Jane's Bounty

A gentle arm reached around Jane’s waist and soft lips pressed against the side of her neck while her gaze remained fixed on the horizon and its rising sun.

“Do you really have to leave this early?” Maddy asked, her grip on Jane tightening.

“I’ll stop by again.”

“You promise? When?”

With her forefinger, Jane tipped up her Stetson and turned to face the young woman holding her. She leaned in, pressing their lips together for a long moment, watching Maddy close her eyes. As the kiss ended, Jane released herself from the embrace.

“I have to go,” she said, turning away. Her spurs clinked with each step down the front stairs of Marygold’s Brothel. When she reached the hitching post where Stardust, her trusty mustang, waited for her, Jane glanced over her shoulder. Maddy clutched her hands to her chest, mouth slightly open, but silent. Poor thing, too sweet for this world.

A quick mount and soft heels set Jane back on the trail of Grady McCrady, whose bounty of forty-five dollars was a joke for what he did to that twelve-year-old girl. Nevermind the lack of a basic credit equivalent, or that they wanted him brought back alive. Something larger was at play here.

The poster had only hung on the sheriff’s wall, counting on keeping the victim’s family from causing problems. “We put out word,” they said. “We’re looking for him,” they lied. Truth was, they neither cared nor wanted him caught. The problem for McCrady lay in the fact that Jane did care.

Passing through the small town of Westerbrook, she heard the Benton couple pleading for help. For someone to catch the man who’d raped their sweet Annabelle and left her for dead. The low reward failed to capture anyone’s attention, so their pleas went unanswered by the locals.

“Do you care if the man faces justice, or would you also accept him finding his grave?” Jane had asked the Bentons. Good people like them never wanted to call for someone else’s death, so a thin promise assured them she’d do her best to have him face a judge for his crime against their child.

The trail took her through Red Mesa Hollow, where she’d spent the night with Maddy, and continuing west in the early clear day, she scoffed at the dust storm. Just one day without having sand in her teeth after travelling would be nice.

After a couple of hours riding, Ironspur finally came into view. Small mining towns didn’t care for outside trouble, so she’d get her answers quickly and be on her way. She dismounted as she approached the sheriff’s office in the middle of the small main street.

“Good day, Lawman,” Jane said, tipping her head and giving a quick pinch of the brim of her hat. The middle-aged fellow with a bronze shield on his left breast returned the gesture while getting up from his porch chair.

“G’day, Jane,” he said, his hands patting his pockets, looking for and finding a cigarette. “Are you running from or chasing trouble this time?”

Plucking McCrady’s wanted poster from her long-coat’s pocket, Jane said, “Did this handsome fellow pass through your town recently?”

Sparking a match, he brought the cupped flame to the half-smoked cigarette dangling from his lips. “A small group rode through early yesterday,” he said with smoke escaping his mouth as he studied the poster. “Can’t be sure your man was with them.” His eyes were honest as usual.

“Would you happen to know their direction?” Jane folded the paper and shoved it back out of view.

“Can’t say, sorry.” He returned to his chair. “Charlie. He’s got ways of getting people to talk. He’ll know where them boys went if they stopped for a drink.”

“Much appreciated, Clyde.”

“Pleasure’s mine, Jane.”

Turned out Charlie did know. Four rowdy men stopped for beers, boasting about what they were going to do once they reached Twinspire, a larger industrial settlement by the Gallowrun River.

Being a day’s ride north, Jane enjoyed Charlie’s company while she ate and even bought a few sweet bits for Stardust before setting off. Fighting through dust storms, she landed on a day-old campsite before the sun touched the western horizon. She was gaining on them. She’d ride for another hour or two, then settle in for the night. It would have been easier to use their site, but it wasn’t properly sheltered, and she preferred getting a good night’s rest when she stopped.

The following morning, she rose early, chewed down a bit of dry meat, and gave Stardust a few grains, promising him he’d get a proper meal when they reached Twinspire.

They reached the settlement before midday, and as promised, she settled Stardust into a nice stable. Then, Jane headed towards the spicier side of town. According to Charlie, McCrady’s gang planned to mess around in Twinspire for a while after their big score. That meant they’d visit one of two places, like all others looking for fun or trouble: saloons or brothels. Jane preferred the latter, so she’d start by visiting Lacy’s Pleasures, one of the more respectable brothels in town.

