The Six-Gun Solution (TimeWars 12)

“Oh. dear.” said Jenny. “It’s Ross Demming.”

“Demming?” Neilson said, looking over his shoulder.

“The brother of one of the men you killed. And the other man with him is Frank McLaury. Don’t say anything. Maybe they won’t know who you are.”

But Demming’s gaze had already settled on him.

“You,” he said. “You’re the one. You’re the polecat who shot my brother.”

The room had become completely silent, save for the sound of chairs scraping as people quickly moved out of the way. Neilson turned away from him and remained seated.

“He’s not wearing a gun. Ross,” Jenny said. “If you shoot an unarmed man, it will be murder.”

“You stay out of this. Jenny. It’s none of your affair. He murdered Jack.”

“It was a fair fight.” Jenny said, was there. I saw it. As anyone in town. Jack jerked his pistol first “

“I said, stay out of it!”

“Frank, you get him out of here before there’s trou

ble,” Jenny said, speaking to McLaury. “You have more sense. You get him out of here right now.”

“Jack was a friend of mine, Jenny. And Ross has a right to be upset about his brother bein’ shot down by some young gunfighter out to make a reputation for himself.”

“He’s got no right to shoot an unarmed man!”

“The Kid can have one of my guns,” said McLaury, pulling one of his Colts out of its holster. He held it out butt first. “Here, Kid. Take it. It’ll be a fair fight. They say you’re good. Let’s see how good you are.”

Neilson still sat with his back to them. His heart was beating fast and his stomach felt tight.

“I don’t want any trouble,” he said. “I’ve got no quarrel with you, Mr. Demming. Or with you, Mr. McLaury. What I did yesterday. I did because. I had no choice.”

“What makes you think you’ve got a choice right now?” asked Ross.,

“Take the gun, Kid,” said McLaury. “Unless you’re yellow.”

“All right.” said Scott. “I’m yellow.”

“You take that gun,” said Ross. “You stand up and take it, right now, or so help me. I’ll let you have it in the back.”

There was the sound of soft coughing behind Demming and a voice said. “Two can play at that game.”

Demming and McLaury both stood very still.

“This ain’t none of your affair. Holliday.” said Frank McLaury, without turning around.

“I just made it my affair. Wyatt’s on his way and so is Virgil. They heard you just rode into town and forgot to check your guns. Morg just got in on the stage, so I expect he’ll be along, as well. And I don’t think they’ll take too kindly to your actions. Funny thing, though, how the sheriff never seems to be around at times like this. Where do you figure Johnny went?”

“Okay. Holliday.” said Frank McLaury. “You win. This time. Come on. Ross. Let’s go.”

“Before you turn around. Frank, put away that six-gun, nice and easy. I wouldn’t want to chance your pulling a border roll on me. Hear Curly Bill’s right good with it and he’s been teaching you.”

Slowly. McLaury put away his gun and turned around, with his hands held out from his sides.

“Okay? Now if you stand aside, Doc, we’ll be going. Come on, Ross.”

Demming shot a hard look at Neilson. “This isn’t over, Kid. Not by a long shot. You hear me. yellowbelly? It isn’t over!”