Dorothy felt her hands shake as she kept her gaze locked onto Sydney’s - even as more people filled the hallway. She barely even heard the accusations that Bones made.
“Or what Syd? You’ll have your trained dogs shoot me dahn?” she said, voice still icy toward him.
She had her gun belt, but had not reached for either of her revolvers. Despite the thefts she’d been a part of and the fact that Sydney seemed to consider her dangerous, Dorothy had only ever taken two lives. One Connor had witnessed and he could vouch that she’d done so not only in defense of herself, but in defense of others. The other… well, no one here knew of the other.
“Like Bobby? Like Sparrow?” Her voice was raising in both volume and pitch. Tears formed in the corner of her eyes and she stubbornly blinked them away, both hands clenching into fists to stop them from shaking.
“D’ja mean ta kill me too in that hail a bullets? Or jest warsh me in their blood?”
“Or what Syd? You’ll have your trained dogs shoot me dahn?” she said, voice still icy toward him.
She had her gun belt, but had not reached for either of her revolvers. Despite the thefts she’d been a part of and the fact that Sydney seemed to consider her dangerous, Dorothy had only ever taken two lives. One Connor had witnessed and he could vouch that she’d done so not only in defense of herself, but in defense of others. The other… well, no one here knew of the other.
“Like Bobby? Like Sparrow?” Her voice was raising in both volume and pitch. Tears formed in the corner of her eyes and she stubbornly blinked them away, both hands clenching into fists to stop them from shaking.
“D’ja mean ta kill me too in that hail a bullets? Or jest warsh me in their blood?”
There was a brief flash of recognition in Connor’s blue eyes when he caught sight of a very familiar red headed woman. Who was that? Connor recognized her from his adventures in Nebraska but he didn’t have the time to think on it. Unfortunate that she would get involved in this altercation but Connor’s loyalty was unshakable. He would not waver.
At Sydney’s request to let Maggie pass, Connor simply shook his head no and kept his revolver trained on the group. If Sydney thought flashing a badge in front of Connor would help he had another thing coming. Connor served a higher law, higher than any law decreed by man, white or red. The harsh reality was that no one was going anywhere until Dotty was safe.
That this apparent lawman was addressing Dotty as Dorothy made little difference to the Kiowa. It was close enough that it wasn’t enough reason to suspect anything.
Besides, Connor had plenty to focus on, the exchange between Dotty and Sydney, then the skinny man saying some very inappropriate implications about Connor’s relationship with Dotty. It drove Connor furious and it was further drove home when he noticed Dotty holding back tears. He didn’t know who these men were or what had they done to Dotty, but for the crime of making her cry they would pay dearly.
As a shirtless man walked out from the side and pointed a gun at Connor, that was the opening the Kiowa was looking for to take it to the next level. Charlie wanted to escalate this situation? Connor would certainly oblige.
Dave’s crucial strategic error was to give Connor his back. As soon as Dave was turning around to accuse Connor of sneaking about in their camp, the Brave was taking one step towards him and grabbing his hand.
A simple enough maneuver and a harmless one... if it were executed by anyone besides Connor.
As Dotty and Jack had discovered in their travels with the mysterious Injun, Connor appeared to know fighting styles from all over the world for some reason. In this case, he applied a technique from the Far East on Bones, an Aikido wrist hold submission
By applying force on Bones’ pressure points, Dave would feel a complete loss of control of his own body, feeling a sensation not unlike getting electrocuted. It was undeniably painful, and there might be lots of screaming, but that was not Connor’s concern. Once he had Bones in a wrist grab he took another step forward to press Dave’s own hand against his back and Connor pressed the barrel of his gun on Dave’s temple, using the skinny man as a shield. In one swift move Connor now had a hostage.
Now the thing was that Connor had never been very good expressing himself with words. Because of that, he remained silent and let his actions speak for him. It was a very simple message really...
Everyone better calm down or he’d blow Bones’ brains out.
At Sydney’s request to let Maggie pass, Connor simply shook his head no and kept his revolver trained on the group. If Sydney thought flashing a badge in front of Connor would help he had another thing coming. Connor served a higher law, higher than any law decreed by man, white or red. The harsh reality was that no one was going anywhere until Dotty was safe.
That this apparent lawman was addressing Dotty as Dorothy made little difference to the Kiowa. It was close enough that it wasn’t enough reason to suspect anything.
Besides, Connor had plenty to focus on, the exchange between Dotty and Sydney, then the skinny man saying some very inappropriate implications about Connor’s relationship with Dotty. It drove Connor furious and it was further drove home when he noticed Dotty holding back tears. He didn’t know who these men were or what had they done to Dotty, but for the crime of making her cry they would pay dearly.
As a shirtless man walked out from the side and pointed a gun at Connor, that was the opening the Kiowa was looking for to take it to the next level. Charlie wanted to escalate this situation? Connor would certainly oblige.
