Wanton Desire

by Ruth D. Kerce

  “Like I said, you’re a real genius. You two are going to be our guests for a little while.” Slim pointed to some barrels. “Sit down.”

  Neither of them moved.

  “Do it!”

  Montana reached for her arm. “Please, ma’am. Right over here. It’s best you do what he wants.”

  “Ooo, Montana’s got his manners on.” Cora laughed and slapped her hip. “So charming,” she mocked in a fake British accent.

  “Shut up, Cora,” he replied in a no-nonsense tone, keeping his voice low and controlled. “No need to make this any harder on them.”

  Cora stuck out her tongue at him and his words but didn’t say anything more in return.

  Emma walked over to the barrels and Willie followed. The two of them sat down. Emma set the doctor’s bag on the ground beside her. Montana positioned himself behind them as Slim paced in front of them.

  Cora stood by the cellar doors. She stuffed the small pistol she still held back between her breasts.

  “Why are we here?” Emma asked again, her voice more insistent this time. She didn’t intend to simply sit here all nice and quiet, like some scared schoolgirl. Even though she was indeed scared. She wanted answers, and she also felt as if she needed to present a strong front for Willie. “I don’t understand the point of bringing us down here.”

  “You don’t need to understand,” Slim answered. “Now stop yammering. Is the note ready?” he asked, turning toward Cora.

  “Yes, it’s done. I’ll leave it at the sheriff’s office.”

  “What if someone sees you?” Montana asked.

  “I can get in and out and nobody will think anything of it. They know me and Joe are friendly-like.” She grinned at Emma.

  Emma cringed. She hated thinking of Cora and Joe together. The image of the two of them locked in a passionate embrace made her physically ill. How could he have been with someone like her?

  “What if he’s there?” Slim asked.

  “He’s not. I already checked. I’ll be back soon. Don’t do anything stupid while I’m gone.”

  Slim snorted as she took the steps up to the kitchen. “Stupid ain’t in my plans, Cora,” he muttered.

  Emma’s mind raced, trying to figure all this out. What was the note to Joe all about? Nothing good, she was certain. And obviously Cora didn’t want him to know she was involved, otherwise she’d just speak to him—or hand him the note—in person instead of sneaking the note into his office.

  She glanced up the stairs. Something must be open up there. Maybe on the side where the employees used to come and go. That entrance was clearly visible to the shops on one side of town, which could be why they’d been brought in from the back, even though most folks would be long home by now. Still, she didn’t understand the point of holding them down here. To what end?

  She knew the front of the whorehouse and the windows were all boarded up. Nobody could really see in. But even if someone did see Cora moving about over here, nobody would probably think much of her being around, since she’d most likely worked in the whorehouse at one time.

  They were hidden right under everyone’s nose. The same place Beth had been hidden years ago when her intended—the man she’d planned to marry before Cal—had kidnapped her. A shiver traveled down her spine as the man’s image flashed through her mind. Those were memories she’d rather not dwell on.

  But now, it seemed, she’d have more disturbing memories of this place to force from her mind. If they were ever let loose. Was this a kidnapping too? For money? Joe didn’t have any money as far as she knew. But that was the only thing that made sense.

  Maybe they were going to try to barter them for the bank’s money, since they’d failed to carry out their robbery. If so, they didn’t stand a chance. The town council would never make such a deal.

  Or maybe Slim was holding some grudge against Joe and this was his way of getting even. She shivered at the thought, fearful that they might never make it out of here alive.

  Chapter Ten

  Once Cora was gone, the atmosphere in the cellar turned particularly tense. Willie must have felt it too for she scooted as close as she could manage without falling off her barrel. Emma wished she could reach out and comfort the girl but she didn’t dare try.

  Slim kept looking over at them as he paced. Finally he stopped and stepped forward to address Montana. “Take Willie in the back there and tie her up.”

  Willie noticeably stiffened. “Nobody’s tying me up!”

