Bullets Don't Care

By Michael E. Cook

Things just never stay quiet for very long. U.S. Marshal Sean O’Rourke must go to the Indian Nations again and bring in or kill an army of killers. These killers are getting used to killing women and children. They learn the hard way what it is like to face a hard man like O’Rourke and his deputies. They are definitely not helpless women and children.

When Sean needs help, his friends come. It doesn’t matter how far away they are. They come to his aid. When bad men mess with O’Rourke, they have messed with the wrong man. O’Rourke’s justice is swift and sure. Bad men who have crossed O’Rourke, usually do not live to see the inside of a prison cell. O’Rourke knows how to make a hangman’s knot.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Michael E. Cook
• Release date: May 21, 2020

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The Sean O’Rourke Series

Book 8

Bullets Don’t Care

by

Michael E. Cook

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or to actual events or locales is entirely coincidental.

BULLETS DON’T CARE: THE SEAN O’ROURKE SERIES, BOOK 8

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Copyright © 2020 Michael E. Cook. All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book, or portions thereof, in any form. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, downloaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical without the express written permission of the author. The scanning, uploading, and distribution of this book via the Internet or via any other means without the permission of the author and publisher is illegal and punishable by law. Please purchase only authorized electronic editions and do not participate in or encourage electronic piracy of copyrighted materials.

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Cover designed by Telemachus Press, LLC

Cover design by Telemachus Press, LLC with assistance from Beatrice Gallaugher

Cover photograph by Michael E. Cook

Published by Telemachus Press, LLC at Smashwords

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ISBN: 978-1-951744-21-2 (eBook)

ISBN: 978-1-951744-22-9 (paperback)

Version 2020.05.14

Table of Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Books by Michael E. Cook

About the Author

Bullets Don’t Care

Chapter One

Things were quiet in Lonesome for the next several months. Nothing serious happened that needed a U.S. Marshal’s attention. There were a few bar fights in town, but the men involved were too drunk to cause any damage to their opponents or any furniture. Sam and Tully were enjoying the easy times. Sam and the Mayor seemed to be getting along too. They actually just avoided each other. The Mayor had considered hiring a new Town Marshal, but since it was so peaceful, he decided against it, at least for the time being.

Sam and Kathleen were acting like newlyweds and it was no surprise to anyone that Kathleen came up pregnant in the fall. Sam was acting like a proud father to be. Tully was worried that Sam would let his guard down. It was good that Sam was very excited about the baby, but someone out there still wanted him dead. Tully made up his mind that nothing would happen to his friend. He was Mr. Vigilance.

Sam sent a telegram to his friends Maggie and Sean O’Rourke in St. Louis telling them the news. He got a surprise telegram back from Sean. Maggie was pregnant too. It had been peaceful for Sean too, so he and Maggie decided it was time for another child.

About a week after receiving the telegram from Sean, a man who Sam thought he recognized walked into his saloon. There were two other men with him. They all wore Confederate Cavalry hats. One man wore moccasins and another one wore the shoes that were worn by Yankee foot soldiers. They were mean looking. They kept their hands near their pistols. The man that Sam thought he knew had a bowie knife on his belt. He kept his left hand near the bowie knife. All three men were armed with Army Colts. The three of them stood at the bar. Sam got behind the bar and went over to them. I know you, Sam said to the one who looked familiar. I know that I know you. I just can’t place you right now.

Come on now Colonel, try to remember Fort Pillow, said the man.

Sam thought for moment. Captain Braggs, you shaved off that full beard you had, said Sam. How the hell you been all this time?

Gettin’ by, answered Braggs. Lost everything durin’ the war, but I’ve had some good fortune since then.

That’s good news. What ya been doin’? asked Sam

Bounty huntin’, answered Braggs. White men or Injuns. We get’m.

So yer a scalp hunter? asked Sam.

