Rat Killer

by Mark Mellon

About the Author: Mark Mellon has four novels and over eighty short stories (many as reprints) published in the USA, UK, Ireland, and Denmark. His short fiction has recently appeared in Cirsova, Savage Realms, Swords And Sorcery, and Weird Mask. A novella, Escape From Byzantium, won the 2010 Independent Publisher Silver Prize for SF/Fantasy.

Excerpt

Eliano was eleven when the stranger came to Matalo, a complete rarity in that tiny pueblo. Guzman had him sweep the porch while he washed glasses and mopped down the bar. He awkwardly swung the broom, taller than himself. Trotting hooves distracted him.

A man rode down the single dirt road, past the two dozen or so adobe huts and brush jacals that made up the Coahuilan hamlet. Mestizo dark, he dressed like a gringo in a sweat stained Stetson and denim brush jacket and pants. He rode a big stallion, a white and brown paint with a blond-black mane. Horse and man were dusty from long riding.

He halted before the tavern. “Hello, chico. Will you unsaddle my horse and brush him down for fifty centavos?”

Eliano grinned. “Certainly, Señor. Right away.”

“Hold on. He works for me. You can’t just take him away from his chores.”

Guzman stood on the porch, walrus mustached, hands on hips, dirty white apron to his knees. The man dismounted.

“That’s no way to talk to a customer.”

“I’m not open until noon.”

“You’re open when I say you are.”

Big, broad shouldered, his eyes were like black obsidian chips, a Colt ’73 Peacemaker on his left hip, a bowie knife on his right. Guzman visibly withered under his glare. He bowed and gestured to the batwing doors.

“I’m always open to a gentleman.”

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