A Good Day To Kill Read Free Page A

risks.”
    â€œOh, yeah, I know, but I’d say you took a big one in the shoulder getting the last bunch.” Dodge scowled at him as if still concerned about him.
    â€œPart of the job. This is my wife, Marge, and our friend, Jenn Allen, from Preskitt.”
    He swept off his hat. “My pleasure, ladies. I understand you two came down here to take care of him.”
    â€œHe says he’s about well,” Marge said.
    â€œWell, he does look better than when I first saw him last week.”
    About that time, the sheriff made a grand entry. “Well, ladies. What a bright glorious morning to be in Tombstone. Nice to have you here. And may I have your names?”
    They introduced themselves and he turned to Chet. “What a lovely wife you have.”
    â€œYes, I am blessed. But I need to get our business concluded so I can take her home. Here’s a list of the outlaws my men apprehended in the Mule Shoe Mountains last night. They robbed two stages and made various raids on small ranches that my men will elaborate on for you.”
    â€œIs that dead boy Israel Clanton?”
    â€œYes, he was part of this gang and involved in the crimes that the gang committed. He could have surrendered last night. He didn’t.”
    â€œOh, such a waste. Has his mother been notified?”
    â€œNo. I guess she can read about it in the paper.”
    â€œHis mother is Iris Clanton. She’s a sister-in-law to the old man.”
    â€œBehan, these men are to be held not only on these charges, but others that will surface now that they have been captured by order of the federal court. I expect you to keep them here in your jail.”
    â€œWhy, of course.”
    â€œSeveral men have walked out of this jail because a cell door was not locked. Be damn sure they’re all locked in, and that’s an order from a federal officer.”
    â€œOf course. My deputies will jail them. I need to go tell that poor boy’s mother about her son’s death. Excuse me?”
    Behan left.
    A deep voice cut the air. “You tell him something bad?”
    Chet turned and shook hands with the Earp brother he liked so well. “How are you, Virgil?”
    â€œBetter than you are.” He chuckled deep in his throat. “Glad you’re recovering. I meant to drop by but got busy. I see your bunch has got another gang rounded up.”
    â€œThey did well. Now if the sheriff can contain them.”
    â€œWhen I walked up, I heard you set him straight there. He will have to, after that.”
    â€œIs Iris Clanton pretty?”
    Virgil shook his head. “But she does have some money.”
    â€œBehan sounded upset she had not been notified.”
    â€œBetween you and me”—he dropped his voice to a whisper—“that might be worth a toss in the hay for him.”
    Chet agreed and thanked him. Virgil smiled, winked at him, and shook his hand to leave.
    â€œHave a nice day, ladies.” Earp tipped his hat to them.
    Dodge was talking to the news reporter—good, that should suffice his part. They tossed the outlaws’ bodies in the hearse like cordwood. He reckoned the county would pay the usual seven dollars and fifty cents for burying them in Boot Hill, but the Clanton boy, no doubt, would have a funeral. The funeral home would make some money on his services.
    â€œReady, ladies?”
    â€œYes, we are,” Marge said. They held their hems out of the dust and headed for the taxi.
    Still talking to the reporter, Dodge waved to him. “I’ll be by later to talk to you, Byrnes.”
    â€œMe, too,” Roamer said, and smiled.
    He acknowledged both of them and climbed in the taxi for the ride back. Seated beside his wife, she asked, “Did that wear you out?”
    â€œNo. I’m fine.”
    â€œTell me about this Dodge,” Jenn said. “Is he married?”
    â€œNot that I know about. They say he has a good-paying job.”
    She sat