"Anybody know who they were?" Orrin called out, moving past Chris a few steps to watch the other peacekeepers as they checked the dead men lying in the street.  

Seeing head shakes and hearing negatives from his men, Chris began to notice the milling throng of people who had emerged from their hiding spots to view the carnage. This definitely wasn't part of the planned activities. "You folks move along," Chris called out. 

Following Chris' lead, Orrin tried to be a little more diplomatic. "Everything's under control here. I'm sure there's plenty to do down the street." Motioning for Evie to join him, he stepped off the boardwalk. "Personally, I'm looking forward to the watermelon eating contest. Aren't you, my dear?" he asked Evie, throwing his voice out so that others could hear. 

Taking her cue, Evie slipped her arm through his. "Wouldn't miss it. Shall we?" she replied, moving with her husband down the street. As they hoped, the crowd began to trickle after them.  

Waiting until most of the town folks had started moving away, Chris released Mary and stepped towards the others.

"Who's suppose to be down there?" Chris asked, nodding towards the tables at the far end of town. 

"Buck's got the watermelon eating," JD, darting his eyes among the men.

"Okay, Buck, get going. JD, Ezra, Vin, you three go with him and keep an eye out. Try to keep a low profile. You two," nodding towards Josiah and Nathan, "get the undertaker and a couple of men to clean this mess up," Chris commanded, waving his hand toward the six dead men. 

"Where you going?" Buck asked. 

"I'm going to stick close to the Judge. Until we know who they are and what's behind this attack, we have to assume he's the target." With that, Chris turned and waited for Mary to join him before heading down the street. 

Thumping Vin in the stomach, Buck motioned towards the retreating couple. "Give's him an excuse to keep close to Mary, too," he said, grinning brazenly at the implication. 

Rolling his eyes, Vin shook his head at the scoundrel as he walked past him. "If anything happens while you're standing around talkin' about Chris' love life. . .," the tracker threw over his shoulder, leaving the threat unspoken. 

"How far down do we gotta go?" a cocky young man by the name of Jake Smelder hollered from the far end. 

"Hell, boy, don't ya know ya gotta eat the rind too?" a gruff anonymous voice called from the back of the crowd, eliciting laughter from the group.  

Shaking his head and grinning, JD rested one hand on his hip and one on his gun. "More than three-fourths of the pink has to be gone for it to count," he clarified. Looking up and down the row, he asked, "Any more questions?" 

"JD, let's get this thing goin'. I gotta collect my prize ya know," Buck said, grinning confidently and adjusting his kerchief to protect his shirt from any juice that might drip off his face. 

Waving off the older man, JD adjusted the watch in his hand so he could see it and raised his arm. Dropping it suddenly, he screamed, "GO!" 

Cheers and laughter erupted as the contestants dove into their melon. Seeds, juice, and smaller pieces of pulp flew through the air, spilling onto the table and covering the people at the table and occasionally onto the helpers and bystanders. 

Gleefully watching the contestants, JD glanced at the watch. "One minute left," he yelled, as he saw Buck diving into yet another piece.

Eyes pinned to the watch, JD held his breath as the second hand crept towards the twelve. Reaching it he yelled, "TIME'S UP!" and looked up immediately to make sure everyone cooperated. 

Jumping back from the table, Buck fought to swallow the huge chunks of watermelon still in his cheeks. Swabbing his kerchief at the juice dripping off his chin, he ran quick eyes up and down the table judging the number of rinds before each place. Letting out a yelp, spewing juice and seeds, Buck grabbed the timekeeper, draping his arm around his shoulder. "What'd I win?" 

Leaning away from him, JD tried to escape the stickiness. "You're getting me all messy," he complained, shoving his elbow into Buck to escape. 

"Come on, kid, what'd I win?" 

Grinning, JD reached below the table to pull out the prize. Holding his hand out, he burst out laughing at the look on Buck's face. "Here ya go, Buck. Here's your watermelon!" 

"How many folks ya sucker this time?" Vin drawled, leaning against the post beside the unrepentant gambler while keeping an eye out on the crowd. 

Throwing the tracker only a brief glimpse, Ezra continued to count the bills in his hands. "It is beyond my control, Mr. Tanner, as to whether or not the gentlemen of this town choose to bet against us in these contests. I am merely taking advantage of the opportunity that is presenting itself," he said, finishing up his counting and smiling at his friend while tucking the bills in his coat pocket. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I believe it would be prudent of me to peruse the vicinity for miscreants. Care to join me?" 

With a sweep of his hand and a mock bow, Tanner let his friend take the lead. 

The two men greeted various people as they wove through the crowd, both alert for any possible danger. Vin smiled as he watched Billy Travis dunk his head into a barrel filled with water, trying to catch one of the shiny red apples with his teeth. Vin clapped along with the crowd, a huge grin on his face, as the young boy victoriously brandished the captured prize.  

"Hey, Ezra. . . ." The words died off when Vin saw that Ezra was busy giving JD several bills. The youth grinned and nodded his thanks before running off again. "What was that about?"  

Ezra looked up from his winnings at the soft drawl and grinned. "Why, I was simply giving Mr. Dunne his due share of the winnings." 

"Wait a minute. . . his winnings from the race?" 

Ezra nodded and then smirked. "Unlike his mentor, Mr. Dunne chose to heed my advice and place his bet accordingly. . . on Mr. Sanchez." 

Vin smiled, then handed his friend several bills. "Count me in for the next one." 

Shocked gasps and whispers flew about him as Mary Travis took center stage instead of the candidate. JD frowned, wondering why Chris wasn't making the speech himself. 

JD shrugged at the questioning glances tossed his way. He knew that Chris didn't like being in the public eye and the gunslinger sure as hell wasn't into making speeches. So the sheriff figured that if Chris wanted Mary to make his speech, then it was his business. Dunne barely noticed Mary as she spoke about Chris' plans for the town for he had refocused his attention back on the crowds and surrounding trees, watching out for any more troublemakers. He scanned the fringes of the crowd when a sudden flash caught his eye. 

"GUN!" JD's warning came only a moment before the shot rang out. . . giving Nathan, Buck and Chris just enough time to push the Travises down to the platform. 

"Anyone get a bead on him?" Chris shouted above the terrified screams of the panicking celebrators. 

A boom echoed in the air, silencing all sound. 

The three peacekeepers on the platform cautiously raised their heads, searching for any more threats. 

"Vin's got him!" Josiah's shout from the tree line brought everyone out of hiding.