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Episode Three concluded with:
The gunfighter cut him off. “I’m glad you’re the law in these
parts now. You see, when I was here about a year ago, I started a job. But
Sheriff Hodge didn’t cotton much to what I was doin’. Said he was gonna stop
me. I couldn’t kill Allen Hodge, the only decent man in town. But I could kill
you, Rob. Hey, what’s a gunfight between two old school chums, huh?”
Episode Four:
Wes
Torveen laughed as he began to saunter toward the saloon’s doors. He suddenly
stopped and looked at the owner of the general store, who was leaning against
the bar. “Got a favor to ask, Blake.”
Blake
gripped the bar as if for support. “Go right ahead.”
“That
pretty gingham dress in your front window. The one with the checkered pattern.
Save it for me. Tomorrow’s my sister’s birthday. I think that would make a fine
present.”
“Of
course, Rebecca would look lovely in that dress.”
“Yeah,
that baby sister of mine has grown up into a beautiful lady. She turns twenty
tomorrow. I’ll be by at mid-morning, Blake, and not just to buy the dress. I
may clean you out. Gonna make Rebecca’s twentieth birthday somethin’ real
special.”
Blake
Oliver wanted to encourage Torveen’s sudden switch in mood. “Lookin’ forward to
seein’ you tomorrow.”
The
gunfighter laughed scornfully. “I bet you are!” He looked around the saloon.
“Tomorrow is for pleasure. The day after, I’ll be getting’ back to business.”
Torveen’s
gaze rested upon the bartender. He pointed to the corpse, which was still oozing
blood. “I’d get that thing outta here if I was you, Stanley. You never know
when you might need the space for another body. Yeah. That floor could get
right crowded pretty soon. Good-evening, gentlemen. I’m sure enjoyin’ the class
reunion.”
***
Wes
Torveen was sleeping soundly. His gun belt was slung over a bed post, only a
few feet away from his left arm.
Buck
Torveen closed the bedroom door. His younger brother was down for the night, as
was his sister. He could keep that appointment now.
Buck
was only a scant inch shorter than his brother and had a similar build. Like
his brother, he had black hair, but unlike Wes, he did not sport a beard. He
headed for the stable and quickly saddled a roan. He was tense as he rode
toward town.
Monday: Episode
Five of One Arm Lightning
