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Bess wanted to live in town. She was remembering how it had been for her
father, who had kept a store or something. He couldn t keep a store, and he
had too little education to compete. He would be There was a rap at the door.
He stood up, reaching for his gunbelt. He listened, heard Bess replying to
something, then the door closed. She came into the room with a sheet of paper
in her hand.  It was the telegrapher. He was going home but he brought this
over, thinking it might be important. It was from Tyrel Sackett, and it was
just two words: Ben Curry.
He knew the name.
Borden Chantry was at his battered office desk when Kim Baca came in. Chantry
glanced up at his young deputy. Baca had been one of the most skillful horse
thieves in the country before he became Chantry s deputy, and he knew the men
who rode the outlaw trail and their ways.
 Kim? What do you know about Ben Curry?  Leave him alone, Chantry shuffled
some papers on his desk.  I may have some horses of his. If I am not mistaken
he left some at the ranch a while back.  If he did he will pick them up in
his own good time. Leave him alone, Chief. He s trouble, big trouble.  When
he picks those horses up he will be on the run. We want him, Baca. Kim ran
his fingers through his dark hair.  If the horses are here they are here for a
purpose. Ben Curry doesn t make many mistakes, and he doesn t make any false
moves.  I think he wants our bank, Chantry commented mildly.  He won t do it
himself, and my suggestion is stay out of the way and let him have it. You
aren t gettin paid to get killed.  I m paid to do a job, Kim. So are you.
 Yeah, I know. Bata paused.  I m told you could pick up an easy thousand
dollars by bein out of town for a few days. You re sheriff, too. You could be
investigatin that counterfeit money that s been showin up, .,  Kim, you can
tell whoever passed that word along that I m not for sale. An officer who
turns crooked is worse than any thief. A thief is out to steal and is at least
honest in his intentions. A police officer takes an oath to support the law.
Chantry pushed back from his desk.  If I was a judge and a crooked officer
came up, before me, I d give him the stiffest sentence the law permitted. his
Kim shrugged.  I figured you d think thataway but I was told to pass the word
along.  Let them know that I ll be here, Chantry said,  and I ll be ready.
 It won t be Ben Curry, Kim said.  More than likely it will be Molina or
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Perrin or somebody new. There s a word out that Ben s got a new man, specially
trained for the work.  Do you have friends in that outfit? Baca hesitated,
then shrugged.  No, I can t say I do. I never ran with a gang, you know.
Worked alone. I know some of those boys, and there s good men among  em or
they wouldn t have stayed together so long.
The word is that the old man is lettin go, and the boys are restless.
 Thanks, and if you hear anything, let me know. Baca shook his head.  Since I
pinned on this badge I don t hear as much. However, he added,  I could put it
in my pocket and ride over to Denver. Down along Larimer Street I might hear
something.  Do that. Here. Chantry held out a couple of gold coins.  I m not
carrying very much but use that. Let me know what you hear. He paused.  Kim,
Tyrel Sackett is workin with me on this. I think there s going to be a lot
goin on this spring. Something can happen wherever there s a gold shipment, a
payroll, or a bank that looks easy.  They ve been quiet all winter, so I think
they ll be lookin for a big one. Kim Baca walked outside. Well, now! A ride
to Denver, all expenses paid and some money to spend!
There were few secrets. Somebody always talked, and somebody always listened.
Most of the western outlaws were known, and when they traveled they were
noticed. No matter what their orders were there was always one who wanted to
see an old girlfriend or stop off for a drink with old acquaintances.
For not the first time he was glad he was no longer a wanted man. He could
see what was happening.
Chantry and Sackett were comparing notes, and if they were, others would be,
and then the law would start to close in. He would have to be very, very
careful. Ben Curry, or so the word was, wanted no killings during the
commission of a holdup, but that was a matter of policy, and he would and had
killed when pursued. His own knowledge of Ben Curry s operation was limited to
a comment here and there or a rumor. He had not thought about a pattern to the
crimes until Chantry pointed it out, showing his series of clippings, reward [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]