The morning crept into Casper like a thief, hidden in shadow and darkness. A cold drizzle filled the town with a dank, chill that permeated even the hearts of those who had to make their way through it for work or other purposes.
“Lovely, morning.” Darcy shot a harsh look at Blake as she wrapped her heavy fur around her shoulders and tromped out into the street. “Where to now?”
Blake stood on the front porch of the small house and buttoned his long coat against the cold rain. “The bank?”
“To do what?” Darcy said. “Do you plan to march in there and demand the gang leaves?” She snorted a derisive sound that hit Blake in the gut. “We need to go to the hide out. See what’s going on, and then see if we can get the police involved. If they know what’s going to happen they can arrest the whole lot of them.” The young woman lifted a hand, tracing the still vivid bruise along her cheek bone.
“Do you know where they could be?”
“I have an idea. I’ve heard talk of it before.”
Blake tugged his hat down over his brow and glanced down at Darcy. “Lead on,” he drawled, nervousness tugging at his middle.
Darcy stepped into the street and headed toward the east side of town, her steps confident even as her heels squelched in the mud. Hurrying to catch up Blake offered his arm letting the woman lean on him as they made their way through the dank town.
The further the pair went the more misgivings Blake had about the whole endeavor. The town turned from dank to dark as the lanes narrowed and the businesses spoke of a less desirable bent. The door to the speakeasy caught both Blake and Darcy by surprise, as they traversed a narrow passage between the unpainted buildings. A tiny beam of light spilled from a grate covered window illuminating a patch of paving in a sickly orange glow.
“I think this is it,” the young woman said, looking at Blake with luminous eyes. “Should I knock?”She turned examining the heavy age blackened door.
Blake touched the pistol under his coat and nodded. They had come this far it was time to find out more about the plan and see if they could bring at least some of the devastation of this age to an end. It was a risk arriving unannounced to this haven of vice, but it was worth that risk.
Slowly Blake nodded, realizing it wasn’t just his life on the line, he would find out the gang’s plans then report to the police. It would be one more win on the side of right.
Darcy lifted a shaking hand and rapped on the door, jumping slightly as the tiny window sprang open with a click.
“Password,” a rough voice rasped.
Darcy flashed a nervous look to Blake then turned back to the window. “Chipped Ice,” she drawled.
“Where you from?” the disembodied voice echoed into the alley.
“Cheyenne,” Blake interrupted.
“I don’t know you.” The window clicked shut again and Darcy sagged against the wall. “Now what?” she asked, pulling a cigarette from a pocket in her coat.
Blake shook his head watching as the woman placed the fag in the slim black holder and lit it.
“I’m not sure,” he said, turning to look back down the street.
Darcy, placed the holder in her mouth then pushed off the soggy wall. Lifting a hand she rapped on the door once more.
“I already told you I don’t know you,” the voice echoed.
“You may not know me,” Darcy snapped, “but I’m looking for Pierce. You tell him his Darcy dear is here, and she misses him.” The young woman’s eyes glinted, a hard gleam of determination sparking.
“Get lost lady,”
The laugh that trickled from Darcy’s throat made Blake shiver as he saw her shift from the girl he had spent the last two days with to the mad-man’s moll in an instance.
“I don’t know who you are bud,” Darcy growled leaning into the little window, eyes narrowed, “but if you don’t tell your boss I’m here, you’ll regret it. I’m cold, I’m tired, and I’m hungry. If Pierce finds out you left me standing in this alley to catch my death, I’m not sure how long your usefulness will last.” A cruel smile touched her painted lips, “now go,” she finished on a snarl.
“You tried,” Blake said, taking Darcy’s arm and turning her toward the mouth of the alley as the little window snapped shut once more. “We’ll have to find another way.”
Darcy shrugged pulling her coat tight once more. “I can’t believe we came all this way for nothing.” She half turned staring at the door as if she could open it by sheer willpower.
They had only taken two steps down the street when the door opened with a heavy click and bright light spilled onto the shimmering cobble stones.
“You can come in,” a short man with a long beard barked stepping away from the entrance.
Darcy squeezed Blake’s hand, touching his eyes with a glance as she quickly released him stepping through the door, transformed in an instant into the fun loving gang boss bimbo she always seemed.
“Where’s my Piercy Wiercy?” Darcy pouted looking around the room, but taking in every aspect of the space around her. “I need a drink,” she added walking toward the wide bar that took up the longest part of the room. “I’ve missed my man,” she added on a giggle as a rumpled looking Pierce stepped through a door at the end of the room.
Blake ducked under the door frame, stepping to the side and putting the wall to his back. In the next few moments he would know if they were to be accepted or shunned. He could only pray that the gamble would pay off and that he would live for another day.
“Pierce!” Darcy squealed rushing, with swaying steps, toward the man who looked like he’d been shaken from a sound sleep. “I missed you sooo much,” Darcy pouted tossing herself into the burly
