Her First Love

NINE

Nothing but forlorn faces were present as Nicole, and those working for Caleb sat at a table in the empty saloon. Caleb had already hung a sign on the door about the closing for the day, but Nicole wondered if they should be closed until the killer was found. With two girls from the saloon dead, that didn't make her feel any safer.

After the weeping had ended, there wasn't much said as everyone pondered over their memories. Nicole mainly thought about her cousin. They had shared so many times together when they were younger. Nicole wished they could have shared more time now that they were adults. Brenda was taken too soon. So was Patsy. Nicole wondered if the older of the girls had any family, and Nicole wished she could have gotten to know Patsy better.

Timothy sat beside Mary with his arm around her shoulders as she rested her head on his chest. It made Nicole's heart swell to know that even though the middle-aged man had a slightly deformed face, that everyone still treated him kindly. She had already made friends with the pianist, and he'd allowed her to play the piano a few times.

Nicole moved her gaze to the other two women. Amber and Teresa supported each other now, just as they always had. Nicole sat by Caleb, and it was all she could do not to cozy up against him. She wasn't sure what he wanted to do with their relationship, so she wouldn't tell anyone about her feelings for him until he said something first.

"Does the sheriff have any leads?" Amber asked as she wiped her teary eyes.

"None," Caleb answered. "All Sheriff Reed knows is that Brenda and Patsy were poisoned, and their blood drained from their bodies." Caleb sighed. "I hoped that we could share our thoughts, and maybe we'll come up with some suspects for the sheriff." He paused as his gaze moved around the table. "Let's start with Brenda. Do any of you know if she was doing something outside of the saloon, or if she had a secret beau?"

Amber, Teresa, and Mary exchanged worried glances, but immediately they dropped their attention to the table. Nicole held her breath. The girls knew something! So, why were they keeping quiet? Perhaps they weren't willing to open up with so many around. Nicole would have to talk with Mary in private.

After a few moments of silence, Caleb shook his head. "All right, then what about Patsy? Was she seeing a secret man outside of the saloon?"

Teresa shook her head. "Caleb, Patsy was seeing a lot of men."

"So was Brenda," Amber added quickly.

Grumbling, Caleb rubbed his forehead. "Well, there must be something that we're missing. Like... what happened before Patsy became sick yesterday? She seemed just fine while we were target practicing."

"I noticed her not feeling well after we danced." Mary leaned forward, resting her arms on the table. "I don't know why I couldn't see it then, but she was flushed, and her forehead was coated with moisture. I thought it was because of the dance."

"All right, so now we have to retrace her steps." Caleb folded his arms across his chest. "Can anyone recall what she'd been doing or who she'd been with?"

Teresa shrugged. "I know she disappeared for a half hour or so, but the floor wasn't busy. I just thought she was with... a man."

"But you don't know which man?" Caleb asked.

The other three girls shook their heads. Nicole didn't know enough people in town to recognize anyone. She closed her eyes and tried to remember. Weston had been trying to flirt with her most of the night, and she watched the floor – and the other women – quite a bit. Patsy was sweet on every man, it seemed. She never really stayed with just one.

The room grew quiet again, but suddenly, a different noise interrupted Nicole's thoughts. It sounded like chanting coming from outside.

She snapped her eyes open. The others at the table were looking at each other in confusion. Caleb turned his head toward one of the windows. A deep frown took over his expression.