If a man was to find her, what’s in it for him?”
A lot. The Bretts are a rich, respectable family. My brother and I were always the black sheep, but my family still don’t want anyone to get away with killing one of us. I’ve got nothing but time; figure I owe Bart this.”
Jake combed his beard with his fingers, staring at the birthmark on them. I’ll be on the lookout. Matter of fact, I’m looking for a woman, too, Injun girl, maybe working in a saloon herabouts—dark, purty, ambitious.”
Brett shook his head. Doesn’t sound familiar. Only woman that comes to mind is some high-born Spanish Duchess who owns the Palace, our biggest competitor.”
The Palace, huh? Wal, I might just have a looksee. How do I find it?” He drained his whiskey and stood up.
Can’t miss it; straight down the street, around the corner, only two-story building left that’s frame.”
Oh?”
Yeah, there was a bad fire April a year ago; whole downtown went up in flames but the Palace. We all rebuilt in brick. Big Ed says he thinks the Duchess paid someone to do it, trying to get rid of the competition, but who knows?” He stood up. You looking for a job?”
Jake put his hand on the handle of the big whip. Maybe. Depends on what kind of offers I get.”
The other named a figure.
Jake grinned. Not bad. But maybe someone else will offer more. I’m for sale to the highest bidder.”
Lon Brett nodded and held out his hand. My kind of man. Remember about that Silver girl.”
I never forget when there’s money involved.” Jake tipped his hat back and left. Gawd Almighty! He never would have thought that about Al. But then that little gal had been a beauty. He wondered suddenly if she knew she wasn’t wanted by the Chicago police. Blackmail could be a powerful weapon. Of course his chance of running across her was slim. Now he had his hands full tracking down Gray Dove, and any clue was better than none.
Lon Brett was right—Jake had no trouble finding the Palace. Not only was it the only frame building left along the street, it was a grand place of polished wood and brass spittoons, with a fancy stairway coming down in the center of the main saloon. It looked like a place that catered to rich, elegant gentlemen who wanted a little entertainment. Jake had only a slim hunch, but if it didn’t pan out, he wasn’t any worse off than before.
A black boy stopped mopping and looked at him. Suh, we ain’t open in the mornings. Come back later.”
Shut up, nigger. Where do I find the Duchess?”
The boy leaned on his mop and pointed up the stairs. First door.”
The scarlet carpet on the fancy stairs was thick and high class, Jake thought with approval as he went up and looked down the halls. The whores would be up here, too, most of them still asleep if they’d worked late last night. This was just the kind of place Jake had planned to open with the money the little Arapaho bitch has stolen from him. He opened the door marked OFFICE, went in, and closed it softly behind him.
A sultry, black-haired beauty sat behind the desk, chewing a pencil and studying the open ledgers before her. She wore an orange dress that set off her dark skin, and the bodice strained across generous breasts. Fine jewelry gleamed on her hands, wrists, and neck.
Jake stood there looking at her.
She raised her head slowly. For an instant, her eyes widened and her mouth dropped open.
Jake grinned. Hello, Gray Dove. It’s been a long time.”
She jumped to her feet and tried to run past him to the door, but he caught her arm. Now is that any way to greet an old friend?”
Friend! Why you dirty bastard, the last time I saw you, you raped me!”
And you knocked me in the head and robbed me, so I reckon we’re even.”
She tried to pull away from him. Let go of me or I’ll scream and the law’ll come running!”
Go ahead and scream then,” he said softly. What do you think they’ll say when I tell them this fancy place was started on money you stole from me back in the fall of ’58?”
You can’t prove that!”
We’ll see. One thing I kin prove, I’ll bet, is that you ain’t no Spanish Duchess. The way Denver feels about Injuns right now, what do you think it would do to your business if the gentlemen who come here found out you was just a little Arapaho squaw?” He held on to her arm so tightly, she winced.
She blinked. Jake, you wouldn’t to that, would you? I’ve put a lot of work into the Palace—”
And my money.”
I—I’ll pay you back.”
