Rattler's Law, Volume One

by James Reasoner

  Captain Joseph Winters, White Eagle, and Marshal Flint had conferred at length, devising plans to protect the town. The three men had decided that Winters would send several small patrols out on a regular basis to check for any signs of approaching Indians. In addition, Flint would keep a close watch on the telegraph traffic. Without telling the Western Union operator what he was looking for, Flint elicited the man's promise to inform him right away of any unusual information coming over the wire. If there were raids anywhere in the state, Flint was certain he would know of them immediately.

  That done, all went about their business, giving the appearance that nothing was amiss in Abilene.

  Emily and Addie had heard about the brawl and the shooting, and White Eagle had had to reassure them repeatedly that he was unhurt. When he visited his father's house again, this time staying for dinner, he worried that Katie would have heard the same story. He didn’t know what he would tell her if she asked why Gilbert had picked a fight. He decided after much thought to use the prejudice against half-breeds as an excuse.

  Unless, of course, Katie had heard that the grudge had its origins in the clash at Addie Plunket's. Then she would probably want to know what he had been doing there in the first place.

  He worried needlessly. Katie didn’t comment on the incident, and White Eagle realized that she probably had not heard about it. Given the advanced stage of her pregnancy, he doubted that she left the house very often.

  After White Eagle had cleared the table for Katie, he joined Pierre in the parlor. Katie discreetly withdrew after a few minutes to leave the men alone to talk.

  Pierre lit a cigar, and then said around it, "I hear you had a little trouble the other day."

  "Gilbert wouldn't let go of his grudge," White Eagle replied. "He paid for his stubbornness."

  "The man always was a hothead," Pierre grunted.

  "Then why did you let him keep coming to the house?"

  Pierre shrugged. "His money was as good as anybody else's. Just because I don't like a man doesn't make him a bad customer."

  "That's a practical way to look at it," White Eagle said with a thin smile.

  "I'm a practical man."

  White Eagle leaned back in his chair and debated whether or not to tell Pierre about the threat from Bear Knife. He was confident that Pierre wouldn’t say anything about it to Katie or anyone else. His father had his faults, but he wasn’t a gossip. But he decided against it. This was his problem, his and the Army's. If Pierre knew about it, he would only resent his son that much more.

  Katie reappeared in the doorway. Her face was pale, and she clutched at the door for support. When White Eagle saw her, he stood up quickly and started toward her.

  "Are you all right?" he asked. He noticed that Pierre had not budged.

  Katie smiled. "I'm fine, White Eagle," she assured him. "Just a bit tired." Looking past him, she went on, "Pierre, I believe I'll retire for the evening."

  Pierre nodded curtly. "Good night," he said.

  "Good night, White Eagle," Katie added.

  "If there's anything I can do..." he began.

  Katie shook her head. "Don't worry. It's very normal to be tired at a time like this."

  He called, "Good night," after her as she went down the hall. When he turned to face his father, he saw Pierre glowering at him.

  "You're awfully concerned about my wife's welfare, boy," the older man snapped.

  "Somebody's got to be," White Eagle replied. "Can't you see she's not well?"

  "She's fine. The only thing wrong with her is that she's going to have a baby, and that's nothing to worry about. Your ma dropped you without any trouble."

  "Has Katie seen the doctor recently?"

  "Hell, I don't know. I don't see why a woman needs a doctor for something as natural as birthing a baby."

  White Eagle stared at his father, unable to understand his cavalier attitude toward Katie's health. He decided to visit the doctor's office and introduce himself to Rose Keller. He wanted an informed opinion on Katie's condition.

  "I think I'll be going," he said, reaching for his hat.

  Pierre grinned humorlessly. "Enjoy yourself."

  White Eagle stood silently for a moment, then wheeled and went to the door. He let himself out and walked into the warm night air, wondering why every visit with his father had to end with bitterness.

  Sergeant Harrison Hull grinned broadly as he strode into the parlor of Addie Plunket's house. An excited corporal and three privates followed him. They had been on the trail a long time before arriving in Abilene and having to spend several nights in camp while there were women nearby had been almost more than they could stand. At first, Captain Winters had been his usual stiff-necked self. With the exception of the frequent patrols, he had kept everybody in camp, but at last the grumbling had gotten to be too much even for him, and he issued evening passes.