No, we don’t go out huntin’ for’m, but if we have run ins with’m when we’re after someone, we take scalps, said Braggs. Them’r as good as gold. Now we made us some good money this last year. We got several bounties over $500. Even better the year before.

Were them bounties fer dead or alive? asked Sam.

Yep, and those boys had no intention a comin’ in peaceable like, said Braggs. How bout you Mr. U.S. Marshal. Do you bring’m in alive if’n ya can?

I do what’s necessary, answered Sam. Now who’re these two gents with ya?

This gent with the moccasins is Toad. Don’t know his real name. He just wanna be called Toad so I call’m Toad, said Braggs. This other gent is Monte Winters. They’re both good men, good trackers and damn good shots.

So what brings ya over this a way? asked Sam.

Headin’ down Mexico, said Braggs. Just gonna take it easy fer a spell and find me a good senorita and drink some tequila. Gonna spend a day’r two in this town a yers and then head south.

The more that Braggs talked, the more things Sam remembered about him. He was a crazy son of a bitch. When he could get away with it, he shot wounded Yankees. At Fort Pillow, Sam saw Braggs personally shoot several of the Negro soldiers and laugh while he was doing it. Braggs even went to the Regimental Commander and wanted charges brought against Sam because he didn’t participate in the executions. That Commander was killed in the next engagement and the new Commander had other things to worry about. Sam thought that during that engagement, some shots fired at him came from a gray uniform. It was hard to tell who fired the shots in all the confusion. Bullets don’t care where they come from or who they hit. Maybe Braggs was the one who wanted Sam dead. So what can I git you boys ta drink? asked Sam.

We’ll take three beers, a bottle and three glasses, said Braggs. Yer whiskey don’t git watered down, does it?

Nope, all we serve is good stuff, answered Sam. Sam got the drinks for them and then excused himself. He went to a back room where Kathleen was going over some books. Tully had just walked into the saloon and saw Sam go to the back room. He went there too.

Is somethin’ bout ta happen? Tully asked Sam as he entered the room.

I’m not sure, answered Sam. Kathleen darlin’, I want you ta stay right here in this room. Close the door after me’n Tully leave. There’s a fella at the bar I know from the war. He is a crazy son of a bitch. He might be the one that wants me dead. There’s two men with’m.

What does he have against you Sam? asked Kathleen.

I think he wants me dead cause I didn’t help kill them Negro soldiers at Fort Pillow, answered Sam. I reckon he thought it was my duty to kill them Negro soldiers cause they rose up against their so-called betters. Hell, I don’t know. I do know he’s crazy. He said him and them other two was bounty hunters and were doin’ purty good. Apparently they don’t mind killin’.

Well how do ya wanna handle this Sam? asked Tully.

You stay at the end of the bar and I’ll go back like I’m gonna talk with them fellas, said Sam. I’ll just come out and ask’m if he’s the one that wants me dead and see what happens.

