The Six-Gun Solution (TimeWars 12)

“Yeah, back in another life.” said Finn. He smiled. The gambler seemed to hesitate a fraction of a second before he smiled back. “Got some of the finest food around in Boston. The old Oyster House by Faneuil Hall.”

“I know it well. What brings you to Tombstone?”

“The wind, my friend, the wind.” Delaney said. “I just follow where it blows me.”

“You seem to have a touch of the romantic in your soul,” said Stone. “That would be the Irish in you. A land of poets and dreamers.”

“Aye, that it is.” said Delaney. He grinned. “It’s lucky for me I ran into you tonight. Mr. Stone. My roll was gettin’ mighty thin. I’m much obliged to you.”

“Well, you can’t win them all.” said Stone. “And call me Ben.”

“My friends call me Finn.”

“It’s a pleasure, Finn. Jenny! Bring us a bottle, will you, dear?”

“Well, now. I said drinks were on me,” said Finn.

“Very well, I won’t argue. Feel free to pay.”

Finn chuckled and stared appreciatively as Jenny brought a bottle of whiskey over to their table.

“Thank you, darling,” Stone said.

She smiled. “Anytime, Ben.”

They both watched as she moved off.

“Pretty girl.” said Finn.

“That she is,” Stone agreed. “But if you’ve got any ideas along that line. I’d advise you to forget them. Time was, not too long ago, she’d have been happy to accommodate you, but not since the Montana Kid arrived in town. Now she’s got eyes only for him. A big, husky fellow like yourself might not be deterred by that, but I’d think twice if I were you. The Kid’s one hell of a fast gun.”

“Is he, now?”

“Killed two men right here in this saloon. And they knew their business, too. He’s young, but don’t let that fool you. The Kid is deadly.”

“I’ll keep that in mind,” Delaney said. “Sounds like this town can get a mite rough for a man.”

“Well, it isn’t Boston, that’s for sure.” Stone replied. “You get many killings here?”

“More than our share.”

Finn fought back the temptation to ask about the dead Observers. He didn’t want to ask too many questions. He was aware of Stone’s light gray eyes watching him carefully, not smiling when his mouth smiled. Neither one of us an too sure about each other, are we? He thought. He had a feeling about Stone and he was pretty sure that Stone had the same feeling about him. Not quite a certainty, but close enough for government work, as they said. They were both gambling men and Finn would have bet Stone was a pro. Stone would probably have made the same bet, too. There were all sorts of telltale little things that ordinary people would have missed, things that, to a pro. couldn’t really be disguised. Body attitude and language. A sense of fine control. Alert and watchful eyes, eyes that picked up much more than most people’s did. But mostly, it was a feeling like two predators sensing each other. It was possible that Stone was simply the same breed of man. Capable, crafty, dangerous. Delaney knew he could be wrong. But he didn’t think he was.

“Seems like a man could do all right for himself in a town like this,” said Finn.

“Well, I guess it would all depend on what he had in mind.” Stone replied. Finn shrugged. “I’m in no hurry. I think I’ll just sort of stick around and get the feel of things before I make any decisions. Find out who’s who around here, what sort of opportunities there are.”

“There anything special that you had in mind?” asked Stone.

“I said, let go of me!”

Stone turned around. “Oh-oh. Looks like trouble.”

A cowboy sitting at a table had Jenny by the arm and was refusing to let go. She struggled, but he was much stronger and held on firmly.

“Come on. Now, honey, don’t be like that! You weren’t too good for me last week!”

“That was last week!” Jenny said. “Things are different now. I don’t do that anymore. Now let me go!”