Prologue
The Haunt, New York City
The bartender flashed his devil-may-care smile at the two women sitting at his bar, and they blushed furiously under their dainty travel hats. They had that dazed but happy look so many people get after a long journey into the big city. They were quiet now, but give them a day and they'd have no problem finding adventure in this town. The friendly bartender served up two glasses of water for the woman and tipped his hat. They giggled, and just as he was about to start telling some tall tales, his attention was diverted to a commotion at the entrance. Damn, sure enough, he recognized the familiar face of trouble walking through the door.
Spurs jangled and boots clunked as a trio of men lumbered across the wood plank floor and made themselves at home at the far end of the bar. Their leader pulled out a wad of cash and leered at the women before wielding an unfriendly gaze on the bartender.
"Well well, the great Richard Castle is tending his own bar tonight. I guess now we have a good reason to pick a fight." He wiped his forehead with a dirty hand. "Me and my boys been riding all day and we're thirsty."
"You came to the right place, Sheriff; did you lead another posse?"
"You bet. We tracked and shot ourselves a badass outlaw."
"Sure is nice to know that you're out there protecting us, Tom."
"Shut up and pour."
Sheriff Tom's voice was rough as sandpaper and his eyes as mean as a snake's. His sidekicks fidgeted, so Castle hastily filled three glasses with his best beer and plunked them down on the bar. "There's an empty table in back; Rosie will serve you and your men whatever you want."
"Only thing I want is that delicious little Katie. Where is she?"
"I'll ask you to keep a civil tongue."
"Go to hell." Tom pushed up his hat and slapped the back of the man closest to him. "Come on boys, let's see what plump Rosie's got for us." He stopped beside one of the young women and sniffed her hair. "Very nice. You girls come back and join us if you get bored with this know-it-all. We're out for a good time tonight."
Rosie gamely hefted a beer-laden serving tray and followed the three men into the rear of the saloon. Damn it all, Tom's obsession with Kate was troubling, and Castle wondered if there was more to that ex-couple than met the eye. He gazed around the bar and nodded in approval. Clean, neat, and ready for more off-duty lawmen. No doubt a fist fight or two would liven up the place and attract even more business. He studied the two women still sitting at the bar and decided he didn't want them to fall victim to Demming and his gang. He'd have to keep them busy until they decided to call it a night. "Well now, surely a couple of sophisticated young ladies will want to drink something tastier than tap water." He swept his arm to showcase the colourful display of bottles behind him. "You can call me Ricky." He smiled and they giggled. "Do you trust tricky Ricky to mix you something interesting?" The bright-eyed women glanced at each other and nodded in unison. Tricky Ricky Castle reached up for a bottle. He suspected it was going to be a long night.