Justice Served
by Elise VanCise
Part2
Justice Served
by Elise VanCise
Part2
The next morning Justice opened her eyes to find an outlaw staring at her. He flashed a wicked grin. The grin he had given her right before her eyes rolled back in her head last night. Had all that really happened? Shit. The question was should she tell him. Would he kill her if he knew?
She was real. Justice wasn’t some dream induced by rotten rabbit. There was a question on her face. Ben didn’t want to answer it. To prolong the bliss of the moment he leaned in and kissed her. He ate at her mouth like a man dying of hunger.
The sun was high when Ben saddled the horse while Justice packed the saddle bags. He looked back at her. There were teeth marks on her throat. He didn’t think he had been that rough, but then he liked seeing his marks on her flesh. Adjusting more than the saddle straps he hurried to get underway. They were getting a late start as it was thanks to this morning’s activities.
He watched as slowly she got to her feet. Her injury wasn’t life threatening but serious enough that most men would be lying around for a few days. Much less engaging in a few nocturnal games. Not his Justice at least not until she tried to take a step. He caught her arm as she started to teeter. “Shit, still a little wobbly.” She swore.
Helping her mount the horse Ben took advantage of his touches. Justice glared at him as reward. “We’re going to have to finance our journey Justice.”
She sighed and took the reigns from his hands. They were going the wrong way. He just let her lead for a while resting his hands around her waist as she sat in front of him. Waiting that’s what he was doing. Waiting for her to cry foul and try to kill him or turn him in.
It was a long time before she spoke. “There’s a small town to the west of us. I know coaches stop in with mail and passengers.”
Not at all what he had expected. She had been contemplating possible targets not forming an argument against his chosen profession. “Robbing passengers isn’t very profitable but it’s a start. How far are you willing to go Justice?”
The horse stopped. “I don’t know.” He knew it was an honest answer. After all two days ago she had him trussed to this saddle and a gun to his head.
“Could you do it? I know you can hold a gun on a guilty man but what about an innocent one? A woman? A child?” Ben took the reigns.
“I guess we’ll find out.”
He turned their mount west and let her think on it. This was the test; this will tell him what’s inside of her. He’s seen it in her eyes, felt it in her voice when she spoke of killing those men. If anyone deserved death it would have been those four, rightly they should be burning in Hell for their own crimes. But was it in her heart. It was in his. It was in Charlie and the boys.
They had stopped for the night the town was just below them. Justice looked over the ridge at the lanterns glowing. It was a small town but bustling with life in the early evening hours. She had sat there for a couple of hours just watching. She felt changed. It was probably due to the fact she was having relations with a murdering thief. Maybe, maybe not. Because she felt an odd peace sitting there. A thought struck her and she had to look back at the man sitting by the fire. She felt safe. For the first time in five years she felt safe.
Ben got up and tossed something down before wandering into the darkness. She moved to the same spot, the earth still warm, and picked up a notebook. There were drawings on the pages. A few head of cattle, a bird in flight, a wild dog, a woman with her back turned lying on a bed. There was a window behind the bed. The last drawing was of her sitting on the cliffs edge.
Without a word he took the book back and finished the drawing. “What do you know Justice?” He continued their conversation considering they hadn’t talked since this afternoon. Justice was a quiet woman. He wondered if she had always been so or had she been remade by events in her life.
“I know classic literature, I can read and speak Latin, dance the waltz, build a coffin, round up cattle, and I can kill a man looking him in the eyes while he dies. That’s what I knew three days ago.”
Never looking up from the book he added a bit of shading to her chin. “What have you learned since then?”
Justice shrugged as she pulled apart a leaf. She needed something in her hands nervous energy coming off in waves. “I can hold a man captive; know what it’s like to get shot. And I know what it is to have lain with a man. I’d say it’s been a busy three days.”
He chuckled at her. She was more relaxed, as if she were resolved. And she didn’t come over pawing at him expecting his unending attention. This creature was unlike any woman he’d come across. Justice still didn’t fully trust him. She watched him with those dark eyes waiting for a sign of betrayal. Good.
He closed the book and put it back in the saddle bag. She didn’t ask to see it or comment on the contents. “I’m going into town for a few. You wait here.”