I want more than that, Gray Dove . . . or should I call you Duchess? As far as I’m concerned, we’re equal partners—share and share alike. You’ll just tell everyone I’ve been a silent partner and have finally come to help you run it.”
She pulled out of his grasp and frowned at the marks on her arm where he had bruised her. Where the hell have you been all this time?”
He went over and sat on the corner of her desk, noting the big safe behind it. In prison, thanks to that half-breed you was so crazy about.”
Iron Knife?” She whirled around and her face told him she still loved the Injun bastard.
Yeah, Iron Knife. The sonovabitch cut me like a steer! Last time I seen him, he was riding away with that white gal that he was so loco over, Summer.”
Her pretty face turned ugly with jealousy. Summer returned from Boston to him?”
Yep. If they’re both still alive, I reckon they’re together out there somewhere, him kissin’ her all over, his lips all over her—”
Stop it!” the Indian woman snarled at him. Stop it!” Her rage was uncontrollable as she paced and cursed, Well, Summer may have him, but I’ve got the last laugh! I made love to him just a couple of days before I saw you last Jake! I’ve got his . . .” A look of sudden fear came over her face.
You got his what?”
Nothing. I didn’t mean nothing.” She looked scared. Okay, Jake—I suppose we might as well be partners. I could use a man’s help around here.”
He laughed. And I want all the privileges that go with a partnership besides the money—any of the girls I want, whiskey. I’ve got some ideas that I think will increase your business.”
She whirled on him. I don’t need your ideas! I already got most of the business in town.”
I heard that.” He took the pokes of gold out of his vest. You may have bit off more than you can chew by crossing Big Ed and the others. I think they’re beginnin’ to think of playin’ rough. Besides, with my ideas, we kin end up with most all the business.”
He saw the greed in her eyes. How?”
Missy, if you don’t beat all!” He tossed the gold sacks out on the desk. Maybe that’s why we sure make a good pair, we are both unscrupulous and ruthless about getting what we want. Here, to show you I trust you and that there’s no hard feelings, here’s my gold to hold in your safe—partner.”
She came over and looked down at it a long moment. You’re too lazy to try prospecting. Where’d you get that?”
What do you care as long as I share it with you? Ain’t those funny little gold sacks though?”
The girl was too greedy to be cautious, he thought with satisfaction. She went over and bent to whirl the combination. Jake watched carefully, remembering the moves of the dial. If he needed to clean out the safe, he’d know the combination. She swung the big safe’s door open.
There was a sudden rap at the door. Gray Dove looked at Jake.
He whispered, Find out who it is.”
Who’s there?”
Miss Jones and Waanibe.”
Jake gave Gray Dove a questioning look.
It’s the governess and my little girl.”
You got a kid?”
Gray Dove hesitated. I—I don’t even know who fathered her, Jake. You know how I was about men.”
She was hiding something. He saw fear in her eyes. I remember how you was about men, all right. I always said if you had as many stickin’ out of you as had been stuck in you
, you’d look like a west Texas cactus. I’ll bet you got callouses on your back from lying with a man on top of you.”
Duchess?” the voice called again.
Jake gestured. Tell ‘em to come in. You’re gettin’ mighty uppity with a governess for a bastard kid.”
Come in,” Gray Dove said.
A woman came into the room leading a small girl by the hand. The kid look as Injun as her mother, Jake thought boredly. There was no telling who fathered her, the way Gray Dove used to get around.
Miss Jones, this is my—my partner.”
Jake looked at the girl and yawned as he scratched himself. She looked like a governess all right, plain and prim, peering at him through thick spectacles, drab hair pulled back in a no-nonsense bun. But there was something that tugged at his mind, Maybe it was the way she was staring at him, all wide-eyed. Gal, ain’t we met some place before?”
She looked a little faint. I—I don’t think so, Mister—?”
Dallinger,” he said, grinning, Jake Dallinger. Funny, I have a thing about faces. I’d swear you look familiar.”
The girl had recovered her poise. I don’t think so, but then I remind everyone of their school teacher or old maid sister.”
The little girl came over and stared up at him. Have you known my mama a long time?”
