“Well, I like that,” she huffed, falling back against his pillows. Then she smiled. “Maybe I do like it,” she said with a sleepy sigh before her eyes closed. “Maybe Fancy was right.”
Horace Brubaker raceddown the boardwalk and peered into the windows of The Duchess. He could just make out the silhouette of a woman standing between the barroom and the kitchen. Suddenly a lamp was lit in the kitchen area, and he pressed an ear to the glass.
“Yes, that’s much better,” Fancy said. “I always like to see who I’m shooting.”
Quietly he moved back to the front door and tried the knob. It opened easily and he slipped inside. In seconds he was behind Fancy, his own gun drawn.
“It’s all right my dear,” he said gently. “I have this now. Go and fetch the marshal.”
“No, I’m not leaving you here alone with them. There are too many of them. Besides, I don’t think you would shoot Lilly, and I know I sure as hell would,” she stated firmly.
“What the hell is going on here anyway?” he asked. “Who are these men and what are they doing here?”
“Oh doctor, I’m so distressed,” Lilly began tearfully. “These men abducted me and forced me to let them inside The Duchess so they could kidnap the girls.”
“Lady, you are one lousy liar. This woman approached us two days ago over at the café. She said she had a little job for us to do, one where we could make a lot of money,” he continued.
“Shut up! You know that’s not true,” Lilly gasped.
“Go on,” Dr. Brubaker encouraged.
“She told us there were some pretty whores over here and we could probably get them out of town before anyone noticed because she had a key to the place. My friends and I figured we could make a tidy profit by selling them to a brothel in Dodge City,” he said bluntly. “After all, they would make a lot more money there, and most whores don’t give two shakes of a lamb’s tail where they work. We figured it was a sweet deal.”
“And how did you plan on getting four screaming females out of town without anyone noticing?” he asked.
“She said not to worry about it. Said she would take care of that part. All we had to do was show up with a wagon.”
“He’s lying, Dr. Brubaker,” Lilly screamed out. “They are in town to see if they can rob the bank and how hard it would be. And they planned to take the girls to Mexico!”
“Bitch, if you don’t shut up, I’ll shut you up,” the man with his arm across her throat ordered.
“Damn, Drake. I told you this wasn’t a good idea, but would you listen. Hell no!” another man said.
“Be quiet, all of you,” Horace shouted. “Fancy, where are the others?”
“Upstairs sleeping off the drug Lilly put in their tea, except for Jane. Where is she?”
“At my place,” he answered. “She’s fine. I still want you to go for the marshal. We can’t stand here forever.”
“I won’t do that, but I’m sure I can get us some help,” Fancy replied. “Give me one of your guns.”
Horace handed one over to her, handle first and Fancy passed him her shotgun. Slowly she backed out of the doorway. He heard the sound of the front door crashing open, quickly followed by six shots fired rapidly. In seconds she was back by his side.
“That ought to attract some attention,” she said smiling.
“I would say so,” Horace agreed.
The Whittaker menheard the shots coming from the direction of town and looked at each other. Matthew made it into town first and jumped off his horse in front of the saloon. Laurie Dixon stood shivering on the boardwalk in front of the Blue Bonnet.
“Laurie, get inside,” he ordered.
“I heard gun shots,” she replied. “They sounded like they came from The Duchess.”
“I heard them too. Now get inside until we see what the hell is going on.”
“No, the girls might need my help,” she insisted, crossing the street.
“Mead and Morgan are right behind me,” he shouted. “Now get off the street before you make me mad!”
