The Right Side of Wrong Read Online Free PDF Page B

since they brought him in, but I’god that little gal was fresh as a morning shower.”
    They sat in silence for several long moments. Ned took off his coat as the temperature in O.C.’s office burned away the chill. Resting both elbows on his knees, he laced his fingers and studied the purple thumbnail he’d injured when he slammed a garden gate on it.
    The judge twiddled his thumbs and rocked in nervous habit. “It was an ambush. Some of the boys came in after they investigated the scene and towed what was left of the kids’ Plymouth out of the creek bed.”
    â€œThe boys” were O.C.’s constables and the few highway patrol officers he trusted. One or two Chisum sheriff deputies were thrown in the mix the judge relied on, but he was cautious with them since they answered to Sheriff Griffin. Neither man in the chilly, cluttered office had any use for the sheriff, who was more politician than lawman.
    O.C. continued to rock in the creaking chair. “They found what was left of the car tracks in the snow.”
    â€œHow’d they do that?”
    â€œThe ground wasn’t completely froze when the car drove over the snow, and it packed the tracks down into ice. The falling snow didn’t completely cover the tire marks. In the daylight you could still barely see the ruts. So they used a broom and swept the loose snow away to where it melted under the exhaust pipe and then refroze when they left.”
    â€œI’ll be damned.”
    â€œYep. It sat in the road for a while , waiting for Cody to come by. When he did, somebody put a load of buckshot through the side glass, then drove away as pretty as you please.”
    â€œHow’d they know it was Cody in the Plymouth? I’d imagine anyone after him was probably lookin’ for that half-breed car of his instead of a red four-door sedan.”
    â€œJack Smalls is the best investigator in Lamar County, and he was helped by W.B. Graves who’s a good man from the Texas Rangers. They decided that the shot came almost too late. Jack figured he was waiting for the El Camino and didn’t recognize Cody until he was almost past.”
    â€œProb’ly the only reason he lived.”
    â€œI’m sure of it. It’s a miracle most of the pellets missed, but it was enough to do the job. Cody’s a lucky man.”
    Ned’s face reddened. Someone had nearly killed a member of his family and his dander was up. “He wasn’t found by no highway patrol. I heard it was somebody we don’t know.”
    â€œYep. Feller old as Methuselah named Tom Bell happened along while a pack of wild dogs was fightin’ over what they reckoned was Cody’s dead body. The story I got was that Tom came across a set of half-covered tracks skidding off down into the creek. They was fairly fresh, so he stopped and went down to check.”
    â€œWhat makes you think he didn’t do the shootin’ hisself?”
    â€œCause Tom carries a beat-up Winchester carbine, killed two of them dogs that was about to eat Cody, then drug him up the bank to his truck. I don’t see how he did it at his age, but he’s tough as boot leather. Drove him into town, too, straight to the hospital door like he knew what he was a-doin.’”
    â€œI don’t recognize the name.”
    â€œYou won’t. He only moved out there to Center Springs a week or so ago. I doubt you’ve seen him yet. I hear he’s bought the Buchanan place not far from your house and intends to fix it up.”
    The information was startling. The Buchanan house was within hollering distance from Ned’s farm, and he didn’t know anyone had moved in. “That place is about to fall down, but I don’t reckon he’ll do much fixin’ if he’s that old.”
    â€œLike I said, he’s in pretty good shape. I imagine he’ll go at it pretty slow.”
    â€œWhat was he doing out on that road that time of