Chapter 23

No Honor; Chapter 23: Good Will

We rode back silent. When we got to tha grocery, Carter congratulated us, on a job well done. Norm didn't seem all that happy though.

Mitch said, "Hey... We did it, right? We got that bastard so good, there's no way he's stayin'."

I said, "No way. No way... He'll slip out before sunrise I bet."

Norm said, "Yeah...

"Yeah... I still want Larson though."

Carter said, "We'll get 'im... Once they know, they don't have ta fear 'im no more? Once they see there ain't no hoodlums, ta worry about? Once they realize, there ain't no balm comin', ta take away the shakes...

"They'll break. It's just human nature. And just a matter ah time."

The boys said g'night, and turned in fer tha evenin'. I didn't even try goin' back to tha hotel. There was no way I'd be calm enough, ta sleep anytime soon, so... Carter headed out for a patrol around the town, and I decided ta follow. Once we got a good hundered or so yards away, we brought tha horses down to a walk.

Carter said, "People kin say what they like after this, but... that Norman impresses me."

"That right?"

He nodded. "Just think of it... His paw dies from a savage beatin', an' he was tore up, trust me... And after all that, he's feedin' them Mexicans, not torturin' em, not killin' em."

I nodded.

He said, "A lesser man woulda shot those men on sight. But he knows, see... He understands he won't ever know the ones'd did it. And to deal with that, to keep 'imself from bein' a killer..."

I said, "You're right. You know, I really haven't thought o' that at all. But, you're right. I'm sure you got a lot ta do with that though... And Mitch."

Carter nodded. "He been keepin 'im level... Definitely."

He pulled out another one o' those smokes, and lit up. After a few puffs, he said, "Appreciate you comin' back ta help us."

I said, "Someone has to. This place is so damn crooked."

He waved a hand at that. "I seen worse. The people here are decent.

"Yeah, they're still criminals... And there's a lot o' tough actin', an arguments, an fightin', but overall... most just wanna get by, y'know? Just like everyone else... And most of 'em wanna do the right thang, they just don't know what that is."

I said, "Yeah... well... that's probably true, but I had my fill of 'em."

"Yeah?"

I nodded. "After this is done, I'm gone."

"It's about time, ya crazy bastard."

"What?"

He said, "You oughta have yer head examined, fer livin' here... Don't you know this place is dangerous?"

We laughed.

"You get ya damn head shot off... Shit... I oughta sit ya down on Rex's couch, an have 'im talk ta ya."

We kept that pace, outside tha town, for another couple minutes. Then I spotted a candle, lit up in a winda on Second. We headed there, and I seen it was Cole Butler's home, above the bake-ry. So, we knocked, an' Cole came down.

He looked su'prised. "Well, that was prompt".

Carter said, "Yeah. You got somethin' for me?"

Cole said, "Well, I was sitting and... Just running the whole situation through my mind. Y'know? Thinkin' it through."

Carter blew smoke, off to tha side. "Mm-hmm.."

Cole said, "Well, I think the answer's so simple, that, well... It might not have occurred to you gentlemen, ta check Marco's home."

"Mm-hmmmm..."

I covered my mouth and looked away.

Cole said, "I know. I know. Obvious, right? But see, he must figure you wouldn't expect that, and... Well I think it's the most likely place."

Carter said, "Well, you know, I appreciate you sharin' your thoughts on this. Thank you sir."

"You're welcome."

"I might go an' give that place another look for ya. I'll let you know if I see 'im."

Cole said, "Oh yes, please!... Um... Does that... reward still apply?"

Carter nodded. "Oh yeah, that's-"

"Muuun!"

That came from down the street. We looked, and it was Marco, slowly walking toward us from way off. His shirt wasn't buttoned right... and his hair was a mess, and he was barefoot, and he was absolutely furious.

"Muun, Muun! Come 'ere an' talk ta me a minute... Come 'ere an talk ta me!

"C'mere... I got somet'ing to say!"

I turned and looked at Carter. He was studying Marco then. I turned some more, and seen that Cole ran back in 'is house.

"Come 'ere", Marco said, "and talk to me like a fuckin' man! Come on now."

Carter put his hands on 'is gun belt.

Marco said, "Wha, you gon' shoot me? You gon' shoot me like a bitch Muun?.. I ain't got nothing, look."

He took his shirt off, and turned around.

"Huh?.. Come 'ere a minute."

Carter exhaled smoke, and 'e sat there, studyin' Marco a bit. Finally, he flicked 'is cigarette away, and slid off 'is horse.

I said, "What the hell are you doin'?"

Marco walked forward. Carter reached for 'is gun belt, and then he took it off.

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