Cera's Place (5 page)

“Oh, fine, just fine.” He tugged his bright turquoise, silk vest over his ample belly. Like a preening peacock, he adjusted the cuffs of his shirtsleeves and then brushed at a speck of offending road dust on his pant leg. “Though, of course, I’m still a bit upset from an incident that occurred last night in Ross Alley. You see, I was a victim of a most clever pickpocket—a colored girl—she was. As sweet as you can imagine, she asked for my help. Yes, she did. She said her friend was sick in the alley and could I please take a look at him. She didn’t know if he needed a doctor and valued my opinion.”

Biggs placed a meaty hand over his heart. “Of course, I couldn’t refuse a request from such an underprivileged lass, but do you know, as soon as I entered the alley, I was knocked on my head.” Biggs pointed to a large purplish bruise on his left temple. “Fortunately, Officer Klein found me, though I was unconscious with my pockets turned out and empty. You know, he was the first to discover that Kong Chow’s building was on fire, and imagine his surprise when he found me too. A strange coincidence, don’t you think? A robbery and a fire right next to each other? Anyway, I shudder to think how close I came to an untimely demise. A few more minutes in that alley and I wouldn’t be here enjoying your company.”

Stunned at his story, Cera opened her mouth to interrupt, but nothing came out. Biggs didn’t notice, though, as he continued without stopping for breath.

“It’s a shame, really. San Francisco is on the brink of becoming a world-renowned city and yet we still have people resorting to jay hawking to survive. Now, I just thought of something. You employ a colored girl, don’t you? This thief looked familiar. Yes, I’m sure I have seen her before. Perhaps it was at your saloon?”

“You must be mistaken,” Cera responded calmly. “My girl was working all night.”

“Hmmm, it was dark. Maybe I didn’t see the thief clearly, but I could have sworn ... and now that I think about it, I believe I saw you too. Were you out and about last night?”

She saw no harm in telling the truth—or at least part of it. “Yes, I was worried the fire might spread in the direction of my saloon.” She hesitated, unsure of how much she should reveal knowing about last night’s events. “I saw you arguing with Officer Klein. Nothing was wrong, I hope?”

Biggs let out a false-sounding laugh. “No, no. He wanted me to see a doctor about my head. I assured him there was no need to fuss, but he kept insisting. I’m afraid I did lose my temper a bit.”

Cera gave what she hoped was a sympathetic smile. “Yes, that is understandable, especially since you were just robbed. I admit I wouldn’t be able to hold my temper either in such a situation.”

For a moment, neither spoke until Biggs broke the tense silence. “Well, Miss Cassidy, please do take care of yourself. If my unfortunate story can teach us anything, it’s that San Francisco can be a dangerous place. A very dangerous place.”

Cera’s hands balled at her sides, but she kept her face impassive. “Thank you, but there’s no need to worry about me. I’ve been taking care of myself for a long time now.”

“Of course, of course.” Biggs gave her a twisted smile and tipped his hat. “Good day, Miss Cassidy.”

As he hailed a hansom cab, she fought the shiver running down her back. It had been too much to hope he hadn’t recognized Sadie. At least now she knew Sadie and Hu were in danger. If only she knew how to get them out of it.

*****

Back in the saloon’s kitchen, Cera related her encounter with Biggs to her friends. “Hu, was anyone else on the street before the fighting began last night? Maybe we could convince them to tell the truth to the authorities.”

Hu shrugged. “I scared. I only see father. But I tell Li names of girls missing.”

Li held up a small piece of paper. “I know families. I try to make them talk to police.”

Cera nodded. “Good. I guess that’s all we can do for now, so let’s get to work. We have customers waiting for their supper.”

“Miss Cera…” Hu’s voice caught in her throat. “I work for you? I need to work…”

Cera put her arm around the Chinese girl’s shoulder. “Of course, we would all appreciate the help. And don’t you worry none. We’ll figure out how to stop Biggs. I promise.” She tried to smile reassuringly, but gave up after a few moments ticked by. “All right then, Sadie, Hu and Li, you’re on kitchen duty tonight.”

Shortly after the dinner rush subsided, Cera carried a tray of dirty dishes into the kitchen. As she plopped them on the worktable, a scream pierced the air. Seeing only Hu and Li, she cried, “Sadie!” before rushing out the backdoor and into the alley.

