THE DODGE CITY MASSACRE (A Jess Williams Novel.) (21 page)

             
Jess picked up the shotguns and reloaded both of them after he reloaded his pistol. He poured another round of drinks while Bodine and Jake carried out the bodies and threw them on the pile of the others and Jake went to get the undertaker. Wicks was smiling for the first time in weeks as he pinned his badge back on his shirt.

             
“I’ll check on any bounty money on those other men and try to let you know before you leave town,” said Wicks.

             
“Thanks Saul, I appreciate it. And, we are going to split it up four ways,” replied Jess.

             
Bodine looked up at Jess. “What do you mean, four ways?”

             
“Hey, Saul here threw in with us and I think it’s only fair that he receives a share of the bounty,” replied Jess.

             
“That’s fine by me,” said Jeff.

             
Bodine looked over at Saul. “I guess it’s the least we can do for you. I mean, I quit on you and the sheriff and I kind of feel responsible for what happened to you both,” said Bodine.

             
“John, there was nothing you could have done except maybe take a few of them down before they killed you and they would’ve killed me for sure if you had done that,” replied Saul.

             
Jake returned and joined them at the bar. “You boys sure made the undertaker a happy man.”

             
“John, why don’t you go out there and take whatever money those men have on them?” asked Jess.

             
“You really want me to go and rob dead men?” asked John.

             
“Why the hell not? It’s not like they’ll need it anymore,” replied Jess.

             
“Alright, but I don’t exactly like the idea,” replied John, as he walked out back.

             
“I ran into the mayor on my way back from the undertaker,” said Jake. “He wanted me to tell you that he and the town council are very appreciative of what you men did, even though it was a little over the line.”

             
“I suppose it was, but it was the only way to handle it without getting shot dead,” said Jess.

             
“Yeah, those men were just plain mean,” replied Jake.

             
John came back into the bar. “You won’t believe it, those men out there had a total of eight hundred dollars on them. Most of it was probably stolen money, but it is money just the same.” Bodine began splitting it up into four piles.

             
“Don’t bother with that,” said Jess.

             
“Why not? I thought we agreed to split all the money four ways?”

             
“We’ll split the bounty money four ways, but that money is going to the mother of that little boy who got trampled to death by those men. It won’t bring her son back, but it will help her out a little,” said Jess.

             
“I agree with Jess on this one,” said Parks.

             
John stopped counting the money. “I guess you’re right, Jess. Jake, can you deliver this money to the mother of that little boy?”

             
“I sure will and she can sure use it. She lost her husband last year and she is about to lose her house to the bank next,” replied Jake. “She’s had a bad run of luck lately that’s for sure.”

             
Jake ran out of the bar again to deliver the money. A few of the townsfolk started slowly coming into the bar and a few of them shook hands with Jess, John and Jeff and thanked them for ridding the town of the bunch of gunslingers. Jess told them the drinks were on him and they wasted no time taking him up on his offer.

             
The three of them, along with Saul, stayed in the saloon for a few more hours and drank along with the ever-growing crowd. Jess gave Jake two hundred dollars for all the whiskey and the damage to the bar. After a while, the mayor came in and personally thanked them for doing what they did. They had some overcooked stew Jake had on the stove in the back and then they walked back over to the hotel and got a good night’s rest.

XXX

              In the morning, Jess met with Bodine, Parks and Wicks at a small café in town for a large and well-deserved breakfast. The café didn’t look like much, but the food was delicious. After they ate, they were finishing up with their second pot of coffee when a woman came out from the kitchen and walked over to their table. She had a slim build, long hair and a nice smile.

             
“Saul, which one of these men is Jess Williams?” she asked in a very sheepish voice.

             
“You’re standing right next to him,” replied Saul.

             
She looked down at Jess and smiled. “My name is Heather Wheeler. I want to thank you for the eight hundred dollars Jake brought me last night. At first I almost didn’t want it, but when he told me it was the money taken off those men who killed my son, I was more than happy to take it. It won’t bring my son back, but it will at least help me keep my house. I didn’t expect such kindness from a man who kills men for a living,” said Heather.

             
“Well,” interjected John, “in his defense, he does only kill the worst of men.”

             
“Just the same, Mr. Williams, thank you so much again,” said Heather.

             
“You are welcome, and I’m really sorry about what happened to your son. I know what it feels like to lose family,” replied Jess. Heather walked back into the kitchen.

             
“That was a mighty nice thing you did for Heather,” said Saul. “She’s a very nice woman and she works here a few days a week, but it ain’t enough to pay her way. She does some laundry for people and cleans houses, but she’s had a rough go of it lately. On another matter, I think you boys are going to have to stay in town one more night.”

             
“Why is that?” asked Bodine.

             
“I haven’t found any information on the other men we killed last night. I have some messages going out to some of the surrounding town sheriffs and one to the U.S. Marshal’s Division. I should get some responses tomorrow, but it will take a while to get the money for you. The good news is the town council authorized immediate payment on the twenty-five hundred dollars of bounty on the first group of men we killed last night. They ain’t ever done that before so I guess you men made one hell of an impression on them.”

