Crystal's Calamity (The Red Petticoat Saloon)

by Stevie MacFarlane

  It was nerve wracking to say the least, watching her being pawed and manhandled and unable to put a stop to it. As she said, this was the life she chose and short of kidnapping her, his hands were tied. He did notice that she paid particular attention to one man in particular. A scruffy old trapper with a long, full beard seemed to draw her again and again. They talked many times throughout the evening and it seemed as though Clem was teasing him as his round cheeks blushed scarlet. Several times Clem was laughing too and he decided that would never happen if she thought for a moment he was the man who’d killed her father.

  All in all, Jasper had a terrible night. He lost several hundred dollars and realized he would have made out better if he just paid Crystal a hundred dollars a night for the use of her delicate body. It was a thought that made more sense to him as the night wore on and he lost hand after hand. He simple couldn’t concentrate and watch her at the same time.

  By the end of the night, her hair was hanging down her back, having long ago been bounced out of its swept up style and she was limping. The music had given him a headache, what little whiskey he’d drunk lay burning in his gut and he was exhausted. Crystal obviously was too and, making an instant decision, he excused himself from the table of stragglers that were left.

  Striding across the room, he turned her around to face him and then picked her up in his arms and crossed the room.

  “You can’t do this,” she sighed as she wrapped her arm around his neck and rested her cheek on his shoulder. “I’m wearing pink tonight.”

  “I don’t give a damn if you’re wearing shit brindle brown. You’ve had enough for one night and I’m so tired I couldn’t win a hand of cards if I were playing with three blind men. We’re going to bed. Night, Gabe,” he called over his shoulder as he started up the stairs.

  “Night,” Gabe replied with a grin, wrapping his arm around Jewel.

  Once in her room, he set her gently down, picked up the water pitcher and left the room. When he returned she was exactly where he’d left her. Pouring warm water into the bowl, he carefully washed her face and hands. He pulled her to her feet and spun her around, undoing her dress and corset.

  “Where’s your nightgown?” he asked.

  Crystal pointed to the armoire and he retrieved the long cotton gown, removed the rest of her clothing and dropped it over her head. As his hands smoothed it into place, his body began to get other ideas but he pushed them away.

  Steering her to the dressing table he plopped her down on the bench and removed the few pins that remained in her hair. He brushed it until it was snarl free and tied it back with a single blue ribbon he saw draped over the edge of the mirror.

  “Do you have to use the pot?” he asked.

  Crystal shook her head, blushing wildly.

  “All right then, up you go,” he said, picking her up and setting her on the bed.

  Crystal watched as he sat and pulled off his boots. Quickly he undressed and locked the door. Then he did the strangest thing. Taking a now cool cloth from the wash basin, he knelt and bathed her aching feet. With a sigh of ecstasy, she flopped back on the bed.

  “Oh my God, that’s wonderful,” she purred, “glorious, even better than last night.”

  “Careful or I’ll be forced to prove I can do better,” he warned, drying between her toes. “Now shove over. You cost me a lot of money tonight and I’m determined to get something in return, even if it’s only a good night’s sleep.”

  “How did I cost you money?” she asked as she scrambled to make room.

  “I didn’t win a hand all night,” he grouched, pulling the covers over them and reaching to turn out the light.

  “And that’s my fault?” she asked with a yawn.

  “I believe so,” he answered, pulling her close, her head resting on his chest.

  “Sorry.”

  “It’s all right. Who was that old man you spent so much time talking to?”

  “Whiskers? Um… nobody special,” she breathed, closing her eyes for the last time as she fell asleep curled to his side.

  She was lying. Jasper didn’t know how he knew, but he did. The last thought on his mind as he fell asleep was that he was going to spank her for it, right after he found out who the bewhiskered man was and who he was to Clem.

