Burkett, Chuck Conners, and the geologist.
Sam stared at his brother and then said, “I guess there ain’t much I can do about that, Evan.”
“I know,” Evan said. “It’s just that it hasn’t happened very often. Now, I sort of wonder why.”
“I suspect you’ve always been able to take care of yourself,” Sam said. “In the circle you travel in, you must have a rep of your own.”
“I guess I do,” Evan said. “I can’t imagine what it’s like to carry the rep you do.”
“It keeps people at a distance,” Sam said. “I can count my friends on the fingers of one hand.”
“Well, so can I, and I don’t have a rep to blame it on.”
“Maybe it just runs in the family. Pa never had that many real friends that I can remember.”
“No, and I don’t guess that Jube does, either,” Evan said. “I suppose we’re lucky to have one another.”
Sam laughed and said, “Maybe we just like each other because we never see each other.”
“That could be.”
Sam stood up, picked up his gun, and slid it into the oiled leather holster. He strapped the gun on and then picked up the rifle. Sensing what was coming, Evan collected his cards and put them away.
“Let’s take that ride out to the house,” Sam said.
“Can you ride?”
“Don’t worry,” Sam said. “I’ll manage to stay mounted.”
In the end, gun or no gun, they decided that Serena would go with them. When they reached the house and dismounted they all heard Sam groan as he put his weight on his right leg. He’d managed not to moan aloud when he mounted, but this time the sound escaped from him before he could stop it.
Evan and Jubal ignored the sound. Serena opened her mouth to say something, then thought better of it.
They entered the house and took the place in at a glance.
“There aren’t many places something could be hidden,”
Jubal said.
“There are no floorboards,” Evan said. “Let’s try thedrawers, and under the tables. Check and see if there are any loose stones on the fireplace.”
“I’ll check outside,” Jubal said.
Serena walked around, looking in things like sugar bowls and teapots.
Sam and Evan started at the same point and worked their way around in opposite directions. When they came face to face they both had the same thing to report.
“Nothin’,” Sam said.
They looked over at Serena, who shrugged and shook her head.
“I’ll check outside with Jubal,” Evan said.
When they were alone Serena said, “Maybe we’re looking in the wrong places.”
“We’re lookin’ anywhere a piece of paper could be hidden,” Sam said, “and that’s anywhere.”
Sam walked about studying the hard-packed dirt floor, checking to see if there was anyplace where something might have been buried. He was finished when Evan and Jubal came back in.
“Nothing outside.”
Sam looked up at the ceiling and said, “Just for the sake of being thorough we’d better check the roof.”
“Who’s going to go up on the roof?” Evan asked.
“Well, I can’t,” Sam said. “I’ve been shot in the leg, remember?” Evan looked at Jubal.
“Why me?”
“Because you’re the youngest.”
“What does that mean?”
“Your balance is better,” Evan said. “You’re the least likely to fall off.”
“Oh, never mind all this,” Serena said. “I’ll go up on the roof. Jubal, help me up.”
The roof was low, and it took only a boost from Jubal to get Serena up.
“Check the chimney,” Sam said. “There might be a loose stone.”
They waited while Serena checked the roof, and then when she was ready to come down both Evan and Jubal reached up for her and helped her.
“Nothing?” Evan asked.
“Nothing.”
“We’ll have to check that area you said Pa liked to hunt,” Jubal said.
“Yes, but we’ll have to do it tomorrow,” Evan said. “It’ll be dark soon.”
“If you men want to eat,” Serena said, “we’ll have to get back so I can cook.”
“Why don’t we go somewhere and eat?” Evan suggested.
“You have something against my cooking?” Serena asked.
“Of course not,” Evan said. “I just thought you could use a break.”
“Well,” Serena said, “it doesn’t sound like a completely bad idea. Where shall we go?”
“Is there anyplace decent to eat?” Evan asked.
“Well,” she said, thoughtfully, “there is one place.”
“The hotel?” Jubal asked.
“Oh, no,” Serena said, making a face, “certainly not. There’s a small cafe run by a friend of mine.”
“Well, then,” Sam said, “let’s get back to town.”
He didn’t want to let on how weak he felt, or how much his thigh was aching. When they got back to town he’d beg off from dinner. He had no appetite.
No appetite for anything but revenge. His wound, and the sickly feeling that accompanied it, could not extinguish that.
Chapter Sixteen
Normally a patient man, Coffin was becoming impatient. A man could have just so much food, drink, gambling and women—even when they were all free.
Lincoln Burkett had given Coffin an unlimited line of credit wherever he went in town. Coffin, to the surprise of the merchants involved, did not abuse the privilege. It was plain to see what kind of man Coffin was, and the townspeople moved out of his way when he walked down the street, much the way they moved for Sam McCall. McCall, however, had come from Vengeance Creek, and they had known his parents. Coffin was a stranger, and no one knew what to expect from him.
They certainly didn’t expect what they got.
When he ate in the hotel dining room or a restaurant, he was courteous and quiet. When he drank in the saloon he did so alone, and when he played cards he did so quietly and efficiently.
When he went to the whorehouse he treated the girls well, and though he did not have to pay he always gave them something.
In the span of a few days Coffin actually had some of the people of Vengeance Creek liking him.
Now he was growing impatient. He never liked staying in one place too long.
Coffin was having dinner in the cafe when Evan, Jubal, and Serena entered. Dude Miller had opted to stay home, and as he had planned, Sam had begged off and gone tohis hotel room. Miller had offered him a room at the house, but Sam had refused. If some of Burkett’s men came for him again—which seemed more likely every minute—he didn’t want Dude Miller or Serena caught in the crossfire.
In the morning, if he felt strong enough, Sam planned on riding out to see Lincoln Burkett. If the man really wanted him dead, he’d give him the chance to do it himself. As they entered the cafe Jubal saw Coffin, who nodded to him.
After they were seated Serena asked, “Who is that?”
“That’s Coffin.”
“Lincoln Burkett’s hired gun?” she asked. “Eating here?”
“Where would you have him eat?” Evan asked.