“Well, well, well. What do we have here?”

“Good day, Miss Lacy,” Jane said, taking off her hat and doing a half-assed curtsey. “It’s wonderful to see you too.”

Lacy, a tall woman with grey streaks in her otherwise black hair pulled back in a tight bun atop her head, wore a fancy burgundy dress that covered her from neck to toe. She approached Jane, leaned in and air-kissed both cheeks, pulled back revealing a slight frown and said, “Lydia still talks about you.”

“Did this guy come in here recently?” Jane handed her the McCrady’s wanted poster.

“Well, isn’t he a handsome fellow.” She handed the mug shot back. “You know information isn’t free, Jane. Even for you.”

“Will local banknotes do?”

“Sure. Keep your credits; I’m not going off-world anytime soon.”

A quick dig into her pouch, Jane pulled out the stack of paper money she’d won in a recent poker game and held it out to Lacy. “Here.”

Eyebrows raised, the brothel’s madam accepted the offer and nodded absently as she counted the stack of money. “I guess I can put some of that on your tab,” she said while making the payment disappear into one of her pockets.

“So, your girls. They entertained this man and his friends?”

“They sure did, hon.”

“Did they bathe?”

“Now, what kind of business do you think I run here?” With fists on her hips, Lacy pretended to be insulted. She’d never change.

“Just gauging their purse is all,” Jane said. “Any of them whisper secrets?”

“Soraya!”

“How did you…” Jane shook her head and chuckled.

“Well now, hon, you’re not underestimating me, are you?”

“Let me guess,” said a petite, dark-skinned woman wearing a tight, vibrant red corset with a thin, see-through shawl across her shoulders. “You’re in trouble and you came to hide in my bed again?” Her last steps were hurried as she threw her arms around Jane’s neck for a quick hug. “It’s been a while.”

“Those men yesterday,” Lacy said. “Tell Jane what you told me.”

“Sure. I took the shy one,” Soraya started, stepping close so her voice wouldn’t travel too far. “They’re the ones who talk when someone’s willing to listen.” She winked at Jane. “Turns out they’re going to Sanctum City to trade an artifact to a big-shot baron.”

“An artifact? Magic?” Jane asked.

“Didn’t say.”

“Anything else?”

“Yeah. Kid said they’re sticking around town for a day or two. Do some gambling. Wanted to see me again.”

“Don’t they all? Thanks, Soraya.”

“Anything for you.” She blew a kiss towards Jane and sauntered away.

“Seems like more trouble than it’s worth,” Lacy said. “Forty-five local cash screams don’t bother.”

“I know.”

“And I know that look. What’d the man do?”

“I’ll let you sleep tonight and spare you the details.” In a fluid motion, Jane slicked her long hair back with her free hand and followed it by placing the hat on her head, then tipping it slightly back and locking eyes with Lacy. “Wish me luck.”

“Be careful.”

“Give my best to Lydia.” A nod towards the lady of the house and she was off.

If they stuck around to gamble, and they came to the expensive part of town to get laid, GG’s Saloon and Casino made sense to visit first.

A clear midday sky brought out the crowds, allowing Jane to make her way to the saloon unnoticed. She contemplated visiting Willam Crow, the town’s sheriff, but she wasn’t ready to be told to “let this one go”. Especially now, with the stakes raised beyond simple vengeance.

Upon arriving at her destination, Jane pulled her wooden die out of her duster and wove it through her fingers. It had been a while since she’d set foot inside GG’s, but not much had changed.

A Faro table in the middle of the large main barroom with multiple poker tables scattered around and a Craps table in the far corner. Too early in the afternoon for the smoke and noise to keep anyone anonymous, a quick glance around told her McCrady’s gang wasn’t here, so she’d wait.

“Whiskey,” she said to the barman while placing her die on the bar with the single dot pointing up. Her drink remained untouched, and she had to assure the barman everything was all right.

Jane waited for a couple of hours to finally see the outlaw along with his three buddies walk into the saloon. The last to enter was a younger fellow wearing a silly grin. Probably daydreaming about Soraya; that woman had a way of leaving a lasting impression.

After watching them settle at an empty poker table, Jane spun around, picked up the wooden die, set it back down with the two facing up, and tipped back the whiskey, enjoying the burning sensation it left on its way down.