Jake didn’t like kids but he smiled at her anyway. If he got on the good side of the kid, she’d most likely tell him all the secrets of this place. A very long time.”
Waanibe,” Miss Jones stammered, that’s not polite. You must remember your manners so you will do well when you go back East to school.”
The child immediately curtsied. If you’re a friend of my mama’s, maybe I should give you a treasure.”
Jake blinked. A treasure?”
The child kissed her chubby palm, folded her fingers over it, and held it out. For you,” she said conspiratorially, for your pocket.”
Intrigued, Jake held out his hand and Waanibe put her hand in his big one and opened it slowly. He stared at her chubby fingers and began to laugh.
Gray Dove looked surprised, then baffled. It’s just a silly game those two have going.”
Waanibe leaned close. Do you like to play dress-up? We can get Mama’s jewelry and Silvery’s shoes—”
Jake looked up. Who’s she talking about?”
Miss Jones looked flustered. My—my name is Sylvia and she never could pronounce it.” She turned to the mother. Duchess, if we may go outside now . . .”
Of course, run along. Mr. Dallinger and I have a lot of catching up to do.”
Jake watched the two close the door and waited for a long moment as their steps faded down the hall. I’d swear I’ve seen your plain little governess someplace. If she was fixed up some, she wouldn’t be half bad.”
Don’t be charitable, Jake, it ain’t like you. She’s plain as a mouse and prim as a church deacon. Sometimes I think Waanibe cares more for her than she does for me.”
Jake got up and shut the safe’s door. I never thought of you as the motherly type, Gray Dove—unless you cared something about the father.”
I don’t know what the hell you’re talking about. I told you I didn’t know who fathered her.”
But if you thought she was Iron Knife’s, you’d be afraid I’d hurt her, wouldn’t you?”
Jake, that’s nonsense! She’s dark because she’s mine!”
He studied her keenly. Yep, Gray Dove might have slept with a lot of men, but she was sure the kid was Iron Knife’s. That alone gave him all the power he needed. If she only knew how ironic the whole thing was. You want to hear a good joke?” he said, and then reconsidered. Never mind. I’ll tell you some other time. By the way, partner, I intend to enjoy everything about this place, including the whores.”
I thought you said Iron Knife—”
There’s other ways to enjoy a woman besides that,” Jake said, and stood up slowly. I bet I could even pleasure you. I remember you enjoy being treated like a bitch dog in heat. You liked to be humiliated and hurt before you got what was coming to you.”
Before she realized what he was up to, he grabbed her arm and pulled her to him.
Let go of me, Jake.” She tried to twist away from him, but he held her and ran his dirty, hairy hand down the low-cut neck of her dress.
No, partner, I’m gonna enjoy the prettiest of your whores but I’m gonna start with you. I recollect I wasn’t quite through when you hit me over the head.”
He grinned as he ripped open the front of her dress with such force that tiny buttons went flying. You still got nice tits, Gray Dove, and I like that in a woman.” He jerked down the lace straps of her chemise and ran his hands over her big, dark nipples.
She submitted grimly, her mouth a hard line.
You got a bed somewhere?”
I didn’t think a man who’d been—”
The bed!” he snarled. I’m about to pleasure you with something big and hard that will make you think a stallion’s been at you.”
She looked as if she might protest, then led him into the room next door.
Jake whistled low, looked around, and locked the door behind him. The room was lavish, the kind of ornate room a man dreams of taking a fancy whore to—red velvet drapes and satin sheets, jewelry scattered across her bureau. He looked over at it.
It’s just fake,” she said. The kid likes to play with it, It ain’t the real thing.”
In that case, you ought to be satisfied with what I got to offer then. I’m gonna enjoy this, bitch, and you are, too. I promise you that. Now get your clothes off. I want to see you buck naked when I climb all over you.”
He sat down on the edge of the bed and watched her strip, her dark body ripe and beautiful as he remembered it. Let your hair down, missy. I like a woman’s hair hanging loose where I can tangle my hands in it; then pull and twist it until she begs me to stop. And you better make me happy, you hear? I ain’t had a woman in all those years I been in prison, so from now on, when I get in your bed, which is often, you make me like it. You got a lot of talent, Gray Dove, use it!”
