“It’s a free country.”
“Pretty free,” admitted Hashknife.
They bunched together and headed back toward Red Arrow. Hashknife would have given much to know what was going on behind Butch’s little eyes, which seemed busy scanning the road and the surrounding country. There was little conversation. Hashknife was doing a bit of thinking himself. Blackwell talked to Chuck and Sleepy, but seemed to avoid Hashknife.
“Inquest tomorrow,” said Hashknife, breaking a long silence between him and Butch.
Butch nodded shortly.
“Bury Billy in town, I reckon. Got no relatives that I know about. I hope they git old Rance.”
“Think Rance shot him?”
“Sure. He was the only man who wanted to kill old DuMond.”
“But he wanted to kill him fair, didn’t he?”
“If he had a chance. Billy was scared of him.”