The Sheriff's Sister: Harbinger of Death

By Chris G. Derrick

“Her brother, Nick, was the sheriff of Laredo - immediately before Jake Base began to wear the town’s five pointed star. As far as she was concerned the Indian loving sheriff, who no doubt made himself comfortable behind the same desk as her dearly departed sibling, was the reason why her brother was no longer able to tread this earth. It didn’t matter to her he’d sliced up his own wife in the basement of the home they shared together. A ritual he’d undertaken purely as a way to hone the skills he needed in preparation for doing the same evil to others. Yes, Jake Base had been the one to put the two pieces of soft heavy lead into the poor man’s head. The same as you would with any rabid, crazed, dog. No matter on the total number of legs at its disposal to get around on – whether it was two in pants or four covered in fur. It was a fact which meant the undertaker duly found his work cut out with bits of chicken wire and plaster of Paris in an attempt to make her brother’s head look remotely human for the burial. However, there was a definite limit to the undertaker’s creative abilities, which was truthfully soon reached. He was after all not an artist.”

Life would be nothing but good for the Laredo sheriff, Jake Base – if it weren’t for the reoccurring appearance of a certain ‘albatross around his neck’.
Anna Constance.
The lady who‘s the sister of the Texas towns’ previous lawman. Proved, beyond all doubt, to be every bit as psychotic as her now deceased sibling.
In order to greatly improve her chances of success against Jake and the King Spread outfit, she’s thrown her lot in with a group of Mexican bandits. A particularly evil company of men. Each one would happily sell their mothers – and not even for the money. Simply because they could!

The prowling band of evil scalp hunters make their presence felt once again – and are permanently dealt with by Jake, ably assisted by several new names.
Another group of men in the same terrible business, seemingly with a family connection to the first, makes an unwelcome appearance. Their purpose? To strangle the very life out of the King Spread enterprise – then take whatever’s left for themselves.

Within the pages there’s a Cheyenne maiden who happens to be a long way from home. One who’s had recent dealings with the same evil men.
We also get to meet a particularly nasty tempered livery owner with a fondness for swinging a heavy quirt – usually against his defenceless wife.

Throughout the pages of this book one single question remains – demanding an answer.
Will Jake finally get the better of Anna, and remove the nemesis from his life?
Forever................

• Language: English
• Publisher: Chris G. Derrick
• Release date: Jan 17, 2017
• ISBN: 9781370542413

Chris G. Derrick

Chris G Derrick was born and grew up in a small town situated between the cities of Bath and Bristol in the south west of the UK. Born in 1957 his favourite genre of film has always been the Western. A birthday treat to watch The Magnificent Seven with some young friends when he was around six years of age no doubt had a hand in developing his life long appreciation of the Old West. After leaving school Chris started his working life as an accountant, with a short spell in HM Royal Marines in his early twenties. From the 1980’s onwards he earned a living as an IT professional up until the end of March 2013. Chris’s favourite part of the world happened to be the South Western states of the USA – Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas and Utah. He'd always enjoyed writing, creating a picture with words, and still maintained his affection for a good Western and the cowboy way of life. With this in mind Chris decided he'd combine these three things - and write a Western himself set in those states of the USA. The Tainted Dollar was written with a keen eye on western history, and there are plans for other books to follow. Each one will retain Jake Base - if not as the main then certainly as a central character within each story.

Book preview

Chapter 1 - Thursday 21st April 1859.

Early morning - Laredo, southern Texas.

CLANG.

The metal plate cracked loudly against the cell’s iron bars, then fell to the floor. It managed to spin around lazily a couple of times, resembling a child’s toy as it did so. Then it stopped and fell – food side down onto the old, well worn and cracked, wooden floor.

Damn it sheriff. Am I expected to eat this filth? Most people I know would think twice about feedin’ this mess to their animals.

The man who’d been questioned looked wearily up from what he was doing and glanced towards the four small cells set in the opposite corner of the room, three of which remained unoccupied. The lack of luxury on offer to overnight guests didn’t exactly inspire people to queue in order to use the meagre facilities. A narrow roughly constructed bed along the side of each cell meant a maximum of eight inmates would get anything like a reasonable night’s sleep. Although, as had been pointed out on numerous occasions, the majority of people who sat on the wrong side of the old doors were so inebriated they could’ve likely slept standing up in the street outside - and in a force ten gale if need be.