Dave’s crucial strategic error was to give Connor his back. As soon as Dave was turning around to accuse Connor of sneaking about in their camp, the Brave was taking one step towards him and grabbing his hand.
A simple enough maneuver and a harmless one... if it were executed by anyone besides Connor.
As Dotty and Jack had discovered in their travels with the mysterious Injun, Connor appeared to know fighting styles from all over the world for some reason. In this case, he applied a technique from the Far East on Bones, an Aikido wrist hold submission
By applying force on Bones’ pressure points, Dave would feel a complete loss of control of his own body, feeling a sensation not unlike getting electrocuted. It was undeniably painful, and there might be lots of screaming, but that was not Connor’s concern. Once he had Bones in a wrist grab he took another step forward to press Dave’s own hand against his back and Connor pressed the barrel of his gun on Dave’s temple, using the skinny man as a shield. In one swift move Connor now had a hostage.
Now the thing was that Connor had never been very good expressing himself with words. Because of that, he remained silent and let his actions speak for him. It was a very simple message really...
Everyone better calm down or he’d blow Bones’ brains out.
Jack leaned against the doorframe and looked Sydney and Dave up and down. The situation was indeed tense, but if he started showing them that, they might lose the element of superiority that could often trick an opponent into stepping down. They seemingly did have the upper hand now, with three people against one, and Connor right behind them.
“Sure does concern me when I see y’all two holdin’ ya guns at Dotty,” Jack said, not moving from his place in the doorframe. If anything, he moved out a tiny bit, to keep Dorothy behind him. He cared little what business these men wanted with her. They weren’t getting it as long and he was there. And Connor seemed to share that sentiment.
The men didn’t seem to be strangers to Dorothy, though where she knew them from wasn’t immediately clear to Jack... Not that he would have figured it out anyways, if it was less than immediately obvious. He’d never been the brains of anything, but he trusted his gut feeling that these two were up to nothing that could benefit them.
“Come back with you?” Jack cut in after Sydney’s plea. Back to Tombstone? That was near where Bobby and Sparrow were killed. That had been the reason that Jack and Dorothy had met each other, so in a twisted way, he might even owe this lawman thanks. But now wasn’t the time for that. “You ain’t takin’ her anywhere.”
Everything seemed to stay tense, but not moving towards escalation... Until the skinny man opened his mouth. Jack’s eyes moved to him, and then to the young woman behind him, barely covered by his slim frame. He didn’t see her face immediately, but he didn’t need to. He’d recognise those curls anywhere, even if more than five years had passed since he’d last seen her.
“Maggie?” He asked confused, momentarily forgetting to uphold his facade of calmness. What the hell was she doing there? Where had she been all this time? And why had she left?
He didn’t get a chance to ask any follow up questions - not even why they called her ‘Mary’ - before he saw something stroke with the speed of a rattle snake. He instantly knew that it was Connor, and he quickly drew his own gun, and pulled the hammer back. He aimed it at the shirtless man with the stitched-up shoulder behind Connor, in case he decided to do anything dumb.
“Sure does concern me when I see y’all two holdin’ ya guns at Dotty,” Jack said, not moving from his place in the doorframe. If anything, he moved out a tiny bit, to keep Dorothy behind him. He cared little what business these men wanted with her. They weren’t getting it as long and he was there. And Connor seemed to share that sentiment.
The men didn’t seem to be strangers to Dorothy, though where she knew them from wasn’t immediately clear to Jack... Not that he would have figured it out anyways, if it was less than immediately obvious. He’d never been the brains of anything, but he trusted his gut feeling that these two were up to nothing that could benefit them.
“Come back with you?” Jack cut in after Sydney’s plea. Back to Tombstone? That was near where Bobby and Sparrow were killed. That had been the reason that Jack and Dorothy had met each other, so in a twisted way, he might even owe this lawman thanks. But now wasn’t the time for that. “You ain’t takin’ her anywhere.”
Everything seemed to stay tense, but not moving towards escalation... Until the skinny man opened his mouth. Jack’s eyes moved to him, and then to the young woman behind him, barely covered by his slim frame. He didn’t see her face immediately, but he didn’t need to. He’d recognise those curls anywhere, even if more than five years had passed since he’d last seen her.
“Maggie?” He asked confused, momentarily forgetting to uphold his facade of calmness. What the hell was she doing there? Where had she been all this time? And why had she left?
He didn’t get a chance to ask any follow up questions - not even why they called her ‘Mary’ - before he saw something stroke with the speed of a rattle snake. He instantly knew that it was Connor, and he quickly drew his own gun, and pulled the hammer back. He aimed it at the shirtless man with the stitched-up shoulder behind Connor, in case he decided to do anything dumb.
Shiii... Maggie thought to herself when she saw the look of recognition in Connor’s blue eyes. He remembered her. He didn’t seem to be suspicious of her just yet, but if she remembered anything of him from Fairchild, it was that he wasn’t dumb, and that he was determined as hell. He’d likely figure her out sooner or later.
