15They laid Reece on an old piece of tarpaulin one of the cowhands had found and, with one at each corner, they carried him down the street, with Toby covering them all the while with his revolvers c****d and ready.
At Arabella's, they eased Reece onto the floor. His moans were low and continuous. Around them, stunned faces gaped, not truly understanding what had happened.
“Oh, sweet Jesus,” said a middle-aged, ample-sized woman, make-up applied in thick layers on a face desperate for sunlight. She turned away, hand to her mouth, gagging. Someone else in a far corner could not hold their own vomit in. They were not alone.
Reece lay rigid and black, his body charred to a crisp in places. His hands and arms were like twisted twigs of charcoal and the flesh on his face and throat was burne
