Free Slocum 394 : Slocum and the Fool's Errand (9781101545980) by Jake Logan Page A

the back door of your barn open while you were shoveling out the stalls!”
    Jack fixed a glare onto Oscar and made an offer that was just over half the one he’d been considering before hearing that bit of news.
    Reluctantly, Oscar agreed. “Give me the money and get the hell out of my sight.”
    â€œThat’s no way to speak to your customers,” Jack said while counting out the money. “We might get upset and come back to teach you some manners.”
    At first, Oscar didn’t seem impressed. Then, the hand he held out for the money began to shake and his eyes widened. “Sorry about that. I’m just trying to earn a living.”
    â€œI understand.”
    â€œYou and your friends are welcome back anytime.”
    â€œThat’s good to hear.” Jack blinked and then asked, “Did you say friends? You mean someone other than him?”
    â€œNo,” Slocum said. “Not me. I think he means them.”
    Jack was the only one not looking at Main Street, and when he did shift his gaze in that direction, he immediately dropped the saddle he was holding. “Shit!”
    â€œYou know them?” Slocum asked.
    â€œYeah. Where’s the damn horse?”
    Oscar was rooted to his spot. As soon as Jack had dropped his things and bolted into the stable, the four men riding down the street drew their pistols and charged.
    Slocum drew his Schofield and dove at Oscar to push him out of harm’s way. Both of them hit the ground hard as the first wave of gunshots tore through the air above them. Firing toward the riders as he got back to his feet, Slocum asked, “Who the hell are they?”
    â€œRobbers!” Jack shouted from directly behind him. Having found the horse he’d just bought, he’d regained enough of his senses to realize he needed his saddle and reins to best ride away from there.
    â€œAre they the ones who shot your horse?”
    Another burst of gunfire ripped through the air and tore into the stable’s wide front door. “Looks that way.”
    â€œWhat are they after?”
    â€œMy money! They must’ve known I had it and they probably thought I wouldn’t have just left it. Must’ve followed my tracks back here.”
    Oscar had gotten to his feet as well. Although he’d found an old hunting rifle, he didn’t seem ready to use it. “Get these men away from my livestock before any of them gets shot!”
    â€œWorking on it,” Slocum said as he sighted along the top of his pistol. From the instant he pulled the trigger, he knew it would be a miss. However, the round blazed close enough to the group of men to scatter them in two directions. Some of them rounded a corner that would allow them to circle around the stable, and the rest peeled away to charge down a wide alley between two neighboring buildings.
    Slocum took the opportunity to replace the spent rounds from his pistol with fresh ones from his gun belt. Now that the riders were no longer shooting at him, Oscar fired several shots in their general direction.
    â€œGet that horse saddled and ride out the back,” Slocum said.
    â€œBut they’ll just come after me,” Jack replied.
    â€œThat’s the idea. If they’re after you, then we should be able to lead them away from here.”
    Oscar couldn’t nod fast enough when he said, “I like that idea.”
    â€œShut up and get that back door open,” Slocum said while collecting his horse. He could have been in his saddle and galloping away if not for the fact that Jack was still struggling with the buckles of the rig he’d just bought. Once again, a pang from that damn conscience of his put Slocum into the line of fire.
    â€œHow long have these men been after you?” Slocum asked while cinching one of the other man’s buckles tight enough to hold the saddle in place.
    â€œThey must’ve seen the money I took from those saddlebags. They probably