By Kirsten Page
Copyright 1999
Wayne put his arm around Lou’s waist, partly for pleasure, and the other part was because she couldn’t walk on her own. As much as she hated to admit it, she needed the support of his strong arms to help her with each step. He was leading her down the stairs, and she wasn’t sure where he could be taking her. Surly he wouldn’t let men pay to violate her...who would want a beaten up woman anyway? Lou blinked back tears and queasiness at the thought. Even Wayne couldn’t be so cruel, could he?
Sounds coming from down stairs were loud and obnoxious. Once she smelled the stale fumes of old cigars and hollers of drunken men, Lou knew that she was on her way down into the main room of the saloon.
She felt the arms around her grip tighter. It was impossible to know if he were going to use her as an object, or if he was merely staying there and using her for a cover-up. Either way she would have preferred to be miles away.
“Why are you taking me down here?” She questioned, not afraid to let loose some of the spite that she had been holding back.
Wayne’s look was serious and contemplative, “You’re going to help me get rid of someone that I’ve wanted to for a long time. It’s time he paid up.”
Murder? Never in her wildest dreams had Lou thought that she would be used as an accomplice to something so horrid. She had been taken as a prisoner and was now going to be involved with one of the worst acts of crime imaginable.
She tried to remain calm in spite of the terror that wreaked through her body. “Is that why you’ve brought me here?”
“No, it just so happens that you’ve just become a bonus to this game,” he paused and smiled at her, “You see, darlin’ you’re my security in case something goes wrong back at your sweet station. If Cole doesn’t come through, you’re going to be my guaranty that I get what I want.”
“But everyone back home thinks I’m dead!” She barked.
“All the more reason that they’d be willing to give me what I want when they find out you’re alive,” he turned to her, “Wouldn’t you agree?”
As much as it disgusted her to agree with anything that he did or said, she had to admit that he was right. If she had learned anything on this trip it was that Wayne wasn’t stupid. He had himself quite a little band of outlaws.
Observing the scene from the dark corner of the room, a young girl of fifteen sat amongst the clamor which surrounded her. Her hands were clasped together as she watched Wayne walking down with Lou. It hadn’t been that long ago that he had been holding her in the same way. She shuddered at the memory of how he had slapped her across the face, and forced himself upon her.
She felt sorry for the lady who stepped before her. If there were an opportunity that she could warn her to get away now while she still could, Maddie was going to take it. No woman deserved to be treated with the cruelty that Wayne was capable of.
“Son, you can’t be serious,” Teaspoon made no effort to hide the surprise that had struck him so forcefully. He had no reason to doubt that Kid was completely in earnest about what he had just said. Although deep down he wished that it wouldn’t be true and that this was all just a bad dream.
Kid’s eyes filled with sorrow as they had so many times in these past few days. He did his very best to hide it from the rest of his face. “I’m quite serious, Teaspoon. I can’t stay here. I’ve sent word to the orphanage, and I’m going to pick up Jeremiah and Theresa.”
The man’s mind was made up, Teaspoon was fully aware of that now. “You sure about this?”
“It’s the right thing to do. I owe it to the kids, and I owe it to Lou,” he replied.
“Okay, Kid. We’re sure going to miss you around here though,” Teaspoon paused and looked at his interlaced fingers. “I know why you’ve got to do it, and I’m real proud of you.”
Kid nodded, “Thank you Teaspoon, you’re a great man.” He wheeled around, not giving the man a chance to respond. Then, preparing to start his life anew, he walked back out into the streets.
Teaspoon watched him leave before forcing himself to go back to some of his work. “Not as great as I’d like to be, Kid, not when people out there are getting by with such cold blooded killing and I can’t stop it.”
Downstairs was just as creepy as she could have imagined. All around the room were tables with chairs tipped over and shattered whiskey glasses served as reminders for the previous nights fights. Several girls walked the room flaunting their figures, while the cowboys drank faster than the bartender could pour. You could certainly say that it was not the kind of place where you would bring your youngsters for a family meal.
Wayne searched the room for his staunch enemy. How good it was going to feel to get to finally pay back the man that he had spent so much effort in hating! Revenge was going to be a bonus. Here he thought that all he was going to get out of the deal was a small fortune, when in fact he was getting a whole lot more.
He couldn’t help but think how marvelous it was that Johnny hadn’t killed the girl. Now, there was someone to frame the murder on. Once the marshal came to investigate, he would tell how violently he’d seen her commit the crime. Then, the inevitable punishment would be sealed with Lou’s fate. She’d be hung for sure.
On to Chapter Fifteen
