Nick stood facing the two men, who stood about six feet apart. If they were stupid enough to draw on him, he could kill one for sure, but it was a tossup whether he could get them both. His Star Marine training kicking in, he kept his face neutral, controlling his breathing as anxiety swirled through him.
“It’s just a precaution, Mr. Kline,” he said quietly. “For your safety as well as mine.”
Nick took a step to his left, then another, putting himself in an enfilade position that placed both men in front of him. If he had to shoot now, he wouldn’t have to swivel to get them both.
“Gentlemen, I won’t ask you again. Drop the gunbelts.”
Kline flushed even deeper, but unbuckled his belt and let it fall. Graves still didn’t move.
“Thank you, Mr. Kline. Now step aside.”
“You’re digging yourself a deep grave, Marshal!”
“Another threat?” Nick’s eyes remained on Graves, who stood behind Kline. “That’s two strikes. Now step aside.”
Kline backed away, furious but not stupid. He watched Nick with glittering eyes, but Nick’s eyes were on Gerald Graves, who had taken on the look of a cornered animal.
“One more time, Mr. Graves. Drop the gunbelt.”
Graves still hesitated. “What do you want with me?”
“I want you to drop the gunbelt. What are you afraid of?”
“Maybe you’ll shoot me if I do.”
“Maybe I’ll shoot you if you don’t.”
“Drop the goddamn belt, Gerald!” Willis Kline growled. “We already got enough to sue this guy and the U.F. Marshals.”
Graves compressed his lips—Kline wasn’t backing him. He carefully unbuckled the belt and let it drop. He took a step away from it and kept both hands in the air.
“Thank you,” Nick said casually, hiding the relief that flooded his veins. “Now remove the bandana.”
“Fuck you.”
Nick smiled. “Mr. Kline, tell me if Mr. Graves has a tattoo under that bandana.”
“Why do you want to know that?”
“It’s not a trick question. Does he have a tattoo on his neck?”
“Yeah. So what?”
“What does the tattoo look like?”
“It’s a scorpion snake.”
Nick pulled a pair of E-cuffs off his belt and tossed them to Kline.
“Mr. Kline, will you please put these on Mr. Graves? Behind his back.”
I am proud to report that this book was selected for one of the 15 Best Science Fiction Westerns. Check out Number 11.
Born Novelist 