Kiss of Death----20
Orrin looked at the two women, both so beautiful, yet as deadly as a rabid wolf searching for prey. The two women refused to acknowledge his presence, but Ethan Turner was more than willing to share details about what they'd paid him to do. He swore he had nothing to do with any murders, but was guilty of kidnapping and forcible confinement with intent to injure. Gerald Carlton had readily agreed to have the trial held at the saloon and with the help of several townsmen, plus Sanchez, Tanner, and Standish was already setting it up for the trial.
"Mrs. Clark, you do realize these charges are very serious?" Travis asked, and was again met by a wall of silence. Shaking his head he turned away from the cell and walked out into the sheriff's office once more.
"They still on a vow of silence?" Rawlings asked.
"I don't think they realize just how much trouble they are in," Travis said, shaking his head as he sat across from the lawman.
"They know and I think they just might be able to wrap some of the men in this town around their fingers. No matter what happens tomorrow there are at least four men who will be dead set against hanging women!"
"You may want to deputize a few men or use Josiah, Ezra, and Vin to help control the hot heads," the judge suggested.
"I'd be grateful for all the help I can get," Rawlings said as the door burst open and a man walked inside.
"Sheriff, tell me you're not going to let this farce of a trial happen!"
"Judge, do you remember our mayor," Rawlings asked.
"Indeed I do. Hello, John."
"Hello, Orrin. Please tell me you won't be holding a trial in Midfield."
"I'm sorry, but I will be holding a trial and I believe it to be in the best interests of the town if you show the court the respect it is due."
"But you're talking about putting two women on trial for attempted murder…"
"Actually, after the telegram I received today they'll be facing charges of murder as well," Rawlings explained.
"You know, John, there's something wrong with your attitude," Travis said, his voice laced with deadly force.
"What are you talking about, Orrin?"
"Are you forgetting there's a man on trial here for the same charges, and yet you don't give a damn about what he's facing!"
"But…but they are women and have been a good part of this town since they moved here!" the mayor fumed.
"That may very well be, but think about what they've done and if that's not enough then come over to Morton's office and take a good look at what they did to Chris Larabee!" Travis raged.
"He's a lawman and should be used to getting hurt in situations like this!"
"John, Chris Larabee was shot twice and had his arm broken because those two women thought they could control another man's life. He deserves to see justice done!"
"Not in my town!"
"Then perhaps it's time you stood down and let us elect a man with a lick of sense!" Rawlings stated and stood up.
"Easy, Evan," Travis said and turned to the town's mayor. "John, I am sworn to uphold the law and that means the trial will go forth tomorrow. If you don't like it then I suggest you take a trip for a few days. Perhaps your twisted judgment will find a way to live with what you've been saying here!"
"You can't talk to me like that!"
"I just did! Evan, it stinks in here and I need to get some rest before the trial tomorrow morning!"
"Orrin, I apologize for the mayor's behavior," Rawlings said and smiled as the man huffed and shot out the door. He shook his head and watched as Travis followed suit and was glad the judge had been able to get the upper hand with the town's mayor.
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The saloon was packed with men waiting to find out the outcome of the trial, but the three defendants had yet to make an appearance. Several of the older men were trying to cajole Gerald Carlton into opening the bar and let them have a libation, but with no success as the saloon owner shook his head and pointed to the sign proclaiming BAR CLOSED FOR DURATION!
"So when's this trial supposed ta start," Peter Frost asked, licking dry lips hopefully.
"Soon's the judge says it does!" Carlton assured him and motioned for one of the lawmen to come forward.
"What can I do fer ya?" Tanner asked, leaning against the bar.
"The crowd's getting a little out of hand. Any idea when the judge is gonna get here?"
"Should be here as soon as they bring Chris over," the lanky Texan answered.
"Well, I hope it's soon!" Frost told him and watched as several men began a shoving match at the rear of the saloon.
"Ya boys wanna stick 'round ya'd best sit down and shut up!" Tanner warned and nodded as Standish joined him.
