Chapter Seven.

Mrs. Roth was still out cold. Which was probably for the best, Ezra decided. The last thing they needed was someone of her...persuasion, complicating things further.

Due to his insistence, Ezra had been allowed to prop her against a wall, and cover her with a blanket. Which meant that out of the three of them, she was in the best position, he thought dryly; comatose and unaware of the danger in her house. Ignorance, Ezra lamented, could indeed be bliss.

He and Hannah had been marched into the main living and made to stand at the back of the room whilst two men trained their guns on them. Another watched Mrs. Roth, and three more guarded the outside. The silver-haired man had casually taken a seat in front of them, and was lighting a cigarette. He took in a few puffs, blowing out thick grey smoke before waving out the match, which he cast to the floor.

Ezra decided to continue playing the innocent, it seemed to have worked well to a point, seeing as he hadn't been shot. His eyes flicked behind the men training their guns on him, and to a table where his own guns had been placed.

As one of the men before him took a step forward, Ezra locked eyes with him. The man, although young, looked like he'd seen plenty of fighting in his time, and didn't look like the sort to hesitate if given orders to shoot, in fact, he looked as though he were waiting for such a command. A smug smirk was stamped across his dirty, unpleasant features.

The silver-haired man before them sighed deeply and sat back in his chair, his feet up on a small table as if he were relaxing on a bench in the afternoon sun.

Ezra forced a good-natured grin,

"May I inquire as to the purpose of this..." he nodded towards the two armed men, "...shall we say, less than warm reception?"

The silver-haired man grinned and looked round at his men,

"Well, look at that lads, he talks about as fancy as he dresses,"

The men grinned and Ezra gave a grim smile back,

"I like to present myself in the proper manner,"

The man sat forward,

"And you don't disappoint Mr. Standish,"

Ezra's blood chilled for a second, but he kept his expression friendly and inquisitive,

"May I also ask Sir, as to how you acquired my name?"

The man with the silver hair grinned, the information making him feel even more powerful. He tapped the side of his nose,

"Well, I reckon that'd be for me to know,"

Ezra gave a brisk nod.

"Very well then, may I venture to ask your name?"

At this question, the young man holding gun stepped forward, obviously considering the question a violation of some sorts. However silver-hair held up a hand,

"It's alright Luke. I always make it a point of letting men know who's gonna be killing them,"

"That's mighty fine of you," Ezra retorted dryly, the sarcasm tripping casually off his tongue. The silver-hair smiled,

"My name is McKale, and these are my boys," he waved a hand airily, indicating the men converging around the house.

Ezra looked impressed,

"Been busy Mr. McKale,"

McKale smiled, enjoying Ezra's dry humour, however the youngest boy stepped forward again, eyes glaring viciously. McKale caught his arm swiftly, his expression hardening,

"Now, now Luke, we need to show some respect. Mr. Standish here is a man of the law, and I always show respect to them right 'afore I kill them. Just like I did with the little lady's pa here,"

Ezra swallowed. So these were the killers of Catherine's husband then. He could have guessed. No wonder Catherine was so jittery. Hannah was knelt by Ezra's feet, clutching onto his leg, a blanket wrapped about her arm for comfort, a thumb inside her mouth and her big eyes squarely on McKale. He leant forward towards her, and Ezra at once tensed, his expression changing. There was no point playing the innocent anymore, these men were not going to be fooled into anything.

"You remember us Miss. Moore? Hmm? We knew you're pop real well," he grinned sickeningly, and behind him, the smirks on Luke and his brother grew wider.

Hannah's grip on Ezra's trouser leg tightened though she showed no fear outwardly. McKale grunted, still appearing amused.

"Sweet little kid," he muttered, almost to himself. Ezra kept quiet, just watching him. McKale sat back again, closing his eyes briefly, as if settling back for a nap. For a second, Ezra thought he was. Suddenly however, they snapped back open.

"Where is Mrs. Moore, Mr. Standish?" all signs of amusement were gone.

Ezra shrugged, stating casually,

"Well, she's not here,"

McKale sat forward, looking again at Hannah,

"Come here sweetheart."

