Disclaimer: All the characters from the "Magnificent Seven" T.V. series are property of Trilogy Entertainment, The Mirisch Group, MGM Worldwide.
It was astonishing, how easily the walls of her domestic bliss had crumbled when the trouble started.
The town of Eagles Nest was not New Orleans or St Louis but Maude loved it none the less. Peter had grown up in Colfax County and she liked the idea of settling in his hometown because it gave their new family a sense of continuity when Ezra was born. As towns went, Eagles Nest was small but thriving. The collection of ranchers in the immediate area had given its life and the town relied heavily on that pastoral industry for its existence. Maude had never paid much attention to the politics of the community mostly because such matters often bored her and Peter was never quite around enough to worry much about it either. Since being a Marshall required him travelling across the Territory, what time he was at home was spent with his wife and later on child as well.
In retrospect, Maude realized just how much she had been deluding herself with such ignorance because so much had been happening and she had never once considered what ramifications that could have to her life. For the three years until Peter died, she had cloaked herself in a dream world, completely forgetting how fragile dreams could be and that there was always someone waiting in the shadows to take it away again. In the years that followed, Maude had never allowed herself to have dreams again, never allowed herself to feel because the open wound Peter left behind had never healed. She pushed her son away and turned him into a stranger without ever knowing what it was she was doing until it was too late, until she looked at him one day and saw a man bleeding because he had inherited her wounds.
It started as most things started, with one little incident that soon snowballed into more. A neighbor of theirs James Pennyworth owned a small store selling hardware and mercantile goods. It was a thriving business and one that he had worked very hard to build. Maude and the rest of Eagles Nest did a great deal of their shopping at the Pennyworth store and Mr. Pennyworth himself was a pleasant enough man and had endeared himself to the community as one of its most valued customers. It was of no surprise when Pennyworth enlisted in the aid of a lawyer Thomas Cotran in order to handle some of his business affairs because the store was prospering and the man chose to make investments in the booming enterprises that were being formed across the Territory.
Hiring a lawyer had been the smart thing to do, Pennyworth had thought. Unfortunately, hiring Thomas Cotran was not wise. Very soon, Pennyworth was faced with investments failing simultaneously, taking much of his fortune with him. Then when he was barely holding onto his store to provide for his family, Thomas Cotran produced a hefty bill for legal services with demands of immediate payment. Pennyworth balked at first but it soon came to pass that the demand was air tight and legal with no recourse but to capitulate to Cotran's demands. Faced with the prospect of a jail sentence for debts incurred, Pennyworth had little choice but to turn over his store and its holdings to Cotran in order to make the payments.
The town rallied around Pennyworth but there was an underlying feeling of uneasiness because Cotran had powerful friends and there was talk that he would soon be running for the US senator. The man who were aiding him in this endeavor began to make their presence felt and suddenly, Pennyworth found his supporters had dwindled because they feared sharing his fate. Pennyworth was a proud man and he was determined that justice was done. Going after Cotran, Maude watched the poor man gunned down in the streets by a Laurence Murphy and a young protege, she would not know until many years later was Benjamin Bosshard.
"It's awful, how does he get away with it?" Maude asked Peter across the supper table a few nights after Pennyworth had died. Peter had been tracking a bank robber across the Territory and had been gone long enough to miss the climax of Pennyworth's troubles with Cotran.
"Cotran has powerful friends," Peter pointed out, bouncing Ezra on his knee even though he was meant to be feeding the child. Unfortunately, what Maude was presenting to him now was nothing out of the ordinary. A lawyer swindling his clients out of their goods in order to make a grab for land or other such properties was becoming an all too regular an occurrence. "He's got the support of a lot of ranchers around this town."
"In the old days," Maude gave him a look of mischief, "I'd be able to get that money with a little slight of hand." She winked.
"Please don't joke about things like that," Peter chuckled, even though he knew that she would be more than capable of conning the pants off Cotran without any difficulty. However, Cotran's reaction following that would be extreme to say the least and Peter did not even want to imagine Maude placing herself in such danger. "He's a dangerous man and he knows it. Cotran is counting on his rancher friends putting him in the Senate. This land grab is his campaign fund because he doesn't want to be beholding to any of them once he makes it."
"You seem to know a great deal about Mr. Cotran's business," Maude responded, staring at her husband with some measure of concern because it appeared as if Peter knew a great deal more about Cotran than previously thought. She wondered what had brought the man to the Marshall's notice and whether or not engaging the lawyer was wise. Suddenly, she had a premonition that there was danger fraught with the Marshall's interest in Cotran. A fear seized her heart that he the consequence to himself could be grave. It had always been there. One could not love a lawman without feeling it but it was never as acute until now. "Are you planning on going after him?" She asked, unable to hide the anxiety from her voice.
