orchid blossom
Explorer
After the dynamite goes off, Jake runs around to the front of the house where the others have gathered. He grabs his bag and rifle and throws them farther away from the burning house. "Everyone whole?" he asks and most nod.
Minerva stands and watches the fire, carefully observing to make certain the monsters do not escape. She is tempted to console Ruby, but decides that is Jake's job right now.
Jake watches the house burn for a moment before he wanders over to where Ruby hiding her face from all of them. He sits nearby with his back to the barn. "You wanted to know how much I loved you? I love you enough to be too afraid to leave you alone. Even though I knew those monsters might use you. I just could not bear the risk to leave you where I could not see you and worry that they could get to you. So if you must blame someone, blame me. I put you here even though I knew that one of them controlled you at Greely's saloon. I did not know what else to do. I was not strong enough to leave you somewhere else. I had to trust my luck because..." he finally looks over at her, "because that is all I know how to do."
Ruby stops her sobbing and looks up at Jake, setting her red puffy eyes on his. She looks beaten and broken in just about every way possible. She has a new cut on her cheek, to match her bruise and the old cut on her head. Her breathing is heavy and her tone is sad. "You brought me here so you could WATCH me try to kill all my friends? And most especially my best friend," she chokes, "My lover and my life? What if I had succeeded? I would have to live with that for the rest of my pathetic life," she spits out.
She sits quietly for a moment, "I used to be able to only trust one person, myself, and now I can't even do that." She hangs her head very low. She says softly, "I just want this over with. I can't do it anymore. And after that.. I don't know."
"Pretty selfish of me to risk the others." Jake continues to watch her. "I have no other excuse to make. I thought this was our best odds." He stands slowly, a bit bruised himself from diving around. "I hope you will forgive me. I am doing what I can to finish this." He reaches his hand out to her. "I am sorry I pushed you down the stairs."
Ruby pushes up off the ground without help and stands, wrapping her arms around herself, ignoring Jake's hand to her. She keeps her face to the ground. "I can't say I wouldn't have done the same or worse. I know you didn't do it to be mean. And I know you're trying your best. I feel sorry for you, to be stuck with all this."
"Stuck?" He steps closer and grabs both her shoulders in an attempt to have her look him in the eye. "You would abandon me if I was the one being threatened? I do not believe it. You have a right to feel violated and unsure, I will not deny you that," he says releasing her. He steps back from her, "I do not want your sympathy or your pity." He tries to keep his tone calm and without reproach. "Just your heart, Ruby, I just want your heart. Rest easy for a little while, I need to make sure that everything burns in that house. I will not have anyone threatening my woman."
"There is no rest for the wicked," Ruby says softly under her breath as she watches Jake walk away.
Jake looks at her silently for a minute before he walks away to watch the house burn. "Hey Chet, you OK? Maybe you and Nanuet can check out the barn."
Chester walks over. "Yep. We just breathed in a little smoke. We were about to stab a vampire with a stake when the house caught fire. How are you doing? What was going on here?"
Jake tells Chet what happened upstairs. "Sorry, pardner, I started the fire. Between Ruby being in their control and Edwards not doing too well against that Gloves character I could not mess around any more with a pointy stick."
"We'll check out the barn. The sheriff did it, but maybe there's something he missed."
Nanuet also counts heads to make sure everyone is there that should be. When he looks at Minerva he sees a blood stain on her blouse near her shoulder. "Minerva, you're hurt! What happened?" he quickly moves over to her and gently pulls the shirt to the side, attempting to shield anyone else’s view with his body. "You've been shot! Please sit down, let me take a look at that."
Nanuet gets Minerva to sit and he begins tending to the wound. "The bullet is still in there, you are crazy to be running around like this! I will use a prayer to heal you."
Nanuet casts cure moderate on her, expelling the bullet and closing the wound. He grins when he sees that only a small white scar remains. "I must help the others search the barn, please rest here for a moment."
Nanuet, Chester, Al Weeks and Katherine all head to the barn to search it and check over the contents.
Inside the barn there are half a dozen horse stalls and tack and supplies for all of them. There is hay, feed, equipment for shoeing and for doing minor leatherwork as well. Several farm tools such as pitchforks and shovels can also be found in the fairly tidy barn. To the side is a small pig pen with trough but it is currently devoid of any occupants.
4 of the stalls are occupied and after a quick examination it is determined that 3 of the horses had been ridden recently, and appear to be in need of some care. The 4th is an older mare and appears to have stayed behind when the trio made their recent visit to town.
The back of the barn has the necessary equipment for milking and slaughtering the cattle as well as their feed and other supplies.
In the end it appears to be nothing but a normal working barn.
Ruby couldn't even begin to comprehend what she did and what she was going to have to do. Her friends all set about making themselves useful and Ruby is glad for their distraction, she couldn't bear to be around any of them just now. They would try to comfort her for sure, but there was certainly no comfort to be had for Ruby West. Jake was right, she had been violated, worse than any other time in her short life.
Her hand finds it way to her waist, and the little silver flask that had gone untouched since much earlier in the day. Breaking a promise to herself she flicks the cap off with her thumb and doesn't bother taking a sip. She gulps down most of the remaining contents, it was going to take a lot of drugs to get her through the rest of this day.
She wipes the still falling tears from her face as she stands numbly, like in a trance. It doesn't take long for her legs to start to wobble and she stumbles over to the side of the barn, where she crumples down into a ball. Her cries grow weaker and finally the little flask falls from her hand as she head sags to the side and she passes out.
Jake watches Ruby out of the corner of his eye. He decides to examine the chest and its contents that is now lying on the ground outside the burning house. It was a long shot but he hoped it might contain some useful knowledge or tool in combating the menace that faced them. He sees her stumble and then curl up against the barn. He almost ran to her. No, he thinks painfully, she has to figure this out herself. I can protect her from vampires, but someday she is going to have to face herself.
When Ruby slumps over, Jake cannot stand aloof any longer. He runs over and lifts her head off the ground and places it on his lap. He notices the flask that has fallen out of her hand. He shakes his head and sighs while quickly putting it in his pocket. He just sits and strokes her hair, letting her have the time in oblivion while he maintains a watch on her to make certain she did not take a life threatening amount.
