Everett Brooks and the Midnight Riders - Redux, Part 3
A revised draft of Chapter 4
Author’s Note: Below is some more of the progress I’ve made in revising Everett Brooks and the Midnight Riders for publication. While the broad strokes of the story are firmly in place, please understand that this is a working draft, and there are likely to be some grammatical faux pas.
Chapter 4
Caroline left her seat and maneuvered herself to where Everett sat between her and the menacing stranger.
“Amos Blackburn,” Everett growled, struggling to maintain his composure.
Amos tipped his hat amicably. “Everett Brooks. I can’t believe it’s really you. Got to admit, when Tommy told me he’d seen you ridin’ into town the other day, I was certain he was full of it. You know how that boy loves his drink. Then, when I heard about you wingin’ Tommy and wailin’ on them deputies, well, I just had to come see it for myself.”
“Your camp ain’t far, then, if you know so much about current events.”
“No need for you to worry yourself with where our camp is. It’s right where I need it to be.”
“Sure would make it easier for me to track you lot down.”
“I’m right here in front of you.”
Everett sighed in resignation. “Ah, well, can’t blame a man for tryin’.”
“Depends on the situation, I s’pose.”
“So, what happens now, Amos?”
“Well, you could just pull one of them Colts of yours and blow me straight to Hell, right here and now. But I don’t think you’ll do that.”
“Oh? What makes you so damn sure?” Everett leaned forward intently.
“Because you want all of us Riders. The whole lot. You kill me, them two posted out front come burstin’ in here. They won’t be much for you to finish off, seein’ as how you got the drop, plain and simple. Still leaves over a dozen of the hardest sons of bitches to ever roam the prairie for you to tussle with. And you don’t know where to find them. But they damn sure know where to find you.”
“I’d track ‘em down sooner or later. Can’t hide forever.”
Amos shrugged. “Maybe. Maybe not. One thing’s certain: You wouldn’t have near long enough to find out.”
“Why not just bring the whole hellraisin’ crew with you today? Why this little palaver?”
“More fun this way, I guess. Make you sweat a little.”
“I ain’t the sweatin’ type.”
“Not for yourself, maybe, but how ‘bout this little bird you seem to’ve taken a shine to?” Amos’ face split into a fiendish grin as his malevolent stare fell upon Caroline, standing uncertainly at Everett’s shoulder. “I also know Pistol Pete Crosby is hidin’ out here. He’s a good friend from the old days, ain’t he? Why, all manner of unpleasantness could befall them acquaintances of yours.”
Everett’s expression remained impassive, but underneath the table his hands twitched. He laid his palms flat on the polished oak surface. “I just met this tart yesterday morning. What do I care something happens to her? As for Pete, he won’t have no problem with the likes of you.”
“You forget how well I know you, Everett Brooks. I can see it in your ugly face. Same damn eyes you had for Kat.” His gaze roved up and down the ravishing blonde woman, lingering on every enticing curve: every inch of bare skin. “Can’t say I blame you. She’s a damn fine piece. Again, just like Kat. You ain’t inclined to share this one, I reckon?”
“You know how selfish I can be.”
Amos barked out a laugh, a raspy and unpleasant sound. “That I do. Always thought it was mighty inconsiderate how you kept her all to yourself.”
“Keep jawin’ like that, Amos, and you’re gonna leave here minus a head.”
“You know somethin’, Mr. Brooks, you’re absolutely right. It’s high time I skedaddle. I’ve said what I needed to say, seen what I needed to see. No point in carryin’ on. We ain’t that friendly anymore.”
“No, we certainly ain’t,” Everett agreed. “So long, Amos.”
“For now,” Amos Blackburn sneered. Without another word he turned his back on Everett and Caroline in one decisive motion and left the establishment just as stridently as he had entered.
Click below to read this part of story as it was originally published here on Substack.
Everett Brooks and the Midnight Riders: Part 4
Prologue | Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Epilogue
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