Zooey Pinkerton- a Daughter's Right (5 page)

“Surprised, my old friend?”

“Friend is a strong word, Jack,
a strong word indeed. Been a long time and I was hoping to keep it
that way.” Jack walked toward the bar and placed his hat on the bar
top. “Can a man get a drink in this hell hole or is my money no
good here?”

“Won't refuse a paying man,
Jack, but be quick. Don't think you want too many prying eyes.”
Charlie reached under the bar for a clean shot glass and filled it
to the brim with whiskey. With his other hand he withdrew the
pistol he kept hidden underneath the counter.

“Now, now, Charlie, there's no
need for that. I'm not here to bring you grief - but I
do
plan on staying awhile, so you'd best get used to seeing my
face.”

“Have your drink and leave,
Jack. I'm not looking for trouble.”

Jack slowly sipped the amber
liquid from the glass. “I see the quality of liquor has improved.
Good for you!”

Just as Jack was about to take
another drink, he heard the piano begin to play and a decidedly
feminine voice start warbling a familiar show tune. “Ah, new
entertainment as well. Delightful!” He stared intently at the
petite blonde and wondered if this was Tom Brennan’s latest
conquest. “Send that young lady a glass of champagne on me,” he
said to Charlie, keeping his eyes on the songstress.
She'd be a
pretty little thing on my arm once she was cleaned up and dressed
right.

Charlie opened the only bottle
of champagne he had in the saloon.
You damn well better pay full
price for this,
he thought as he brought the glass over to
Sarah.

Sarah cut her song short when
she caught sight of Charlie – and that glass. She welcomed the
break, as the saloon was almost empty, and she was tired of singing
to no one in particular.

“Who is this from?” she
asked.

“Not from me, darling. It's from
the gentleman at the bar. Now, I suggest you put on your biggest
smile and go thank him for it.”

“Oh? A big shot, huh?” It wasn't
often Sarah had the chance to drink champagne, let alone have it
bought by such a distinguished looking man. She scanned him up and
down with her icy blue eyes and nodded as graciously as she could,
tasting the bubbles briefly before sashaying over to the bar.
“Don't you worry, Charlie. I'll take good care of him.”

“Don't mess with him, Sarah.
He's a snake with venom worse than you've ever tasted.”

Sarah looked back at Charlie and
winked. “I've had worse than snakes and you know it.”

Across the bar, Jack smiled as
the blonde woman slowly walked toward him. The sway of her hips was
exaggerated. He knew the show was just for him. “That's it darling,
come to poppa,” he muttered under his breath.

He's older than I
thought,
Sarah noted as she got closer. She was a bit
disappointed as she got nearer to the man but had given her favours
to less attractive and older men for nothing more than a night’s
sleep in clean sheets.

“I understand I have you to
thank for this?” Sarah said, waving the champagne glass in the air
and kneeling in a fake curtsy. She smiled and stopped just short of
the tall, well-dressed man sitting at the bar.

Jack nodded and grinned
lasciviously. “Yes indeed, my dear. You deserve that and much
more.”

Sarah surveyed the man, noting
the touch of silver in his hair and his dark eyes. He seemed to
look right through her. She swallowed the nervous bile building in
her gut.
You look familiar,
she thought. “My name is Sarah,
Sarah Sweet, and you are?”

“Just call me Jack,” he said as
he stood up and extended a hand. “That's all you need know for
now.”

Sarah pasted on the smile so
fake, it was in danger of slipping off her red painted lips. There
was something dangerous about this man that was enthralling and
sickening all at the same time. She took a deep breath and took his
hand, watching as he raised her fingers to his lips.

“It's my pleasure to meet you,
Sarah Sweet,” Jack released the young woman's hand and sat back
down. “Care to join me?”

Sarah hesitated. “Well, I'd like
to, but I'm supposed to be working right now.”

“If you’re worried about old
Charlie, don't be. He and I go way back. He won't mind you keeping
me company for awhile.”

Sarah turned back to see if
Charlie was watching, but he had his back turned.
Damn it!
“Of course, Jack. Thank you,” Sarah said as she hoisted herself
onto one of the bar stools. She fought back the feeling that she
had met this man before.

“Don't let me stop you from
enjoying your champagne, my dear.”