  Hull and the other men didn’t have to return to the camp until ten o'clock. They intended to use every minute of their free time to the fullest.

  The soldiers had begun their evening at the Alamo Saloon, where they had polished off a bottle of whiskey. Once they were relaxed, they knew they were ready for something more.

  When she first saw the soldiers at her front door, Addie had moved back quickly and opened the door wide to admit them. As she stood in the hall looking at them closely, there was more than a little trepidation on her handsome face. "What can we do for you gentlemen?" she asked.

  Hull leered at her. "We ain't gentlemen, and we're here to howl! Bring on the women!"

  A half-dozen women were lounging in the parlor. They exchanged quick glances as the soldiers tramped in. The evening had been rather slow, but the arrival of the cavalrymen would change that.

  Addie gestured at the waiting women and said, "As you can see, Sergeant, we have several elegant ladies prepared to offer you and your friends the finest companionship. Would you care for some champagne while you make their acquaintance?"

  "Yeah, Sarge!" one of the privates said enthusiastically. "Champagne!"

  "I guess we could do with a bottle," Hull agreed. Then, rubbing his hands together in anticipation, he strode into the room, his eye already on a buxom redhead.

  With a great deal of hilarity, the soldiers moved into the parlor and quickly paired up with the women. Hull fished in his pocket and produced several coins, which he tossed to Addie. "For that champagne," he said as he slipped his arm around the redhead's shoulders and boldly caressed her.

  One of the women brought the bottle and glasses, but before she could pour, Hull snatched the bottle from her hand and brought it to his lips. The champagne gurgled loudly in the bottle before he finally lowered it and passed it to one of the other men, who seized it greedily.

  Hull returned to nuzzling the neck of the woman beside him on the divan. She giggled and tried halfheartedly to push him away.

  The other soldiers were carrying on with the women they had picked out. Addie watched the goings-on with a tired gaze. She had seen plenty of soldiers in her time and knew they were in for a busy night. Julius appeared in the foyer and raised an eyebrow quizzically when Addie glanced over at him.

  "Any trouble, Miz Addie?" the black man asked quietly. "I heard the uproar back in the kitchen."

  "Just a few soldiers," Addie replied with a smile. "You know how they are, Julius."

  He nodded his head. "Yes, ma'am, I surely do. You holler if you need help."

  "Of course, Julius."

  Julius cast a dubious glance at the celebrating troopers and ambled back to the kitchen.

  Within minutes, the bottle of champagne was empty, and Hull was shouting for a fresh one. After a nod from Addie, a girl hurried to fetch it.

  Two of the cavalrymen began singing a bawdy song. The women with them soon picked up the lyrics and joined in. Hull leaned back against the divan, his arms full of perfumed flesh, and savored the hot, wet taste of the redhead's mouth. A night like this made up for all the miserable c
onditions of the job. Even serving under an officer like Winters didn’t seem so bad at the moment.

  Those thoughts were running through Hull's head as he broke the kiss and said, "Abilene ain't such a bad place. Wouldn't mind stayin' here awhile."

  The redhead snuggled closer. "Well, why can't you, sweetie? You can stay as long as you want, as far as I'm concerned."

  "Hell, in a few days we'll either be dead or have orders to head somewhere else."

  The prostitute pulled away and frowned at him. "Dead? What are you talking about?"

  Hull tried to focus on her painted face. "That damn Injun won't stop with Dandaneau. He'll try to kill us all, wipe out the whole town more'n likely."

  The prostitute's fingers tightened on his shoulders. "Oh, my God!" she whispered. "Indians are coming here?"

  Hull nodded solemnly, forgetting his orders to keep quiet about the danger in his desire to impress the redhead. "That's right," he declared. "Band of murderin' renegades led by Bear Knife. The captain figures they're headin' for Abilene to kill that half-breed skunk, White Eagle."

