The Shopkeeper Read Online Free PDF Page B

glum conversation. Without a word, Richard lifted the bourbon bottle with a raised eyebrow. I nodded, and he poured a healthy portion into my waiting glass.

    After I had taken a deep swallow, Jeremiah said, “Shame about what happened.”

    “More than a shame,” I answered. The whole town must have known, which made her debasement worse, if possible. I suddenly wondered how many had seen me on the balcony. “I saw the Cutlers waylay the Boltons. I should have done something.”

    “Then we’d be searchingfor a fourth again,” Richard said.

    Dooley thumped a type drawer with his boot. “Jenny didn’t deserve to get mixed up in this.”

    I looked at the three men. “Mixed up in what? Something more than utter cruelty?”

    Richard glanced at the open door, propped open with the ever-present can of ink. “Washburn supports someone else for governor. He tried to persuade Bolton to drop out, but Bolton refused to lie down, so Washburn had the Cutlers knock him down.”

    “Why this way?” I asked.

    “Because Bolton still has too many powerful friends to kill him outright.”

    I could not believe it. “Wasn’t there an easier way?”

    “Easier?” Richard shook his head. “Washburn’s clever. Others may whisper, but Bolton has too much pride to ever talk about this or appeal to his friends … and it was easy enough for the Cutlers.”

    “Good God.”

    “Sometimes I have trouble subscribing to the notion of a good God.” Doc sipped his whiskey. “I hope Jenny can escape that buffoon. Bolton keeps her penniless.”

    “She’s got stuff she can sell,” Jeremiah interjected.

    “What stuff?” My voice was sterner than I meant.

    “Things Bolton gave her,” Jeremiah answered, with a look that said he meant nothing more. “Clothes and jewelry. She ought to just jump on the stagecoach one mornin’.”

    “Fat chance,” Richard said. “Bolton keeps a careful eye on her.”

    Dooley kicked the type drawer again. “She’s too young and ignorant. Hell, she hasn’t been anywhere else. Probably thinks this rotten state is the way of the whole world.”

    We all stood around feeling embarrassed for a moment, until Richard said, “Let’s play cards.”

    Doc had dealt our third hand. As I tried to focus enough to figure out my bid, Jemmy stuck his head in the door to announce, “There’s going to be a gunfight.”

    “A gunfight?” Richard exclaimed. “Who?”

    “The Cutlers have squared off against ol’ man Sharp.”

    All four of us rushed to the window as Jemmy bolted to spread the news of the looming gunfight. Jeff Sharp stood at one end of Main Street with a rifle laid lazily across his arm. The Cutlers stood at the other end, wearing six-shooters and grins.

    “Sharp told me he was safe.”

    “I suppose Washburn grew tired of small stakeholders selling their claims to Sharp. It looks like Washburn decided to tidy up all the loose ends at once.” Richard took a swallow of whiskey. “He sure gave those boys a full agenda.”

    I couldn’t believe they were just standing there staring at each other. “What happens now?” I asked, confused.

    “The Cutlers will worry Sharp for a few minutes and then split up, run behind some buildings, and ambush Sharp from cover.

    “Why doesn’t he just use his rifle to shoot them while they’re still in the open?”

    “Jeff Sharp won’t commit murder.”

    I looked at Doc with incredulity. “That’s foolish.”

    “Yep.”

    This was not right. I looked at either end of the street and could see another atrocity about to happen. All afternoon I had brooded and chastised myself for doing nothing when these depraved and ugly outlaws had forced themselves on Jenny. This had to end.

    I decided. “Jeremiah, watch my cards.”

    “Where’re ya goin’?”

    Without answering, I left the print shop and headed for my hotel. I took care to keep an easy stride, just a man crossing the street, oblivious to the threats on either side. I had