Maude Standish stood in front of the mirror and looked at her reflection. She adjusted the black feathers on her elegant bonnet and smoothed down the silk of her dress. Then she nodded. She looked like herself. Her bruises were faded to near non-existence and easily covered with just the right application of cosmetics. In short, Maude Standish looked like herself for the first time in a long while. And as she'd often told Ezra, "Appearances are everything." Maybe they weren't everything, after all. But it did her heart good to look in the mirror and not see the battered woman who had been staring back at her.
She was Maude Standish, after all, and it was high time she looked the part.
Maude turned to the door as a knock resonated on the wood. "Enter."
Ezra came in. "You're looking quite well, Mother."
"Thank you, son." Maude raised an eyebrow when Ezra didn't make any further movements. "Well? Did you come to escort me to that ramshackle church posing as a courtroom, or merely to gawk?"
He chuckled softly and offered her his arm. She took it and swatted him lightly with the handkerchief she had in her hand. Then Ezra led her from the room.
In a remarkably short time, Maude was standing in front of the makeshift courthouse with Ezra. She turned and looked at him. "Ezra."
"Yes, Mother? If you've changed your mind, I'm certain the judge will not object."
"That isn't it, dear boy. I'm going to ask you to do something."
"Do what?"
Maude heard an edge to Ezra's voice. "Nothin' illegal, I assure you." Then she smiled. "Son, I don't want you to hear my testimony."
She saw the hurt reflected in Ezra's eyes, but nothing else betrayed him.
"You don't want…?"
"No, I don't. I've requested that you be removed from the court room during my testimony. And Judge Travis has granted that request."
"Might I ask why?"
Maude nodded. In some ways, Ezra did deserve at least that. "Because what I have to say will not be easy for me. And I don't think I can say it in front of you."
To his credit, Ezra merely nodded and whispered, "As you wish." But Maude could tell he was hurt by it.
"Thank you, Ezra." Maude smiled slightly, then kissed Ezra on the cheek and waited to be called.
It didn't take long. She was the only scheduled witness of the morning, and Judge Travis wanted this finished quickly.
When Maude entered the court room, she was struck mostly by the sober silence. She had not seen any of the trial. She walked slowly to the witness stand and waited to be sworn in. But she pointedly refused to look at the defendants or the spectators, but she could hear the whispered murmurings of the crowd which was clearly surprised at her appearance. Instead, she looked out the window and waited.
"Mrs. Standish. Thank you for coming. I know that this testimony must be very difficult for you," Snider said sympathetically.
Maude nodded her head, but didn't say anything. She neither needed nor wanted this man's sympathy.
"Would you please tell the court about your experience?"
Maude nodded and took a deep breath. "I was on my way to Four Corners to visit my son, Ezra. The stage coach stopped for the night at some little town. I wouldn't have ever personally recalled the name of it, but I've been informed that it was Black Ridge."
"Would you explain that please?" Snider asked.
"You know how it is when you travel. The city you leave from and the city you're going to are the only ones that matter. Anything else is just an overnight stop. That's all this should have been."
"But it wasn't?"
"It most certainly was not! I did not intend to be waylaid and forcefully evicted from my hotel room and taken out to lord only knows where. None of the people who shared my fate intended that."
"Could you describe what happened, please?"
"I went to bed in a hotel room of a rather average quality. For these parts, a good quality. The room was clean and had a feather bed which had been turned fairly often. Little attentions to detail make the difference. It was a good room."
Maude thought she saw an older gentleman seated on one of the pews smile. She continued. "But I awoke to find myself tied to a pole. I don't know how I got there; I can only assume the miscreants drugged us, because I am simply not that sound a sleeper. Certainly, being removed from my bedchamber would have awakened me had I not been drugged." She spoke indignantly.
"Ma'am, do you recognize any of the defendants?"
Maude looked at Mr. Snider for a moment. "I would rather not look at them, if you do not mind."
"I realize that. However, your testimony must identify them."
"Mrs. Standish, I realize that it is difficult," Judge Travis said. "But we do need the record to show that you identified some of the men in this courtroom."
She nodded, then took a deep breath. Maude then looked over to the men. Thomas Marshall stood out, but she recognized two of the others also. "I have seen three of them before." Maude pointed out Marshall, then Marcus Stiller and John Timms.
"Are you certain?" Snider asked.
"Quite certain, I assure you. When you witness a man participate in a, well it can only be described one way, a rape, you don't forget his face. Those men each…." She broke off and was silent.
"Did they assault you, ma'am?"
"One of them did. But there was an 'incident' which was meant to keep us subdued. A lady tried to escape when we first got there. I think every man there was allowed a turn at her. In front of us."
Though the other women had spoken of this, the impact of the statement was not lessened.
"First they beat her, then they raped her. It was horrible. I can still hear her screams and cries for help. But not one of them helped her. And I was so ashamed because I was afraid to try to leave after that. I just sat there and waited with the rest of them. Praying for a swift death, rather than one that took three days. It took her three days to die."