Sam started out of the room with Tully right behind him. As soon as he cleared the door, he could see that the three men were gone. Their beer glasses were empty and the whiskey bottle was gone. Some money was left on the bar.

~~~~

Captain Braggs was from South Carolina. His full name was Thomas Jefferson Braggs. He claimed to be a relative of the Thomas Jefferson. His family owned a huge plantation not far from Columbia and were supporters of secession well before the war broke out. Braggs wasn’t married, but he enjoyed the women, especially other men’s wives. He’d been in several duels and never been wounded. When war did come, he made up his mind to ride with the best. He heard that Nathan Bedford Forrest was the best, so he went west and joined him. Sam Waters and Braggs both rode with Forrest, but were in different units. They had heard of each other, but only saw each other when receiving orders for a campaign or operation. Sam had heard about how Braggs was overly aggressive and enjoyed shooting wounded prisoners. He got his Commission when the war started because of who he was, not his abilities. Braggs knew that Sam started out as an enlisted man and had risen to the rank of Colonel. He was seriously jealous of the man. Braggs’ feelings about Sam became apparent at Fort Pillow. At the next engagement after Fort Pillow, Braggs took some shots at Sam with his revolver, but missed.

When the war ended, Braggs went back to South Carolina to find the plantation destroyed and his family dead. The Yankees and Carpetbaggers were demanding tax money on the property or it would be sold for back taxes. Braggs killed a Carpetbagger and two Yankee Officers who were with him at the time. The Yankees were after him, so he headed west. He started calling himself Bill White and rode with some border gangs out of Missouri for a while, but decided it wasn’t profitable. All the men he rode with, including himself, had prices on their heads. Why not take advantage of that. He made two friends while with a gang, Toad and Monte Winter. They left the gang and started bounty hunting. It was easy at first. The other gang members knew them and trusted them. They were easy to kill.

Braggs and his men were in Texas after a bounty when he heard about a man down in Mexico who was a hired assassin. He was killing the French for the Jauristas. This man was Tully Slocum. Braggs knew of him when he was a 1st Sgt. riding with Bedford Forrest. Sam Waters was stuck in his craw and he wanted him dead, but he was hot on the trail of a $2000 bounty. He was down close to the border and he gave some poor Mexican a few pesos to find Slocum and give him a down payment for killing Sam Waters. He told the Mexican that if he crossed him, he would kill him and all of his family and friends. The Mexican found Slocum. Braggs had discovered that Waters was the Town Marshal in a small town near the border called Lonesome. He found out too late that Slocum and Waters were friends and Slocum had become Waters’ deputy. Slocum kept the down payment. At the time, he had no idea who wanted to hire him to kill Waters. Braggs would get both of them in due time.

Bragg’s collected on the big bounty, but before he started after Waters and Slocum, another big bounty came up. He and his men headed for Colorado. Waters was probably content in his little town and wouldn’t be going anywhere soon.

~~~~

Sam went to the back room and told Kathleen it was all right to come out. She had worried in the room and had her cut down shotgun out and ready. Anyone who came through the door and she didn’t recognize them, was going to get two loads of OO buck. She laid down the scattergun and went to Sam and hugged him. They’re gone darlin’, said Sam. But I best be on the lookout. Hard ta tell what that crazy bastard’ll do. If he’s in town, we’ll find’m. Mebbe he’s not after me at all. But I aim ta find out.

You will be careful Sam. Be careful for me, cried Kathleen.

I will darlin’. I will, said Sam.

They went out into the saloon. Kathleen had put her shotgun back in her pocket. She got behind the bar. She poured Sam, Tully, and herself a drink. Here’s ta stayin’ alive, toasted Sam. They toasted and drank. Now me’n Tully are goin’ out and see if we can find them fellas, said Sam. Tully, you’n me’ll go out the back door and check out this whole town. We’ll stay together. I don’t want’m tryin’ ta pick us off one at a time. I’m goin’ upstairs and git a rifle. Where’s yer Spencer Tully?

It’s upstairs too. I’ll git it, said Tully.

Both men had their rifles and headed for the back door. As soon as Sam opened the door, several shots rang out. Sam was hit in the left shoulder and left leg. Tully was hit in the right side and lower right leg. Kathleen screamed when she heard the shots and saw Sam and Tully being knocked backwards. Sam crawled forward and shoved the door closed. As it closed, several more shots tore through it. Sam wasn’t hit, but some wood splinters tore into his left arm. Son of a bitch, yelled Sam. Sure didn’t expect that. How bad ya hit Tully?

Both shots went clean through and missed bone, answered Tully. I’m not bleedin’ too bad. How bout you?

The one in the leg went through and missed bone, but that one in the shoulder’ll have ta be dug out, answered Sam. I’m not bleedin’ bad. Darlin’, grab somethin’ ta wrap around our legs and Tully’s middle. We’re goin out after them sombitches.

No you’re not, cried Kathleen. You’re going to get back from that door and sit quiet while someone fetches the doctor.