"Josiah and Buck are bringing Chris over now," Standish informed the younger man.
"Good, 'cause much longer and we might have ta shoot a couple of trouble makers," the Texan said and saw Frost break away from the counter, a look of fearful indignation on his face.
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"Now, Chris, no one will think anything bad of you if you just stay put!" Wilmington tried once more. They'd managed to get the stubborn blond into a pair of pants by slitting up the seam and making room for the bandages around his leg. An oversized shirt was draped over his shoulders and buttoned up the front. There was a new light in the gunslinger's eyes today since they'd found Pony safe and sound and he was now housed in the livery, and being fed and cared for by the liveryman.
"I'm going!"
"Stubborn sonofabitch!" the ladies' man cursed as Sanchez returned.
"I take it you're still hell bent on going to the trial?" the ex-preacher asked.
"Hell yeah!" Larabee answered and knew the doctor was still shaking his head as he returned to his position next to the bed where his patient sat.
"All right, Chris, I'm agreeing to this against my better judgment, so here's how we're going to do this. Buck and Josiah are going to walk beside you and if I see anything I don't like I'm calling a halt to it. Understood?"
"I hear you, Doc," Larabee said, glaring at his two friends.
"Good!" Morton said, giving his patient another once over before turning to Wilmington and Sanchez. "All right, gentlemen, here's how this goes. Buck, you're on his right, Josiah, you're on his left. I'm going to walk behind Chris and make sure 'Mr. Hard Head' here doesn't fall on his hard…"
"Shit!" the blond spat as he tried to stand on his own.
"That's lesson number one, Chris. You're weak and you need to let us help you with everything for now," Morton warned as Sanchez and Wilmington moved in to help the injured blond to his feet.
"Thanks," Larabee said as the ladies' man plunked his hat on his head. He concentrated on staying on his feet and forced his legs to move, groaning as the movement pulled on his injured leg.
"Ah, Chris, take this," Morton said, handing the man a cane.
"I don't…"
"If you plan on walking to the trial you do, or Josiah and Buck can carry you!" the physician warned.
"Damn!" Larabee swore and reached for the item in Morton's hand. He used it and reluctantly acknowledged the need for the cane. Using what little strength he had the gunman slowly made his way toward the door. He felt his two friends walking close beside him, but everything he had, and everything he was, he was putting into this one trip. He would make it to the saloon under his own steam or die trying.
Buck watched as Larabee's stubborn pride worked to give him the strength he needed to persevere and smiled inwardly at the strength generated by the blond. No matter how beaten he was, no matter how hard the fight could be, in the end, Chris Larabee would win. Not because he had to, but because he wanted to and that was a strength few men had.
Josiah watched over both friends and knew Wilmington was putting on a brave face. The man was hiding a pain that ran deep and a guilt that was just as fierce. It would take seeing Chris Larabee completely recovered and back on his feet to see the light hearted rogue back to himself. Sighing, the ex-preacher remained steadfast next to the blond and could see how difficult each step was.
Richard Morton could not believe that his patient had made it out the door let alone half way down the street. Something told him that Chris Larabee would and could do just about anything he set his mind to do. They made it to the saloon, but not without incident as Larabee stumbled several times, but refused help as he straightened himself with the use of the cane.
Chris looked at the two steps that lead up to the batwing doors and took a deep breath. He could hear the people inside and knew the saloon had probably never been so packed during regular hours. People had this morbid need to see what was happening and he knew they would probably have to deal with several troublemakers. The fact that the trial involved two women made it more like a circus than a courtroom, but Chris knew Orrin Travis would make sure things ran smoothly no matter what it took.
"Chris…"
"I'm okay, Buck," Larabee insisted and found the strength to lift his right leg and put all his weight on the cane. He heard Ezra and Vin, but didn't acknowledge either man as he made it to the top.
"Mr. Larabee, your color…or lack thereof is suggestive…"
"Ez, not now! Tell me you boys have a place for me to sit down!"