The way he shook his head at Sydney’s request sent chills down her spine. She was really caught in something, she’d no idea what was, and that she had no involvement in whatsoever. She just tried to keep herself hidden behind Bones as much as possible, and tried not to draw any more attention to herself. Making a sudden move right now, with so many weapons drawn, would be just short of idiotic.
“Maggie?” She heard Jack say. She cussed internally again, when she realised that he’d not only recognised her, but also called her by her real name. He might as well hand the lawmen one of the posters with her face on it, and offer to pay for her train fare back to Georgia. Heck, he might even tie her another noose.
How was she supposed to get out of this one? Should she try to explain herself? This hardly was the place for that...
Before she realised that had happened, the Brave had moved from behind them, and now had a hold of Dave - leaving her without protection from the many pistols. She didn’t have to act or force the scream that left her, and she instantly hid behind Sydney. He was the closest to her, and apparently also the highest decorated. How ironic for a wanted woman to hide behind the law...
“Please don’t shoot,” she whimpered, though she was not entirely sure who she was talking to, if anyone at all.
The way he shook his head at Sydney’s request sent chills down her spine. She was really caught in something, she’d no idea what was, and that she had no involvement in whatsoever. She just tried to keep herself hidden behind Bones as much as possible, and tried not to draw any more attention to herself. Making a sudden move right now, with so many weapons drawn, would be just short of idiotic.
“Maggie?” She heard Jack say. She cussed internally again, when she realised that he’d not only recognised her, but also called her by her real name. He might as well hand the lawmen one of the posters with her face on it, and offer to pay for her train fare back to Georgia. Heck, he might even tie her another noose.
How was she supposed to get out of this one? Should she try to explain herself? This hardly was the place for that...
Before she realised that had happened, the Brave had moved from behind them, and now had a hold of Dave - leaving her without protection from the many pistols. She didn’t have to act or force the scream that left her, and she instantly hid behind Sydney. He was the closest to her, and apparently also the highest decorated. How ironic for a wanted woman to hide behind the law...
“Please don’t shoot,” she whimpered, though she was not entirely sure who she was talking to, if anyone at all.
Sydney was mostly focused on Dorothy. The others were still in the background but the noise was minimal. He had no idea the others were connected with Dorothy at the moment. In his mind, they were just innocents getting involved in matters that did not concern them. To an extent he could understand the men stepping in to protect Dorothy. For all they knew, he was a bad guy trying to take advantage of Dorothy. They were doing what they felt was right in their minds.
Her words were a harsh reminder about what happened in Tombstone. The entire thing went differently than how he imagined it would play out. Even with the death of Sparrow. It was not until after they made their escape that Bobby was taken down and Dorothy joined up with someone else. He was not going to shoot her down and he shook his head to indicate as much. That was never his intention. It was why his rifle was still strapped to his back and not in his hands. Nor would he have either of the brothers take the shot. All he wanted was to give Dorothy the chance to do the right thing.
Sydney was trying to think of the words to say. Nothing sounded right in his mind. Each thing he thought of was more of an excuse than anything. In truth, he did not want either of the men to die. He wanted to be able to capture them alive. However, that is not how it turned out. There was less crime in the world but both of them were still human beings with lives of their own. Each of them trying to survive in this harsh world. Things were still in motion around him. Before he could respond to anything Bones had been captured by the Native America who came up behind them. There was also the matter that Mary or Maggie was still here in the hallway. It seemed like Sydney would have to ask her a few questions after everything settled down. For now, he needed to focus on keeping them alive.
"Stay behind me, miss," he said quietly. His eyes turned towards the Brave behind him. "What business do you have here?"
His eyes would head towards Jack next. He was another stranger in the mix. Hearing that he was protecting Dorothy caused him to raise a brow. The amount of loyalty was surprising. He was somewhat impressed that he was sticking to his guns. It was a respectable trait to have. Taking in a slow breath he kept his hands away from his rifle. There was no need to trigger someone in to acting harshly.
"How do you know her?" Sydney asked Jack.
Her words were a harsh reminder about what happened in Tombstone. The entire thing went differently than how he imagined it would play out. Even with the death of Sparrow. It was not until after they made their escape that Bobby was taken down and Dorothy joined up with someone else. He was not going to shoot her down and he shook his head to indicate as much. That was never his intention. It was why his rifle was still strapped to his back and not in his hands. Nor would he have either of the brothers take the shot. All he wanted was to give Dorothy the chance to do the right thing.
