Busted Gulch vol 10

Just Doin' My Job - Ruechari

Just Doin' My Job

Myna had fainted. The Mayor had caught her. The music had stopped. "Lorne up here," his sister had called. I cleared a path so that he could reach the stage.

"AJ, please find Doc," Loren said. I help Lorne lift Myna to safety. AJ left without a second to lose. "Come backstage. It will be quieter and fewer people."

The Mayor looked at his wife, his face full of concern. "Please my Rose, wake up."

Myna did not stir. Doc having just sung his set with the quartet was not far and AJ returned, with Doc, his black bag in hand.

"She just fainted," Lorne said. "I can't seem to revive her."

"No worries, Lorne. Fainting is a common ailment in her condition." He pulled from his bag some smelling salts and waved it under her nose. Myna eyes opened with a start.

"Gracious me! What happened?"

"You fainted, my love. You gave me quite a scare."

"Must have been all the excitement," Doc offered.

"Well, that and in my rush to get ready, I failed to eat."

Both men looked at her with shock. "What?!" they said in unison.

"Myna, you own the Café, poor eating is the last thing you should suffer from," admonished Doc.

Helping her to her feet, Lorne asked, his face still full of concern. "Are you well enough to return to the table? I'll order us some food. But I think it's best we make this an early evening."

"Yes," she told him taking his hand and letting him lead the way. "Once you feel stable let me know and I'll get Rosetta to hitch up the wagon. I don't think we should chance riding back to the ranch. It's too long a journey."

"I'm sorry to worry you, Lorne," Myna said. "I'm sure a little food and I'll be a right as rain."

"You gave me quite a fright. But it's over now." Though he said the words it was evident the Mayor still had his worries.

Loren hugged AJ. "Thank you for bringing the Doc back so quickly." AJ gave her a quick kiss. "You know how I feel about Myna. How could I do otherwise? Now you have to get back out there and sing."

Loren giggled. "Alright but not before this." She gave him a more proper kiss, smiled and ran back to the stage, to sing another song. AJ was left backstage grinning.

Once again I'd seen Talulah whispering to another one of her girls. Something was up, but what? I'd heard rumors that it was Talulah's girls that helped Teddy get away. I followed the girl back into the room. I'd seen her cozy up to one of the High Rollers who must have recently lost in Rue's game of Fish. The man laughed and she put her arms around him. He gave her a kiss and I watched as his wallet was lifted.

No sooner was it in the girl's hand that another woman skirted by and the wallet was gone. Clever girls. One does the deed the other takes the evidence. I started to approach when I heard a collective gasp.

There was Bart Denver with Annie in his arms. He refused to relinquish her until he deposited her at Barton's table. At first, I felt alarmed that she was hurt in some way but then I'd seen the look on her face, they way Bart had kissed her hand, she looked almost dare I say, "lovesick."

The women greeted her with smiles all around. My coat was quickly swapped for a shawl and I watched it slip to the ground. I walk away and up to Annie, "Are you injured? Or perhaps not well?"

She beamed up at, "Me? I'm fine. Never better why?"

"Well, that man just carried over to this table."

"Well, "that man" is Bart Denver. I got my dress caught and nearly took a tumble. Bart helped me out is all."

"I see. Nice shawl." I picked my coat and shrugged back into it. "Looks like some things get easily discarded." Just then I'd seen the girl who took the wallet, I tip my hat, "If you fine ladies will excuse me?"

Annie had looked a bit guilty but it was short-lived, with a flick of her hair I was dismissed. "You're excused."

As I walked away I took the paper heart from my pocket and let it fall to the floor. Figuring it wouldn't matter if it got trampled on some more.

I saw that 3Gun had made it back from his rounds.

I get to the girl, "Betsy, isn't that right?"

She smiled up at me, "Yes, how did you know my name?"

"I made it my business to know. You danced wonderfully tonight."

"Deputy Delany, are you flirting with me?"

I pull her in close, knowing Annie would see. With an arm locking her in place, I said, "I know what you've been up to sweetheart and I think it's time you take a little walk with me."

Not wishing to make a scene on Rue's big day. I took her by the arm and led her out of the hotel.

"Talulah won't stand for this."

"I don't really see where she'll have a say." Once outside Betsy tried to pull away.

"I see you're going to be trouble." I pick her up and haul her over my shoulder.

She beat against my back and began to holler. She gathered the attention she wanted. Her hero approached.

I shook my head in warning. Flipped open my coat. He saw the badge and the gun. "You don't want any parts of this one."

The man stepped aside. I put her down once we were inside. "Are all the girls in this racket?"

"You don't have anything on me?"

"On the contrary," I pulled her close again, my hand slid down her side. Until I found what I was looking for and her eyes grew wide.

My hand found the pocket. Just like I knew Lou always sewed into her skirts. I pulled out several wallets. "Guess that's gotta hurt."

I put her in jail and turned the key.

"You're just going to leave me?"

"You afraid you'll get lonely? Don't worry I'm pretty sure before the end of the night you'll have some company. Starting with the girl who took those wallets tonight." Once again I tip my hat. "If you'll excuse me."

"No wonder she left you, Delany! You have no heart!"

I stopped in the doorway. "You're right. It's been ripped out you see, but oddly enough I find the feeling rather carefree."

Throughout the night I returned several times. Nabbing each girl, one by one for her crimes.

"You've been spending an awful lot of time backstage." Came the voice of the wise sage.

"Just doing my job, Sheriff. If you care to see, in the jail are some collected wallets, jewels, and thieves, courtesy of your new deputy."