Frontier Medicine - Part 25 - Lane's Trip

Sheriff Lane goes a'huntin'...

Sheriff Lane was not a cruel man but, as he closed his fingers on the shooter's throat, he didn't really care if the son of a bitch lived or died. He'd shot Doctor Zee and he was going to suffer for it.

The man struggled as he choked, his hands pushing weakly at the sheriff's hand, but the death grip didn't let up. "Ok…ok…" he finally croaked.

"What?" Lane asked, his eyes squinting.

"I'll… tell… you…"

Letting go and shoving the man at the same time, the shooter slammed back onto the floor, groaning as he rubbed his throat and coughed hoarsely. The sheriff drew his gun and pointed it. "Talk, or I'll shoot your dick off."

"I was hired," the man panted. "By some rich dude. Said he wanted Kara Zorel dead and if I got Alex Danvers too, there'd be a bonus."

"And who was the rich dude? I need a name."

"I don't know," the man groaned. "I didn't get one."

Lane pulled slowly back on his weapon's hammer. "Don't you lie to me, Son."

"I'm not! I got the job through a middleman. Maybe he knows. Over in Forest Springs, Hank Henshaw."

Releasing the hammer on his gun, Lane nodded. "You better not be lyin' to me or I'll come back here and shoot more than just your dick off." He reached down, hauled the man bodily to his feet and then shoved him into a cell. Then he turned on his heel and headed for his horse.

Xx

Doctor Zorel was keeping busy at the clinic. Even with her arm in a sling she was able to treat her patients with Jane's help. The girl was learning quicker than Kara had hoped and she talked excitedly about learning more each time a new patient came in.

It was nearly two weeks since she'd be shot and even though Kara was ok, she knew Alex wasn't. The rancher was distant and angry, and she was spending most of her time building at their new house, sometimes even staying there at night instead of coming back to the homestead. Kara and Mattie were both worried and, after giving the rancher some space, enough was enough. Kara was going to talk to Alex this evening, whether the rancher wanted to hear it or not.

It was starting to get dark when Kara carefully dismounted Darwin and tied to her a new fence that hadn't been there the last time she'd visited. She heard hammering coming from further down the fence line and headed in its direction.

Alex was alone, drenched in sweat and hammering nail after nail in quick succession. Her skill was impressive, as was her physique and the doctor took a moment to admire the muscles on display.

It took that same moment for Alex to realize she was there, but she immediately dropped the hammer and went to her lover. "What's wrong? Are you ok?"

"Everything's ok, Love," Kara replied as she took the ranchers hands and turned them over. The palms were blistered and raw. "Did you forget your gloves?"

Alex sucked in a breath and looked away.

"Will you come home tonight?"

The rancher's breath hitched and she shook her head. "I can't."

"Alex, look at me please?" Kara asked softly.

Brown eyes filled with tears as Alex shook her head a little.

"Baby, please? I need you to look at me. Please tell me what's wrong?"

Slowly, Alex's eyes tracked up to meet Kara's and her tears spilled over. "I didn't protect you."

The doctor frowned in surprise. "What? Why would you say that, Love?"

"When I saw you out on the street, I froze. I froze until I heard the gunshots. I should have called out to you. And then, when we were in the clinic, I couldn't even do that… caut… that forceps thing."

"Oh Sweetheart," Kara breathed, the pieces falling into place in her mind. "There's nothing more you could've done. You and Winn saved my life. I've heard of experienced doctors who've balked at the idea of cauterization, even though it's the best way to stop bleeding."

Alex's breath hitched again. "I should've done more."

"You did what you could," Kara replied, sliding her hand up her lover's chest and then cupping her cheek. "You did what was best for me. What more could I ask for? I love you, Alex Danvers, and I need you to come home."

The rancher wiped impatiently at her tears and smiled a little. "I could do with a break and some of that magic salve of yours." She winced as she flexed her sore hands. "Forgot m'gloves." The she kissed the doctor, careful of her injured shoulder as she held her close. "I love you too, Kara Zorel."

"Come on then. Mattie has dinner ready and I think she made your favorite."

Kara grinned as Alex's eye lit up. "Brisket?" the rancher asked hopefully.

"Let's go find out!"

Xx

Sheriff Lane slid down from his horse and entered the first of two saloons in Forest Springs. It had been a long ride and he was tired and thirsty.

"What can I getcha," the bar man asked as he slung a white rag over his shoulder.

"Water and whisky," Lane growled. "And directions to Hank Henshaw."

The bar man's eyes narrowed and he inclined his head toward a man drinking alone at a table at the back of the room. "That there's Henshaw," he said. "But you be careful. Meaner than a rattle snake that one." He set a glass of water and a shot in front of the Sheriff. "Might want to leave him alone."

"Riiiiight," Lane drawled, then drank down the water and knocked back the whisky as he turned his back to the bar and gazed at the dark-skinned man, whose eyes lifted to meet his.

The Sheriff walked slowly to Henshaw's table and drew back the chair to take a seat. "You Henshaw?"

"Don't remember invitin' you to sit down," the man replied, his eyes ice cold.

"Don't want no trouble," Lane replied. "Just lookin' for information."

"Cost ya."

"How much?

"Depends on the information you want."

"You hired Jed Knowles to do a job over in Rocky Road City. Told him to shoot a pretty doctor and her friend dead."

Henshaw half-smiled, showing yellowing teeth. "Seems like you already have the information," he commented.

