Free The Pinkerton Job by J. R. Roberts Page A

to that injury until we catch Sandusky,” Siringo said.
    They found a couple of rocks to sit on. There wasn’t much for the horses to graze on, but the animals managed to find some weeds.
    â€œYou know,” Siringo said, “you didn’t sign on to ride way the hell into Mexico. I’ll understand if you wanna turn back.”
    â€œI didn’t sign on for any of this,” Clint said. “I offered to help, and that’s what I’m going to do. I’ll see this through to the end.”
    â€œAppreciate that, Clint,” Siringo said. “I think havin’ your gun along really evens up the odds for me and Horn against the whole gang.”
    â€œYeah, I know,” Clint said. “We got them right where we want them.”
    Siringo laughed. The two men touched canteens and drank.
    They both heard a horse returning and stood up to watch Horn ride back.
    â€œThey’re up ahead, maybe a mile,” Horn said.
    â€œHow many?”
    â€œLooks like nine or ten.”
    Siringo punched the air and said, “We had it figured right. Sandusky and Anderson have ridden on ahead to Mexico.”
    â€œAll right,” Clint said, “what are they doing right now?”
    â€œArguin’.”
    â€œWhat?” Siringo asked.
    â€œThat’s what it looks like they’re doin’,” Horn said. “Arguin’, fightin’ with each other. The cows are just millin’ around.”
    â€œAnybody on watch?” Siringo asked.
    â€œNobody,” Horn said. “Right now they’re mostly standin’ around yellin’ at each other. A few of them are on horseback.”
    Clint and Siringo exchanged a glance and the detective said, “Sounds perfect.”
    â€œLet’s go have a look,” Clint said.
    They mounted up and followed Horn for just about a mile, when he pointed ahead.
    â€œDown there,” he said.
    â€œWe should go on foot,” Siringo said.
    â€œIt don’t matter,” Horn said. “They won’t see us ’til it’s too late. In fact, you can hear ’em from here.”
    They fell silent and both Siringo and Clint could hear the raised voices.
    â€œLet’s go,” Siringo said.

TWENTY-FOUR
    In the end they decided that Clint and Siringo would use the cattle for cover and get closer on foot to the outlaws. If they could catch them by surprise, maybe they could take them with a minimum of risk, and blood. Horn would remain mounted and cover them from higher ground with his rifle.
    They tied their horses off and circled around the herd. They could still hear the men arguing . . .
    *   *   *
    â€œI don’t care what Sandusky said,” one of the men was shouting, “you ain’t no leader.”
    â€œWell, I am today,
cabron
,” Rosario said. “Now get on those horses and tend to the herd.”
    â€œWe ain’t doin’ what you say,” another man said.
    Skeeter, who wondered why he or Nelson weren’t put in charge, said, “Now listen. Sandusky put Rosario in charge. We gotta—”
    â€œWe ain’t gotta do nothin’,” another voice said. “If we follow Rosario, we’re all gonna end up dead.”
    â€œOr lost,” still another voice chimed in.
    Rosario put his hand on his gun, which caused the other men to do the same, and they were just seconds from shooting each other . . .
    *   *   *
    Clint wondered if they shouldn’t wait and see if the men
would
shoot one another, but he and Siringo had split up, and Charlie was already moving toward the group.
    He had to back the detective’s play.
    *   *   *
    Horn sat his horse and sighted down the barrel of his rifle at the group. They all seemed to be facing down one Mexican, who suddenly put his hand on his gun. Horn wondered if he fired now, would they all started firing at one