Boone Creek

by Graysen Morgen

  ***

  “Shamus Maguire, you’re hereby charged with carrying a gun within the town limit; discharging a gun within the town limit; attempted kidnapping; and murder,” Jessie said, standing outside of the locked cell with her arms crossed. “Because of these charges, you’ll be held here until a trial date is set for you to go in front of the territory justice.”

  The red-haired man on the side of the bars had scruffy facial hair with a thin mustache. He was wearing worn, frontier clothing, similar to what Jessie had been wearing when she’d first arrived in town.

  “You can’t do anything to me,” he laughed, spitting on the ground near her boots.

  “I should’ve shot you when I had the chance,” she muttered, shaking her head. “I’ll certainly be present to watch your feet dangle when they hang you.”

  “That’ll never happen. I’ll be out of here in no time. You wait and see…law lady,” he sneered with a grin.

  Jessie clenched her jaw and stepped away before she drew her gun and put him out of his own misery like a downed horse.

  ***

  “Oh, good heavens!” Miss Mable gasped, seeing the blood-tinged sleeves of Jessie’s shirt when she walked inside the brothel.

  “Dios mío,” Lita whispered with her hands over her mouth. “Are you okay?” she asked, rushing to her.

  “I’m fine. It’s…it’s not mine,” Jessie mumbled, removing her hat. Lita looped her arm through Jessie’s and remained against her side.

  “Tobias?” Miss Mable said.

  Jessie nodded.

  “No,” Miss Mable cried. “He was a sweet man.” She wiped her watery eyes with a handkerchief and sat down in a nearby chair. “Did you know him?”

  “Unfortunately, tonight was my first time at Pearl Hall, other than to introduce myself when I first arrived. I’d only spoken to him that one time, but he seemed genuine.”

  “Oh, that he was, for sure.”

  “If you’ll excuse me, I think I’m going to call it a night.” Jessie smiled thinly and turned towards the staircase, with Lita still attached to her.

  “Marshal,” Miss Mable called when she was halfway up. “The mayor couldn’t have picked a better person to bring law and order back to this town. I, as I’m sure the rest of the town feels the same way, am thankful you came to Boone Creek.”

  Jessie nodded and continued up. “I don’t need assistance,” she said to Lita, when she reached her door.

  “I know. I wanted…” Lita paused.

  Before Jessie knew what was happening, Lita’s lips were on hers. It had been quite a while since she’d felt the sensation of another woman’s affections. Her body began to relax against Lita’s as the kiss deepened. Lita grabbed Jessie’s hand, placing it on her corset-covered breast.

  Jessie knew she could have this woman…all night, every night, if that was what she wanted, but it wasn’t what she wanted, at least not right now. Jessie broke the kiss and pulled away.

  “Perhaps another time,” Lita murmured, kissing her cheek.

  “Maybe,” Jessie said, before going into her room and closing the door.

  TEN

  The next day, Jessie sat in Mayor Montgomery’s office, staring out the window as he spoke.

  “You did everything you could last night, Jessie. No one could’ve saved Tobias, not even Doc Vernon,” he sighed. “It was a careless, unjustified action.”

  “It was murder,” she said, pulling her eyes to his. “Shamus Maguire knew exactly what he was doing, he just hit the wrong person. He had every intention of killing that show girl when she got away from him.”

  “I never said it wasn’t murder. I just meant it didn’t need to happen. There was no reason for it. No saloon fight, or gambling argument.”

  “He was after that show girl. Maybe he was going to hold her for ransom, or rape her. Who knows.”

  “Well, whatever his reason, it doesn’t matter. I sent the telegram to the justice this morning. I’ll let you know as soon as I have a trial date. You and Bert will have to take him by wagon transport to Red Rock. You’ll both be witnesses as well.”

  “I look forward to watching him hang.”

  “I’m glad you didn’t shoot him,” the mayor laughed.

  “Don’t think it didn’t cross my mind.”

  “Oh, I’m sure it did.” He grinned. “Tobias’s service will be tomorrow, just after sunrise,” he stated, changing the subject.

