CHAPTER FOUR

   When Calamaro reached for his money, Stacklee pushed his hand away.

   “I’ll take care of it,” he said. “As much as I think you did a dumb thing, I do appreciate it. Least I can do is pay for your drink while you’re still breathing.”

   “Guys didn’t seem so tough.”

   “It’s not those guys you should be worried about. It’s William Lyons, the man they work for.”

   Calamaro shrugged. “That name supposed to mean something?”

   “He’s made a name for himself over the years mainly for being a cold son of a bitch. He was in the army. Killed lots of Indians, Mexicans, and basically anyone else ain’t like him.”

   “But he leaves you alone?”

   “He pretty much just ignores me. I’m just a dumb nigger to him, I guess. Lyons ain’t going to just walk up to a black man and shoot him. He wouldn’t want to waste a bullet. He’d feel it was like stomping on a bug. It wouldn’t be worth his time.”

   Calamaro sipped his whiskey and savored it. “What happened tonight, would that be a good reason for him to stomp on you?”

   “Don’t know. I’ve messed with those boys before and Lyons doesn’t seem to care all that much probably on account of them being dumb as shit, figure they can’t help but piss people off. What’s he going to do, kill everyone who doesn’t get along with those guys? He’d have to kill everyone in town.”

   “I’d still keep my eyes open, I was you.”

   “I always do,” Stacklee said. “But don’t get the wrong idea. This town is full of good people even though our mayor is a son of a bitch. And then there’s the Hard Candy Kid. He’s one to stay away from. Even William Lyons has enough sense to tread lightly around him.”

   Calamaro nodded. “Sounds to me like this town is full of tough guys.”

   “Maybe so,” Stacklee said. He knocked on the bar. “Hey Betty, come give us another bottle, will you?”

   Betty said, “Sure thing, Stack.” She set down a fresh bottle of whiskey in front of them. She locked her eyes on Calamaro’s. “Listen….what was your name again?”

   “Calamaro.”

   “Calamaro what?”

   “Just Calamaro.”

   “Listen, Calamaro,” Betty said. “I appreciate what you did for Stacklee. He’s a good friend and a good worker. But you’re not from around here. You don’t know this town or the people in it. It was mighty stupid of you to get involved. Stacklee here could’ve handled himself.”

   “I know that. I didn’t do it because I thought the man needed protecting. I did it because I’ve no patience for assholes who run their mouths.”

   Betty laughed. “Fair enough, fair enough.”

   One of her girls walked downstairs and told Betty that Mary wanted to speak to her.

   “Mind watching the bar, Stack?”

   “Sure thing,” Stacklee said. “You mind if I put our new friend to work? Maybe he can sweep the floor or something.”

   Betty winked. “If you can get him to do it, go ahead.”

   “I haven’t swept a floor in years so I can’t promise you I’ll do a good job,” Calamaro said, smiling.

   Stacklee laughed and patted the stranger on the shoulder. “Don’t worry, I’ll teach you all you need to know.”