Pt.7

Masks We Wear?

As Kitty left the dining room she thought she saw someone she recognized, a face she knew, slowly following around the corner hall. "Jean'…Jean' Jareau? Is that you?"

The tall dark haired man turned, smiling. "Why, do my eyes deceive me? Or is it Kitty Russell?" Reaching out to take her hands in his own, taking them to kiss them . "Ahhh, my dear sweet Kitty!"

"Jean', you flatter me." She said with a curious smile. This was a man she didn't trust, even a little bit. He had a reputation as one of New Orleans' biggest con men, one that put Wayne Russell's to shame. She had met him when she dealt cards for Panacea, many years ago. Kitty considered him lower than a snake.

"So Jean', what on earth brings you to St. Louis, or shall I say, who is the prey?"

Now smiling a sinister smile. "Ahh, now Kitty, dear girl. Please don't be soooo, let me say…"

Waving her hand and shaking her head, "Jean', I'm no kid anymore, and I've been around much too long to fall for one of your lines. I call a spade a spade!"

Just as they were talking, from around the corner came Maryellen. Without noticing Kitty being there, she was already talking. "Oh, Jean' I forgot to tell you…" Then she looked up stopping in her tracks.

Kitty squared her shoulders, tilted her head, straightened her lips into a line and raised her brows. "Well, good morning Maryellen.. is it?"

Maryellen now with a complete look of surprise, "Oh, Oh, Miss Russell. I didn't see you there."

With a slight snicker, "Of course you didn't." Kitty's mind started working overtime.

Then, Jean' Jareau suggested, "Kitty, we should have dinner this afternoon, catch up. It's been much to long."

"I'm sorry, Jean', I'm very busy and beside I have plans."

Very surprised, Maryellen said, "Will you be headed back to Dodge now that…"

Kitty furrowed her brow. "Now that what?"

"Oh… I just thought that after last night that you'd… well… that you'd want to go back home. That's all."

Kitty broke into a slight smile. "Sweetheart, did you really think for one minute that that little performance you put on last night was going to come between Matt and I?" Now Kitty was laughing a full fledged laugh. "Please! Honey, I've lived much too long and dealt with way too many little…" Catching her words, knowing she was in a public place. "It would take much more then you to come between Matt and I." She laughed again.

This now angered Maryellen and she stomped her foot. "Well I never!"

Still smiling at her,…"No, and you never will either."

Jean' was watching, wondering what exactly was between the two women. Maryellen stormed off! Jean' Jareau followed after her wanting to find out about this. This could be important.

As he caught up to her, "Wait up, good heavens. What was that display of un-ladylikeness?"

Clinching her jaw… "Oh that woman! Who does she think she is, talking to me like that?"

"Maryellen, just what is this Marshal to you anyway?"

"We grew up together."

"No, dear, it's more then that."

"Oh, alright. Yes, I was in love with him, and I thought he cared about me too."

" And?" Jean' asked.

"And… her. That's what! As long as she's around, he'll never… Wait a minute you said you knew her? How?"

"Oh, I knew Kitty from my days in New Orleans."

"You mean she is from New Orleans?"

"Yes, dear. She is one hell of a dealer. I never seen too many like her. You remember Wayne Russell?"

"Sure do. He could work any deal around."

"Kitty is his daughter."

"You don't say?"

"This might just come to be to our advantage." Jean' added.

"Jean' Jareau," Now jumping up to kiss his cheek, "I knew there was a reason I loved you sooooooo!"

TBC