  Montana came around to the side of the barrels. His eyes narrowed. “Why do you want me to do that, Slim? She’s no trouble.”

  “She’s nothin’ but trouble. Do as I say. Gag her too. I don’t want to hear no more of her lip.”

  “The doctor lady too?”

  “No, just Willie.”

  Emma’s stomach clenched. The entire time Slim was talking to Montana, his gaze kept darting toward her. A cold chill gripped her body. “Why are you holding us prisoner here? I want an answer.” She knew pushing him could be dangerous but she felt their stay on this earth might be short-lived if she didn’t do something, such as distract him from his purpose.

  Now his full attention settled on her and their gazes locked. “You’re worth my time,” was the abrupt and cryptic answer to her demand.

  The look on his face stopped her from asking again or insisting on more details. She hadn’t seen that kind of hatred in a long while. Somehow she didn’t think it was entirely directed at her but at the situation instead. Regardless, she and Willie would be the ones to take the brunt of whatever was truly upsetting him.

  As Willie stood up, they brushed the tips of their fingers together in a caring gesture that wasn’t overly obvious. Emma knew that she needed to find a way to save them both before it was too late.

  Montana took Willie by the arm and led her to the far end of the cellar. The large space ran the entire length of the whorehouse. With each step, Montana felt worse. He couldn’t believe Willie was Joe’s sister. Joe was going to kill them all for sure now. He couldn’t see the man just paying the ransom, letting them go, and not tracking them down.

  Even if Joe did let them go, this just weren’t right—like most things he’d done in his life. Guilt tugged harder than normal at him this time because he liked Willie and didn’t want to see her hurt. “I’m sorry for what we done.”

  “Then help us get out of here,” she whispered.

  “I can’t.”

  “Why not? Cora’s gone. It would be three against one. Slim won’t expect anything. It’ll be easy.”

  “Slim’s not doing right. But he’s done more for me than anybody ever has.”

  “Done what? Showed you how to hurt folks?”

  “Stop gnawing at me. I ain’t never hurt no one. Not too badly anyhow. I have to think what I want to do.” Conflicting emotions warred inside him. Maybe now was the time he stood up for what he thought was right instead of following Slim in everything he did, regardless of the cost. It had been an issue he’d been struggling with a lot lately.

  Damn his hesitation. He had to look out for himself too, didn’t he? The money could get him a new life. But if he saved Emma and Willie, the people of Elk Valley might welcome him into their community and he could finally have a place to call home.

  “What’s Slim going to do to Miss Emma?”

  “He’s not going to hurt her. He just wants to ransom her. Probably you too, now.” He felt it best not to mention that Slim and Cora also wanted revenge. They’d never said that to him directly but he’d suspected even before he’d heard them whispering about it in the cave when they thought he slept.

  “Ransom? Joe don’t got no money.”

  “No, but the man who owns that big ranch he stays at does. Slim heard tell that Miss Emma was real close with the family.”

  “I can’t believe you took us like this. Just for money?”

  “Yeah, well. I ain’t never had any, so don’t go judging me.”

  “I’ve nev
er had any money either. But I don’t go around trying to steal it from other folks.” A sad look crossed her face. “Why would you do this, Montana? I thought you was—”

  “What? Better? Different? Don’t go getting any starry-eyed notions about me just because I helped you out.”

  “I’m not starry-eyed!”

  He saw the disappointment in her eyes and it cut right through his heart. He wanted to be better. To be different. For her and for himself. At the same time, he was damn tired of being poor and getting looked down upon by folks because of it. He grabbed her arms and tied them behind her, then plopped her down on her butt. “As long as nobody causes any trouble, this will all be over with soon.”

  “You really think Slim is just going to let us go? Why would he do that when we’d tell who done this? Joe’s gonna hunt him down. You too. You know that.”

  He stuffed a handkerchief in her mouth. He couldn’t listen to her words any longer because he knew they were true. Now he just needed to figure out what to do about it. And when to act.

