A Lethal Lady

“You again?

1 asked you a question, miss.

“1 need to get out of here.

For a lady, you seem pretty tough to me. Really, you have the vitality of a man.

Rouse composed himself at the sheriff's insinuating remark; everyone in that town was very inquisitive, starting with tha man.

“What has that got to do with me wanting to get out of here?

“1 have left instructions that no one is to let you leave this house, Miss LeRoy.

-And who do you think you are to demand such a thing?

1 am the one who keeps all the citizens of this town safe. I don't recommend you to contradict me, I usually look like a patient man, but the reality is different -He looks at her with those threatening blue eyes, which makes the blonde’s bloo boil.

She didn't even have to tell him that, she had already experienced his temperament in the flesh. He was so haughty, dealing with him could become so overwhelming for anyone, but not for Rouse. She continued to hold his gaze.

That doesn't give you the right to keep me locked up in this place. I demand that you let me out of here.

To go where? -Tom hangs the thumbs of his fingers on the belt around his waist.

That doesn't concern you.

More than you think," Tom takes a step toward her.

Out of nowhere Rouse’s heart began to throb, unaware of the sheriff's intentions as he approached. However, she didn't move an inch. Whatever he did against her, she would not let him.

Then, tell me, where do you intend to go in case I let you go free? -He adds.

-If you're worried that I owe you, don't worry, I'll see to it that I pay you back every last coin.

I'm fine with that, so, since you owe me money, I recommend that you get used to the idea that you'll have to stay in this town.

BU.

-Or would you prefer to answer all my questions, if you choose to do so, I promise I will forget your debt and let you go. It was a very tempting offer, too tempting, he thought. But it meant many things... besides, she was not willing to give in t this man, even if he was a lawman.

-1 have nothing to say to him.

Then, you will stay here," he answered in a sullen tone, by then he was quite close to her, the truth was, too close to her. No matter how much she demanded to keep her posture, with that sheriff it was a little difficult for her to do so.

-Vll be out of here any minute, sheriff.

-Over my dead body.

They stared into each other's eyes, Rouse could feel the sheriff's breathing, it was hot and fast. And those features on his face so hard and expressionless. Damn him, he was challenging her, and as much as he hated it when they did that to hin “Well, in that case, we'll see about that, Sheriff," He lifted his chin showing he wasn't afraid of her.

She was no ordinary woman, she definitely wasn't. Not like the ladies of the town, in fact, she didn't even behave like the prostitutes of the Saloon. She was different, her whole physique was that of a lady, but the reality was that she was not. And Tom sensed it, the only thing she needed to do was to prove it.

-I think you'll give me a lot of trouble, Miss Rouse.

“If you don't let me go, you will, Sheriff Wesley.

-Is that a threat?

Definitely.

Tom sharpens his gaze, look how interesting the stranger turned out. Apparently, he would have plenty of work to do as long as the blonde remained in town. However, things might get easier if he would just set her free, but he wouldn't do that. He wasn't going to set her free.

“You're hiding something very important from me, and believe me, I won't leave here until you tell me everything I want t know.

Try me! -Tom makes an attempt to take another step.

At that moment the door of the room opens, the doctor's wife enters and with a throat clearing interrupts the battle of glances of the two people who were alone in the room.

Excuse me, sheriff. But I don't think it would be convenient for you to be alone with the young lady.

That's right, we can't be alone, sheriff,’ Rouse spoke, softening his voice a little, which disconcerted the cowboy.

She needs an escort, you know how these things are, sheriff.

she’s an outsider, she needs to be questioned.

But she's a lady, whatever she is to you. The doctor's wife's voice sounded strong and determined.

Tom couldn't fight it. It was frowned upon for a man to be alone with a woman in a bedroom. Unless these were husband and wife, or failing that, as was the case with the women at the Saloon. But that was in a class of its own; apparently, the treatment Rouse was getting from the doctor's wife was ladylike.

Tom had no choice but to back away from her a bit, and recompose his posture. But the truth is that, just for a moment, this woman managed to drive him a little out of his mind. He felt like carrying her over his shoulder and taking her straig to the police station, leaving her there and not allowing her to leave until she confessed who the hell she was and where the hell she came from.

She can leave, but she’s not allowed to leave town. Is that clear to you?

-Of course,” he answers in a soft voice.

She acted differently in front of the doctor's wife, but when they were alone she was another woman. She was not to be trusted.

Tom turns and walks out of the room... Rouse watches him walk away and lets out an imaginary sigh, he was a tough guy. He's very fair, he'd better do what he says.

-1 will,” he lies with a gentle smile.

-In this town it's frowned upon to be alone with a man, if you do, you'll be taken like the rame... like the women in the Saloon - He tells her in a derogatory way.

The doctor's wife was that kind of high society woman who respected the rules, and obeyed orders like a lamb being herded by the dogs. Apparently she found the life of the sluts to be of very bad character.

In reality, she didn't care... so she preferred to keep quiet and not to antagonize him. Besides, she seemed like a nice person, maybe she could help her in some way.

I need a place to stay, and maybe a job.

A job?

“1 need to pay off a debt and buy a horse, if you could help me find a place to work.

“Well, I think I can help you. But you must promise to stay away from the saloon.

-All right.

[.]

The hot sun was heating every rock on the dirt road leading to the police station, and someone else was burning, but it w from anger. He hadn't yet thought of a way he would get the truth out of this woman, but he was sure he would.

She was stubborn, and a liar, but those ruses against him wouldn't work. He would catch her, and if she was guilty, he would put her in jail.

suddenly, from inside James’ Saloon, the body of a man is ejected through the door, and justly lands on Tom's boots. The sheriff looks at the man trying to get to his feet, but when he looks up he meets the eyes of a very angry sheriff. Sheriff,” he gasps in fear, he was more drunk than sober, “I didn't...

Then, from the Saloon, a group of men come out like a herd of enraged bulls. Of course they were all drunk, Tom thought closing that saloon might not be a bad idea.

stand up you bastard, I'll get you for messing with my wife,” says one of them with a revolver in his hand, because of his drunkenness he wasn't even able to carry it properly in his hand. I'll kill you, I swear I'll blow your brains out.

Tom lifts the tip of his hat and carefully observes that guy, he knew him, he was not from Coloma. He was from the next town over, but he was a long way from home. As far as he knew, that guy had a lover in the saloon, and every time he cam it was always the same thing.

“You'd better put your gun down, Billy," Tom interposed himself between him and the man who was still crawling on the ground. I don't want any unnecessary fights in my town, you know the laws.

-Sheriffl -1 said the words in a disdainful manner and with a mocking smile on my lips. The great sheriff Tom Wesley, the one everyone talks about with so much malice aforethought” The drunk takes an awkward step toward him.

Rouse had heard the commotion in the street, something very common in towns like that. At least in the city you didn't 5 so much rowdiness. But towns were something else, with some curiosity he looked out the window of the doctor's house and could observe from afar that sheriff.

He was facing five armed men. Rouse sharpened his gaze when he realized that he was not even intimidated by the numt of men in front of him. He hadn't even drawn his gun.

He's the best sheriff we ever had," the doctor's wife's voice whispered behind him.

Filled with curiosity to know if that was true, the blonde left the house. She needed to see what the sheriff was going to ¢ to solve this problem, but she also wanted to know how dangerous he was.