The Coachman, C.B Cooper [best detective novels of all time txt] 📗

door creaked open in answer.
"Fetch me some rope, we got us some..."
Ben was interupted as one of the men ran, making a break for it. As he trained his gun on the running man's back, another dove for the guns lying on the ground.
"Goddamnit!" he cursed, pulling one of the triggers, taking the escapee in the shorts.
A shot fired as he spun back towards the two remaining men, the bullet grazing his left arm, burning a trough through his skin and throwing him off balance.
Ben gritted his teeth and growled, swinging the shotgun up to bear on the men once again. He fired as the third man took off running, heading for the dark silhouette of the barn.
"Shit!" Ben threw down the spent weapon and grabbed for the .44 at his side as he bolted after the man.
He had only taken a few steps when a slim figure emerged from the barn, running towards him. "Ben!"
"No! Addy, go back!" he screamed. But he was to late, and to far away.
He watched in horror as the last gunmen grabbed her, dragging her along with him into the barn.
"Goddamnit!" Ben roared, his mind kicking into overdrive.
Racing back he scooped up the discard shotgun and ran towards the station.
Yellow light filled the windows as Cotton fired up the lanterns within.
Busting through the door, everyone rushed him at once asailing him with a dozen frenzied questions, which he ignored, pushing his way past them, his eyes lighting on a quiet Max Logan.
He was the right height, but his body lacked the bulk that Ben's had. Close enough, he decided. This had to work

.
Crossing the room he jerked Logans shirt front, popping the buttons and ripping the material from his body.
"What are you doing?" Logan cried.
Ben shoved the shotgun into Logans hands, "Now's your chance to be a hero. Your gonna take his gun and go stand in front of the barn. That piece of shit took Addy hostage, and now that weasel's holed up in there with her."
"I-I-I don't understand. I'm not going anywhere." he cried as he shoved his gun back at Ben.
"Oh yes you are." Ben growled, shoving it back. "Your going to distract him while I sneak in through the back."
Logan tried to fight him, but Ben dragged him towards the door like a ragdoll.
"Listen, all you have to do is stand there. If he tries to talk to you, keep your replies short, and dont get to close. He has to think that your me. It'll be a piece of cake."
Logan finally managed to rip his arm free from Ben's iron tight grasp. "No! I wont do it, and you cant make me!"
Ben sneered and grabbed the bowie knife he kept in a sheath at his side. He held the wicked looking blade in front of Logan's peaked face, "You'll do it, or I'll cut yer sorry head off."
Logan swooned, dipping at the knees.
"No you don't." Ben coached, grabbing the wilting man before he had a chance to sag to the floor. "Save the fainting for later, right now you got work to do."

From the back corner of the station house, Ben watched the yard, waiting for Mr. Logan to get in place.
Cotton had found him a dark colored shirt, which he now wore, the long sleeves were buttoned at the wrist to help him blend into the night, and hide the hastily wrapped bandage around the bullet graze. A half empty can of axle grease had helped disguise the rest of him.
Covered as he was, he still felt naked as the breeze blew through his dark hair. He hated being without his hat. But it was currently resting on Logan's noggin, as the man made his way across the yard.
Logan stopped thirty feet from the barn entrance as Ben had instructed. He held the coach gun diagonally in front of his body, making sure the brightly lit windows on the side of the station house illuminated his stoic silhouette.
Ben melted into the tree line and followed it South, towards the rear of the barn.
Half way to his goal, a shout emanated from the building.
"Drop that scatter gun and back away, or I'll drill you where you stand!"
Ben was right even with the barn, so he could'nt see the doorway, but he could see Logan standing in the yard. He watched the man throw his shotgun, then start to back away.
"No, you dunbshit, stay there!" Ben whispered furiously. He wasn't anywhere close to where he had wanted to be. He had told Logan not to move for at least five minutes- it hadnt even been two.
"That's right, back 'er up, amigo

. Now, I'm taking this pretty little gal with me, if you try to follow, I'll blow her head off."
Ben watched Logan take two more steps backwards, then turn tail and take off running for the station house. He had only went a few feet before a shot erupted from the front of the barn. The hat on Logans head kicked up, then he stumbled, planting his face into the ground
"Goddamnit." Ben breathed a second before he heard Addy start screaming.
"Ben!, Oh my god, nooo! BEN!