  “Bert and I will be there.”

  ***

  When Jessie left his office, she headed to the Fashionette to replace her coat with a new one.

  Ike already had a coat ready for her since he’d made an extra suit in her size to keep on hand.

  “I still can’t believe Tobias is gone,” he murmured while ringing up Jessie’s purchase in the register.

  “The funeral is tomorrow—”

  “Yeah, I know,” he said. “I’m sure the whole town will be there.”

  “Probably so.”

  “Did you hear the Bennett Sisters left on the first stage out of here this morning?”

  Jessie nodded, handing him a half eagle coin. “They moved their show over to Red Rock. They have to testify in the trial anyway, so it makes sense.”

  “Are you sure you don’t want a new shirt?” he asked. “I may have one that will fit you.”

  “No. I still have this one,” she replied, indicating the shirt she was wearing as she slipped the new coat on.

  “Check with Mrs. Fray at the General Trade. She may have something that will get the stains out of the sleeves on your other shirt.”

  “I’ll do that. Thanks, Ike.”

  Jessie stepped out of the store and felt the sunlight start to warm her back. She wasn’t sure she would be wearing the new coat much longer. Spring was nearly over, and the hot summer would be along soon.

  Walking past the theatre, which sat between the Fashionette and General Trade, Jessie saw the wooden sign attached to the double entrance door of Pearl Hall. It simply read: CLOSED. Her jaw tightened, thinking about what had transpired the night before. She blew out a deep sigh of frustration and continued her pace, stepping inside the open doorway of the General Trade.

  “Mrs. Fray…” she called, looking around for the woman.

  “I’m back here, and my name is Ellie,” she scolded, standing up behind the counter, where she had been putting stuff on one of the lower shelves. “Well, if it isn’t our town marshal.” She shook her head. “Does trouble always follow you, or is it you who goes looking for it?”

  “We seem to cross paths from time to time,” Jessie mumbled.

  “It sounds to me like you’re trying to get yourself killed…with the way you handled ‘High Card’ Jack, and now, you have the leader of the Dirty Boys Gang locked up.” She crossed her arms.

  “Why do you care?”

  “I don’t,” Ellie huffed as she moved out from behind the register to stock more shelves.

  Jessie read the back of the soap flakes container, then moved onto the shampoo bottle, looking for something that would remove the stains in her shirt. “Sounds to me like you do,” she muttered.

  “You’ve been in here twice in the two months that you’ve been in town. You know nothing about me.”

  “You seem to know about me,” Jessie replied.

  “The whole town knows about you!”

  “And that bothers you, Mrs. Fray?”

  “Of course not. Why would it? And stop calling me Mrs. Fray. I’ve told you, my name is Ellie.”

  “It’s customary to call a widow by her married name.”

  “For the first year, yes. My husband died fifteen months ago, right there on that very street, in fact. All because of the same cruel behavior that took Tobias’s life,” she said, grabbing the ladder and moving to a different shelf.

  “It seems to me that you of all people would want the town cleaned up.”

  “Tangling with those out
laws only makes it worse. They’ll be back, causing twice as much ruckus as they did the first time, and call it revenge. It never ends, Marshal Henry. Don’t you see that? They just don’t stop. Outlaws are nothing but scum. As far as I’m concerned, they all deserve to be in Boot Hill!”

  “It’s my job to stop them…no matter what it takes.”

  “And putting the town folks lives at risk to do it…that’s okay to you?”

  Jessie opened her mouth to reply, but Ellie lost her footing on the ladder, and fell off the last step, tumbling right into Jessie’s arms. Their eyes locked with their faces only a few inches apart.

  Ellie tried to pull away, but she was glued to the captivating green eyes staring back at her. Heavy footsteps on the sidewalk outside drew her attention. She backed away quickly, straightening her apron.

  Jessie left without making a purchase, while Ellie assisted her new customer.

  ***

  The following day, the town folk gathered in and around the church as the sun began to rise over the mountains. Pastor Noah read a couple of passages from the bible while standing at the pulpit. Then, he moved to the side, placing his hand on the wooden coffin.

