The Accomplice

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Mike’s insult was cut off by the roar of a shotgun at close range. The blast took a chunk out of his torso and spun him around.

Every face turned to stare at Caleb, who stood over the messy remains of Loco Mike Abel.

“Jesus Christ,” came one voice from near the bar. “He shot him.”

“I saw it, too. Damn near cut him in half.”

“I think I’m gonna be sick.”

The bottom of Caleb’s stomach dropped out, and soon the floor seemed to tilt beneath his feet. Almost immediately, he felt a steadying hand on his shoulder.

“It’s all right,” Doc Holliday said in a low, soothing voice. “It’s all over. You did good.”

In loving memory of

my grandmother Martha.

She taught me to play cutthroat poker and said,

“Shut up and deal, kid,”

when I wanted to go to sleep

after winning a few hands.

Thanks, Ma-Mu.

Going to bed early never got anyone anywhere.

Author’s Note

In writing this book, I have tried my best to stay true to the spirit of John Henry “Doc” Holliday. Wherever possible, I have kept the actual names, places, and dates intact. Even some details that might go unnoticed are historical fact. However, this is a work of fiction, and some things needed to be altered a bit for the sake of the story. My real intention is to entertain but also give an accurate portrayal of one of the Old West’s most well-known figures. Doc was a character in every sense of the word, and hopefully this book will let that shine through. If it’s true history you’re after, I would suggest books like Doc Holliday: A Family Portrait, by Karen Holliday Tanner, or The Frontier World of Doc Holliday, by Pat Jahns. With that said, turn the page and enjoy!

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