Sydney was trying to think of the words to say. Nothing sounded right in his mind. Each thing he thought of was more of an excuse than anything. In truth, he did not want either of the men to die. He wanted to be able to capture them alive. However, that is not how it turned out. There was less crime in the world but both of them were still human beings with lives of their own. Each of them trying to survive in this harsh world. Things were still in motion around him. Before he could respond to anything Bones had been captured by the Native America who came up behind them. There was also the matter that Mary or Maggie was still here in the hallway. It seemed like Sydney would have to ask her a few questions after everything settled down. For now, he needed to focus on keeping them alive.
"Stay behind me, miss," he said quietly. His eyes turned towards the Brave behind him. "What business do you have here?"
His eyes would head towards Jack next. He was another stranger in the mix. Hearing that he was protecting Dorothy caused him to raise a brow. The amount of loyalty was surprising. He was somewhat impressed that he was sticking to his guns. It was a respectable trait to have. Taking in a slow breath he kept his hands away from his rifle. There was no need to trigger someone in to acting harshly.
"How do you know her?" Sydney asked Jack.
Dave’s cocky smirk disappeared in an instant, replaced by a not-so-manly yelp as his gun fell out of his other hand and bounced once on the thin carpet that ran through the center of the hallway before it came to rest near Maggie’s feet. He bit back his scream as the barrel of the gun was pressed to his head and he found himself caught in Conner’s grasp. Thankfully for all involved, trying not to scream like a baby about the painful position of his arm was now taking all his concentration, so he couldn’t say anything stupid to further inflame the situation.
In general, the loyalty of the Goller brothers might be questionable, but their loyalty toward each other was unshakable. And Charlie had suddenly found himself in a very bad spot - with his brother being used as a shield and Jack pointing a gun at him. “Okay, okay… don’t shoot him, okay?” He said, lowering his weapon, unwilling to chance Dave’s life just to get at Dorothy.
His gaze flicked briefly to Jack, trying to get a read on the entire situation. Had he called Mary “Maggie”? No matter what he’d called her, it seemed clear enough that Mary wanted nothing to do with the fellow. It also struck him that both of these fellows … Connor Kenway and Richard Big, he assumed … had been terribly quick to draw weapons to keep Dorothy from getting arrested.
Did they share the same loyalty toward the other remnants of Robert Baker’s crew?
“We’ve got warrants for the arrests of Dorothy Parsons, Fred Linch, and Paul Smith,” he said, watching the two men to see if those last two names were recognized. Dorothy might be the most important one to Sydney and the easiest one to track (folks tended to remember a blonde woman wearing two shooting irons and riding a pinto horse after all), but the Gollers would be just as contented with Flinch or Smitty - preferably both.
“Might be we only bring 2 out of the 3 to justice…” he said, trying to insinuate that a deal for the other two was on the table.
In general, the loyalty of the Goller brothers might be questionable, but their loyalty toward each other was unshakable. And Charlie had suddenly found himself in a very bad spot - with his brother being used as a shield and Jack pointing a gun at him. “Okay, okay… don’t shoot him, okay?” He said, lowering his weapon, unwilling to chance Dave’s life just to get at Dorothy.
His gaze flicked briefly to Jack, trying to get a read on the entire situation. Had he called Mary “Maggie”? No matter what he’d called her, it seemed clear enough that Mary wanted nothing to do with the fellow. It also struck him that both of these fellows … Connor Kenway and Richard Big, he assumed … had been terribly quick to draw weapons to keep Dorothy from getting arrested.
Did they share the same loyalty toward the other remnants of Robert Baker’s crew?
“We’ve got warrants for the arrests of Dorothy Parsons, Fred Linch, and Paul Smith,” he said, watching the two men to see if those last two names were recognized. Dorothy might be the most important one to Sydney and the easiest one to track (folks tended to remember a blonde woman wearing two shooting irons and riding a pinto horse after all), but the Gollers would be just as contented with Flinch or Smitty - preferably both.
“Might be we only bring 2 out of the 3 to justice…” he said, trying to insinuate that a deal for the other two was on the table.
Having both Connor and Jack come to bat on her behalf was reassuring. And had the situation been less serious she might have laughed to see the sudden lesson in humility that Bones was getting from Connor. Charlie had never bothered her too much, but Dave was almost as bad as Smitty. The pair used to make a game out of seeing which one of them could get her riled up enough to cause a reaction and then claim she couldn’t take a joke when she’d complain to Bobby. So she couldn’t bring herself to feel bad for him now.
Sydney’s shake of his head only caused her eyes to narrow. “No? Oh, right. I forgot. You wanna ‘save me’. Well, I don’t need savin’ from the likes a you, Syd! Save 'at one hidin' bahind ya stead. She might need it if she let Bones get a hand on her!"
She was throwing around some wild accusations there. But Jack seemed to know her. And Dave seemed to know her, which left Dorothy with an unflattering assumption about the woman's profession.
As Charlie put the idea of turning in Flinch and Smitty on the table, Dorothy's gaze went from angry to alarmed. Just momentarily before she schooled her features. “Yinzer too late for that. They’re dead,” she lied.
