Randall finished applying the second mustard plaster to his father's back, "Do you think its working?" he asked.
The General coughed some more, and shook his head, "I don't know. I feel like I'm burning up inside," he stated. "Maybe after another treatment," he looked to his son.
"That can't be until tomorrow morning. You heard what Newly said. Once I get this one off you and wash you up, you are going to get some rest. Hopefully by morning the doctor is feeling better and can have a look at you," Randall stated as he washed his hands.
"What are your brothers doing?" the General asked.
"We parted ways after supper," Randall shrugged. "I think they went to the saloon across the road."
"I'll be glad to do that soon, too," the old man sighed.
"Not until you are feeling better," Randall said as he sat down on the bed next to his father.
"You're a good son," the General smiled weakly. He was getting very sleepy.
Zachariah had lit the lamp and hung it from a wooden peg near the door. Jane Rose watched the man with intensity as he slowly walked toward her, "Just let me go," she said firmly.
"I will, once we have a little fun," Zach said as he gently ran his right hand down the side of the saloon girl's face. Jane Rose flinched and moved away from his hand as it reached her jaw.
"Don't be afraid," Zach smiled as he knelt down in front of the woman. His eyes darted back and forth between her eyes. He then wet his lips and pulled Jane Rose forward, embracing her tightly as he continued to kiss her against her will. Jane Rose tried to wriggle free, but Zach's grip on her was too great. "Come on honey, it will be much more enjoyable if you relaxed a little," he said through kisses around he neck and lips. His breath was hot and his breathing increased as he worked himself up and continued kissing the woman.
"Let me go!" Jane Rose shouted at Zach as she finally had enough.
Jane Rose's outcry caused Zach to pause for fear that someone might have heard her. He stood and went to the door and looked out. There was no one in sight. Now he grew angry, "Why did you do that?" he questioned as he turned on his heels only to fine Jane Rose holding a length of wood. Zach's eyes narrowed, "Now put that down honey, someone's likely to get hurt," he warned.
"I want to leave. Now!" Jane Rose demanded as she waved the length of wood at Zachariah.
Zach wet his lips again, this time he ran his right hand across his stubbled face, "Now don't be like that. We haven't had our fun yet," he said as he stepped closer. Jane Rose stepped equally back keeping the thick stick between them, shacking her head no the whole while.
"You don't know ol' Zachariah very well. When I get my mind set on something, I get it," Zach leered as he took another step closer.
Jane Rose pocked the stick at him, "I'll hit you between the eyes, I swear!" she shouted again. Unfortunately that was Zach's final straw and he lunged forward grabbing the wood and jerking from Jane Rose's hands. A look of terror ran across the woman's face.
Zach tossed the length of wood across the room before he moved in closer. Again Jane Rose screamed for help, angering Zach further, "Shut your mouth," he sneered as he back handed her across the face, causing her to fall into the wall – hard.
Zachariah was quick to her, continuing where he had left off only this time with more passion on his part. Jane Rose struggled hard, but the harder she did, the worse her situation became. Finally she snapped and reached out scratching Zach down his left cheek with her fingernails.
Zach stopped and held his right hand to his face, "Why did you do that?" he asked like he'd just come into the room.
"I said let me go!" Jane Rose again shouted as she tried to get to her feet.
Zach looked down at the blood on his hand and the quickly looked up at the saloon girl. "I'm bleeding," he huffed. "You scratched my face!" he then bellowed, again striking Jane Rose across the face and again she tumbled to the floor. This time she didn't move. Zachariah frowned and knelt down next to the woman; she was lifeless. "Get up," he ordered and nudged her hard to wake her, but she didn't move. She was dead.
Zachariah stood and stared down at the dead woman. He then swallowed hard as he panicked. Quickly he blew out the lantern and checked out the door to see if anyone heard Jane Rose's most recent scream – there was no one in sight. He then looked back at Jane Rose; her body showed in the little light that the moon cast through the window. He had to hide her body without being seen. Once his eyes adjusted to the darkness, Zach spotted a tarp in the corner and quickly grabbed it and covered the body. He then hoisted he woman up over his shoulder and walked out the door and down to the creek behind the building where he dumped her body. With his foot his pushed the canvas wrapped body down into the reeds.
Zach straightened himself up and again touched his cheek – he had to come up with a good excuse for the bloody marks. His mind ran through a hundred scenarios and finally he'd claim he was drunk and fell on the boardwalk. To add to his credibility he rubbed dirt into the wound.
Zach headed back to the hotel and quietly entered the front door and went up to the room that he and his brother's shared. Gently he opened the unlocked door and spotted Clement on the cot. He slowly stepped into the room noting that his older brother wasn't in sight. With a big sigh, Zach quietly walked to his bed and sat down pulling his boots off before he laid back and pulled the sheet over himself.
Clement watched for a moment and then closed his eyes. He didn't like being alone in the room, but now that Zachariah had arrived, all was right with him and he smiled as he drifted off to sleep.
Zach rolled on his his side, way from the door just as Randall entered the room; he was glad to see that both his brothers were in bed, as he had told his father before leaving his room. Randell didn't bother with his boots; he just flopped down onto the bed, pulled a blanket up and closed his eyes.
Zach slowly exhaled in relief then closed his eyes.