"I need to know who hired you." Lane shifted in his chair, pulling his leather duster back to reveal a gun on each hip. "And I ain't got time for lies."

"Five dollars."

"How about zero dollars and I don't shoot you in the face?" Lane replied conversationally.

"You're a lawman. You ain't supposed to…" Henshaw stopped abruptly as the barrel of a gun appeared between his eyes. He hadn't even seen the sheriff's hand move.

"Happens," Lane growled. "That pretty doctor is a friend o'mine. And her friend is my niece."

Henshaw swallowed and beads of sweat formed on his forehead. "Take it easy, Sheriff."

"I'll take it easy when I have the information."

"Ok, ok." Henshaw cleared his throat and rested his hands slowly on the table. "I got a wire from some guy called Joseph Madden. Said he'd heard through a friend that I could get things done discreetly. So I did. He paid me two hundred dollars. I gave Jed fifty."

"Thank you," Lane said with a nod. He holstered his weapon, then drew back his fist and knocked Henshaw clean out. "Have a nice day."

Xx

Kara groaned softly as Alex's body came to rest against her, their damp, overheated skin beginning to cool.

"Wow," she said softly, making the rancher chuckle and lean over to kiss her. "That was…"

"Uh huh," Alex agreed with a grin. She grabbed their blanket and pulled it up over their naked bodies. "First time in the new house."

Kara sighed softly as she gazed up at the stars. "I'm beginning to find reasons to not have a roof," she said with a soft smile.

"It would be great until the first of the storms roll in," the rancher pointed out. "Besides, we already bought all the shingles."

The doctor couldn't argue with that, so she rolled onto her side and snuggled up against her lover. "Have I told you lately how sexy you are?" She trailed her fingers down Alex's biceps. "Just thinking about you makes me wet," she whispered, smiling as the older woman swallowed and blushed a little. "If there's one thing I've learned," she added. "It's that life is short and when I feel something, I want to say it."

Alex nodded. "I know…"

"You are the love of my life, Alex, and I want to be with you forever. I want to live in this house with you. I want us to get married and raise our children here. I want us to make the most amazing memories together."

"Me too," Alex whispered, taking Kara's hand and kissing it. "And tonight is the first of many wonderful memories we'll have here."

And in the second-floor area that would soon be their bedroom, they slept together under the clear, twinkling stars.

Xx

Sheriff Lane was pacing outside the clinic as he waited for Doctor Zee to finish with her patient. He was not a coward by any means but part of him was dreading telling her that he knew what had happened to cause her shooting. If the doctor knew this Joseph Madden, she'd likely be upset.

"Sheriff?" Lane turned to find Alex approaching, two paper bags in her hands. "Waitin' to see Doctor Zee?"

"I have…" The sheriff sighed. "You should probably come in too. I found out who the shooter is."

The rancher nodded. "I was bringin' the doc some lunch. Good timin', I s'pose."

"Right," Lane agreed. "She's goin' to need you, Danvers."

A few minutes of awkward silence later, the door to the clinic opened and Kara guided her patient out. "Remember, that needs to stay covered for a week, then let it open to the air."

"Yes, Ma'am," the patient agreed and then sauntered away down the street.

"Sheriff, come on in," the doctor said with a smile. "Alex, I'll just be a few minutes."

"Actually," Lane replied. "I think Alex should come with us. I know who shot you."

Kara sucked in a breath and nodded. "Ok," she turned and led them both inside, taking a seat behind her desk as the sheriff sat opposite her and Alex stood behind her with her hands on her shoulders.

"So," Lane said. "I got a tip that led me to a guy called Jed Knowles and I caught him trying to get out of town. He told me that some guy called Hank Henshaw had hired him to kill you and if he got Alex too, it'd be a bonus."

Kara nodded as Alex squeezed her shoulders gently. "Go on."

"I went to Forest Springs to talk to this Henshaw and got some more information out of him. He told me that he was hired by a rich guy who paid him a hefty sum to kill you both."

"Who is he?" Kara asked, her voice trembling.

"Guy by the name of Joseph Madden."

Lane watched as the color drained from Kara's face. "Seems like you know who this Madden is."

Kara slowly got up and turned into Alex's body. The rancher was so stunned that she didn't even move until Kara's fist clenched in her shirt, seeking comfort. Lane waited until the doctor's tears had calmed.

"Doctor Zee, can you tell me who this guy is?"

"Joseph Madden," Alex replied. "Is Doctor Zee's brother-in-law. Or was, until he was caught cheating and her sister left him."

I don't understand," Lane frowned. "Why would your brother-in-law want to have you killed?"

Kara sighed. "I don't know for sure, but I have a feeling that some new information about my sister may have come to his attention and it's possible that he blames me."

"And Alex?"

"He and I didn't see eye to eye," the rancher replied simply. "He didn't agree with my lifestyle and I didn't agree with his bad-mouthin' my family."

"Must have been a hell of a disagreement," the sheriff said with a shake of his head. "What do you want me to do?

"I need to think," the doctor said slowly. "And I need to wire my father for advice. He's a lawyer. Can we come back to you, Sheriff?"

"You surely can. Let me know." Lane stood and placed his hat on his head. "I'm sure sorry this happened, Doctor Zee."

"Thank you, Sheriff, for everything," Kara replied.

"Yeah, thanks, Sam," Alex added as she escorted him out. When she returned, she found Kara already writing a telegram for her father. "What do you think will happen when Jonathan finds out?"

"I think he's going to kill Joseph but, if he doesn't, Shirley probably will."