Sydney’s shake of his head only caused her eyes to narrow. “No? Oh, right. I forgot. You wanna ‘save me’. Well, I don’t need savin’ from the likes a you, Syd! Save 'at one hidin' bahind ya stead. She might need it if she let Bones get a hand on her!"
She was throwing around some wild accusations there. But Jack seemed to know her. And Dave seemed to know her, which left Dorothy with an unflattering assumption about the woman's profession.
As Charlie put the idea of turning in Flinch and Smitty on the table, Dorothy's gaze went from angry to alarmed. Just momentarily before she schooled her features. “Yinzer too late for that. They’re dead,” she lied.
Once he had made a prisoner out of Bones, Connor quickly pressed his back against a wall with the unlucky Dave up front, anyone that dared to try and shoot him would risk hitting Bones instead.
The Brave watched first as Charlie lowered his gun. This was important as it told Connor that the skinny man he captured held some value, for all he knew he had just grabbed a worthless pawn. Now that he knew Dave was somewhat important he could start negotiating.
“That is none of your concern.” Connor finally spoke as Sydney addressed him and questioned what was his relationship with Dotty. Connor held all the cards here and didn’t feel like giving Sydney any information he didn’t need to know. Incidentally, now that Connor finally said something those unfamiliar with him would be able to hear his strange accent. Connor looked every bit like a Kiowa warrior, but his English was flawless and sounded as if he could be from Britain.
He waited until Dorothy and Charlie made their little exchange ending with the conclusion these men were looking for dead men. With no arrangement reached it was time for Connor to make his own deal.
“Surrender your arms or this man dies.” He said as he pressed the gun on Bones’ temple, his wrist grab tightened more.
“Collect their weapons.” He then said to Jack with a pointed look. Far more willing to continue the conversation with Sydney and his party disarmed.
The Brave watched first as Charlie lowered his gun. This was important as it told Connor that the skinny man he captured held some value, for all he knew he had just grabbed a worthless pawn. Now that he knew Dave was somewhat important he could start negotiating.
“That is none of your concern.” Connor finally spoke as Sydney addressed him and questioned what was his relationship with Dotty. Connor held all the cards here and didn’t feel like giving Sydney any information he didn’t need to know. Incidentally, now that Connor finally said something those unfamiliar with him would be able to hear his strange accent. Connor looked every bit like a Kiowa warrior, but his English was flawless and sounded as if he could be from Britain.
He waited until Dorothy and Charlie made their little exchange ending with the conclusion these men were looking for dead men. With no arrangement reached it was time for Connor to make his own deal.
“Surrender your arms or this man dies.” He said as he pressed the gun on Bones’ temple, his wrist grab tightened more.
“Collect their weapons.” He then said to Jack with a pointed look. Far more willing to continue the conversation with Sydney and his party disarmed.
Bones’ less-than-manly scream made Maggie roll her eyes, and appreciate that she’d decided to hide behind Sydney instead. Even if he hadn’t drawn his weapon, he wasn’t held at gunpoint by Connor Kenway or Jack Brennan, either. His back seemed like the most safe one to hide behind - at least for now.
The sound of Dave’s gun hitting the floor made Maggie yelp again. She quickly bend down to pick it up, and then emptied it for bullets. She’d never learned to shoot a gun, and now wasn’t the time to do so. By removing the ammunition, she had at least taken one gun out of the equation, which also meant one less gun to shoot her.
As much as she was terrified of what would happen, Maggie was slightly curious about who this ‘Dorothy Parsons’ was, and why she was not only wanted by a Marshal, but also protected by the odd duo consisting of Jack and Connor.
“Hey!” She said, somewhat insulted by Dorothy’s assumption and suggestion of Maggie’s profession. She hadn’t insulted her enough for Maggie to pop out of hiding from behind Sydney, but she wasn’t about to let Dorothy get away with such assumptions either.
“I’m just a maid, I don’t know what’s goin’ on here, or why. But I won’t let some plain criminal insult me to my face like that.”
The sound of Dave’s gun hitting the floor made Maggie yelp again. She quickly bend down to pick it up, and then emptied it for bullets. She’d never learned to shoot a gun, and now wasn’t the time to do so. By removing the ammunition, she had at least taken one gun out of the equation, which also meant one less gun to shoot her.
As much as she was terrified of what would happen, Maggie was slightly curious about who this ‘Dorothy Parsons’ was, and why she was not only wanted by a Marshal, but also protected by the odd duo consisting of Jack and Connor.
“Hey!” She said, somewhat insulted by Dorothy’s assumption and suggestion of Maggie’s profession. She hadn’t insulted her enough for Maggie to pop out of hiding from behind Sydney, but she wasn’t about to let Dorothy get away with such assumptions either.
“I’m just a maid, I don’t know what’s goin’ on here, or why. But I won’t let some plain criminal insult me to my face like that.”
