Kiss of Death----6

"I'll join you in a minute, Buck. Rosemary is a good friend and she's having problems with her husband. I'm the only one she trusts to talk about it."

"I hope it's nothing serious, Angela."

"No, not really. He just drinks a lot and leaves her in a bind sometimes. We usually work things out until Joseph does something else. I wish she'd consider leaving him, but she does love him and who am I to judge."

"You're a friend and that says a lot. I'm going to check with Manual and see if Chris came back."

"Isn't he here?"

"No, I checked the house but no one's seen him."

"Don't worry too much, Buck. Chris probably saw the storm brewing and decided he'd stay in town until it passed."

"Probably, but I'd sure like to know. Carmon's got coffee ready, but I told her we'd be a few minutes yet," Wilmington said.

"How did you get her to understand?" Tate asked with a grin.

"I'm a man of many talents, Darlin', and women simply understand me."

"Yes, well, I hope I'm the only one who really enjoys your very special talents from now on."

"Oh, believe me you are," Wilmington said before kissing her and grabbing his hat. "I'll be back in a few minutes."

"I'll be here." She watched him leave and hurried to meet her friend in the parlor. One look at the other woman told her something was wrong.

"Where is Buck?"

"He's gone to see if Chris has returned from town. What's going on?"

"Larabee came into the hotel and asked to send a telegram. It concerned you and your deceased husband."

"Damn it! I knew he couldn't be trusted! Where is he now?"

"I tore up the telegram after he left and got Ethan to help me set up an ambush. He should have Larabee at the line shack in the north section of my ranch."

"Thank you, Rosie, you always take care of me."

"We take care of each other, Angela. Now you'll need to come up with a reason for Larabee's disappearance!"

"I'll come up with something."

"Good, because Buck seems to be the type to always worry about others. He'll want to know why Larabee left."

"Especially since he expected Chris to be his best man."

"Yes, well, that's not going to happen. As soon as this storm's over I'm going to ride out to the line shack. I'll need bandages, carbolic acid and just about anything else you have to help me care for him. You do still want him alive?"

"For now. I've got everything you need including laudanum and sleeping draughts. There are plenty of bandages and other stuff in the storage cellar."

"I'll take them when I leave. Any idea what you'll tell Buck?"

"I was thinking I could tell him he came to you and had you send a message to Four Corners. I'm sure they planned on letting the others know they arrived safe and sound. Perhaps you could say he received an answer while still in town and he left in a hurry. Maybe he even told you where he was going. That would take the pressure off for a while."

"I could do that, but for now let's leave things as they are and let Buck think Larabee stayed in town for the night."

"All right…I think I hear him coming," Angela said and hurried to meet him at the door. "Oh, Buck, you're soaked to the skin again. Why don't you go change and meet us in the kitchen?"

"Sounds good."

"Did Manual see Chris?"

"No, he hasn't come back yet."

"I wouldn't worry too much, Buck. Chris probably found one of the saloon girls and is curled up with her as we speak."

"I hope so, Angela, because if Chris is out in this he's in trouble!"

"Rosie," Tate said and turned to her friend.

"Yes," Clark said.

"Did you see a man dressed all in black while you were in town?"

"Blond…good looking?"

"Yes," Angela answered and nodded slightly for her to continue.

"As a matter of fact he came into the hotel and wanted to send a telegram."

"You saw Chris?" Wilmington asked.

"Not only did I see him, but I spoke to him and sent a telegram for him."

"Where to?"

"A place called Four Corners," Rosemary answered.

"Four Corners? Why would he send a message there?"

"All the message said was that you arrived safely and his name."

"Did he say where he was going after that?"

"I believe he went to have a drink with Sheriff Rawlings…"

"Evan Rawlings?"

"Yes, oh I forgot you and Chris knew Evan. He's still doing a wonderful job of taking care of us," Angela said. "Buck, it sounds to me like Chris and Evan probably got talking about old times and Chris decided to stay in town!"

"Maybe…we'll see."

"There's nothing you can do about it until the storm ends, Buck, so there's no sense worrying until we find out for sure what's happened. Now come on and I'll help you out of those clothes."

"Darlin', if you're gonna help me out of them I doubt if we'll be joining Mrs. Clark for supper."

"Please, call me Rosie. After all if you're marrying my best friend we should be on a first name basis."

"Rosie it is," Wilmington said and smiled as the two women took an arm each and walked him towards the back of the house.

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Chris watched through hooded eyes as his captor moved around the line shack. The man had a fire going and was warming something in a pot, but the smell only added to his churning discomfort. He had no idea how long he'd been unconscious, but the storm seemed to have abated. The blanket covering him was rough, but clean and he also realized his wounds had been tended while he'd been blissfully unaware of his surroundings. He didn't want to alert the other man of his return to consciousness, but he had to move as the pain intensified and he bit his lip to stop the groan from escaping.