  “Tobias Freemont was more than a simple man. He was candid. He was smart. At times, he was even funny. But, most of all, he was a dreamer. To him, those stage shows were everything. His whole life revolved around Pearl Hall. Some would call it fitting that he took his last breath on the very stage where he worked day and night, but I would say otherwise. In fact, if he were here right now, he’d say ‘Pastor Noah, I’m gonna die someday doing something I hate, like riding a horse, because there is no way God will interrupt me when I’m working.’”

  The congregation laughed, knowing that sounded a lot like the theatre manager.

  “Well, my brother, my friend, maybe God was ready for you to manage a show full of angels.” He stepped back to the pulpit. “Anyway, we’re here today to celebrate a life that was tragically cut short, but know this…God has a plan. He has one for each and every one of you. You may not like his plan, in fact you may completely disagree with it, but there’s nothing you can do about it. You are put here with one purpose, and one purpose only…to live life. Tobias Freemont lived his life. In fact, he lived it to the fullest every day, doing what he loved to do. So, don’t be sad because his life ended…you can be sad because you’ll miss him, of course…but be happy. He did exactly what he was put here to do.”

  Everyone bowed their heads as he said a final prayer, then they filed out of the small building as the pall-bearers walked to the front.

  Jessie stood outside during the service with several other people who either couldn’t find a seat, or like her, weren’t keen on religion.

  When they were ready, the pall-bearers lifted the coffin and began the slow walk down the center of Main Street, towards the cemetery. Town folk lined both sides of the path from the church, all the way to the graveyard entrance.

  Mayor Montgomery, Jessie, Bert, and Pastor Noah walked side by side behind the six men who carried the coffin. Tobias didn’t have any family, but he and Howard Johannes, the owner of Pearl Hall, and one of the pall-bearers in front of them, were very close. He’d been over in Red Rock the night of the shooting, trying to schedule more traveling shows to come to Boone Creek.

  Jessie held her head high with her eyes looking straight ahead as she maintained the slow, steady pace, hoping this was the last time she’d ever have to take this walk. As they passed by the General Trade, she couldn’t help scanning the crowd. Her breathing stilled when her eyes landed on Ellie, wearing a black dress suit with a matching bonnet on her head. Her cheeks were red and she held a handkerchief up, drying her tears as they fell.

  ELEVEN

  It had been a few days since Tobias was laid to rest. The town of Boone Creek had gone back to normal, despite the theatre still being closed. Howard didn’t have plans to reopen. In fact, he’d sent a telegram to several cities, claiming the business for sale. No one wanted to see him leave, but with Tobias gone and the tragedy that had unfolded on that stage, he simply had no reason to ever go back inside. Thus, giving him no reason to stay in town.

  “Have you heard anything from the mayor?” Bert asked, taking a seat beside Jessie, at the bar in the Rustler’s Den Saloon.

  “Still no word on the trial date. He says any day now,” she answered, sipping a cup of coffee.

  “I’m not sure how much more of Shamus’s mouth I can take. I’m liable to get a bottle of opium from Doc Vernon and put it in his food.”

  Jessie grinned. “He’s full of penniless threats. Don’t let him get to you.”

  “How come it’s not bothering you, what he’s saying?”

  “Honestly, I think about something else. It’s the only thing that keeps me from putting a hole clean through his forehead.”

  Bert grimaced at the visual. “You’re not worried any of it might be true?”

  “Do I look worried?”

  “No.”

  “Are you?”

  “No…yes. Maybe.”

  “Good. You can worry for the both of us, then.” She patted him on the shoulder and waved Elmer over. “If his friends show up, they show up. You can shoot a gun, now. Remember?”

  “Can I get you something, Deputy Bert?”

  “No, I’m good. Thank you.”

  “Hey, Elmer, do you ever get stains on your shirt sleeves?” Jessie asked.

  “Oh, I used to. Coffee, cigar ashes, red wine, you name it. They all stain.”

  “How did you get the stains out?”

