The Sunshine Killers (9 page)

McGraw grinned at Tomlain. “Well, Ray? Look all right to you?”

Tomlain cocked his head back. “You give me a clear shot with that big .405 of mine and I can hit any man at four hundred yards. Any place you want him hit.”

Billy clapped him on the back. “That a boy, Ray.”

McGraw nodded, pleased. “I think we're in good hands, gentlemen.” He smoothed his map. “But, of course, any plan, to be really good, must have a backup. And we'll have two. Of course Billy and William will be up on the butte with Ray. Billy, as you all know, is the backup shot for Tomlain. If anything happens to Ray, Billy will take the rifle and make the shot. William is there for protection and covering fire in case it should become necessary. But we don't expect that. From what I can gather the security is going to be very poor, almost nonexistent. There will be a general air of drunkenness and gaiety with people running in every which direction. Like all government functions, total confusion should reign. All to our advantage. Now,” he said, looking around, “if for some reason, Ray should miss, or not kill his target . . .”

Tomlain broke in, a swagger in his voice. “Well, you can make these here other plans if you want to,” he said, “but you're just wastin' your time and breath. Old Ray ain't gonna miss. And that big bore rifle of mine is gonna kill him if I nick his eyebrow.”

“Well said, Ray,” McGraw commented, “but we've got to give these other men a feeling they're earning their money. Now Barney, of course, is in charge of the horses. He'll be holding the main group for Jackhammer and Runt. They will pose as trainmen. You'll approach the spike-driving ceremonies under that guise, working your way very close. If the shot is, for some reason, not lethal, then you, Jackhammer, are to begin firing into the target with your pistol. Runt will be your protection. Clemson and Ellis are to be dressed as Federal troopers. You will work your way close from the other side. Your mission is the same as Jackhammer's and Runt's though you'll be using the government-issue carbines you'll be provided. Now—” He looked around at their faces.

Runt made a sound with his mouth. “Hmmm. Sure hope we don't have to do that. In all that crowd? How we get away?”

McGraw said, “That's what it seems like here. But you must realize that at the scene there will be total confusion. Any number of men will have their guns out and will be firing. At anything. We'll be the only ones with a plan and with preparation. The rest will be total confusion. I can assure you, you'll be able to make your escape easily in the mass pandemonium that's going to result as soon as Ray's rifle sounds the first shot. From then on, of course, we'll be on swift horses and what little pursuit, if any, will quickly be left far behind.”

“Sounds good to me,” Billy said.

McGraw said, “Of course these are the plans in general. We'll work out all the final details in advance camp. All right?”

They chorused assent, looking around at each other and grinning.

McGraw drew an expansive breath. “And how has it been with you men? Been treated all right?”

“No complaints,” Billy said.

But Tomlain put in, “Ain't been exactly where I wanted to go to root.” He tried to make a joke out of it, but it came out rough.

McGraw nodded. “I understand. I appreciate your patience. But I'm sure that you can each understand the necessity for us all staying together in one place out of the reach of interested ears. I trust each of you implicitly, but you can never tell when a man might get too much of this”—he held up the bottle—“in him and go to talking when he shouldn't. This proposition has been too important to take any chances on. I think I've done my best to see to your comfort.”

Billy grinned. “We understand, Mister McGraw.”

“Now then, been any disturbances? Anything to report?”

Barney began, “Well, there was this one fellow come in. He ...”

But at a fierce scowl from Tomlain he broke off.

“What?” Mr. McGraw asked. “What fellow?”

Billy put in, “Just a stranger passing through. Hunter or miner. He didn't stay. And didn't anybody talk to him.”

McGraw looked at them sharply. “You're sure? You didn't arouse any curiosity?”

“Not a chance,” Billy said. He smiled and looked at Tomlain. “I seen to it special. Guy went on his way without a care in the world.”

“Good,” McGraw said, nodding. “That's the way we want to keep it.” He leaned back in his chair and stretched. “Well, let's drink another bottle of whiskey and then I think I'll go across and get some rest.”

Barney guffawed. “Them women ain't going to let you rest, Mr. McGraw.”

McGraw smiled. “And how are the ladies? Been seeing they're satisfied?”

“Oh, yes,” Barney assured him.

“And how's Letty?”

“She's fine,” Billy answered quickly, looking at Tomlain. “Just find and looking for you back.”

“Good. Barney, get another bottle of whiskey.”

It was late afternoon. Saulter was still sitting on the side of his bed, patiently making cartridges. He had a huge pile stacked up, maybe a hundred. Letty came in without knocking. She had a piece of beefsteak on a plate. She laid it on the bed and stood watching him. A certain reserve had now come between them because of where she would be sleeping that night.

“You going to use that big rifle on Tomlain?”

“No,” he answered, without looking up at her.

“Then why are you making all the bullets?”

He shrugged, still not looking at her. “It's something to pass the time.”

She went over to the window and stood, staring out, looking at the front of Schmidt's saloon. “McGraw hasn't come over yet,” she said idly.

He didn't say anything.

She continued staring out the window. “Be dark in two hours.”

He went on making cartridges.

She turned. “I'm having Juno fix you up a sack of provisions.”

He looked up at her finally, “What for?”

“Because,” she said, “you're getting out of here as soon as it gets dark. You're going to get on your horse and get the hell away from here. You're really not strong enough for it yet, but it will be a lot healthier for you than staying around here.”

“I can't do that, Letty,” he told her steadily.