"He's stealing the land from under these people," the Marshall said firmly, his paused knee causing a mutter of disapproval from Ezra who stared at his father in question, a small pout on his face. "Someone has to do something. I've been paying close attention to Cotran and his friends for some time now Maude."
"I see," Maude muttered, recalling the conversation they had not long ago about protecting herself and Ezra if anything happened to him. He had not wanted to elaborate then but now she had understood that he was not just talking about his job in general but the danger that could arise if he chose to pursue men like Cotran in a bid to bring them to justice. "If you say these men are powerful, you could be looking at a world of trouble Marshal. I don't want them to hurt you."
"Maude," he offered her a warm smile. "Its what I do."
"I know," she swallowed thickly, watching him with their son and feeling this sense of dread she could not define overcome her. Her instincts in such matters were very strong. They had to be for her to live the life she had prior to meeting him and Maude could not deny that there was something about this whole affair with Cotran that made her uneasy. She had not worried when it was merely a discussion with the marshal but now that she knew that he was actively seeking some way to bring them to justice, she felt tendrils of anxiety reaching up her spine because her senses warned that this would not end well. "But you have a family to worry about."
Maude never thought she would ever hear herself using such words to impose her will upon him but she was now afraid. Having seen Pennyworth gunned down in the street, with no one standing up to help him had been a sobering experience. She had never remained in a place long enough in the life she had led., to see injustices done. However, now that she lived in Eagles Nest and the Territory, which was known for its violence, Maude worried about the Marshal and the enemies he might make when combating the lawless elements within it.
"Maude," Peter reached across the table and took her hand in his, intertwining his fingers in between hers. "I love you and I won't take any unnecessary risks but this is what I am. I can't change myself."
"I did," she countered. "I became somebody else because I love you. I never questioned that it was wrong and against my nature, not when my heart was telling me it was right. I don't expect you to change as I did but I do expect you to remember that we need you, almost as bad as the town needs you. Alive, you can fight these people but dead, you're no good to anyone."
"I won't lie it can't happen," Peter said truthfully because he loved her too much to lie to her. "But Cotran's going to make a run for Senator and it scares me to death what a man like that can do in power. The ranchers are using him to become more and more powerful. I know what they're doing, they're protecting themselves by chasing away any homesteader that might take up land they could use for grazing. This is only the beginning. The West is opening up and more people are going to be coming here in the future. It may take years but it will happen. If someone does not stop these men here and now, then those people will arrive to find themselves besieged on all sides with no help in sight."
"You are disturbingly brave," Maude frowned. "I abhor it."
"No you don't," he grinned that dimpled smile that was capable of erasing any anger she had because of him. "You love me playing the odds. Its what you would do."
"Not at the expense of my own hide," she retorted. "I know when to get out when the odds are against me."
"I promise you," he said aware that all this was coming from her fears for his life. "I will not place myself in unnecessary danger for either of you," he winked at Ezra who was proceeding to eat mash potato with hands, before he turned back to Maude. "I'll be careful." With that he brought her hand to his lips and kissed it gently, sealing his reassurance with a more physical gesture.
"I'll hold you to that Marshal," Maude sighed, not at all confident despite his assurances. She knew the man she loved and he was too courageous to be bound by that promise. He would help no matter what the risk to himself and God help her, she adored him because of it.
With all the troubles Ezra was presently enduring, Julia made no mention of being blackmailed by Benjamin Bosshard. There was also the possibility that Ezra's reaction upon hearing such news might fuel an already incendiary situation and she knew that he was struggling to keep Maude from doing anything rash without having to worry about his own temper as well. However, the silence could not be maintained utterly. If she handed her Emporium over to Bosshard, Ezra would want to know why because he was perfectly aware that she loved the place and had always vowed never to part with it. To Julia, the Emporium was something precious and was treasured by its owner. While the description might be a little fanciful, it was not incorrect. The Emporium had allowed her to be the person she always wanted; someone who was more than her beauty. Giving it up was like surrendering a part of herself. However, she had no choice. The alternative was to let her father find her and that was something she could not endure for anything.
