Noble's Way (26 page)

Finally Noble stood alone a few steps from the last door on the right. Voices from the room grew louder. Outside, something crashed against the building causing the structure to tremble. Noble tried to imagine the damage, then he drew a deep breath and cocked the hammer back on the .44.

Lifting his foot, he aimed a well placed kick directly at the brass knob, and burst open the door.

Izer Goodman stood on the far side of the bed. His galluses were down, exposing his gray underwear. His cold beady eyes went from Noble to the gun on the dresser. Then he made a try for the weapon.

Noble aimed and fired. Gunsmoke filled the room in a fog, nealy obscuring Izer from his vision. The woman on the bed screamed louder than the storm outside.

Izer made a second attempt to reach the pistol. Slower this time. Blood soaked the left side of his underwear where the first slug found its mark. Noble's next bullet smashed Izer's left eye and the outlaw slipped on the floor.

Noble lowered the smoking gun barrel. It was over. Izer Goodman could not hurt anyone ever again.

Noble backed into the hall and holstered the gun. Still numb, he tried to sort out his thoughts. He opened the back door and faced the full force of rain and wind as he stepped out. Sudan waved to him from the base of the steps.

Noble cast a last glance back at the open door. Yes, Izer was dead. He hurried down the stairs and took the canvas coat from the black man's outstretched arm.

“Izer Goodman will not trouble anyone anymore,” Noble said and mounted the bay. “Let's go home.” Both men nodded at him. As he rode out of the alley, Noble fought the urge to look back one more time. It was over, he kept reminding himself.

The ferrymen grumbled about the storm, pointing to the rough water in the inky river. Noble felt little patience with the man.

“It's worth a twenty dollar gold piece,” Noble said.

“Well, in that case ...”

The engine chugged as they left the dock. Noble and his two companions held the horses close as the lights of Fort Smith faded in the abating rain.

Noble knew Fleta was waiting for him. The beautiful woman from Arkansas who became his wife. The cold spray of rain reminded him of their first snow together with the Osage. He closed his eyes—and pictured all them waiting for him in Kansas: Fleta McCurtain, Luke, and the Great Western Company.