Grady Hart: The Serpent in Sage Creek (Episode 3)

The sky was heavy with the fading light of day as Grady Hart rode into Sage Creek. His horse, Crow, kicked up dust with each step, the town barely more than a few ramshackle buildings and a saloon that looked like it had seen better years. Grady hadn’t planned on staying long. Just a room, a bite to eat, maybe a cold beer before hitting the road again. Atlanta was a long way off, and he had business down there—a name, Tom Parker, to follow up on. But for now, Sage Creek would have to do.

Crow snorted as Grady tied him to the hitching post outside the saloon. “Easy, boy,” Grady muttered, patting the horse’s neck. He gave a quick glance around the town. Not much to see. The kind of place where folks kept their heads down, and trouble waited around every corner.