" she wailed.
Ben didnt have time to stop and think about the anguish he'd heard in her voice, he lit out on the run, once again heading towards the backside of the barn. Leaping over the scattered black forms of various farm implements, he angled his way towards the rutted dirt road.
The thunder of hoof falls matched the rumble of his pulse pounding in his ears, as he caught sight of the horse galloping towards him carrying a double load.
Quickly judging distance and speed, Ben poured every ounce of energy he had into his churning legs and bolted to intersect the fleeing horse head on.
Launching himself into the air, he hit the the tall figure riding on the horse's rump, carrying him and the gunman over the other side.
Landing hard, Ben was quick to wrestle the squirming, kicking outlaw. The man fought hard, but Ben managed to get a hold of his guns, tossing them away from the mix.
Finally he was able to roll the man over onto his belly, sitting on his back he kept his arms pinned with his knees.
During the fight Ben had heard Addie swing the outlaws horse around and ride back. She dismounted near them and walked closer.
"Get off of him." she said in a thin, pinched voice.
Swinging his gaze, he was surprised to see that see had picked up one of the outlaw's guns, and now had it pointed at his head.
"Addie? What are you doing?"


Her voice was hard, but shakey, "I'm riding my own pony and kicking my own snakes, isn't that what you say out here?"
Ben frowned, "You mean ropin' your own bronc and stompin' your own snakes?"
Addie drew in a ragged breath and choked off a sob. "I thought you were dead

! I thought he killed you back there, I watched you fall... I told myself that I would kill that son of a bitch the first chance I had, and this is it."
The anguish in her voice tore at Ben's heart. "Oh darling, I'm not dead, I'm just fine."
The outlaw began squirming beneath him again. "Let me go, goddamnit!"
"Shut up, you piece of shit!" Ben ordered, punching the man in the back of the head.
"Addie, you can put the gun down. Everythings alright now."
She stood stock still in the shadows. When she finally stepped foward, Ben could see the cuts and bruises that mottled her pretty face. Raw furry consumed him once again, and this time when he spoke it was hard a steel. "He's all yours."
The man beneath him screamed as he stood, "I give up! I surrender! Just get your bitch away from me!"
Addy walked over to the cowering man, "I am not anyone's bitch

." And she pulled the trigger.
But nothing happened.
Ben stood behind her and spoke softly in her ear, "You have to cock it first."
The man on the ground jumped to his feet and took off running. "Here, let me show you," he said as he took the gun from her unsteady hand.
Thumbing back the hammer, Ben aimed at the man's back before he disappeared into the dark.
The gun barked, spewing light and smoke from the barrel, as they heard the man gunt and fall.
Addy cried out and turned, clutching Ben's shirt as she started to sob.
Ben wrapped his arms around her, holding her close. "Shh.. It's all over now."
The sound of running feet interupted their embrace.
Cotton yelled, "Where's that som' bitch at?"
"He's over there," Ben said pointing, but his gaze was on someone else. Smiling, he said, "I thought you were dead,son! I seen you fall back at the yard."
Logan stood in front of him, holding his hat in his hands. "I'm still alive, but I'm afraid I cannot say the same thing for your hat."
Ben took the hat Logan handed him. There were two round holes perforating the crown, front and back. Ben sighed and placed it on his head anyway. "Shoot, this was my favorite hat."
Logan shrugged.
Chowder puffed back towards them. "He's dead."
"Good." Libby spoke up.
The four made their way back towards the station. In the yard Ben paused, rubbing his jaw thoughtfully.
"Logan?"
"Yes?"
"I did see you fall when you were shot at, so did Addy."
Logan looked at him blankly.
"You fainted, didn't you."
Max Logan just scowled, then walked away.
As soon as they heard the door shut, Ben and Addy smiled at each other. "He fainted," they both said at the same time, then laughed.
Addy grew serious once again. "Thank you for saving me, again

."
Ben winked and tipped his hat, "My pleasure, ma'am."
She smiled at him tenderly, then turned and started walking towards the station.
Ben caught her arm. "Where do you think your going, sweetheart?"
"Inside." she said quietly.
Ben's eyes gently roamed her bruised face, then in one quick move he scooped her up into his arms. "Your not going anywhere but with me."
He expected some sort of protest, but Addy just wrapped her slender arms around his neck and sighed, "Whatever you say Mr. Finnegan."