Cotton Williams Us Territorial Marshal

By R.A. Hill

Book Summary
Oh, my sweet missy, he said then pulled the knife from its scabbard. Crouching alongside Emma he reaches across and pressed the cold sharp blade against her neck then covers her mouth with his other hand. Emma is stunned. She cant move. She is frightened! Who is this man? Whats he doing? What does he want? Her mind races! God, help me!
I aim to turn this territory around. I intend to run a second term for Governor, and the only way that I will be reelected is to control the rustling, robbing, senseless murders and some son of a bitch who is raping women. I need this stopped . . .
Cotton Williams, U.S. Territorial Marshal, is sent on a mission to stop the corruption in Southern Arizona Territory and to find a rapist. He has only one clue to find the rapist. One word Missy.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Oct 29, 2012
• ISBN: 9781477135815

R.A. Hill

Author Bio I’m nobody significant. I don’t have a Twitter, don't blog. I have face book but I don’t use it. I’m just an average individual who values life and the good that people do. I’m a firm believer that God has given us opportunity to achieve greatness but we must learn how tap into it. In my late twenty’s I had the inching to write but it wasn’t until forty years later that I put pen to paper. I have been blessed with three girls and three boys and a wonderful wife – my soul mate – given to me by God. I look at life as half-full and not half-empty. I enjoy a good meal, a good movie, great friends, and love to laugh and make people laugh. I believe that God has given all of us another day of opportunity, but it is up to us what we do with it.

Book preview

Chapter 1

Ravaged

Emma Burnet lifted the bucket of water from the sink. Struggling with the weight, she placed it on the table in the middle of the kitchen. Reaching behind her neck, she pulled at the drawstring of the pale blue sheer nightgown she wore. Loosening its neckline, the gown slowly slipped down beyond her shoulders, then fell gently to the floor. She stood bare. Dipping a cotton towel in the cool water, she wiped the back of her neck, then followed the contours of her body. The coolness of the moist towel against her hot skin felt refreshing as she wiped the moisture of perspiration. She sighed with relief and shivered slightly as a brushing breeze gushed through an open window that flapped the drawn laced drapes which protected her exposed bareness from glimpses of passersby. Unaware that lustful eyes were viewing her bareness, she continued to wipe herself gently. She felt relieved from the heat as her skin cooled.

Outside hiding behind a cottonwood, a man’s eyes froze on her. Her fullness caused him to fall forward against the tree that shielded his presence as his legs weakened, then buckled from his weight. Struggling to hold himself up, he gripped the tree trunk forcefully for support. Overwhelmed in excitement, his mouth salivated grotesquely as strings of liquid plummeted from his lips onto the ground.

Oh, god bless, he murmured as he strained for another peek between the flapping of the windblown curtains. More! he said under his breath as he reached down and tugged at his groin. Show me more, again he said through tight teeth as the curtain returned to its still position blinding his view. Leaping forward he stepped on a fallen twig that snapped betraying his presence as its crackle penetrated the still-evening sky.

Damn it, he said in a low inaudible tone, then froze instantly. Crouching to one knee, he waited. There was no sign of any stirring from the house as he gawked at the window. No one appeared aroused from the noise he made. Rising slowly, he continued but this time remained crouched while taking longer strides. Finally reaching the picket fence that surrounded the small house, he easily stepped over placing himself in the yard. His movements now were awkward, for there was nothing between the fence and the corner of the house that he could hide behind. He had to hurry. Quickly he scampered then stumbled unexpectedly over an exposed juniper stump falling forward into a small thistle bush.

Son of a bitch, he muffled. What the hell. Damn bush, he said angrily. Without thought, he stood exposing himself as he began to pull the few thorns that penetrated the palm of his hands. Momentarily forgetting that he was standing in the open like a deer ready to be slaughtered by the aim of a hunter, he quickly fell to a prone position on the dusty ground. Then a bark of a dog caused him to look about. Without hesitation, he crawled toward the house. Reaching the corner he laid flat looking and listening. He was safe. He felt relieved. Looking up from the ground he noticed that the room was now dark. He panicked. His mind began to race. Did she hear me when I fell? he said to himself. He waited. His breaths were hot from the exertion of crawling and the excitement of his hunt. He stood and moved toward the opposite corner of the house that was sheltered from the rays of the glowing moon. Briefly brushing the dust from his clothes, he leaned against the outer wall and took deep breaths. He rested momentarily as the thrilled shakiness in his body began to subside.