The doc can wait, yelled Sam. I don’t want them sombitches gittin’ away. I don’t wanna be lookin’ over my shoulder all the damn time. Now please darlin’, git these wounds wrapped.

Kathleen started crying, but she got some clean cloth and wrapped the wounds. Sam and Tully both stood now to see how well they could move. I’m good, said Tully. Let’s git at it.

All of the customers who had been in the saloon ran out the front door when the shooting started. They had knocked over some tables and chairs while they were escaping. Sam went to the back door. He took his rifle and shoved it open with the muzzle. No shots were fired. He stood to the side of the doorway and looked out. He couldn’t see anyone anywhere. Just as he turned to tell Tully he didn’t see anyone, a voice was heard from the street in front of the saloon. Come out here Waters, Braggs yelled. We know yer not killed. You’n that no good deputy a yers git out here. We aim ta shoot ya dead.

Let’s go kill them boys, Sam said to Tully. They started for the front door. Sam and Tully had both laid down their rifles. Pistols would be good enough for this. Kathleen was still crying. As soon as the two men cleared the door, she grabbed Sam’s Winchester and ran upstairs. She went to a room with a window facing the street. She stayed to the side so she couldn’t be seen. She slowly opened the window. She stayed back from the window so the muzzle of the Winchester would not stick out and be seen. The three men, Toad, Monte, and Braggs were lined up facing the saloon. Braggs was in the middle. She took aim at Toad and waited.

Sam and Tully limped out into the street. They stopped about forty feet from Braggs and his men. Why am I gonna hafta kill you Braggs? asked Sam. I done nothin’ that wronged ya.

I’m gonna kill you, you damn coward, yelled Braggs. You didn’t do your duty at Fort Pillow and now yer gettin’ yer due.

I didn’t need ta shoot them Negro soldiers, said Sam. You were doin’ all right without me. And you was enjoyin’ it too.

Yes I was and now yer gonna die, said Braggs. Just as Braggs finished his words, Kathleen fired. Toad was struck in the throat and knocked backwards. He squirmed for a bit and then he was dead. The shot surprised all of them. Then Kathleen yelled out.

This’ll make the odds a little more even, she yelled. Maybe I ought to put a few holes in you boys and make the odds even.

That’s enough darlin’, said Sam. Me’n Tully’ll kill’m by ourselves now. Oh, nice shot.

As soon as Sam finished his words, his .44 was out and flames shot out from the muzzle. Tully had his out too. Neither Braggs nor Monte cleared leather. They were dead before they hit the ground. Blood covered their chests.

Doc Wilson heard the earlier shots and figured he’d be needed. He was on his way to the saloon when he saw Braggs and his men in the street. He took cover and waited. Sam saw him coming. Them two won’t need no help, said Sam. Me’n Tully’s been shot up some. I reckon we best git to yer office.

Looks like you boys can still walk and that bleedins slowed’r stopped, said Doc. Let’s git to the office. Kathleen ran down to the street and helped Sam make it over to Doc’s. Georgia came out of hiding and helped Tully.

Doc went to work on the leg wounds first, and then removed the splinters from Sam’s arm. Next was Tully’s side. Sam was drinking whiskey the whole time getting ready for doc to go in after the slug in his shoulder. Now this will hurt, said Doc. Are you ready?

I reckon it hurt goin’in. It oughta hurt comin’ out, said Sam. Git on with it. Sam did some yelling while doc probed for the slug, but it was out quickly. Sam drank some more whiskey. Doc cleaned and dressed the wound. He made a sling for Sam’s left arm.

Now both you boys take it easy for a while, said Doc. I’ll check on you in a few days. You should be all right. Put on clean dressings every day. We don’t want any infections getting started. Sam, you wear that sling till I tell ya not too. Now go on and don’t be getting yourselves shot anymore.

We’ll try not to Doc, said Tully. Sam handed Doc $5 and they left. They limped over to the saloon and sat down at their regular table. The undertaker had already taken the dead bodies to his parlor. Georgia had a customer waiting, so she went with him. Kathleen got a bottle and a couple of glasses. Where’s yer glass? asked Tully after she filled the two glasses.

