Slocum and the Grizzly Flats Killers (9781101619216) Read Free

Isaac Comstock sank to his knees, clutching his chest.
    Three dark forms moved closer. All three men fired at the same time, ending Comstock’s life. He flopped onto the ground and didn’t move. That didn’t stop them from emptying their six-guns into him.
    â€œWe ought to have left one of them alive.”
    â€œWe couldn’t get nuthin’ out of the one we questioned. I mean, we asked him all nice and polite and he wouldn’t tell us nuthin’ but lies.”
    â€œHe surely did spin a different tale from the one he told in town,” said another hidden man. His laugh was cold and evil.
    â€œWhat’s that?”
    The third man silenced the other two.
    Mirabelle thought they had heard her outcry or the pounding of her heart as it tried to jump from her chest. She took a better grip on the hand axe, ready to kill them all for what they had done.
    To her relief, they moved away, fanning out and fading into the dark.
    She started to go to her husband. There might be a spark of life left in him she could nurture and build back into the life he had once enjoyed. Before she could get to the camp, more gunfire rang out. She dropped her hand axe and clapped bloody hands over her ears in a vain attempt to block out the sound. She failed.
    â€œGot him. Only nicked him in the leg.”
    â€œThat’ll keep him from runnin’ like the other tried.”
    She recognized Terrence’s voice immediately as he cursed his captors. They dragged him back into camp and dropped him to the ground by the guttering campfire.
    â€œLet’s get some heat. Put a few pieces of wood on the fire.”
    One man obeyed, and the flames shot skyward. The sudden light blinded her for a moment or she might have gotten a better look at the attackers. Then all she could see was Terrence being held so his hand was near the fire.
    â€œWhy not tell us where the gold is?”
    â€œGo to hell,” Terrence grated out. Then he screamed when they forced his hand into the fire. The sizzle and pop sickened Mirabelle. Then she had to put her hand over her mouth and nose as the stench of burned human flesh drifted down on the night wind to her.
    â€œTry the other hand. They’re gonna call you Stumpy, if they call you anything at all,” warned an outlaw, the one she thought was the leader.
    Terrence screamed again as they burned his other hand.
    â€œWhat we’re askin’ ain’t worth the pain. You can always find more gold—if you’re alive to do the huntin’. Where’s the gold hid?”
    â€œI don’t know. We ain’t found it!”
    â€œNow, that’s not what your late and prob’ly unlamented friend had to say. He was boastin’ how you folks had found your weight in gold. We reckoned by now you were loadin’ it into that broke-down wagon of yours.”
    â€œNot find it. No gold,” Terrence sobbed out.
    â€œThis was a right nice campsite you had. Homey. But we might be persuaded into givin’ you a share of the gold if you tell us where it is.”
    Mirabelle knew the lie instantly. So did Terrence. He cursed them until they set fire to his coat—while he was still wearing it. The man ran about slapping at the flames, but the fire had found a home in the greasy cloth. He burned like a pitch torch.
    â€œShoot me, please, oh, God, the pain!”
    â€œBe glad to put you out of your misery if you’ll tell us where the gold is.” Again that uncaring laughter.
    Terrence died before he could think up a lie.
    â€œShit. We done kilt all of ’em and there’s no sign of the gold anywhere.”
    â€œWe got ’em all?” asked one.
    â€œThink so. Two women, four men.” The outlaw speaking paused. “Wish there was another woman. I didn’t get my chance with either of them others.”
    â€œGo jerk off. It’s better than anything I got out of mine.”
    Mirabelle felt woozy and sank down to hands