She hated her cowardice because even she knew that someday she would have to face her father. There was an inevitability about this which seemed incontrovertible the more time passed. Sometimes, she would wake up in the night, in the hours after Ezra had left her bed and feel its weight pressing against her. It would have been so simple if she could simply turn her nose at Bosshard's threats and dare him to do his worst but she could not. She was not ready for that yet. She wondered if she ever would be. For the moment at least, Ezra had enough reason to hate Bosshard without Julia exacerbating the situation with her news. His behavior was so unpredictable these days, she had no idea how he might react in light of everything he already knew about the man. Julia had no wish to be the match that ignited an already tenuous issue.
Thus, she had to make her decision to sell the Emporium appear genuine because anything less than an absolutely masterful performance would be looked upon with suspicion, not simply by Ezra but also by Maude. Both were experts in character study and unfortunately she was one of their favorite subjects. However, Julia knew that she could hide almost anything if she wished it. She had hidden her utter loathing from her father for so many years, this would be no different. She just wished it did not hurt so much in choosing what she had. It did not seem fair and though there was more than one occasion where she had almost faltered and told Ezra about the truth but the fears would always come back and consume her whole and her terror forced her to maintain her silence.
She made her first overtures at telling Ezra the truth, the next day when she declined to go to the Emporium that day, citing her refusal to go because she was weary of the place. In a way, it was not exactly a lie. She could not bear returning to the Emporium when she knew that she would have to give it up. As it was Julia had no idea how she would be able to stand living in Four Corners, once the place was sold to Bosshard. She did not think she could endure seeing her beloved Emporium in Bosshard's hands.
"Weary of it?" Ezra looked across the table at her in surprise. He had arrived that morning to take breakfast with Maude and Julia and was rather surprised to see the lady still in her robe. Usually by this time of the day, Julia was dressed and ready to leave for her day at the Emporium but on this occasion, he entered the house and found both Maude and Julia in their dressing gowns having the morning meal.
"Yes," Julia said breezily. "I do get tired of it sometimes Ezra. It's a great deal of work."
"I always had the impression you were a workaholic." Maude teased. "You always seemed so dedicated and if I might add, a real head for business."
"I prefer to have a body made for sin." She answered with a small laugh.
"A worthy ambition no doubt," Ezra replied, not at all finding this a joking manner because he knew how much she was dedicated to her business. "However, you've always seemed to love the challenge my dear."
"And the challenge has been conquered Ezra," Julia remarked, preparing herself a cup of tea with exaggerated care, anything to distract her from meeting his gaze because she was certain if he saw her eyes, he would guess the truth immediately. She was never able to hide anything from Ezra. Perhaps that was why she loved him so because he saw all of her, despite her pretexts. "I've made a success of the place. I turned it from a small little business into a lucrative trade. Now perhaps its time to look at a new challenge."
"A new challenge?" Ezra raised a brow at her, wishing he knew what was going on. Julia did not at all seem weary of the Emporium when he saw her yesterday. In fact, he had distinctly recall hearing her prattle on for a few seconds about some calico that she was buying for Vesta City. She had been filled with excitement and there was that glimmer in her eye that was always present when she was talking about the Emporium. He could not believe what he was hearing from her now nor could he for the life of him imagine why she would be saying it. "Julia, the Emporium is not some bauble you can toss away when it no longer suits your fancy. It is a vital part of this town's commercial future."
"Ezra," Julia sighed, wishing he would just let the subject drop. Did he not know that this was killing her? "I have no intention of simply shutting down shop. You are right of course. The Pemberton Emporium means too much to the people of Four Corners to simply close, I would naturally find someone who would buy it at a vastly inflated price. After all, the point of business is to make money is it not Maude?"
"Of course my dear," Maude agreed but Ezra could see in his mother's eyes that Maude was just as perplexed by Julia's decision as he. She had known Julia long enough now to know that the young woman loved her little business and she was not the flighty sort whose preoccupations were fleeting. It took work to build the Pemberton Emporium into what it was as well as a streak of iron, Maude could not believe that kind of resolve would be flawed with such dilettante thinking. "However, it is an extremely profitable business to be selling even at an inflated price."
"Well I have investments elsewhere," Julia responded keeping her gaze fixed on a rose but embroidered on the tablecloth. "I am sure I could make up the difference. Besides, the price I would get for the Emporium would give me working capital to try something new, perhaps a hotel or a gambling house? Casinos if managed on a large scale could be a veritable gold mine. Would you not like that Ezra?" She smiled. The three of us can be partners."
"An intriguing idea," Ezra muttered, lying through his teeth. "Perhaps one that should be given some thought after you have considered all the facts regarding the sale of the Emporium."
"I've made up my mind." Julia said firmly, surprising them both. "I intend to sell."
