Free The Deputy - Edge Series 2 by George G. Gilman Page B

her. I figure that gives me some kind of responsibility to look out for her. So I’d have asked around to find out where the Brady place is and gone there.’
    North trickled out a stream of cigar smoke from the side of his pursed lips while his eyes expressed uncertainty. ‘Ted’s the law here in town when I ain’t around. He won’t take kindly to not being told about this.’ He tapped the envelope against a palm.
    ‘He’s about to hear of it from you, I guess. I’m a stranger to town. And the way things have been around here lately – killings and a rape and a kidnapping – how’s a feller new to town supposed to know who to trust?’
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    ‘Ted’s – ‘
    Edge went on: ‘Especially after you told me you were certain no one followed you up to Railton City. And didn’t know whether Eduardo Martinez had any idea where you were keeping the Gomez woman.’
    He looked bleakly toward the two men on either side of the bar counter who were still unashamedly listening to what was being said at the table. ‘And it seems to me like everyone I’ve talked to in this town knew you were bringing her back from there last night.’
    North seemed suddenly very weary. He thought for a few moments about what Edge had said, then sighed deeply and vented another stream of tobacco smoke as he nodded.
    ‘Sure, I get your meaning, mister. Look, I’m going to be the one to go out to the meeting place.’
    ‘You’re the sheriff so that’s the way it ought to be.’
    ‘But I’ll be needing someone to cover me. In the event there’s some kind of double cross in the wind.’
    ‘Straker’s your deputy, feller.’
    ‘That’s sure is right, George,’ Logan interjected firmly.
    Which drew a scowl from North before he returned his earnest attention to Edge. ‘I’ll need Ted to stay here and guard the prisoner. Like I say: in the event of a double cross.’
    ‘It seems to me there are a lot of able bodied men in this town,’ Edge said.
    ‘And it seems to me you’re still in need of a job. And you’ve got experience as my deputy. So if you want to wear a tin star for another few hours, I’ll pay you pro rata.’
    ‘It’s the best offer I’ve had so far today,’ Edge allowed evenly.
    ‘I’d guess it’s the only one,’ North countered laconically. Edge showed an ironic smile. ‘Your deputy figured the local undertaker might be hiring on help.’
    Logan drawled across the saloon. ‘It ain’t so much the burying of the dead that’s in your line of business, I figure, son. It’s more likely you’re on the scene earlier than – ‘
    ‘Shut up, Otis!’ North snarled, sounding close to the end of his patience. Edge eyed Logan impassively as he warned coldly: ‘Well, I’ll tell you this, old timer: if you call me son one more time it’s likely I’ll take a grave view of the matter.’
    North said as he shifted his attention away from the unrepentant Logan back to Edge. ‘So you’ll accept my offer?’
    ‘You’ve got yourself a deal, sheriff.’

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    ‘That’s good. It’ll take me an hour or so to ride out to the Brady place tonight. If I take my time: and I’m sure not going to race hell for leather out there. You come to the law office at seven and we’ll figure out a plan, okay?’
    ‘No sweat.’
    North stood up wearily, like it was late evening after a long day of hard work instead of mid-morning. Then he paused in a half turn and said grimly: ‘One thing I’d like you to know?’
    ‘What’s that?’
    ‘If I had to trust my life to only one man in Bishopsburg, that man would be Ted Straker.’
    Edge tipped his hat. ‘I’ve always been ready to learn from somebody in a position to know better than me.’
    North said ruefully: ‘Guess that makes you one of the old school, Mr Edge.’
    Edge dropped the cigarette butt into the dregs of his coffee cup as he replied: ‘There was a time a few years back when I used to be in a class of my own.’
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    CHAPTER •