Partida Rol por web

-Excellent, Mr. Price, the Registrar replied and shook hands with both cowboys. -Here, I have prepared some preliminary documents, just sign on the dotted line here... And here... And also another cross here. Or signature.

While Hurd Price took the pen to sign, Richard Dusaine sorted out some paperwork for the extension of the Adams ranch also. That was an easier operation, but there were now some additional costs Vernon was not too happy about. But he also agreed.

-Ah, Mr. Price, before you leave town, please visit me quickly with your ... with Miss Laura Shelby. Her name will be on the deed also, if I have understood correctly. Or we can leave it with only your name. Whichever you prefer, sir.

-Lucas is the owner of the brothel and saloon, on that street take a left, the sheriff said and gave approximate direction. Sabbath was not a large town, and Lucas´ place was easy to find just off the main street. What Ryan found amusing was that Crowe did not know of the place, but go figure, maybe the youngster preferred the Broken Lance saloon. It also served some good whiskey. Or maybe he just wasn´t interested.

-Yeah, you can go check on Sinta. She hasn´t talked much since she got arrested, just minds her own business.

-Mayer -I said. He was away from me, so instead of offering my hand, I touched my hat as a sign of respect.

I said nothing more, but I didn't liked the situation. I didn't know which was his relation with Rossana, but maybe he was the danger Lucas warned me about when he told me not to get involved with her. I just kept there, behind the bar and finishing the drink, wanting Rossana to keep our relationship for ourselves.

Hurd noticed the barbed comment and had a little more trouble than usual letting it pass, but he managed at the cost of an impacient sigh.

- No, no, I'll bring her by later. - he said, dismissing Dusaine's offer with a hand gesture and deliberately avoiding any further explanation of why Laura wasn't with him now. In other circumstances he might have made some stupid, manly joke about it as he usually did when she was not around. But this time he didn't bother.

He turned to the window to have a look at the street, just wishing to see her coming. Hurd couldn't wait to finish business with the Registrar, stop messing around and leave town. Coming to Sabbath today of all days had probably cost him a hefty fistful of dollars already. He wanted to hit the trail before any more mishaps.

If only she could be done with whatever she needed to see Lucas for and get the hell here...

Jason went up the stairs without looking back. As Mayer finished his drink, Lucas gestured him to come over. -Mayer, let me introduce you to Laura Shelby. We know each other from way back, and she used to work for me. I consider her a friend. Laura, Mayer here has my full confidence.

After the introduction, Lucas explained the situation. -Laura has recently got married to a local farmer and cowboy. An honest hard-working man, from what I have heard. He rode for Bronson in some occasions. And he was in the wrong place at the wrong time... Lucas finished his coffee. -He is one of the men on that damn list Maddox carries around. Pardon my language, he said looking at Laura and then giving her a reassuring smile.

-What are your thoughts about this, Mayer?

The meeting was over for now, and the Registrar followed the two men to the door. -I shall have everything ready for Mrs. Shelby in half an hour, Mr. Price.

And he closed the door, apparently happy to see the two men leave his office.

Once outside, Vernon looked around. He did not feel comfortable standing on the street. -C´mon, let´s go get Laura. Maybe Lucas has the bar open and I´ll buy you a drink. He had noticed Hurd being somewhat uncomfortable with Laura´s sudden absence. Vern liked to grab the bull by the horns, so to speak. He could not understand why Laura chose not stay with Hurd on such an important visit, and why Hurd would not put his foot down for once. But it was not his business. -A hefty sum of money, eh? But you´ll be a land owner soon, pal, he smiled and tapped Hurd on the back and headed towards the saloon.

Oh, right - he remembered as Cotton was answering his question. He usually wasn't really interested in such affairs, so places like brothels or saloons were the first to disappear from his memory at the end of the day. Anyway, there wasn't anyone there who would want to remember him, so why would he remember any of them? 

If you don't mind - he said as he looked Harvey and Cotton, a second before he left them behind to go talking to Sinta. 

Hurd was glad to leave the Registrar's office and breathe some fresh air. For the last few hours his nerves were being put to the test for real and suddenly he felt more tired than anxious. He looked around. All seemed so normal, just another day in Sabbath. There was no lawman-looking stranger in sight.

- I s'ppose I could use a drink. Why not.

He walked with Vern while he lit a rolled cigarette.

- Yeah, I swear that brit just con'd us... - Hurd said with a half-resigned, half-knowing smile. - Gunna have to start plantin' dollars.

Crowe walked to the cells at the far end of the sheriff´s office. He found Sinta lying on the wooden bench, with her forearm covering her eyes. She still had her boots on, but her jacket and hat were hanging on the wall outside the small cell. There was an empty food tray, and a bucket for spitting or other things. The cell looked clean and she did not look to be hurt.