  ***

  Jasper was gone when she woke, the bed cold where he’d lain. Scrubbing her eyes, she sat up and yawned. Sleeping next to him was comforting and something she could get used to. She felt safe in his arms and, for once, the memories of her father’s death hadn’t invaded her dreams. Besides that, he smelled good. One of the hardest things about mingling with the men downstairs was the odor of unwashed bodies. Sooner or later, the smart ones would figure out if they wanted to be allowed upstairs, they better make time for the bathing room. Perfumed hankies held to a feminine nose could only go so far.

  Rising, she stretched before noticing the note on her bedside table.

  You may have been right about going to the bank. If you won’t leave here and marry me, I’ll pay you one hundred dollars a night as long as your ‘services’ are exclusively mine. Stay out of trouble today.

  J.M.

  As tempting as that sounded, it was impossible, she decided sadly as she picked up the gold piece and clutched it in her hand. Isolating herself upstairs in her room with Jasper, no matter how pleasurable that time might be, would not solve her problem. No, she needed to be downstairs where whiskey and desire loosened men’s tongues if she hoped to find her father’s killer.

  Tonight it would be the red petticoat again and she would begin to gather what tidbits of information she could. In some circumstances, a pretty girl could get a whole lot more information out of a man than the intimidating Sheriff Justice. Even if he knew something, she could hardly reveal her true identity to him at this point. Like the majority of the townspeople, he probably figured Clyde McKay’s son was long gone as he’d made no effort to contact him and that was the way she wanted to keep it. She’d ask Jewel to see what she could find out, just as a concerned citizen. After all, if there was a murderer running around loose, as a business owner she had a right to know.

  Tossing the coin in her hand, she now had enough money to pay a visit to the town’s lawyer, something she would do right after breakfast. If he seemed like an honest and forthright man, she’d hire him. Hopefully he knew of someone who could do some investigating. Foolishly, she’d left the details regarding the mine to her father. She knew he’d filed an official claim with the Bureau of Land Management, but she didn’t know if those records stayed in Culpepper Cove or were sent on to somewhere else. Unfortunately, she’d discovered nothing among her father’s things to prove a claim had even been staked. It was disheartening to say the least.

  ***

  Mid-morning, Clementine made her way down main street to the office of Adam Barlow, Attorney at Law. Dressed in a light blue dress, feathered hat and sporting a lace trimmed parasol, she was the image of a refined young woman of good family. No one needed to know the dress was Amy’s, the hat Dottie’s and the parasol offered by Opal. The two hundred-dollar gold pieces in her reticule had been earned in the world’s oldest profession, and that was another bit of information she had no intention of divulging. If and when she deemed Mr. Barlow trustworthy, she would reveal her true identity; until then, she was Crystal from The Red Petticoat Saloon acquiring information for a friend.

  “Mr. Barlow, how kind of you to see me on such short notice,” she said, smiling sweetly as she was led into an office dominated by a large desk covered with mounds of books and papers.

  “Think nothing of it, Miss…” he replied as he assisted her into a chair.

  “It’s Crystal,” she answered, adjusting the wide sweep of her dress as she sat.

  “And your last name?” he inquired, pushing his spectacles up on his nose as he placed a clean piece of paper in front of him and took up a quill.

  “That’s not important,” she insisted pleasantly. “I’m
looking for some information on gold mine claims.”

  “How can I help you?” he asked, obviously taken aback at her directness.

  “Well,” she drawled. “I’m wondering if there is a specific place where I can look up any recent claims that have been filed.”

  “Is this about a particular mine, Miss… Crystal?” he asked shrewdly.

  “Yes, yes it is. You see I have a friend, a young man who was working a mine with his father. His father was murdered and the boy driven off the claim and I’m wondering what I can do to help him prove ownership,” she explained.

  “Has the young man returned to working the mine?”

  “No, he hasn’t. You see he is in fear for his own life.”

  “Has this crime been reported to the sheriff?”

  “Yes it has, but nothing’s been done. You see there were no witnesses, but for the young man and he didn’t actually see the murder.”

  “I see. So he left the mine and someone else has taken it over?”

