnly. "But I wouldn't put it past him to try and kick yer ass a'fore they leave town."
    Han k and Axel nodded. This seemed to be a done deal. Take out the mysterious stranger—which is me—first, and then ride out of town.
    " When are they leaving?" Jeb asked.
    " Afternoon," Hank said. "But they'll try and teach you a lesson first." He nodded at me.
    " They'll try, " I said. "Does Figgins always go after visitors this way?"
    All three men nodded and then looked back at their cards. Jeb wisely lost a couple of hands before slowly building a winning streak. They seemed a little put out about that. I folded and made the excuse to approach the bar for another round of drinks.
    Mutton Chops, the bartender, eyed me warily as he poured out five whiskeys. He was avoiding my eyes so