He watched as one eyebrow raised. “I’ll be here.” Without another word Ben turned and walked into the night. She would be there, she was still injured. He knew it was still hurting. Her movements were stiff and she would hiss every now and again when she moved too quickly. But Justice would be there when he got back because she said she would be.
The fire was low and she was wrapped in a blanket near it. The sounds of sleep never changed until he knelt. Ben was greeted with a gun barrel. “Back down Justice.” Slowly his hand crept up his thigh to his own piece.
Her eyes were wide open probably the entire time he’d walked over. The gun held to his face was steady and her finger was lightly pressed against the trigger. He could see the idea cross her mind then the hammer was eased back in place and the weapon lowered.
“Find what you were looking for?” She sat up to see the bundle he was carrying.
“Here try this on for size.” He watched her examine the articles he had brought back. A blue dress with a scoop neck and a bonnet and shoes to match. He sat back against the saddle she had been resting on and enjoyed the show as she changed. “Tomorrow you’ll need your best bib and tucker my dirty shirt and trousers wouldn’t do.”
She had to admit he had good taste and a good eye. The bodice was just a hair snug. Once she turned a bit more to the light of the fire and saw how well her natural feminine accents were framed in the neckline she was suspicious of his size choice. It felt nice to wear a dress and a fine one at that. Not able to resist she gave the skirt a twirl. “How do I look?”
His eyes said it all. She would have every eye in town. Yes tomorrow was going to be a fine day. “A vision of civilized society.” Slipping a hand beneath the hem Ben caressed his way up her calf and thigh. “Are you tired Justice?”
Leaning over to give him a better view she whispered against his ear. “Not really.”
The next morning Justice rode into the little burg. Quite a few heads turned as she passed them on the street. Mostly because hers was a new face, but she played it up riding side saddle chin held high. A man smoking in front of the coach office practically fell over himself to tie her horse and help her down. “Thank you, very kind.”
He tipped his hat. “My pleasure miss.” Rewarding him with a flirtatious smile she strolled into the office. Two men sat behind a desk, one short and squat. The other average build with a kind young face. “Excuse me sirs.”
The stout one looked up and they scrambled to attention. “How can we help you m’am?”
“Could you tell me when and from where the next two coaches are coming? I’m not sure which one my mother will be on and I wouldn’t want her to be stuck in town alone.”
The boyish man came over and opened a log book. He gave her a sympathetic grin. “Of course not. You must be one of the
Justice didn’t even blink. “Those are kind words, sir. We are settling in just fine. “She lowered her eyes a bit and looked at him through her lashes. Leaning across the counter she quietly asked. “Just which sister do you think I am?”
Trying to keep his gaze on her face but never quite succeeding he swallowed. “I would say you’re Rose. You are as pretty as a flower.”
Smiling shyly she stepped back and his attention went back to the book. “Here it is there are two passenger routes coming in on today around two o’ clock and on Thursday about the same time.” As he spoke and Justice returned the smile a very well dressed man came in and had a short conversation with the stout clerk.
She patted his arm. “Thank you so much. Now one of us will be here to meet Mother.” She turned to leave when Boyish came round to open the door.
“Miss Davenport, my name is Alfred Keys. Would it be alright if I called on you one evening?”
A blush filled her cheeks. “That would be splendid Mr. Keys. I’ll see you again.”
Ben watched from a safe distance. He was right every head turned her way. She looked utterly comfortable sitting high in the saddle. He had found a few more items on his list and had expected her to be done and back by now. What the hell was taking so long in there? Finally he watched her come out of the office and a tall man on the walk quickly stamped out his smoke and helped her mount the horse. But what took so long?
No one left the building. The sheriff was still sitting on the saloon porch playing cards. No one spoke to him other than the players. Focusing back on Justice she was red in the face and looked in pain as she came closer.
Justice tied the horse and turned to find Ben right behind her. “Well?” He asked. She couldn’t hold it in anymore she burst into laughter. “What the hell is wrong with you?”
Slowing and taking a steadying breath she shrugged. “Sorry, there is a passenger coach coming in from the south road around two. I over heard the banker making arrangements for transport on a coach heading east at
“
Justice told him the whole story before her laughter began again and this time it was contagious. The pair sat on a small ridge waiting for the coach to come into view. “With your vast experience how many men should we expect?”
Ben shrugged. “Three maybe five depending on the haul. Did you see what else they were carrying?”
