Black Horse Creek (9781101607466) by Charles G. West Page A

Then I want you to untie my horse and drop his reins, and you and that Injun you’re married to can see how you like it in the smokehouse till me and the little missy, here, are out of sight.”
    Terrified to near paralysis, Cassie began to cry and begged Billy to let her go. “I tried to help you,” she pleaded. “Why are you doing this?”
    â€œâ€™Cause I ain’t ready to hang, you dumb little bitch. Now shut up and don’t cause me no trouble.” For emphasis, he pressed a little harder with the knife blade, causing Earl to cry out again.
    â€œYou ain’t said what you’re fixin’ to do with me after I prop my rifle against the smokehouse,” Grayson said, his voice calm and emotionless. It was the first thing he had said during the frantic moments since Billy had grabbed Cassie. As casual as if passing the time of day with a neighbor, he gazed at Billy, the rifle still in one hand by his side. “You also ain’t asked me what I want.” He paused while his gaze remained locked on to Billy’s eyes. “So I’ll tell you.” He pulled the Winchester up against his shoulder and aimed it at Billy’s head. “Cassie,” he went on, still deadly calm, “I want you to hold just as still as you can. At this close range, there’s no way I’m liable to miss, so you hold real still. The noise will be a little sudden. Don’t let that bother you, but I have to apologize for the blood. When the bullet hits Billy’s head, there’s liable to be a little splatter, and I hope it won’t mess up your dress too bad. It’ll be over before you know it.”
    Stunned momentarily when things didn’t go as he had anticipated, Billy clutched Cassie even tighter, trying to shield himself as much as possible with the girl’s body. When Grayson calmly stepped to one side to keep a clear target line to Billy’s head, Billy tried again to threaten. “Drop that rifle, or I’ll slit her throat!”
    â€œYou really think you can push that knife through her throat before I can squeeze the trigger?” Grayson asked. “I’m already thinkin’ how much easier it will be to tote your carcass back to Fort Smith instead of puttin’ up with your mouth all the way.” He sighed patiently. “But I promised John Council I’d give you the choice, so I’ll give you one more chance before I put a hole in your head where a brain was supposed to go.” He steadied himself for the shot. “Hold still, Cassie, we’re about done here.”
    â€œAll right! All right!” Billy screamed and pulled the knife away from Cassie’s throat. “You win, dammit!” He released the girl and dropped the knife on the ground at his feet, then obediently turned to face the smokehouse door with his hands behind him, waiting to be tied. Cassie ran to her mother’s arms, sobbing as she sought her protection, shamed by her naïve willingness to believe the smooth-talking young outlaw.
    Grayson glanced at Earl, whose face had drained of color and looked as if he was about to faint. “Why don’t you take your women in the house, Earl? I’m finished up here, so we’ll be on our way. Tell your missus I’m sorry about this little show Billy put on, and don’t be too hard on the girl.” He didn’t say it, but he had a feeling he knew how Billy got his hands on the knife. Earl nodded and turned to join his family while Grayson tied Billy’s wrists.
    â€œWell, you’ve had yourself a nice little show this mornin’,” he told him as he tightened up on the knot. “I reckon I can’t really blame you for tryin’. I s’pose I would if I was in your shoes. But I reckon I’d best make sure you understand a little rule I’ve got. I don’t see no sense in givin’ a prisoner more’n two chances to do like I tell him to. When