The house stood at the end of Fourth Street, a distance from the commercial road that led into the warehousing district. At night, the road was least traveled as all nighttime activities were down Main Street, a couple of blocks away. Even so, at that distance could be heard the tunes of a piano playing ballets from the Silver Bell Saloon, along with broken laughter and the occasional whooping holler of someone enjoying the evening’s activities. But around the house, there was nothing. No movement. Not a passerby nor a dog or a cat. Not even a wild varmint in the yard searching the barren garden, looking for a possible forgotten planted root to eat. This is how he liked it. A still evening! He knew that he could maneuver freely without detection. This was better than he had expected. Everything was going just as planned.

As he continued to lean against the house, his heart began to race once again. Nervousness rose within him, as the uninterrupted and wicked plan embraced his thoughts without disruption. He began to feel overcome with uneasiness that all was working to his expectations that he felt anxious. He became light-headed. Everything was too perfect. But this was nothing new. He felt this before several times. Eventually this quivery feeling would subside. It was never an easy assignment this evil thing that he was about to undertake. It bothered him but excited him as well! It was wrong, but he couldn’t help himself. He prized in its pleasure and the power it gave him. But it sickened him afterward knowing that he had done wrong to another person. How he wanted this to stop. He hoped that he would get caught. The thoughts that raced through his head were unforgiving and relentless. But his mind did not yield. He couldn’t forget. He could see the victims in his dreams. Over and over he experienced the atrocity that he performed. How he wished that this would be his last victim. Something or someone needed to stop this madness that engulfed his mental and physical desires.

Leaning against the weathered wood slats he took a deep breath, then moved cautiously toward a back open window that was shadowed. Cautiously he separated the drapes and peered into the room. In front of the window was a small half-circle tabletop where an unlit kerosene lamp had been placed. He looked beyond it but could only see blackness, shadows, and a dim light. Gently he lifted the lamp and moved it to the outside where he placed it on the ground. Then reaching back he lifted the half-moon table and placed it away from the window.

Emma had retired into the bedroom, where she placed a glowing lamp on a table by the bed. Neatly folded upon the sheet was a white sheer nightgown that she lifted and through its sleeve she placed her arms. Allowing it to gently fall she then pulled back the cotton sheet, then lay upon the feathered mattress resting her head on the pillow. Looking up at the ceiling she started thinking of the day’s routine as she closed her eyes. Feeling cool and refreshed from the bath she relaxed as she settled into the semisoft mattress, then drifted into a dreamy state.

There was an eerie quietness as the man drew aside the lace curtain exposing the front room. He had waited a period of time outside until all sounds were again silent before making his move. Looking inward, he let his eyes adjust to the darkness. He could now make out the features in the room. He listened intensely and all he could hear was his own excited heavy breathing. All was perfect. The moment had come. Holding his breath he grabbed the sill and began to scale the window. In his excitement, he had forgotten to remove the spurs from the boots. Retreating, he lowered himself and carefully unlatched them. Unhitching the holster he placed it on the ground along with the loose coins in his pockets.

Can’t have a jingling in the pocket give me away, he thought to himself as a smile broke across his lips. All he needed was a sheathed knife for protection and enforcement to scare his victim into submission. Now he was prepared and ready. Quickly he dragged his eyes across the perimeter again observing the shadows made by the moon’s ray, then listened. The only noise heard were the rustling of leaves from the evening breeze. Once more he rose and grabbed the sill. Hoisting himself upward he leaned forward perching himself, then easily slid forward affording him passage into the room. Stepping away from the window he slid into a darkened corner. Taking in deep breaths he tried to calm his excited panting while studying the room. From a flickering glow of a flamed coal from the kitchen stove danced silhouette shadows along the wall giving him sufficient light to examine the area. As he looked about his focus stopped at an oval frame that hung on the wall across the room reminding him of a similar frame that hung in the home where he was reared as a child. A photo image of a man sitting with a woman standing directly behind with her hand on the shoulder caused him to reflect of the parents he knew and the happy times when he was young in a home filled with love and care. But that ended quickly in a fire that took their lives leaving him alone and orphaned.

