"Of course," he whispers. Hurrying to the bar, he flags Roy over and hands him a silver coin. Roy looks surprised for a moment and then gives him a key to an upstairs room. He grabs a bottle of whiskey and heads to the stairs. The Dusty Boots is more than just a saloon. If one has an interest in a companion, Roy is the man to see.
Chase stomps past the patrons and upstairs, down a winding hall to the back of the building. He unlocks the door and steps inside to wait for Addie. A gas lantern is lit, and he opens the window for some fresh air, then pours another whiskey. Staring out the window, he's surprised to see a mountain view.
Addie opens the door and waits for the moment his eyes connect with her, then flips his coin back to him. “I’m not interested, Chase. Even a whore has standards.” Anger, betrayal, and hurt are reflected in her brown eyes.
"Addie, I came to apologize. Give me five minutes, and I'll go," Chase stands quickly.
Surprise flickers, but she quickly hides it. “Five minutes, that’s all.” Closing the door softly she stares at him and waits.
Chase clears his throat and sets his whiskey down. "Addie, I've thought about what you said, calling me a monster and I fear it might true. I'm not the same man I was before I left for the war. I hardened my heart to protect myself and keep from going mad." His tormented eyes meet hers seeking forgiveness in the oddest place. He sits heavily in a wooden chair, and it groans under the weight of the tortured soul it holds.
To say Addie is shocked would be an understatement. “Chase, I was scared. I thought he was going to kill me. I spoke harshly.” She sits on the edge of the bed and reaches for his hand, but he jerks back from her.
"No, don't let me off so easily, Addie." His voice grows stronger, "I thought about it." Hardened eyes stare into hers without flinching. "Letting him kill you. It would have made my job easier if I'd just taken the shot. I'm sorry I scared you. I can only ask for your forgiveness."
"God, Chase. What did the war do to you?" Addie stands up and opens a drawer to take out a cigarette. He watches her closely, and the urge to take and use her to forget is almost too much to bear.
Addie lights up and turns to look at him. Recognizing the look of hunger, she takes a long draw before smashing the cigarette and steps closer to him removing his cowboy hat. Her fingers through his hair while his hands go to her waist to pull her close.
"I feel sorry for you, Chase. If you only go through life weighing the value of a person, you'll miss their true worth." She leans down close to his mouth and whispers, "I may be a whore, but I know my true value," her hand fists roughly in his hair jerking his head back. She leans close almost touching his mouth with hers, "and you won't find the answers you seek between my well-used thighs." Addie shoves the cowboy hat back on his head and jumps when Chase laughs.
“I deserve that. Thank you, Addie. I will do better in the future, I swear it. Now, I need some information.”
Addie snatches up his whiskey and sips on it. “Fine, but I’m keeping the coin.”
Chase tosses the coin back to her, and she smiles, "What can I do for you?"
“These sexy outfits you wear, who makes them?”
Surprise flickers, “I have them made by a local dressmaker. Why?”
“I need to know where someone would go to have multiple made?”
"That depends on the trimming. Lace, ribbons, sequins, and such." She sits on the side of her bed and kicks off her shoes. "No respectable dressmaker would make costumes for soiled doves. If they do, it would be done in secret." They talk for a little while about the business of dressmaking until he stands up.
“You’ve been a huge help. Thank you.” He places a ten-dollar silver coin on her dresser. Stepping in front of her he tilts her chin up to look in her chocolate eyes. “I’ll never forget your value again.” He kisses her brow.
Tears fill her eyes, “Thank you, Chase. I hope you find some peace.”
Walking to the door, he stops, “I plan on it.”
As he rides out of town, headed for home, Chase thinks about these four young women. If he had taken the shot and let Addie die, he would have been no better than a murderer himself. It occurs to him what a slimline he walks between sanity and insanity. This killer placed no value in their lives, and he believes he's gotten away with it. A burning desire to find justice for those who can't claim it for themselves erupts inside Chase, and he remembers. He remembers what drove him to become a soldier and why he became a United States Marshall. Chase smiles and rides for home.
Chapter 8
"New York," Bronnah smiles at Lizzy and her new husband. They've been inseparable the past five days, as they should be. Lizzy helped her pack, and they'd cried together, laughed together, and if Bronnah is truthful, she's partially relieved. To see Lizzy happy fills her with joy and she's excited to be free for the first time. Free of responsibility and free to start her own life.
All the first-class passengers gather on the top deck, ready to depart. The health checks are over, and anyone found to be ill is transported straight to the infirmary. Bronnah hugs Lizzy, and both are in tears when it comes time to separate. The first-class passengers will depart first. Arm in arm, they walk together down
