Partida Rol por web

Hurd felt a cold sweat down his spine. He stopped at the barber shop with Vern, dropping the cigarette and standing on it. He didn't dare looking, but he could almost feel the presence of that tall, dark, faceless silhouette that was the lawman in his imagination.

Hurd followed Vern into the alley without uttering a word, head down, while considering the fastest, safest way to leave town. With Laura, if possible. If'n she want, he thought with bitter cynicism.

As they walked back to the main street, Hurd tried to catch a glimpse of the lawman, his eyes darting nervously from the shadow under his hat. Then, when they were approaching the saloon, he saw Crowe Wheelwright. Hurd's eyes widened with surprise. It had been a long time since he had last seen his compadre. But Hurd just nodded at him with a tense half-smile; now was not a good time for friendly greetings. It looked like Crowe was also heading to the saloon. With luck Maddox was going somewhere else and they would have a moment to talk safely inside Lucas' place.

Seeing Maddox go from one place to another he had the impulse to just go and talk to him, but he knew better, and he remembered what he had been told. Also, any conversation he could have with him now would be not even half as good as the one he could have after he talked with the right people. Then again, he wasn't even supposed to exchange word with him on that day. 

As his eyes met Hurd's, he tipped his hat in his direction to greet him. He was too busy to have a chat right now, but maybe, if he had the time, he would for him later. At least that was what he though before he realized he was going towards Lucas' saloon as well. 

Just to be cautious, he waited until they were both inside before saying hi.

-Sorry to say, but things are looking bad for your man. Bronson's been hiring some low reputation men these days, including former outlaws, thiefs and killers. Their fame precedes 'em, and if your husband's involved with them, I guess his word ain't gonna mean much for any judge in the county.

I looked at the woman in the eyes.

-I know this ain't what you want to hear, but I don't want to give you false hopes. I know some of the men working for Bronson now, and they're dangerous.

Yeah, I ain't very good at cheering up people, but life ain't easy, you know. And giving hope in a hopeless-looking situation like that wouldn't help when the final moment comes. She'd better be prepared for the worst.

I looked at Lucas. I knew my words wouldn't like him either, but trust me when I say I was convinced it was for the best. You had to be prepared for everything in those days, specially when it came to dangerous and powerful men like Bronson and his cowboys.

Crowe, Vernon and Hurd walked into Lucas´ saloon. It took a few seconds for their eyes to get used to the dim light after the bright sun. They were greeted by a board announcing an upcoming gambling event.

The place was still closed, but a barman was cleaning the kitchen at the far end, and there were three people sitting on a table close to a window. Lucas, the owner, and Laura and another man wearing a nice jacket and fancy polished boots. They were having a palaver, and did not take notice at first of the three cowboys.

-And I think, judging by their looks, that there you have some of 'em - I said to Laura when I noticed the three cowboys in the saloon.

-Excuse me -I said to my companions, and stood up from the chair leavin' 'em to continue the chat in the table. I walked a few steps, lookin' to the three cowboys. They seemed like some of the infamous Bronson's men.

-Howdy -I greeted-. I'm afraid the bar ain't open yet, fellers.

Hurd had a quick look around the place as they went through the batwing door. A familiar name written on the announcement board caught his attention. Not keen on gamblin', huh? - he thought - You crooked skunk...

He spotted Laura sitting with Lucas and another man, talking like nothing was happening. Seeing her there with the two men didn't help much to appease him, but at least she was there.

But Hurd was more worried about Maddox right now. As soon as they were all inside, he stood by the closest window looking outside to check what the lawman was doing. He only turned briefly to answer the man, pointing at Laura with a head gesture.

- Don't worry, pardner. - He said, sounding a bit coarser than what was usual in him. – I'm with the lady.

How do you do - he answered to the man who walked towards them. Crowe was there on business, not pleasure, so if the place was closed he couldn't care less. Well, unless the people in there wouldn't give him a second to talk about a thing or two - Looking for Lucas. Am here to talk about Maddox. 