"Got a seat front and center fer ya, Cowboy," Tanner told him and held the door as the group moved into the dim interior. Between the four peacekeepers they managed to keep the town's men at a distance and give Larabee a clear aisle to the chair reserved for him. By the time the blond was seated he was covered in a fine sheen of sweat and his face had a washed out quality to it. He didn't know who it was, but someone handed him a glass of water and he drank it slowly.
"Chris, the judge is about to come in and Evan is bringing over the prisoners," Sanchez explained as he watched the younger man's face closely.
"Okay," Larabee nodded as the men took up places around the courtroom. Besides, Sanchez, Standish, Wilmington, Tanner, and Rawlings there were four other men who'd been sworn in to help keep the trial orderly.
"Chris, you need anything don't hesitate to say so," Morton said as he sat beside his patient.
"But they're women!" one man shouted and the outrage was picked up by others as Travis took his seat.
"Order! I will have order in this court or I'll have you all barred from the proceedings!" the judge warned and the crowd grew quiet as Rawlings and Tanner led the three prisoners to the defendants' table. Mark Lewis stood as the trio were brought to him and knew his case was lost before it even began. Ethan Turner was only too glad to make his statement and the evidence against the women was damning.
"This court is now in session and I'm warning all of you that any transgressions will get you a contempt charge and you'll find yourselves as guests in the town's jail. Now the defendants are facing several charges of kidnapping, assault and attempted murder. How do your clients plea, Mr. Lewis?"
"Your honor, Mrs. Clark, and Mrs. Wilmington have refused to answer that question. Mr. Turner has pleaded guilty to kidnapping and assault," Lewis explained.
"All right, we can resolve Mr. Turner's case easily and proceed with the charges against Mrs. Clark and Mrs. Wilmington," Travis said as he watched Chris Larabee closely. The injured man was listing slowly to the right and was soon propped up by Buck Wilmington. He quickly pronounced Turner's sentence and had him removed from the courtroom until such time when he would be needed for testimony.
"Chris, why don't we get you back to bed," Morton suggested, but saw the stubborn set of Larabee's jaw.
"I'm f…fine, Doc, need to be h…here!"
"No you don't, Pard, I can testify to what they did to you," Wilmington tried.
"Buck, I want to see this through…for me," the blond said, but knew the ladies' man could see right through him.
"All right, ol' son," Wilmington agreed softly and looked toward the judge once more as he finished calling him to the stand. It had been decided that the ladies would have a bench trial without a jury and it would be up to Travis whether or not the women were guilty or innocent and whether they would face further charges once they heard from St. Louis. Buck nodded to the blond and walked to the front of the saloon and took the witness stand where he was sworn in.
"Mr. Wilmington, do you swear to tell the…"
Buck's eyes locked on to the green ones he once thought he could lose himself in. Now all he felt was disgust, that this woman had hurt not only him, but also a man he had considered to be his best friend for many years.
"Yes," the rogue answered as he tore his gaze from the woman.
Angela Tate-Wilmington could not believe that this man was going to bring her down. There was no doubt that his words would see Rosemary Clark found guilty and she turned in her seat until she spotted Chris Larabee. He would also testify to her wrongdoings and see her either faced with a life in prison or the hangman's noose.
'I'll kill you first,' she thought as she glanced at the two men closest to her. She recognized them from the town and knew them to be honest and law abiding, which was probably why Rawlings had chosen them. She heard her husband testify as to what he'd seen and been forced to do in order to save Chris Larabee's life and knew she had to see her plans through to the end, Larabee's end. Turning toward the man closest to her she judged the distance and knew she could get the man's gun, but could she get a shot away before someone reached her.
"Angela, what are you thinking?" Rosemary Clark asked softly.
"He's going to pay for this!"
"Who?" Clark whispered and frowned as their lawyer continued to ask questions of Wilmington.
"Larabee! Just look at that bastard!"
"What are you going to do?"
