“He’s in a better mood,” Clint said.
“Well, young Brennan did some running to help,” Ed said. “Not his fault he got there too late to do anything but watch.”
“Apparently,” Ashley said, “father and son have made up.”
“He did go with the sheriff and back his play when he arrested Big Jack,” Clint said. “His final act as sheriff.”
“Until the council rehired him the next day,” Ed said.
“The chief couldn’t let Mackey go?” she asked.
“Not without looking bad,” Clint said. “After all, Nickerson talked.”
“So now they’re both in jail,” Ed said.
“You think they’ll stay there?” Ashley asked.
“Who knows?” Clint asked. “Mackey’s still got a lot of money. He might be able to buy his way out of prison, but the people in this town won’t want him around anymore.”
“So you’re leaving,” she said.
“Yes. Right after breakfast.”
“The others are staying, you know,” she said. “I mean Otto, Ben, even Mike, even though you suspected him.”
“I apologized for that,” Clint said. “Looks like Big Jack didn’t have an inside man.”
“Or,” Ed said, “if he did, he changed his mind.”
Clint stared across the table at Ed Wright, who was suddenly concentrating on his breakfast.
Watch for
THE UNIVERSITY SHOWDOWN
368th novel in the exciting GUNSMITH series
from Jove
Coming in August!
The Omaha Palace Page 12
