Derek Adams Between Hell and El Paso [AQ MM] (pdf)

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day. I was surrounded by psychos, that much seemed clear.
Joey was waiting up on the couch when I walked in. He looked
at me expectantly. So, what happened?
Nothing, I muttered.
Bullshit, Trinity. He crossed his arms and frowned. I m
pretty sure Frank didn t take you out for a drink so he could ask for
advice about his taxes. Where did you go and what happened?
I m real tired, Joey. I just want to go to bed.
Man, that is a load of crap.
Really, Joey, it was nothing.
I thought we were friends. Joey was steaming now.
Look, I really am tired. Could I please just have the couch so I
can get some sleep?
You know what, Trinity? Screw you. Joey stalked across the
room and slammed the door to his bedroom. I spread out the sheets
and got undressed, then flopped down and stared at the water stains
on the ceiling. I felt really crappy about shutting Joey out, but I
was afraid of Harris and what he might do to me if he thought I d
told somebody about what had happened at the senator s house. I
lay there till the sun came up, but I couldn t sleep a wink.
45
BETWEEN HELL AND EL PASO
CHAPTER 5
I needed a distraction and there was only one thing I could
think of that would make me forget the disturbing turn my life had
taken. I went to the rodeo, back to Charlie. If there was one person
in my life who wasn t crazy, he was the one. I sat in the stands,
cheering Charlie on. I d got a seat dead center, right behind where
the event judges all sat keeping score. Charlie rode, even though I
knew he was all bandaged up from the day before. Nobody
would ve known it from the way he handled that horse. He made it
look as easy as anything that wild and crazy could possibly look.
Right after the bareback riding events were over, I slipped out of
my seat and made my way down to the participants private area. I
wasn t really sure where I d find Charlie if I could find him but
I figured I d start at the infirmary. Maybe he d be getting his ribs
46
BETWEEN HELL AND EL PASO
rewrapped after his ride. Just as I got to the door, an arm shot out,
blocking my way.
This here s private, a gruff voice barked.
Hello, Jason. He didn t look any happier to see me this time
than he d been the day before. I didn t know what his problem
was, and I didn t much care. I was there to see Charlie, not him.
Charlie told me to look him up the next time I came to the rodeo.
Yeah, I m sure he did. Jason folded his arms across his chest,
giving me the distinct impression that he wasn t planning to move
anytime soon. Charlie s polite and he says a lot of nice things to
people even to people who don t deserve the time of day. Get
it?
I got no quarrel with you, Jason, I said, my face flushing. If
Charlie don t want to see me, he can tell me to my face. I tried to
slip around the man, but he didn t budge.
He s not in there. Jason s eyes bored into me.
Then I d like to go in and ask somebody where I might find
him. I edged forward again and this time Jason planted a hand in
the middle of my chest and shoved me, hard. The force of the
move knocked me back against the opposite wall of the corridor.
My head slammed against the solid concrete, my hat flew off, and I
went down on my ass. I think I was out for a minute, because when
I opened my eyes there were a couple of people standing around
who hadn t been there before. Jason loomed over me, his hands
balled into fists.
Get up, he snarled, his eyes flashing fire. Get up and get out.
You re not welcome here. I know what you do. He kicked out,
aiming for my crotch, but I managed to roll to the side and the toe
of his boot connected with the back of my thigh instead. It hurt like
hell. He kicked me again, the lower back this time, and I cried out.
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BETWEEN HELL AND EL PASO
I was struggling to my feet when the group that had now
gathered parted and a familiar face appeared above me.
What the hell s going on here? Charlie s voice was raw with
anger.
This dumb groupie was trying to muscle his way in to the
infirmary. I was just telling him he wasn t welcome.
Who gave you the right? Charlie s voice was a low growl
now.
I know all about him, Jason began. He s nothing but
Shut your damned mouth and get out of my sight.
But
Get the hell out! Only a fool would have stayed after that.
Jason was no fool.
I was invited, I protested as I struggled to my feet. Getting up
wasn t turning out to be such a good idea. The crowd started
spinning and I pitched forward. I would ve gone facedown on the
floor if Charlie hadn t reached out and scooped me up in his arms.
Somebody get that door open. The infirmary door opened
and Charlie carried me in and laid me gently on the same exam
table he d been sitting on when I d met him the day before. Paul,
could you get right over here?
I looked around and recognized the guy who d been examining
Charlie when I d walked in on him yesterday.
I m okay, I protested, trying to sit up. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

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