“No, Mr. Keys had his hand over that part while he was looking down my dress.” She grinned at the look on his face. It wasn’t jealousy, it was mild shock.
“I can’t believe you would make court with a man like that Rose.” He said as he took his own liberty.
“You are a letch Ben Wade. I do wish they would come along though this corset is killing my side.” It was making him ache but not his side. She looked utterly comfortable in the attire regardless of her complaints. The pages of this book may have been ruffled and torn a bit but the writing was clear. Justice had led a privileged life for a time at least.
He could picture her sitting on the front porch of a grand southern mansion sipping mint juleps fanning the heat. “There it is.” Her voice drew him from the image.
“Show time.”
The coach came to an abrupt halt. The three men trained guns on the riders before them. The woman held captive screamed. Ben pulled back on the hammer to make his point. “Drop’em unless you’d like to see more of the lady.”
Pistols and rifles hit the dirt. Moving along side Ben tossed a satchel to the driver. “I think you know what I want.”
As he was moving to comply one of the guards stopped the chubby driver. “Let the woman go and we’ll give you the money.”
Ben’s arm tightened across his shield and he turned the gun on the guard. One of the passengers emerged from the carriage. “Miss Davenport! Has he hurt you?”
Trembling tears falling she pleaded. “Don’t go doing anything foolish Mr. Keys.”
“Ain’t that sweet. Everyone out of the coach!” Ben kicked the side for emphasis. Another well dressed gentleman exited with a lady. The woman put a startled hand to her mouth at the site of the outlaw and his prisoner and clutched her husbands arm. He patted her trying to comfort his wife. “Take what you want Wade and let Miss Davenport go.”
“Do we know each other?” The man didn’t answer until Ben squeezed Miss Davenport making her wince. He grinned as she glared at him. Quickly wrapping a protective arm around his wife the man answered.
“You could say we met once, I worked for the railroad.”
“Ahhh a Pinkerton, dangerous profession. I can see why you retired.”
“It is with you around.”
There was a sound to the side of them then the echo of a shot fired. Ben waited for the searing pain but it was the coach guard who cried out. What the hell? It was Mr. Keys who shed light on the situation. “Rose?”
Justice trained the firearm on the driver and last guard. “Off.” They complied and Ben dismounted handing her the reigns. He picked up the weapons and tossed them into the coach before climbing up into the driver’s seat. Shoving the wounded man to the ground he winked at Justice.
“Last chance to change your mind Miss Davenport.”
As she turned the horse with the coach Alfred Keys ran forward. “You don’t have to do this Rose. You’ve been seduced by this villain the
She pulled away. “Every rose has thorns, Alfred.” Ben shrugged.
“I think the weddings off Mr. Keys.”
They were miles down the road and the group was probably on their way back to town. Justice had gone through the luggage to replenish her wardrobe. He noticed she only took a couple of camisoles, shirts, one skirt, and a sewing kit from the ladies bag. She found a couple pairs of trousers that weren’t overly large in the Pinkerton’s suitcase.
He stole a glance at her as he unhitched the horses. There were no signs of regret, no apologies, or cries of what have I done. She shot a man with a steady hand and walked away. “Which of these do you want?”
She looked up and walked over to stroke the mare then the stallion. The stallion was a gray he ducted his head to her hand as she scratched his ear. “He’ll do just fine won’t you boy.”
Justice swung the saddle Ben had pilfered for her up when her side clenched. Ben snatched it from her hands and finished fitting the horse. It was when she stepped close to him one hand on his. “Thanks.” He felt odd.
“You could still go back. Mr. Keys would forgive you. The blame would fall on Big Bad Ben Wade.”
Shaking her head Justice adjusted the bridle of her new steed. “I’m sure the real Rose Davenport would be thrilled. Let’s find some place for the night.” She looked into his eyes at the suspicion in them then understood. “Don’t flatter yourself Wade. I wasn’t saving your nice ass. That guard was shaking like a leaf getting shot once this week is quite enough. Let’s go I’ve got to get out of this corset.”
When they stopped for the night Justice made a small fire and pulled out a pan. She fried them some strips of dried meat and made some kind of flat bread. She had finally gotten out of the corset and sat in a camisole and trousers. Her hair fell in her face and she would push it behind an ear only to have it fall again.
They ate in silence reminding him of their first meal together. The way her fingers brushed against his lips and chin. “You know what you did today Justice?”