“Dammit!” she swore. “You don't know what you're up against! Forget Tomlain! Get away from this place.”

He looked at her calmly. “What am I up against, Letty?”

“I can't tell you that,” she said violently. “But it's more than one man can handle. I don't care how good a man he is, he wouldn't have a chance against that over there.” She pointed toward the window.

“Who are they?” he asked softly. “What's going on?”

“I can't tell you, dammit! But I can tell you they won't let you kill Tomlain. They can't afford to. He's too important to them.”

“I don't have any choice, Letty.”

“Yes, you do. Go, go, leave! While you can. If they catch you back here they'll kill you that quick!” She snapped her fingers.

“You don't answer any of my questions, Letty. Why not?”

“I'll answer this one. You don't have a chance. Those are killers over there. Eight of them. Hired special. The best. Gathered from all over by Mister McGraw. Every one a specialist at his job. Including McGraw.”

“Who's McGraw? What's his business?”

“His business is doing favors. Handling things for people. For money, lots of money. Dammit, look around you. Can't you see how big this thing is? They've set up a cathouse and a saloon just to keep hired killers content while they wait. Whiskey and women. Now, dammit, go tonight.”

“I'll be gone tomorrow, Letty.”

She sat down on the bed beside him and took his face in her hands. “Look, Saulter, I don't know you, don't even know anything about you. But I don't want you dead, do you hear? Please, listen to me.” She leaned forward and kissed him softly. “Look, in a couple of weeks I'll be back in Phoenix. Go down there and wait for me.” She kissed him again.

“I'll be gone tomorrow,” he said steadily.

She sighed and got up. “You let that sun rise on you here in the morning and you'll be buried before it goes down.”

“Maybe,” he said. “But I don't think so.”

She went to the door. “I'm going to send Juno up with the food anyway. She's got to sleep in here tonight.” She looked at him a long moment. “Goodbye, Saulter. Change your mind and go.”

He watched her until the door closed. Finally he took up the plate of beef and began to eat. There was a bottle of whiskey on the floor by his bed and he uncorked that and took a long pull. He looked at the far wall, his eyes and his thoughts turned inward. He sat there thinking for a long time. Logically he knew that he should ride on, leave the mess that Sunshine represented. But there was Tomlain to be settled with and then there were those other men and what they were doing. It was none of his affair, but he kept thinking it would be wrong, somehow, to just ride away from it. He didn't like the feel of the place, didn't like it at all. What a strange situation, he thought to himself. Finally he sighed and took another drink of whiskey. Well, there was still Tomlain. He didn't know quite how he'd arrange that, but it had to be settled. He expected he'd just have to depend on luck and opportunity. That was all part of hunting and he was used to that.

Very late that night he was still sitting just so, in the chair, fully dressed. Juno was in the bed, asleep. It had frightened her to come in and sleep with the big American in the room, but Letty had made her and he'd smiled at her. Now he just sat, waiting. He had his pistol in his lap and his other gear was all packed and stacked beside him. He still had no plans. What he probably thought he'd do would be to saddle up and then wait for Tomlain to come out. Then he'd kill him. He couldn't fight all of them and he wouldn't be fool enough to try so he'd have to find a way to isolate Tomlain. But he didn't know quite how he was going to do that.

There was suddenly a tiny thump against the wall, just outside, by the tiny window. Saulter was immediately alert. He brought his pistol to the ready, then eased up and flattened himself against the wall. There came a light rapping on the glass. It was repeated. Juno stirred, but didn't waken. Slowly the window was raised from the outside. As it opened a breath of cold air came into the room. Saulter raised his pistol, ready to bring it down on the head of whoever was about to come in. Cautiously the intruder stuck his head into the room. Then he began to wiggle in over the ledge. As he got his upper body into the room Saulter saw that it was Chiffo. He holstered his gun and suddenly reached out and grabbed the boy by the shoulders, jerked him the rest of the way in the room, and slammed him to the floor, putting his hand over the boy's mouth.

The boy's frightened eyes stared at him. Saulter put his face close to Chiffo's. In a fierce whisper he asked him, “What are you doing in here, boy? Is that your girlfriend?” He jerked his head toward the still sleeping Juno.

Chiffo nodded yes. He was very frightened.

“Did you know I was here?”

The boy shook his head.

“If I take my hand off your mouth are you going to keep quiet?”

The boy nodded a frantic yes.

“All right,” Saulter said. He slowly removed his hand. As he did Chiffo said, in a normal voice, “Goddam, meester, you scare ...”

But he got no further before Saulter clamped his hand back on the boy's mouth. “I said be quiet,” he whispered fiercely. “Keep your voice down.”

When he took his hand away this time Chiffo whispered also. “Damn, meester, I thought they kill you. What you doin' in this cathouse?”

“Just be quiet,” Saulter told him. “And don't move. Stay just where you are.” He got up slowly and sat back in the chair, looking at the boy. After a moment he said, “Well, you've done it now. What am I going to do with you?”

“You got a little wheesky for me?” Chiffo said.

Without speaking Saulter reached down, got the bottle, uncorked it, and gave it to the boy. He took such a long drink that Saulter had to take the bottle back. “Now sit there and be quiet,” Saulter told him, “while I figure out what to do with you. This may be bad luck or good. I just ain't figured it out yet.”

 

Saulter and Chiffo sat up all night, sometimes sipping at the whiskey, but mostly just waiting. In his mind Saulter had turned over, then rejected, several plans of action. But as it began to come light, he spoke to Chiffo for the first time in several hours.