Chapter Thirteen

According to the intelligence she had been gathering on Poplar's whereabouts since his arrival in Four Corners, Alex had learnt where the man was lodged during his stay in the small town. After Josiah's discovery in his church and ensuring that Poplar was still busy at the mortuary where Nathan was conducting his autopsy. At the moment, they had no idea where Ezra was but assumed that wherever Poplar was to be found; Ezra could not be far behind. Alex knew that when the security chief wished to disappear into the background, there was no one who could find him if he did not wish it.

The lodging where Poplar was currently residing lay on the other side of town under the ownership of a woman who called herself Lady Angel. Lady Angel had not been forthcoming about allowing them into Poplar's room, particularly when he had paid in advance and what she called a border 'who didn't give her no trouble' as she put it. At least, not until Alex appealed to her sense of community by explaining what it was they suspected him of doing. While she did not seem completely swayed by Alex's disclosure, she could not refuse when the possibility existed.

When Alex pushed open the door, the first thing she heard was the buzzing of flies. This was not an unusual occurrence since Poplar had left his window wide open and the annoying insects had entered his room through that opening. However, for a town like Four Corners where dust, stables and outhouses were certainly more inviting to the average housefly than a lodging room, it did raise Alex's suspicion somewhat. Josiah followed her behind closely as they moved deeper into the room. The bed was still unmade and Poplar's entire array of luggage was composed of one carpetbag, which was secreted beneath it.

As Alex knelt down to pick it up, Josiah examined the rest of the room and saw that other than the unmade bed, there was no signs of habitation. Even the wash basin was empty and everything was neatly placed, except for the basket in the corner which seemed to be the centre of convergence for all the flies they heard buzzing about the room. He approached the basket cautiously and noted that the insects disbanded and flew to the ceiling in annoyance at his sudden appearance. Josiah looked down into the basket and saw a tumble of clothes at the bottom of the hamper.

Josiah took a deep breath and reached into the bottom of the basket and immediately felt his fingertips making contact with fabric that was undoubtedly wet. He recoiled a little from the slick feel but forced himself to clamp his fist around it and retrieved it from its hiding place. "I found something." He declared with an expression of distaste on his face as he glanced in Alex's direction.

"Me too." Alex announced proudly, dropping the carpetbag onto the mattress. "You first." She motioned to the clothing he had in his hand.

Josiah was more than happy to relinquish his find on the mattress and immediately wiped his hand on his clothes when he had released it. The offending garments were a shirt and jacket, all heavily smeared with blood. If they had any lingering doubts as to the Poplar's guilt, it was more or less vanquished when they sighted those crimson stained clothes. With a hollowing sensation in his stomach, Josiah looked at the damning evidence before him and knew that the blood that had attracted the flies was that of Julia Pemberton's. He supposed it was just as well as Ezra was not here.

"I guess that pretty much confirms it then." She said softly.

Josiah could only nod. "I guess it does."

"He killed her," Alex swallowed, trying to calm her own anger over what she was seeing before her and trying to imagine how helpless Julia must have felt when she was bound and brutalised. "While everyone was inside because of our fight with Top Hat Bob, he moved the body out in the street and then came back here to get cleaned up."

"He was still pretty confident about pining it on me back then so he would not have worried about hiding this." Josiah regarded the discriminating evidence left behind.

"Well not that we need it," Alex said after a moment, looking away form the blood soaked material. "We should see if there's anything else in here." She turned to the carpetbag and proceeded to open it, feeling as if it were a foregone conclusion that there was nothing left to find that could possibly be more incriminating than what they had already discovered until the glint of something shiny caught her eye from insides it confines.

Josiah caught her expression immediately and asked. "What is it?"

"Look." Alex gestured to the bad and Josiah leaned forward to see what it was that had left her so speechless.

Taped up neatly in brown paper with only the top face of the first coin showing, was the gleam of silver dollars, polished with care. The same silver dollars found covering each of the victim's eyes. I

Alex said nothing as she reached in and pocketed the find, having no intention of allowing this evidence to suddenly disappear by leaving it alone for any reason. Once she had ensured that it was safely in her possession, Alex slammed the bag shut, hearing the metallic latch click into place before she raised her eyes to meet Josiah's.

"Alright," she said coolly. "Let's hang this son a bitch."

If there was one thing Ezra knew about people, it was when they were running scared.

