Annabelle Weston (23 page)

“
Like I said, Vernon, I’m not available.” She cast him the best smile she could muster under the circumstances. “Why don’t you pick another one of the dollies?”

The man shook his head. “We got some business to settle, you and me.”

Her blood ran cold. She inched away from the bed and leaned against the wall by the door, trying not to show her fear. “What kind of business?”

“
You’ll find out soon enough.” He watched her like a predatory animal.

She was sure he meant to kill her. She had to get out of there. “If it’s all the same, I’m going back downstairs.”

Vernon stood, stepped forward a foot, a fair amount of distance still between them. But just that slight move made her tremble. When he spoke his voice was soft, menacing. “You aren’t being very friendly. My boys told me you were quite a piece.”

She bit hard on the inside of her cheek, forcing herself to answer in a steady voice. “I appreciate they were satisfied but I’m all worn through tonight. Could you come back tomorrow?”

Another step closer. He showed her his shooter, cold steel. The initials
V.C.
were carved in the grip. “Maybe this will change your mind?”

Carly had years of experience with this kind of man. She could deal with him. She had to. “Vernon, you are new to the saloon so I’ll make allowances, but we don’t like our customers to bring their weapons into the rooms.”

He rubbed the barrel and laughed a creepy
heh, heh, heh
.

The sound made her blood freeze.

She had to get that shooter away from him. “Have it your way. I figure you’re the kind of man who likes to watch.”

Again the
heh, heh, heh
. The laugh reminded her of a wolf in sheep’s clothing.

She leaned over and unbuttoned her shoes and tossed them aside. She placed her foot on the edge of the bed and drew up her skirt. Vernon panted as he stood over her. She didn’t miss the bulge in his britches or the gleam of lust in his beady eyes.

Carly unhooked her stocking from her garter. She prayed she could seduce him enough that he wouldn’t notice when she reached for his weapon. If that didn’t work, there was always her four-barrel underneath the mattress. He followed her every move. He believed she was helpless and submissive. He thought he was in charge.

She rolled down her stocking and flung it at him, hitting him in the chin. “Whoops,” she said and stepped toward him, reaching for it.

Vernon grabbed her wrist. She gazed at him with a lusty smile and brought his hand to her bosom. He pinched her nipple hard. Carly kept the revulsion from her features even though nausea twisted painfully in her gut.

Her hand slid up his leg to his holster. She caressed the leather.

He pushed her away. “Go on. Finish getting undressed. We’ve got all night.”

Carly cursed. He wasn’t as stupid as he looked.

“
I could use a drink,” she said, curling her tongue around her lips.

He pointed his weapon at her. “Don’t you try anything.”

She lolled her head to the side. He wasn’t falling for her games. He had more plans in mind than bed play. Fear filled her. “Whatever you say, cowpoke.”

He leaned out the open door and looked both ways.

“
Hey, you, come here.”

Ester appeared in the doorway. When she saw Carly, her eyes widened.

“
Bring us a bottle of your best whiskey.” Vernon pointed his shooter at her. “None of that watered down stuff.”

Ester nearly jumped out of her skin. He pushed the Colt into her neck.

“
Leave her alone,” Carly said, an edge to her voice.

He shoved his gun an inch from her nose. “Just do as I say and nobody’ll get hurt.”

Ester got away, much to Carly’s relief.

“
Sit down on the bed and spread your legs. Let this old cowhand see your wares.” He shoved her against the bed and Carly’s knees buckled.

He inched her skirts up, using the barrel of the gun.

Carly kept watching him, even though she wanted to squeeze her eyes shut and wish herself away. She caught sight of Ester carrying a cast-iron skillet in both hands. The girl entered the room on tiptoes. Vernon looked over his shoulder but before he could turn around, Ester raised the pan and it came crashing down on the back of his head with a loud clang.

Carly’s mouth opened wide in surprise.

Vernon Crosby pitched forward. Carly’s first reaction was shock as she moved out of the way. His head hit the bedpost with a crack before he fell to the floor in a heap.