At an early age he grew up learning the art of begging and stealing, then eventually relied on muggings for money until a devastated death by his own hand, though by accident, found him incarcerated for seven years. In jail, he learned to survive by taking what he needed and when he needed it. This was why he was there, in the house of Emma Burnet—to take what he wanted.

Straight ahead and to his left were the two bedrooms. He knew that the woman slept in the room off the kitchen, for this was not the first time he had wandered around the house. He had entered during her absence and surreptitiously fondled her personal belongings. She wasn’t his first or would she be the last… unless he was caught. His planning was well rehearsed. Emma was his next victim.

Beads of sweat began to roll down his brow. His nervousness was beyond control. However, as he waited his confidence grew. He was reverting to that spineless predatory animal that lacked the personal resilience to restrain from the wickedness that continued to combat his mind for seduction. Any romantic emotions he may have envisioned with his victims were betrayed by the accessional madness that ruled an appetite for lust. He prized in the demented desire, and the thirst for it conquered his probity. With ease and simplicity, he took a step forward while shifting his weight in order to squelch the creaking floorboard until he stood at the door of the kitchen. On the floor lay the gown that she wore while bathing. Ahead of him was the bedroom where she slept. Lifting the gown, he held it close to his face and inhaled her fragrance which excited him even more so. Hesitating, he stood motionless, holding the gown and his breath. His body began to quiver with excitement. The thought of her made him shake uncontrollably. He then took small steps, almost slithering across the wood floor, and gasped as he grabbed the door handle. Slowly he turned the knob, unlatching the bolt as the door freely swung inward.

A whispered shimmer of light from the low-lit lamp on the bed table radiated an adequate amount of light that exposed Emma. She lay sleeping in the sheer gown. He stood there startled, hoping that his presence would not wake her. His stare was unforgiving.

Her body’s curves were outlined as she lay relaxed. The firmness of her round breasts froze his eyes as he glared with desire. From the shadows cast by the low-glowing flame, she seemed picturesque yet pleasing and desirable. Her hair flowed down around her shoulders, and her lips were pressed close giving an impression of a smile. Her breathing was soft and deep, giving way to sleep.

Oh god, he said softly, trying to hold back the heavy panting and the uncontrollable shaking throughout his body. Weakening from the desire of his yearning, he held on to the frame of the door and steadied himself. A flow of pressure again began to build in his groin, causing him discomfort. Oh, my sweet missy, he groaned and whispered to himself.

Pulling the knife from its scabbard, he held it unmercifully, wielding it in a deadly manner. In sequence, he removed his broad rim hat and placed it at the foot of the bed just beyond where she lay. Crouching alongside her, he reached across and pressed the cold sharp blade against her neck just below the ear. With his other hand, he quickly cupped her mouth as she sensed his presence.

Emma’s eyes opened quickly. The gaze protruding from them was one of terror. Emma was stunned and shocked as she tried to move, but the weight of the man on her chest held her motionless. His powerful hand distorted her cheek. Her lips were pressed against her own teeth.

Leaning close, he whispered into her ear. Speak out, and I’ll cut your throat, he said evilly while struggling to maintain his hand over her mouth.

Startled and now frightened, Emma could not make out what was happening. Who is this man? What’s he doing? What does he want? Her mind raced. She couldn’t hear his summons. She wanted to struggle but felt the cold steel blade against her neck. She needed help. But who was there to stop this attack? This man! She couldn’t call out. His hand was heavy against her mouth. What do I do? Her mind raced. God, help me!

Now now, missy, he said. Don’t fight. You don’t want to get hurt now, do you? Catching him off guard, Emma arched her back, hoping to release his grip. The effort was fruitless. He pressed harder with his weight. He then laid the knife’s edge under the left ear and drew blood as the sharp blade cut into Emma’s skin effortlessly.

Stop now, missy, and I’ll be easy on you, he said as if the words were meant to stifle her fears. You cooperate, and I won’t hurt you! You don’t want me to hurt you now, he whispered over and over. Now let me see what we have here! Speaking in hush tones, he drew back off her while he guided his eyes downward onto her breasts.