Even though Poplar did not notice Ezra following him and keeping him under close surveillance, the man was nonetheless nervous. Alex had been correct in her assertion that if Ezra did not wished to be noticed, no one would be capable of doing so as Poplar continued about his business with no knowledge that Ezra was watching. The more Ezra studied the man, the more certain he became that this was the creature that had killed his beloved Julia. Only training and a strict reverence for due process kept Ezra from doing what was necessary, even in this facsimile world created by the Q entity whom omnipotent or not, would be made accountable when Ezra finally met him.

From the table of the saloon where he was seated with a bunch of opponents who wanted to see if the card player Ezra Standish was all he was reputed to be, Ezra watched the door of the undertaker's office where Poplar had entered a short time ago. The Pinkerton detective had claimed that he wanted to question Nathan himself regarding the findings of the autopsy done on Julia Pemberton. While Ezra spared him that particular anguish by seeing the woman he loved being cut open, he did not intend to let Poplar escape and found himself this unobtrusive corner where he could continue to observe.

Poplar emerged from the office with Nathan who did not seem at all impressed by any of the man's questions, just as Ezra had laid a straight on the table before his fellow gamblers. Poplar's unheard words to Nathan were spoken with the background of a low rumble of discontent at the winning hand Ezra had produced. Although he was aware of everything that was happening around the table, he was concentrating on what was taking place outside the undertaker's front door. Poplar had some concluding remarks before he turned away from Nathan and started walking in the opposite direction.

"Gentlemen," Ezra hardly batted an eye as he glanced at the other cards presented and saw that the victory was still his. "It's been a pleasure, but I must take my leave." He said politely before scooping up his winnings.

There was a frown from everyone at the table at watching their money disappear into his pockets but Ezra hardly cared and knew that these were not the kind of man who would be too sore at their defeat. He saw Nathan crossing the street and immediately left the establishment, leaving enough of a tab with the bartender to ensure that his return would be met with gratitude the next time he chose to frequent the place. Having concluded his business in the saloon, Ezra made a hasty departure from the place and joined Nathan on the street.

"Ezra," Nathan saw the security chief approaching. The doctor had been somewhat concerned about the Southerner ever since they discovered Julia's body and knew that this length of time could not possibly enough to assuage the man's grief. "How are you doing?"

Ezra did not waste time with idle conversation, his eyes were already searching the street for Poplar. "Where did he go?" Ezra demanded.

"Where did who go?" Nathan asked blankly.

"Poplar?" Ezra retorted. "Where did he go?"

The urgency in Ezra's voice immediately produced an answer from Nathan. "That way." He glanced at the direction of the lodging house. "Why?"

"It's highly likely that he might have killed Julia." The security chief answered without skipping a beat and did not pause when he reached the doctor, instead altered his course so that Nathan would follow him.

Strangely enough, the revelation did not surprise Nathan very much. The man had given Nathan what could only be called 'the creeps' and Ezra's statement only seemed to give good reason for it now. "What makes you think that?" Nathan asked as he felt into stride with Ezra who was hell bent on putting Poplar in his sights once again.

"Just the way he was certain that Josiah was the one who committed the crime and he seemed to be somewhat vague regarding his whereabouts during the time Julia was killed." Ezra replied without pause. "I have questioned perpetrators in my life time and to a quote a colloquialism, I have to say that man is dirty. I can smell it."

Nathan could sense something in Ezra's voice that immediately gave rise to his concern. Considering what Ezra was feeling with Julia's death, there was no way in the world that Nathan could believe that he was anything but justified in his feelings but the security chief was always in control. A man so in command of his emotions at all time had a tendency to erupt spectacularly when the time came for those emotions to spill forth. Grief and rage was carrying Ezra away on a tide of destruction that not even his adept emotional control could restrain and Nathan feared that he might cross the line if he believed Poplar was Julia's murderer.

They were not far from the lodging house's main entrance when they heard its door swing open. Almost reflexively, Ezra pulled Nathan and himself behind the safety of the building they were walking so that their presence would not be revealed. As they both remained hidden behind the corner of the hardware store behind which they had taken refuge, Ezra observed Poplar emerging from the front of the lodging house. This time, there was no cool, deliberate expression on the man's face that hid the evidence of his guilt. His expression was nakedly panicked and as he stepped out into the light, began scanning the street for evidence of pursuit.

