
ONE
Slowly riding into the town of Los Alamos, leading his prisoner's horse, Nash was hot, dirty, and his shoulder blades were tense with simmering anger.
As soon as he had Peters safely behind bars, he was going to first beat and then have a good long talk with a certain man. The man has made his life a living hell these last few years.
He shoved his anger and frustration aside when he noticed the town was bustling with people busy about their business. His eyes narrowed as he scanned the buildings for the jail. Finding it just up ahead, he slowed the horses and pulled them to a stop in front of the unpainted wooden structure.
In one fluid movement, he dismounted from his horse, and moved to the other horse where his prisoner sat cursing and full of bloodthirsty threats. "Come on you varmint! It's time I got rid of you."
He ignored the fool's threats, reached up and roughly helped his prisoner from the horse.
"I'm going to kill you Evans. You're a dead man you bastard," Frank Peters threatened as the bounty hunter dragged him off his horse and towards the jail. He struggled against the tight grip as his eyes glinted murderously.
With a tight hold on the man's arm, Nash lifted his other arm and wiped the sweat from his brow on the sleeve of his grimy shirt. His lips tightened into a thin line as he ignored another threat to his life.
He had dealt with men like this before and he was mighty relieved that this one would be his last. Once this man was behind bars, he would never have to deal with such violent low life again.
All he wanted to do was take care of business and head home. His jaw clenched in a hard straight line and his eyes narrowed. One more problem to take care of then he was free to get on with his life.
The thought that this part of his life was nearly over pleased him greatly. Moving through the gathering crowd ignoring their curious stares, he pushed his prisoner into the sheriff's office.
"Howdy Pursue, brought you Frank Peters." Shoving the prisoner forward, he stepped into the room behind him.
Hank Pursue had stood up when the door to the jail opened and moved over to shake Nash Evans' hand as he eyed the prisoner. "Well that's real good work Evans and you've got a nice reward coming to you for this snake."
As he watched Hank grab the prisoner, Nash felt some of the tension ease from between his shoulders blades. He watched as Hank led the prisoner over to the cell, shoved him through the door and felt satisfied when it locked behind him.
He saw Hank unlock the handcuffs when the prisoner poked his wrists through the bars and grinned when he saw the sheriff glaring at prisoner in warning.
"Now, any lip from you and I'll throw some cold water on ya. I'm only warnin' ya once that I don't put up with no nonsense." Turning away, Hank tossed the keys on the desk and sat down.
Nash chuckled and leaned his hip against the old battered desk. He shoved his hat back on his head and crossed his arms over his massive chest.
"The reward should be ready for ya in the morning, Evans," Hank said as he searched through the pile of papers on his desk until he found the reward poster.
"That will be fine Pursue but I hope you can help me with another matter. I'm looking for a fellow by the name of J.C. Woods." Nash grimaced. His lips lifted in a grim satisfying smile, nothing would please him more than to teach a certain man a real good lesson.