How many times have you been sitting in one or the other of those cells Mr. Garrett? Okay, don’t bother to answer - I’ll tell you. On so many occasions I feel we should go to the expense of having your name on the outside of at least one of those doors. Seems like you spend almost as much time here as we do, and I’m sure we get to spend considerably more time in your company than your family. It could be they’re happy with life that way. If they don’t see you there can’t be any arguments.

Could be he’d like to bring in something from home to personalise it a tad, boss. The other man, somewhat older, sitting alongside the town’s main law official was now also taking an avid interest in the conversation.

Yeah....a few large books would be an idea. He could improve his education while he’s with us. Or how about a potted plant to go next to the bars in the window?

Humph…..I’m pleased you two think it’s such a huge joke. Neither of you have to eat this muck. If you did, even once, you sure wouldn’t think it’s so clever. I’ll tell you, and Hal Garrett kicked the plate across the cell’s floor with the toe of his boot to emphasize his disgust.

The lawman smiled.

You know old Ma Smith’s culinary skills don’t amount to a whole hill of beans. Probably never did if the truth’s known. Certainly not now she can barely stand and she’s almost blind. I think that’s the problem with what she cooks – she’s no idea what she’s puttin’ into it. Not as regards the actual makin’s themselves or the quantity which gets used. That said, she’s the only one prepared to take on the task of feeding whoever’s sat on the other side of those bars for what the town council’s prepared to pay. You can’t expect steak and eggs, like you’d get served at the Red Eye, in here.

Humph. Great. So how long do I have to suffer it this time?

The sheriff looked at the other man for the answer.

It’ll be a couple of day’s boss, before the US marshal comes through and takes him off our hands once again. This time it’ll be a good while before we see him back here – if ever.

Ummmm. Usually Hal’s here sharing our hospitality because he gave someone a mean beating with his fists. Cutting the Crooked Y’s foreman in the Dropped Garter saloon last night from the top of his belt buckle up to his throat was a little out of character I have to say. I’m not surprised the man bled out well before the doc arrived.

Well sheriff, at least it’s gonna be guaranteed to keep him and Ma Smiths cooking apart for a long while. I wonder what he’ll think of the food quality in San Antonio’s big house?

You know what? I’m sure it won’t be as terrible as what Ma brings in to us. It gives me an idea. I think we should see about using the terrible state of the food we supply to our, how shall we say, uninvited company as a deterrent against crime in this town of ours.

Yeah, it’s a great idea boss. Pity our biggest advertisement, Hal over there, won’t be around to publicize it for us after a few more days.

Very true. Ah well, I guess life’s full of bitter disappointments. I do think if more people knew how poor and inedible what Ma Smith creates then no one would want to spend more than a single night’s stay with us. If that long….….

Frank looked towards the sheriff, while wearing a quizzical expression on his face.

Why should that be any different to several nights boss? Bad is bad to my way of thinkin’.

The way I look at it the majority of our ‘house guests’ can afford to starve themselves over one night. If I was sittin’ over there looking at what I’d been given for my first meal of the new day it would be the logical choice. Probably the only option I’d be happy to take, the sheriff glanced at his deputy and grinned, no matter how damn hungry I was feelin’.

So, getting back to what we were doing. Am I correct in assuming we don’t recognise any of these pleasant lookin’, God fearin’, men? Jake Base, the Laredo town sheriff, asked his deputy, Frank Atkins, while sweeping his hand across the dozen or so pieces of paper spread across the top of his desk.

No boss. I’ve seen a few of ‘em passing by over the years since I’ve been wearin’ this badge – but always before they did enough to get their faces printed onto paper. Anyway, you might not appreciate the way they look but I’m sure their mothers must’ve loved each of ‘em at one time.

Jake began to gather the wanted posters together.

Humph.....so you say, but me - I’m not so sure. I guessed it was goin’ to turn out we won’t have seen any of ‘em. Ah well, I suppose it’s a blessing for us. Men like these only know how to create trouble and mayhem for some other poor soul. We’ve been having our fair share of such happenings recently.

Well, by my reckoning boss it’s because the town is so close to the border. Men who do enough to warrant those hand bills being printed don’t want to stop in Texas. If they did they’d stay further north. They’re lookin’ for the anonymous freedom they’re hopin’ Mexico will give ‘em.