"You have made up your mind?" Ezra stared at her. "Julia, we have only began to discuss this subject. How can you arbitrarily make such a decision?"
Julia rose to her feet, feeling her anger at the unfairness of this whole situation get the better of her. "I can Ezra because the Emporium is mine. I do not need to consult you on what I choose to do with it. You are not my husband yet." With that, she swept away from the table and left him and Maude staring after her in shock.
Ezra blinked, not because of her words but because she had never spoken to him in such a cutting manner before her. However, it was not just her manner that troubled him so was the fact that there was something hidden behind all that anger and exaggerated sense of outrage at his presumption. Was she hiding something from him? What? They had never kept secrets from each other even though Julia was by nature a creature accustomed to deception. Her whole life was a façade of appearing the good and dutiful daughter while only in the shadows was she whom she had dared to be. Ezra and Julia had endured each other's worst and yet there was never an occasion where they had not been able to tell each other the truth even if it was difficult sometimes and there were things that could not be spoken on. Through those moments, they provided each other moral support and particularly of late, Ezra had realized how important that could be.
"There's something wrong." Amazingly this statement did not escape his lips in a moment of distraction but came instead from Maude.
"I think that it is a distinct possibility," Ezra readily agreed.
"She loves that Emporium." Maude stated. "I could never imagine that she would consider selling it."
"Neither did I." Ezra confessed. "She has always claimed it would never change."
"People do change," Maude pointed out although she tended to agree with Ezra's initial assessment that Julia adored the place too much to give it up.
"Not that much," Ezra said shortly. "Excuse me mother, this bears investigation." He rose to his feet from the table.
"Ezra," Maude quickly spoke up. "Perhaps you ought to give her some time on this. She did seem rather upset."
Ezra did not deny that but something about her words particularly stung; the remark that she was not his wife yet. Was she alluding to the fact that most their friends were now married and they were not? Before his experiences with Julius, they had actually agreed to set a date for their wedding. Now Ezra could not even think of that day without feeling cold tendrils of sweat running down his back. He kept wondered what would happen on the wedding night when Julia touched him and he discovered the sensation had not been as pleasant as those first few minutes with Julius when he had been confused and disorientated. The possibility of that happening frightened Ezra so much that he could not even entertain the notion of marriage until he was certain what the outcome would be.
Unfortunately, it was also unfair to place such limitations on Julia whom up till now had been completely supportive in all things. It was Julia and his friends who had helped him through the aftermath of Julius's attack and while the six men he rode with had no expectations of him, the same could not be said for Julia whose relationship had a different dynamic altogether. He wondered if her behavior this morning had to do with being unable to cope with his detachment. Knowing that she might have reservations about their relationship suddenly brought to home just how much he could lose if he did not convince her that he cared, that there was some future for them. He prayed that her decision to sell the Emporium did not have deeper reasons, which saw its root in their unsteady relations at moment.
Ezra left the table and went to Julia's bedroom. He was not surprised when he found the door locked. It would be a simple matter to turn away and deal with this later but he could not stand her being hurt for any reason, particularly if he was the cause. If he had done this to her, if he had made her want to sell the Emporium, perhaps as a prelude to leaving Four Corners forever, Ezra would know what he had done to make her feel this way and rectify it. Losing her was not an option. When he had first emerged from Julius' attack, Ezra had thought that driving her away would be the most merciful thing for the both of them but then he realized that if he gave up Julia, he would be making the single worst mistake of his life. He loved her. Through all the heartache and anguish that had been engendered because of Hannibal Julius, that was one thing he could be certain of without doubt or hesitation.
"Julia," Ezra said after a moment. "Please let me."
"Go away," Julia snapped through the barrier. "I'm tired of talking."
Ezra rolled his eyes. "Julia, this is foolishness. I thought we could discuss this like adults."
"I have nothing to say, I don't want the Emporium any more and that is my decision, not yours!" She returned sharply.
"Agreed," Ezra nodded. "I am sorry I was not more supportive of your decision. I was just under the mistaken impression that you would never part with the Emporium. I always believed that you adored the establishment."
There was a slight pause and Ezra wondered if he had convinced her that his intention earlier, was not to impose his will upon her but rather an expression of genuine puzzlement at her decision. He really hoped that such was the case.
"Not anymore," she answered after a moment and there was something about her voice that immediately told Ezra that she was lying.
"Julia? Are you crying?" He asked because that was certainly what it sounded like.
"No!" She protested but he knew that it was a lie, as her answer had been. "I am not."