"Well, yer finally awake. Ya'll be glad to know I've already cleaned yer wounds, but Miss Rosie got some work to do when she gets here. The bullet in yer leg's not that deep, but that one in yer side's gonna be a real bitch to get to. I got some beans warmed up…ya want some?"

"No!" Larabee spat as he tried to move, but found his body held immobile by the manacles, which seemed to have been tightened while he slept.

"Figure ya'd be easier ta handle if ya can't move and it'll keep ya from bleedin' out before Miss Rosie gets here."

"Why the hell are ya doin' this?" Larabee ground out as his captor stood over him.

"Money. Miss Rosie pays real well for my services. Yer not the first one ta fall for my innocent baby face."

"What does she want with me?"

"It ain't Miss Rosie that wants ya out of the way…"

"Angela Tate?" Larabee asked simply. He didn't trust the woman and somehow she'd found out he was trying to find out about her.

"Yep, she don't want you ruinin' her plans. Miss Rosie and her are real close and they'd do anything for each other."

"Then why didn't she just have you kill me?"

"Well now, that's something I'm not real sure on. I think it has something ta do with that man Angela Tate's marrying. They figure if Buck starts looking for you they'll need something ta convince him to stay around. With you as a hostage she'll be able to keep him in line."

"Buck ain't stupid! He'll figure this out!"

"Maybe…maybe not. Don't really matter since you're here as a hostage, if they need ta use ya. Now, do ya want some beans?"

"No," Larabee answered and looked at the bucket on the table.

"Ya want some water?"

Larabee nodded and soon wished he'd refused it as his captor knelt beside him and lifted his head. The glass was placed to his lips and he started drinking, but when he tried to pull away he found his head held fast and the liquid being poured quickly down his throat. Chris was forced to swallow again and again, choking and sputtering as the movement jarred his injuries and sent streaks of agonizing pain through his skull. He had no idea how much water was in the glass, but it felt as if he'd swallowed a river as his head was released and he tried to turn on his side. The water rose in his throat and streamed down his cheek as his stomach rebelled from the influx of liquid. Before he could relax, his head was lifted again and something pressed against his lips. He fought not to open his mouth as his nemesis laughed at his weakness and finally cried out as a hand pressed against the wound in his left side. The cry was quickly cut off as more water was poured down his throat and he again tried to swallow. Again and again his enemy continued the water torture without giving the blond a chance for respite. Briefly Chris wondered if it was possible to drown a person by forcing water down their throats at an alarming rate, but his head was soon released and again he vomited the water before losing consciousness once more.

Ethan Turner smiled as he looked at the gunfighter and placed the empty glass on the table. He knew Larabee had come close to choking to death on the water he poured down his throat, but he'd stopped just short of killing him. He'd seen it done before and knew several men who swore you could kill a man by drowning him with a simple bucket of water.

"Oh, we're going to have such fun, Larabee," Turner vowed and walked back to the table. He sat in the chair and watched his prisoner. He'd been in this position before, but the others had been weaklings and easily subdued. A man like Chris Larabee, a well-known gunfighter, was something new for him and he was going to break him before he killed him.

Turner served up a bowl of beans and sat back at the table once more. He studied the captive and knew the blankets hid more than the two bullet wounds. Larabee's impact with the ground had left a myriad of bruises and cuts that would need to be tended by Rosemary Clark. There were deep bruises on the man's lower back and he knew the blond would be in pain if he stood up. The wound over his right eye had swollen and discolored the skin on that side of his face. Smiling, Turner knew this man could still take him apart if given the chance, but he was not about to give the gunfighter that chance. Moving towards the captive he checked the bonds and was pleased to find them still as tight as ever.

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Angela woke as dawn was cutting through the night sky and she eased away from Wilmington. Standing naked beside the bed she watched as he shifted, but finally relaxed in sleep once more. She turned away from the bed and grabbed her robe before walking out of the room. She knocked softly on Rosemary's door and smiled as the woman opened it and motioned her inside.

"I was hoping I'd see you before I left. The supplies are on my horse and I'll be riding out to the line shack as soon as I'm done here."

"Do you have everything you need?"

"Yes, I checked the saddle bags myself and you know I keep that particular shack well stocked."

"I do indeed. Now that we've set the stage for the ruse about Larabee you'll have to go into town and set things up there before Buck decides to check Chris' whereabouts himself."

"Can you keep him here today?"

"Oh, I believe I can, Rosie. If not I'll simply resort to one of those powders you gave me."

"Good, because I'll need to make sure Rawlings thinks Larabee left town right after they had their drink. I'll talk to Joseph and make sure he knows how to cover for me."

"Will Joseph do as you tell him?"

"Of course…Joseph Clark is and always will be, under my thumb," Rosemary Clark smiled knowingly at her friend.

"Yes, and if I need your help to keep Buck under my thumb…"

"All you have to do is ask," Clark said and the two women hugged before walking out of the room and to the front door.

"Thank you, Rosie."

"No thank are needed, Angela. I want you to be happy and if this man gives you that than I will be only too glad to help out." Rosemary Clark hurried towards the waiting horse and quickly mounted up.