Yeah, and if they’re stupid enough to sufficiently upset the Mexican authorities they’ll soon wish they were back in Texas dealing with the likes of us. They can be as brutal as you like in the way they dish out their brand of justice – especially to Anglo’s unlucky enough to end up in their clutches.

With that he opened the bottom drawer of the desk and put the pile of ‘wanted’ posters inside.

It’d been a rather hectic few months for Jake and his wife Maria. Their first child, a daughter, had been born at the end of February – on the 25th – and was now approaching two months old.

The day after he’d rescued his lovely wife and the Caan couple from the clutches of the psychotic Anna Constance they’d suffered a scare when it looked extremely likely Maria would lose their child. As good fortune would have it she’d gone full term with the pregnancy – and everything eventually turned out just fine. While Jake joined her in church a few days after the birth to give praise for their undoubted blessing, he also put some time aside later to praise Maheo - the supreme being of the Cheyenne people. He already knew his beautiful wife would be celebrating the young ones eight week birthday – she did the same when they’d reached the four week milestone. After much talk and deliberation, frequently running late into the night, they’d named the little one Ramona. They were reliably informed by Hector, the King Spread ranches barn boss, this meant ‘Protector’. As soon as Maria heard this she was smitten with the name – and her husband knew from previous experience when it was pointless to discuss a subject further. There were plans to eventually give the young girl an Indian name to go along with her given Spanish name. This would suitably reflect Maria’s Apache heritage from her mother’s side, as well as Jake’s years of living alongside the Cheyenne. Tentatively they’d decided this second name would come about when they made the long visit north with the young Ramona to introduce her to Jake’s Cheyenne family.

Jake was at least pleased, and more than a little relieved, life had been frantic in a wonderful way. Unlike the spell of a few weeks during the previous year - shortly after Maria initially discovered she was expecting their first child. Back then Maria found herself kidnapped by a man who’d been at one time the ranch foreman’s assistant - Jim Robertson. He’d intentionally used Maria as a way to again garner favour with Anna Constance, the sister of the previous Laredo sheriff. Arturo, one of the ranches vaqueros, removed Mr. Robertson from the picture – permanently - during their successful attempt to rescue Maria. Jake had previously dealt with Nick Salmonist, the previous sheriff, in the same decisive manner soon after first arriving in Laredo.

Would you like some more refreshment, boss? Frank walked across to the well-used pot standing in its usual place, on top of the fire keeping warm, without even waiting for the reply.

By the time Jake answered in the affirmative Frank had it almost poured.

You need to give me the secret to this incredible brew one of these days. If anything ever happened to you I’d be mighty upset – you know I would. I’d also be rather concerned I’ll never get to taste something this good again – at least not in this life.

Okay, I suppose after all’s said and done it’s good to be missed for something - even if it happens to be only for my coffee making talent. Find a piece of paper and I’ll tell you everything there is to know. If some tragedy did befall me I’d hate my last reflection to be I’d never passed the secret on.

Jake reached down and opened the same drawer once again, intending to use the back of one of the older ‘wanted’ posters, and also reached for a pencil.

Right then, Frank. When you’re ready.

The first thing you’ll need is a supply of good quality beans – no rubbish. You know what they say, boss. You can’t make a silk purse out of a pig’s ear.

Do they? I can’t say I’ve ever heard the saying before.

Frank smiled. No? Well, my ma used to say it all the time – usually with reference to something my pa had done wrong.

Before Frank could impart any further secrets the office door was thrown open and Jacob Arnold, who owned the large mercantile up the street, was standing framed in the entrance.

Good morning to you, gentlemen. I apologize in advance for spoiling what seems to be a peaceful day for you both so far. It seems there’s some problem down at the livery stable you might have an interest in.

Someone not paid their bill and tried to ride off again I suppose, chuckled Frank.

Jacob shook his head. No, I think not. It seems there’s more to it this time around.

Jake stood up from his chair, and walked around the desk.

I’ll take a look. So do you have any idea what it’s going on down there Jacob? I’m a firm believer in the age old saying of forewarned is, most definitely, forearmed.

It’s not difficult to see what the problem is – once again. He’s giving her another one of his thrashings. This time it’s only a little way’s inside one of the livery’s barns. Anyone passin’ by can see it, as well as hear him shoutin’, swearin’ and her screamin’ fit to bust. As you know the establishment proprietor, Richard Jazenburg, is the extremely jealous type. The fact he’s married to Cora, one of the best lookin’ ladies in town, don’t help matters none. Someone like him needs to be married to my wife. Then he’d be simply relieved if another man were to show her a little interest now and again.

