Jason walked along the boardwalk and stopped and slowly turned toward Sissy, "You know I have grown awfully fond of you," he smiled.
Sissy looked up at Burton, "I sort of felt that way toward you on the stagecoach. Your awkward silence made me laugh inside. I'm glad we've finally met," she smiled.
Burton pretended to be embarrassed, "I don't know what to say," he said looking down to the boardwalk.
Sissy lifted her right hand and touched Jason's chin with her thumb and index finger to lift his head so he'd look at her, "Why don't we have a picnic and talk about it," she smiled.
Jason nodded, "That's a traffic idea," he winked.
"I'll see if Kitty can put something together for us and then we can go after the lunch hour," Sissy suggested.
Burton nodded, "That would be wonderful," he sheepishly smiled back.
Sissy stepped away, "I'll see you at the Long Branch around noon, then," she said.
"Wild horses," Jason smiled and Sissy giggled and quickly walked back down the street.
Jason smiled and lifted his eyes to the hotel, now was the time to begin. He looked up and down the street and quickly dashed across to get back to the hotel. It was time to gather the items he needed as he walked with determination into the hotel lobby and up the stairs to his room. With another look around, Burton pulled the key from his coat pocket and opened the door into his room. His breathing was heavy as he jerked the carpet bag from the chair to the bed. He quickly opened the bag and gently pulled out the sack that held the gun and other needed materials for his plan.
One last check, he pulled the contents out of the sack and repacked it, with care. Jason wet his lips as he tucked the sack under his left arm and left the hotel room. He had to force himself to slow down as he walked down the stairs and left the hotel.
Unnoticed, Jason Burton left the hotel and walked along the boardwalk then wove his way across Front Street until he found an alley that would take him to Water Street and the abandoned mill building. He stopped at the entrance to the alley and did another quick look over his shoulder. He saw no one looking and then dashed into the alley where he moved swiftly to the old building.
Once he reached Water Street, he noticed that there wasn't anyone in sight. He cautiously moved to the old wooden structure and undid the jury-rigged lock he put on it days earlier. He was satisfied that no-one had entered the building since he found it.
Jason walked to the one window and looked out as he placed the sack carefully on the workbench, "Finally the day has come," he sighed. "I have to be careful, now," he aid to himself as he looked back around the musty room. The main beam at the centre was ideal and he smiled, "I can't believe Adams still doesn't know who I am," he laughed at his own comment.
As Jason walked about the old building he slowly rubbed his hands together as he continued to go over his plans in his head. He nodded periodically as he walked through the scenario. It was now time to make it all happen – Burton walked to the door and slowly opened it, cautiously looking around again. Now he had to bring Sissy to the building and then, ultimately Doctor Galen Adams.
Jason Burton moved across Water Street like he was walking on hot coals. Part of him wanted to run and the other part tried desperately was trying to pace himself as he knew if he rushed things it wouldn't work out like he planned. Over thirty years of planning could be ruined if he made one single mistake. Jason made his way back to Front Street.
Burton stepped out on to Front Street and checked his pocket watch and he estimated he had about on hour before the whole plan began to roll. He drew a deep breath and decided to revisit the shop where Sissy bought the bonnet. This time he'd buy the matching parasol as a hook to get her to the old mill building.
With the parasol wrapped up in tissue and a bow added, Burton strolled down the street toward the Long Branch. He spotted Doc leaving and watched where the physician headed and it looked like he was going back up to his office. Jason didn't want to loose sight of the doctor so he sped up his plan.
Sissy and Kitty laughed as they packed the wicker basket, "You'll have a great time," Kitty smiled as she finished added a bottle of red wine and two glasses.
"You know, at first I didn't hold any hope for him, but Jason but so sweet," Sissy laughed.
"You don't have to tell me," Kitty smiled. "I know you are a good judge of character," she winked.
"Awe, Kitty. We are so much alike and yet so different," Sissy smiled as she placed her hand on Kitty's forearm. "Of course we'll enjoy the picnic," she smiled.
"There's Romeo now," Kitty chuckled with was rewarded with a playful swat across the shoulder from Sissy. Kitty closed the basket and nudged it toward Sissy, "Have fun," she winked as she left the two alone.
"I see you're ready," Jason smiled.
"Yup," Sissy chirped then noticed the wrapped up parcel, "What's that?" she asked leaning sideway to peek behind Burton's back.
"You'll find out soon enough," Jason smiled and took the basket from the top of the bar. "Let's be on our way.
"See you kids later," Kitty said loudly as Jason and Sissy left the Long Branch.
"Where will we go?" Sissy asked as she lowly pooped her arm around Jason's.
"I know of a place that is off the beaten track and very quiet," Burton smiled over to Sissy, who squeezed his arm slightly tighter in approval. They continued to walk when Jason suddenly turned into any alleyway, "It's this way," he indicted. Sissy giggled and followed along.
Soon they were at the abandoned mill building, "Here it is," he smiled and pushed open the door.
"Are you sure it's alright that we go in?" Sissy asked as she poked her nose through the door.
Jason quickly set the basket and parcel down, "I doesn't matter," he leered.
Sissy looked over her shoulder only to see Jason's fist heading her way – she didn't have a chance to duck and the next thing she saw was utter blackness.
Jason dragged Sissy's limp body over to the far corner. Now it was time to get Doc.