When he can get Edwards attention he asks him about the Bull. "You said, 'The creature is undead! I will try and turn it back!'. What does that mean? It was not a vampire like the others, it was in the sun." Jake asks him questions about it and the implications.
After the others gather round him, concerned about Ruby, Jake uses the time to discuss what they know so they can figure out what to do next. "Turner either faked his death, or was killed so we would think trouble was due to him and is now gone, or if neither then why and buy who? If these vampires were three of the four foot prints... who was the fourth? Something tells me the cuff links and the missing rope are clues that we do not yet understand. Why kill Turner to give us the confidence to leave and then kill the sheriff? Why are Greely and Whittaker buying up property? Seems clear they are taking advantage of folks dying or having them killed. Who is to say that O'Neil is NOT really part of it, even though he appears not to be a vampire himself. And what about that bull? That does not bode well, nor answer anything." Jake also is concerned that they group make certain coffins are gone and it is not possible that the vampires are hiding in the foundation or have found some other escape.
Edwards says, "Yes, as we all could see the creature was not normal. I cast a small spell that allowed me to determine if it was living or undead. It was the second of the two. I was about to try and turn it away when you... um flame broiled it. As to how it got in that state, I am not sure. Perhaps they found a way to taint it, perhaps they feed it one of their victims blood. I am not sure."
"Maybe killing Turner had nothing to do with us at all," Kate said. "It's a small town, and too many deaths too quickly will drive people off. The people run, the vampires run out of victims. Also, another vampire who isn't part of their group could be seen as a threat to their power. Of course, Turner may not have been killed by these monsters. I admit, they are probably the only ones strong enough to do it though."
Jake nods, "Smart thinking Mrs. Kale. If he's dead it might not have anything to do with us at all. I wish we knew for certain if he is going to be a problem for us anymore."
"There is no certain to be had. But I'd lay down money that these three aren't all of them. Someone pulls their strings. Mr. Edwards, what would you recommend we do next?"
"Well, there are a few people in town I'd like to investigate. Mr. Bobby Whitaker for one. From what I understand he never comes out in the day, he moved in to town just before the trouble started, and he keeps his house boarded up and locked down. It sounds almost too much like he fits the profile too well, but worth looking into."
"Thom and Greely need some looking into as well, even if for the simple reason that they only seem to work at night. We can do some simple things, try and catch their reflection in a mirror, splash some water on them as if it were an accident. It works out that we are all visitors here and I don't think any of us are too concerned about making friends so if we offend someone who happens to not be a vampire then it shouldn't be the end of the world."
"As for the immediate future I'd like to take a look around the ranch property a bit more and wait for this fire to burn itself out so that I can take a look at what's left."
"Greely has certainly benefited from the trouble in town. His is the only saloon left, and he bought up Thom's properties after his accident." Kate paused a moment. "That bull, it wasn't a vampire but it was some kind of undead creature. Left for a guard, I would assume. If Greely is a vampire, could Thom be a creature like that?"
Jake cuts in, "Ruby said she saw that Thom fellow yesterday morning in the crowd. That would make it doubtful he's one of them."
"The bull was out in the daylight too. Obviously there is some form of undead those Vampires were using as servants. I'm suggesting Thom could be whatever those are. Of course, that assumes Greely is a Vampire. As Mr. Edwards suggested, a spill or two at the saloon might be in order."
"Alright, we set that up," Jake says, "Splashing the water, checking mirrors. Anything we can do." He looks down at Ruby, still lying sleeping in his lap. "I'm not sure what folks want to do tonight. Maybe Mr. Edwards wants to check out the place without us? Or maybe he'd prefer company."
Chester, Nanuet and Weeks return. Weeks says, "Well folks, we checked everywhere in the barn. If there's a secret space in there, it must be well hidden."
Chester pipes up, "Yep. No caskets in there. How're things out here?"
Jake fills them in, leaving out where Edwards would be. He still doesn't trust the sheriff completely.
Nolan listens to the others make their plans as he watches the building continue to burn. He makes his way over to Jake who is working on getting the chest open which survived the fall from the upper story intact. "If you all don't mind I think I am going to hang out here for the rest of the day. I want to keep an eye on things, make sure the coffins are fully destroyed and see if perhaps they had any friends who would come and visit. Anyone is more than welcome to stay with me, but it is not necessary. Now, let's see what's in that trunk."
Jake nods, "I understand. I have need of getting back to town," he glances at Ruby, "AFTER we make sure there is no sign of those coffins left. Maybe one of the others might want to stay with you. But in truth, we have all had a full day and they may just want to get some well needed rest."
The contents of the trunk are curious. There are several sentimental items as well as woman's clothing. Several photos showcase a wedding in which it appears Eugene Smith was the groom. The bride is a fairly unremarkable woman but both bride and groom appear to be very happy in all the pictures. The actual wedding gown from the picture is found carefully folded in the trunk. There are several letters from family members addressed to "Martha" or "Martha and Gene" dealing with personal issues such as wedding plans, moving into the ranch together and a pregnancy which was lost before making it to full term. There is also a keepsake box tied closed with ribbons that contains dried flowers, a few pieces of jewelry, a broken men's watch, and several letters written by Eugene Smith also addressed to Martha which seem to have been written during a courtship.
Jake ponders the contents of the trunk. "Let's take some of the items in case we need them later. That way I can look them over more carefully when I don't have as much on my mind." The friends gather the contents of the trunk and load them onto the carriage. Jake also gathers Ruby's pistol and dagger; & his rifle, derringer with blanks, and bag all lying strewn on the ground.
Finally he checks Ruby again, still passed out. He lifts her off the ground and cradles her in his arms, carrying her to the carriage and places her inside. She responds with barely a moan.
"Everyone ready?" Jake asks wearily.
Sheriff Weeks adds, "I will stay with Mr. Edwards. We should be fine together. I'm going to do whatever it takes to get this problem taken care of and revenge Sheriff Wilson."
They wait a little while longer, then check out the basement area. The fire and dynamite have completely obliterated the area and there are no signs of the coffin remaining. Satisfied with what he finds Jake tells the others it's time to head back. The carriage ride is uneventful and soon they find themselves back at the hotel.
Chester helps everyone unload their baggage from the carriage. He says, "Let's go to this Whitaker house while it's still light out. We'll start by asking if we can ask him about what's going on and move on from there. How's that?"
