Dust.

Chris shook his head, the taste of dust in the back of his parched throat. 

Sarah had hated dust.  She had been forever wiping the table and shaking the bedclothes.  If she’d lived in Four Corners... the thought faded into the abyss that dwelled inside Chris.  If she’d been alive, they’d have been on their ranch... and he wouldn’t be in this dust bowl of a town, living by his gun.

The rattle and rumble of the stage filled the air, accompanied by a cloud of dust.

Chris paused whittling and watched the coach pull in.  Curiously he eyed the people disembark.  Why would anyone choose to come here as opposed to stumbling into the town on their journey elsewhere?

The last of the four passengers was Judge Travis.  Travis waited for his bag and then spotting Chris, marched toward him.  It was clear the circuit judge was unhappy about something.  ‘Maybe the dust’, Chris thought with dark amusement.

“Chris.”

Chris nodded a greeting.  “Judge.”

“Where’s Vin?”

Chris frowned and then shrugged.  “Somewhere in town.  Problem?”

Travis dug a neatly folded sheet of paper from his pocket and held it out to Chris.  Chris eyed it, recognized it as a wanted poster and then lifted his gaze to the Judge without accepting the poster.

“Vin’s a wanted man.”

Chris nodded. 

“You knew?”  Travis appeared both surprised and annoyed.

“He’s innocent.”

“According to who?  Him!”  Travis exclaimed impatiently.

Chris rose to his feet.  “Yes.”

“And you believe him?”

“Yes.”

Travis stared at Chris.  “Do you know how many times I’ve heard that from men accused of murder.

Chris exhaled slowly.  “He isn’t the type.”

“To commit murder?” Travis demanded, pushing the poster back into his pocket.

“To commit murder and then deny it.”

Travis opened his mouth to respond but shut it.  His eyes narrowed in thought.

“If Vin had done it, he’d have said so.”

Travis pursed his lips.  “But you agree he’s capable of murder.”

“I’m yet to meet a man who isn’t.”

The judge considered the words and then nodded.  “True.  So, is this going to be a problem?”

Chris stepped off the boardwalk.  “Only if you make it one, Judge.”

*********

Travis watched Chris stride toward the saloon and shoulder into the room.  The judge had no doubt that if he tried to arrest Vin, Larabee would defend the man he believed in.  He was that type of man.  All seven of the men he’d hired to protect the town were.

Vin Tanner appeared from the stables.  His strides were long and ambling.  Two people called greetings and he acknowledged them with nods.

Abruptly, Vin changed course and jogged across to the stage where Gloria Potter was collecting a box.  Vin tip his hat and insisted on carrying the small but clearly heavy box. Gloria smiled and led him into the shop.

Gloria was not easily impressed but it would appear she trusted Vin Tanner. So did Mary... all of the town did.  Hell, the judge had trusted Tanner with the lives of his daughter-in-law and grandson.

Moments later, Vin exited the store and scanned the street.  He walked back to the stage and assisted the coach driver to unhitch the horses and take them to the water trough.

Travis dug the wanted poster from his pocket and stared at it.  Wanted for murder.  Did the man he knew as Vin Tanner seem the type to kill unnecessarily?  Did it matter?  The law was the law.  With a weary grunt, Travis shook his head.  This was going to be a problem.

A shadow fell over him.  He looked up to find Vin standing in front of him.  “Knew you’d find out eventually.”

“This the business you had to take care of when you first signed up?” Travis asked.

Vin’s chin bobbed, his clear blue eyes holding the judge’s gaze.

“Why’d you stay past the month if you knew I’d find out?”

Vin sighed. “I signed up to protect this town.  Gave my word to you.  While the town still needs protection I’ll stay. You going to try and arrest me?”

Travis stared.  “If I do?”

“I’ll have to wing you and ride out of here.”

A smile of relief spread across Orin Travis’ face.  Wing him... not kill him.  Another man would have said, ‘I’ll have to shoot you... or I’ll have to kill you.’  Vin had unconsciously provided the evidence the judge needed to satisfy himself. 

Travis folded the poster and handed it to Vin.

“Do you want to know if I did it?” Vin asked curiously.

“Did you?”

“No.”

“That’s good enough for me.”

Vin’s frown deepened.  “I could be lying.”

“I have it on good authority that you’re not the type.”  Travis winked and then headed toward the saloon for a drink.  “Can I buy you a drink, Vin?”

Vin fell into step beside him.  “Reckon I’ll buy you one, Judge.”

---

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© Dec 2008 Aussie Lass. : This relates only to the creative property in this story. The distinctive way the story unfolds, the specific dialogue and unique situations are mine. I acknowledge that some of the characters and settings belong to MGM and Trilogy Entertainment and thank them sincerely for turning a blind eye so I can borrow them. (g) No infrigement of copyright was intended and no profit has been made from this story... so, please don't sue me. It wouldn't be worth your while.