Each of the three men chortled at the humour.

Frank began walking towards the door.

Don’t worry boss I’ll deal with this one on my way home.

Okay, but I’ll tag along with you. As you mentioned you can go straight home from there. If our Mr Jazenburg ends up deserving a little of our hospitality for a few days then I can bring him back while you head on. Lookin’ at all those mug shots makes me want to get some air for a while anyway. Turning back to the store keeper then he asked a question he pretty much already knew the answer to.

Correct me if I’m wrong, Jacob, but this has happened before between these two?

Oh yeah sheriff. It’s common knowledge she suffers regularly at his hand. But this is the first time the beatings occurred in plain sight as I remember. Usually the first we get to know about it is Cora walkin’ around a day or so after the event with a miscoloured eye or a busted lip.

Let’s go then, Frank. Are you walkin’ along with us Jacob? If there’s one thing in life which riles me more than any other it’s unfairness. Her husband must be three times her weight as well as a foot taller.

These things happen in life.

Yeah, so I hear. Not in Laredo though - if I can do anything about it.

A few minutes later and the three men were approaching the stable. Judging by the small crowd gathered outside in the dusty street they were certainly in the right place and Cora’s beating showed little sign of abating. As they walked closer they could hear the ‘THWACK’ of a quirt as it connected with a far softer, and more tender, surface. Each time after the sound of the whip striking home there was a scream, only the volume of which varied.

If this has been goin’ on since Jacob first saw it she’s already been given a fair beatin’ boss.

I was thinking the same, Frank. You two stay here. If I need you I’ll holler.

Jake walked smartly towards the entrance to the barn. He didn’t have to go looking for Mr Jazenburg and his wife – he could already see them.

No one sent for you sheriff. Go and find someplace where you’re needed. The stable owner barely glanced up at Jake as he walked inside the wide open door and into the shadow of the barn – his face still looking like a mask, one full of fury.

By the look of your wife I believe I’m very much needed here, Mr Jazenburg. I think it would be a good idea for one and all if you stop using the quirt. No matter what you think she’s done I’m sure she’s taken enough of a beatin’ to last for some time.

You’ve no damn idea sheriff of what I’ve needed to contend with over the years. A lot of men would’ve taken her quietly out into the desert and buried her along with her flirty ways for a hell of a lot less. This morning’s show was the final episode for me.

I’m not here to pass any sort of judgement on your wife – only on the beatin’ you’re handing out. Drop the whip – else it’ll be me doin’ to you what you’ve been so happy doin’ to her.

Richard Jazenburg stood upright, and stared at Jake. Pondering, no doubt, what his best course of action should be.

To help your decision process I’d say if you’re unlucky enough to kill her, a jury of your peers will see to it your neck gets suitably stretched before the weeks out.

Those few words were enough. The cuckold husband threw the quirt across the barn and without so much as a glance at his wife he stormed past Jake and headed off down the street.

The back of the poor ladies dress was streaked thickly with her blood – so severe had been the beating she’d been subjected to. Jake called across to Frank telling him he could get off home now, and he’d see him again around six in the early evening when he came in to start his night shift.

Jacob. Will you arrange for someone to get a wagon here quickly and transport Mrs Jazenburg around to the doctors? It looks like she’s in dire need of his services. This is a livery – look around the back first. Maybe this ladies husband owns one. It seems fortunate for her we turned up when we did. Our not so friendly proprietor was carryin’ the look of a man who wasn’t going to stop in a hurry.

Jake assured the still prone woman to stay where she was until the doctor arrived, and walked outside into the warm sunshine. Frank had already left, Jacob also. Apparently to get his store’s wagon in order to transport the lady to the medical help she so desperately needed – there hadn’t been anything suitable at the back of the stable after all.

As he walked by the group the sheriff paused, and turned to face them.

You should all be damned ashamed of yourselves. In amongst this group I count five men. None of you are exactly small or under nourished either. I can only assume you were happy to watch what was going on a spittin’ distance from where you’re standing. I hope if any of you are ever in dire need you’ll be fortunate enough to have people with more back bone come to your aid.