Ah, missy, you’re a fine woman. A very fine full woman! I want this… His words trailed off as Emma took advantage when he looked down. With an open left hand she swung freely upward striking him across the cheek as she tried to force him away from her. Catching him with surprise, she quickly drove a knee upward that landed on the face. Grunting and wincing from the blows, he let out an ached yell.

Get off of me, damn you! Emma screamed as she refused to allow consent to his brutal advancement. Again, she arched, this time letting her arms and legs swing freely and violently, striking him with effort about the face and head. Her fright now had reverted into nerve, giving her an undetermined strength not previously known. She began to fight back bravely. She wasn’t about to give up. She had no idea what would happen only that she feared that he was going to kill her.

Trying to regain command of her, his hand accidently slipped into her mouth. Biting down viciously like a hunter’s trap, Emma dug her teeth deep into his skin, drawing blood. Like a wild prey she began to twist and turn her head while trying to rip the flesh from the hand.

Screaming and cursing with pain, he rose to his feet. Reaching down, he grabbed her by the hair and raising her to a seated position on the bed. You stupid whore. I’ll kill you! he shouted. Raising the knife he let it swing downward with a powerful thrust as the hilt struck Emma across the side of the face, welting the cheek. Emma grunted. The pain from the blow stunned her, rendering her dizzy. Again he raised his arm and struck. This time the blow lacerated her cheek, showering blood against the opposite side of the room.

This will teach you to fight back. That was all Emma heard as she began to lose consciousness from the fierce assault. Pulling her by the hair he dragged her from the bed and threw her to the floor. Emma’s face slammed against the floor. Lying prone, blood flowed easily from her nose and mouth. She lay there in a stupor thinking this was just a bad dream, a nightmare that she could not awaken from.

I told you, missy. I warned you, but you didn’t listen. You all don’t listen! he preached as he frantically moved about the room. I don’t want to hurt you. But you don’t listen, he said as he stood over her. How many times do I have to tell you? You stupid… His words trailed off as he saw her move.

Becoming aware of her situation, Emma began to sob hysterically. God, what’s happening? she said as tears flowed freely. The gashed cheek burned as the warm blood continued to surge on to the floor. Her head throbbed. Raising her head she caught sight of him.

What do you want? she cried out as her words were muddled from the spewing fluids from her nose and mouth. I have done nothing to you! Why are you doing this? she frantically cried out. I have no money, she whimpered, hoping that the mention of not having any money would stop the attacker if money was the object of this assault. Trying to make sense of it all, she wailed out of desperation, Don’t hurt me any more, as she tried crawling toward the door.

Where you think you going, missy? he chuckled as he watched her inch away from him. Reaching down, he grabbed her by the ankles and forcefully yanked her back to her starting point. Then he put his foot on her back, holding her down with her face to the floor. I said, where do you think you going, missy? I ain’t done with ya yet! Come back here, he said as he chuckled aloud. Crouching over her he then reached down and raised her gown exposing her backside nakedness. An excited groan overcame him as the sweetness of her body stirred the animal within him.

O me gosh. He was short on words as he glared upon her. Closing his eyes he took a deep breath and let it out with a pleasured sigh. He then knelt down behind her and spread her legs outward.

Emma could hear him wrestling with his belt as he tried to unbuckle its latch. Knowing his monstrous intensions, Emma yelled No! In desperation, she lurched forward, crawling quickly.

No, you don’t, she shouted as she understood why he was there. Rolling onto her back she kicked outward and with a brutal force struck him in the stomach, halting his advance. Watching him fall backward into a seated position, she heard him gasp for air.

Run! went through her mind as she turned and tried to crab-crawl away. Trying to rise, she stumbled forward falling to her knees and hands. Again Emma cried out No! as she tried again to escape. In her clumsiness, brought about by the heavy blunt and forceful blows, ill afforded her flight.

Leaping forward, he swooped onto her back like a puma pouncing on an unsuspected prey. Falling again prone, Emma, with a forceful turn was able to dismount the intruder as he fell off of her onto his right side. Free from his grasp, she reached out and clawed and scratched at his face while yanking and pulling at his hair.

You bastard. I’ll tear your face, she