  The woman suddenly twisted out of his arms and stood up shakily. "Addie!" she cried out, turning toward the madam's chair. "Addie!"

  The madam hurried over, a concerned look on her face. The other women glanced anxiously at the redhead, although the soldiers were oblivious to her dismay. Addie caught her arm and said, "What's wrong, Marguerite?"

  The woman leveled a finger at the smirking Hull and began, "He says we're all going to be—"

  Suddenly realizing what he had done, Hull surged to his feet and gripped her shoulder to silence her. He shook his head as if to clear the fog of whiskey and champagne in his brain. "I didn't say nothin'," he snapped. "Not a damn thing."

  Addie stared at the sergeant, well aware that something was wrong. But she didn’t want to upset the other girls. Quickly, she said to the redhead, "You can tell me all about it later, Marguerite. Maybe right now you'd like to go upstairs for a little bit, since you're upset."

  "She's with me," Hull rumbled. "She ain't goin' upstairs unless I go with her."

  Addie turned to him and said, "Sergeant, the girl is upset. There are many other young ladies here who can show you a good time."

  Hull's face set in truculent lines. He was going to be stubborn. He wished he had not let it slip about the Indian threat, but he wouldn’t let that mistake rob him of his evening's pleasure.

  "Please, mister," Marguerite implored as she clutched at Hull's arm. She was biting her lower lip and obviously making an effort to restrain her fright. "I wouldn't be much good for you right now."

  "Well..." Hull said, rubbing his jaw.

  A flurry of movement in the parlor doorway interrupted the trio. Marguerite's eyes lit up when she glanced over and saw Emily coming into the room. "There's the girl you want!" she exclaimed, nodding toward the lovely strawberry blonde. She ignored Addie, who was urgently shaking her head.

  Hull turned toward Emily and caught his breath as he saw how beautiful she was. All the women in this bordello were attractive, but Emily was exceptionally so. She stopped just inside the parlor, feeling Hull's hungry stare.

  "Yeah," Hull breathed. "I think you're right, Marguerite-gal."

  Addie moved between Hull and Emily. "I'm afraid that's impossible," she said. "Emily's not working with the regular customers anymore—"

  "Why not, Addie?" Marguerite hissed angrily. "Is she too good to be a whore now that she's been with White Eagle?"

  "She's Dandaneau's girl?" Hull asked eagerly before Addie could answer Marguerite's question.

  Marguerite turned toward him. "That's right. The way they've been acting, you'd think she was his property."

  Hull reached into his tunic, drew out a roll of bills, and thrust them at Addie. "I want her," he said simply.

  Addie stared at the money in his outstretched hand. A few feet away, Emily stood stiffly, her green eyes staring nervously at Addie. The discussion had also drawn the attention of the other soldiers, who stopped pawing the prostitutes to watch the confrontation.

  Addie bit her lower lip. Looking at the expressions Hull and his companions wore, she believed that the troopers might go crazy and tear the place up if she refused their sergeant's request. Besides, it wasn’t as if Emily had been a blushing virgin before White Eagle arrived in Abilene. She was a prostitute and had been used by hundreds of men. What difference would one more make?

  "All right," Addie said abruptly. She reached out and took the money from Hull's hand.

  "Addie..." Emily said, her voice low, pleading.

  The madam spun around. "You go with this gentleman, and you treat him nice, you hear?" she said sharply.

  Emily stared at her for a long moment, anger glittering in her eyes. Finally, she said, "I hear." She stood still as Hull stepped forward and took her arm.

  "We're goin' right upstairs," the sergeant declared. "I've had enough liquor for tonight."

  "Sure, soldier," Emily said, nodding numbly. She didn’t resist as Hull led her out of the parlor to the staircase. Addie watched them go with a worried look on her face. She wished there had been some other way out of this dilemma, but she had done what she had to do. The other troopers had gone back to their women and drinks. Maybe now the evening could pass without a brawl.

  Still tightly grasping Emily's arm, Hull panted in anticipation as he climbed the stairs. It was obvious that there was something between this girl and White Eagle, which made the prospect of bedding her that much more appealing. Word of what he was doing would certainly get back to Dandaneau. The scout would be furious when he learned what had happened.

