Page 72 of Charlotte's Reckoning
He took aim with his Colt before his voice cut through the chaos. “It’s over, Thorn!”
Murderous and defiant, the outlaw turned with his weapon raised. But Seth was ready and took the shot. The bullet slammed into the outlaw’s shoulder. He roared and cursed in pain, but his earlier vow to fight to the death rang true.
Ignoring the wound, Thorn stood up, sacrificing his cover. Firing into the cabin and the woods with a gun in each hand, he ran for it. Seth timed his shots until he passed the open doorway. Then he emptied his six-shooter. At least one of his bullets found its mark. Thorn staggered then tumbled over the porch railing.
An eerie stillness followed the furious shootout. Only the wind rustling through the leaves and the occasional groan of pain broke the quiet. Gun still raised, Seth climbed down the ladder, his boots crunching on broken glass and splintered wood covering the floor as he cautiously approached the front door. He paused before stepping onto the porch, scanning for any remaining threats—just in case.
In a glance, Seth could safely say Thorn wasn’t going anywhere. Lying in the dirt, bleeding from a shoulder wound, the one in his belly was far more serious. Blood seeped between his fingers with each breath. Having seen his father and brother die from gut shots, he knew it was almost always fatal.
If he was going to get answers, it had to be now. “Where’s Ike?”he demanded to know.
“Fuck you, Hartigan! I don’t owe you nothin’.”
He didn’t let his objection stop him. “This is your chance to confess and face your maker with a clear conscience.”
Seth doubted Thorn had a conscience, but pain, or perhaps blood loss, loosened his tongue. “Old Ike wasn’t the brightest of your kin, was he? Taking his share of the loot was like taking candy from an idiot baby.”
“You killed him,”Seth accused.
“That answer dies with me. You’ll wonder, and it will gnaw at you for the rest of your miserable life. Serves you right for being a thorn in my side for years.”He chuckled, but it devolved into a wheezing cough fit that ended in a groan.
“I hope you rot in hell for what you did to my family and to Charlotte,”Seth seethed, his hand tightening on his Colt, his finger itching to end it.
“You mean that whore at the Red Eye? Are you sweet on her, kid? Do you even know what to do with a woman like that?”He taunted him, just like he had thirteen years ago. “You got good taste in pussy, that’s for sure. Hers is the sweetest I’ve ever had, and that’s saying something ’cause I’ve had my share.”
Seth raised his gun, cocked the hammer, then hesitated. Thorn intended to get a rise out of him so that he’d act and end his suffering. The bastard didn’t deserve mercy.
Lowering his weapon, Seth turned to walk away, leaving him to agonize until his last miserable breath.
“Watch out!”someone hollered right before gunshots exploded all around him.
Seth whirled, gun drawn, but didn’t shoot. He didn’t need to; his Jackson posse had his back. They all lowered their smoking weapons, except Joseph Whitefeather, who stood with them. His gun remained holstered, but the knife sheath he always wore on his belt was empty.
When Seth’s gaze dropped to Thorn, whose lifeless eyes stared sightlessly upward, what he saw told the story. The outlaw had two bullet holes in his chest and another in his forehead. Near him lay a pistol, which, clearly, he had hidden beneath his body for a final shot. It was a shot he never got to take, thanks to the wicked-looking hunting knife, Shoshone markings on the hilt, protruding from his gun hand, pinning it to the ground.
Aaron walked over and clapped Seth on the back. “You’ll get your wish. He’s gonna rot.”
From his other side, a grim-faced Heath added, “Being worm bait is too good for him, but he won’t be causing you, the town, or Miss Charlotte any more trouble.”
Seth nodded, a sense of relief washing over him.
“Should we bury him?”Luke asked.
Joseph bent and retrieved his knife, calmly wiping it clean on the grass. “My mother’s people believe in spiritual harmony in life and after death. My father, a businessman turned cattle rancher from back East, had a different belief—if you show no mercy, don’t expect to receive it.”When he stood, hespat on the ground next to Thorn. “After hearing this son of a bitch’s story, I’m inclined to follow my father’s ways on this one. Shall we go home?”
He didn’t wait for an answer, his long strides carrying him quickly through the trees toward where they had tied their horses.
Seth watched him until he could see him no more then said to the brothers, “I like him.”
Heath chuckled. “We do, too. His style is unusual but grows on you.”
Luke smacked his brother’s arm. “The Shoshone also believe it’s disrespectful to laugh around the dead. They say it can prolong their journey to the afterlife. I wouldn’t want someone as evil as Thorn stuck in the realm between Heaven and Earth. Who knows what trouble he might cause?”
“Nothing I want any part of,”a properly sober Heath agreed. “Let’s not risk it.”
“Agreed,”murmured Aaron, following in Joseph’s wake. Seth, Luke, and Heath headed out, too, with not so much as a grin on their faces.
Chapter 18