             
“Really?” said John. “They’re going to pay us before any paperwork is even filed?”

             
“Yes sir, they told me to go to the bank today and get the money in cash and pay you each your share,” replied Wicks.

             
“I guess Dodge City can wait one more day,” replied Jess. “We could use another good night’s rest anyway. I’m going over and get some more supplies. How about we meet up here later for some lunch?”

             
“That sounds fine with me,” replied Jeff, “but after that, I’ll be heading out.”

             
“I figured you might want to go to Dodge City with us,” replied Bodine. “There ain’t any shortage of gunslinger’s hanging around there.”

             
“Yeah, I know that, but I’m used to working alone although I have to say that working with the two of you was quite an experience and one I sure won’t forget anytime soon,” replied Parks.

             
“I’ll bring the money with me to lunch for you men,” said Wicks. “That way, you’ll have your money before you leave town, Mr. Parks.”

             
“That sounds fine with me,” replied Jeff, as they all got up and walked out. Jess headed for a general store in town and after that he walked over to the biggest bank in town. As soon as he walked into the bank, the manager, Sheldon Cooper, got up from behind his desk and walked over to Jess and stuck out his hand. Jess shook hands with him.

             
“I’d like to thank you again, Mr. Williams. I was in the saloon last night and had a few drinks on you. I don’t know if you remember me or not.”

             
“Yes, I remember you. You were seated at a table with the mayor and two other men wearing suits,” replied Jess.

             
“You have a real eye for details, Mr. Williams,” replied Sheldon Cooper.

             
“It comes in handy in my line of work,” replied Jess.

             
“So, what can I do for you? If it’s about the money the town council authorized to be paid, Deputy Wick already withdrew it,” said Cooper.

             
“That’s not why I’m here. I’m here on behalf of Heather Wheeler.”

             
“What a tragic thing that was, her son getting trampled to death like that. I saw it with my own eyes and it was the worst thing I ever saw in my life,” replied Cooper. “So, what is it you would like to do?”

             
“Is this the bank that holds the note on her house?”

             
“Yes, we hold most of the notes on houses in town since we are the biggest bank. I have been holding off on taking her house from her for the last few months and she came in this morning and paid all the back payments in cash. She said that you were the one who gave her the money. That was mighty nice of you, Mr. Williams.

             
“Well, the truth is, it wasn’t really my money, but I figured she deserved it. Anyway, here is what I’d like you to do for me. I’d like you to contact my banker in Black Creek, Kansas. His name is Mr. Jameson. I would like to buy Heather Wheeler’s note from this bank. Here is a letter signed by me and I will wire my banker in Black Creek to let him know to transfer the funds necessary to this bank.”

             
“Would you like us to manage the note for you?”

             
“No, after the note is paid for by my banker, I’d like you to transfer the note to my banker and he will handle it. I’ll give him the instructions he needs.”

             
“What are you intentions, if you don’t mind me asking?”

             
“I’m going to instruct my banker to reduce the interest by half and lower her monthly payments in half until she can get back on her feet.”

             
“That’s one of the nicest things I think I ever saw a man do for no real reason,” replied Cooper. “I’ll get the paperwork started and I’ll have it ready for you to sign tomorrow.”

             
Jess stood up and shook hands with Sheldon Cooper and walked over to the telegraph office to send the message with instructions to his banker in Black Creek. He started walking over to a general store for some supplies when he heard the all too familiar words again.
“Are you that Jess Williams fellow?”

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

              Jess slowly turned around after removing his hammer strap from his pistol. A man, who looked to be in his early thirties stepped off the boardwalk and out into the middle of the street about fifty feet from Jess. He wore a single six-shooter tied down low. The man was left handed, which was somewhat unusual.

             
“Do I know you Mister?” Jess asked.

             
“No, I’ve never met you before, although I’ve heard a lot about you. My name is Hutt Quick and my last name is Quick for a reason.”

             
“What is your business with me, Mr. Quick?”

             
“There is the little matter regarding the ten thousand dollars in blood bounty that has been placed on your head and I’m here to collect it.”

             
“Damn bankers,” said Jess.

             
“What?” asked Quick.

             
“Oh, nothing, it was just a personal thought and you wouldn’t understand anyway.”

             
Saul and John both came running down the street. Wicks was holding a shotgun.

             
“Hold on there, Mister. There ain’t going to be any gunfights here in town. If you try to pull that pistol, I’ll blow your damn head off with this here shotgun,” demanded Wicks.

             
“I’m just challenging this man to a fair fight. If he’s a coward and won’t face me like a real man, I’ll just wait and find him when he leaves town,” replied Quick.

             
Being called a coward usually provoked any other man, but it didn’t bother Jess at all because he knew he was far from being a coward. He simply looked at Wicks with a grin.

             
“That’s okay, Saul. If this man insists on a gunfight I might as well get it over with since what he said is true. He’ll just wait for the next opportunity.” Jess looked at Quick. “I’ll only ask you once to turn around and give this up or you’ll end up making the undertaker happier than he is already, if that’s even possible.”