Jake replies, "Deputy, I have to take care of my wife tonight. But I think Mrs. Jacobs had a reason to visit Mr. Whittaker and it would look less suspicious. But if you want to got today and get it done, you are a deputy, I certainly won't stop you."
Chester looks quizzically at Jake. "You... can take care of Mrs. Jacobs. This Whitaker thing doesn't have to be done today. If she would look less suspicious, then she needs to be up and walking. What happened to her?"
"She, uh, had a little too much headache medicine." Jake lets that hang in the air. "Chet, if you decide it is better to go up to Whittaker's place now, bring some reliable help. Oh," Jake steps in close and speaks lower, "tell Edwards about how the then Deputy Weeks answered the question on where he was during the day yesterday. Make sure that Edwards knows that Weeks might have been controlled by someone. Last thing we need is for our new sheriff to turn on Edwards and kill him." Jake then pats him on the shoulder, "Luck, pardner."
As Nanuet and Chester are helping gently lift a still mostly unconscious Ruby out of the carriage Jake approaches Katherine. He pushes his hat back on his head and says wearily, "Quite a day, huh?"
Kate reached up and touched her cheek where it was red and swollen. "I'd call a day when three of those monsters are wiped out a good one." She looked over toward Ruby. "Not all good, though."
Jake nods. "We're closer to our goal, that is a good thing." He sticks his hand deep into his pockets as he watches Nanuet lift Ruby off the ground and carry her inside their hotel. "I'm going to spend the night with her, get her cleaned up and watch over her." He sighs, "I admit Katherine Kale, I am getting tired."
"We leave too much of the burden on you, Jake. I wish I knew how to take more of it myself... But I do know how to get someone cleaned up and keep my eyes open in the night. If you trust me enough."
Though tired Jake still manages his infamous smirk. "Heh. Sometimes I take it on myself. But I'd sure appreciate the help. I've learned it's not as easy as it looks getting a sleeping person out of the tub. How about you meet us upstairs in a few minutes?"
"Alright, Jake," she said, patting his arm. She went to her room and changed into a simple skirt and blouse, rolling up the sleeves. She packed up the few medical things she carried, bandages, witch hazel, needle and thread, alcohol for cleaning and a book or two for her own entertainment, then went upstairs and knocked on Jake and Ruby's door.
When Katherine arrives at the room the bath is being drawn. Ruby is lying mostly unmoving on the bed. Jake has pulled out Ruby's white nightgown, the one she rarely wears but always brings with her and laid it carefully on the bed next to Ruby. Jake ushers her in, "Thank you for coming Katherine. Do you want something to drink?" as he pours himself a large whiskey.
"It's best if I don't, Jake. For more than one reason." Kate set her bag down on the floor. "What we're going to want to do is put a chair in the tub. Even just the front legs if the whole thing won't fit. We can sit her in the chair. One of us will have the job of making sure she stays in it, and the other can do the washing up. We can use the wash basin to help when it comes to her hair."
Jake nods. "Whatever you think will be easiest." He takes a drink from his glass then sets about putting the bath together as Kate asked.
They soon find that the chair won’t really be needed as Ruby is suddenly awake. “Oh goooddie,” she slurs, “A bath!” Then she breaks out in a fit of giggles. Jake just shakes his head as he helps her sit up and get her clothes off.
"She looks like I did after Ringo shot that horse out from under me," Kate said quietly. "I have some witch hazel in my bag. After her bath I'll put some on those bruises, it will help soothe them a bit."
Jake widens his eyes slightly and nods towards Ruby. He mouths, "Don't bring that up, she's sensitive."
"Something surprise you?" Kate asked quietly.
"I suppose not. I just thought she would trust me more... but I am not offended." He replies equally as quietly.
"I don't understand. What would offend you?"
Jake looks startled and then uncomfortable, "Ah, that I might be so petty, you know that she would have to hide something to, um keep me.... umm, nevermind."
"Or maybe she's just embarrassed," Kate said sensibly. "Ruby's not used to imperfection." Jake shrugs in response.
As Jake got Ruby undressed, Kate opened up her bag and pulled out a few short bandages. Two she used as ties to make sure her sleeves wouldn't roll down. Then she pulled up her skirt on one side and tied it up as well so she could move more easily. She almost expected to turn around and see Tom there waiting for her.
10 minutes later they finally get Ruby into the bath. She willingly sinks in with a loud “Ahhhhh.” Some splashing commences before Ruby sits back and relaxes.
"I'm sorry Jake," Kate said quietly. "I figured out what she was doing yesterday, but I didn't get a chance to tell you. Being Maddie has... It's kept me away." She chuckled. "I got a little taste of what it's like to be Ruby, and I have to say I prefer Katherine. I didn't like all those men looking at me."
Ruby starts singing a song to herself, giggling at the lyrics as she does.
My wife and I lived all alone,
In a little log hut we called our own;
She loved gin and I loved rum,
I tell you we had lots of fun.
While Ruby is singing they continue to speak in whispers.
Jake chuckles, "I think you did at first. I imagine it can be scary after a while. There is something to be said for being unnoticed." He lets a moment pass before he says, "I did figure out what she was doing finally. I have seen it before, I just did not recognize it with her. There are times I can be so stupid when it comes to her." He sighs and looks Katherine directly in the eyes. "You do not need to apologize. I was the one that took her there today knowing what she was doing and knowing that one of those three had, um influenced her and would likely do so again. I should have consulted you all, but... well, I did not."
"Jake, you have noticed our tendency to discuss things to death, haven't you? Miss Florencia got a taste of what Ruby has been doing, we all knew the dangers and could have objected. But I'm not sure leaving her behind would have been a better option. One of us would have had to stay with her to keep her out of trouble and the group would have been two down. Don't worry over it." She smiled a bit. "Just don't make a habit of it either." Jake smirks in response.
"As for going unnoticed, no girl likes that. I just didn't like everyone noticing."
Ha! Ha! Ha!
You and Me,
Little Brown Jug
Don't I love thee!
Ha! Ha! Ha!
You and Me,
Little Brown Jug
Don't I love thee.
'Tis you who makes my friends and foes,
'Tis you who makes me wear old clothes,
Here you are so near my nose,
So tip her up and down she goes.
Ha! Ha! Ha!
You and Me,
Little Brown Jug
Don't I love thee!
Ha! Ha! Ha!
