Dark Trail by Ed Gorman Page B

cash.”
    He had never seen her look happier or more radiant. The mention of ten thousand dollars put a grin on her face that was wonderful to see. “Ten thousand dollars? But how?”
    â€œJust to do a little shooting is all,” Frank said.
    â€œFor a show of some kind?”
    For the first time, he was hesitant. “No, not a show exactly.”
    He walked over to the window. The main street was alive. He wanted to be down there fancied up this way, people staring at him and knowing who he was.”
    Not facing her, he said, “Ben Rittenauer and I are going to have a gunfight.”
    â€œFrank, are you kidding?”
    She set the flowers down and came over to him. Touched his elbow. He still wouldn’t look at her.
    â€œFrank, I asked you if you were kidding.”
    â€œNo, I’m not kidding.”
    â€œBut Frank, you’re no match for Ben, and you know it.”
    Now he looked at her. “He’s not who he used to be. He’s getting older.”
    â€œBut so are you.”
    He took her arms and pulled her to him. He hugged her. “Just think of all the things we can do with that money.”
    â€œBut Frank—”
    â€œTen thousand dollars, Beth. We’ll go to Chicago and Kansas City and—”
    â€œOh, Frank,” she said, as if she were talking to a little boy with too many fanciful notions. “Oh, Frank.”
    And then they just stood there a long time, not speaking, Frank thinking of ¿he ten thousand dollars and her thinking how Frank would soon be dead and it would be time to find another man.
    Guild found the two of them—Ben Rittenauer and Hollister—in a restaurant. They sat at a table along the wall. Coffee and bacon smelled good on the morning air.
    Hollister saw Guild before Rittenauer did; he frowned.
    Guild went over anyway and said, “I wouldn’t have anything to do with him, Rittenauer.”
    Rittenauer looked amused by this. “You wouldn’t, huh? And just who the hell are you?”
    Hollister said, “His name is Leo Guild. Frank Evans took his wife away from him.”
    â€œOh, that’s right, Guild,” Rittenauer said. He smiled a hard quick smile. “I guess that gives us something in common, losing women to Evans.”
    â€œHollister and his boss don’t give a damn whether you live or die. They just want a show put on so all their rich friends can have a laugh.”
    â€œMaybe you should have been a preacher, Guild,” Hollister said.
    â€œMaybe I should have.”
    â€œI don’t remember inviting you over, Guild. Why don’t you go find a table of your own?” Hollister said. He nodded at Rittenauer. “Ben and I were having a nice pleasant talk over a nice pleasant breakfast. Right, Ben?”
    Rittenauer looked up at Guild. “That’s the truth, Guild.”
    â€œMaybe Evans won’t do it,” Guild said. “Maybe he’ll be sensible for once.”
    â€œAfraid you’re a little late for that,” Hollister said. “I’ve already talked to Evans and he’s delighted with the opportunity.”
    Guild said, “You know damn well Evans doesn’t have a chance against Rittenauer here.”
    Hollister shrugged. ‘That’s the thing about gunfights. There’s always a surprise or two. You never quite know for sure who’s going to win.”
    Guild said to Rittenauer, “I suppose you’ve been waiting a long time for this.”
    â€œA long time,” Rittenauer said. He studied Guild’s calm face. “You mean you never thought of killing him yourself?”
    â€œI thought about it.”
    â€œHe’s a little too free with other men’s women.”
    â€œYou make it sound as if the women don’t play any part in this. They make choices the same as men do.”
    Rittenauer’s face tightened. “I spent a lot of nights thinking about her in his bed. That’s not a