"Open this door." He demanded no longer wanting to carry on this conversation through a locked door. He could not bear the sound of her tears and worse yet, knowing that he is the cause of it. "Please."
Thorough the smooth polish of the door, he could hear her sucking in her breath before she twisted the doorknob open and faced him again. Although she was no longer crying, her eyes showed every evidence of it. She was clearly distressed despite her best efforts not to show it to him and Ezra deduced that whatever was worrying her was serious indeed.
"Julia what is it?" He asked her quietly, unwilling to pass the threshold of her doorway until she told him.
"I just need a change," she confessed, rebuking herself for being so weak. Why couldn't she hide how she felt about her agonizing decision? There was a time when she could disguise anything? Had the years in Four Corners made her that soft?
"I understand," he responded warmly but something about her manner still felt wrong. "However, you are not prone to being so emotional without good cause."
"How do you anything about me lately?" She answered almost on reflex. She was not angry but the words had slipped out on first impulse.
"What does that mean exactly?" He stared at her hard, feeling a little defensive that he might have ignored her needs during his own troubles.
"Nothing," she turned away wearily. "It is nothing."
"You brought it up." He pointed out, not wishing to let it go at that.
"I am putting it down again," Julia declared hotly, moving deeper into the room and prompting Ezra to follow if he wanted any answers. She placed herself at her dressing table and began brushing her hair, trying not to look at his reflection in the mirror as she did so.
"Julia," Ezra walked to her. "Something is troubling you a great deal. Beneath all this venom is the reason for it. Please tell me the truth. What is it? We have faced much worse you and I and it has never fractured us the way we at this moment. I do not wish for us to start experiencing such difficulties."
Julia softened and met his gaze. "You're right," she tried to smile but did not manage it. "I just wish things were different between us. I wish I could touch you without you flinching. I hate Julius for what he did to you because of that, because making love to me is now something that is an effort for you rather than a pleasure."
"It will not always be that way," he tried to convince her, knowing that he could offer her nothing more substantial than that and it frightened him because it was not enough. She might leave him on that basis alone and who could blame her? He placed his hand on her cheek and saw her lean into his palm as if it were something she had not felt against her skin for too long. She closed her eyes and continued to caress her cheek against his hand as she savored the sensation.
Julia opened her eyes after a moment and saw Ezra staring at her with hunger in his eyes. He pulled her to her feet roughly, hands on her shoulders as he pressed his mouth against hers. For a few seconds, what they argued about was so far away, it barely registered in either of their minds as their tongues dueled in heat, his hands running through the tousled luxury of red hair. It felt so good to touch him again, to feel the faint musk of his skin within her lungs, to feel his hard body pressed against him. She had forgotten just how much she enjoyed making love to this man and how their passion has incendiary enough to lit the sheet when they came together.
Ezra reveled in the taste of her, telling himself that it was too long. He needed her so much. He could smell her perfume and tried to recall the last time he had scented it so close. His mind began drifting back to the memory and suddenly, without even realizing it, he was winding down a path of memory he had no business witnessing. With shocking clarity, it came upon him the exact moment he had last been in a situation like this. It was not with Julia or even in this house, it had been with Julius. Julia's perfume had tricked him into believing that he was with her, instead of Hannibal. The unfolding truth came just before he felt Julius first agonizing trust into her body.
"I can't!" Ezra gasped, pulling her away from him and disentangling himself away from her as if he were scaled.
Julia did not resist at all. It was a scene she had endured too many times during the last two months to be surprised by it. Her disappointment and frustration surfaced for but a second as she felt herself descending from the heights they had been starting to reach. She wiped her lips and straightened her robe, trying not to appear as scalded as she felt. "It's alright," she whispered softly, feeling the tears threatening to come again but this time, she forced them away because she would not hurt him by allowing him to see them. She could endure anything for him. "When you are ready I will be here."
"I am sorry," Ezra's face contorted into despair, mortified by his inability to be a man to her as well as bleeding for the pain he had caused her, the pain he could see reflected in her eyes. Ezra looked at her helplessly and whispered, knowing his words were meaningless. "I wish it were different."
"I know you do," she sighed, reminded now that she was truly in this situation alone. He was not ready to be burden with her difficulties, not when he was so far from recovery. "Believe me that helps."
And yet even as the words came from her lips, Ezra knew that she was lying to him. That there was more but after this, he did not feel as if he had any right to ask.
