Tough to Kill by Matt Chisholm Page A

said: “You know I don’t like to see a gun out in my town, Rem.”
    McAllister said: “I made a citizen’s arrest when the law wasn’t available.”
    Foley said: “He assaulted us.”
    â€œYeah,” said McAllister, “all five of you. Ain’t I the big bully.”
    Evalina said: “Who pays for the damage?” Nobody took much notice of her for a change.
    Gibson said: “You makin’ charges against McAllister, Foley?”
    McAllister smiled. “I’m makin’ charges against all five of these polecats.”
    Gibson looked like a worried man. He knew this could lead to a lot of trouble that could be hard to handle. If he arrested these men, he could have Markham down on him. He wasn’t afraid of any living man, or so he told himself, but that didn’t mean he was a damn fool. Life would be a whole lot easier with Markham on his side and not against him.
    â€œWhat charges?” he asked.
    â€œAssault.”
    â€œYou got witnesses?”
    â€œEvalina and Nutall.”
    The sheriff turned his eyes to the woman and to her help who had appeared in the doorway. He still held the greener in his hands.
    Evalina said: “I wasn’t there. McAllister knows I wasn’t. I left before the trouble started.”
    â€œMy friend,” McAllister remarked.
    Nuttall took his lead from his employer.
    â€œI never seen nothin’ neither,” he said. “I ducked down behind the bar and didn’t see nothin’.”
    Gibson suggested: “You must have heard somethin’.”
    â€œI covered my ears. I thought there was goin’ to be shootin’.”
    Gibson almost smiled. Goad giggled. McAllister’s gun was on Foley and it didn’t waver. Dolan’s right hand moved.
    McAllister said: “Watch your hand, deputy,” and Dolan’s hand jerked clear of the gun.
    Gibson said: “It don’t look like you have much of a case, Rem.”
    â€œAll right,” McAllister said. “No charge of assault. But what would you call burnin’ a man’s house and runnin’ off his stock? Is that breakin’ the law?”
    â€œYou know durned well it is.”
    â€œThat’s what these men did. Take ’em in, George.”
    Gibson looked at a loss.
    â€œFoley,” he said, “what do you say to this charge?”
    â€œDeny it.”
    â€œYou got witnesses, Rem?”
    â€œSure.”
    â€œWhere’re they at?”
    â€œWhere Markham can’t get at ’em.”
    â€œWell, you bring ’em into town purty damn quick. I ain’t holdin’ these men long.”
    Foley let out a growl.
    â€œYou ain’t holdin’ us a-tall, Gibson. You know what kind of a man this McAllister is. He’s a plain trouble-maker. Why didn’t he come armed in broad daylight and attack Mr. Markham himself? You can’t hold us an’ you know it.”
    People had collected by this time and were watching the proceedings with interest. The two deputies started shooing them away, they went a few yards and drifted back.
    Gibson said: “In view of the charges, I’m takin’ you men in. Maybe, the judge’ll allow you bail. I hope to hell he does. Too much of a chore, feedin’ five of you. The taxes won’t bear it.”
    McAllister said: “I’ll put my gun away, George, if you an’ your boys draw yours.”
    The law drew their guns.
    â€œGet walkin’,” Gibson said and the five men trooped offthrough the dust in the direction of the sheriff’s office.
    McAllister holstered his Remington and the sheriff said over his shoulder: “Best get your witnesses into town fast, Rem.”
    McAllister watched them down the street and turned to Evalina.
    â€œMy pal,” he said.
    Her eyes snapped.
    â€œThat’s ten dollars’ worth of damages,” she said. “I told you no fightin’ in my place.”
    He took