  “I didn’t. I bought a new shirt every time, until I got a pair of these,” he said, pointing to the black sleeve covers he was wearing. “Have you checked the General Trade? Ms. Ellie might have something that will work.”

  “Yeah, she hates me,” she mumbled inaudibly. “I guess I’ll give it another try.”

  ***

  Ellie was finishing up with a customer when Jessie walked in. Their eyes met briefly before Ellie pulled away. “What can I help you with, Marshal?”

  “I’ve been told you might have what I’m looking for,” Jessie said, moseying over to the counter where Ellie was standing.

  “And what might that be?”

  “Stain-removing soap flakes.”

  Ellie raised a brow.

  “I have a shirt with stains on it. I’m trying to get them out.”

  “What kind of stains?”

  “Blood,” Jessie answered.

  “From the shooting,” Ellie murmured, mostly to herself. However, Jessie heard her and nodded. “I’m not sure what, if anything, would work on that.”

  “It was worth a shot. I guess I’ll toss it out and purchase a new one.”

  “Is this why you were in here the other day?”

  “Yes.”

  “I didn’t get to say thank you…for not letting me fall on my backside,” she said, fighting the smile that was trying to form on her mouth.

  The corner of Jessie’s mouth turned up in a half grin.

  “Good afternoon, Pastor Noah,” Ellie said, cheerfully greeting her newest patron.

  “Pastor,” Jessie obliged, tipping her hat.

  “Marshal,” he replied, doing the same. “I didn’t see you grace us with your presence inside the church at Mr. Freemont’s service. Deputy Bert and his lovely Molly, were on the second row, as they are every Sunday, so God obviously doesn’t have it out for lawmen and ladies.”

  “Oh, I’m sure he doesn’t, but I’m not interested in taking my chances,” she said.

  “Ms. Ellie here, goes as well. Although, she usually sits near the back.” He smiled.

  “Haven’t missed a service in nearly two years,” Ellie replied.

  “Well, then. I should probably get back to Bert. Our prisoner is keeping him on edge,” Jessie said, turning to leave.

  “Any word on when the trial will be?”

  “Not yet. Soon I ho
pe,” she said over her shoulder, just before walking outside.

  ***

  “Clocks ticking, Marshal,” Shamus said. From his cell, he had an impartial view of Jessie sitting at her desk.

  “Sure is,” she replied, sorting through the Wanted posters.

  “The mayor just got a telegram. Looks like we might have a trial date,” Bert exclaimed, rushing inside the small building.

  “How do you know that?”

  “I was just at the post. My cousin Grim sent me a telegram from San Francisco.”

  “What does that have to do with the mayor and the trial?”

  “A telegram came in for him from the territory justice in Red Rock, while I was there. I heard them send for him.”

  “Well, well, well. Looks like we’re taking a trip. Just the three of us,” Shamus sneered. “I wonder how far you’ll actually get. I know it won’t be anywhere near Red Rock.”

  “Shamus, Bert’s going to shoot you if you don’t be quiet. Then, nobody will be going anywhere, except you…to Boot Hill, where you belong. Now, shut up!” Jessie growled. “Keep an eye on that buffoon. I’ll be back in a bit,” she said to Bert.

  “Good news,” Mayor Montgomery stated, meeting Jessie in the street when she left the Marshal’s Office.

  “I heard. Do we have a date?”

  “Three weeks from today.”

  Jessie shook her head. “Three days would’ve been better.”

  “I agree, but at least it’s moving forward,” he said.

  Jessie noticed Ellie across the way, sweeping the daily street dust from her store’s floor, all the while, keeping an eye on them. When the mayor headed off towards his office, Jessie meandered the rest of the way over to the General Trade.

  “Marshal Henry,” Ellie greeted. “Twice in one day,” she added as she strolled from one side of the store to the other, making room for some new products she’d taken in trade. She was dressed in a black walking-skirt and paisley shirt with a white apron around her waist, similar to what she wore every day. But today her skirt seemed to flow around her ankles as she moved, almost like she was hovering just above the floor.