You and Me,
Little Brown Jug
Don't I love thee.
When I go toiling to my farm
I take little brown jug under my arm,
Place him under a shady tree,
Little brown jug, 'tis you and me.
Ha! Ha! Ha!
You and Me,
Little Brown Jug
Don't I love thee!
Ha! Ha! Ha!
You and Me,
Little Brown Jug
Don't I love thee.
Ha! Ha! Ha!
You and Me,
Little Brown Jug
Don't I love thee!
Ha! Ha! Ha!
You and Me,
Little Brown Jug
Don't I love thee.
Ruby stops abruptly for a moment, forgetting the words. It seems she has had enough of singing as she closes her eyes and starts leaning her head back. Suddenly she starts up, louder than before.
If I'd a cow that gave such milk,
I'd clothe her in the finest silk
I'd feed her on the choicest hay,
And milk her forty times a day.
Ha! Ha! Ha!
You and Me,
Little Brown Jug
Don't I love thee!
Ha! Ha! Ha!
You and Me,
Little Brown Jug
Don't I love thee.
The rose is red, my nose is too
The violet's blue and so are you;
And yet I guess, before I stop
I'd better take another drop.
Ha! Ha! Ha!
You and Me,
Little Brown Jug
Don't I love thee!
Ha! Ha! Ha!
You and Me,
Little Brown Jug
Don't I love thee.
"Do you like my song Kate?" Ruby giggles.
"We always like to hear you sing, sweetheart," Kate said, looking up at Jake with worried eyes.
Jake just smiles and mouths, "Do not worry."
Ruby doesn’t notice the worry in Kate’s eyes. She sits up suddenly and puts her face close to Jake’s face. “You are so handsome Jake,” Ruby says, putting a wet bubbly hand on his face. “And you’re the best kisser ever!!"
Ruby turns to Kate, “He is the BEST KISSER EVER Kate.” She is quiet for a moment then giggles. “I guess you already know that, don't you?” More giggles. She again turns back to Jake, “Kiss me now,” she commands with a smile the adds with big wide eyes, “Pllleeeaaasseee.”
Jake gives her the requested kiss and wipes some soap off her nose and then his.
Ruby scrunches her nose at Jake then steals another kiss. Finally she sits back in the tub again and enjoys Kate gently washing her hair, “That is soooo nice,” she says quietly. Her body is loose and limber as Kate massages her head, her eyes begin to sleepily shut.
"Jake, may I ask you a silly question? Why do always call me Mrs. Kale or Katherine Kale?"
"Always? Heh, not always. Mostly in public I think. You were brought up in formal social circles I just figured you preferred the more formal way of address when others were around to hear. It may not seem it, but I was raised in a rather stiff and formal family. My father's social aspirations far exceeded his assets and personal competence," he adds without any trace of remorse. Jake looks down at Ruby and smiles at her being quiet and relaxed. "You remind me of my sister. Virginia always preferred her full name, she did not like it when folks tried calling her by any nicknames. I think that is why I always call you by your full given name, even in private company." He suddenly looks up, "You did not think I was distancing myself from you, did you?"
Kate blushed hard and was suddenly very busy washing Ruby's hair. "Perhaps. It's what I do," she admitted. "With the exception of Mr. Gonzales. It's just not right to call a teacher by his first name. I, ah... I don't care for nicknames, but it's more that Tom and my father are the only ones who ever called me Katie. It's just his.... you understand."
Jake glances down at Ruby and then back to Katherine. "I believe that I do."
She met his eyes for a minute, then got back to work. "I'm sorry, I should know better than to think you meant anything by it. I just... I've felt distanced from everyone. I'm very different than the rest of you, and so much has changed. Miss Florencia arrived, and.... " She looked up again. "I know you know even though you haven't said anything. It seems silly when I say it, but I haven't been sure I'm needed. Or perhaps now I'm a burden to you."
"You are very different from the rest of us?" Jake chuckles. "I know that folks confuse Chet and me all the time, being so alike and all. There is that stiff competition between Nanuet and myself to see who can get into the most trouble, that is another one who folks think we were separated at birth." Jake laughs a little more, "Do not mind my making light Katherine, but we are all very different from the rest of us. If there was another Jake Cook among us I would have, uh, well let us just say it would not be pleasant." He grins at her before softening his look. "None of us can be strong every day, for every thing." He pointedly looks down at Ruby. "Contribute what you can, when you can, that is all friends ever really ask. You can do things the rest of us cannot. I am not just talking about things in those special books you and Gonzalez covet so much."
"My skills at bathing the ill, for example? I do have other skills, but they don't usually seem to be of much use." She finished rinsing Ruby's hair, then spread two towels on the bed. "We need to get her out of the water now. You get her under her arms, and I'll lift her feet. Just lay her on those towels, then we can rub her down with the others. Then I'll put some witch hazel on her."
Jake does as instructed and they get Ruby to the bed. "Have it your way. In my opinion, you are a smart woman with many talents. Excuse my bluntness but it is up to you to choose to see the trees or the path through the forest."
"Don't be like that, Jake," Kate said simply. "I've just had quite a few blows to my confidence lately. I always used to know the right thing to do, but it's all different here and I get turned around. I'm not used to being uncertain. Beside the many opinions I get on the choices I make." She shook her head and finished drying Ruby off, then got the witch hazel and applied it. She smiled and looked up. "Now and then we girls like to be praised a bit."
Kate picked up the nightgown and gently got Ruby into it. "Do you want me to stay so you can sleep?"
"If you can manage a little while, I would take some rest. Wake me in a few hours so you can get yours too," he yawns. "I cannot help but think if we rented a house then we could take turns keeping a watch over each other. Perhaps not as much as Ruby, but everyone here is at some risk at night. Why tempt the foul fates?" Pointing to the items taken from the trunk at the farm house he says, "You might take a look through that and ask around tomorrow about what happened to Martha Smith. It could be a clue, or maybe she was gone before this all happened."
"Alright Jake," Kate replies, "I can do that. And we can discuss a house further tomorrow too," She pulls her two little books out of her bag and places them on the table next to the chair near the window. "Now get some rest. I will wake you soon enough." She kisses Jake's cheek softly, then does the same for Ruby before settling into the chair.