I din't answered to the feller who talked first, and looked at Laura and Lucas before doing anything. I had the feeling that Laura wouldn't be comfortable with the cowboys' presence there; I was sure as hell Lucas wouldn't tolerate anyone to annoy his friend, and I was in charge of security in the saloon after all, so I waited for orders in silence. I just didn't like the situation with those Bronson men there, acting like the owners of the town, and Jason upstairs with Rossana.

The second man said he was lookin' for Lucas.

-Mr. Decroux is busy right now, as you can see -I said, makin' a reference to the couple sat on the table behind me. I didn't want to sound agressive at all, but I wasn't in a very good mood, and anyone could realize that from my voice-. Maybe you can come back later, when we open, and arrange a meeting.

Vernon took a step closer, and tipped his hat. –Howdy, Lucas. Laura, he said nodding towards the people he knew or had met. Then he looked at the man standing in front of him. –I see it is early on this fine morning. My name is Vernon, Vernon Adams. But everyone calls me Vern. My compadres here, Crowe Wheelwright and Hurd Price were just attending … some business in town, and we´ve come to meet Laura… Miss Shelby here.

Then he added: -Mrs. Price, that is, and pointed towards Laura.

-Well well, ain´t this a small world, Lucas said leaning back on his chair and looking over Mayer´s shoulder at the three men. –My foreman, Mr Mayer here, was just talkin´ about the men working for Mr. Bronson.

The saloon and brother owner grabbed his crutches and with some difficulty moved his chair to make room. –It´s alright, Mayer. No time like the present, eh? Gentlemen, have a seat. So, what´s on your mind?

Lucas was smiling, but his mind was busy trying to see how this hand would play out. He glanced at Mayer, and his eyes signaled him to remain standing, just behind Vernon and Crowe.

Hurd would probably sit down next to Laura. All three men had come to town armed.

-Mayer -I said when finally someone made the introductions-. Everyone in town calls me Ace, anyway.

I looked at Lucas when he said it was alright to let the fellers get closer, and said yes moving my head. I moved aside to let 'em get to the table and take a sit, but I didn't do it myself. I remained standing, behind Vernon and Crowe. I didn't know what were those bussiness that brought 'em to town about, but I noticed they were carrying their guns with 'em. I didn't trust 'em a bit, just like I didn't trust Jason, and he was still upstairs. Actually, he had been there for too long, in my opinion.

Hurd left the window and joined the others as Vern finished talking.

- Pardon my manners, Mr. Decroux. Mr. Mayer. I'm Hurd Price. - he said, tipping his hat and walking to a chair next to Laura. He grabbed her shoulder gently as he sat down – Dear...

Hurd was very interested in what Crowe could have in mind about Maddox, and why he wanted to talk with Decroux. Apparently Lucas was the man of the day; everyone wanted a word with him. Hurd looked at the saloon's owner, studying his kind, smiling face. He didn't know Lucas well enough to feel confident with him - and Mayer, for that matter. Laura seemed to do though. He didn't know either what they had been talking about exactly. Suddenly he felt like everyone in the room knew more about what was happening than himself, despite being in the center of the storm.

Hurd decided his best move for now was listening to what the others had to say. He got some tobacco out of his pocket and started rolling a cigarette to keep his hands busy, while keeping an eye on the door.

It didn’t take to be a genius to realize that they weren’t precisely wanted in there. At least by the lady and the oh-so-joyful fella that had come to welcome them. If that could be called a welcome, of course. He was about to accept on coming back later, but then Vernon introduced him and he remembered that he had no time to waste. Every second without a progress was a second in vane that Sinta spent on that cell.

When invited, he entered the room, grabbing a chair and sitting by Lucas and his guest. But even when he sat, Ace lingered standing behind him and Vernon. Saying he didn’t trusted him was an understatement, but this was Decroux’s territory and that was his man, so he kept quiet and dealt with it the best he could.  Maybe he would take his agreement to let him stay standing behind him as a sign of good faith.

He waited until Vernon took a sit before talking. Crowe could be very pacient, but today wasn’t a day for having a glass or two and chat about whatever the rumor of the day.