“I know ‘er well enough ta know, she ain’t going anywhere with you, no matter how much ya flash ya badge, or have yer hired help flex their muscles,” Jack said coldly. The situation was still tense and potentially lethal, but they seemed to be caught in some kind of a deadlock - until Connor moved with his hostage, and Jack saw Charlie lower his gun.
He followed Connor’s instructions of gathering weapons without protest. He was used to following orders, and Connor seemed like a competent leader in this situation.
It was Bones’ gun, he reacted for first. Maggie still held it, and Jack would have to get it from her. The look that she sent him wasn’t exactly friendly, when he reached for the firearm, but she didn’t say anything just yet. She’d recognised him, but not identified him yet, which was very lucky for him, or they might be in even bigger problems.
“Gun, miss Mary,” he said. He’d realised too late that she was using a fake name, too, and that he had possibly messed up whatever she was in the middle of by calling her ‘Maggie’. Hopefully, he could play it off as if it hadn’t happened.
“And yours, too, Marshall. Nice and slow, no dumb movements.”
He followed Connor’s instructions of gathering weapons without protest. He was used to following orders, and Connor seemed like a competent leader in this situation.
It was Bones’ gun, he reacted for first. Maggie still held it, and Jack would have to get it from her. The look that she sent him wasn’t exactly friendly, when he reached for the firearm, but she didn’t say anything just yet. She’d recognised him, but not identified him yet, which was very lucky for him, or they might be in even bigger problems.
“Gun, miss Mary,” he said. He’d realised too late that she was using a fake name, too, and that he had possibly messed up whatever she was in the middle of by calling her ‘Maggie’. Hopefully, he could play it off as if it hadn’t happened.
“And yours, too, Marshall. Nice and slow, no dumb movements.”
The marshal efforts to diffuse the situation or at least manage it were going nowhere. Tension was still running high in the corridor. It elevated once Maggie or Mary managed to snag the gun. Sydney was unable to react before she held the weapon in her hands. Neither of the strange men were leaving or even attempting to get out of the way. One of them was even defending Dorothy from him. Not that he would hurt her.
Sydney glanced over to see Charlie lower his gun. Given the situation he did not really want to see Bones shot. He was in the business of protecting lives not taking them. Bones was still safe for now. It could change if the situation worsened but both of the men seemed to hold some amount of honor. Figuring they would honor their words he slowly held his hands up to show he meant no harm.
"I'll hand it over," he said. "You should hand it over as well, miss."
Slowly if they allowed him he would reach to grab his gun. Moving the gun from his back he held it out for Jack to take. He was cooperating with the two strangers. His eyes went back towards Dorothy. He knew that she could handle herself. He was not saying that she couldn't. Hearing her comment he glanced back towards Maggie or Mary with her protests. All that remained was making sure that Bones was released safely.
"Will you let him go once we are both unarmed?"
Sydney would glance towards Conner with this last question. Both of them should be unarmed or at least that was his hope. He had not checked to make sure that Maggie/Mary was not making this entire thing worse. The last thing any of them needed was to add more wood to the fire. This should help to alleviate some of the tension in the hallway.
Sydney glanced over to see Charlie lower his gun. Given the situation he did not really want to see Bones shot. He was in the business of protecting lives not taking them. Bones was still safe for now. It could change if the situation worsened but both of the men seemed to hold some amount of honor. Figuring they would honor their words he slowly held his hands up to show he meant no harm.
"I'll hand it over," he said. "You should hand it over as well, miss."
Slowly if they allowed him he would reach to grab his gun. Moving the gun from his back he held it out for Jack to take. He was cooperating with the two strangers. His eyes went back towards Dorothy. He knew that she could handle herself. He was not saying that she couldn't. Hearing her comment he glanced back towards Maggie or Mary with her protests. All that remained was making sure that Bones was released safely.
"Will you let him go once we are both unarmed?"
Sydney would glance towards Conner with this last question. Both of them should be unarmed or at least that was his hope. He had not checked to make sure that Maggie/Mary was not making this entire thing worse. The last thing any of them needed was to add more wood to the fire. This should help to alleviate some of the tension in the hallway.
If and when Jack came for Charlie’s gun, he’d reluctantly hand it over to prevent Dave (who was making pained, barely constrained noises from between clenched teeth) from getting his brains splattered across the hallway.
“You think addin’ murder charges is gonna help your case, Dotty?” Charlie asked with a shake of his head. Despite allowing himself to be disarmed, he was still nervous that this wolf-pelted savage wasn’t going to hold up his end of the bargain. "We was just tryin' to help ya, ya know, before someone that ain't so worried bout collecting their bounties alive found ya..."