  “No one seems to be working it, but it is guarded,” Crystal said, leaning forward and laying her gloved hand on his desk. “What can I advise my friend, Mr. Barlow? Can you help him?”

  “Was the mine marked in any way?” the young lawyer asked, rising and walking across the office to take a sheaf of papers from a shelf.

  “Yes, there was a cairn over three feet high as required. I believe a formal claim was also filed with the Bureau of Land Management, but I… I mean my friend can find no record of it,” she stated, battling to keep her composure after her costly slip.

  “I see. Well, there are more than enough issues here to bear further investigation. One is that we have to prove your friend’s father did not abandon the mine, but was murdered. Two, the fact that the son left the mine and is no longer working it makes it appear as though he too has abandoned it, thus making it fair game for another prospector to stake his claim. If an official claim was indeed filed, what name would it be in, Crystal?” he asked.

  “Clyde and Clementine McKay,” she said softly. “The mine’s name is Eliza’s Dream.”

  “And herein lays the third problem.” Walking around the desk, he leaned against the front and crossed his legs. His dark brown eyes bore into hers sternly. “When a lawyer takes on a new client he must be assured he is receiving accurate and honest information, Miss McKay. Unless you’re willing to be truthful with me, I’m afraid I can’t help you.”

  “How did you know? Was it that one slip up?” she asked, meeting his gaze squarely.

  “That didn’t help your ‘this is about my friend story’, but not entirely. A good attorney has a sixth sense that kicks in when they are being lied to. Now, why don’t we begin again and you’ll tell me everything?”

  Crystal nodded, dropped her grand lady persona and poured out all the gory details, as well as what was in her heart. She even revealed her employment status at The Red Petticoat as well as Jasper Montgomery’s offer of marriage. It seemed to be the piece of information that shocked Adam Barlow the most.

  “My, my, that is surprising,” he remarked with a laugh.

  “Why? Because Mr. Montgomery would consider marrying a whore?” she demanded, quite insulted and angry she’d revealed far more than she intended. He was just so easy to talk to.

  “No not at all. The idea Jasper would propose marriage to anyone is what’s startling. Your occupation has nothing to do with it. You see he and I are very well acquainted and I must say you’re the first woman to inspire that commitment in him. And you say you refused him?”

  “Yes.”

  “Even more shocking,” he teased. “I can’t imagine he took that well.” His eyes were alight with curiosity.

  “Not exactly,” she admitted. Her face colored quickly as she wiggled in her chair.

  “I’ll bet he didn’t,” he said with a laugh. “Does Jasper know the entire story?”

  “Most of it,” she replied, tightening her lips. Some of her plans were her own and she wouldn’t share them with anyone. “Where do we go from here, Mr. Barlow?” she asked, indicating the end of her confidences.

  “First, I’ll get a statement from Mr. Thurgood, the undertaker, stating your father was indeed murdered. I’ll talk to the sheriff to confirm your report and gather any information he may have acquired regarding the murder. Then I’ll need to travel to San Francisco to search some records to see if we can verify your father’s claim. When I return, we’ll meet again to discuss our next move.”

  “How much is this going to cost me?” she asked, cutting to the crux of the matter.

  “It will depend on how things move along,” he replied.

  “I have two hundred dollars. Will that be enough to start?” she asked hopefully, holding out the coins.

  “I’ll take that as a retainer, Miss McKay,” he agreed, writing her out a receipt.

  “Thank you, Mr. Barlow and remember, Clem McKay has taken off for parts unknown,” she reminded him as he escorted her to the door.

  “I’ll keep that foremost in my mind, Crystal, and let me give you a little advice.” At her nod, he continued. “Don’t take the law into your own hands, young lady, no matter the provocation and don’t underestimate Jasper Montgomery. While he gives the appearance of a gentleman of the highest order, for these parts at least, underneath he’s much tougher than he seems.”

  “Is he dangerous?” she whispered, careful not to let his clerk overhear them.