"Something has happened." Ezra guessed as he saw the fear etched in Poplar's face.

"What?" Nathan whispered as he observed over Ezra's shoulder. Poplar had seen neither of them but then the man was in such a state of heightened fear, Nathan doubted that he was paying all that much attention anyway.

"I do not know," Ezra shook his head unable to fathom what could have happened to shake Poplar's demeanor so irrevocably. Whatever it was, Ezra did not have time to debate the situation as he saw Poplar's next destination. The man was almost running towards it and it took a split second for it to register in Ezra's mind what Poplar was attempting to do.

"He is running!" Ezra exclaimed and moved out of his hiding place, determined not to let the man get away.

Whether or not Poplar noticed them behind him, the Pinkerton detective did not seem to show any evidence of it. He ran through the streets almost blindly, with only one thought in his mind, to reach the livery where his horse was stabled so that he could escape Four Corners with his life. When he had entered the room and saw that his belongings had been searched and the proprietress of the establishment revealing that she had allowed Josiah Sanchez and the town doctor entry, he knew the worst had happened.

For so long it had weighed upon his mind, the heinous acts that he had carried out. Their faces plagued him during so many nights filled with terrible dreams of strangled cries and terrified eyes dimming as their life oozed from their bodies. So many that he could not stand to look at, whose eyes he had to cover with the silver dollars they used to pay someone else he had loved and had betrayed him, they were dead but they followed him like the Furies followed Orestes. He knew deep down inside that what he did was wrong and when the sober light of day allowed him to view his victims, he almost felt grief for what he had done but not enough to stop. The urge that came when the sun went down and the familiar tug came pulling at him was too strong too ignore and he would become the very worst of human predators, the one who killed for no reason.

Ezra lost sight of Poplar when they rounded the corner but there was no doubt in his mind where the man was headed. Starfleet health protocols ensured that its officers could do run five miles without faltering and the distance to the livery was negligible at best. Nathan kept up with him stride for stride and when they heard the slamming of the wooden door that led to the stables where Poplar's horse was no doubt kept, they knew that the quarry was inside attempting to make his escape.

"Nathan," Ezra glanced at the doctor as they neared the door. "Be careful, he is a cornered animal at the moment. He will shoot."

Nathan nodded in understanding, aware that this was no holodeck and any injuries incurred would not be simulated but real. They could die in this place as Julia had proven so prolifically.

"In that case," Nathan cracked a smile, hiding his fear in a joke. "You go first."

Ezra gave him a look before the security chief advanced cautiously towards the main stable doors. His gun was drawn and he was more than prepared to fire when suddenly, the doors flew open in a preemptive strike. Ezra and Nathan both dropped to the ground as the horse rushed past them with Poplar forcing it forward by digging his heels into the animal's flank. The abrupt kick in its sides made it neigh in protest at the rough handling but Poplar did not seem to care, concerned only with making his escape from town.

"POPLAR!" Ezra shouted.

Ezra's cry forced Poplar to look over his shoulder.

The distraction was all the time that Ezra needed to take aim and fire.

The explosion of sound followed the gunshot but instead of seeing Poplar tumbled to the ground from his saddle, the animal he was riding reared up on its hind legs at the sting of lead that had nicked it rump. The abrupt action from the mare dislodged Poplar from the its back and the Pinkerton detective landed hard on the ground, kicking up a cloud of dust upon impact. Ezra was already closing in on him, having seen the gun around Poplar's hip and refusing to give the man any leave to use it on himself or on Nathan. There had had been enough dying today.

"I would not advise it." Ezra said coldly as he saw Poplar recovering from his fall enough to reach for the smooth wooden handle of the weapon nestled in the holster around his hip. His fingers barely touched the butt of the gun when Ezra made his warning.

Poplar swallowed, feeling his heart pounding in his chest and yet trying to make some kind of recovery in the wake of his rather incriminating actions. He no longer reached for his gun, choosing instead to dust the dirt from his person. An ugly scrape had formed on his cheek when he had fallen and an uneven veil of blood was running down the skin. "What is the meaning of this?" He hissed as he raised his eyes to meet Ezra's.

"I was about to inquire the same." Ezra remarked calmly. "Where do you think you were going?"

"I am not under suspicion." Poplar retorted but his voice was shaking. "I do not have to account my whereabouts to you or anybody."

