Free Broken Star (2006) by Terry Murphy Page A

from under his hat. An upbringing in business had given his narrow face the unmistakable cunning that comes from such an environment, but his thin body was alert with the tension of a hunting animal. Vejar noticed that for all his sharpness of features, the boy had impressively large and intelligent eyes.
    They were standing a little way into a copse at the end of Yancey’s main street, just far enoughfor heavy shadows to be cast. The town had a very peaceful atmosphere. Vejar found himself silently comparing it with the violence that would soon descend.
    He remarked. ‘You are not wearing a gunbelt, Jonathan.’
    ‘I have never owned a gun.’
    Neither have you fired one, I’ll bet, Vejar thought despondently. Yet, all alone except for old Dan Matthews, he was in no position to be choosy. Though it probably had never been put to the test, the boy had the look of someone who could handle himself.
    ‘Well,’ Vejar said, ‘as long as you know what you’re letting yourself in for, I’ll be glad of your help.’
    ‘He won’t let you down, Vejar,’ Randall spoke up. ‘With you to train him he’ll soon be a top man with a gun.’
    ‘There’s no time for that,’ Vejar exclaimed. ‘Do you stock shotguns in your store, Randall?’
    ‘The finest that money can buy.’
    ‘Then fix up your boy with one,’ Vejar instructed before he turned to the nephew. ‘You don’t need to be an expert with a scattergun, Jonathan. Just point it in the direction of who you want to gun down, and it’s impossible to miss.’
    With a nod that signalled he understood,Jonathan said. ‘I’ve a buddy, Len Hobart, who’d like to help out, too.’
    Though appreciating two volunteers, their crass inexperience reminded Vejar of how difficult the immediate future would be. He had yet to meet Len Hobart, but he was sure to be on a par with his buddy Jonathan where guns were concerned.
    Noticing his hesitation, Walter Randall advised. ‘This is the best offer you’ll get, Vejar. We sure appreciate you staying on to protect the bank and the town, and although we can’t give you the support you need, we are doing our best.’
    ‘You’re right,’ Vejar agreed. He slapped Jonathan on the shoulder. ‘You’ve got guts, Jonathan, and I guess that your amigo has, too. I’ll be happy to have you both along with me.’
    ‘That’s settled then,’ a contented Randall said.
    ‘It’s settled, Randall. You be sure to fix up both Jonathan and his amigo with shotguns.’
     
    Michael Poole strode angrily into the Twin Circle ranch house. Sitting at the table while their black maid placed cooked meals in front of them, his two brothers looked curiously up at him.
    ‘They have insulted us and the memory of Billy,’ Michael Poole complained bitterly as hepulled out a chair to sit at the table.
    ‘Who has?’ Lew Poole enquired.
    Remaining silent while the maid put his meal in front of him, Michael made no attempt to reply until she had left the room. Then he said, ‘Randall and the others.’
    ‘The town council?’ Lew clarified what his brother had said. ‘What have they done to get you so riled up, Michael?’
    ‘George Harker got himself shot last night.’
    ‘Dead?’
    ‘Almost.’
    ‘That means nothing to us,’ Lew muttered, ‘except that Harker won’t be around to interfere when we go after Vejar.’
    ‘That’s what I was about to tell you, Lew. They’ve gone and made Vejar a deputy sheriff.’
    A black rage blazing in his eyes, Lew Poole slammed both hands down hard on the table. The impact sent their plates flying, a cup spilled its contents on the table before rolling away to fall on the floor and shatter.
    ‘We owe it to Billy to see that Vejar isn’t a deputy for long,’ Lew said. ‘We wait no longer, boys. It’s time to get that mal hombre .’
    Abandoning his dinner, Ben Poole stood up. His oldest brother turned on him. ‘Where are you going?’
    ‘I’m going with you and Michael to get Vejar,’the slow-minded