One of the women who’d be happily observing opened her mouth. Her intention was no doubt to point out why they all assumed Cora Jazenburg deserved what’d been handed out to her. Jake was in no mood to listen to any of their reasons or excuses – so turned around and headed back towards his office.

Removing the key from his pocket and inserting it into the door Jake found it’d already been unlocked, so he turned the handle and walked inside to the cool shade. Sitting behind the desk in his chair was a figure of a slim man in his late twenties.

It’s some way to run a sheriff’s office – that’s for sure. The door was left wide open and no one around. Wait ‘till I tell the boss what’s been going on.

Oh, was it? I could’ve sworn we locked it. Okay, so you can begin by telling me firstly why you’re here and secondly why you didn’t keep the pot on the go?

The man stood up from behind the desk. His dark Mexican features creased into a broad smile which reached as far as his eyes – displaying two rows of perfectly straight, white, teeth.

To answer the questions in order, I decided I’d stop by and see my favourite brother in law. Maria asked me to ride in and pick up a few items for the baby, that’s the reason why. As far as the hot refreshment pot goes I’ve only now walked through the door myself and sat down. I would’ve no doubt soon noticed there were no refreshments available. Looking around the office he could see something was missing. I assumed you were going to bring our well behaved wolf in with you this morning?

It’s always good to see you, Manuel. While you’re here do some good and get the coffee brewing. Frank was goin’ to start it but we were called out before he had the chance. You’re right, I fully intended to bring Lobo in with me this morning, but I couldn’t find him as I was leavin’. Tomorrow will do as well as today.

You found yourselves some trouble already today? The sun’s barely over the horizon. What was going on? Assuming you’re able to tell me of course.

The sheriff went on to tell Maria’s half brother – both siblings shared the same father but with different mothers – all about the excitement at the livery a little earlier.

Manuel shook his head.

I can’t say I’m even a little surprised. It’s been a well known secret for a couple of years Mrs Jazenburg was always rather free with her favours in exchange for some expensive gift or other. I’d even heard a roll of dollar bills would suffice – but there’s something which puts the lady in a totally different league altogether if it’s true.

Manuel brought over a fresh steaming mug and handed it to Jake.

Where’s her husband Richard now?

The sheriff shrugged and said he wasn’t sure.

Ummm….I think I know.

Maria’s half brother filled Jake in on some more of Laredo’s colourful history of which he wasn’t aware. It seemed the livery was left to Richard Jazenburg by his father – who’d founded the business many years earlier. Apparently the father always worked on the principle his son’s room was considerably more beneficial than his help. As a consequence Richard spent most of his time, when not at home, in one or other of the town’s saloons. He quickly earned himself a well deserved name as one of the meanest, violent, drunks the town of Laredo could offer. Jake asked why he’d never crossed swords with the man in question before if he was carrying such a reputation. His brother in law explained the old man had died about three months before Jake first arrived in Laredo on the trail of the two Hughes brothers. By the time Jake pulled up Richard Jazenburg had begun to sort his life out to a degree. Or so it seemed to the casual onlooker. Reality dawned in a dramatic fashion. In as much as he realised he needed to make a go of the family business in order to keep sufficient money coming in the door to allow for the purchase of food. Cora arrived one day on a stage accompanying her future husband. According to Manuel the rumour was he’d first met her in some Madams house in Colorado. Within a few weeks the couple were officially married. Not until then did Richard find out the type of woman his wife was. As always in this situation by then it was too late.

So this cycle of him beatin’ her about has been happening often?

Yeah – pretty much. I should say there’s not been a single week since they married where he hasn’t found reason to strike her at least once. Whether or not it’s been justified each time is another matter completely. He sure seems to think it is.

Wow. She’s a good lookin’ woman to boot. I’d never have imagined her life was so difficult.

When she gets beat she tends to stay away from people until the marks heal. Probably why you never noticed her injuries before, observed Manuel, draining the last dregs of his coffee and making towards the door.

I need to get on back to the King Spread, Jake. Can we expect you for dinner later?

Sure, unless something urgent crops up I’ll be there.

Manuel’s hand was on the door, but let it go and retraced his steps.

Jake looked up as he heard the leather soled boots walking back.

I had an idea you were leaving?

I was, but I think there’s something you should know. You remember what you’re always saying about forewarned and forearmed?

