Slocum and the Diamond City Affair (9781101612118) Read Online Free PDF Page B

his operations.”
    O’Riley nodded and began to undo the girth on his saddle. “How will we ever get out of here if we do find my horses?”
    â€œLeave that to me. I worry more about finding them than how to get them out.”
    â€œI ain’t bitching. I appreciate all you’ve done. But if they got such a communication system, how do you think we can rescue them and get away?”
    â€œI promise you. We get them and we’ll get away. Once we get them to your buyer, they’re his problem.” Slocum lifted his saddle and the wet pads off his bay horse. “We need to buy Rosa a horse. Riding that damn burro would wear out a saint.”
    â€œHow much will one cost?”
    â€œThirty dollars.”
    â€œI can buy it.”
    â€œTake it out of my reward.”
    O’Riley laughed, shaking his head in surrender. “You don’t have a single doubt in the damn world that we’re going to find them.”
    â€œThat’s right.” Slocum shut the gate on the bay. He never had any doubts until something was over. Nothing took the strength from a person like a defeatist attitude.
    â€œWhat’s next?”
    â€œAfter dark, I’m returning to Tombstone. I have some friends there who might help us learn more. A drunk Cowboy may talk. Liquor loosens tongues. And they can sure drink when they get cut loose.”
    â€œYou need me?”
    â€œNot unless you want to go along.”
    O’Riley wearily shook his head. “I’m going to sleep a couple of days.”
    â€œFine.” Be the best thing he could do. Then Slocum wouldn’t need to nursemaid him around.
    Rosa came out with two coffee cups, one in each hand. She gave O’Riley one and Slocum the other. “It is hot,” she warned them.
    Slocum thanked her, and with his arm over her shoulder, he herded her to the squaw shade behind the jacal.
    â€œJim is a sweet man,” she said privately to Slocum.
    â€œA good one. I’m going to Tombstone after dark.”
    â€œWhat should I do for you?” she asked.
    â€œRest here. I’ll be back before dawn unless I get a good lead. I’m going to try to buy you a horse to ride too.”
    Her face brightened at his words. “I don’t want to be any burden to you.”
    With a shake of his head, he dismissed her concern. “You need one to keep up with us. Besides, I need you.”
    She blushed. “Good. I am having fun riding with you. Do I need to do more?”
    He shook his head. “You’re fine.”
    â€œGood. You be careful then.”
    â€œI will.”
    He wondered about the night ahead. Could he filter out some leads about where the horses might be? That would be his purpose—and to not expose too much of his hand to the Cowboys while he was at it. Ready to try, he closed his eyes and silently asked the powers that be for help.

3
    Tombstone lay swallowed in darkness, save for where light from various establishments flowed out on the boardwalks and into the street. A screaming, wild whore was in some guy’s arms and being packed out the swinging doors of Big Nose Kate’s Saloon. The whore’s stocking-clad legs were thrashing like a paddleboat and she was trying to slug her abductor with her fist.
    The customer must have been drunk, because her efforts weren’t stopping him. Slocum stepped up behind the man. “Put her down or I’m blowing daylight through you.”
    â€œHuh?” The man dropped the whore and she scrambled like a runaway chicken to get under the batwing doors. When she was safely inside, Slocum heard her say, “That crazy sumbitch was taking me away.”
    A man shouted, “He’d gawdamn sure have brought you back.”
    Raucous laughter came from the saloon.
    â€œWhere the hell’s your gun?” the big galoot demanded, weaving on his boot heels on the saloon’s porch.
    â€œIt’s gonna be up your ass if you