A Good Day To Kill by Dusty Richards Page A

bedrolls, and war bags were transferred, and they headed north at a good trot.
    â€œMy name is Pablo,” said the driver.
    â€œI’m Chet and he’s Jesus.”
    â€œYou must have much business in Tucson?”
    â€œYes, we’re U.S. Marshals.”
    â€œOh, I see. You are the Force, huh?”
    â€œYes, we’re part of it.”
    â€œGod bless you, hombres . I will drive, feeling much safer on my route with you riding with me.”
    â€œGood. That’s why we’re here.”
    Late that evening, the two took a hotel room and then went out to eat. Jesus knew a nice Mexican food place with soft music and a dancer. He promised Chet great food. It was all of that, and afterward they went back in the breathless city night to their hotel.
    â€œSure be nice to be home,” he said, pushing into the room.
    â€œOh, much better.” Jesus laughed.
    After a sidewalk breakfast from a vendor, they went by and saw Marshal Blevins. Chet knew he’d be there, since his boss was an early morning man. They had a nice conversation, and Blevins hoped they could return and finish their efforts.
    â€œI plan to do that. We need some time to heal. I need to see about my wife and my ranches, then we’ll be back.”
    Blevins shook his hand. “I’m counting on that. You’ve sure done your part here.”
    When they left his office, the day’s heat had set in. At the law office, his secretary said Russell Craft would see them right away.
    â€œWell, the head man of the federal force is here. Have a chair, Chet. Nice to see you, too, young man.”
    â€œAny news on our real estate problem?”
    â€œI have spoken to the prosecutor and he acts like maybe he doesn’t want to go forward with this case.”
    â€œThat would be like me letting captured killers return to Mexico unscathed. Prosecuting criminals is his job.”
    â€œIt might be good for you to tell the prosecutor what his job is.”
    â€œI can do that.”
    â€œWhat else?”
    â€œBuster’s man, Masters, hired killers to shoot me at my home. Promised them two-fifty more when they killed me.”
    â€œI’m sorry. You’ve done a tough job down here. The prosecutor should be on your side.”
    â€œWhat is this prosecutor’s name?” Chet asked his lawyer.
    â€œNiles Proctor.”
    â€œI met with several businessmen and lawmen who wanted the law enforced when I came down here and set up my command. You think he was there?”
    â€œI doubt it.”
    â€œAs a U.S. Marshal, can I request his help on this crime?”
    â€œYou sure have that authority. And, at your request, a judge could call on him to answer why he’s not working on it.”
    â€œI’ll do that. I intend to buy that ranch and make it a working one.”
    â€œI’ll remain on the case for you. It’s a simple case of fraud.”
    They shook hands.
    â€œYou ever trout-fish?” Chet asked.
    â€œOh, yes.”
    â€œI have some rough cabins up on Oak Creek. Drop a line in and it’s a cool, sweet place to hook fish.”
    â€œI’ll be up to see you.”
    â€œLet me know when you’re coming. Take a stage to Preskitt, and one of my men will show you up there.”
    â€œI will make plans to do that.”
    â€œI’m going over to see Proctor.”
    When they crossed to the federal court building, the day’s heat was already building. They found Proctor in his office. When his secretary showed Chet into the office, he blinked and took his flat shoes off the desk. “Marshal?”
    â€œMarshal Byrnes. I came to see you about this scandal over some false filings in the courthouse land office. I believe it was done to gain control of a large plot of land and was done by some prominent people.”
    â€œYou have any proof?”
    â€œA grand jury could pry it out of them. If you don’t get rolling on this, I plan to speak to the