From what he proceeded to tell Jake it seemed the current livery owner had been a major handful only a few years earlier – known for more than his rather extreme alcohol consumption. On a total of three separate occasions he came rather close to standing in a court of law accused of cold blooded murder. It could only have been his extreme good fortune, or possibly by some incredible coincidence, that the witnesses either disappeared shortly before they were required to testify, or developed amnesia and could remember nothing of the incidents in question.

At the last killing there were upwards of fifteen witnesses in the Dropped Garter when it happened. Each one of them professed to be looking the other way when the knife was used.

Oh, he likes his knives as well?

Yeah, he appears to. I’ve never seen him wield it – so I’ve no idea how proficient he is. The other killings were committed in a more orthodox fashion – he used a pistol. Whatever you do don’t trust the man, Jake. If you do you may not live long enough to even begin to regret being so trustin’. Treat him the same as you would a rattler which you’ve stepped on. That means shoot it – dead.

Jake thanked Manuel for making him aware.

As the sheriff’s brother in law turned to head out of the office and into the sunshine he paused once more and looked back.

Jake. I’m so sure you’ll have cause to be seeing Mr Jazenburg later on today if you don’t then I’ll eat the same breakfast as my horse tomorrow morning. With that the door closed softly, and Jake was left alone with his thoughts. None of them were concerned with Manuel eating breakfast along with his horse. No matter how he tried to reason against it Jake could only agree with Maria’s brother’s rather frank assessment of the situation.

Jake wasn’t one for dwelling too long on the type of information which Manuel had spoken about. Since pinning on the sheriff’s badge there’d been several men who’d gone out of their way to confront Jake, for any one of several reasons. It may’ve been they were drunk enough they’d fight with their own mother. Those were the straight forward men – the ones with no hidden agendas going on. The fact Jake still dressed pretty much as he did when he first arrived in town, like a Cheyenne, and succeeded in building up a solid reputation as a no-nonsense, but totally fair, lawman were also likely contributing factors. There were always those men who were eager to gain a massive boost to their personal stature by taking out just one man. For them it was simply a fast track to fame and, they hoped, a little respect. Jake was always surprised at the number of men who were happy to mistake the emotion of fear for respect. Only last year in the Red Eye saloon an infamous thumper by the name of Jack Kildeer had created a pile of trouble for the Laredo lawman over a period of a few days. This particular man also managed to beat up Frank Atkins rather badly, assisted in the act by his two vicious little Rat Terriers. Previously to this he’d also set his dogs on Lobo in order to get some sort of a reaction. The wolf grew up knowing no family other than Jake, and as a consequence was more obedient with him than the majority of young children were with their parents. The wolf happily accompanied Jake south from the Cheyenne territories when he re-joined his birth people after ten years of living as a Plains Indian.

Jack Kildeer’s dogs were no more – both ending up with a vivid red third eye in between the two they were born with. The man himself succeeded in keeping a rather flimsy hold on his life, but left certain parts of his anatomy behind in the Red Eye saloon for posterity. Since the evening in question he’d kept a low profile as far as his drinking and hell raisin’ was concerned. That wasn’t to say all was quiet now. Cowboys and alcohol never mixed too well in the quantities they wished to consume. It was always good to sort out the serial trouble makers as they appeared. The ones where hurt and mayhem was traditionally but one or two paces behind.

If Manuel was correct in his brief assessment of the husband of Cora Jazenburg here could be another man ably qualified, it appeared, to assume the mantle seemingly vacated by Mr. Kildeer.

First I need to find out if the lady concerned is planning to return to her man after the doctors done his bit, decided Jake. Her reply will have a big bearing on how the rest of my day’s going to work out, no doubt.

Picking up his hat from the seat of the chair on the other side of the desk Jake set off in the direction of Doctor Fields house, after first locking the office door. When he first took over as sheriff he’d made it a rule to always leave the door open – even when the office was empty. Shortly after the third occurrence of vandalism, this one involving some burning rubbish being thrown inside the door, it was always locked now whenever they left it unattended.

The town was at its busiest around this time of the day, people out and getting their business sorted before the sun decided to warm the streets a little too much. It wasn’t far to the doc’s home, but while walking the short distance between the two buildings several people asked Jake about the morning’s fracas at the livery. The sheriff discovered long ago the best reply was always a vague one. If the townsfolk concerned wanted to get yet more detail there was always someone around willing to help them. The problem was a lot of the people knew the sheriffs game, and as a consequence attempted to get the detail they craved from direct questioning. When they reached a certain point in the conversation Jake found himself with a habit of quickly making excuses and moving on – leaving the townsfolk in question feeling a little frustrated if nothing else.