Despite the questions, concerns and plans swirling round in his head, Jake lays down and quickly falls asleep. After a few hours Katherine wakes him, they agree to meet for breakfast and she leaves him with a still slumbering Ruby.
Minerva stands and watches the fire, carefully observing to make certain the monsters do not escape. She is tempted to console Ruby, but decides that is Jake's job right now.
Jake watches the house burn for a moment before he wanders over to where Ruby hiding her face from all of them. He sits nearby with his back to the barn. "You wanted to know how much I loved you? I love you enough to be too afraid to leave you alone. Even though I knew those monsters might use you. I just could not bear the risk to leave you where I could not see you and worry that they could get to you. So if you must blame someone, blame me. I put you here even though I knew that one of them controlled you at Greely's saloon. I did not know what else to do. I was not strong enough to leave you somewhere else. I had to trust my luck because..." he finally looks over at her, "because that is all I know how to do."
Ruby stops her sobbing and looks up at Jake, setting her red puffy eyes on his. She looks beaten and broken in just about every way possible. She has a new cut on her cheek, to match her bruise and the old cut on her head. Her breathing is heavy and her tone is sad. "You brought me here so you could WATCH me try to kill all my friends? And most especially my best friend," she chokes, "My lover and my life? What if I had succeeded? I would have to live with that for the rest of my pathetic life," she spits out.
She sits quietly for a moment, "I used to be able to only trust one person, myself, and now I can't even do that." She hangs her head very low. She says softly, "I just want this over with. I can't do it anymore. And after that.. I don't know."
"Pretty selfish of me to risk the others." Jake continues to watch her. "I have no other excuse to make. I thought this was our best odds." He stands slowly, a bit bruised himself from diving around. "I hope you will forgive me. I am doing what I can to finish this." He reaches his hand out to her. "I am sorry I pushed you down the stairs."
Ruby pushes up off the ground without help and stands, wrapping her arms around herself, ignoring Jake's hand to her. She keeps her face to the ground. "I can't say I wouldn't have done the same or worse. I know you didn't do it to be mean. And I know you're trying your best. I feel sorry for you, to be stuck with all this."
"Stuck?" He steps closer and grabs both her shoulders in an attempt to have her look him in the eye. "You would abandon me if I was the one being threatened? I do not believe it. You have a right to feel violated and unsure, I will not deny you that," he says releasing her. He steps back from her, "I do not want your sympathy or your pity." He tries to keep his tone calm and without reproach. "Just your heart, Ruby, I just want your heart. Rest easy for a little while, I need to make sure that everything burns in that house. I will not have anyone threatening my woman."
"There is no rest for the wicked," Ruby says softly under her breath as she watches Jake walk away.
Jake looks at her silently for a minute before he walks away to watch the house burn. "Hey Chet, you OK? Maybe you and Nanuet can check out the barn."
Chester walks over. "Yep. We just breathed in a little smoke. We were about to stab a vampire with a stake when the house caught fire. How are you doing? What was going on here?"
Jake tells Chet what happened upstairs. "Sorry, pardner, I started the fire. Between Ruby being in their control and Edwards not doing too well against that Gloves character I could not mess around any more with a pointy stick."
"We'll check out the barn. The sheriff did it, but maybe there's something he missed."
Nanuet also counts heads to make sure everyone is there that should be. When he looks at Minerva he sees a blood stain on her blouse near her shoulder. "Minerva, you're hurt! What happened?" he quickly moves over to her and gently pulls the shirt to the side, attempting to shield anyone else’s view with his body. "You've been shot! Please sit down, let me take a look at that."
Nanuet gets Minerva to sit and he begins tending to the wound. "The bullet is still in there, you are crazy to be running around like this! I will use a prayer to heal you."
Nanuet casts cure moderate on her, expelling the bullet and closing the wound. He grins when he sees that only a small white scar remains. "I must help the others search the barn, please rest here for a moment."
Nanuet, Chester, Al Weeks and Katherine all head to the barn to search it and check over the contents.
Inside the barn there are half a dozen horse stalls and tack and supplies for all of them. There is hay, feed, equipment for shoeing and for doing minor leatherwork as well. Several farm tools such as pitchforks and shovels can also be found in the fairly tidy barn. To the side is a small pig pen with trough but it is currently devoid of any occupants.
4 of the stalls are occupied and after a quick examination it is determined that 3 of the horses had been ridden recently, and appear to be in need of some care. The 4th is an older mare and appears to have stayed behind when the trio made their recent visit to town.
The back of the barn has the necessary equipment for milking and slaughtering the cattle as well as their feed and other supplies.
In the end it appears to be nothing but a normal working barn.
Ruby couldn't even begin to comprehend what she did and what she was going to have to do. Her friends all set about making themselves useful and Ruby is glad for their distraction, she couldn't bear to be around any of them just now. They would try to comfort her for sure, but there was certainly no comfort to be had for Ruby West. Jake was right, she had been violated, worse than any other time in her short life.
Her hand finds it way to her waist, and the little silver flask that had gone untouched since much earlier in the day. Breaking a promise to herself she flicks the cap off with her thumb and doesn't bother taking a sip. She gulps down most of the remaining contents, it was going to take a lot of drugs to get her through the rest of this day.
She wipes the still falling tears from her face as she stands numbly, like in a trance. It doesn't take long for her legs to start to wobble and she stumbles over to the side of the barn, where she crumples down into a ball. Her cries grow weaker and finally the little flask falls from her hand as she head sags to the side and she passes out.
Jake watches Ruby out of the corner of his eye. He decides to examine the chest and its contents that is now lying on the ground outside the burning house. It was a long shot but he hoped it might contain some useful knowledge or tool in combating the menace that faced them. He sees her stumble and then curl up against the barn. He almost ran to her. No, he thinks painfully, she has to figure this out herself. I can protect her from vampires, but someday she is going to have to face herself.
When Ruby slumps over, Jake cannot stand aloof any longer. He runs over and lifts her head off the ground and places it on his lap. He notices the flask that has fallen out of her hand. He shakes his head and sighs while quickly putting it in his pocket. He just sits and strokes her hair, letting her have the time in oblivion while he maintains a watch on her to make certain she did not take a life threatening amount.
When he can get Edwards attention he asks him about the Bull. "You said, 'The creature is undead! I will try and turn it back!'. What does that mean? It was not a vampire like the others, it was in the sun." Jake asks him questions about it and the implications.
