Part 10 (1/2)

”Come in, Belden,” Vanner said lightly. ”The lady has been hoping for your company. But give me your gun first. We don't want any accidents.”

XVII.

VANNER reached a hand around Molly. She licked her lips and bobbed her head, her eyes pleading with Clay.

Vanner said, ”You might shoot me, Belden, but that wouldn't stop me from killing her before I died.”

Clay put his gun in Vanner's hand and then stepped into the room as Vanner backed Molly out of the doorway. Clay said, ”The rest of the town is gathering, Vanner. You haven't a chance. Get your men and ride out of here while you can.”

”I thought you came to bargain,” Vanner murmured. He smiled his cold smile. ”By the time they get together and march to the judge's house, it will be too late, Belden. There won't be anything for them to save.”

”There'll be tomorrow,” Clay said.

”Tomorrow? What good will they be then without leaders? Everyone in this town always looked to your precious Judge Lyles to tell him what to do! Without the judge, they'll look to someone else. To me!”

”And your men,” Molly cried bitterly. ”Those gunhands you brought in here! I should have known what you planned when I saw the first ones.”

”But you were blinded by your pretty dresses and your s.h.i.+ny furniture, weren't you, my dear?” Vanner said cuttingly. He glanced at Clay. ”Yes, me and my men. Don't you think they'll make a good police force, Belden?”

Clay put his back to the wall and studied the room. The bodies of Marnie and Pike had been removed from sight. There was nothing to indicate there had ever been a struggle in this room. Clay looked at the neat, well-kept furniture, at the tight, bright dress Molly Doane was wearing.

She met his gaze with hopeless eyes. She reached up automatically to tuck a strand of hair into place. Then her hand fell back to her side. Vanner moved away from her and dropped into a chair where he could keep his gun on her and watch Clay at the same time.

”You might as well relax, Belden. My men know what they're doing. Your town friends won't be able to stop them.”

It seemed to Clay that he could feel the seconds ticking away. He looked at Molly, seeking some sign of help there. But she stood rigid, dazed with the fear working inside her.

Clay said, ”You helped me once tonight, Molly.”

Her eyes focused on him. He moved his head in the direction of the fireplace a step to her right. She turned as he hoped she would, looking at the rack holding the poker.

Vanner said, ”Move aside!” to Molly, and he leaned over to see what she was looking at.

Clay pushed himself away from the wall, forcing his sore leg to drive him the width of the room. He saw Vanner turn quickly back, moving with that swift, easy grace. He brought up his small gun and started out of the chair.

Clay left his feet as Vanner's gun cracked. Molly Doane screamed and the fireplace rack went over with a clatter as she tore the poker from it.

Vanner's bullet struck Clay's left shoulder, but the force of his dive carried him forward. He struck Vanner with his body, driving the smaller man back into the chair. It went over with a crash.

Vanner cried out in wild anger. He jerked his gun arm free and lashed out, raking Clay's face with the barrel. Clay's head went back and then he clamped his right arm on Vanner's gun wrist and rolled, pinning the gun to the floor. Pain blinded Clay and he fought through a murky red haze in an effort to get the gun away from Vanner. He got his hand on the gun and jerked, twisting free. He shook his head, clearing the blindness out of his eyes.

He heard the sodden thud of metal striking flesh. He turned to see Vanner's body stiffen and then jerk convulsively. His voice rose in a curse which broke off as he collapsed. His neat features were broken and torn where Molly Doane had smashed him with the poker.

She lifted it to strike again. Clay surged to his feet and caught her arm. ”Stop it!” he said.

”I want to kill him!” she cried. ”I want to kill him!”

Clay managed to take the poker from her and push her gently away from Vanner. ”Let the law take care of that for you,” he said.

He swayed dizzily and then caught himself. He found his gun and holstered it. He grabbed Vanner by the collar with his good hand and pulled him up.

Clay said to Molly, ”Stay here!” and dragged Vanner out of the door and down the stairs. He put Vanner on his own horse and roped him into the saddle. Then, mounting the dun, Clay led Vanner's horse around the saloon and onto the main street.

He could see a knot of men moving ahead of him and he raced the dun away from the main street and into the alley. He had no time to answer questions now. He could feel the numbness wearing out of his shoulder and he knew he would have to hurry before the full pain from Vanner's bullet struck him.