She sat back against a tree. “I fell from grace a long time ago. What I did today is pale compared to my first offence wouldn’t you agree? How much did we get?”
He tossed her a bound stack of bills. “Three thousand dollars. Who would have thought such a small town would be so rich.”
She thumbed through the stack absently. “From what I saw the businesses are booming. I think there are more folk outside the town than living in it. There were a lot of carts loaded with supplies for a homestead.” Tossing the money down on her pack Justice moved to his feet and pulled off his boots. She crawled over his legs never breaking eye contact.
Sitting in his lap she plucked a crumb from the corner of his mouth and ate it. Ben looked into her heated gaze. There was no adoration in them only that primal need that he felt starting to burn with in his own body. She unbuttoned his shirt. Pulling the camisole over her head Justice bent to taste the flesh of his nipples. Ben closed his eyes. “I knew you could, I didn’t know if you would. Will you follow me Justice? Will you do it again?”
Instead of answering Justice worked her way down his body. She let him see her intentions in her expression as she freed what she wanted. Lying between his legs she took him in her mouth. Justice had stayed in the boarding house with the whores in Dodge. She had seen some of the things the women would do to a man and his reaction. She hadn’t expected the skin to be so soft and supple. She licked and sucked at him as he grabbed handfuls of her hair.
The end of him was salty and sweet as she lightly nibbled before taking in as much as she could stand. He groaned and moved encouraging her and she obliged. Her hands found his balls and rolled him around her fingers before changing places with her mouth. Ben cried out. “Ah Justice.”
He pulled her off and back up into his lap. In a flash the last of their cloths were gone and he was suckled to her breast. It was her turn to grab handfuls of hair. She cried out digging nails into his back as one hand slid lower.
Teasing her into frenzy then backing off making her whimper. She was so wet and ready for him already. He sucked the other breast as he found the one place inside a woman that made them lose all notion of turning back. His fingers stroked as she began to shiver and press his face to her. He grabbed her hair forcing her to look him in the eye as he took her. She shuttered and came as he slid home.
Brutal kisses followed as he fell on her hungry to fill his own need. She wrapped her legs around him as he pounded flesh to flesh. Her nails may have been worn down but they still drew blood as she raked them down his back arching in another pinnacle of pleasure.
He was on the verge when he forced her face on him again. “Would you kill Justice? Would you kill to get what you want?”
She returned the favor yanking him down to her mouth by his thick locks. “Yes.” They both saw the stars up close as they came together sweat soaked and panting. Ben collapsed on her. Justice didn’t care she couldn’t feel anything any way. His weight was good, real. And it was oddly freeing to say what she realized during the robbery today.
She would do what was necessary even kill to fulfill whatever need. She was alive again. At least until Ben Wade found out who she really was. Or perhaps that woman was the one who was dead and Justice had been born in her place.
Kicking her feet Ben woke the sleeping beauty. “Come on we can’t stay here. Unless you want to see Mr. Keys again.”
Stretching she sat up and took the offered cup of coffee. “Oh yes he’ll race us right to the church and a house with a little white picket fence.”
Well roses have thorns and this one woke up with claws. He decided to poke that bristled kitten. “That don’t appeal to you, a house with a white picket fence and a couple of rowdy boys running in the front yard.”
“Not anymore.”
That was the end of that conversation. She had hoped poured another cup and saddled the gray. Apparently she had set the wheel turning. “You know Justice we’ve been uh…active….”
The gaze that turned his way would melt a rock. “There won’t be any little Wade’s running around. I haven’t run with the moon since…in five years.” She went back to securing her pack and saddle bags to the saddle.
While relived and kind of pleased to know that they are free to play Ben felt like he should apologize. He turned and watched her mount the horse her features stone and didn’t say a word. Maybe it would pass and he wouldn’t feel that particular urge again. Speaking of urges he glanced back, Justice was most beautiful angry.
They had been riding for most of the day. Justice noticed the turn of their direction they weren’t heading for the border. “Where are we going?”
A wicked grin and an evil glint in his eyes said that it personal. “Going to see an old friend. You up for another act Rose?”
She felt an expression not unlike his touch her features. “Rose and the outlaw act two.”