After the others gather round him, concerned about Ruby, Jake uses the time to discuss what they know so they can figure out what to do next. "Turner either faked his death, or was killed so we would think trouble was due to him and is now gone, or if neither then why and buy who? If these vampires were three of the four foot prints... who was the fourth? Something tells me the cuff links and the missing rope are clues that we do not yet understand. Why kill Turner to give us the confidence to leave and then kill the sheriff? Why are Greely and Whittaker buying up property? Seems clear they are taking advantage of folks dying or having them killed. Who is to say that O'Neil is NOT really part of it, even though he appears not to be a vampire himself. And what about that bull? That does not bode well, nor answer anything." Jake also is concerned that they group make certain coffins are gone and it is not possible that the vampires are hiding in the foundation or have found some other escape.
Edwards says, "Yes, as we all could see the creature was not normal. I cast a small spell that allowed me to determine if it was living or undead. It was the second of the two. I was about to try and turn it away when you... um flame broiled it. As to how it got in that state, I am not sure. Perhaps they found a way to taint it, perhaps they feed it one of their victims blood. I am not sure."
"Maybe killing Turner had nothing to do with us at all," Kate said. "It's a small town, and too many deaths too quickly will drive people off. The people run, the vampires run out of victims. Also, another vampire who isn't part of their group could be seen as a threat to their power. Of course, Turner may not have been killed by these monsters. I admit, they are probably the only ones strong enough to do it though."
Jake nods, "Smart thinking Mrs. Kale. If he's dead it might not have anything to do with us at all. I wish we knew for certain if he is going to be a problem for us anymore."
"There is no certain to be had. But I'd lay down money that these three aren't all of them. Someone pulls their strings. Mr. Edwards, what would you recommend we do next?"
"Well, there are a few people in town I'd like to investigate. Mr. Bobby Whitaker for one. From what I understand he never comes out in the day, he moved in to town just before the trouble started, and he keeps his house boarded up and locked down. It sounds almost too much like he fits the profile too well, but worth looking into."
"Thom and Greely need some looking into as well, even if for the simple reason that they only seem to work at night. We can do some simple things, try and catch their reflection in a mirror, splash some water on them as if it were an accident. It works out that we are all visitors here and I don't think any of us are too concerned about making friends so if we offend someone who happens to not be a vampire then it shouldn't be the end of the world."
"As for the immediate future I'd like to take a look around the ranch property a bit more and wait for this fire to burn itself out so that I can take a look at what's left."
"Greely has certainly benefited from the trouble in town. His is the only saloon left, and he bought up Thom's properties after his accident." Kate paused a moment. "That bull, it wasn't a vampire but it was some kind of undead creature. Left for a guard, I would assume. If Greely is a vampire, could Thom be a creature like that?"
Jake cuts in, "Ruby said she saw that Thom fellow yesterday morning in the crowd. That would make it doubtful he's one of them."
"The bull was out in the daylight too. Obviously there is some form of undead those Vampires were using as servants. I'm suggesting Thom could be whatever those are. Of course, that assumes Greely is a Vampire. As Mr. Edwards suggested, a spill or two at the saloon might be in order."
"Alright, we set that up," Jake says, "Splashing the water, checking mirrors. Anything we can do." He looks down at Ruby, still lying sleeping in his lap. "I'm not sure what folks want to do tonight. Maybe Mr. Edwards wants to check out the place without us? Or maybe he'd prefer company."
Chester, Nanuet and Weeks return. Weeks says, "Well folks, we checked everywhere in the barn. If there's a secret space in there, it must be well hidden."
Chester pipes up, "Yep. No caskets in there. How're things out here?"
Jake fills them in, leaving out where Edwards would be. He still doesn't trust the sheriff completely.
Nolan listens to the others make their plans as he watches the building continue to burn. He makes his way over to Jake who is working on getting the chest open which survived the fall from the upper story intact. "If you all don't mind I think I am going to hang out here for the rest of the day. I want to keep an eye on things, make sure the coffins are fully destroyed and see if perhaps they had any friends who would come and visit. Anyone is more than welcome to stay with me, but it is not necessary. Now, let's see what's in that trunk."
Jake nods, "I understand. I have need of getting back to town," he glances at Ruby, "AFTER we make sure there is no sign of those coffins left. Maybe one of the others might want to stay with you. But in truth, we have all had a full day and they may just want to get some well needed rest."
The contents of the trunk are curious. There are several sentimental items as well as woman's clothing. Several photos showcase a wedding in which it appears Eugene Smith was the groom. The bride is a fairly unremarkable woman but both bride and groom appear to be very happy in all the pictures. The actual wedding gown from the picture is found carefully folded in the trunk. There are several letters from family members addressed to "Martha" or "Martha and Gene" dealing with personal issues such as wedding plans, moving into the ranch together and a pregnancy which was lost before making it to full term. There is also a keepsake box tied closed with ribbons that contains dried flowers, a few pieces of jewelry, a broken men's watch, and several letters written by Eugene Smith also addressed to Martha which seem to have been written during a courtship.
Jake ponders the contents of the trunk. "Let's take some of the items in case we need them later. That way I can look them over more carefully when I don't have as much on my mind." The friends gather the contents of the trunk and load them onto the carriage. Jake also gathers Ruby's pistol and dagger; & his rifle, derringer with blanks, and bag all lying strewn on the ground.
Finally he checks Ruby again, still passed out. He lifts her off the ground and cradles her in his arms, carrying her to the carriage and places her inside. She responds with barely a moan.
"Everyone ready?" Jake asks wearily.
Sheriff Weeks adds, "I will stay with Mr. Edwards. We should be fine together. I'm going to do whatever it takes to get this problem taken care of and revenge Sheriff Wilson."
They wait a little while longer, then check out the basement area. The fire and dynamite have completely obliterated the area and there are no signs of the coffin remaining. Satisfied with what he finds Jake tells the others it's time to head back. The carriage ride is uneventful and soon they find themselves back at the hotel.
Chester helps everyone unload their baggage from the carriage. He says, "Let's go to this Whitaker house while it's still light out. We'll start by asking if we can ask him about what's going on and move on from there. How's that?"
Jake replies, "Deputy, I have to take care of my wife tonight. But I think Mrs. Jacobs had a reason to visit Mr. Whittaker and it would look less suspicious. But if you want to got today and get it done, you are a deputy, I certainly won't stop you."
