"Hello? Sheriff? You in?"
"We're here!"
Sam and River shot up as the woman entered. She raised an eyebrow as River lifted her dress strap back up her shoulder.
"If I'm interrupting something I can go outside..."
"No!" River and Sam both exclaimed.
"You prefer I stay and watch? I can do that, if that's what you like."
"Who are you," Sam exclaimed as River flushed, "and why are you here?"
The woman was older the them, though not by much in Sam's case. She was dressed in a rust colored duster, her blonde hair caked in dirt. She wore jeans and a leather vest, a grey hat atop her head. Guns were on her belt, and a knife. A belt of bullets was over her shoulder. Something about her, her amused face, seemed familiar to River.
"I'm a bounty hunter..." She stated, "They call me Vera."
River burst into hysterics now. Sam and Vera eyed her, him with confusion and her with suspicion.
"She's-he calls her-" She kept laughing. How many of the things she knew used to people?
Sam faced Vera as River calmed down.
"A bounty hunter? What brings you down this way?"
"I've been on the trail of a murdered. One Doctor Charles Walker." Vera stated.
"Walker?" River whispered.
"The doctor came to town about a month ago." Sam raised an eyebrow. "He hasn't caused any trouble. You sure you got the right guy?"
"Have any young ladies gone missing? He's made a habit of cutting them up." Vera replied. River's eyes went wide as Sam's jaw dropped a little.
"He's got Scarlet now."
"Drop the knife right now Walker!"
Vera had pulled her gun as Sam knocked the door in. River fell to her knees, sick to her stomach at the scene.
Blood was everywhere. Scarlet was tied to a table and she was the source. Her wrists and ankles were tied to the corners and the red head was whimpering. Walker lifted his arms, the knife clattering to the ground as his blood coated hands.
"You caught me Sheriff..."
He turned slowly and River read an odd thought pattern.
Just as my flower asked. Then his face fell. What the hell is Rowena doing here? She wasn't supposed to see this...
Before River could question him Sam charged and tackled him. Vera groaned as she put her gun away.
"Men! You-Raziel-" She waved her arm, "Untie the girl, if you can."
"How do you know that name?" River whispered, rising on shaking legs.
"What name?" Vera didn't seem to notice what the problem was.
"Raziel."
Vera froze in place.
"Shit. I really screwed up now..."
"What do you know?" River exclaimed.
"I'll tell you later. With Serenity." Vera hissed. "Now help me out."