Ben rode into town with his face covered by the collars of a long coat. Justice was back in style with a lovely yellow shirt and the earth colored skirt. It wasn’t quite as showy but she looked like she belonged all the same. He didn’t. It wasn’t that he stood out with feathers in his cap. Ben Wade had a distinct dark presence about him. There was something in him men either revered, feared, or hated. And that same something sent women either in his bed or running to the other side of the street.
“There it is you go in Rose and I’ll meet you at the Decker over there.” He cocked his head toward the saloon just a little ways down from the sheriff’s office.
When she entered the lawman was sitting boots propped on the table top reading a digest of Jessie James. “Excuse me Sheriff? I think your holding my brother I’d like to see him please.”
The man scoffed and lowered the book enough to peek over the top. When he saw the woman that went with the voice well he sat up at least. “And who might your brother be Miss….?
Justice gave him her Sunday best smile. “Miss Patton, my brother is Andrew Patton.”
“I’ll be damned. He was tell’in the truth. Patton said he had a sister that was pretty as the sunshine. I don’t think you really want to see him though Miss. It grieves me to tell you this but; well you see your brother is to hang for murder in the highest degree.”
Never missing a beat her eyes welled up and she fanned her face with her delicate hand. “Murder! Oh mother was afraid he would end up dead for all his foolishness. If only I had been more of a sister.”
As tears began to trickle the Sheriff pulled a handkerchief from his pocket. He checked to make sure it was clean before handing it to her. Justice took it and dabbed at her eyes and the older man took one of her hands. “Now listen here Miss Patton. He done wrong by his own accord it ain’t a fault of a sweet lass like yourself.”
Sniffing with red puffy eyes. “Please sir may I see him. If only to say good bye. Gone bad or not he is my only brother.”
The lawman gave her hand one more pat and nodded before grabbing a set of keys to the back room of four cells. He opened the heavy oak door. And stepped aside for her. Justice stepped in and the only occupied cell straight ahead of her. Its occupant stood and whistled. “Well well what do we have here, a new deputy, Sheriff?”
The lawman looked at Rose who started to tear up again. “It’s Rose, it has been a long time hasn’t it Andy. You don’t even recognize your own sister.” She allowed a small sniffle.
Immediately the caged man bowed and shook his head as if ashamed. “Rosy what are you doing here? You know Mama needs you.”
The lawman let out a heavy sigh. “I’ll give the two of you some time. If you need me Miss Patton just holler. Remember he may be your blood but he ain’t your brother anymore he’s a stone cold killer.”
“I understand thank you Sheriff.” Once he was gone and the door was mostly closed she walked over to the bars. Andrew Patton was indeed a bad boy. He had raven black hair and eyes to match. Justice would bet there was Indian blood in him.
Patton grabbed her arms when she came close enough and pulled her against the bars she didn’t fight him right away. Until he tried to kiss her through the iron. Justice leaned back out of reach. “Is that how you greet your long lost sister Andy?”
“Come on now darlin I don’t have any sisters. I’m an only child. It might be a little rough but I think we can get the job done.” He pulled at his belt. Rose pulled a pin from her hair and poked him with it drawing a bit of blood as he jerked back from her. “What the hell was that for!” He hissed at her so the sheriff wouldn’t come calling.
“I came with word from Ben Wade.”
Andy sobered but now eyed her suspiciously. “Wade’s in
“He’s at the Decker waiting to hear the word from you.”
“You’re lying.”
Justice opened the handbag she carried. The black handle with an inlaid cross caused a change to come over the murder. “The Hand of God. You tell him get me out of here and let me kill that old coot I’ll ride with him.”
“I will now act like I’m your long lost sister or the gig is up.” They spent the last five minutes in tearful apologies and not so heartfelt wish it could have beens. The sheriff finally opened the door and came over to Rose.
“I’m sorry miss but I think you should leave now. Is there someone to take you home?”
Nodding she gave Andy’s hand a last sisterly squeeze and sobbed until she hit the walk just below the jail. Justice took her time and walked over to the Decker.
It was an upper class joint the bar had a shine to it and the chandeliers still had all their glass. There were fine runners on the stairs leading up to rooms. Poker tables in the back had covered tops and the girls were dressed all in similar fashion. She spotted Ben at one of the poker tables with one of the sassy girls on his knee. She had to smile because he was on. Oozing all that Ben Wade charm and seduction.
When they finished the hand Justice walked over and ran her fingers along the back of Ben’s neck. “Don’t be shy darl’in.”