Maude took a moment to compose herself. While she did that, Snider glared at the defendants. The room itself was buzzing with outrage. Judge Travis pounded his gavel and called for order.
"Mrs. Standish, please let me know when you're ready to continue."
Maude nodded. "Let's get this over with, shall we?"
"Many have spoken of a place referred to only as 'The Room.' I understand that you were the only survivor of that place. Would you describe to the court what happened there?"
"What I remember, sir, is rather sketchy, to be perfectly honest. I have blocked it out, and I've no desire to relive it moment by moment, not for the pleasure of the court. But to sum it up, I was beaten, tied to the bedposts, violated, and whipped. I can't testify to most of it. I only know it happened because of the injuries I sustained. But I do know that that man," Maude paused and pointed to Marshall, "took part in all of it." The crowd raised an almost victorious cry as she fingered Marshall.
"Objection! Witness has said she couldn't recall it. How can she state for a fact that my client was there?" Miffin exclaimed. And the crowd hissed at him.
"Overruled," Judge Travis stated as calmly as he could.
Snider looked to Maude. "Would you like to add anything else, Mrs. Standish?"
She nodded, and with unexpected venom stated, "Hangin' is too good for them."
"Objection!" Miffin shouted over the sounds of agreement that erupted from the spectators.
"Sustained," Judge Travis stated.
"I've no further questions for this witness, your Honor." Snider smiled to Maude and nodded.
Miffin stood and walked in front of Maude. Maude decided the man looked like a bug. She narrowed her eyes.
"Ma'am. I've been told that you have been arrested several times."
"Do you have a point with this line of questioning, or are you trying to show the court that like a good boy you did your homework?" Maude responded icily.
"I'm saying that you are a con-artist. This is an elaborate scam you've concocted."
"Objection!" Snider stood up, knocking his chair over.
"Sustained. Mr. Miffin, if you do not wish to be held in contempt of court, you will treat this witness with more courtesy."
"But your Honor…."
"Objection sustained, Mr. Miffin. Now, continue." Travis was extremely angry over the question.
"Ma'am. How can you be certain that Mr. Marshall was involved in your attack?"
"How can you be certain the sun will continue to rise in the morning? It is something that I know. I can't give you identifying marks. But he was the one that ordered it. He was the one they all reported to. How can you stand there and defend such a monster?"
"Move to strike." Miffin looked at the judge.
Travis just shook his head.
"You've no evidence to support your assertion, Mrs. Standish, is that what you're saying?"
"There is a hole in that man's shoulder from where Nathan Jackson threw a knife at him. He was the one whipping me. His handprint used to be on my face. But you want me to say 'he has a scar' and describe it. I can not. But I know that that man was there."
Miffin smiled indulgently. Maude nearly rose out of the chair to smack him.
"No further questions, your Honor."
Maude stepped down from the stand and walked out of the court room. She was surprised when JD was standing outside waiting to escort her, not Ezra.
"Where is Ezra?" she asked him.
JD shrugged. "I don't know, ma'am. He just asked me to wait here, in case you were done before he got back. Would you like to go to the restaurant?" He offered her his arm.
Maude allowed the smallest smile to pass on her lips. "That sounds enchanting." She took his arm and allowed him to escort her to the restaurant for lunch.
Ezra sat outside the church window and wiped his face. He'd respected her wishes by not going in, but Ezra had had to hear her testimony. And now he wished he had not. He wanted to shoot the defense attorney for the way he'd treated Maude. He wanted to lead the lynch mob himself.
He found a place and watched JD escort his mother to the restaurant for dinner, then went to the livery and saddled Ace. Ezra rode out of town, needing some time to be alone and deal with the turbulence of emotions he was experiencing.
Judge Travis looked to Miffin. "Do you wish to call any witnesses?"
"No, your Honor."
"Mr. Snider, you may begin your closing statements."
William Snider stood and looked to the jury. "Gentlemen. We've tried our best to be brief, and yet to present a fair case by these men. I believe I've proven to you that they were each present on that compound. I believe I've shown you that each of these men were willing participants in the acts that took place.
"You've heard witnesses speak of children being killed before their eyes, and the bodies of women being discarded. You've heard talk of forced labor and beatings and rapes and murders.
"And you've heard witnesses testify that each of these men participated in these atrocities to some degree.
"To me, there is only one verdict you can deliver, and that is to find each man guilty on all counts. Show them that it is not all right to forsake humanity for real estate. Show them that it is not acceptable to ignore cries for help. Show them that you will not sit back and allow your territorial brothers and sisters to be killed for profit."
Several jury members nodded to this.
Elijah Miffin stood. He smiled to the jury. "The prosecution would like to think that they've linked every man in this courtroom to the scene of the crime, to say that each man participated willingly in this orgy of destruction. But the truth is, there were so many people there, how can you be certain that these men weren't farmers rounded up to take the blame? You can't. The witnesses were traumatized. It is unreasonable to expect that out of all the people who hurt them, these faces would stand out so spectacularly.
