The Devil on Boot Hill (RonanOBoyle)

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The Devil on Boot Hill

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The Devil on Boot Hill

On Boot hill the ambush was set. 

Abe Zabba in perfect cover behind a half fallen tombstone smiled as he aimed his rifle at the lone horseman. 

The star shining on his preys chest. 

How thoughtful  of lawmen to wear perfect little targets. 

He waited for his victim to get so close that not even a child could miss. 

As was his custom he glanced into the eye of his prey before shooting and stopped. 

"O'Boyle! God damn it! Is that you?!" cried out Zabba standing up but still keeping his rifle pointed at the startled rider. 

"Jesus Zabba you trying to give me a heart attack!"

O'Boyle cursed almost falling off his startled horse. 

"Your plan worked Boss. Busted Gulch was an easy target just as you said."

Smiled Zabba his gold tooth shone in the harsh desert sunlight. 

He lowered his rifle. 

"My plan."

O'Boyle got off his horse. 

"This wasn't my plan."

"You're to modest boss." Zabba said. 

"When you left and Sol joined, he found your notebook. It was all in there. Plans of Busted Gulch, the bank, wagons... everything."

Zabba swatted a sand fly and continues. 

"You were always the brains of our outfit. When I say you in jail Boss, I said to Big Pez that's O'Boyle in jail. He's planning something. God help Busted Gulch they won't know what hit them."

Smiled Zabba and then he looked concerned. 

"Boss you look terrible. How did you escape from that jail?"

"I didn't Zabba. They let me go."

O'Boyle smiled then winced and leaned on a tombstone for support. 

Zabba laughed.

"Only you could get a whole town wrapped 'round your finger. They really won't see it coming."

"Thing is old friend they made me a deputy."

O'Boyle smiled and Zabba bust a gut laughing. 

O'Boyle joined in. 

"It gets better. They said if I bring you in they will drop all past charges."

Both laughed so hard Zabba thought the dead would wake up. 

"Don't worry, Boss. I'll see you get a cut. It's only fair."

Zabba slapped his companion on the back. 

"Sorry friend, I have decided to take their offer."

O'Boyle stopped smiling. 

Zabba waited for the punch line and O'Boyle's stone cold stare told him none was coming.

Zabba went for his rifle but O'Boyle shot first. 

He fell to the ground. 

As he died he looked at O'Boyle who seemed filled with pity. 

What's the boss playing at?

He must have something bit and bloody planned or 

does he actually believe he has changed?

This Devil believes his own lies. 

When he turns. 

As he always does. 

God help them. 

Blood will flow. 

Zabba's world went black. 

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