  After he finished tying her up tight, he left Willie and moved back toward the outer cellar doors, but he stayed out of sight. He wanted to make certain Slim stuck with the plan.

  Nobody would get hurt if he could help it. Maybe if they could make it out of the territory with the money, Joe wouldn’t follow. If either woman got killed or seriously injured though and Joe found out who was involved, Montana knew that they would all end up dead.

  Slim grabbed Emma’s chin and jerked her head up. Her defiant gaze met his. “Joe been between your legs yet?”

  Emma gasped and tried to pull free.

  Slim released her. “Yeah.” He chuckled. “Joe’s had a taste of you. So much for being a proper city lady. You spread your legs just as fast as any other whore.”

  Emma glared at him and clenched her fingers into a fist.

  “Well, that’ll make Joe more desperate to save you, I suppose.”

  “You’re disgusting,” she finally said in a tight voice.

  “Think what you want. It makes no difference to me. I’m just in this for the money. Joe will pay a pretty penny to keep you two safe.” He stroked her cheek with one finger.

  Emma pulled her head back.

  Montana noticed that her hand twitched just slightly but she stilled it as if she’d momentarily thought of punching him or slapping away his hand. That would have only made things worse. If it had been her intent, he was glad she’d stopped herself.

  Slim was about to say something more when the door at the top of the stairs opened. He turned as Cora made her way down. Montana moved a little closer to hear better when Slim spoke to her.

  “Did you deliver the note?”

  “Sure did,” Cora answered with a smile. She held an open bottle of booze in her hand and took a swig.

  From the way she was weaving, Montana figured she’d already indulged in more than just that one swig.

  “Did anyone see you?” Slim asked.

  “I don’t think so. It’s pretty late.” She kissed him on the cheek. “In a few hours this should all be over and done with. And we’ll be rich. Where’s Montana?”

  “In the back with Willie. I couldn’t stand her lookin’ at me anymore, so I told him to take her back there and tie her up.”

  “Good. She’s trouble.”

  “Don’t I know it. That girl is wily. Always has been. Of the two we’re holding, I’m much warier of her. She almost bit my finger off some years ago.”

  “Did you stick it somewhere you shouldn’t have?” A large grin crossed her face.

  Montana tensed as he waited for Slim’s response.

  “That ain’t funny,” he replied.

  He didn’t offer any further details, leaving Montana to wonder about the truth. Somehow it left a cold feeling in his gut.

  Cora looked toward the back then urged Slim over to the cellar doors, giving them a little distance. “After we get the money, we can’t let them go. You realize that?”

  Their voices lowered and Montana eased closer. His toe banged against a crate and he froze. When Slim and Cora didn’t react, he let out a tight breath.

  “Yeah,” Slim agreed. “Joe won’t think twice about killing us if he finds out we did this.”

  “So, what’s the plan?”

  “How should I know? All this was your idea.”

  “Maybe so, but you know what has to be done.” Cora hesitated and a pensive look filled her face. “Let’s just do it right here. I can pretend to find the bodies and run to Joe. He won’t suspect me that way so he’ll be chasing ghosts.”

  “Ghosts?”

  “Yeah. I’ll say that I saw three older men running out of the building when I came over here to get some stuff that I’d left behind after the place closed down.”

  “What about your job at the saloon?”

  “What about it?”

  “He’s gonna think it odd that you quit but are still hanging around town.”

  “No he won’t. Not with the stage schedule as it is. It’s actually perfect, when you think about it, because when I do disappear, he’ll just figure that I got tired of waiting and took off on my own.”

  “I reckon that’ll work. I’m not real keen on killing women though, Cora, especially family.”

  “You gonna go soft on me?”

  His gaze flashed with frustration. “Hell, no.” He grabbed the bottle out of her hand and took a large gulp of the amber liquid. “I just gotta think.”