While Grady McCrady turned out to be just as handsome as his wanted poster sketch, his clean-shaven, smooth skin gave him away. All four of them, with their perfect, non-weathered faces, screamed that they were nothing but city boys. This adventure of theirs, riding across the desert plains, wasn’t their norm.

A loud thump echoed as McCrady slammed his shiny revolver on the table, then yelled out, “Can a man get a drink around here?” He scanned the saloon but received no reaction from the other patrons. So much bravado. And finally, he caught her staring at him.

Pulling her gaze away, Jane picked up the die, rolled in her fingers, and set it back down—three dots facing up—and returned her attention to the gang.

A quick backhand to one of his boys, McCrady pointed towards Jane and stood. His three friends giggled and murmured amongst themselves as they watched who was clearly the leader of their little crew walk over to her.

Shifting her position, she leaned into the bar, picked up the die and only set it back down once she felt McCrady’s shadow upon her; this time, the side with four dots pointing up.

“How about you bring us drinks, little lady,” he said, leaning in against the bar. He put up his hand towards the oncoming barman and shooed him away.

“Can’t you afford your own,” Jane said.

“Oh, I can afford much more than that. But why pay for something when I can get it for free?”

“Interesting take.” Her hand dropped into her pocket, which made McCrady flinch, but he quickly relaxed when he noticed it was just a piece of paper she’d pulled out. Still folded, she set his wanted poster down and placed her wooden die on top, with the five face up.

“What the fuck is that?” he asked, grasping for the poster.

Jane gently placed her hand on top of his. “Oh, not yet, honey,” she said, shaking her head slightly.

“Ha! Hey boys,” he yelled out, leaning back a bit but not taking his attention from Jane. “This one likes games.” His gang hooted and hollered.

“I don’t think you’re going to like this one, though.”

“Don’t worry, I like feisty,” he said, a wide grin spreading across his face.

“I doubt Annabelle put up much of a fight.”

“Who?” he laughed. “Now why don’t you be nice and get me that drink.” He took a step closer, and Jane put her right hand on his chest.

“Westerbrook.” With her left hand, she picked up the die, twirled it, and set it aside, the six’s face on top. “Twelve-year-old girl.”

“The fuck?” His grin disappeared and slapped her hand away from his chest. “Listen here, lady…”

“They got the likeness,” Jane said, unfolding the paper to show him his wanted mugshot.

He reached for his gun, but his holster was empty; his revolver forgotten on the table. His frown deepened as he drew back and swung at Jane, who smiled.

“No!” she growled, both hands in front of her, index fingers pointing up. In that instant, the world inside GG’s Saloon and Casino froze. All except Jane herself, who hopped off the stool and put her mouth beside McCrady’s ear. “I warned you. You’ll not enjoy this.”

Stepping back and reaching under her coat, she retrieved a long dagger from the back of her belt. While McCrady’s body stood motionless, in the act of throwing a punch, his eyes flickered around.

“Don’t you worry, though,” Jane murmured, resting the tip of the blade just under his ribs. “You’re going to feel everything.” Slowly, the dagger sliced its way into his gut. His eyes screamed silently in fear. The twist of her wrist brought her more satisfaction than she cared to admit to herself. “Now, about that artifact.”

Leaving the blade in its new temporary home, Jane hurried through McCrady’s pockets, and with a stroke of luck, she found it right away. Within a small wooden box rested an obsidian pendant. She pursed her lips and tipped her hat back. This was dormant magic.

Jane snapped the box closed and shoved it into her pocket; this wasn’t the time to try to figure things out. She retrieved her dagger and nodded approvingly at the pool of blood on the floor. McCrady appeared whiter than a minute ago, but his eyes still showed signs of life.

“I’m sorry, friend, but you’ve taken your last breath,” she said as she placed her long dagger under his jaw and drove it up his skull. Satisfied that the life of Grady McCrady had expired, she pulled out the knife and cleaned it with his shirt before putting it back in its sheath.

With her wooden die weaving through her fingers, and the folded poster back in her pocket, Jane strode out the door. As she did, the noise returned from the inside, including a loud thump of McCrady’s lifeless body crumbling to the floor.

Screams and yells from who she could only imagine were from his boys echoed within the Saloon, all while Jane filtered into the afternoon crowd, thinking only of fetching Stardust and high-tailing it out of town.