A Wolf in the Fold

Calista did not say anything for a spell. When she finally did it was not to accuse me of lying, but rather, “You think you know someone, but you never do. Gerty has always been headstrong. Arrogant, even. But I never suspected she could stoop so low.”

“Now you know.”

Calista gave me a peculiar look. “Why did you come here tonight? Why put yourself in danger to see me?”

“Everyone in town is asleep. I’m not in that much danger.”

“More than you realize. Those two Texas Rangers are in the room at the far end of the hall.”

My skin crawled at the blunder I had made. Word was, Rangers slept with one eye open. Sure, it was an exaggeration, but no one ever took them by surprise. It was always the other way around. I put my ear to the door but did not hear anything.

“So why did you?” Calista was focused on me as if the answer meant a great deal to her.

“To ask for your help.”

“You can’t be serious.”

“You’re the only real friend I have here,” I said. The only one left, anyway. “I was hoping I could rely on you.”

Calista smiled a strange little smile. “I thank you for the compliment, but I do not, as a general rule, make it a habit to associate with hired killers.”

“That was uncalled for.” I was beginning to regret my decision.

“Fair enough.” Calista leaned back. “Simply because you have me curious, what exactly is it you want me to do?”

“Help me take care of those two Texas Rangers.” I realized I had worded it wrong when her eyes widened and she went as rigid as a board and came up off the bed as if I had pricked her backside with a needle.

“How dare you! What manner of man are you that you can possibly think I would help you kill someone?”

“Slow down,” I said.

She stormed over to me and poked me in the chest. “Don’t tell me what to do, Mr. Lucius Stark! I am not like you. I can never do what you do. For you to imagine I can is an insult!”

Her voice was rising. I had to say something quick or she would wake everyone. “I’m not asking you to help me kill them. I’m asking you to help me not kill them.”

That stopped her. “I’m confused.”

“If you will sit back down and listen instead of chewing my head off, I’ll explain.” I gently took her by the shoulders and guided her to the bed. She did not resist although I swore she shuddered at my touch. Amazing how when you dress like a parson everyone adores you, but when you kill folks for a living, suddenly you’re about as adorable as the plague.

“I’m listening. This should be interesting.”

More sarcasm. I ignored it and pressed on. “I don’t want to have to kill the two Rangers if I can help it. The Texas Rangers are a close-knit outfit. Harm one and the others won’t rest until they hang you or treat you to lead.”

“That’s true,” she conceded.

“Believe what you want of me,” I said, and then mimicked her, “but I do not, as a general rule, make it a habit to kill lawmen. It brings more trouble down on my head than it’s worth. I avoid tin stars as much as possible. I’d like to avoid these two Rangers, too, but now they’ll be trying harder than ever to find me—” I had erred, and she caught on immediately.

“Wait a second. Why would that be?”

I wanted to kick myself.

“What have you done? Who have you murdered now?” Her hand rose to her throat. “Not Gertrude!”

“Not her,” I responded, thinking to myself, Not yet, anyway. “Will you let me finish, or not?”

“Continue.”

I sat on the edge of the bed. The smart thing to do was to stay by the door, but in my eagerness to convince her, I did not do the smart thing. “I need to take the two Rangers by surprise so I can disarm them.”

“What then? Do you shoot them when they are defenseless?” Calista stopped and frowned, then said softly, “I’m sorry. That was uncalled for.”

“I figure if I can disarm them, I’ll take them to the south ten miles or so and leave them afoot, then come back, finish what I have to do, and be gone before they return.” My original notion was to have her send word to them, inviting them to her restaurant.

Calista gazed deep into my eyes. I had the impression she was trying to peer into my soul. As if anyone ever could.

“Well? Will you help or not?”

“I need time to think about it.”

“You have five minutes.” I could have given her until daylight, but her insults had rankled me.

“I need more than that. You’re asking me to break the law. I could be thrown behind bars.”

“I would never put you at risk.” I placed my hand on hers, but she would not permit the contact and slid hers onto her lap.

“Please don’t. It’s bad enough you betrayed my trust. Don’t pretend you care when you don’t.”

I thought of Daisy. “You would be surprised how much I can care. Killers have feelings like everyone else.”

Calista touched her fingertips to her forehead and said, “You say the darnedest things. I don’t know what to make of you. I honestly and truly don’t.”

“I’m just a man, like any other.”

“No, you are not. Most men would never do what you do. But let’s not go into that again.” Calista ran her hand through her hair. “What would you have me do?”