“
Let that be a lesson to you,” Ester said. She kicked the man in the ribs. Carly didn’t try to restrain her.

Vernon didn’t flinch, didn’t move a muscle.

“
Do you think he’s dead?” Ester’s voice trembled.

Carly scrambled from the bed, pleased as punch at what Ester had done. She ran to her side and put her arms around the simple woman. “No, honey, but he’ll have a bump the size of a dragon’s egg when he comes to.”

Ester giggled. “Then I did all right?”

Carly smiled like an approving mother hen. “You did just fine.”

“
Should we tie him up like we done the others?”

Carly scoffed. “I guess we’d better.”

“
When Sheriff Poole gets back, he’ll be happy.”

“
Yes, Ester. He’ll be thrilled.”

Carly knew she was in for a lecture when Jed returned to town but she wouldn’t waste time worrying about it. Where there was one rat, there was sure to be more.

Carly scrambled down the steps, Ester in her wake. They’d tied Vernon up good and tight and left the unconscious gang leader on the floor of her bedroom with the door shut.

She rushed up to the bar. “Alvin, close up. We’ve got trouble.”

“
What is it?” The barman immediately grabbed his shotgun and hefted it to his shoulder.

“
Vernon Crosby is trussed up like a roasted pig in my room.”

Alvin’s mouth dropped open and he turned to Ester, who nodded her head emphatically.

“
That he is, like a-a pig! I got him good, didn’t I, Carly?” Ester spoke fast. She was excited and she had every right to be.

“
Shit. How the hell did he get in here?”

Carly shook her head. “Came in the back way, I reckon. But we need to clear this place out. His boys are likely here or on their way. He would have told them where he was headed and when he doesn’t come back, they’ll be looking for him. And me.”

Alvin banged the butt of his shotgun on the bar. The music stopped and all eyes turned toward him. “Everybody out. Saloon’s closed. See y’all tomorrow.”

The men groaned and a few refused but the girls obeyed Carly’s stern finger pointed at the swinging doors and coaxed the men to leave the saloon with promises of a good time tomorrow.

It took only ten minutes at the most before the bar was completely empty of customers.

“
Bar the door,” Carly ordered.

Alvin was quick to find his broom and slide the handle between the door handles. “You ladies lock the back door,” he said.

Big Judith and Blanche obliged. Carly called after them, “Grab your
pistola
if you have one.”

Someone started banging on the door and Carly’s pulse quickened.

“
Who’s there?” she asked. They were no match for a gunfight.

“
Dr. Baxter. Let me in.”

With relief, she took out the broom handle. Baxter came rushing inside, red-faced and breathing hard.

“
What are you up to?” he hollered. “I had customers’ orders ready to hand out tonight and now you’ve cleared the Lonesome. How am I supposed to make any money if they aren’t here?”

Carly replaced the broom handle. “Hold your horses, Doc, we’ve got trouble coming to the Lonesome. Your customers will have to wait.”

Dr. Baxter grabbed hold of his lapels. He’d worked up quite a lather. “Then I won’t be staying if it’s all the same to you.”

She shook her head. The man surely was a coward. As she reached for the broom handle, she heard a shriek.

Carly whirled around. A rough
hombre
with four companions entered the back way. He held on to Blanche by the hair. Two others had put Judith in an arm hold.

“
You boys skedaddle.” She spoke calmly even though she knew they must be part of the gang. “We’re closed.”

“
The Lonesome closes wee bit early, in my estimation,” the vile man replied.

Carly frowned.

“
Why so glum? Me and boys are here to have a little fun. Don’t you want to join us?”

Carly tightened her fists. The Crosby gang were murderers and scoundrels and she wanted no part of them. “Best you leave those dollies be. Come back in the morning. We’ll be open again then.”

Dr. Baxter slinked around to the side of the bar and then quickly made a break for the back door. Carly could only hope he was trying to find Jack Finney to come and help but somehow she doubted it. Doc sure was one scaredy-cat.

And nobody else in town was fool enough to get involved.