Behind the garbage pails against the far wall, a crying Sadie watched Jake and another man exchange fisticuffs. Reaching into her skirt pocket, Cera pulled out her derringer. “Leave that man alone or I’ll shoot!”

Surprised by her threat, both men froze in mid swing, though the stranger recovered first. With a final shove to Jake’s chest, he took off running down the alley.

Breathing heavily, Jake rested his hands on his knees. “Do you want me to go after him?”

“No. Let’s just get her inside.” Cera hurried over to Sadie and took her arm. “Come on, honey, you’re safe now.”

Sitting at the same worktable as earlier in the day, tears ran down Sadie’s face once again.

“What happened, Sadie? Who was that man?” Cera asked, handing her a glass of water.

Sadie shook her head and sniffled. “I don’t rightly know. I was takin’ out the garbage when that China man jumped out at me. I screamed and then Mr. Tanner showed up and they took to fightin’.”

“What did man look like?” Li asked.

Sadie closed her eyes, remembering. “He was big for a China man and had a black slouchy hat pulled low over his eyes. There was a big knife handle stickin’ out of his shirt.”

Li gave a low whistle. “A Poo Tow Choy. A hatchet man.”

“A hatchet man?” Cera repeated. “That doesn’t sound good.”

Li nodded his agreement. “A Chinese warrior. I think Tong want to kill Sadie and Hu.”

As the younger girls burst into fresh tears, Cera rubbed a hand over her eyes. “Well, now we know what we’re up against.”

Jake, who had been sucking on a bloody knuckle while leaning against the far wall, popped the finger out of his mouth. “I don’t know what’s going on here, but maybe you should tell the authorities before someone gets hurt.”

Cera let out a short laugh. “That’s not how this town works, but I appreciate your help tonight. We’ll take it from here, Mr. Tanner.”

Sadie stopped crying long enough to offer her thanks too. Her fingers found the locket around her neck. “Looks like I’m beholden to you again, sir. You done saved my life.”

Jake hooked his thumbs under his gun belt and stared at the floor, looking uncomfortable. “Well, anyway, I wanted to say a proper goodbye to you, Sadie, before I left town. I’m glad we finally got to meet.”

Sadie rose and walked over to him. Holding out her hand, she said, “Me too.”

Jake held her hand briefly. “Stay safe.” He nodded to the others before leaving, the backdoor banging behind him.

For the rest of the night, Cera’s eyes moved between the clock above the bar and the saloon doors as she waited for closing time. Expecting to see Biggs’ ugly face or even another Chinese warrior, her stomach clenched every time someone came in. Finally, a few minutes after midnight, she rushed the last of her customers out the door and breathed a sigh of relief.

She swung the heavy inner door shut, but as she fit the key in the lock, someone pushed the door open from the other side. Panicked, she called out, “Sorry, we’re closed!”

Her alarm changed to surprise when Jake stuck his head through the opening. “Oh, it’s you. Weren’t you heading out of town? It’s been a long night and I need to close up, Mr. Tanner, but you’re welcome to come back tomorrow.”

Crossing the room, she picked up a rag and began wiping down the bar. In the mirror on the wall, she watched his reflection come up behind her. Her eyes widened in disbelief when he placed his hands on either side of her body, trapping her against the bar rail.

Feigning indifference, she turned around to face him. Earlier in the day, his eyes had appeared the indigo blue of a stormy sea, but now they reflected a dull black. It was impossible not to see the aching weariness in them.

The scent of soap mixed with leather and tobacco filled her nose. If the price of his recent bath included a shave, he had wasted his money. A fine line of dark stubble covered his chin and cheeks. She tried to resist the urge, but her eyes sought out the red scar running down his brown face.

Hoping to make up for that slip of rudeness, she asked, “Are you feeling better, Mr. Tanner?”

“Better?” His eyes narrowed slightly in confusion.

“Your headache, is it gone?”

He nodded, understanding. “Yes, thank you for asking. I’m better now.”

Taking one of her hands, he placed it next to his eye, where the scar began. He moved her fingers down his cheek over the raised path, stopping at the corner of his mouth. Then, he dropped her hand and placed his back on the bar rail.