Mary Travis had a dozen things to do today and as she ran off the list in her head, she wondered what madness made her juggle so many things at once in her life without going absolutely insane. She was wife, mother, newspaper editor and sometimes, community leader and the moment, it appeared as she stared at the long list of groceries she required for the house, shopper too. She supposed she could send Chris on this errand but men had no sense of logic when they went shopping, having recalled what he did the last time she sent him to do this particular chore. It was not easy explaining to a man that just because creamed corn was on sale at 2 cents a can, it was no reason to buy ten of them, especially when no one in the house ate it.
What was to be done with the man? Nothing that could be spoken about in polite company, Mary thought with a devilish smile that no one who came upon her would understand.
Mary walked towards the Potter store when she saw Gloria stepped out of the premises and locking the main doors behind her. Once she had done so, she began to paste a sign on the door, a sign that elicited a gasp of shock by those who had been about to patronise the sore. Gloria did not seem to be listening despite the astonishment engendered by her customers and instead hurried down the steps, to put as much distance between herself and the Potters Good Store as possible. Mary stared after her briefly before hurrying up to the doors to read the sign that had given the rest of the townsfolk such a shock. Pushing past the others who were buzzing with question after reading for themselves the content of the sign, Mary rested her gaze on the scribbled words written.
"Selling the store!" Mary exclaimed, suddenly empathizing with the shock felt by the others.
If there was one thing Mary could be certain of it was Gloria Potter's dedication to remaining in town and more importantly keeping her husband store alive. Mary hurried away from the group and saw Gloria departing not far away. The newspaperwoman hastened her pace and caught up with Gloria no time. Both women had been friends for as long as they had lived in Four Corners. Mary and Gloria had always shared a kinship because they were both alone with children to care for, attempting to make their own way in the world after the premature end for both their husbands.
"Gloria!" Mary called out.
Gloria paused and winced inwardly, not wishing to talk to Mary of all people. If there was anyone who would not understand the choice that she had made, it was Mary. Mary was privy to her hopes and dreams in the wake of her husband's death. However, Gloria would have to convince Mary of her earnest desire to sell the store or she would never get Robbie back. Mary's word carried great weight with her husband Chris Larabee. If Mary could not be convinced then it would enflame Chris' suspicions even more. Already the gunslinger was certain that there was something taking place between her and Bosshard. While this would more or less convince him there was; she still had to show Chris that her reason to sell was her own desire not because Bosshard had forced her to do so. Any suspicion she brought upon him would result in Robbie's death so Gloria would reveal nothing to her friend.
"Mary," she regarded the newspaperwoman.
"Is it true?" Mary asked out of breath, unable to imagine that Gloria could be embarking on such a course. It seemed almost unbelievable.
"What?" Gloria asked indifferently.
Mary could not believe she would feign ignorance ."Gloria, is it true you're selling the store?" She demanded.
"Yes," Gloria nodded, almost detached in her response. "Why?"
"Why?" Mary shook her head unable to believe the lack of emotion in the woman's voice as she spoke about something that had meant so much to her. "I thought you would never sell. You said you'd never do that. I can't believe that you would!"
"I have children to take care of Mary," Gloria met her gaze sharply. "I was offered me a fair price. In fact it's not just a fair price, it's a handsome one and I would be a fool to simply ignore it. With the money he offered me I can take the children back East and set us up. I won't have to live with all this constant danger."
Mary could not accept it. She knew Gloria all too well. The lady had considered Four Corners her home for too long to suddenly make an about face. "You said this was your home, the home you and your husband were going to build. You said nothing would ever drive you away from it because his death gave you the right to stay!"
"Things change!" Gloria snapped, not wishing to discuss this. "I do not wish to remain in town any longer. I am sick of the killing and the danger we seemed to get here all the time because of those seven men!"
Mary's jaw dropped open in shock, unable to believe that Gloria could say such a thing. "How dare you?" Mary glared at her in a low voice. "How dare you say that those men are responsible for the death that's been in this town when you know that it isn't true! They stood up for your husband when no one else would! When the rest of the town was willing to let his killers go free, those men saw to it that justice was done even before they were paid a dollar a day!"
"I'm sorry," Gloria recanted, knowing that her words were spoken in anger and that Mary was right. The seven had not been responsible for the violence and since their arrival in town, things had only become better for Four Corners. "I did not mean it that way. I am just tired of this life Mary, I need to go."
"I don't understand," Mary whispered "This isn't you Gloria."
"Yes it is," Gloria turned away and started walking. "You just haven't noticed."
Mary did not know what to say, feeling a little guilty because she had been so caught up with things taking place in her life she could not honestly say things were harder for Gloria or not. Inwardly, she had felt ashamed by her lack of notice. "Gloria," Mary called out.
