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ORMER ARMY MEDICAL CORPS Officer Joe Hurd stood strategically behind the bar facing Siler City Sheriff Chuck Hutchison. The saloon was less than an hour away from opening under its new name. “I don’t like it,” Hutchison began. “It’s a bad idea. Why change things now? Besides, I like the name Yellow Rose.” He looked down. “It was my wife’s favorite flower.” “I know that. But I want to do something that’ll stand out, a place people notice and travel to from all parts just to have a drink—not to mention spend some time and money in Siler City. You can’t be opposed to that.” Hutchison waved a slim hand. “Ha! I think it will have the opposite effect. People will stay away. No one will want to come here… they’ll… they’ll be afraid to come to Siler City for God’s sake, and I wouldn’t blame ’em for a minute. I can’t imagine anyone being in favor of this fool idea.” He paused. Then. “The Just Us Saloon! What kinda name is that? And, bringing in old lawmen and old outlaws to run the place? We’ll be crawling with thieves, murderers, bandits…
and God knows what else. Good, law-abiding folk will be afraid to step into our town,” Hutchison decried. “Of all the—” “You forgot to mention the lawmen.” “Whatever.” The jagged scar across his forehead reddened. Hurd hadn’t moved. “Look, the only outlaws I invited finished their time and paid their debts. Why shouldn’t I give them a chance? Heck, we might even wind up with a few lawmen who were responsible for arresting some of their coworkers!” Hurd laughed, long and loud. “We’ll be the laughingstock of the whole darn state.” “Relax, Chuck. It’ll be the safest place west of the Mississippi.” “How do you figure?” “Remember, I’m hiring a former lawman for every ex-outlaw. And the so-called bad guys are, by the way, not bad any longer.” Hurd paused. “Then again, I know lawmen who are a lot worse than some outlaws.” “Huh? Well, it’s still a bad idea.” Moments from opening time, a gentleman entered the saloon. Only his eyes were exposed. His
