Straw Men Read Online Free PDF

it.”
    She chuckled and scrubbed at a stubborn spot on one of her forearms. “I bet his hide was tanned something awful.”
    â€œFarelli wasn’t working alone and one of his partners was ranked high enough to get the matter handled pretty quietly. By the time I left, it looked like the robbers’ pay was going to be docked and their records would get a smudge, but that was about it.”
    â€œKnowin’ them Army fellows, they probably swept it all under the rug because they were embarrassed.”
    â€œProbably,” Clint said. “Either way, I know Farelli wasn’t too happy with me when we parted ways. Come to think of it, he’s not exactly my favorite person, either.”
    â€œSo why would he want to hire you for a job?”
    â€œBecause when I caught him red-handed stealing those supplies, he drew a gun on me,” Clint explained. “I drew mine faster. A lot faster.”
    â€œDid you shoot him?”
    After a pause, Clint shook his head. “No, but I could have. He knows it, too. Seeing as how he just got a stiff fine and a blemish on his ser vice record while still making it to colonel, I’d think he came out of it a lot better than if I’d have shot him.”
    â€œSo maybe the colonel’s trying to make up for what happened?”
    â€œI doubt that,” Clint said. “This sounds like a dangerous job that could get someone hurt or worse. I’d bet on Farelli wanting to ask me to do it rather than risk his own men. If I come through, he looks like a good leader. If I get hurt…well…I doubt he’ll be heartbroken.”
    Abigail let out a snorting laugh and said, “I don’t see why you’d want any part of a job like this.”
    â€œI’ve heard about these Indian attacks,” Clint replied. “Soldiers and innocent folks are getting hurt. I know this is a real thing and Farelli and I both know I could do something to help. If I have to put up with a weasel like Farelli to save some lives down the stretch, I’m willing to grit my teeth and put up with him. If he’s trying to pull something else, I’ll deal with that, too. I sniffed him out once, and I can do it again. It’s not like he was a very good liar anyway.”
    Nodding as she got back to scrubbing, Abigail said, “That’s all well and good, but what if he really is holding a grudge? What if he wants to hurt you for what happened the last time you crossed paths?” The more she thought about it, the more she shook her head. “If I were you, I wouldn’t trust a man like him.”
    â€œI don’t trust him, Abigail. I trust my own eyes, though. I know there’s blood being spilled, and if he’s stationed at a fort anywhere near those attacks, he’d be the one to deal with them. From what I’ve seen, I know he’d need help with a job like that.”
    â€œAnd if he’s after you?” Abigail asked.
    Clint was quick with his reply. “If he’s after me, he’s got a regiment of fighting men and at least a few among them would follow his orders if he backed them up with enough pay. He’d be able to come after me no matter what I decide to do with this letter.”
    Although Abigail nodded, she seemed more uncomfortable than agreeable. “Seems like you’re not too bothered by someone out to shoot ya.”
    â€œHave you ever heard of me before we met?” Clint asked.
    â€œI heard a few stories.”
    â€œThere you go. I’ve had men a lot nastier than Farelli coming after me.”
    â€œWhy do you want me to come along with you?”
    â€œBecause you’re the best one for the job.”
    â€œHow do you know that?” she asked suspiciously.
    Clint blinked and replied, “Simple. You told me so.”
    She shook her head and laughed under her breath. “I guess I did.”
    â€œThe fact of the matter is I’ve never been to Fort