The doctor was getting towards the end of dealing with his latest patient when Jake walked in. The door to the treatment room opened and the doctor looked out into the shaded passage. He didn’t appear at all surprised to see someone stood inside his house, probably having heard the door into the street open and close. In his line of work, like the sheriff’s office, there was always the potential for unannounced visitors.

A good morning to you sheriff. Take a seat in the waiting room please. I’ll be with you shortly. I’ve nearly done all I can here.

Okay doc. I also need to speak to Mrs. Jazenburg as well, so I’d appreciate it if you’d ask her not to leave straight away.

Jake sat on one of the doctor’s comfortable chairs and waited. His mind drifted back to the husband of the lady who was being treated not a few feet from him. Would she know what his expected reaction to the morning’s happenings would be? The sheriff was certain his ongoing temperament depended a great deal on the ladies decision regarding her own future. Whether she stayed on in Laredo with him, probably for more beatings at his hand, or did she conclude enough was enough and move on. At least she was still in possession of her life, even if her body was a little more battered. A new town would likely offer a fresh start and hopefully more luck and happiness than she’d ever found in Laredo. To Jake it seemed the more attractive of the available possibilities.

The doctor’s voice calling him from the door of the treatment room brought Jake back to reality.

You’re welcome to speak to both of us in here sheriff. It’ll be more private in case anyone else turns up requiring my services.

The lady in question was standing alongside the long examination table where the patients received their treatments. The lady spotted Jake looking at her and at the empty chairs dotted around the room.

I know what you’re thinking, sheriff. It’s far more comfortable for me to stand – thanks to my husband.

Yes, and it’ll be that way for some time to come I shouldn’t wonder. There’s only so much healing modern medicine can do. The rest is down to your body playing its part – and the greatest of all healers, time, of course, remarked the doctor.

Sorry ma’am. For a minute there I wasn’t thinkin’.

Despite her injuries and obvious pain Mrs. Jazenburg’s face broke into a grin.

That’s perfectly fine, sheriff.

It was when the lady smiled Jake could see exactly why she’d found it so easy to cause so many problems for herself with her husband. Cora Jazenburg was a good looking woman at any time – there was a fact beyond any form of dispute. When her face opened up into a smile it was like listening to the first birdsong of spring, or watching the sun appear from behind heavy clouds after days of constant rain. Every person was born with the ability to smile – but in some it was more of a spectacular occasion than others. With this lady the good Lord had seen fit to gift her with a grin which made even her eyes positively glisten and twinkle. The fact the lady was so apparently receptive, according to Manuel, to other men’s amorous advances simply compounded the problem for one and all.

Okay. The reason I’m here Mrs. Jazenburg is to have a little talk with you. I wanted to see how you were feeling now the doc’s taken a look at you, and if possible to know your future plans. If indeed you’ve got around to making any hard and fast decisions. I’d also like to get your ideas on how you imagine your choices, whatever they turn out to be, will affect your husband’s future state of mind.

Jake wasn’t prepared for what happened next. The ladies shoulders began to gently tremble and a steady stream of tears started to roll down her cheeks – prompting the doctor to quickly offer her his, seemingly well starched, handkerchief.

When she’d composed herself a little she began to tell Jake, and the doctor, all about her life as Mrs. Cora Jazenburg. What surprised the sheriff was how open and honest the lady was. It was the way most Plains Indians lived their lives, having been brought up to think in such a way from babies. If there was an awkward subject then rather than say anything which wasn’t factual they’d merely say ‘I’d rather not talk about it" and leave the discussion there. This was the first white woman Jake ever heard bare her soul in such a manner.

Apparently Richard first met his future wife in a Colorado house of ill repute when she hadn’t quite reached her seventeenth birthday. He most certainly wasn’t the first, or the last, man to be smitten by her charm. After their initial meeting he basically bought her favours and company for every hour of each evening of his visit – in order to prevent her from going with any other man. When he left to travel south again to Texas Cora travelled along with him. He’d told her he was a successful business man. It was only when they arrived in Laredo she found out what the industry was. Owner, and sole employee, of a stable was not exactly the way she’d envisaged her fiancés business empire to be. Despite the letdown the two were married a couple of weeks later - and it was then the beatings