Gloria paused. "Yes Mary?" The older woman looked back, resignation in her face.
"If it is the right thing for you, I wish you all the best." Mary said warmly, trying to smoothen their argument by offering her belated support.
"Thank you," Gloria whispered softly. "I appreciate it."
"So you sold the store," Mary sighed. "Who bought it?"
"Benjamin Bosshard." Gloria answered, hoping her response would not engender the response she feared it would.
Unfortunately, it was not to be.
"Benjamin Bosshard?" Mary stared at her aghast. For a moment, it was beyond registering that Gloria could sell to someone like Bosshard, whose infamous reputation was well known and in particular after what had surfaced in the last few days regarding his involvement in the death of Ezra's Standish' father. Mary was well aware of Bosshard's activities in even greater detail than most. As a journalist she had been unable to ignore the goings on in Colfax and Lincoln County where nothing less than a range war of sorts had been declared between the homesteaders and the ranchers. With gun battle and colorful characters like Billy the Kid, Clay Allison, Mariano Leiba of Bernalillo, and Vincente Silva playing active part in the drama, the only thing more unbelievable than the lawlessness was the casualty rate.
It took a presidential order to remove Governor Axtel to restore some semblance of order but the Sante Fe Ring that had instigated all the violence had no disbanded. Thomas Cotran was still in power and pulling the strings behind men like Senator Elkins and Laurence Murphy. Bosshard was a known associate of Murphy and like Chris, Mary worried that the present governor's desire to stamp out the corruption in Lincoln and Colfax had instigated Bosshard's interest in Four Corners. It was now an interest that had now developed into a foothold with Bosshard's acquisition of the Potter Goods Store.
"Gloria, how could you?" Mary asked, when she finally composed herself to speak. "How could you sell to a man like that? How could you give him a way into our community?"
"He offered me a good price!" Gloria snapped, about to burst into tears but knew she could not show weakness because Mary would use it to get the truth from her and Gloria could not allow that. Her son lived because she had agreed to play Bosshard's game. She dared not defy him when Robbie's life hung in the balance of her actions. She could not. "I had to take it!"
"You put your own petty need for money above the town's safety?" Mary retorted. "Don't you know what he is? Don't you know what he could do now that he has a way in?"
"I don't have to explain myself to you!" Gloria fairly shouted. "I did what I have to do! Now leave me alone!"
With that, she spun on her heels and stormed away from Mary, leaving the newspaperwoman immediately regretting her harsh words and determined to find out the truth because she knew Gloria's explanation was not it.
Benjamin Bosshard was very pleased at himself. He studied the signature on the papers in his hand and took some satisfaction in the scent of fresh ink that was still seeping into the fiber. As he sat at the breakfast table, the sunshine poured through the windows caught the slick moisture of the ink, causing it to gleam slightly in the light. Bosshard took pleasure in following the curve of ink that formed Gloria Potter's signature, enjoying it very much when the woman had arrived earlier this morning to sell him her store. He particularly liked her begging for the release of her son and her reaction to his response that the boy would be kept in his power for just a little while longer, giving her an added incentive to keep her mouth shut about the sale. In a small town like this where everyone knew each other's business, the sale of the Potter store would undoubtedly be a shock and Bosshard did not wish to have Gloria complicating matters when he had yet to finish his dealings in town, by speaking out of turn.
With the Potter Store securely in his possession, Bosshard could not turn his attention to the acquisition of the Pemberton Emporium, surely the rosiest plum in the pickings at Four Corners. He had no doubt that the lovely owner of the establishment would deny him the Emporium, especially after seeing the fear in her eyes at the possibility of her whereabouts being known to her father. Of course, the more Bosshard pondered the situation, the more attractive the notion of taking more than just the Emporium became to him. She was indeed one of the loveliest women he had ever laid his eyes upon and she was spirited. Spirited women were always of great interest to him, particularly when he had the means to break them. Julia would do just about anything to keep her father from intruding on the happy life she had built here. It was dangerous to entertain any thoughts about her but Bosshard could not help wonder if the gambler with whom she was so closely affiliated, had any idea who she was.
How far would she go to protect that secret? Once the Emporium was sold, Bosshard intended on finding out.
