14 hours

6. Last warning

Stump couldn't avoid chewing on his fingers.
This photo was much different from the last one.
The chameleon lay on the floor. The camera made the picture from the side so that they could see the whole body of the green lizard. Blindfolded, gagged, hands tied on his back and the legs tied together. It looked like the unknown blackmailer had forced him to take this position, although he had problems to lie stiffly. Despite all his upper body was still ducked. Either of pain or of fear. As if he wanted to beg that they should stop. No wonder. His body had covered with bruises, some lacerations and more than three incised wounds on his arm and leg. It was impossible to see whether he had some broken bones or not.
With a quick wave of his hand, Bill unfolded the note. The letters reappeared and this time it was almost only red letters.
"Reply to us! Fulfil our requirements! Or we cut off your sheriff's fingers. With every delay, he will lose one part more of his body.
That's the last warning!
His current condition is just a mild foretaste."
Bill didn't read the text. Everyone read it for himself.

Buford noticed that Bill and the others were remarkably silent. Otherwise, they had always come in with loud laughter or rumbling. But today they came through the door like good churchgoers. Silently they took seats at the counter.
Buford poured them cactus juice. But Bill grabbed the bottle and put it on the table beside him. Stump ran a finger thoughtfully over the edge of his glass. Chorizo circled his fingers aimlessly and stared at his hands. Just Kinski, who sat beside Bill, peeked over to him. Since they had read the note, he hadn't said much anymore. Just a short "Bad luck."
Buford, who couldn't understand that silence, looked at Bill from time to time.
Finally, Bill hit his fist on the table and screamed.
"Arrrghh! Stop staring at me!"
All people in the room looked at him. Bill turned around.
"What are you peering for?!"
Quickly all people turned away again.
His three companions sat on their chairs frozen in shock. After a while, Bill had calmed down again, they relaxed a little and the unusual silence came back.
But that silence gave Bill the rest.
Without warning, he slammed the glass on the tabletop. Then he stood up and left the saloon with heavy fast steps.
Kinski, Stump and Chorizo looked at each other. Then they left their seats and walked outside under the eyes of the shocked citizens.

"Where is he gone?" Stump scratched his head.
The street was empty, just a few farmers crossed it.
Kinski blew against his bangs. "He can't be far away."

After a while they found their boss on the beach of the lake.
The Gila monster lay on the back, arms and legs stretched out.
"Tramps," he muttered. "Idiots."
The three mammals didn't know what to do instead and lay down next to him.
First Kinski, then Stump and Chorizo and stared into the sky.
After some curses more from Bill, Kinski dared to break the cursing time.
"What about tomorrow?"
"About what?" Bill growled with an annoyed voice.
"Just out of curiosity."
Bill covered his face with his hat. "Shit."
For a moment nobody said a word until Stump cleaned his throat.
"What should we do with them?"
Chorizo looked at him. "With what?"
"With the... fingers."
Kinski crossed his hands on his back of his head. "I'm not exactly overanxious to pick up some dead body remains."
"Body parts," Chorizo corrected. "He is still alive."
"So much the worse."
"What are you muttering about?" the muffling voice of Bill sounded and lifted his hat.
"Why don't we give the letter to Beans or someone else?" Stump suggested.
"Yes," Chorizo hoped. "Why all this stress?"
With a jerk, Bill sat up and gave him an angry look. "What stress?"
"Oh, come on," Kinski said and sat up too. "Since that damn letter you don't speak a word anymore."
"Wasn't I loud enough in the saloon?"
"You take issue with that situation, don't you?"
The rabbit winced when Bill reared up with aggressive gesture. "I thought that's what we wanted! That he disappears, didn't we?"
His friends lowered their glances.
The Gila monster crossed his arms with satisfaction. "There we go."
"What a shame," Kinski's voice muttered. "And I thought you wanted to blow away his brain alone. Now the others have the pleasure of doing your job."
"My job?"
With amazement, Bill looked at the laying down rabbit.
"That's what you said," Stump added. "That it would be your job to kill him."
"Did I?"
The lizard thought a moment. But then he turned away and walked along the beach. His shoe soles touched little water waves from time to time.
He stopped suddenly and looked at the town when strokes of clock sounded.
The three on beach laying animals rolled themselves on their bellies and counted.
"10 o'clock," Kinski commented.
They stood up and went over to Bill, who stood there, his arms akimbo and looked with narrowed eyes before he crossed his arms.
"How many hours remain us until midnight?" he asked.
Kinski counted silently. "14 hours."