#reply_starter.doc

          THE NAME TEDDY FLOOD’S AS WELL KNOWN AROUND THESE PARTS AS MUCH AS HECTOR ESCATON OR WYATT. Everybody knows or knows of Teddy Flood, be it for the right reason or the wrong reason, you couldn’t be sure. People say a lot of bad things about Teddy, but from what Clara’s come to see & know, he seems a sweet, genuine man. A rare thing in this town.

It’s something of a rarity to find him unaccompanied. He’s very popular with the Newcomers -- on her morning walks she often spots him with a band of merry men or with his sweetheart, Dolores. Harriet had been whisked away from her prematurely this morning, & with Bronson back at home she could use the company. Maybe he’d be keen for some, too.

          “     Mornin’, Teddy -- all by yer lonesome this lovely day?     ”

          MISS ABERNATHY WAS ALWAYS A PRETTY SIGHT. There was a lot of terrible people & terrible things in Sweetwater, but she was a ray of light through the dusty grit of the town & its inhabitants. Clara spotted her by her horse, loading some groceries into the saddlebags & noticed a loose can falling from a bag, rolling away through the dust.

Bronson wandered after it, Clara following behind the dog as he picked it up in his jaws & trotted over to the blonde. The teacher offered a smile upon approach; petting Bronson softly atop his head as she greeted Dolores. 

          “     Lovely mornin’, ain’t it, Miss?      ”

          SHE HAD THOUGHT ABOUT THIS DAY FOR FOUR YEARS. Thought about how the day may come when she might be able to avenge her husband’s death. Here stood her opportunity; six foot two & clad in black, with dusty boots & smoking gun. Hector Escaton. Not three feet in front of her.

Clara thought about what her husband might do ( what he HAD done ), & found strength enough to leave the safety of her quiet booth to take a bottle from the gambler’s table to beat the sonuva bitch over the head with.

          “     You no good, dirty, rotten little SNAKE!      ”