A Dirty, Quick and Deadly Vengeance
An expansion of "A Dirty/Deadly and Quick Vengeance?"
By jaxjack1980
Disclaimer: The following story is entirely the creative intellectual property of the author alone. No reproductions or repostings allowed without permission. Any similarities to actual people, places, events, etc. (past or present) are entirely confidential (Aside from some light creative license usage.). All depictions of sexual activities involve people 18 years of age/older. Mature adult themes explored (see tags).
Narrative note: The following story is related to another one of my stories "A Dirty/Deadly and Quick Vengeance?" and can either be read before, after, or can be completely ignored from this entry depending on personal preference. If interested in hearing more from the author, please see the author's notes at the end of this story,
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Approaching Midnight
The Oriental Hotel
Tombstone, Arizlona
Friday the 13th, April 1883
"I know you're lying."
The jovial atmosphere in the salon instantly ceased after the declaration was made in a deadly serious tone that was heard by all.
Cowboy boots and chairs scraped the wooden floor of the Oriental as the surrounding occupants at the table scrambled to distance themselves from the two main combatants who were staring each other down; neither one blinking or showing signs of backing down.
Orthello "Theo" James did appear too disturbed by the sudden change in mood around him. He had already been looking eagle-eyed at his opponent long before the incendiary words were shot in his general direction. A few tense moments passed as he calmly took a sip of his whiskey; his dark, handsome face breaking into a late smile as he finally addressed his accuser.
"I believe the correct term you're looking for my dear Sheriff is bluffing, not lying. For you see, my good man, by choosing to use such an inflammatory term as lying implies that you are calling into question the very nature of my personal character."
"I'd hate to think that is the case as I had thought we all had been having a good time together; becoming fast friends in that time honored tradition when money and drink are passed around freely without any such troubling thoughts."
"But, if I have indeed been mistaken, that would now make me all sorts of disappointed as I believe men who resort to petty name calling without cause are those of low moral character and intelligence. Surely you are too much of an educated gentleman, Sheriff Holiday, to resort to such base, ugly practices," Theo finished as he leaned back while placing his free hand slowly, but deliberately, on the butt of his trusty revolver while the other held onto the two playing cards close to his vest.
A number of eyes shifted back from Theo toward the sheriff of Tombstone with their collective breaths held to see what type of response would result from Theo's words and more importantly, the unspoken challenge he had presented.
The stone cold, stoic Holiday did not seem to so much as flinch as he casually took a drink from his own glass. Setting it back down, he replied "Forgive my inadvertent slip of the tongue, Orthello, as I never meant to cause you any undue distress. I simply was trying to make an honest observation, that's all."
Edward Holiday returned Theo's smile with one of his own while keeping both of his pale white hands in plain sight as he placed his cards face-down on the worn, frazzled felt table.
"Let me go ahead and make my intentions clear here as I'll go ahead and fold. The price I'd have to pay to call you out would be too high and too unreasonable at this time," Holiday continued as he pushed his cards toward the center of the table without any further protest.
Theo's smile broadened noticeably as his opponent surrendered his claim to the pot without a fuss; he dropped his own cards facedown in order to sweep up his winnings.
A visible sense of relief washed over the numerous onlookers as it appeared that the rising palpable tension generated by the two adversaries had been dealt with properly without the need for any blood being shed.
"In fact, as an attempt to make proper amends, allow me to take care of the next round by having George break out a couple glasses of his special thirty-three year old single malt scotch straight from the Highlands," Edward offered as he motioned toward the old barkeep standing by.
"Well, that's right generous of you sheriff. It truly is a pleasure to see that manners and reason can still carry the day even in a place with such a violent history as Tombstone; no offense intended as its ill-gotten reputation precedes your time here," Theo remarked as he gladly accepted the offer. "What then shall we drink to?"
"How's about towards a renewed peace and understanding between a pair of friendly old acquaintances in newly improved circumstances? You, the blessed reformed businessman who has finally found true love; me, the recently appointed lawman of the notoriously troubled Tombstone who is just too foolish or stubborn to know any better! Cheers to our continued good fortune," Sheriff Holiday finished as he raised a glass to his drinking companion as he took a sip.
"Cheers as I'll gladly drink to that good Sheriff but pray tell, there must be some other fortuitous circumstances you are celebrating as that excellent scotch was a bit of an overkill for such a small, unintended slight," Theo questioned after he had followed suit.
"Keen observation as always, Orthello as nothing gets by you! You are correct as I do have a bit of a hidden reason for celebration but as it relates to my capacity as a legal enforcement authority, I cannot reveal much. Let's just say that my prospects are looking up in that regard," Edward offered as he took another sip.
"But, if you're feeling like you need to repay my generosity, how about you show me what your cards were on that last hand you won? C'mon, that's more than a reasonable ask between fast friends, don't you think," as Holiday smoothly framed his request in friendly terms.
"A wise man once told me you never reveal more than you have to," Theo waxed philosophically in response to Holiday's demand.
"But, in the nature of maintaining friendly relations with the law, I'll grant you a peak at one of them," he relented as he flipped over a card: the Ace of Spades.
"Appreciate the gesture Theo but I long suspected that was one of your hole cards; I was half-hoping that you would reveal whether or not you had the Queen of Spades as well, but respect your modesty in not flaunting your possession of her."
"Like I said Sheriff, you should never reveal more than you have to, Theo started his reply.
"Or you're likely to regret it later down the line."
"But, let me ask you if you're willing to disclose if your festive mood is in any relation to making a breakthrough in the most recent stagecoach robbery? Those ex-slave owners sure did lose a pretty penny and seem itchin' to find those responsible."
"I think I'll take you up on your wise counsel, my good man and simply say that I am enjoying a recent change in luck, despite my shortcomings at the table tonight," the sly words came Holiday's lips as he quickly finished his drink.
"Now if you gentlemen will excuse me, I have to see a man about a horse and then will look elsewhere to hopefully find a better ending to my night. Good day all."