“Ain’t murderin’ no one… “ Dorothy muttered with a scowl. Wait, were they? If Bobby were here with these three at his mercy, there was little doubt none of them would be leaving here alive. Did she owe it to him to avenge him? Some of her anger was at Sydney, but he'd done exactly what was expected from a lawman. The betrayal by the Gollers was far worse. They were both guilty of the exact same crimes that she was. But seemed to have bought themselves a free pass by turning on Bobby. “Though that’s bout all yinz deserve after what yinz done."
Her gaze slid between Connor and Jack, either of which might be willing to do the deed for her if she proved reluctant to pull the trigger herself. But she looked at Sydney again. She might wish he'd just leave her alone, but she found she could not wish him dead. And like it or not, Charlie was right that leaving a trail of bodies wasn't likely to lend itself well to laying low.
A door at the far end of the hallway (closest to the stairs, behind where Connor stood with Dave) cracked open just an inch as another party was taking an interest in the happenings in the hallway.
“You think addin’ murder charges is gonna help your case, Dotty?” Charlie asked with a shake of his head. Despite allowing himself to be disarmed, he was still nervous that this wolf-pelted savage wasn’t going to hold up his end of the bargain. "We was just tryin' to help ya, ya know, before someone that ain't so worried bout collecting their bounties alive found ya..."
“Ain’t murderin’ no one… “ Dorothy muttered with a scowl. Wait, were they? If Bobby were here with these three at his mercy, there was little doubt none of them would be leaving here alive. Did she owe it to him to avenge him? Some of her anger was at Sydney, but he'd done exactly what was expected from a lawman. The betrayal by the Gollers was far worse. They were both guilty of the exact same crimes that she was. But seemed to have bought themselves a free pass by turning on Bobby. “Though that’s bout all yinz deserve after what yinz done."
Her gaze slid between Connor and Jack, either of which might be willing to do the deed for her if she proved reluctant to pull the trigger herself. But she looked at Sydney again. She might wish he'd just leave her alone, but she found she could not wish him dead. And like it or not, Charlie was right that leaving a trail of bodies wasn't likely to lend itself well to laying low.
A door at the far end of the hallway (closest to the stairs, behind where Connor stood with Dave) cracked open just an inch as another party was taking an interest in the happenings in the hallway.
This lawman, Sydney, sure liked to talk a lot. Connor had half his mind to brutalize Bones a bit to get Sydney to stop acting like if he was in any position to be making demands. Maybe twist the skinny man's hand some more and emphasize he'd let him go only if he felt like it.
It was fortunate for everyone in the world honestly, that Connor had such a deep, seething hatred for evil. If he had succumbed to his hatred, he would have surely been a blight in the world. A man as dangerous as him, with no sense of self control? He would have maimed Bones in an instant just to prove a point, happily breaking the man's wrist to hear him scream and maybe get Sydney to realize the severity of his situation. Right before he shot and scalped them all at least...
But.. Connor wasn't evil, he had seen what true evil could do to people and wanted to no part of that. He rolled his eyes as Sydney asked if he would release Bones once they were all disarmed and at first said nothing.
Only after Jack collected all the weapons, Connor finally let go of Bones' hand and gave him a good hard kick on his butt to send him stumbling forward with the rest of the group.
Connor then trained his revolver on the now very disarmed group and began circling them slowly to herd them all together.
"Now you may talk." Connor said to Sydney and his folks. "And Dotty will decide if she wants to listen or not." Connor almost made it look like Dorothy was the ringleader of a brand new gang, though Connor didn't really care for the impressions, he just wanted Dorothy to be safe. If she decided she didn't want to talk to any of these people, Connor would be very happy to show them the door.
It was fortunate for everyone in the world honestly, that Connor had such a deep, seething hatred for evil. If he had succumbed to his hatred, he would have surely been a blight in the world. A man as dangerous as him, with no sense of self control? He would have maimed Bones in an instant just to prove a point, happily breaking the man's wrist to hear him scream and maybe get Sydney to realize the severity of his situation. Right before he shot and scalped them all at least...
But.. Connor wasn't evil, he had seen what true evil could do to people and wanted to no part of that. He rolled his eyes as Sydney asked if he would release Bones once they were all disarmed and at first said nothing.
Only after Jack collected all the weapons, Connor finally let go of Bones' hand and gave him a good hard kick on his butt to send him stumbling forward with the rest of the group.
Connor then trained his revolver on the now very disarmed group and began circling them slowly to herd them all together.
"Now you may talk." Connor said to Sydney and his folks. "And Dotty will decide if she wants to listen or not." Connor almost made it look like Dorothy was the ringleader of a brand new gang, though Connor didn't really care for the impressions, he just wanted Dorothy to be safe. If she decided she didn't want to talk to any of these people, Connor would be very happy to show them the door.
It wasn’t exactly easy to hold all of the weapons and still be ready to fight. He could put them down, but that left a very big risk that someone in the group might lunge for one of the guns. Jack didn’t doubt that Connor would kill them before they even got a proper hold, but just like Dotty, he knew that a trail of bodies would be bad luck. He’d been taught to get rid of evidence like that, and loud gunshots in an inn would definitely pull unwanted attention.
