The Six-Gun Solution (TimeWars 12)
“The name’s Delaney,” Finn said, watching the men carefully. “Finn Delaney.”
“Irishman, eh?”
“What can I do for you, Mr. Clanton?”
“Well. I just wanted to come over and apologize on behalf of my boys.” said Ike. “They had a mite too much whiskey yesterday and got out of line a bit.”
“More than a bit, I’d say,’ Delaney replied. “And any apologies should be addressed to this young lady.”
“I reckon so,” said Clanton. “Jenny, I’m right sorry about what happened. There wasn’t no call for it. I sure hope you won’t go bearin’ us a grudge.”
“I accept your apology, Ike,” she said.
“I ain’t gonna be so easy,” Scott said.
“Well, now, I figured that.” said Clanton, “which is why I’m keepin’ those boys out of town for a while. Fact is, they’re feelin’ poorly anyway, after what Mr. Delaney here did to ’em.”
“They got off lucky.” said Scott, if I’d been here. I would’ve killed them.
“Well, now, that’s what I wanted to talk to you about.” said Ike. “I don’t want any bad blood between you
and my boys if I can help it. They’re right sorry about what they done. I talked to ’em and made sure they wouldn’t be bearin’ your friend here any grudges. I don’t want any trouble. Now they promised to behave themselves and they didn’t really understand about you and Jenny. They do now. Seein’ as no harm was really done, except a little to my boys. I’m hopin’ we can just patch things up and forget about the whole thing That is, if you’re agreeable.”
Scott stared hard at Clanton. “If you really mean that, Ike, then I’m agreeable. But you keep your rustlin’ lowlifes away from Jenny or I’ll have something to say about it, understand? And I’ll be sayin’ it to you.”
“Hey.” said Ike, raising his hands up to his chest. “I got no problem with that. Looks like we understand each other. I’m happy we could work it out. Will you have a drink on it? I’ll buy. That goes for you too, mister.” he added, looking at Delaney. “Frank, whiskey for my friends here.”
Delaney was paying less attention to Ike Clanton than to the two men with him. Brocius and Ringo. Both hard-looking men, with eyes that met his gaze dead on. Gunfighters. Men who looked as if they knew their business.
Brocius shifted his gaze to Neilson. “You’re pretty quick with those fancy guns of yours.” he said.
“I hear tell you’re pretty quick, yourself,” Scott replied.
“I wonder which one of us is quicker.” Curly Bill said, with a smile.
“You want to find out’?” asked Neilson.
“Scott!” said Jenny.
“Hey. now, wait…” started Clanton.
Delaney took Scott by the arm. “Don’t push it.” he said. firmly.
“Anytime. Kid.” Brocius said.
“Now hold on just a minute.” said Delaney.
“Relax. Finn.” said Scott. “We can find out right here and now, without anybody getting hurt. You game, Curly Bill?”
Brocius narrowed his eyes. “What you got in mind?”
“I see you’re wearing a two-gun rig, too,” said Scott. “You take one gun and give it to Ike. I’ll take one of mine and give it to Finn. Then we each take the gun we got left and give them both to Frank, here, to unload. We put the empty guns back in our holsters and Frank will say the word. Then we draw and dry fire.”
By now, the other people in the saloon were aware of what was going on and they had started to gather around.
“What do you say, Brocius?”
Curly Bill was aware of the attention on them. “I’m game.”