Thank you to all who have so kindly reviewed. Reviews make the writing so much easier. It is grand to have your efforts appreciated.
Chapter Three – Execution Day
Leaving town at daybreak seemed like the smart move with every passing minute as the few souls up and about didn't appear too keen on seeing their entertainment mount up and ride away. Deke appeared a little under the weather from his late night drinking and carousing so he let Scott fill out the paperwork and escort the prisoner out of the jail.
They bid the sheriff farewell and slowly walked their horses out of town past the somber, lonely gallows whose existence was now just a sad reminder of what could have been.
They were only a few miles outside of town when Deke pulled up his horse and said she seemed lame. He got down to examine the hoof his sleek, black mare was favoring and called Scott over to consult on her condition. As their attention was focused on Deke's precious mare, Jake spurred his own horse and broke away. Deke deftly pulled out his colt and fired one deadly shot hitting Jake in the back, causing him to fall from his horse dead as expected on his execution day.
"Sorry Jake, guess today was your day to die." Deke smirked as he examined his handiwork.
"Deke this seems a little too convenient. You plan this?" Scott accused.
"Now Scott, think a minute. How exactly could I plan this?" Deke responded, even though he knew a desperate man like Jake would most definitely take an opportunity like he had provided and try his luck. Yeah, things were working out pretty good for ol' Deke.
"Well, we still have to take the body back to Austin to log in with headquarters." Scott stated the obvious.
"Yeah, I think you can handle that little matter. Why don't you run along and do that and then meet me back here later? I think I saw some possible nefarious activity going on in our sleepy, little town. I think I better hang around and check it out." Deke decided.
They slung Jake's body across his saddle and Scott took the reins of his horse to lead him as he returned to Austin. Deke's mare Blaze seemed to have only temporarily picked up a stone in her hoof and now was miraculously walking just fine, which was a good thing cause Deke was really attached to his baby. The Rangers parted ways and Deke smiled a quiet, victorious smile as he headed back to town.
As he entered the town he observed a mob of angry people robbed of their spectacle and looking for any fracas to provide their much anticipated entertainment. Deke rode past them and headed straight for the jail and a reunion with his new friend, Sheriff Adams.
"Sheriff, been a long time." Deke laughed as he entered the sheriff's office and jail. "I came to collect my money."
"So, Jake's dead?"
"Yep."
"Did you bring me any proof?"
"Come on Sheriff. You don't need any proof. Your man saw the whole thing go down and I reckon he got back to town and reported well over an hour ago." Deke sat down and put his boots up on the sheriff's desk and stared intently at the coy sheriff.
"Yeah, it went down just like we agreed. You did Mr. Carpenter a favor and he is always very generous with his friends. Here you go." The sheriff reached into the middle drawer of his desk and pulled out an envelope that he handed to Deke.
Deke smiled and placed the envelope in his inside breast pocket and got up to leave.
"Maybe you better count that." The sheriff suggested.
"What? You telling me I can't trust you Sheriff? You're a lawman." Deke grinned and chuckled as he headed out the door.
It was just past noon but his throat was parched nonetheless so he headed on over to the saloon for some liquid sustenance. The place was brimming with business, which wasn't surprising considering the entertainment had been cancelled and all these people were all dressed up with no place to go.
He took up his position at the end of the bar facing the doorway so he could monitor any comings and goings and proceeded to check out the barmaids, deciding which one would be the lucky girl to have his boots under her bed. After considering all his options, he settled on a young, pretty, sweet-faced girl with flowing yellow locks that fell in loose waves almost to her waist.
Her pure milky-white skin and innocent demeanor was just what a lonesome cowpoke needed on a sad day like today. After all, it wasn't everyday he had to reconcile himself to taking another man's life. Yeah, he was definitely gonna need some tender loving care.
Unfortunately, he had the bitter task of turning down the three attractive girls who approached him and offered their services at very reasonable rates. Somehow, he always seemed to get a discounted rate. He supposed they knew quality when they saw it. Hell, they ought to pay him for the pleasure of his company, but then again he really didn't want to go there.
No, he really didn't mind paying; it kept things on a more professional level. No angry fathers, shot gun weddings or disgraced pastor's daughters for him. He really wasn't looking to ruin any young girl's life; these girls knew the score which ensured no scenes in the morning or dreams of wedded bliss cause in his line of work he wouldn't be settling down anytime soon; still, a man has his needs.
He watched his chosen companion move through the saloon offering drinks but avoiding the rooms upstairs. She seemed sad and distracted as if she was just going through the motions and would rather be elsewhere. He decided if she wasn't gonna come to him, he would just have to make the first move.
"Hey, can I buy you a drink?" He sweetly asked her.
"Sure." She sat down at the table they were standing by and the barkeep came over with two new beers.
Deke sat down and looked into a pair of sad, brown eyes on the verge of crying. She was making a valiant effort to remain strong but he could tell she was almost at her breaking point, regardless of how brave she was trying to be.
"Hey, what's the matter? Am I that bad to share a drink with? Can't bear to be seen with such an ugly bastard?" He tried to get a smile out of her, even at his own expense.
She looked up at him and a faint smile tried to come out but was again suppressed by an overwhelming sadness.
"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have come to work today, but I didn't know what else to do. I need the money." She gently explained. She had the sweetest voice to go along with her innocent look.
Deke did his best to impress her with his charm and charisma, which could overflow whenever he ceased being the jerk he was also known for being. His gentlemanly ways won her over and she finally consented to retreat with him to her room.
Once they were alone he asked her the question that had been on his mind the entire time since he first eyed her.
"So, you familiar with that Jake fella they were gonna hang this morning?"
"Why are you asking?"
"Well, he had some possessions that I need." Deke was walking around her room looking for where those items might be stashed. He hadn't told his new friend the sheriff about these particular items, but he knew Jake had them and word was he was friendly with this girl and if anyone knew where they were, she would.
"What's your name?" She tentatively asked, wondering if maybe this was the kin Jake had spoke of.
"First, why don't you tell me your name." He replied.
"My name is Aggie."
"Huh, where's that come from? Short for something?"
She almost smiled as embarrassment crossed her face.
"Short for Agatha. Sorry, I hate that name."
"Hey, Aggie is cute. I like it. My name's Deke."
The expression in her eyes quickly changed from sadness to fury and her face showed all the anger and hurt she had been trying to suppress. She had been spared witnessing her beloved Jake swing from the gallows, but the word had already spread around town that the Ranger Deke Taylor had enacted justice on the man and he was shot dead trying to escape that very morning. She stepped forward and pounded his chest with her fists.
"You're the one who killed him. You shot my Jake." She cried out in anguish, as tears of anger and grief overflowed her defenses and rolled down her tender cheeks.
Remember reviews make the world go round, and help with the writing! Thanks!