Free The Accomplice by Marcus Galloway Page B

shooting had stopped.
    Doc waved off that question like it was a gnat buzzing around his head. “Forget about them. They didn’t bother showing up while Mays was poking his nose about.”
    “So I’m really free?”
    “You’re out here walking around, aren’t you?”
    “Yeah. I suppose I am.”
    “Then let’s get that drink and stop fussing about the past.”
    “Sounds good, Doc. I know just the place.”

    It was the busiest time of the night for any saloon, but the Busted Flush was even busier than usual. The moment Caleb walked in, the entire place exploded with cheers and joyous hollers, which died down just before shots got fired into the rafters.
    Caleb waded through the people, most of which he recognized, and made his way to the bar. Hank was all smiles as he reached across to slap Caleb on the shoulder like a proud father on graduation day.
    “Glad to have you back, Caleb!” Hank said. “I knew you wouldn’t be gone for long!”
    Caleb’s head was spinning as he looked around at the folks who were already getting back to their own revelry. “Jesus, I didn’t know so many people cared about what happened to saloon owners around here.”
    As if on cue, one of the less familiar faces in the crowd shoved past Caleb and snapped his fingers to get Hank’s attention. “Hey barkeep, you still handing out them free drinks?”
    Hank turned and quickly poured a splash of whiskey into one of the smallest glasses. When the other man saw that he was barely getting a finger and a half of liquor, he shrugged and downed it in one gulp. After letting out a wheezing breath followed by a twitch, the man dropped the glass and headed for the door.
    “Ah,” Caleb said as he looked around at everyone crammed into the Busted Flush. “Now it makes sense.”
    “We are happy to have you back, Caleb,” Hank said. “I just thought a party would brighten your spirits.”
    “It did, Hank. Thanks.”
    Suddenly, Hank’s eyes widened, and he put on another grin. “Is that you, Dr. Holliday?”
    “It certainly is. Did I hear mention of free drinks?”
    “Well, one free drink anyway. For the party. Here you go.” Hank poured the splash of whiskey into a clean glass and set it onto the bar.
    Doc scooped up the glass and downed the whiskey in a fluid, practiced motion. Reacting as if he’d taken a sip of milk, Doc set the glass down and nudged it forward. “Just one, you said?”
    Before Hank could respond, Caleb hopped over the bar and said, “Doc’s drinks are on the house. Every last one of them.”
    Although Hank smiled amiably, he shot more than a few wary glances in Caleb’s direction. “Are you . . . uh . . . sure about that?”
    “Yep.” Snapping his eyes in Doc’s direction, he added, “But just for tonight.”
    “Fair enough,” the dentist replied. Then he nudged the empty glass a bit more in Hank’s direction.
    Fretting to himself, Hank reached to the shelf behind the bar for one of the bottles of whiskey. After lingering for a moment, he shifted his hand toward one of the less expensive selections and placed it in front of Doc.
    With the bottle in one hand and his glass in the other, Doc poured himself a generous portion and downed it in much the same way as he did the first time around. As before, he barely even flinched as the firewater burned its way through his system. Lifting his empty glass to the barkeep, Doc said, “Hank, my friend, you and I are going to get along marvelously.”
    Seeing that Doc was doing just fine on his own, Hank walked toward the office in the back and motioned for Caleb to follow him. After fixing himself a drink of his own, Caleb went along happily as one of the other bar-keeps stepped in to take his place.
    “When did you and Dr. Holliday get so close?” Hank asked in a quick, hurried whisper.
    “We’re not blood brothers or anything, but he’s a good enough sort.”
    “I’ve only seen him about town a few times, but I’ve never seen him get involved as much