Free The Pinkerton Job by J. R. Roberts

eh?”
    â€œYeah,” Sandusky said, “we should definitely do that.”
    The men did not react well to Rosario being put in charge, but when they raised their voices to protest, Sandusky shouted them all down.
    â€œDoes anybody else here know his way around Mexico?” he demanded.
    â€œI been there,” a man named Rizzo said.
    â€œYeah,” Sandusky said, “once, when you got drunk in El Paso and wandered across the border. No, Rosario knows his way around, and he’s gonna to be in charge until you all reach Mexico.” He looked at Rosario. “And then I’m in charge again. Got it?”
    â€œI got it,
jefe
,” Rosario said.
    â€œGood,” Sandusky said, “then Cal and me and Delilah will get movin’, and you boys follow us and get there as soon as you can.”
    â€œWhy’s Delilah get to go?” somebody asked.
    â€œAnybody else willin’ to let me stick my dick in your mouth?” Sandusky demanded.
    Nobody stepped up.
    Delilah smirked.
    Rosario’s chest was all puffed up as he strutted around, giving orders.
    â€œLet’s get out of here,” Sandusky said.
    *   *   *
    When they were out of earshot and sight of the rest of the men, they slowed to a trot.
    â€œThat ain’t gonna work out, boss,” Anderson said. “Those men ain’t gonna give Rosario the respect of a leader.”
    â€œThat’s because he ain’t a leader,” Sandusky said. “He’s a damn Mex.”
    â€œSo they’re gonna be totally confused,” Anderson said.
    â€œOh, yeah.”
    Anderson looked at Sandusky, who was staring straight ahead. There was a look of total satisfaction on his face. Riding beside him, Delilah was grinning broadly, revealing the gaps where her missing teeth used to be.
    â€œHarlan,” Anderson said, “I’m kinda glad we been ridin’ together as long as we been.”
    â€œWe been ridin’ together too long for me ever to do somethin’ like that to you, Cal,” Sandusky assured him. “But for the rest of them? There comes a time you gotta use whatever you got to get away. There’s always a chance Rosario and the others would kill members of a posse, or Siringo if he ain’t already dead.”
    â€œAnd at the very least, they’ll slow anyone who’s trackin’ us down.”
    â€œYou got it.”
    â€œSo we ain’t gonna look for somebody to buy them cows?”
    â€œNo, no,” Sandusky said. “We are. Just in case they do make it to Mexico with those cows, I want to be able to sell ’em.”
    Anderson shook his head.
    â€œYou got everythin’ covered, don’t ya?” Anderson asked.
    â€œHe always does,” Delilah said.
    â€œI try, Cal,” Sandusky said, “and that’s what makes a good leader.”

TWENTY-THREE
    Tom Horn’s face was drawn and pale.
    â€œTom—” Siringo said, but Horn cut him off before he could go any further.
    â€œI’ll be fine,” Horn said. “They’re just ahead of us a bit.”
    â€œHow can you tell?” Clint asked.
    Horn looked at him.
    â€œI can hear the cattle,” Horn told them. “And smell ’em.”
    Clint looked at Siringo, who simply smiled, meaning this was part of the reason he had recruited Tom Horn for the job.
    â€œI think the two of you should stay here while I check,” Horn said.
    â€œOkay,” Siringo said, “but don’t you dare fall off your horse while you’re on your own.”
    â€œDon’t worry, I won’t,” Horn said.
    He rode off ahead of them. Clint and Siringo stepped down from the saddle and opened their canteens.
    â€œHe can smell them?” Clint asked. “I can’t smell or hear a thing.”
    â€œThat’s why he’s the best.”
    â€œYou think he’ll stay in the saddle?”
    â€œI don’t think he’ll give in