“Oh I’m not shy.”
At the sound of her voice he jerked his head around to see her. “Ju….Rose!”
The handsome blonde in his lap pouted as she started to get up. Then she took a good look at Rose’s red rimmed eyes and the handkerchief still in her hand. Immediately sympathetic the woman glared at Ben and put an arm around Justice and led her to a table in the back away from the crowd. “You sit right here honey I’ll get you some tea.”
Shaking his head Ben tossed down his cards. “I guess I fold boys.”
One of the players suggested he run out to the general store and buy her some perfume or something before going over there. Another said to leave now would make it worse and Cinda’s done took her side. Not a girl in the house will look his way.
Damn, he thought, women were starting to be a lot of trouble. Grabbing his glass and the bottle Ben walked over to the table. He leaned over one hand on hers and the other on the back of her chair.
Justice had to grin behind the handkerchief as he was getting advice from his fellows. When he strode over and sat down she was surrounded by his presence. It was overwhelming, almost frighteningly so. It took two tries before she could catch enough breath to speak. “Sorry to spoil your fun, she is pretty.”
He glanced around no one was paying them any mind. Giving him room to mend the fence with the lady. The corner was darker and Justice sat in the back. His large form blocking her from view. “Jealous?”
“Hardly.”
He wanted her to be and the truth was there as her eyes met his. There was definitely a touch of green in those dark pools. “Did you see him?”
He asked moving closer and moving the hand from the table to her lap. Justice took a sip of her tea. “He’s game as long as you let him kill the sheriff.”
Hitching her skirt he whispered. “You’ve been crying?”
Her breath quickened as he trailed fingers up her thigh. “It’s a tragic thing to find your only brother is to be hung for murder.”
Stroking he asked questions about the jail. He wondered if she would give them away, but she never said stop. “What about the jail?
A little glassy eyed and breathless Justice examined her tea. “I was a bit surprised to see that it was wood. Inside…. And out.”
Ben was done teasing her he went further down and obliged her request. “We need another horse.”
Justice laid her had on his shoulder burying her face into his neck. “The livery is just behind the jail.”
Just then Cinda came over. “Rose, honey are you alright? Is he bothering you?”
Ben held her comforting. “She’s just upset finding her brother in jail and all.”
After giving her sympathies Cinda left them. Justice gasped quietly. There it is he thought quickening the pace. “How many bullets will we need?”
Justice had no idea why she was letting him do this to her. Then he moved. Because it felt so good was the answer. “There was only the old sheriff this afternoon. We’ll have to watch for a change of guard.”
Holding her tightly he kissed her as she reached that point of bliss. He gave her a moment to recover. “You’ve had a shock to day Rose with your brother and all. Maybe you should lay down a while.”
Once the door was shut he seized her in a brutal kiss which she returned. There was a mirrored dresser by the door. He placed her hands on the dresser, threw up her skirt and took her. Justice watched him in the mirror as Ben satisfied his own need. Too soon she thought she felt the world slip a little as she found release with him.
Sitting in the window of their room Justice called him over as a younger man strutted into the jail. “I guess the answer would be one bullet.”
It wouldn’t be long before dark. “I’m starved. I’ll go get us something to eat.” Justice started to dress. “No, you stay here. I’ll be right back.”
“Behave.”
He gave her a mock hurt expression. “Darl’in having I been on my best behavior?”
She grinned and pushed him with her foot. “That’s what I’m afraid of. How long can you control your urges?”
He pulled her off the ledge and into his arms. “That depends on what urges you speak of.”
True to his word it wasn’t long before Ben returned with a feast. He unwrapped the chicken and Justice snatched a leg. “Hey, I like those.”
“Unless it was a one legged chicken there should be two.”
Tossing a biscuit at her he noticed movement around the jail. “Looks like second shift is over and thirds taking over.” Only this time the second man didn’t come out. Two men for the night. “Better eat we’re going to have to run fast.”
Night finally fell and they waited until most of the streets were mostly deserted. Justice was back in her slacks as she wore the long coat collar pulled over her face hat pulled down. She grabbed a horse from the livery and saddled it while Ben came around with theirs.
Meeting him as he finished tying off to the small jail window. Justice mounted and rode over to the high window. She tried to keep her voice low enough. “Andy!”