"My clients are just as much victims as these other men and women. Surely, we can understand the desire for justice. Surely, we can understand the town's thirst for revenge against someone, anyone. But just as surely, we cannot condone it. We cannot murder these men. Their deaths will not bring the others back to life.
"You must ignore what your heart is telling you and grant these men here the only justice that can come from this situation. You must find them not guilty."
Miffin sat down.
Judge Travis forced himself not to cast a look of disgust toward the attorney. He turned to the jury. "You have been given all of the evidence in this case. It is now up to you to determine a verdict. Each man will be judged separately. Again, you are not responsible for determining the sentence. Just the verdict, Guilty or Not Guilty."
The jury stood and was led out of the courtroom.
"This court is in recess until the verdict is determined." Judge Travis stood and walked out of the courtroom.
At 9 a.m. the next morning, Judge Travis was notified that the jury had finished deliberations and arrived at a verdict. He set the court to resume at 1 p.m. sharp. Anyone who wished to attend was advised to be present at that time.
When he walked into the courtroom, he was not surprised to see it full to overflowing. The doors and windows had been opened, and the town was all gathered around waiting.
The jury was already there, waiting.
"This court is now in session." He turned to the jury. "Have you reached your verdict?"
"We have, your Honor."
The verdict was given to the Judge and he read it. Then he passed it back.
"What say you?"
"We find the defendants-Thomas Marshall, George Jones, Stephen Marks, Jacob Christian, John Timms, Marcus Stiller, Michael Saint, and Gabriel Saint-guilty as charged."
The room was silent except for the sound of weeping. Miffin didn't look surprised. Snider allowed a grim smile.
"Are you all in agreement."
The entire jury nodded their heads, indicating yes.
"Thank you, gentlemen."
Judge Travis looked to the defendants. "Please rise for sentencing."
The men rose.
"For these crimes, you are sentenced to hang by the neck until dead. Executions will begin tomorrow at noon. Court is adjourned." Judge Travis stood and exited the makeshift courthouse. The convicted men were led to the jail.
Within a few minutes of the verdict, the gallows were under construction.
Josiah Sanchez walked past the gallows to the jail. The trial was over; the verdict had been announced. All that remained was to conduct the execution. They would pay for their crimes. However, he felt that he needed to spend some time with the condemned.
He looked into the office and saw Chris, Vin, and Nathan watching the prisoners.
"Evenin' Josiah," Chris said.
Josiah inclined his head in acknowledgement, then said, "Evenin'." Then he walked over to the condemned. "I know you boys will be paying for your crimes tomorrow. But tonight, you have a chance to set your soul at peace."
"I take it you're the preacher," Timms said. "Been wonderin' when the preacher was gonna come to try and save our souls, haven't we?"
A couple of the others laughed.
"If you ain't interested, that's up to you. But don't deny your brothers the peace that I'm offerin'." Josiah looked to the cells, hoping that one of the men would want to talk. Yes, they had performed unspeakable deeds. But eternal judgement was God's, not his. He knew that if he didn't try, he would never be able to forgive himself. "I know, you might be worried about what the others will think. But you have to know, you're going to meet your God tomorrow. Don't go to Him unprepared."
Josiah looked at them. Not one man in that jail looked interested. Not one man showed the slightest remorse. After a few moments, Josiah went and took a seat next to the others.
"Ya had to try, Josiah," Nathan said with a smile.
Josiah nodded.
Ezra stood next to Maude. To his left were Chris, Vin, and Nathan. To Maude's right were Josiah, Buck, and JD. The town had gathered to watch the hanging. Unlike many other hangings Ezra had seen, there was no 'celebration' mood. The crowd was somber. These men had affected the life of every person here. Their deaths were not something to celebrate, but something to watch…to verify that it really was over. To show that justice had come through.
No one smiled as the prisoners were led to the gallows. No one heckled the condemned. Not a single cheer rose from the crowd as eight nooses were fit over eight necks. Instead, men openly cried and whispered the names of their wives. Women prayed for the souls of their lost husbands. Children were held.
When the last man was cut down, the crowd silently dispersed.
The next morning, Ezra walked to the hotel to invite Maude to breakfast, only to be greeted by the site of her bags being ported from the room.
"Mother?"
"I have pressing business in St. Louis, Ezra. Can't keep it waiting any longer."
Ezra nodded and offered her his arm. "I had hoped you would return to Four Corners with me."
Maude took his arm and allowed him to lead her from the room. "Ezra, I spent far longer here than I ever intended to. Not that it could be helped, of course." She smiled.
Ezra nodded again.
Maude stopped and looked at him. "You make me proud, Ezra." Then she smiled and walked off.
Ezra watched her walk down the street and shook his head. Yet again, Maude Standish had surprised him. He whispered, "You make me proud as well, Mother." Then he walked to the restaurant and joined his friends for breakfast.