The Devil's Backbone

Chapter 19: Gutted Like a Pig

        Doc wasn't one to take any bullshit from anyone. He'd been playing cards with a local bully named Ed Bailey... It was earlier in the day. Violet didn't remember some of it considering she'd had more than a few drinks herself at that point. Ed was shorter with dark hair and eyes even darker. He never had a nice thing to say, that's what Violet had surmised from the man from her time in the saloon. He had a short temper and an almost permanent frown on his face.

        "That's $500, Holliday. Are you in or out?" Asked Ed. Doc was playing with a silver coin in his right hand and looking rather stoically at his cards in his left. He coughed. To anyone other than Violet it sounded like he was merely clearing his throat, which he did a lot.

        "Five hundred... Must be a peach of a hand." Doc said, looking up at Ed. He smirked a bit at the men sitting across from him, just a slight uplift of the corners of his lips. The mischief shone in his eyes more than anything.

        Violet had the feeling that something was going to go awry that day. Ed had been getting increasingly rowdy and pugnacious, especially toward Doc. Yes, she didn't imagine they were going to stay in town much longer. She'd had the hotel boy pack their bags and had horses ready for the getaway she had the feeling they were going to need to make. She grabbed a bottle of whisky from the bar and sat down on Doc's lap, pouring him another glass.

        "Thank you darlin. Violet! You're not wearing a bustle. How lewd." She smirked salaciously as she felt his hot breath on her neck. Indeed she wasn't wearing a bustle. She'd never been one for them but... there was a method behind it this time.

        "Come on Holliday, you in or out, goddammit?" Ed asked with an annoyed look on his face. Violet got back up, giving Doc a light peck on the cheek before returning back to the bar. She gave the saloon owner a pleasant smile. She knew that he'd be the first to draw his gun on Doc seeing as well... Doc didn't have a very good track record considering how many people he'd killed in the past.

        "Why, Ed Bailey, you look like you're just about ready to burst," Doc said as he took a drink.

        "Come on! Come on, show!" Ed shouted. Doc coughed again. He didn't look at all shook up about Ed's growing irritation. It seemed Doc always had a few tricks up his sleeve along with the perfect poker face to keep it all hidden.

        "Well... I suppose I'm deranged, but I... guess I'll just have to call. Cover your ears darlin'." Doc said, sitting that silver coin he'd been playing with back in the pot. One by one the men lay down their cards. And as usual, Doc had an excellent hand. Violet knew he cheated and honestly it worried her but she thought it was rather funny to see the faces of the men who constantly lost to the card shark dressed in silk.

        "Why you son of a bitch!" Ed said, looking at Doc's hand in disbelief. Ed stood up violently, his chair flying backward. Everyone in the saloon stopped what they were doing to watch the altercation.

        "Damn, Bailey, just settle down!" Said the other man at the table. He was an old man who hadn't said anything the whole time he'd been there.

        "Shut up! Take your money and get out, cause I'm tired of listenin' to your mouth." Ed spat, staring at Doc with a murderous intent in his eyes.

        "Why, Ed Bailey, are we cross?" Doc said, leaning back in his chair and motioning to his gun.

        "Them guns don't scare me. Without them guns you ain't nothin' but a skinny lunger."

        "Ed, what an ugly thing to say. I abhor ugliness. Does this mean we're not friends anymore? You know, Ed, if I thought you weren't my friend, I just don't think I could bear it." Ed spat on the ground and glared at Doc. He seemed to be toying with him. Violet laughed quietly to herself. Oh she loved Doc's whit.

        Ed reached for his gun but Doc beat him to it, drawing both of them faster than lightning. He cocked the hammers. Ed nodded and let his hand fall to his side. Doc twirled his guns around and set them in the pot, patting them.

        "There. Now we can be friends again." Doc said, leaning back in his chair once more.

        Ed lunged for Doc in an attempt to stab him but once again, Doc beat him to it, slicing him open. Doc laid Ed down on the table, holding the knife to him.

        John Shanssey reached for his gun, but not before Violet had one of her pistols pointed at the saloon owner's head.

        "Touch that gun, I'll burn you down." She said with a little smirk playing on her lips. Shanssey froze and backed away. Meanwhile, Ed and Doc were still fighting. Everyone in the saloon was watching the spectacle with interest. Saloon fights seemed to be one of the only means of entertainment in that town.

        Violet quickly grabbed up a bag and began sweeping the entirety of the pot into it as Doc finished with Ed. He straightened up his waistcoat and headed over to his wife.

        "I calculate that's the end of this town." He said in his Southern drawl.

        "I had a boy at the hotel pack us up. The horse is outside." Violet replied, finishing sweeping all the money and chips into the bag.

        "So that's why you're not wearin' a bustle." Doc smirked at her, earning a little laugh from Violet.

        "My sweet, soft, Southern devil." He smirked as he followed her out of the saloon, finishing up his drink and tossing the cup in the bag. He grabbed up the money from the table by the door.

        "Well... Good evenin' then." Doc took another drag from his cigarette as they left the saloon, leaving shocked spectators in their wake. It didn't seem they got robbed every day.

        As they headed to the horse, Doc pulled her to him by the arm.

        "Let's not bother about the luggage." He pulled her in for a fiery kiss. It only lasted a second or two before they broke away, leaving Violet wanting for more. But she knew they had to go. Doc helped her onto the horse and they were off. Where, Violet didn't know... It was exhilarating in a way but... it had to stop. It wasn't good for Doc. He was getting sicker and she could see it. They needed to settle down for longer than a few weeks so that Doc could get some rest. But where...