Chester looks quizzically at Jake. "You... can take care of Mrs. Jacobs. This Whitaker thing doesn't have to be done today. If she would look less suspicious, then she needs to be up and walking. What happened to her?"
"She, uh, had a little too much headache medicine." Jake lets that hang in the air. "Chet, if you decide it is better to go up to Whittaker's place now, bring some reliable help. Oh," Jake steps in close and speaks lower, "tell Edwards about how the then Deputy Weeks answered the question on where he was during the day yesterday. Make sure that Edwards knows that Weeks might have been controlled by someone. Last thing we need is for our new sheriff to turn on Edwards and kill him." Jake then pats him on the shoulder, "Luck, pardner."
As Nanuet and Chester are helping gently lift a still mostly unconscious Ruby out of the carriage Jake approaches Katherine. He pushes his hat back on his head and says wearily, "Quite a day, huh?"
Kate reached up and touched her cheek where it was red and swollen. "I'd call a day when three of those monsters are wiped out a good one." She looked over toward Ruby. "Not all good, though."
Jake nods. "We're closer to our goal, that is a good thing." He sticks his hand deep into his pockets as he watches Nanuet lift Ruby off the ground and carry her inside their hotel. "I'm going to spend the night with her, get her cleaned up and watch over her." He sighs, "I admit Katherine Kale, I am getting tired."
"We leave too much of the burden on you, Jake. I wish I knew how to take more of it myself... But I do know how to get someone cleaned up and keep my eyes open in the night. If you trust me enough."
Though tired Jake still manages his infamous smirk. "Heh. Sometimes I take it on myself. But I'd sure appreciate the help. I've learned it's not as easy as it looks getting a sleeping person out of the tub. How about you meet us upstairs in a few minutes?"
"Alright, Jake," she said, patting his arm. She went to her room and changed into a simple skirt and blouse, rolling up the sleeves. She packed up the few medical things she carried, bandages, witch hazel, needle and thread, alcohol for cleaning and a book or two for her own entertainment, then went upstairs and knocked on Jake and Ruby's door.
When Katherine arrives at the room the bath is being drawn. Ruby is lying mostly unmoving on the bed. Jake has pulled out Ruby's white nightgown, the one she rarely wears but always brings with her and laid it carefully on the bed next to Ruby. Jake ushers her in, "Thank you for coming Katherine. Do you want something to drink?" as he pours himself a large whiskey.
"It's best if I don't, Jake. For more than one reason." Kate set her bag down on the floor. "What we're going to want to do is put a chair in the tub. Even just the front legs if the whole thing won't fit. We can sit her in the chair. One of us will have the job of making sure she stays in it, and the other can do the washing up. We can use the wash basin to help when it comes to her hair."
Jake nods. "Whatever you think will be easiest." He takes a drink from his glass then sets about putting the bath together as Kate asked.
They soon find that the chair won’t really be needed as Ruby is suddenly awake. “Oh goooddie,” she slurs, “A bath!” Then she breaks out in a fit of giggles. Jake just shakes his head as he helps her sit up and get her clothes off.
"She looks like I did after Ringo shot that horse out from under me," Kate said quietly. "I have some witch hazel in my bag. After her bath I'll put some on those bruises, it will help soothe them a bit."
Jake widens his eyes slightly and nods towards Ruby. He mouths, "Don't bring that up, she's sensitive."
"Something surprise you?" Kate asked quietly.
"I suppose not. I just thought she would trust me more... but I am not offended." He replies equally as quietly.
"I don't understand. What would offend you?"
Jake looks startled and then uncomfortable, "Ah, that I might be so petty, you know that she would have to hide something to, um keep me.... umm, nevermind."
"Or maybe she's just embarrassed," Kate said sensibly. "Ruby's not used to imperfection." Jake shrugs in response.
As Jake got Ruby undressed, Kate opened up her bag and pulled out a few short bandages. Two she used as ties to make sure her sleeves wouldn't roll down. Then she pulled up her skirt on one side and tied it up as well so she could move more easily. She almost expected to turn around and see Tom there waiting for her.
10 minutes later they finally get Ruby into the bath. She willingly sinks in with a loud “Ahhhhh.” Some splashing commences before Ruby sits back and relaxes.
"I'm sorry Jake," Kate said quietly. "I figured out what she was doing yesterday, but I didn't get a chance to tell you. Being Maddie has... It's kept me away." She chuckled. "I got a little taste of what it's like to be Ruby, and I have to say I prefer Katherine. I didn't like all those men looking at me."
Ruby starts singing a song to herself, giggling at the lyrics as she does.
My wife and I lived all alone,
In a little log hut we called our own;
She loved gin and I loved rum,
I tell you we had lots of fun.
While Ruby is singing they continue to speak in whispers.
Jake chuckles, "I think you did at first. I imagine it can be scary after a while. There is something to be said for being unnoticed." He lets a moment pass before he says, "I did figure out what she was doing finally. I have seen it before, I just did not recognize it with her. There are times I can be so stupid when it comes to her." He sighs and looks Katherine directly in the eyes. "You do not need to apologize. I was the one that took her there today knowing what she was doing and knowing that one of those three had, um influenced her and would likely do so again. I should have consulted you all, but... well, I did not."
"Jake, you have noticed our tendency to discuss things to death, haven't you? Miss Florencia got a taste of what Ruby has been doing, we all knew the dangers and could have objected. But I'm not sure leaving her behind would have been a better option. One of us would have had to stay with her to keep her out of trouble and the group would have been two down. Don't worry over it." She smiled a bit. "Just don't make a habit of it either." Jake smirks in response.
"As for going unnoticed, no girl likes that. I just didn't like everyone noticing."
Ha! Ha! Ha!
You and Me,
Little Brown Jug
Don't I love thee!
Ha! Ha! Ha!
You and Me,
Little Brown Jug
Don't I love thee.
'Tis you who makes my friends and foes,
'Tis you who makes me wear old clothes,
Here you are so near my nose,
So tip her up and down she goes.
Ha! Ha! Ha!
You and Me,
Little Brown Jug
Don't I love thee!
Ha! Ha! Ha!
You and Me,
Little Brown Jug
Don't I love thee.