“It's lovely,” Sarah said as she
took another small sip of the bubbly liquid. She had no intention
of getting intoxicated.
What's your game?
“So, Jack, have I
seen you before?”

Jack grinned and slapped his
knee. “Smart girl! I doubt we've met personally before today, but
you may have met my son. He works here in town.”

“Really?” Sarah tried hard to
think of who it might be.. “Would he be in his thirties maybe?
Tall, dashing good looks? Dark eyed?”

“I would assume so. I've not
seen the boy for a bit.”

A thought popped into Sarah’s
mind, but she decided to stay quiet for the time being. If she was
correct, the fun in this town was about to begin. “I'm sorry to
hear that, Jack. What brings you back to our fair town?”

Jack stood up, adjusted his coat
and smoothed the wrinkles from his pants. “Business, my lovely
Sarah. I have big business here. Tonight I’m going to investigate a
new piece of acquired property. My business associates should be
holding a party in my honour. Would you care to accompany me?”

A thrill ran through her body.
Sarah loved the idea of being escorted to a fancy party by a
wealthy man. She nodded in agreement. She quickly dismissed any
thoughts of Tom from her head..
Seems like I have bigger fish to
fry now,
she thought. “It'd be an honour, Jack.”

A loud, deep laugh escaped
Jack’s throat as he tossed his hat back on his head. “I doubt
honour has anything to do with it, my dear. Let's not fool
ourselves. Put on a pretty frock and I'll come back within the
hour!”

Sarah giggled with delight,
swallowed the last gulp of champagne, and quickly ran across the
bar and up the stairs. As Jack stepped out of the saloon, he smiled
to himself. The evening was shaping up quite nicely.

“Ole Jack is back home!”

A light breeze was blowing and a
million stars glittered in the night sky. Finally, Zooey and Josh
came upon the Duncan family homestead. It was a two-story house
made from hand-hewn logs and stone. A small barn and corral were
set up to the right of the property. A large, seasoned woodpile was
stacked in a shabby shed attached to the house. The front porch
looked like it had been white washed recently. A few sparse apple
trees dotted the surrounding property. The remainder of the yard
was cast in the shadows.

“It's so big, Josh! How do you
keep it up on your own?” Zooey asked while suppressing a yawn.

Joshua chuckled. “It looks much
nicer in the day. I have a housekeeper who comes in once a week. I
do my own cooking, though. Not so bad really and I like the peace
and quiet.”

Zooey dismounted Gypsy and stood
for a moment, taking in the house, the stars, and the cool night
air. She closed her eyes and inhaled. It was the first deep breath
she had taken all day.

“Are you alright, Zooey?”

“Not really, but this is
helping. Thank you for bringing me here, Josh.”

Joshua smiled and lightly
touched Zooey's shoulder. “I'll show you where Gypsy can stay
tonight and then give you a tour of the house.”

“You don't have to, Josh. I know
you need to get back in to town and work on Pops' case. I'll find
my own way around.”

“Are you sure? I doubt I'll be
back here tonight to check on you.”

“I'll be just fine. I know how
to use a weapon.”

“Yes, I know, Zooey. Come on
back over here and we can get Gypsy settled.”

Joshua led Zooey and her horse
to his small but comfortable stable. He watered his own animal and
watched as Zooey cooed and comforted Gypsy, rubbing her flanks and
the tip of her nose.
You are a couple of tough nuts
, he
thought.

Zooey felt Joshua staring at
her. A flash of heat rose to her cheeks. She looked over her
shoulder and smiled. “I think Gypsy will be okay. Just show me the
front door and you can head back to town.”

Joshua motioned toward the front
of the house and walked behind Zooey as she walked up the front
steps

As Zooey opened the door she
noted the fire blazing in the hearth and a hurricane lantern set on
the dining room table.

“Looks like Mrs. Newcomb was
here. She hates it when I'm gone too long without a fire. She
always gets upset with me for allowing a chill to set in.”

“Sounds like she cares about
you. You’re lucky.”

“True,” Joshua nodded. “I
suppose in a way, she's almost like family. With both my parents
gone, I'm on my own...kind of like you.”

Zooey felt tears sting her eyes.
“Yes. It's finally starting to sink in.”

