The Fast Guns

“Twin Oaks is a peaceful town—or it was for a long time,” Ralph Jordan, the town’s banker, declared. Hudson Cook, the owner of the Canyon Run Saloon, remarked, “I’d say it’s still mighty peaceful for a frontier town.” Des Morris, the owner of the Tall Mesa Saloon, told the banker, “You called this meeting, Ralph, but you never mentioned the reason.” Boyd Walker, who owned the Walker General Store, remarked, “One old rancher shot dead, one farmer trampled to death, rustler activity—not to mention the hard men that keep appearing in town. I’d say this place is less than peaceful right now.” Ralph Jordan said, “I called this meeting of the town council because I believe that this town needs a good Marshal.”

Mandy Moore was the owner of the Beef and Beans Eatery, and she was generally known as Ma Moore. She pointed to the man sitting next to Ralph Jordan and asked, “Is that why Hal Hawkins is here? No offence, Hal, but you’re the Marshal of tough and violent boomtowns, and Twin Oaks hardly qualifies as that.” Hal Hawkins was a tall, broad-shouldered, muscular man with a deep chest and the narrow waist of a rider. He wore a Colt revolver slung low on his right hip, and a Bowie knife was sheathed on his left. He had a broad face with a dimple in his chin and a strong jawline. He had longish blond hair and blue eyes that could turn as cold as a Rocky Mountain blizzard when he was angry. He smiled now and said, “Good to see you too, Ma. I’ve been asking that question myself.”

Lenny Cooper was the owner of The Lodge—a building that had rooms for rent for those who couldn’t afford to stay at the hotel. He had built it himself, and he earned enough money to live on. Drifters usually stayed at The Lodge, and the three farmhands from the Jays Farm stayed there permanently. Two other permanent residents were the blacksmith’s assistant, Sam Knowles, and Hudson Cook. Lenny earned extra money as a gunsmith, and he could repair any type of gun. He was a quiet man, and he would rarely talk at these council meetings, but now he said, “Judging by the type of men who have been coming to this town, I’d say that a man like the Hawk would be the right man for the job.”

Hal Hawkins said, “Long time no see, Lenny.” Lenny shook his head and said, “It’ll be longer, Marshal. Much longer.” Everybody glanced at the two men with curiosity, but Hal said smoothly, “Just a private joke between us.” He looked at Lenny and asked, “You recognize some of them?” Lenny replied, “Danny Ryden and Hutch Carver. They first came to town around two months ago, stayed for two days, and left. They spent those two days riding around the country. They’ve been back twice since then. They stay for a day or two and then leave.” He paused and then remarked, “Seven weeks ago, Rupert Jones reported that he was missing cattle. He was shot on his range four days later.”