"I need you to get their attention, but wait until Larabee is called to the witness stand," the red head said and knew Angela understood what she meant. As the lawyer continued his questioning of Buck Wilmington, most of the men's attention was focused on the witness stand and they were not watching her.
"You know this will go against us?"
"I know, but what difference will it make?" She saw the smile on Clark's face and knew the woman would do what was needed. She settled back in her chair and smiled sweetly at the ladies' man.
Chris had not missed the woman's backward glance at him, and wondered why he suddenly felt so damn cold. He shifted on the seat as Travis dismissed Wilmington from the stand.
"Mr. Larabee, are you able to take the stand at this time?" Travis asked.
"Chris, it can wait," Tanner stated.
"No, it can't. Faster them two are sentenced the better," Larabee stated and sat up straighter in the chair.
"Mr. Larabee?"
"I'm fine, Judge," the blond said, but was glad when the Texan offered his arm and helped him to his feet.
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Angela smiled as Larabee stood on shaky legs and began the slow walk towards the chair reserved for witnesses. She nodded to Clark as the blond walked past her and heard Rosemary's sharp intake of breath and several outraged cries as the woman fainted. Before anyone could realize it was an act, Angela reached for the weapon in the deputy's holster and pointed it toward the blond. Several shots rang out as the outraged alarm turned into fear and unarmed men hurried to find cover.
Buck had just stepped away from the chair when Rosemary Clark seemed to faint, but his well-honed instincts told him it was far from real. He turned his attention to the second woman just in time to see her level a gun at Larabee. He drew and fired in one motion and watched as a look of disbelief shone on his wife's face just before she looked down at the blossoming red stain on her bodice.
"B…Buck," she stammered and turned her weapon toward her husband as another shot rang out. Ezra's weapon had slid into his hand with an accuracy born of practice and desperation. He had pulled back on the trigger and watched as Angela Tate-Wilmington crumpled to the floor in a heap.
"NO!" Rosemary Clark was on her feet in and instant and grabbing for the weapon in Rawlings' holster, but was quickly grabbed by a nearly hysterical John Matthews. "Let me go! He murdered her!"
"Someone get Doc Morton!" Tanner shouted as they eased Chris Larabee to the floor.
"Vin, is he all right?" Wilmington shouted and was soon joined by Orrin Travis as the rest of the deputies emptied the courtroom.
"I don't know! He's bleeding!"
"Let me through!" Morton ordered and looked first at the dead woman and then at his patient. "Where's he hit this time?"
"N…not," Larabee stammered.
"I think he's just bleeding because I shoved him! The woman had him dead to rights!" Samuel Duff explained.
"You're not hit?" Wilmington asked, his eyes showing a mixture of concern and hope.
"No, just knocked the wind outta me!"
"Did more than that, Chris. Think maybe it opened up the wound in your side. Be still now and let me take a look."
"Buck…Angela?"
"She's dead," the ladies' man answered as he watched Sanchez place his coat over the dead woman's face.
"You murdered her! You bastards are gonna pay!" Rosemary Clark struggled against the sheriff and the mayor as they dragged her out of the courtroom.
"Doc, how does it look?" the ladies' man asked.
"Like I said, the banging around opened the wound. It's a setback, but not so bad as having another piece of lead in him!"
"Thanks, Mister…"
"Samuel Duff. Folks 'round here call me Duff. Ain't nothin' ta thank me for. I saw her grab the gun and look at ya and I had ta do somethin' real quick."
"You saved m…my life…"
"Chris, you can thank him later. Buck, Vin, we need to get him back to my place. Think you boys could carry him?"
"I can…"
"Lie there and be quiet!" Travis ordered and watched the physician as he pressed a piece of material against the bleeding wound.
"Nothing more I can do until we get him back to my place. Buck, you and Vin, get him on his feet, but be careful and don't let him put any pressure on his leg!" Morton warned. He stood and watched as Larabee's friends got him on his feet. Sanchez and Standish turned up and between them they carried a protesting Chris Larabee out of the courtroom.
TBC