“Rose? You got Ben with ya.”
“Just grab the bars and do not let go!”
He did as he was told. As soon as his hands were seen on the iron Ben spurred his horse. It took two tries but they came free with part of the wall. The two guards came running in Ben caught one as the gun was being drawn and Justice took the other down. “I wanted to do that.” Andrew Patton complained.
A man came running out from the livery in his long johns. He rubbed his eyes and looked up at Justice. “It can’t be.” Justice turned toward the voice her eyes widened. The older man shook his head. “Lillian Ev…..” A third shot rang out and the trio rode out.
They rode until first light then stopped to refresh themselves. Andrew Patton wasn’t into the idea. “You know their going to come for me. We shouldn’t be stopp’in.”
Ben took a bite of left over bird. “They just got started.” Justice finished her tidbit and half a biscuit. Laying back she closed her eyes for the few minutes they had.
Andrew appraised the form stretched out before him. “So what is your name darl’in Lilly or Rose? Maybe Lilly Rose.”
Much to Ben’s pleasure she ignored him. Apparently Justice didn’t take well to Andy. “I don’t think she likes you much.”
“She like that old stable hand less. Why’d ya shoot him Lilly Rose? Cause he knew your name? “
He looked down to grab a bit of meat that had fallen on his shirt when he looked up a gun barrel took up the view. “My name is Justice.”
“Ben?”
Wade shook his head. “Ease down Justice, we may need him. I said he was a good shot not that he was smart.” When she didn’t waver he put a hand on her arm and spoke softly. “Ease down Justice.”
Glancing his way she eased the hammer and
moved further away from them. Ben watched her there was something boiling under her skin. He heard that stable hand call her Lillian something. Why did she kill him?
Andrew Patton was fit to be tied. “You gonna let her do that? You never put up with that shit before. Who the hell is that woman she’s touched!”
Ben tossed him the last of his food. “Shut up Andy. I advise you don’t piss her off. You’re on your own next time.”
All too soon Justice felt Ben kick her boot. “Shit.” She stood as he fired and run off the horses. Patton was looking at them both like they had lost their minds.
“Are you insane?”
“Could be.” Was Ben’s answer as they watched the three brown horses gallop across the open range. After crossing a steep ridge on foot Andy understood the ploy. There were three horses tied to a lone tree by the small pond of water.
They rode in the opposite direction until night fell again. They set camp and once again Justice moved away from them to sleep.
“She don’t talk much.”
Ben smiled recalling their first acquaintance. “No she don’t. Justice is an original.”
“Justice What, she yours?” The answer he was hoping to hear plain on Andy’s face.
“Justice is her own. Let her be.” Ben slept with one eye open.
The fire had died down and Ben was snoring as Andy crept over to the woman with secrets. He had a hand on her mouth and the other wondering as she came awake. “Shh. We could be friends, Wade won’t mind.”
They struggled and Justice managed to pull the knife from her boot and sit on his chest. The blade was at Andrew’s throat and a small trickle of blood on the blade. “Justice!”
Her hand stopped at the commanding voice behind her. Ben knelt down. “I told you to let her be. I should let her kill you and save me the trouble.”
He tucked her hair behind one ear so she would see him. He knew she could see him because she began to tremble. “Wade!” Andy cried not daring to move.
“He deserves it Justice. Andrew Patton is a murderer and I didn’t know till now a rapist. If you want it that bad draw that blade. We’ll sit here together and watch him bleed.”
She stood up and kicked the prone man in the ribs before stalking off. It wasn’t a long reprieve Wade was on him next. “Touch her again and I’ll be the one with the knife. Let her be Patton.” Adding a right to the jaw Ben left the man to tend his aches to find Justice.
What was going on with her? It started when she killed that old man. What had he called her? Lillian Ev-something. He thought back to everything she had said. He had killed her brother. She had killed for vengeance on those who hurt her and the children she cared for. Her brother had been injured in the war. No.
He found her pacing in the darkness. He grabbed her and slung her to the ground. Hell in his eyes he yanked her hair to look her into hers. “Who are you? Who are you Justice! Tell me!
She saw her death in those green eyes. He was going to kill her she could feel the heat of his anger. She should have told him the truth to begin with. He yanked her hair again as he sat pinning the rest of her body. She screamed wordless as her soul bled. Would this be her end, she had just started to live.