"LARABEE'S LADY" – CHAPTER TWELVE
Title: "Larabee's Lady"
Author: Michelle Heath
Rating: MA for adult language and situations
Summary: Mary's best friend causes Chris to re-think his future.
Date Written: September 16, 2010
Disclaimer: Chris Larabee, Vin Tanner, J.D. Dunne, Buck Wilmington, Josiah Sanchez, Ezra Standish, Nathan Jackson, Casey Wells, Mary Travis, Nettie Wells, Inez, and The Magnificent Seven are the property of TM CBS, The Mirisch Group, MGM and Triology Entertainment. Other characters, i.e., Catherine Stewart, Jonathan Stewart, Eloise Stewart, Miles Kettering, etc. are the sole property of the author. The author makes no profit from this work of fan fiction and no copyright infringement is intended.
(Unfortunately, the Saloon is on the same side of the street as the General Store and Poague's men quickly hustle Mrs. Purdy, Mrs. Wilkes, Casey, and Catherine out the back door of the store, down the alley, and into the back door of the Saloon. Catherine is not at all surprised to find more of Poague's men already in the Saloon and the front doors closed and locked.
The men unceremoniously shove the four women to the floor in a back corner of the Saloon and tie their hands and feet tightly. Mrs. Purdy glares at the ruffians, but doesn't make a sound. Mrs. Wilkes is pale but manages to remain calm, at least for the moment. Casey is just about in tears. Catherine is trying to remember everything she read about Wilbur Poague and his gang. Three sharp raps on the back door draw their attention. When one of the men watching the four women opens the door, Wilbur Poague and another of his gang walk into the Saloon. By now, Poague's gang numbers seven men besides Poague himself. Catherine is desperately trying to loosen the ropes binding her hands as Poague walks over and grabs Casey by one arm; snatching her to her feet. He roughly jerks the girl to a table where he plops down in a chair and pulls her into his lap. Casey's eyes fill with tears and she throws a pleading look in the direction of the other women. Poague roughly grabs one of Casey's breasts and squeezes hard. Casey flinches and cries out which only serves to make Poague and his men laugh loudly.)
Mrs. Wilkes: "I demand that you let go of that child this instant!"
Poague: "You're in no position to be demandin' anything, old woman! Unless you want your throat cut, you better shut up! I'm in control here, and I'll do whatever I damn well please! Right now I'm gonna have me some fun with this little girl."
(Seeing the utter fear and revulsion in Casey's eyes along with the pleading, Catherine can stand it no more. Struggling to her feet, she faces Poague.)
Catherine: "She's just a girl. . . Have your 'fun' with me."
Mrs. Wilkes: "Catherine!"
Poague: (eyeing Catherine speculatively) "Are you offerin to trade places with this piece of fluff, Missy?"
Catherine: "Yes. And I want you to let her and these other two ladies go. You don't need them."
Poague: "Tell you what. I'll let one of them go . . .(he points to Mrs. Wilkes), that one. The other two stay so's I can make sure you own up to your end of the deal."
(Poague gestures to Mrs. Wilkes and his men instantly untie her. Poague stands up, shoves Casey toward Mrs, Purdy, and grabs Catherine by the arm. He sneers at Mrs. Wilkes.)
Poague: "Deal the cards, Boys. We're gonna play to see gets her first; after me, that is. . . . You git, old woman, and you tell anyone who thinks about comin' anywhere near this Saloon that they'll be dead afore they walk through the door."
(Throwing a look of concern in the direction of Casey, Mrs. Purdy, and Catherine, Mrs. Willkes stumbles out of the back door of the Saloon and runs as fast as she can to the newspaper office. . . . In the Saloon, Mrs. Purdy, Casey, and Catherine sit on the floor watching the group of vile men play poker. Catherine is pale and worry is written all over her fact. Casey, although relieved that she seems to be safe for the moment, is still scared nearly witless, and is very worried for Catherine. Mrs. Purdy, on the other hand, doesn't seem to be at all concerned about their situation, and is casting disapproving glares in Catherine's direction.)
Casey: "What are we gonna do, Catherine? We've got to get out of here!"
Catherine: "I'm aware of that, Casey. I'm hoping that Mrs. Wilkes will find a way to bring help, but I'm not counting on it."
Casey: "Sure wish J.D. were here."
Catherine: "I wish all of the Seven were here, but they're not so we have to figure a way out of this. . . . Mrs. Purdy, do you know how to shoot a gun?"
Mrs. Purdy: "Of course not! Proper ladies don't have anything to do with guns. But you're not a proper lady, are you, Catherine Stewart? If you were, you wouldn't have been so quick to offer yourself to that horrible man."
Catherine: "I'm sick of hearing about 'proper ladies', Mrs. Purdy! Right now, we need to figure out how we're going to get away from all those horrible men in one piece. Now are you going to help or not?"
(Mrs. Wilkes has made it to the newspaper office and bursts through the door startling Mary in the process. One look at Mrs. Wilkes disheveled appearance and the fear on her face, and Mary's heart jumps into her throat.)
Mrs. Wilkes: "Mary! We've got to do something! Wilbur Poague and his men have taken Catherine, Casey, and Loretta Purdy hostage! They're holding them at the Saloon and are threatening to kill anyone who goes anywhere near there."
Mary: "Wilbur Poague . . He's the leader of that gang that killed those people over in Sierra County."
Mrs. Wilkes: "Exactly! He . . he's going to . . . to . . . Oh, Mary, we have to do something to get them out of there!"
Mary: "He's going to do what, Mrs. Wilkes?"
Mrs. Wilkes: "He's going to . . ra . . .rape Catherine! They're playing poker right now to decide who gets her after Poague!"
(All the blood drains from Mary's face and her mind begins to race frantically. )
Mary: "Mrs. Wilkes, I want you to ride out to Nettie Wells' place and let her know what's going on. Then, I want the two of you to come back here and wait for me. I'm going out to Catherine's and get Farley and some of the hands. I'm sure we can figure something out once we get back."
Mrs. Wilkes: "All right, but I'm going to ride out and try to find the Seven after I get Nettie. If anyone can save our girls it's those gentlemen."
Mary: "The chances of them being on their way back here are slim."
Mrs. Wilkes: "Then I'll ride all the way to Somerset and bring them back."