  Adam laughed. “Not in the way you mean, but he doesn’t suffer fools gladly and if he’s got his eye on you for a bride, I have no doubt you’ll be walking down the aisle on his arm in short order.”

  Crystal gave a very unladylike snort, snapped open her parasol and marched from the office. She could still hear Adam chuckling halfway down the boardwalk. Jasper did have a bit of a temper. She’d seen it and felt it, but there wasn’t any meanness in him. Clem acknowledged she could do a lot worse for a husband, and he did have a way of making her body crave his at the most inopportune moments. A smile, a wink, and her heart sped up like a runaway pony. His lips on hers or, heaven forbid, on her breasts and she was panting, and when his hand slipped between her legs, good Lord the sounds she produced. It was mortifying and glorious all at the same time.

  It saddened her to realize there was the distinct possibility he would withdraw his proposal and his friendship once she started taking men up to her room, but that couldn’t be helped. She felt a deep sense of commitment to finding her father’s murderer. Somebody knew something, and even the best kept secrets had a way of leaking out, as she’d just so disturbingly learned. Adam Barlow now knew far more than she was comfortable with.

  Not that she suspected him of being in any way involved, but she had no idea who his clients were. Perhaps one of them was the murderer himself and she’d just given her identity away. She could be in grave danger and not even know it if Mr. Barlow was the type of man who didn’t respect a confidence. If she got the chance she would ask Jasper about his character, something she probably should have done before spilling her guts and handing over two hundred dollars of… well she couldn’t say ‘hard earned money’ but saying ‘pleasurably earned money’ didn’t seem right either. The thrill that coursed through her had her momentarily wondering if she really needed that gold mine. If Jasper was willing to pay her that kind of money every night for her to suffer through the wondrous torment of taking her body, did she need more? Marrying him had its appeal, but husbands didn’t pay wives for that sort of thing, at least she’d never heard of that, and she needed the money.

  Shoulders slumping, she entered the door of The Red Petticoat, savoring the cool interior. It was time for dinner and she was hungry. After, she’d take a ride out to the mine and see if anything had changed. It was best to keep her mind on her mission and not let the thought of Jasper’s hands… and other parts, sway her. Hopefully, there would be plenty of time for those pleasures once her father’s murderer was either brought to justice or dead.

>   “Crystal, a word please,” Gabriel called as she walked toward the stairs to return the things she’d borrowed.

  “Yes,” she replied nervously. He seemed a nice enough man, but one never knew.

  “I’m going to assume you don’t know that one of the rules Madam Jewel and I adhere to are that none of our gems go out without letting either Jewel, Charlie, Nettie or myself know,” he began.

  “But it’s the middle of the day,” Crystal exclaimed.

  “I understand that. However, in the future you are not to leave the premises without informing someone. And, you are to be back before dusk. The rule is for your own protection.”

  “But, what if I need to… take care of something?”

  “Crystal, we are not attempting to keep you prisoner here. You are free to run errands during the morning or afternoon as long as you inform someone. However, as you’ve seen, the town becomes rowdier once the sun begins to set. There is the chance that you will be recognized and…”

  Instantly her face paled and she swayed slightly.

  “What is it?” Gabe asked with concern as he took her arm and seated her in a chair.

  “What do you mean, recognized?” she asked fearfully.

  “I’m sorry, honey. I guess I should have worded that differently. You’ll be recognized as Crystal, one of The Red Petticoat’s gems. For some men it may not matter that you’re not working. Your safety is my prime concern and you are not safe alone. In the future, you are to do your errands during the daylight hours, take another gem with you, or ask for someone else to accompany you. Charlie, myself, Jewel or even John if he’s around will be more than happy to escort you.”

  “But…”

  “There are no exceptions. Do I make myself clear?” he asked, fixing her with a stern gaze. “I wouldn’t want there to be any misunderstanding about this, the penalty is quite severe,” he continued when she didn’t reply right away.

  “You would beat me?” she asked, flinching slightly.