“Are you better now?” he asked in a low voice.

Cera shook her head. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to stare. It’s just…how did you get…?”

He ignored her question, though the corner of his mouth lifted into a half smile.

“Do you find something funny?” She sidestepped into his arm, thinking he would move and let her pass. Instead, he held firm, shifting his body back into alignment with hers.

“Oh no, there’s nothing funny going on here.” He closed the distance between them to a mere inch, but when Cera stiffened, he stepped back.

“Well, what are you doing here, Mr. Tanner? Is there something you need?” She tried to sound exasperated.

Jake’s laugh held little humor. “Miss Cera, I have no idea what I need, but I did come here for a reason. Call it an experiment, if you will.” With his finger, he lifted her chin and then pressed her lips with his. When he released her, he sighed. “That was better than I remembered it to be.”

He looked into her eyes one last time before walking out into the night. Cera let go of the breath she had been holding. She knew what he needed, but she was pretty sure she needed it more.

Chapter 4

Early the following morning, Cera hummed a made up tune as she crouched behind the bar, checking on supplies. When she stood, she found Ginger and Mary Beth grinning like a set of Cheshire cats.

Annoyed at their smug expressions, Cera scowled. “What? Don’t you have chores to do?”

“We want to know what happened last night,” Mary Beth demanded. “Every last detail.” Her blond ringlets danced, as she bounced impatiently on the balls of her petite feet.

Cera’s eyes narrowed. “Last night? You were working last night. Have you gone dumb on me?”

“You’re the one playing dumb,” Mary Beth replied, pointing an accusatory finger at Cera. “Ginger told me about your late-night visitor.”

“She did, did she?” Cera frowned at the voluptuous redhead. That one would have made an excellent Confederate spy. Nothing ever got past her.

Ginger held up her hands defensively. “I happened to see you and the Captain standing toe to toe right here in this spot. Seems like you were lusting after each other, that’s all.”

Cera clicked her tongue in disgust. “A man swaggers in here and I fall at his feet with my skirts hiked around my waist. Is that what you’re thinking?”

“Well, it’s what I wanted to do with him,” Ginger admitted with a wicked smile. “There’s no shame in it.”

“Leave Cera alone you two,” Sonya scolded, descending the stairs and joining them at the bar. “Ever since that good-for-nothing Conrad left her for that big hipped hussy, she hasn’t shown the slightest interest in men. She needs our encouragement, not teasing.”

“Why thank you, Sonya, for reminding me of such painful memories.” She could always count on the gypsy not to mince words, no matter how sharp they were. “However, I’m not interested in that drifter or any other man that walks through my saloon doors.”

“That’s too bad because you could use a good man in your bed,” Sonya countered.

Ginger and Mary Beth exchanged glances and then broke into a fit of laughter.

Sonya gave the girls an irritated look. “Why is that funny? I’m sure Cera’s got the same physical needs as the rest of us.”

“My needs are no one’s business. Now, I’ve had enough of this nonsense.” Cera waved her hands at the serving girls. “Go on and get ready. We need to open soon.”

*****

During the lunch hour, Cera busied herself serving food and socializing with the regulars, but it didn’t help. Despite denying any interest in Jake, her lips still felt last night’s kiss, and her body wanted more. What was wrong with her? With Biggs and the Chinese Tong kidnapping girls and threatening Hu and Sadie, thinking about romance was beyond ridiculous.

Angry at her utter lack of self-control, Cera hoped killing some tin cans would settle her nerves. Grabbing the double-barrel shotgun from under the bar, she headed through the kitchen to the back door. As she passed Sonya, she ordered her to watch the bar.

In the alley, Cera walked over to a brick wall lined with hay bales she had set up for target practice. Grabbing some empty tin cans from a nearby pile, she stood them up on a wooden crate and then paced off several yards. Taking a deep breath, she aimed the gun carefully and shot the first two cans squarely in the middle. The sweet smell of gunpowder and wisps of smoke filled the air as she cracked the breech of the shotgun and replaced the spent shells with new ones. She steadied herself, aimed the shotgun again, and sent the next two cans flying. Reloading one more time, she hit the next can but missed the last one in the row.