Chapter Thirty-Four
"Prayer is where the action is."
~John Wesley
Inside the saloon, Allen was now pacing like a caged animal near the windows, stopping occasionally to peer through the window to check on Jack. Elizabeth moved around the room, consoling whimpering students. All of the students had followed her and Ann's directions to put their heads down, but it was clear that they were terrified. As was Elizabeth, who clasped her hands together tightly to hide the shaking from her students. She moved around the room checking on them while keeping an eye on Allen.
Ann stayed near the front tables, where the youngest students were seated. She, too, watched Allen and whispered every few seconds, "It's going to be alright. Keep your head down and your eyes closed." Silently to herself, she kept praying over and over, "Please, dear God, keep us safe. Protect your children."
Abruptly, Allen stopped pacing and walked to the bar. He snatched a bottle of whiskey from the shelf, pulled out the cork with his teeth, spat the cork onto the floor, and took a big gulp of the whiskey. He closed his eyes briefly as the warm liquid flowed down his throat.
Elizabeth glanced to the door and the thought of escaping crossed her mind, but knew there was no way to get everyone out of there quickly. Then, she looked back and saw Allen's eyes were wide open, again.
"Allen Lowery!"
Bill's loud voice carried into the saloon and Allen slammed the bottle down on the counter before racing back to the window.
"Allen Lowery," Bill yelled again. "Put down your weapon! You need to come outside with your hands up!"
Allen snorted and called back, "Come outside? Why would I do that? I've got the school teacher and all these kids in here to keep me company!" He looked back at the class. "Oh yeah, I also got Mountie Jack's Ma," he yelled through the closed window, a wicked smile on his lips. "Yep, his Ma and his sweetheart. I don't think I'll be surrendering anytime soon!"
"What do you want?" Bill asked.
"I want you to stop talking! Not talking to any more Mounties!" Allen yelled back.
"There has to be something you want? You want to get out of town?" Bill loudly called his question to Allen.
"I want you to stop talking or I start shooting!" Allen hollered back.
Bill stayed focused on the saloon doors, his jaw set with anger and frustration. He opened his mouth to call to Allen, again, but stopped when he spotted Trevoy walking up to him.
"How are you gonna get him out if my saloon?" Trevoydemanded.
Bill scowled at Trevoy. "Jack and I are going to get him out of the school as quickly as we can. Now, will you kindly go ask the reverend to come here?"
Trevoy shook his head. "The reverend hasn't come back, yet, from helping out over in Heatherwood."
Bill frowned. He'd hoped Allen might talk with the reverend since he refused to talk with him. He looked around, trying to think of someone Allen would talk with. He glanced up Main Street and spotted Cat Montgomery, Florence Blakeley, and Laurel Miller hurrying towards him. Apparently, word of the terrifying events in town had reached the row houses, prompting the mothers to rush to check on their children.
The women approached him and Cat spoke. "What is happening with our children? We heard a man was holding them hostage?" she asked in a strong voice, though her face revealed her fear and anxiety.
Bill looked at her and an idea came into his head. "I'm afraid so," he answered, causing the women to gasp and look toward the saloon. He leaned towards Cat and continued, "Mrs. Montgomery, do you think you're up to talking with this man?"
"What?" she gasped, her eyes widening. "The man who's holding our children?" Her face contorted with horror.
Bill quickly explained, "He says he won't talk with me. I'm hoping that he will talk to you, as a woman and a minister."
"I'm not a minister," Cat quickly corrected.
"Maybe not," Bill conceded, "but you lead the worship services. And I need someone with a strong voice and faith right now."
Cat looked at him, unsure of what to do. She glanced to Florence and Laurel, but they both were staring at the saloon, frightened for their children.
"Please, Mrs. Montgomery! The children!" he reminded her.
Cat's head swiveled toward the saloon as she remembered the children, particularly her own, inside. She glanced at her friends and Trevoy, who was scowling. Finally, she turned back to Bill, determination in her face now. "What do you want me to do?"
"Just talk with him. I'll be right there with you. We need to keep him talking," Bill explained earnestly.
Cat nodded quickly as she was very nervous. "Okay," she agreed.
Bill turned his attention to Trevoy, Florence, and Laurel. "Will you please head over to Abigail's? We need to keep the street as clear as possible."
"But, our children..." Florence began to protest.
"Your children are the most important reason for you to go to the cafe. We have to be able to talk with this man. Please, ladies," he implored.
Finally, the ladies headed toward the cafe, but Trevoy didn't move. "You, too, Tom," Bill instructed.
"How is she going to get him out of my saloon?" Trevoy asked angrily.
"The cafe, Tom," Bill ordered. Tom let out one last groan before walking to Abigail's.
Cat had been staring at the cafe, her mind racing.
"Are you ready," Bill asked.
She nodded, completely focused on one of the saloon windows. "What do I do?"
Bill stepped next to her. "Talk to him through the doors." He touched her elbow and directed her to stand just off the saloon porch.
Cat turned toward the saloon doors, cleared her throat, and opened her mouth to speak, but then quickly turned back to Bill. "What's his name?"
"Allen," Bill answered. "Just try to keep him talking with you."
Cat's eyes narrowed. "What are you going to do to get him out of there?"
Bill stared at her for a moment and then told her, "Jack is working on that."
She looked around, but didn't see Jack anywhere. Her eyes moved back to Bill, who just nodded encouragingly. "Okay," she told him before she turned back to the saloon. She took a deep breath and called as loud as she could, "Uh... Allen?" she looked back at Bill who nodded. "Allen? I'm Cat Montgomery and I'd like to talk with you."