Then I realized that God allows people to continue in their sinful ways so he can test them. That way, they can see for themselves that they are no better than animals.”
–Ecclesiastes 3:17, NLT
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I glared at Tanner, “Where can I find McGinnis and this so-called Kid?”
A look of fear came across his face and he had trouble answering. “You can stay here, I won’t need the help from the likes of you.”
Then I heard a sound from the area of the cells, then Doc Minton hollered, “Marshal, get in here!”
Charlie’s eyes were open, moving about frantically. “Miles,” he groaned out a whisper. “They tend to stay in the Glass Slipper.” He closed his eyes and I thought he had gone back to sleep. Just as I started to rise and go out. “Miles,” came the moaning voice again. “Be careful…” He wanted to say more, but passed out.
Reaching down I patted him on his good shoulder, “I will Charlie, I will.”
“Marshal,” came the voice of the doctor, “did you look closely at this wound when you dressed it?”
I gave a little shrug, then answered, “I was more concerned with getting him patched than doin’ a thorough examination.”
“For your consideration,” he began, looking up from Charlie, “he was shot in the back. I think he was trying to warn you.”
That would be Charlie. “He goin’ to be all right?”
Doctor Minton stood to his feet, then looked me up and down. “He’s lost a lot of blood, but he should be all right barring infection. I’ll come back by tomorrow to check on him. If he comes to see if you can get him to eat. He needs to build up his strength.”
I went back to see Tanner as the doctor was putting his coat on and putting his tools back in his bag. He nodded to me as he went to the door and stepped out. After I got my directions, I followed behind him. He was halfway down the street when I noticed that a man seemed to be following him, walking on the other side of the street. I glanced up towards Blair street and my destination, but figured I should make sure the doctor got home safely. I began to follow, at a distance, staying mostly in the shadows, not hurrying but keeping my attention primarily on the stalker.
The man stopped at the entrance of the store next to the corner as the doctor crossed the street and moved northward. I slipped into the alcove of a business, watching. A few seconds went by, then I saw the man slowly move to the corner to peer around, then he continued on. I made my move to cross the street, glancing backward to make sure I wasn’t being followed.
I was reminded of a rat, the way the man darted here, then over there. Quick moves, not the kind one would make if they were truly good at following. In my mind, I thought of him as a runt, for he was not a big man. I breathed a prayer, as I continued to follow him.
Doc reached his office which included his home upstairs and went in. The man I was following pulled his gun moving closer to the structure. He didn’t bother to check if anyone was following as he stepped up on the porch. I now hurried to get in position. Holding the Greener in my left hand, I pulled my pistol.
As the man reached down to turn the knob, I hollered from the edge of the property, “Hold it! Put the gun down!”
He turned, pointed the gun at me…