Whatever exists today and whatever will exist in the future has already existed in the past. For God calls each even back in its turn.” –Ecclesiastes 3:15, NLT
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My hand went instinctively to my gun. I pushed Doc to the side, ready.
“Miles! You scared me!” cried out Luciana. “Mateo told me what happened and with the boys in school I thought I might come by to help the Senora.” She then looked over my shoulder to where Molly was sitting. “She is all right, is she not?”
I was a bit disturbed at myself, ready to draw, and shoot if need be and it was only Luciana. I nodded, “Thank you for coming. Uh, let me open the door so you can get inside.”
She stepped in, saw Doc and gave him a greeting and hug, then hurried over to where Molly was at the table. Molly gave me a little wave, so I went on out the door, closing it behind me.
“Let me go check on my patient. I’ll get back to you later,” said Doc, then he rushed on across the street.
Rushing up the boardwalk, I wasn’t paying any attention and almost ran over Betty Chapman. “Why Miles, you should be more careful and observant of your surroundings,” she muttered with concern.
She was right, of course. What was going on in my head? I apologized profusely, she took it, then gave me a smile, nodding her head as if she understood. I’m glad she did. She informed me that she was coming down to see Molly and help clean up the diner. I turned to watch her continue on her trek. Friends–that’s part of what life is all about.
Continuing on up to the jail, I entered to see Lucas closing the door to the cells. For some reason, my attention was drawn to the fact that he was wearing a gunbelt. I knew he did, but it really never caught my attention. “You gettin’ any good with that pistola?”
He gave me a slight smile. “Charlie says I’m getting faster each time he takes me out.”
Nodding at him, I remarked, “Fast is good, but you have to be able to hit your target. I’ve known several who were faster than the person they faced but are now lying beneath God’s good sod.”
“Faster than you?” his eyes opened in amazement. “Senor Miles, you’re the fastest I’ve ever seen.”
“Lucas my boy, you ain’t seen much, but one of the reasons I’m still standing is that I didn’t miss.” For some reason my hand went to my side, the location of one of my many scars. It became quiet, and I said, “I pray that you never have to use that against another man.” Lucas dropped his head, then gave a slight nod.
To break up the solemnity, I asked, “How’s the prisoner? I came up to talk with him.”
“He doesn’t complain, even at the coffee I bring him,” replied Lucas, then he chuckled. “He said it reminded him of drinking tar.”
I slapped Lucas on the shoulder, “Well, Lucas, I don’t ever plan to drink tar, so I won’t have to make the comparison.” He smiled as I took the keys from his hand to open the door.
“Okay, Thornton, or is it Short? I want some answers.”
“Marshal,” he muttered as he moved to sit up on the cot. “Are you really going to hold me here? I’m truly not wanted in Colorado.”
“How about Kansas? I was told you’re a wanted man there.”
“This Thornton fellow might be, but as my dearly departed friend told you, I’m Josiah Short,” he paused for a moment then continued. “My brother, Luke, ain’t gonna like you locking me up in here.”
“I know Luke and I don’t reckon he’ll be a bother.”
His eyes widened quickly when I mentioned that I knew Luke Short, then he quickly gained his composure. “Give me the names of the other two men,” I ordered sharply.
“Uh, the one with the fur was Frank Upton; the other one from the kitchen was Curly Coy. He was a crazy man,” he told me, shaking his head.
“This doesn’t sound like something Teeter would do.”
Before he answered Lucas came into the cell area with a telegram. There was concern etched on his face when he handed me the telegram. “Sheriff shot, Peters dead — STOP — need your help. Deputy Lucius Tanner.”
“I’ll get back to you,” I told the man in the cell, then followed Lucas from the cell room. “Don’t say anything to your sister until you hear from me! Got it?” I headed for the train station to check the time of departure…