  At least Hull hoped so. If White Eagle were mad enough, he might come looking for trouble, and Hull would be glad to oblige him. He had never liked the half-breed or the way he associated with white folks, as if he were as good as they were. White Eagle Dandaneau was just another redskin as far as Sergeant Harrison Hull was concerned. And Hull firmly believed in the old adage that the only good Indian was a dead one.

  Emily led him down the second-floor hall to the last room. Her face was an expressionless mask as she opened the door and stepped inside. Hull followed her, looked around, and grunted, "Nice place. 'Course, I'm payin' enough for the privilege of usin' it."

  "Let's get this over with," Emily said.

  He put a hand on her shoulder and spun her around to face him. "The woman downstairs told you to treat me nice, remember? You ain't soundin' too happy about this."

  Emily forced a professional smile onto her lips. "Sorry," she murmured.

  Hull's fingers tightened on her flesh. "You're just upset because I ain't that redskin who's been beddin' you. Hell, you'll find out I'm a whole lot better than he ever could be."

  "I'm sure," Emily said coolly.

  Hull heard the insincerity in her voice. With a snarl, he yanked her roughly against him and brought his mouth down on hers.

  Emily tried to twist away, but Hull's arms went around her and held her tightly. She let out a cry as she pulled her head away and struggled against his brutal embrace.

  "Dammit, quit fightin'!" Hull rasped. "I don't mind a little, but I'm tired of this, gal." His blunt, calloused fingers caught the neck of her gown and abruptly ripped down. Hull shoved her toward the bed, and as the back of her knees hit the mattress, she fell. The sergeant loomed over her, pulling and tearing at her gown, baring her breasts. She balled her fists and struck at his face.

  One of the blows connected, but only glanced off and enraged him further. His hand whipped across her face in a ringing slap that jerked her head to the side. "You damn slut!" he snarled. He ripped the rest of her torn gown off, leaving her naked and struggling on the bed. "I'll teach you a lesson, you hellcat!"

  He slapped her again, twice, the sharp crack of flesh against flesh filling the room.

  Emily screamed.

  White Eagle was still in a bad mood as he rode toward Addie's house. He was worried about Katie, about her condition, and about
his father's lack of concern. Having a baby was a natural event, but White Eagle knew of women who had died in childbirth. He didn’t want that to happen to Katie. He told himself once more that he would see Dr. Rose Keller tomorrow to learn how Katie was really doing.

  He swung his horse into the drive and walked the animal to the stable behind the house. No one questioned his movements now. After nearly a week in Abilene, he supposed he had become a fixture.

  White Eagle unsaddled his horse, checked that the animal had grain and water, and went to the back door of the house. He stepped into the kitchen and found Julius working at the stove. The black man looked up with an expression of concern on his face.

  "Hello, Mr. Dandaneau," Julius said quickly. "How was your dinner?"

  White Eagle grinned. "My father is as endearing as ever, Julius. I imagine that answers your question."

  "Indeed, it does, sir." Julius moved forward to block White Eagle's way as the scout started toward the hall. "Miz Addie would like to see you whenever it's convenient."

  "In a few minutes," White Eagle nodded. "I want to let Emily know that I'm back. Is she in the parlor?"

  "Ah, no, I don't think she is, Mr. Dandaneau." Julius seemed nervous about something, White Eagle thought. That impression was confirmed as the black man went on hurriedly, "Don't you think you should go see Miz Addie right now, sir? She's waiting in her office."

  White Eagle shrugged. "All right, I'll talk to her. Just let me go to the parlor first. I could use a drink."

  "I'll get that for you, sir," Julius offered.

  White Eagle frowned at him. "What's going on here, Julius? Why don't you want me to go into the parlor?"

  "Well, sir, I was just trying to be polite—"

  "Thanks," White Eagle cut in. "I appreciate it. But I'll get my own drink." He strode past Julius and headed down the hall.

  He heard Addie pop out of her office a moment after he passed her door. She called his name, but he didn’t stop. By now, his curiosity demanded that he get to the bottom of this strange behavior.