Joshua instantly realized the
weight of his words. He moved to stand next to her and placed a
long arm around her shoulder. “I'm sorry. Don't cry, Zooey. It was
a stupid thing to say.”

For a moment, the two stood very
still. Zooey felt the warmth from Joshua's arm seep through her
coat. It was comfortable and reassuring. She closed her eyes and
relished the moment.

Joshua wasn’t sure whether to
disconnect from Zooey. He wasn’t even sure that he wanted to. The
logical part of his brain eventually kicked in and he began to pull
away, but not before kissing the top of Zooey's mass of red curls.
“I have to go.”

“I know. I didn't mean to get
all emotional.”

“You are allowed, Zooey. Anyone
would be after what you’ve been through. . Don't apologize.”

Zooey sniffed and nodded.
“Thanks, Josh. I think I'll make that bath and try to sleep.”

“Good idea. See you it the
morning, Zooey.”

Zooey stood in the doorway a
minute longer and watched as Joshua mounted his horse and turned
back toward town. “You are good man, Josh,” she whispered. “A very
good man.”

Joshua didn't look back as he
rode away, but somehow he knew that Zooey was still there, watching
him leave. In a way, it was comforting. The further he got from the
house, though, the angrier he became.
Damn Tom Brennan and damn
his boss, too!
Joshua's thoughts were scattered and angry. He
hated that Zooey was in pain. She didn’t deserve this. Joshua could
only hope that he would get Tom Brennan in his clutches before day
break.
Something is going to happen at Pinkerton Ranch tonight.
I just know it. I'll be damned if I'm going to let Brennan get away
again!

After a few minutes, Joshua’s
thoughts turned back to Zooey. He knew she was tougher than she
looked, but part of him just wanted to protect her so she wouldn’t
have to be so tough.
After all,
he thought.
That's what
friends do, right?
Were they friends or was it something more?
Joshua never had time to devote to finding someone special. After
the death of his mother and the disappearance of his father, he had
put walls around his heart. Zooey was the first person who had
really broken through.

Not that he and his father had
gotten along well. It had been a strained relationship at best.
After the death of his mother, his father had never even contacted
him. So, he shut down his feelings altogether – except for anger,
that is. Jack Duncan was a tall, dark haired Scotsman with a
vicious temper and a penchant for drink. His favourite game used to
be hide and seek. If Joshua didn’t hide well enough, he could
expect a whipping with a leather strap across the back of his legs
until he bled. He still had the raised scars today. When he looked
in the mirror, it was a bitter reminder of who his father really
was. It was the bane of his existence. Joshua shook away his
thoughts. As he rode back into town he found a half dozen deputies
waiting outside the door of his office.

“What's up gentleman? Any news
on the Pinkerton Ranch?”

“I'd stay on your horse,
Sheriff,” replied one of the older deputies.

“Give me the news,
Franklin.”

The short older man spat a wad
of tobacco on the ground and continued, “Gossip around town is
something big is going on down there. Tom Brennan has apparently
been seen about with a tall stranger. ”

Joshua agreed. “No doubt it’s
his boss. Had some intelligence earlier today that he said he was
headed into town. Now is our chance to get Brennan and this boss of
his.”

“So, how do you want to do this,
Joshua?” Another deputy spoke up.

“We can't just ride in there
with guns blazing. We’ll be outnumbered gun for gun. I'm sure there
will be outlaws from all over and a few businessmen, too. Those
Palominos are worth a small fortune.”

“It's got to be big if the boss
is willing to risk being seen.” Franklin added.

“Andrew Pinkerton was a small
fish when it came to the gambling money. It’s got to be the
property and the horses they was after.” Joshua said.

“Funny that they let the
daughter live. Where did she end up anyway?”

“Zooey is in a safe place. Her
father trained her same as any of his cowboys. She's good with a
pistol and even better with a horse. Now, let's go inside and
figure this out. Franklin, put on a pot of coffee. It's going to be
a long night!”

The Pinkerton Ranch was alive
with light, music, and the smell of meat being roasted over open
flames. Women off all shapes and sizes were meandering around,
lifting their brightly coloured skirts to entice the men with a
flash of bare skin. The atmosphere was more than jovial. There was
an underlying tension that bordered between excitement and
fear.