She stood there naked before him. And if I don’t?”
Oh, you will, all right, because you’re afraid of what I’ll do about that brat if I decide to. Now get in this bed.”
He began to take his own clothes off and flopped down beside her. He was hairy as a bear and her satin skin felt good when he lay on her and squeezed her breasts up to two points for his greedy mouth.
She gasped. You gelding! You useless steer! You ain’t half a man!”
Shut up, bitch, I got what it takes to satisfy you!” He reached for the big, silver-handled whip.
Chapter Sixteen
November 1864. Silver pulled her cloak around her as she sat on a bench and watched Wannie skip stones into Cherry Creek. The creek flowed placidly now when only this past summer, it had flooded so badly that the Rocky Mountain News had moved its offices from the creek into Denver.
In the brisk cold, around the pair swirled the hustle bustle of a booming town, but Silver was too upset to notice much. Drat it all! What was she going to do? Jake Dallinger had turned up unexpectedly after all these years and acted as if he intended to stay at the Palace.
At least he didn’t seem to recognize her in her prim disguise, but he was evidently searching his memory. She had been avoiding him as much as possible, but sooner or later, he might put the pieces of the puzzle together. Her inclination was to gather up her things and leave town before that happened.
Look, Silvery, look!”
She nodded absently and smiled at the little girl. Drat! How could Silver leave Denver? She loved this child as her own. The Duchess was an indifferent mother. In fact, Silver had a distinct feeling that the dark beauty kept the child only because she had loved the father. No, until Waanibe went off to boarding school, Silver felt she must stay to look after her little charge. And yet to do so increased the danger that Jake would recognize Silver and contact the Chicago police.
Her mind busy, Silver held out her hand for the kiss, but instead, Waanibe put a jeweled broach in it. Oh, Wannie, have you been in your mama’s jewelry again? You’re going to get us both in trouble! Now empty your pockets.”
She held out her hand and the child sulked a moment, then emptied her pinafore pockets and slipped a gaudy ring off her finger. I was just playing dress-up.”
How could she be upset with such an adorable imp? Silver gathered up the jewlery and hugged the little girl. If you want to play dress-up lady, wear my silver shoes, but leave your mama’s things alone. I wish she wouldn’t be so careless with this stuff.”
Silver stood up and took Waanibe’s hand. She knew that although the Duchess denied it, the jewelry was worth a fortune. No one else seemed to realize it but Silver. Secretly she worried that some of the things might be lost or stolen and that the Duchess might accuse Silver of taking them. In that case, Silver might be fired, thus separating her from the small girl she loved as her own. The only piece that tempted her was the gold nugget bracelet that Cherokee had given her and the Duchess had redeemed and now owned. Silver would like to have that back, but when she timidly asked the Duchess if she could buy it from her and pay it off a little at a time, the sultry beauty told her coldly that it wasn’t for sale.
Cherokee. She saw him in her mind’s eye, felt his kiss and the warm strength of his muscular arms. If only he would come for her and they would take Wannie and run away. Then she remembered her scarred face and shook her head. He wouldn’t want her now, but that didn’t keep her from wanting him.
She watched the little girl play while she sat and worried about how to deal with Jake Dallinger. She felt as if she was running out of time. With cold weather moving in, the snows would start any day now. She and Waanibe would have to spend a lot of time indoors at the Palace, which would throw them into more contact with the big, bearded scout. What on earth was Silver going to do?
Cherokee’s vision improved slightly during the time he and the Cheyenne rode all those long miles to the Rockies. Iron Knife had supplied him with deer skin clothes and moccasins to replace the ragged blue pants and ruined boots, along with a pistol. He and the Cheyenne had become good friends and talked long hours of their hopes and dreams, the possibility that the Indians might finally live in peace side by side with the whites. He even told him a little of his friendship with Shaw O’Bannion and the big Shannon Place plantation on the Mississippi.
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