I shouldn’t be drinking now that I’m with child, answered Kathleen. I might as well slow down right now. Now you two sit here and enjoy your whiskey. I’ve got a few things to do. Kathleen left for the back room.

So why ya figure them two wanted to face us like they did when they bushwacked us ta start with? asked Tully. Don’t make sense ta me.

Well I always heard that Braggs wasn’t too good in the smarts, answered Sam. I reckon he figured since we was shot up some, him and his boys could take us. Kathleen surprised me. I never woulda guessed that she would do what she done.

Me neither, said Tully. She shot ole Toad right in the by God throat. Do ya reckon she was aimin’ fer his throat?

I’d say so, answered Sam. That woman knows how ta shoot. Just cause she carries that cut down scattergun don’t mean she can’t use a long gun. Probly yet today I best git a telegram to the Judge and tell’m we been shot up some. He needs ta know that we won’t be able to do much Marshalin’ for a spell. After a couple more drinks, Sam went to the telegraph office and sent to following.

Federal Judge Sharpton

St. Louis

Myself and deputy wounded in gunfight<>not badly<>three outlaws killed<>knew one from war<>names Thomas Jefferson Braggs<>Monte Winters<>Toad<>will keep you informed of our condition

U.S. Marshal Sam Waters

Lonesome, Texas

Chapter Two

When Judge Sharpton got the telegram from Sam, he figured O’Rourke would want to know his friend had been wounded. He wrote down what Sam had told him and sent his clerk to find Sean. Sean was home with Maggie and the twins when the clerk caught up to him. Son of a bitch, Sam’s been shot, yelled Sean as he read the note. Not bad though. Now just what does not bad mean? I’ll be sendin’ Sam a telegram and see what he says.

Sam’s a tough man, said Maggie. And I think he’d let us know if it was serious.

Yer right darlin’. Sam would let us know, said Sean. At least the ones who done it are dead. I heard a that one fella named Braggs. I seen a wanted poster on him a long time ago. He killed some carpetbagger and two Yankee officers over in the Carolinas somewhere. Should be a reward on’m. Now before all this, you’n me was about ta do some shoppin’ and have some dinner someplace. Let’s git the twins over ta the neighbors and do just that. Maggie took the twins over to the neighbors and Sean got the buggy ready.

They did some shopping and then had dinner at a nice restaurant. They decided to stop in at The Palace because they hadn’t been there for a little while. When they got to The Palace, Maggie went to the back room to talk with Susie. Dan was at the bar and Sean went to talk with him. Susie and Dan still ran the place for them. On the way over to Dan, Sean noticed that there was a crowd around a table in the center of the place. Someone at that table had a big mouth and could be heard above everything else. There was a big man at that table and he was wearing a boler hat. A little man sat to his left.

What the hell’s goin’ on over there? Sean asked Dan. Sounds like someone’s sure shootin’ their mouth off.

That big man wearin’ the boler hat is supposed ta be a fighter. Name’s Lonnie McPherson, said Dan. That little man with him is his manager. They’re sayin’ that they’ll give $50 to any man who can last one round with him.

Don’t like that kinda fightin’, said Sean. So how’s things around here?

It’s been quiet, too quiet I think, answered Dan. I haven’t asked or told anyone to leave for over a month. I sure hope that loudmouth doesn’t stir up things.