Angela leaned against the door and watched as her friend rode out of sight. There were many secrets they shared and this added to their friendship and the loyalty they continued to cherish. How many men had died because they'd stumbled onto those secrets, she didn't know, but there were more than she could count on both hands. She heard a sound behind her and pushed the door just as Wilmington pulled on it. She stumbled into his arms and smiled as he held her for several long seconds.

"Now this is more like it," the gentle rogue said as her scent seemed to intoxicate him.

"Hmm, I do love the feel of your strong arms, Buck, but I thought you were still sleeping."

"I was, but I thought I heard a rider and wanted to see if it was Chris."

"No, I'm afraid not. Rosie just left for home."

"Is she okay?"

"Oh yes, she'll be fine now. Why don't you and I go back to bed and I'll have Carmon serve breakfast there?"

"I'd love to, Angela, but I want to ride into town and see if Chris has turned up."

"Well, you're not leaving on an empty stomach, Buck. I'll have Carmon make biscuits, eggs, bacon, and coffee."

"Angela…"

"I won't hear of it, Buck. Come on…Chris is a big boy and can look after himself."

"Yes…he can, but sometimes trouble has a way of finding him when he least expects it," Wilmington said and missed the look that flashed across her face.

'Little do you know,' she thought with a wry grin. She led him back to their room and watched as he finished getting dressed. She needed to keep Buck at the ranch today and she would do whatever was necessary to see that he didn't leave. The powders would make him sleep, but those would be used only as a last resort.

"What are you thinking about, Angela?" Wilmington asked as he finished buttoning his shirt.

"I was thinking about how happy you've made me."

"It didn't take much from me…"

"Oh really?" Tate asked. "It took a marriage proposal…"

"And a yes answer from the most beautiful woman to ever grace the earth we stand on."

"Oh, Buck, you do know how to make a woman blush. Now why don't we go eat before you leave," Tate suggested.

"All right, but first I want to tell Manual to saddle my horse. I want to leave right after breakfast."

"Hmm," she said, kissing him once more. "Don't be long."

"I won't," Wilmington promised and hurried out of the room.

Angela walked to her dresser and opened the small chest nestled at the back of the top drawer. She took one of the envelopes and placed it inside the pocket sewn into the bodice of her dress. She would only use it as a last resort, but she hoped her other plan would work and keep Buck at her side. Sighing heavily she strode towards the kitchen and took a seat as Carmon served her a cup of hot coffee.

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Buck patted his stomach and looked at the older woman who'd served up a wonderful breakfast. "I couldn't eat another bite."

"Are you sure? I could have Carmon serve another…"

"No…no, believe me I can't. I don't think my horse will be as appreciative as I am of Carmon's cooking. He's gonna bitch all the way ta Midfield and back."

"Oh, Buck, that big bay of yours could easily carry you to town and back no matter how much you ate. Come on, I'll walk you to the barn."

"Gonna kiss me goodbye too?"

"Only if you kiss me back…"

"Ain't your back I want to kiss, Darlin'," Wilmington assured her as they linked arms and walked out through the kitchen door. They reached the barn where Manual had Buck's horse saddled and ready to go. He took the reins and still held Angela's arm as they walked around to the front of the house. Once there he kissed her and watched her walk up the three steps to the porch before she turned and smiled at him.

"Oh, Buck…NOOO!" she screamed as her boot caught on the step and she found herself falling towards the ground.

"Angela!" Wilmington shouted and moved to catch her, but was not in time as her head struck the ground and she lay still. He gently turned her onto her back and cradled her body in his arms as he called for help. A livid bruise was forming on the left side of her head as he lifted her into his arms and stood up. He kicked open the door just as Manual came around the corner.

"Madre De Dios! What has happened?"

"She fell. Get Carmon and make her understand that I need water and cloths and ice if she has it. Send someone into Midfield for the doctor!"

"Si, Senior, it will be done!"

Buck carried the unconscious woman to the room they'd shared and laid her on the bed. He quickly removed her boots and heard a soft moan from the woman as he reached up to touch her cheek.

"Easy, Angela, just lay still."

"B…Buck, what happened? My head hurts!"

"You fell, Darlin, and hit your head."

"Fell? How? I d…don't remember."

"That's okay. I sent someone for the doc and he'll make sure you're okay."

"Doc's in t...town…you w…were going to t…town. W…worried about C…Chris!"

"I'll go into town later, Angela, right now it's you I'm worried about. Carmon's bringing some cloths and ice and we'll see how big that bump is."

"Stay…stay with m…me?"

"I'm not going anywhere, Darlin'," Wilmington vowed as her eyes began to close once more. He sat by her bed as Carmon brought in water and towels and helped him undress her. Once he'd bathed the wound he sat back, glad that it hadn't broken the skin and yet, Buck knew head wounds were not something to fool around with. Sighing tiredly he sat back and waited for the doctor to come out to the ranch.

TBC