Hannah didn't move and so McKale turned to look at one of his sons,

"Adam,"

At once, Adam moved forward, and bent, pulling Hannah from Ezra's leg. Hannah, whimpering loudly, started to cry and as Ezra turned try and stop him, Luke ran over, hitting Ezra hard and viciously. It was a heavy blow, squarely in the face with the butt of his rifle that sent him reeling. McKale grabbed hold of Hannah's arm, watching as Ezra fell backwards to the ground, landing on his bad arm again.

Once the spinning sensation in his head had died down, Ezra reached up, and gently touched his temple. It hurt, and there was some blood. Typical. Over him, Luke grinned, clearly incredibly pleased with himself.

As Hannah continued to whimper, looking at Ezra fearfully, McKale leant forward again,

"Now, Mr. Standish. Let's try once more shall we?"

Ezra's gaze drifted back to McKale, who repeated his question slowly, as if to a small child,

"Where, is, Mrs. Moore? And no smart replies, I don't think you or Miss. Moore here would like the consequences."

Ezra considered the options. There wasn't too much to be lost through telling the truth in this case surely? He was fairly convinced that the other six would have Catherine safely somewhere by now, and possibly be acting on his own absence. He sat up, ignoring Luke's glare, and stared back at McKale defiantly,

"She went into town this morning."

McKale grunted,

"And when do you expect her back?"

"You know women."

It wasn't a very helpful answer, Ezra didn't intend it to be. But Luke seemed even less impressed, and delivered him a fierce kick to the ribs.

McKale smiled,

"I believe we both do."

The sound of boots announced someone else trampling into the room, sounding a little disturbed.

"Hey, that woman's waking up in there," he jerked a finger back to Mrs. Roth's bedroom. McKale turned to the man,

"We're waiting here for the wife. Go round and keep watch by the old woman's bedroom window. We'll put everyone in there out of the way..." he turned to Ezra, who was picking himself up off the ground in as dignified a manner as he could, half-pulled by Luke, "...I don't think they'll be much trouble now."

Hannah, seeing Ezra on his feet again, tried to twist out of McKale's grip. With a strange smile, McKale

watched her struggling for a while before letting her go. The force of his sudden release made Hannah fall over, but she picked herself up, and dashed towards Ezra. Luke, thoroughly enjoying himself in the mass of beatings and threats, put his foot out, a wide, toothy grin of anticipation lighting up his face. But before Hannah even reached him, Ezra bent over and scooped her up, ignoring the pain it caused him to do so.

He looked at her relieved, and she looked back at him, placing a gentle little hand to his injured head in concern. He smiled.

"Touching." McKale drawled from his chair, "Now, you will go and sit quietly in the back room, and there

will not be a sound out of any of you, otherwise I will not hesitate to pull out the girl, and, cute as she may

be, leave little momentos for her mother."

Ezra felt his stomach lurch, although, he thought with some amusement, it could be an enjoyable

experience throwing up over Luke. Hannah though, he noted with some relief, either didn't listen or didn't understand the threat, and stayed perfectly calm.

From behind, Luke gave him a shove, and calmly, and at a steady pace, he took Hannah into the bedroom, and listened to the sound of the door slamming behind them, and objects being dragged in front of it.

He sighed, and let the pain slowly set in as he let Hannah slip down to the floor. He let out a sigh and slid down a wall, hitting the hard ground with a thud. Hannah crawled up beside him, sitting on his outstretched legs and softly tracing the raised bump on his head, touching her blanket to the area like a nurse. Ezra smiled and took it from her.

"Why thank you my dear," he replied softly, "Now, are you alright?"

She nodded, her voice seemingly missing. Not that he blamed her. She turned sideways and snuggled into his chest and he put an arm around her shoulders as she closed her eyes.

Mrs. Roth appeared to be a little restless, but, seemingly still out for the count. He smiled weakly at the thought of the mood she would be in when briefed on the situation. That was going to be a more painful experience than any beating.

He sighed deeply. It was all up to the others now. There was no point in him doing anything stupid.

oooooooooooooooooooooooo

Sorry it took so long to get the last chapter up, I've been so lazy since coming back from holiday! I know, I know, I'm supposed to be lazy ON holiday, but for some reason, I'm always worse at home! But, anyway, back into the writing swing now, and got the next few chapters ready, so they should come a bit quicker from now on. Anyway, you know the deal, please review, thanks to those who have, and I hope you enjoy!