Crowe looked at Sinta for a little while, wondering if waking her up was a bad idea. She looked as comfortanle as you can be inside a cell, so his guess was she was doing ok. Then again, maybe she wasn't, and she was just handling it the best she could. Hell, the best anyone could. What would be better than just sleep it through? 

He cleared his throat loudly, so she would be alert instead of scared when he talked. 

Hey, how are you doing? - Crowe asked softly. 

-Huh? Ah, hi Crowe, Sinta said and got up from the bunk. Her hair was a bit of a mess, and she looked like she could do with a bath. -I´m OK I guess. This whole business, it ain´t really much do with me, ya know? I mean, I was in Bannock that nite, but I was sleepin´ in my room. But anyways, this is how it goes so... She shrugged her shoulders, and smiled reassuringly.  -How are the others?

Everyone's alright, I guess. Vincent Bronson is trying to sort things out. He wants you to know that he's gonna take care of everything, and that we're backing you up. - he said, trying to change the message as little as possible. Then he smiled, like laughing at an old joke - He also said for you to take it calm, but I can see that no one needs to tell you that - his smiled broadened - Is there anything I can do for you, little darling?

As two cowboys walked towards the saloon, Vern suddenly muttered something. -Hurd, don´t ya look now. The tin star is comin´ out from the church, with the minister.

Vernon stopped as if he was suddenly interested in the local barber shop. The church was on the very end of the main street, but Vernon had a very keen eye sight. He had spotted the marshal. However, Maddox had never actually seen Price or Adams, so in theory they had nothing to worry about. -C´mon, better we stay away from the main street, Vern said and walked with a group of people heading to one of the smaller alleys.

-Nah, don´t ya worry, she said and smiled. -Ya take care, and stay out of trouble, kid. I still wanna take you to Fort Worth one of these days, ya know?

I sure would love that, kid. - he smiled back at her - 'k, so I'm going. I'll see ya later, I guess. If there's anything you need, just tell Cotton to reach me. Bye! 

After that he walked out of there on his way to Lucas' saloon. 

Minister Tyner watched Maddox leave his church. He had to admit to himself he was happy to see the lawman go. There was something about him. The way he had looked around the church. “A man doesn´t see many churches like this… in a town like Sabbath”, Maddox had said. When the Minister had replied that the shape of the house of God did not matter, the lawman had talked about how a kind of church a man builds to pray in tells a lot about the man.

Further south, there are some fine, old adobe churches. Mexican. They're cool and dark inside to give a man peace. They're made for kneeling. This one's made for standing upright.

Samuel Tyner had taken offense. There was no easy comfort from God. And this beautiful church was built with a generous donation from Mr. Bronson. Tyner had a feeling Maddox already suspected that. He had come to ask where to find a map of the area. And now he was heading towards the Registrar´s Office.

Crowe walked out of the sheriff´s office and headed towards Lucas´ saloon. He crossed the main street and when he saw the saloon, he noticed two familiar cowboys coming from one of the smaller back alleys. Hurd and Price were sneaking or avoiding the main street apparently. To stay out of trouble. And it looked as if they were also on their way to Lucas´ place. Vernon greeted Crowe with a nod.

-It's a pleasure to meet ya -I said to Laura while Lucas drank his coffee, and then let him continue. When he asked, I answered sincerely-. My thoughts? Well, I won't lie to you: for what I know 'bout Maddox, he ain't gonna listen to any excuse, at least 'til the man is in prison. He's convinced he's gonna bring justice to Sabbath, and he ain't gonna stop 'til all those men in his list are arrested.

I looked at the lady.

-May I know what happened, miss? There's gotta be a reason -true or not- why he's on that list along with all that other scum... Forgive me for being so straight, I mean no offense, of course.

Laura was surprised to hear such frank and direct words from this man. It was not often one heard someone in Sabbath refer to Bronson´s men as “scum”. –None taken, Mr. Mayer, she said looking at her hands. She had dressed up for the visit to town, with her cream-colored Sunday dress and a nice red hat. –Hurd… He is on the list with the others ´cause a man was killed. Last spring, Bronson organized a cattle drive, and Hurd and Vern, that is, Vernon Adams, took part. They both have done work for the Bronsons, Vern more often. On their way back, they stopped in a town of Bannock and there was some drinkin´ and celebration. This is what Hurd told me. That they got drunk, and shot glasses and bottles and such. They did not know that anyone got hurt. But a bullet hit an old man killin´ him.

Laura sighed. It was a bit much. Just as she and Hurd were starting a new life. –I reckon if they go to Bannock and stand trial, there is a chance that the judge ain´t gonna hang no one. I mean, it was an accident. I´m also worried ´bout the town, Bannock. I mean, the good people with the rope…

Vigilante justice was the norm in many small towns in the frontier. Often, by the time a circuit judge got to a town, the accused had already been hanged without trial.