Crossroads - Two Bit Westerns-Eli Stone, #5

Slowly, the boy pivoted, hands in plain sight."So, why'd that old man send you to me?" I asked. Dave's reluctance to answer was written all over his hangdog face."What?" I demanded. "What'd he say?""You sure you wanna know?"I slapped leather. The boy gasped and spit, "Never see this coming. Not in a million years. And something about irritation and, " he winced and grimaced, "arbitrary bastard."Must've been the face I made, or maybe that sharp intake of breath prior to."No, " Dave cried, showing his palms.
"Don't shoot me, man. I was just waiting for you to get back and the door was open, like that guy said. Didn't mean to fall asleep on your couch."I holstered my weapon in a flash, pressing blood from my lips until it hurt."All right, all right." He waxed even more pitiful, like a pissing puppy. "I found a biscuit and ate it. I'm sorry, man. I'll leave now, right now."I said, "Put your hands down, " and grit my teeth.
"So, where were you headed when you ran into him?""That old guy?""Well, who we been talking about here?"Dave recoiled and snapped, "How the hell would I know?"I glowered, the boy backpedaled a step, neither of us saying a word for two drawn breaths at least."Can I go now?" Dave said. "I don't like the look on your face."Right then, Sarah burst through the kitchen entry. "What the hell're you doing here?" she cried.
I looked from Sarah to Dave and my lungs deflated. Perish the thought."What's that supposed to mean, Eli?" she spit harshly. "Perish what thought?" She eagle-eyed Dave into a wincing cringe and said, "I know who you are."