  “Thinking isn’t going to change anything so you best be prepared to do what has to be done.”

  Montana looked over at Emma and their eyes locked. She had heard. His heart pounded hard. Damn Cora. If not for her, they wouldn’t be in this mess. This was all her doing.

  Maybe Slim would listen to reason if he could get the man alone for a talk. It was worth a try.

  * * * * *

  Midnight had long come and gone before Joe walked into the sheriff’s office. He felt bone tired and couldn’t wait to hit one of the cots for a few hours of rest. Maybe he’d even dream of Emma.

  He hesitated and looked back at the door. “Hmm.” It had been unlocked.

  Confused, he walked outside and reached up to where he kept the spare key over the door. It was still there. The only people who knew he kept a spare there were Willie and Cora. He glanced around inside. Nothing missing that he could tell.

  His money box was empty right now. He didn’t keep any other valuables here except some guns and he could see that they were still secured up against the wall behind his desk.

  “Guess I forgot to lock the door. My mind must really be elsewhere.”

  Through with his rounds, he could finally relax and let his turbulent thoughts of late drift away. Nobody had been severely hurt by the storms. Lots of repairs needed to be made but the community would band together to help one another as they always did during times of trouble.

  The stress he’d felt while approaching each spread, expecting the worst, had gradually faded with each visit. He felt pretty much worry-free at the moment. A nice change and he intended to enjoy it.

  He lit a lantern and turned up the flame. A small piece of paper on his desk drew his attention. Someone had been in here after all. He picked up the folded note and opened it, holding the paper near the light.

  As he read the note, his blood turned cold. “What the hell?”

  Emma and Willie had been taken. His heart beat faster with each word he read. The kidnappers were demanding money for their safe return. A lot more money than he’d ever had in his life or even seen all at one time. Ten thousand dollars. A fortune in these parts.

  The note wasn’t signed but included instructions on where and when to deliver the ransom. Only then would the two women be released. If he didn’t follow the instructions exactly, Emma and Willie would be killed.

  “This has to be some kind of sick joke.”

  He stuffed the note into his vest pocket and rushed out the door. He ran all the
way to the clinic. When he got there, lanterns were on inside. They were home! He tried the front door but it was locked. He pounded on the wooden frame. No answer.

  He rushed around the back and tried that door. It was unlocked and he burst inside. “Emma! Willie!” He searched the downstairs and then ran up the steps and looked in every room. He even came back down and looked in the cellar. Nothing. And no signs of a struggle.

  He stood in the middle of the clinic and finally noticed that Dr. Bray’s medical bag was gone. Had Emma gone out on a call and been grabbed?

  No. The back door had been left unlocked. The same person, or people, had her and Willie both. The women must have been taken from here.

  Hoping to find some clue, he grabbed a lantern and searched the area outside the door in the back. Nothing. Not a button torn off a piece of clothing, not a patch of material, not even a stray clump of hair that he could see.

  Nobody had come running to him with reports of women screaming. That, and the fact that Dr. Bray’s medical bag was gone and everything inside remained neatly in place, made him think that they’d been lured outside, not forced.

  Of course, a gun on them would have kept them quiet and compliant too. But why would the medical bag be gone, if they’d been forced out? A flood of possibilities rushed through his head.

  He pulled out the note and read it again. It was addressed to him specifically—not just the sheriff in the hopes that the town would pay—which meant whoever took the women knew their connection to him.

  Cora? She was the only other person who knew how to get into his office. He shook his head. It seemed unlikely that she was responsible. He didn’t think that she was smart enough to pull off something like this. But then again, she had motive. She’d been pretty angry at him and hadn’t spoken kindly about Emma. She also hated Willie.

  But Cora couldn’t do something like this on her own. He’d probably just forgotten to lock the door and whoever had done this had come in and dropped off the note. Either way, he needed money. Fast. He closed up the clinic then rode to the end of town where the banker lived in a large building that used to be a hotel. He banged on the door.