I was hoping you could tell me about Maddox. I heard you two had history. – he said to the owner of the saloon, without any subtleties. Maybe he could get out of there soon and let the others spend their time as they pleased. 

Lucas looked at Crowe without saying a word. He was not in a hurry to answer the young cowboy. To his left, there was Laura. And her man Hurd next to her. Then Vernon Adams, a veteran cowboy with a solid reputation around here. Mayer was standing behind Vernon and Crowe.

Everyone kept a close eye on the men in front, and you could cut the tension with a knife. Suddenly, the silence was broken by the sound of passionate lovemaking from upstairs. Someone was visiting one of the working girls. Vernon half smiled when he heard the noises, but kept his eyes fixed on Lucas. He knew Mayer was behind him, but he also knew it would be the saloon owner who would give the order…

-You could say that, he said to Crowe and the others after a while. –There was a time when we were close. We used to be friends.

The way he said the word “friend” had all the meaning and strength only men in the frontier can understand. A bond between two men fighting for their place in this tough world. -Together we did many towns. Claremont, Canyon City, San Acoma...

He looked up behind Mayer to see the barman bring a bottle of good whiskey and five glasses and leave them on the table and then he disappeared again. –That was a long time ago. There´s been trouble between us. And now, Maddox has arrived in Sabbath.

Lucas grabbed the bottle and filled the glasses to the rim. –You are in a heap of trouble if Maddox´s got your name on a list, he said looking at Hurd. And you, Crowe, he´s after you also?

Why else would he get involved, he thought to himself as he drank the whiskey to sooth the painful memories from the past.

This could turn really ugly really fast. And even though he wasn't trying to pick up a fight with anyone, the obvious tension and the man standing right behind him made him a little nervous and his pessimistic side easily showed though his expression. He frowned his eyebrows, uncomfortable with the situation as much as with the noises coming from upstairs, but listened carefully at what Lucas had to say. 

When the owner of the saloon served whiskey, he took a sip from his glass and then left it back on the table. 

He ain't. I'm here on behalf of Vincent Bronson, just to set up a meeting between him and Maddox. But I heard you and this guy right here - he pointed with his thumb towards his back, where Mayer was standing - had a little bit of history with him, so I was hoping to get something to work with.  

-Well, I don't know what you've heard, feller, but that ain't true. I met the man some time ago at San Acoma, long before I arrived to Sabbath. We met at a godforsaken mexican cantina, just shared a drink and spoke for a while about some dead man who had just passed away. We never met again 'til he reappeared around here carrying a girl to jail: I was with sheriff Cotton in his office when he arrived.

I stopped for a second.

-If you want to call that 'to have a story'... -I really didn't know what those men were doing there. If they were just looking to arrange a meeting between Maddox and Bronson, why would they have any interest in my or Lucas' story with him?

...And those damn sounds. I had a really bad feeling, a shiver ran through my body. I just wanted to run upstairs and make sure that the woman screaming wasn't Rossana. If that bastard was trying to force her, I'd fucking kill him, no matter who's son he was. And I'd make damn sure he'd suffer long before let him die like a dog.

In reply to Lucas' remark, Hurd looked down and blew out a long stream of smoke to hide a nervous sigh.

- Yeh, I keep hearin' that... – he muttered almost to himself.

Hurd wanted to know more about Maddox's past, but he judged it too nosy to keep asking Lucas. The man was being quite open though, despite they being mostly strangers. Not everyone would talk about their past so gladly. Hurd knew that well. Could it be that he had something in mind?

In any case, there was something Hurd was coming to realize while listening to the others: none of the people around that table were too fond of Maddox, for one reason or other. After all, despite the apparent tension, maybe something could come out of this fortuitous meeting.

As Mayer finished talking, Hurd grabbed the closest glass and drank it in one shot.

- So... - he broke the silence, looking at Lucas and using an agreeable tone - Ya said y'all was... talkin' about us when we came in. Hope some nice things was bein' said. - He ended the phrase smiling at Laura.