Inside was a room with furred rugs and rifles mounted on the wall. His tables and chairs were made of limbs and trunks of trees. "Makes it feel like the woods," Jack told her more than once. In the corner sat a guitar, with only three strings, that was collecting dust, while in the back sat a fireplace that never seemed to be lit.
She sat in chair with knots that penetrated her rump and back.
Jack remained standing, talking with his hands. "Justice must've told you what I said … and I'm glad he did." Leslie crossed her leg, placed an elbow to her thigh, then her chin on her palm, staring at him, curious as to what the Ace had said. "And everything I said was true … I'm a fool for not standing up for you when the Mayor took your badge … a god damned fool…"
Leslie wanted to smile at his words. They were beautiful, the words she wanted to hear, but not the words she needed to hear ... not right now … I need to be strong … for Rynan …
She folded her arms and tilted her chin away looking at the wall. "What kind of man doesn't fight for the woman he loves?" She didn't want to say the L word, but it was the only way to make her words sting.
Jack lowered his head, "no man who deserves your hand … forgive me!"
Leslie's cheeks began to redden to color of her hair. I have to be strong … she reminded herself. "You must not have meant what you said, that you'd spend your life with me on the ranch—"
"I meant every word," he said, "if you'd say yes I'd hand over my badge and we'd be off towards the valley."
Leslie's eyes glowed, "then my answers yes."
The room went silent until Jack collected his voice. "You'll go away with me?" He ran up and wrapped his large hands around her fingers, gently squeezing, both oddly soft. "We can leave tomorrow …"
Leslie asked, "before we go I have to know why you stayed quiet? Why didn't you speak up for me?"
"Wasn't it obvious?" The man pressed his forehead into her palms then spoke towards the ground. His words muffled, she heard, "when the Mayor took your badge I felt a sense of relief … for so long I was worried about you, defending the streets, trying to rule over the unruly … I couldn't help but fear for you life."
There was guilt that was in his tone, the same her father had. She pulled her hands away, "it was you," and her nose wrinkled, "you suggested that the Mayor take my badge."
Her words stuck like knives and Jack retreated back towards the fireplace. He placed a hand on the mantle. "It wasn't supposed to be like this … I never thought Mayor Thompkins would say it, but when he did I saw that look in your eyes … that look of heartache … and it was because of me … I brought that pain onto you … again forgive me—"
Leslie stood up and yelled, "You took away my purpose! How could you?"
"I was being selfish …."
"You were! When I needed you … when my brother needed you, you failed us, just like my father!" The tears were no longer hanging in her eyes. Her face flared red. She grabbed the bandana around her throat and squeezed. "I could never be with a man like you." Leslie stomped her way towards the door.
"Wait!" The man raised his hand, trembling. "You're all I have … please." The large man collapsed to his knees, head down, looking like a scolded child. "How can I make it up to you? I'll do anything…"
Leslie shook the door handle then stopped. "Anything?" She said sharply, turning back towards the man. Leslie slowly made her way over to him. "You'd do anything for me?" The man nodded. Leslie brought her hand to his head and gently rubbed his hair. "Even if it meant murder?"
Jack tilted his head and then found her eyes. "I'd kill anybody if you stayed … just tell me where to shoot."
Leslie smirked, "you don't have shoot anybody," and removed the black glowing veil from her coat pocket. "Only poison."
"Poison?" The man gasped loudly. "But poison is a fool's weapon."
"So they say …" Leslie shrugged. "I find it is the weapon of a desperate man … A man trying to prove his worth to the word … a weapon of redemption." She grabbed his hand and set the veil in his palm "Do you want to redeem yourself?"
He nodded."I do. Who is it you wish to kill?"
"The Mayor," Leslie said, ignoring the mans stunned look. "If you wish to protect your family I need you to protect us … and that is by bringing down the man who wishes us harm."
Jack shut his eyes and nodded, closing his digits around the piece of glass. "How does it work?"
"It's a spider venom." She repeated the words of the old man. "Once ingested it slowly works into ones blood, mimicking flu symptoms, shutting down organs slowly … by the time they realize what's happened it will be too late."
"And what about us?"
Leslie stroked his head once more, "you will give up your badge and we will be long gone before it takes effect — it'll be a few weeks until he falls."
Jack squeezed the veil then rose to his feet, taking slow and steady breaths. He brought his lips to her cheek, scratching her skin with tiny hairs. "I'll be back shortly … don't wait up for me." He went to the door, opened it, and disappeared into the dark.
Leslie sat in the knotted chair, resting there while time drifted away. Click! Click! Click! Went the clock. Seconds turning into minutes … and minutes turning into hours … time ticking away until finally the door handle rattled. Leslie stood her feet while the watching as shadows moved through the doors, riding with the wind that whispered coldly.
Leslie eyes widened staring at the man in the doorway. It wasn't the tall and handsome, board-chinned man who left earlier. But the short, plump, sweaty deputy she knew all too well. The man that betrayed … the man who gave up her brother.
"Boris!" She cried out, back on her heels. "What are you doing here?"
"The Mayor has sent me to deliver you a message …" His words were strong and direct. No longer holding the fear that used to plague his tongue. "Jack has been imprisoned for crimes against the Mayor … you best tread lightly or your brother will serve the same fate as he will."
Boris slammed the door and Leslie froze, no longer able to feel her tongue.