by Darrell Case
Chapter 7
On the day of the train's arrival, Victoria paced her cell all morning. The last two days, she had eaten very little, partly because Maples offered her food sparingly. When he did, he watched her with lust-ridden eyes. Her stomach lurched and churned, feeling his gaze on her every move.
She could only guess at the time as there was no clock on the wall. Only the shadows creeping across the floor told of the minutes slowly ticking away. Before, she had wanted to go to Billy and demand the truth. Now all she wanted to do was be rid of this town and the people who turned on her. It was all so unreasonable.
After what seemed like days, she heard the low whistle of the train. A few minutes later, she became frantic. Where was Maples? Surely he knew they would not wait. She gripped the cold steel bars. Under her weight, the cell door swung open. Her heart told her something was wrong! Nevertheless, her head said Maples had forgotten to lock it.
Her heart in her throat, Victoria grabbed her bag off the desk and headed for the door, where she ran straight into Maples.
"Where ye goin', missie?" Maples asked, his speech heavy. His beefy hand closed over her slender wrist.
"The train," Victoria said as calmly as possible, gasping in pain.
He leaned into her face, his breath still sour with whiskey.
"What makes ye thing I'm gonna let ye go?" he asked, slurring his words.
"You must. The school board said so."
Shaking her like a terrier would a rat, he said, "I run this here jail. I says what goes and what don't go."
The train gave another warning toot.
"Please let me go. I didn't do anything."
"No, but you're gonna," he slurred, winking at her.
With one final call, the train pulled away from the town and the clickity clack of the wheels faded away.
Tearing Victoria's bag out of her hands, Lucas shoved her back into the cell. Following her, he unbuckled his belt.
"What's the meaning of this, Lucas?" Harvey Anderson asked, charging into the jail. "Why is she still here?"
Fastening his belt before he turned around, Maples gave Victoria a warning glance.
"Why, Mr. Anderson, sir. I was a hurrying to get her when I tripped on a loose board. Felt like I broke my leg," Maples said, rubbing his shin.
Well, I can see you didn't," Anderson said. "So why isn't she on the train?"
"I was just comin' to that, sir. Time I got here it was too late."
"That's the most unlikely story I ever heard," Anderson, said gritting his teeth. "I'm assigning my clerk, Louis Hurley, as your deputy until Miss Winters is gone."
"You can't do that," Lucas said like a wounded bull.
"He can either be your deputy or the new constable," Anderson said, his tone like steel.
Louis Hurley was a kind, gentle man. If he shorted someone a penny, he would chase the person down all over town to repay them. With Hurley here, Lucas's chances to take advantage of Victoria were nil.
"Well, what's it going to be?" Do we have a deputy or a new town marshal?" Anderson asked, tapping his foot impatiently.
"All right, send him over," Maples said. "Fine. I could use some help."
Feeling it safe to speak, Victoria spoke up. "He tried to take advantage of me."
Maples looked like a trapped animal. Anderson looked at Maples, then the young schoolteacher. He seemed to be weighing his options.
"Please be quiet, Miss Winters," he said finally. "No one wants to hear your sordid tales."
"It's true," Victoria cried, tears misting her eyes.
His face inches away from Victoria's, the banker said, "Listen to me, young lady. If you persist in spreading your lies, I will personally see that you spend more than a few days in this jail. And I will make sure you are alone with our fine constable."
Victoria could see Maples grinning behind Anderson's back.
To Victoria's relief, Lucas spent most of the day away from the office. Hurley closed the bank promptly at 3:00 pm and then per Anderson's orders, he hurried to the jail. In truth, he was glad to help. He liked Victoria. She always greeted him in the bank or on the street, often stopping to inquire about his family.
As he entered the jail, Maples glowered at him.
"'Bout time. I ain't 'et since mornin'." Jamming his hat on his head, he started to leave.
"What about Miss Winters?" Louis asked.
"You feed her. I'm busy," he said, slamming the door behind him.
"Crazy old drunk," Hurley said when he was sure Maples couldn't hear him.
The jail was cold as ice. Going outside, the clerk carried in an armload of wood. Soon as he had a cheery fire blazing, he filled the coffeepot with fresh water and coffee, sitting it on the stove. Stepping close to the cell, he called softly.
"Miss Winters, are you asleep?"
"No, Mr. Hurley. I'm awake."
"Have you eaten anything today?"
Victoria shook her head. Louis left, then returned fifteen minutes later with two heaping plates of fried chicken, baked potatoes, and green beans. Insisting that she sit at Maples desk, he poured each of them a cup of steaming hot coffee. The food smelled delicious. Her appetite returning, Victoria ate ravenously, quickly emptying her plate. Hurley shoved the second plate of food in front of her.
"Oh, Mr. Hurley, I can't eat your supper."
"This is yours, Miss Winters. I've already eaten," Hurley lied.
Eating slowly from the second plate, Victoria asked, "Can you please tell me what is going on?"
Stepping to the window, Louis Hurley searched the street before answering.
"I overheard a conversation today between Mr. Anderson and Mr. Metcalf. Mr. Metcalf's nephew arrived from St. Louis this afternoon," Hurley said. "He's the new teacher."
Victoria gasped. "But they only dismissed me two days ago."
"Mr. Anderson sent him a telegram on behalf of the school board three weeks ago." Louis said.
"Three weeks?" Victoria cried. "Why?"
"In your contract, you receive half your salary in December and the remainder in May. Is that correct?"
"Yes," Victoria said, wondering what her salary had to do with it.
"If you are dismissed for any reason by a meeting of the school board, your contract is void. You are entitled to no compensation." Hurly said, his eyes burning with anger. "The money is divided among the members of the school board. You might be comforted to know this is common practice with these men."
Suddenly everything fell into place. They had tricked her into teaching for no pay.
Even though he was not married, Louis was sensitive to the needs of women. The jail was toasty warm as he approached the subject.
"Miss Winters, if you would like, I will heat some water for you to take a bath."
Victoria looked at him in horror. Hurley almost laughed out loud.
"Don't worry, Miss Winters. I will hang some blankets to cover the front of your cell for privacy."
"What about the constable?"
"I'll make sure he doesn't bother you."
Victoria felt relief wash over her.
"That would be very nice. Thank you."
Victoria
had just removed her undergarments and stepped into the tub when she heard Maples come in.
"What ye doin' with 'ose blankets hangin' on the bars?" Lucas demanded as he walked toward the cell.
"Miss Winters needed some privacy," Hurley explained, edging toward the stack of firewood against the wall.
"What fer?"
"She's taking a bath."
Maples grinned.
"We can't have 'em blankets covering our view of the prisoner," he said.
Victoria cringed as she heard his footsteps draw closer to the bars. Expecting to be exposed any second, she tried to cover herself, spreading her arms across her body.
There was a loud clunk and then the sound of a falling body.
"It's all right, Miss Winters. He'll be out for a while. Take your time. If he comes to, I'll hit him again!"
Victoria breathed a sigh of relief and thanks. Luxuriating in the steaming water and the fragrance of the French soap Hurley provided, she relaxed, smiling. Soon she would be back home. And all this would be a bad memory.
RIVER OF FIRE