“It will be easier if I show you.”
It spoke eloquently of his urgency that he didn’t argue.
***
Call and Rooster were on their way up the stairs as Carter was on his way down. Having no reason to suspect he was going to confront resistance, the sheriff was boldly carrying his rifle.
“Out of my way,” said Carter, fully prepared to push between them if they didn’t part for him. Neither man moved and the sheriff took a step down. “Out.”
“Up,” said Call, jerking his chin toward the landing.
Carter closed the distance that separated him from the others and shoved a shoulder between theirs. His effort was rebuffed when they were able to hold fast. He retreated a step and swung his rifle up and around so that the polished stock was aimed at their shoulders. “I have business,” Carter said.
“So do we.”
Carter wasted no time jabbing the rifle’s butt. Call and Rooster saw it coming and created a space between them so the rifle struck air, not flesh and bone. The sheriff nearly lost his balance and needed to place one hand on the banister to stay upright.
Call easily wrested the rifle from Carter’s one-handed grip. “Up,” he said, jerking the Springfield in that direction.
Carter didn’t move. “Mrs. Fry!”
“I’m standing right here,” said the madam from below. She had adopted a militant stance, hands on hips, jaw set. Four of her unattended women were standing in a protective semicircle around her. “What do you think I can do? Send for the law?”
Struck by her sarcasm, Carter’s complexion took on a ruddy hue. “This is still your place.”
“And I don’t want it shot up. I suggest you do what Mr. Landry wants.”
Desiree appeared at the landing and braced her arms against the railing. “This way, gentlemen. Whatever your disagreement, I’m confident it can be settled peacefully.”When no one moved, she added, “But probably not on the stairs.”
Carter didn’t like turning his back on Call Landry, but neither did he want to give the impression of retreating by backing up the steps. He chose the lesser of two evils, pivoted, and started to climb.
Desiree opened the door to her room and indicated the men should precede her. When they filed in, she followed. Carter told her to close the door. She did, except she put herself on the other side of it. Desiree heard Carter yell to her to come back, but she ignored him. She figured that Landry and Rooster would not let him go after her, but she hurried down the stairs anyway. “We should probably just go,” she told Mrs. Fry and the others.
Mrs. Fry was doubtful and it showed in her expression. Desiree took her on. “Who are you going to apply to for help?” she asked. “Sheriff’s in there already, and I don’t think he’s going to fare well.” If Desiree’s logic was not sufficient to move the madam toward the front door, the crash of furniture toppling and the subsequent thud was.
“Let us retire to the porch, ladies,” Mrs. Fry said, hustling them out.
Desiree looked up once and then she followed.
***
Get up, Carter.” Call’s voice was calm, his stance loose and easy. The sheriff’s attempt to go after Desiree had earned him a bruising roundhouse punch to the jaw. Call had to shake out his knuckles but Carter had to shake out the cobwebs. Call reckoned a few swollen knuckles made it worthwhile.
The stool that had tripped Carter up was upended beside him. He picked it up and flung it hard across the room. It bounced harmlessly against the padded window seat and dropped to the floor. Carter used the overturned writing desk to help him rise before he shoved it aside. It grated noisily against the bare hardwood floor.
Carter worked his jaw from side to side. “You did it,” he said to Call. “Finally did something I can arrest you for. I don’t know about where you’re from, but here in Falls Hollow you can’t hit the law with impunity.”
Call eyed the rifle that he’d tossed to Rooster before laying Carter out. “What if I just shoot you? How about that?”
Carter’s gaze narrowed. His right hand hovered above the butt of his revolver. “Suppose you tell me what this is about.”
Call kept his eyes on the sheriff but spoke to Rooster, “Check the rifle.”
“Did that while he was the floor,” Rooster said. “Sure enough, it’s been fired. Barrel’s still a little warm to the touch.”
Now Call addressed Carter. “You want to explain that?”
The sheriff’s broad shoulders relaxed and he lowered the hand that had been prepared to draw on Call. “You could have just asked me if I fired it. I would have told you. You got some reason for questioning me about it? I have a right, you know.”