Just as Dan finished talking, Maggie came out of the back room. She went to look at a new painting that Susie had bought. It was on a front wall. After looking at the picture, she headed to the bar where Dan and Sean were talking. She walked past the table where the fighter was sitting. When the fighter saw Maggie, his eyes were glued to her. When she got beside him, he stood up and grabbed her. He put his arms around her and had both of his hands on her backside. He tried to force a kiss, but before he could, there was a .44 stuck in his crotch. The place got very quiet when Maggie cocked the hammer on the pistol. McPherson turned a strange color and took his hands off of Maggie. He started to back up. Maggie moved with him keeping the .44 in his crotch. She smiled at him. Now I’m going to shoot off your cojones one at a time, said Maggie. Then I’ll shoot off that puny little pecker of yours. Now this might not happen. Do you see that man who just came up behind me? McPherson nodded his head yes. That man is my husband and I think he wants to beat you to death. Is that right darlin’? Would you like to beat this man to death?

Yes I would Maggie. Now please step aside so I can git at it, said Sean.

Maggie took the .44 from McPherson’s crotch and stepped aside. As soon as she was clear, Sean struck. Before McPherson could do anything, Sean kicked him in the cojones. When he buckled over, Sean’s uppercut sent him onto his back. Sean sat on his chest and gave him several rights and lefts. Then Sean got up. He grabbed McPherson and stood him up. Come on now, we’re not done by any means, said Sean. A big fighter like you should be able ta take a few punches. Someone git me a bucket a water. Dan brought Sean a bucket. Sean threw the whole bucket into McPherson’s face. Sean waited a while. McPherson was regaining his wits. He shook his head and took a stance. He took a swing at Sean who sidestepped and the blow missed. He took another swing at Sean. He missed again, but this time he got one back. Sean connected on another blow and then another and another. He landed even more blows. McPherson just stood there and wouldn’t fall. Sean went over and gave him a push. Down he went. He was out on his feet and just hadn’t made it to the floor.

The little manager went over to look at his fighter. He looked at Sean. Mister, that weren’t no fair fight, he yelled. Just who the hell’r you?

Name’s O’Rourke, U.S. Marshal Sean O’Rourke, answered Sean. And you tell yer boy here he’s lucky I didn’t kill’m. Nobody, and I mean nobody, puts their stinkin’ hands on my wife.

He’ll be lookin’ you up when he’s able, said the manager. He’ll want ta git even.

If he wants ta die that’s his business, said Sean. Cause that’s what’ll happen ta him if I even hear that he’s made threats towards me. And I’ll do it nice ‘n slow. You ask around bout me. I spent some years with the Cheyenne. I know all kinds a ways ta kill man slow. The pain’ll be so much that he’ll be beggin’ me ta kill’m and git it over with. Now you tell’m. Fer now, you’n yer boy git the hell outta my place.

What do ya mean yer place? asked the little man.

Just what I said fool. I own this place, said Sean. Now git.

The manager helped McPherson to his feet and they made their way out. Everyone in the place watched as they struggled to get to the door. As they were about to exit, McPherson turned his head and yelled, this is not over Mr. I will hurt you badly for this.

Sean was in disbelief when he heard McPherson’s words. That man wants to die, Sean thought to himself. I reckon I should help him. No one saw Sean draw his pistol, but they sure saw it when Sean had it out and aimed at McPherson’s head. You have just threatened me in front of all these witnesses, yelled Sean. I should kill you right now and save time, but you are not heeled and some would consider it murder. I am not a murderer. But I’ll tell you this and I’ll tell you just one time only. The next time I see you, you better be heeled. Now git the hell outta here before I change my mind.

McPherson just shook his head and his manager helped him out the door. I think you have another enemy, said Maggie. I just know that man is going to try something once he’s better.

Yep, he probly will darlin’, said Sean. I just hope he gits some sense and gits the hell outa here.

You know that he won’t, replied Maggie. He’s a fighter and you hurt his pride badly. He’ll want revenge. Would you really do something to him that you learned from the Cheyenne?

I could and I wouldn’t feel bad about it, answered Sean. Nobody and I mean nobody puts their hands on my wife cept me. I won’t kill’m unless I have no choice, but I might cripple him some. Now how bout let’s git home and have some alone time before we git the kids.

I’m with you darlin’. Let’s go, said Maggie.

As soon as they got in the door, the clothes went