"Considering what we discussed earlier, I thought we had reached an understanding, a professional rapport even." Ezra answered smoothly. "You should have told me you were leaving. Actions such at these make me wonder what it is that could make you so hasty to leave?"

"We have nothing!" Poplar barked.

"I'm afraid that's not entirely true." Alexandra Styles announced herself with that statement. "Josiah and I have something that might refute that."

All eyes turned to Alex and Josiah who had heard the commotion and had come to investigate, sensing that Ezra and Poplar would be at the centre of it.

Alex went to Ezra's side as Josiah and Nathan, both armed, had drawn their weapons and were keeping the barrels of both guns aimed firmly in Poplar's direction. "We found this in his room at the lodging house." Alex handed the roll of coins to Ezra.

Ezra said nothing and stared at the gleaming roll of silver dollars in his hands. Here it was, the hard evidence that he needed. He understood now why Poplar had decided to run. No doubt after returning to his room and learning that someone else had been there and had found the evidence needed to convict him of murdering Julia and so many others, Poplar had panicked and decided to escape while he could. If Ezra had not been following him, he very well might have succeeded.

"We also found clothes in his room that were soiled with blood." Alex added. "The means of finding out is impossible in this day and age but I think we know that its Julia's."

"This is a frame!" Poplar swore. "You're trying to incriminate me! It will never stand up in a court of law!"

"Come on Silas," Josiah started to speak in those soft soothing tones that had the ability to convince Moriaty to turn over a new leaf. "You want to stop. I can't see the pain in your eyes, the need for repentance. You didn't want to hurt those girls, the way you took care of them after you killed them makes that plain enough to see."

Poplar's eyes shifted to Josiah, almost compelled by the Counselor's words to listen. "I didn't do it."

"Yes you did," Josiah continued, "you know you did and you're sorry. You're making them pay for something someone else did Silas, something that they had no way of changing for you but you didn't have a choice did you? When you see them, you see her and you can't fight it. You've been a slave to it all your life and you want to stop as much as we want you too. I understand."

Poplar blinked and a tear rolled down his cheek as he listened to Josiah, the man he wanted to blame for his sins, who seemed to have an open conduit into his soul to understand that pain he had been suffering, to appreciate what he had endured. It felt good to know that he was no longer trapped in his shadowy world alone, that somewhere, someone finally knew what it was to be him.

"I never wanted to hurt them." He whispered as he stared at Josiah's eyes. "I didn't want them to die but I couldn't help it. I just wanted them to know how much I hurt, I just wanted them to listen, like she wouldn't listen."

Ezra was listening. He was listening closely for the confession that made the truth incontrovertible. This man was admitting that he had killed all those poor women in so many cities across this manufactured land. It did not matter that Q had created this world, this world existed nonetheless and women had died just as surely as Julia had died. He thought about Julia and his last words to her that had not been ones that anyone should take away with them when they left this life and felt a thousand knives tearing into the flesh of his heart. He could not breathe, could not think of anything else but the fire of those emerald eyes that existed only in his memories now because she was dead.

No longer beautiful, no longer warm with love and spirited with fire. She was just dead. A slab of meat growing colder in the undertaker's office, fit only to be ejected into space like flotsam or buried like an ancient treasure.

Dead meat.

The derringer slid neatly out of its hiding place under his sleeve with one slick movement, it slipped into his palm and with the same lightning reflexes that he used to handle a phaser, Ezra pulled the trigger. He did not know that there were tears in his eyes when the gun fired. Did not feel the moisture against his skin when the small bullet slammed into the centre of Poplar's forehead, spurting blood and bone as it tore the back of his skull apart. He might have been conscious of Alex's shocked cry or Josiah and Nathan's horrified gasps. He was certain bystanders watching the proceedings might have screamed but Ezra was so far from hearing that he could not be sure.

All that he was certain of was that Julia was still dead and killing Poplar had satisfied his revenge but had done nothing to heal his wounded heart. He watched dispassionately as the man collapsed onto the floor, saturating the ground with blood while his companions looked on with astonishment. Ezra did not know how long the play had gone on before he was able to meet their eyes.

"Ezra..." Alex stuttered, not knowing what to say. "Jesus."

"He wanted someone to listen," Ezra said returning the derringer back into place beneath his sleeve. "I did."