“
I ain’t coming back in the morning. I’m thirsty now.” The man holding Blanche stalked up to the bar, dragging her with him, and slammed his fist down on the wood. “Whiskey! For me and my friends.”

Two of the men accompanying him walked to the bar, laughter curling their lips. Judith struggled in their arms but stopped when one of them smacked her. The others held back as if keeping guard.

Carly was surrounded.

Alvin stepped behind the bar, his gun pointed at the men. “The lady said we’re closed. Best be heeding her advice and head on out of here.”

The man laughed until his body shook. “Put that toy away, if you know what’s good for you, and get me the damn whiskey.”

When Alvin opened his mouth to respond, the
hombre
shoved Blanche aside and lunged, knocking away Alvin’s gun. He whipped out his own gun and pressed it to Alvin’s forehead. “I told you to put it away and now I’ve had to take it from you. You’ve made me angry, little man.”

The other two ne’er-do-wells thrust Judith toward Blanche. They clung to each other and rushed over with Lorraine, Gladys and Ester.

“
Leave him alone.” Carly clenched her fists at her sides. She was desperate to grab the shotgun, which had ended up at the end of the bar.

He chuckled and raised his hands to mock her. “Now don’t you get yourself in a lather.”

Carly had to protect the ladies from these varmints.

The no-account gripped Alvin by the neck. “Where is my boss?”

Alvin elbowed the man in the ribs and he let go.

Carly took advantage of his distraction and seized the shotgun.

“
Take your weapons and drop them on the floor,” she commanded.

“
I wouldn’t do that if I were you, whore, I still got my gun trained on the barkeep here.” The
hombre’s
voice was gravelly, hoarse, and he was holding on to his side.

“
I can see that, but I have a shotgun pointed at your privates and I won’t hesitate to shoot.”

“
Even still, your man will die.”

Poor Alvin winced. She wanted to reassure him but couldn’t let on she cared.

Instead, Carly shrugged. “Maybe, but so will you. I hear a ball shot bleeds a man out in a couple of hours.”

His lips thinned against his teeth. No doubt he didn’t trust her a lick, but he couldn’t afford to take the chance she might shoot.

“
No need to get feisty. All we came for was our trail boss.”

“
Your boss is dead. He came in here earlier, intent on settling a score with me.” Her lies came easily. She’d had plenty of practice. “I sent him to his maker right quick, still had a smile on his lips when he took his last breath.”

“
You’re lying.” The man turned slowly toward hers, as if trying to see the deception in her expression. Carly held the weapon steady, kept her eyes cold and unflinching.

She’d never shot a man before, the hole in her wall was testament to her abilities with a pistol. A shotgun scattered shot every which way. She was bound to hit the
hombre
somewhere.

Sweat broke out on his forehead.

“
Ready to take that chance?” She pulled back on the hammer. The click sent shivers up her spine.

He glanced between her and the shotgun aimed at his withered cock.

“
Toss your weapons,” she said, “slow and steady.”

His Peacemaker slipped from his grip and fell to the floor.

“
Take a seat.” She waved the shotgun in the direction of the nearest table.

He pulled out a chair and slumped into it.

“
Keep your hands where I can see them.” She picked up his Colt. It was considerably heavier than the
pistola
. She didn’t shy from aiming it at her prisoner.

The man growled but did as he was told. He folded his hands on the table as if he was at a prayer meeting.

“
The rest of you can drop your weapons.”

They smirked until she pulled back the hammer on the Colt. Holding a weapon in each hand, she watched as each man unbuckled his belt. When they’d finished, she took a deep breath. “Now your knives.”

The men grimaced but drew their knives out of their boots and slid them across the rough planks.

“
Judith, you go on and collect those weapons.”

Judith picked up her skirt and piled the weapons in a bundle. “Where should I put ‘em?”

“
Behind the bar.” Carly motioned with the barrel. “Now you boys can join your friend at the table.”

The rest of the men didn’t argue and went to sit on the chairs.

“
Are you all right?” she asked Alvin.

Her barkeep’s hand shook as he moved beside her, taking back his shotgun. “I will be as soon as we see the backside of these fellars.”