He supposed, as far as a plan went, it was the best they were going to do.
After glancing again down the street at Ben’s men, Will turned his attention back to Mel. “You need to get back before they notice you’re gone.”
“I’m not working tonight. Far as they know, I’m at the boardinghouse where I’m supposed to be.”
“Still, I don’t want them seeing us talking here on the street.”
Mel pulled the cloak tighter around her. “I’ll be fine.”
She turned to leave, then grabbed him by the sleeve. “You know I’m risking my own neck here. When this is over, I expect you to find my sister.”
Looking her square in the eye, Will gave a nod. “You have my word.”
Understanding passed between them, and Mel let go of his sleeve, disappearing into the night.
Will returned to where Jasper and Mary waited. Even as he crossed the street, he could see the tension and anxiety in Mary’s pose. Mel’s assistance was the break they needed. Still, as he relayed the plan, he couldn’t help the feeling of dread that came with bringing them all into danger.
Chapter Eighteen
In all her days, Mary never imagined she’d find herself ensconced in the room of a notorious lady. She’d been scandalized enough delivering food to Miss Betty’s kitchen, but this...
Mary shook her head. It didn’t matter. She’d known this was what rescuing Rose would come to; only now that she was sitting in Mel’s bedroom, Mary wondered if perhaps this was more of her foolishness. Still, she’d prayed, and what had happened next was that Mel had approached them and told them that the only way in was through her window at the boardinghouse.
If God wouldn’t open a door, well, didn’t they say you were supposed to go in the window? She’d asked the Lord for guidance, and this had been the answer to her prayers.
“I’m afraid I don’t have any tea,” Mel said, her voice like sandpaper. “Don’t want to get Alma involved unless we have to.”
Mary swallowed. “I’m fine, thank you.”
A loud banging sounded at the wall. If the person on the other side hit the wall any harder, surely it would break. Mel motioned for them to get behind a changing screen in the corner of the room. Will went first, pulling Mary with him. Then Jasper followed, sandwiching her between the two men.
“There’s a secret door leading to the brothel,” Will whispered in Mary’s ear. “It could be one of Ben’s men.”
Mary shivered, despite being pressed between Will and Jasper.
“It’ll be all right,” Will whispered. “Just be still. If something goes wrong, Jasper will take us out the other door to safety.”
“Now, Colt, you know I can’t see customers here.” Mel’s voice cut through the worries going through Mary’s head.
Mary tried to turn to Will, but he held her still. Surely Mel wouldn’t do...that...while they were trapped in her room?
“I ain’t no ordinary customer, and you know it. I set you up here real good, and you’d best not forget it.”
The bed creaked as someone, presumably Colt, sat upon it. “I gots me one of them headaches, and you’re the only one who knows how to make it better with the stuff you rub on my neck. Help me so’s I can get back out there and stand watch. Ben’s sure that dunderheaded Lawson’s gonna show up tonight. He may have lost his badge, but I’d still like that trophy.”
Mary fought the urge to gasp. Fought the desire to turn to Will and...and what? A man wanted to kill Will. Such a thing was hardly news to any of them. But hearing it from a would-be murderer made the situation all the more dire.
“All right.” Mel let out a long sigh. “Take off your boots and lie down. I’ll get my special cream.”
“And whiskey,” Colt croaked.
The sound of bottles clinked in the background as Colt shifted and took off his boots. One of the boots landed close to the screen. If Mary thought the smell was bad before, it was nothing compared to the odor coming from the empty boots.
“You know Alma doesn’t allow whiskey in here,” Mel said. “Drink this instead.”
Whatever she gave him made him cough.
“Now lie back. I’m sure it’s just your neck all tensed up from being on watch. You must really want to get this Lawson the way you’re all worked up.”
“He messed things up good for us in Century City. We were going to own that town, but he had to step in with his refusal to look the other way. We even had a pretty plum to tempt him, but not even she was enough to distract him.”
Mel made a soothing noise. “Pretty plum? I don’t recall you gentlemen having a lady with you when you arrived in town.”
“She’s at the ranch.” Colt let out a groan. “Oh, not there. That spot hurts real bad.”
Will tensed next to Mary. She wished she could do something to ease whatever was causing him discomfort, but with the man who wanted Will dead so close, she couldn’t risk giving away their position.
“It’s all the tension,” Mel said softly. “Just relax. Tell me about this plum of yours. Should I be worried?”
“Nah. She’s in the family way. Don’t know why Ben doesn’t just get rid of her and the brat, but I think he thinks it might be his. I s’pose a man needs someone to carry on the family name.”
“I don’t believe I’ve ever been to the ranch,” Mel said, her voice gentle.
“I’ll take you there, baby. Just help me get rid of this headache.”
“Is that where he’s taking the new girl he’s got locked up? He doesn’t seem to be sending customers her way.”
Colt gave a soft snore, then snorted, as though he’d been falling asleep but jerked awake. “Her? No. Once he gets her money, we’ve got an accident planned.”
Mary drew in a breath, and Will’s hand immediately came over her mouth.
“What was that?” The bed creaked.
“Shh...lie down.” Mel’s voice came again, as