When I go toiling to my farm
I take little brown jug under my arm,
Place him under a shady tree,
Little brown jug, 'tis you and me.
Ha! Ha! Ha!
You and Me,
Little Brown Jug
Don't I love thee!
Ha! Ha! Ha!
You and Me,
Little Brown Jug
Don't I love thee.
Ha! Ha! Ha!
You and Me,
Little Brown Jug
Don't I love thee!
Ha! Ha! Ha!
You and Me,
Little Brown Jug
Don't I love thee.
Ruby stops abruptly for a moment, forgetting the words. It seems she has had enough of singing as she closes her eyes and starts leaning her head back. Suddenly she starts up, louder than before.
If I'd a cow that gave such milk,
I'd clothe her in the finest silk
I'd feed her on the choicest hay,
And milk her forty times a day.
Ha! Ha! Ha!
You and Me,
Little Brown Jug
Don't I love thee!
Ha! Ha! Ha!
You and Me,
Little Brown Jug
Don't I love thee.
The rose is red, my nose is too
The violet's blue and so are you;
And yet I guess, before I stop
I'd better take another drop.
Ha! Ha! Ha!
You and Me,
Little Brown Jug
Don't I love thee!
Ha! Ha! Ha!
You and Me,
Little Brown Jug
Don't I love thee.
"Do you like my song Kate?" Ruby giggles.
"We always like to hear you sing, sweetheart," Kate said, looking up at Jake with worried eyes.
Jake just smiles and mouths, "Do not worry."
Ruby doesn’t notice the worry in Kate’s eyes. She sits up suddenly and puts her face close to Jake’s face. “You are so handsome Jake,” Ruby says, putting a wet bubbly hand on his face. “And you’re the best kisser ever!!"
Ruby turns to Kate, “He is the BEST KISSER EVER Kate.” She is quiet for a moment then giggles. “I guess you already know that, don't you?” More giggles. She again turns back to Jake, “Kiss me now,” she commands with a smile the adds with big wide eyes, “Pllleeeaaasseee.”
Jake gives her the requested kiss and wipes some soap off her nose and then his.
Ruby scrunches her nose at Jake then steals another kiss. Finally she sits back in the tub again and enjoys Kate gently washing her hair, “That is soooo nice,” she says quietly. Her body is loose and limber as Kate massages her head, her eyes begin to sleepily shut.
"Jake, may I ask you a silly question? Why do always call me Mrs. Kale or Katherine Kale?"
"Always? Heh, not always. Mostly in public I think. You were brought up in formal social circles I just figured you preferred the more formal way of address when others were around to hear. It may not seem it, but I was raised in a rather stiff and formal family. My father's social aspirations far exceeded his assets and personal competence," he adds without any trace of remorse. Jake looks down at Ruby and smiles at her being quiet and relaxed. "You remind me of my sister. Virginia always preferred her full name, she did not like it when folks tried calling her by any nicknames. I think that is why I always call you by your full given name, even in private company." He suddenly looks up, "You did not think I was distancing myself from you, did you?"
Kate blushed hard and was suddenly very busy washing Ruby's hair. "Perhaps. It's what I do," she admitted. "With the exception of Mr. Gonzales. It's just not right to call a teacher by his first name. I, ah... I don't care for nicknames, but it's more that Tom and my father are the only ones who ever called me Katie. It's just his.... you understand."
Jake glances down at Ruby and then back to Katherine. "I believe that I do."
She met his eyes for a minute, then got back to work. "I'm sorry, I should know better than to think you meant anything by it. I just... I've felt distanced from everyone. I'm very different than the rest of you, and so much has changed. Miss Florencia arrived, and.... " She looked up again. "I know you know even though you haven't said anything. It seems silly when I say it, but I haven't been sure I'm needed. Or perhaps now I'm a burden to you."
"You are very different from the rest of us?" Jake chuckles. "I know that folks confuse Chet and me all the time, being so alike and all. There is that stiff competition between Nanuet and myself to see who can get into the most trouble, that is another one who folks think we were separated at birth." Jake laughs a little more, "Do not mind my making light Katherine, but we are all very different from the rest of us. If there was another Jake Cook among us I would have, uh, well let us just say it would not be pleasant." He grins at her before softening his look. "None of us can be strong every day, for every thing." He pointedly looks down at Ruby. "Contribute what you can, when you can, that is all friends ever really ask. You can do things the rest of us cannot. I am not just talking about things in those special books you and Gonzalez covet so much."
"My skills at bathing the ill, for example? I do have other skills, but they don't usually seem to be of much use." She finished rinsing Ruby's hair, then spread two towels on the bed. "We need to get her out of the water now. You get her under her arms, and I'll lift her feet. Just lay her on those towels, then we can rub her down with the others. Then I'll put some witch hazel on her."
Jake does as instructed and they get Ruby to the bed. "Have it your way. In my opinion, you are a smart woman with many talents. Excuse my bluntness but it is up to you to choose to see the trees or the path through the forest."
"Don't be like that, Jake," Kate said simply. "I've just had quite a few blows to my confidence lately. I always used to know the right thing to do, but it's all different here and I get turned around. I'm not used to being uncertain. Beside the many opinions I get on the choices I make." She shook her head and finished drying Ruby off, then got the witch hazel and applied it. She smiled and looked up. "Now and then we girls like to be praised a bit."
Kate picked up the nightgown and gently got Ruby into it. "Do you want me to stay so you can sleep?"
"If you can manage a little while, I would take some rest. Wake me in a few hours so you can get yours too," he yawns. "I cannot help but think if we rented a house then we could take turns keeping a watch over each other. Perhaps not as much as Ruby, but everyone here is at some risk at night. Why tempt the foul fates?" Pointing to the items taken from the trunk at the farm house he says, "You might take a look through that and ask around tomorrow about what happened to Martha Smith. It could be a clue, or maybe she was gone before this all happened."
"Alright Jake," Kate replies, "I can do that. And we can discuss a house further tomorrow too," She pulls her two little books out of her bag and places them on the table next to the chair near the window. "Now get some rest. I will wake you soon enough." She kisses Jake's cheek softly, then does the same for Ruby before settling into the chair.
Despite the questions, concerns and plans swirling round in his head, Jake lays down and quickly falls asleep. After a few hours Katherine wakes him, they agree to meet for breakfast and she leaves him with a still slumbering Ruby.