The Six-Gun Solution (TimeWars 12)

“Just wonderin’,” said Wyatt. “Seems after you left, he told George he was feelin’ poorly and went home. After he closed up. George rode out to look in on him and see how he was feelin’.” Wyatt shook his ahead. “Turns out Zeke wasn’t feelin’ too good. Fact is, he wasn’t feeling anything at all. He was dead.”

“Dead!” said Jenny.

“What happened?” asked Stone. “Was it fever?”

“Nope. It was a bullet A bullet from a. 45. just like this one “ he handed the Colt back to Scott. “Zeke was shot right through the heart And ole Ned, down at the corral, said you rented a horse from him this afternoon and rode out of town. Be about the same time Zeke went home to his place:

“Wyatt!” Jenny exclaimed.

“Are you suggesting that I killed him, Marshal?” Scott asked.

“I’m not suggesting anything, Kid. But I don’t suppose you’d care to tell me where you went today?”

“I took a ride out to that old claim my friends had,” Scott replied. “I thought maybe I’d file on it and find someone to work it for me. See if they were really going broke or if they’d made a strike and hadn’t told anyone about it.”

“And what did you decide?”

“I’M still thinkin’ about it.”

“Anyone see you go out there?”

“Wyatt, how can you suspect Scott of killing Zeke?” asked Jenny, shocked. “Why. Zeke never had an enemy in the world! Scott barely even knew him!”

“Like I said, Jenny. I’m not suggestin’ anything just yet. I’m only making an investigation, that’s all. What about it Kid?”

“No, nobody saw me.” Scott said.

“That horse you rented came back to the corral alone.” said Wyatt. “What happened?

”

“It spooked at a rattler and threw me. just outside of town, Scott replied. “I had to walk in. If you want to examine my other gun, Marshal, you’ll see that it hasn’t been fired, either. I haven’t even had a chance to try ’em out yet. As for the one I came to town with, your brother still had that until after I got back.” He offered the other one to Earp. but Wyatt made no move to take it.

“So he did.” said Wyatt. “I already checked on that. I don’t think you had anything to do with Zeke’s murder, Kid, but there’s some that might. I don’t really think you’re a bad sort, but I still think you’re trouble. Sooner or later, you’re goin’ to have to make some choices. Whether to walk on the right side of the law or the wrong one. For somebody like you, I don’t think there’s goin’ to be any in-between. I’d think on that if I were you. Jenny, Mr. Stone…”

“Aren’t you going to ask me where I was this afternoon, Marshal?” Stone asked.

“Why, you were right here. Mr. Stone,” said Exp. “chasin’ a big winning streak. I already asked.”

He touched the brim of his hat, turned and left the saloon.

“Interesting things sure do happen around you. Kid,” said Stone. “I wonder what Zeke Bailey did to get himself killed. Like Jenny here just said, he wasn’t the sort of man that you’d think of as having any enemies.”

“Then maybe someone ought to be lookin’ at his friends.” said Scot

“I hardly knew the man myself.” said Stone.

“I didn’t say you did.” said Scott. “Besides, you were here playin’ cards all afternoon, in front of witnesses, isn’t that right”

They matched gazes for a moment. Stone smiled, but his eyes didn’t.

“That’s right. Too bad you weren’t around to sit in, Kid. Looks like you could have used some witnesses yourself. I’ll be seeing you around. Jenny.”

He tipped his hat and left. Scott stared after him.

“There’s something very odd about that man.” said Jenny.

“Yes,” said Scott, thoughtfully. “There is.”