Silver Creek - G.L. Snodgrass Page 0,48
few men laughed then slowly the conversations started up as men turned back to what was important, the drinks in front of them.
“Sheriff,” Doc Weaver called, motioning Luke over to join him at the table in the back corner. Luke studied the situation for any traps. The man was alone, the nightly poker game had not yet started. He quickly glanced over the crowd but Carver wasn’t there. Instead, he saw Scarlet give him a quick smile then turn back to hustling drinks from lonely miners.
Luke pulled out a chair and sat next to Weaver where he could keep an eye on both doors. Resting the rifle across his lap he raised an eyebrow at the man next to him. Dressed in a black frock coat and starched white shirt, the gambler looked as if the town was treating him profitably.
Weaver took a sip of his whiskey then said, “Sir, I do believe you have created a conundrum for this town. They want you to take down the Feltons, but closing the saloon for two days? That might be going too far. They can’t make up their minds whether you are on the side of the angels or not.”
“I ain’t going to be here long enough to care,” Luke said without taking his eyes off the room.
The gambler nodded as Frost walked over and put two glasses of whiskey on the table. “On the house, sheriff.”
Luke looked up and shook his head. “Don’t think this is going to change things. The next time someone is killed in this place I’ll shut you down for a week.”
Frost’s shoulders slummed before he turned back for the bar.
Weaver and Luke sat in silence for a long moment, both men studying the other without being obvious about it. The man was a mystery, to Luke. Well dressed, obviously educated, but he had a gun on his hip and if the stories he had heard were correct, it wasn’t just for show.
“I heard,” Luke started, “that you were here the night the miner got hurt and the day Felton shot at Sheriff Reed.”
Weaver nodded. “Front row seat. I do believe this story is better than a Shakespearean play. Drama, surprise, a dozen characters, each with their own agenda. The only question, is it a tragedy or a comedy?”
“Glad you’re enjoying yourself.” Luke sneered.
The man smiled, “We find our entertainment where we can.”
Luke thought of Becky. It would be nice to take her to a play. Show her the better things in life. Then he remembered where he was and forced his focus back on the man next to him. “I don’t know about that,” Luke said. “I’ll have to take your word for it. But I’ll be needing you to testify at the trial.”
The gambler pursed his lips, “I don’t know, sheriff, I was thinking of moving along. There is an entire world out there that needs exploring. Besides, people around here keep dying in the most unexpected ways.”
”The world can wait,” Luke said, as he turned to stare at the man. “You stick around or you’ll be sharing a cell with Felton until the Judge is done with you.”
Weaver didn’t blink, just stared back for the longest moment then dipped his head in acknowledgment. “What about if the Feltons get you first. There won’t be a trial. Might I be allowed to leave at that time?”
Luke laughed as he threw back his whiskey and stood up, “If’n I’m dead, you can do what you want. I ain’t going to care.”
The gambler lifted his drink in silent salute then downed it. Luke relaxed, the man would be there, he’d just given his word. Turning, he twisted his way through the crowd to the front batwing doors. He was just starting to push them open when Scarlet gently grabbed his arm.
“Carver,” she whispered. “Want’s to see you behind the livery.”
Luke raised his eyebrows at her in surprise.
Scarlet smiled gently, “He said you’d be coming in here looking for him and he didn’t want to talk to you where people could know. And I don’t think he’s the type who scares easy.”
Was it a trap? Was she setting him up? Or, was Carver laying a trap for him? His gut told him no. He could read people and these two weren’t the kind to do that. Not willingly. Besides, Carver had to be careful. It could be dangerous to be seen talking to the sheriff.
“Thanks,” he told her, grateful to have a step to take.
She smiled up