He was entertaining himself with this delicious possibility when Spenser entered the room. His associate had been out seeking information about Maude Standish, the woman who attempted to murder him in the saloon two nights ago. As he thought about the lady, his arm instinctively twitched and he felt a flare of anger at her attempt to kill him. She had failed and the only reason he had allowed Marks and Spenser to kill her where she stood was the fact that she was mother to one of the seven lawmen in Four Corners. Bosshard was already treading a fine line with their leader Chris Larabee, who was a sharp intellect that recognised danger when it came riding into town, even when the man was uncertain of what shape it was.
"What have you found?" Bosshard looked up at the man as he approached the table and took the seat next to his employer.
"Quite a bit," Spenser answered as he started to pour himself some coffee. "I had to send a few telegrams and grease a few palms to get what we needed but I have a rather complete history of the woman."
"I am waiting with abated breath," Bosshard returned sourly, showing his impatience in the glare he sent in Spenser's direction.
"Well her name is Maude Standish and she hails from one of those rich southern families that went penniless after the war. Apparently, they disowned her years before that and she's had an interesting career as a con artist and a gambler."
"An intriguing woman. However, she claims that I have murdered her husband. Any information on that?" Bosshard asked and raised his cup to drink."
"Yes," Spenser nodded automatically. "According to this, she was married to some marshal, he apparently died in the town of Eagles Nest about three years after, leaving her with a son."
Bosshard looked up sharply at Spenser. "Are you telling me that Maude Standish is Marshall Peter Reeves' wife?" He demanded.
Spenser did not expect that kind of a reaction and immediately checked the information he had received. "Yeah," he nodded slowly once it was confirmed. "She was married to Marshall Peter Reeves, you know him?"
"I killed him." Bosshard said venomously. "In the town of Eagles Nest about thirty years ago. He was a self-righteous son of a bitch who was getting into Cotran's business. Tried to charge Cotran with fraud and arrest Murphy and me for murder."
"I'm guessing you got him first." Spenser responded, aware that there could only be one response to a man like that, swift and decisive action. Spenser knew Thomas Cotran enough to know that the lawyer would not have tolerated any challenge to his rising star. Cotran had wanted public office and would have eradicated any threat to that dream with extreme prejudice.
"Yeah we got him but not at first," Bosshard whispered, his mind tumbling into memories of the Marshall, a man he had especially hated because of Reeve's bold defiance. He had swore to Reeves as the man's blood spilled into the ground before him, that he would find his wife and child and kill them. He had sent Reeves into hell knowing that. Unfortunately, Reeves was not a fool and however he managed to smuggle his family out of Eagles Nest, he did so without leaving any trail. For years after that, Bosshard had searched for the widow and the brat, determined to splatter their brains across Reeve's tombstone. However that desire had never came into fruition and after almost five years of searching, Bosshard gave up, deciding that fate would one day act in his favor and bring them to him.
Like it had now.
"I guess I didn't know what I was dealing with," Bosshard sighed in understanding. "Reeves married himself a con artist who is very good at hiding. That explains why we never found the bitch and her brat. All this time I was looking for a poor widow and her child when I ought to be looking in gambling houses and casinos. I promised Reeves I was going to spill their blood on his grave. I do not intend to break my promises, especially now when Mrs. Reeves had delivered herself so conveniently into my hands."
"Back then, it couldn't have been easy to kill a US Marshall," Spenser pointed out, wishing to hear more about this than Bosshard was volunteering.
"It wasn't," Bosshard agreed. "We didn't wan to do it, at least not without good reason but he was a smart bastard who couldn't keep his mouth shut. Paying him off didn't work. Damn near shot me for even making the offer and called me Murphy's lapdog. I wasn't letting him get away with that but Murphy and Cotran wanted to let things settle down but they didn't know what they was dealing with, I did. I knew Reeves wouldn't just let things go. He was one of those lawmen that really believed that tin star can save him from anything. He went about Eagles Nest raising all kinds of hell with the people in town, making them unafraid to stand up to us. When that happened, Cotran didn't have a choice, we had to kill. He thought he was untouchable, I showed him how wrong he was. I killed him and there was not a person in that town who would raise a finger to help. After that I disappeared out of town for awhile, Cotran said that it was a good idea I made myself scarce. That was fine with me, I wanted to find Reeves' family but by then she had disappeared and like I said she was very good at hiding."
"I don't know whether we ought to make a move against her yet." Spenser pointed out. "Her son is a lawman in this town and if we go after him, Larabee will come down on us like an ill wind."
"I know," Bosshard agreed with that warning and turned to Spenser with a vicious gleam in his eyes. "So I do the next best thing for the moment. If I can't have Reeve's son or his wife, then I'll satisfy myself with the boy's woman. With what I know about her, she won't have any choice in the matter but let me take her."