Keeper of the Books (Keeper of the Books, Book 1) Read Free Page A

up less than a week before. They had been a rough bunch of men whose capture had fattened Levi’s coin purse substantially. Like most of the criminals Levi chased, they had been stupid, and on top of that, they each had an odor that had been burned into Levi’s memory. It wasn’t uncommon for men out on the plains to have a lack of hygiene, but these men had smelled worse than any fugitives Levi had ever captured. And Levi wouldn’t be wrong to lump Sheriff Marston in with them.   Why a man like this would get elected was beyond the bounty hunter’s knowledge. He was a disgrace to his badge. The man snarled as his eyes made a line from Amos to Levi.  
    “I will talk with the prisoner alone regardless,” Levi said. “It can be here in your office, or outside away from your town.”
    “You don’t have the right to take my prisoner away,” Marston said.
    “You’re not equipped to take on the Cole brothers,” Levi answered. “I know it. You know it. Your whole town knows it. I will take your prisoner if I have to.”
    “I don’t appreciate your tone, Mr. Thompson.”
    Levi nodded kindly almost as if to give a preemptive thank you . Marston looked down at Amos and snarled again as he opened the door. “I’ll be out on the porch if you need me.”
    “I will call you should the need arise,” Levi said respectfully. His eyes didn’t leave the sheriff until the door was shut and only Amos was in the room with him.  
    Levi took a deep breath and surveyed the small room. There were two jail cells, both of which were empty. Amos sat in a chair with one of his wrists chained to the bars while Levi sat on the sheriff’s desk across from him. With one hand, Levi stroked his graying mustache as he thought about the words he was about to say. He knew he didn’t want Marston in the room interrupting every chance he got. That’s why he sent the man out—that and the smell. Things were bad when an officer of the law looked crummier than the prisoners he held.  
    Levi pulled off his wide brimmed hat and set it on the desk next to him. The room was hot despite the slight breeze coming in through the windows. He wiped his sweat with the palm of his hand and let out a deep breath. He brought his cigar up to his lips and struck the match against the desk. The flame burned bright in front of his face and caught the end of his cigar, setting it ablaze for half a second before it started smoldering a few inches from his face. He shook the match out and let it fall to the floor in front of him as he sucked in two lungs full of smoke.
    “You know,” Levi said, “it never matters how hot it is outside or how cold, a good smoke always takes the edge off.”
    Amos looked up at him with a blank stare on his face. Levi wasn’t sure if the man was stupid or still shocked about being caught, but the lack of expression was enough for Levi to classify this outlaw as plain-ol’ dumb.
    “It ain’t often you see a bounty hunter with the power to send the sheriff out of his own office, is it?” Levi said.  
    “No,” Amos answered.  
    “You know who I am?”
    “Levi Thompson. One of the best bounty hunters there is.”
    At least he ain’t too dumb. “That’s right. I have the power to do a lot of things, Amos.”
    “I know.” Amos sounded like he was on the verge of tears.  
    “You won’t be prosecuted for any crimes,” Levi said. Amos’ eyes lit up at the statement, but Levi held up a finger. “So long as you lead me straight to the Cole brothers.”
    “A powerful man you may be, sir, but you ain’t powerful enough to erase my crimes,” Amos said.
    “That ain’t for you to worry about,” Levi said. “I know what I can and can’t do.”
    “The brothers are probably on the run by now,” Amos said.  
    “Then we don’t have much time, do we?”  
    “So, you’re telling me that if I lead you to Nate and Joe, you’ll just let me walk free?”
    “If the two of them are captured or killed, yes,” Levi