He therefore left to gun-pointing to Connor, and just stood still, giving Dorothy the chance to step in behind him, should the three men in the group become desperate and lunge for the weakest person holding them up. He deliberately avoided Maggie’s face and gaze. If Sydney or the Gollers knew, what she had meant to him, they suddenly would have a bargaining chip of their own.
“If ya get tired of their tall tales, Dotty,” Jack said, actively choosing to not call her ‘Darlin’ in front of Maggie. “Just say the word. Marshall’s gonna be difficult, but ain’t none gonna cry any tears for a pair of greedy traitors...”
Jack had heard the rumours about the Gollers’ betrayal, too. He’d met Bobby quite a few times while growing up, and couldn’t help but see the remainders of Bobby’s Hounds as part of PJ’s gang now. That meant that they were family, and Jack wasn’t going to be merciful to anyone who broke that loyalty for something as easily attainable as money.
————
If Maggie had only been bolder, she would’ve tried to run when Bones was pushed towards them. She didn’t want to be a part of whatever shit, Jack had gotten himself into now, and she didn’t want to be near Jack at all, especially while he was playing bodyguard for that loud-mouthed harlot.
A part of her had asked her, what the Gollers would say to her running off. They’d probably understand, but there was a risk that Charlie might tell his brother about their kiss. Even though he was younger and skinnier, Maggie had realised that Dave might have enough confidence to convince his brother to act against his own interests. She couldn’t risk having Bones talk her down, and demand that she be left in South Fork.
Therefore, she stayed as central in the huddle as possible. If guns were fired from both sides, at least that meant more for the bullets to pass through before they’d hit her. She toyed nervously with the ribbon around her neck that covered the long, jagged, horizontal scar.
“Please, sir,” she tried to plead with Connor. “I am not a part of this. May I go? I promise, I ain’t seen anything of what has happened...”
He therefore left to gun-pointing to Connor, and just stood still, giving Dorothy the chance to step in behind him, should the three men in the group become desperate and lunge for the weakest person holding them up. He deliberately avoided Maggie’s face and gaze. If Sydney or the Gollers knew, what she had meant to him, they suddenly would have a bargaining chip of their own.
“If ya get tired of their tall tales, Dotty,” Jack said, actively choosing to not call her ‘Darlin’ in front of Maggie. “Just say the word. Marshall’s gonna be difficult, but ain’t none gonna cry any tears for a pair of greedy traitors...”
Jack had heard the rumours about the Gollers’ betrayal, too. He’d met Bobby quite a few times while growing up, and couldn’t help but see the remainders of Bobby’s Hounds as part of PJ’s gang now. That meant that they were family, and Jack wasn’t going to be merciful to anyone who broke that loyalty for something as easily attainable as money.
————
If Maggie had only been bolder, she would’ve tried to run when Bones was pushed towards them. She didn’t want to be a part of whatever shit, Jack had gotten himself into now, and she didn’t want to be near Jack at all, especially while he was playing bodyguard for that loud-mouthed harlot.
A part of her had asked her, what the Gollers would say to her running off. They’d probably understand, but there was a risk that Charlie might tell his brother about their kiss. Even though he was younger and skinnier, Maggie had realised that Dave might have enough confidence to convince his brother to act against his own interests. She couldn’t risk having Bones talk her down, and demand that she be left in South Fork.
Therefore, she stayed as central in the huddle as possible. If guns were fired from both sides, at least that meant more for the bullets to pass through before they’d hit her. She toyed nervously with the ribbon around her neck that covered the long, jagged, horizontal scar.
“Please, sir,” she tried to plead with Connor. “I am not a part of this. May I go? I promise, I ain’t seen anything of what has happened...”
Sydney watched as the rest of the guns were rounded up. This situation had gone down hill quickly. It was only getting worse for the brothers and himself. From what he could tell the two men were traveling or working with Dorothy. What their actual relationship was with her he had no idea. The marshal had no other weapons currently on hand and his other gun he possessed was hidden in his pack with his horse.
Now, Dorothy and these strange men were completely in charge with no weapons in the possession. Sydney was glad to see that the Native American male released the one brother from his hold. That should help keep the tension at more of a minimum. There was still some other issues in the air that kept a pressure on the lawman and his companions. His eyes watched as the Native American started to circle the group. There was not much room in the hallway for maneuvering but that did not stop the man.
Sydney was not sure what else to say. Dorothy seemed rather intent on running from him. His words seemed to bounce right off from her. The other two men were not helping matters when it came to talking with her. For now, he opted to stay silent. He could hear the young woman behind him still asking to be released from this tense situation. What could he do to defuse this situation? Would they even listen to him? Right now, he was uncertain how this would proceed.
"My promise still stands, Dorothy. I won't give up. What will you do?"
Now, Dorothy and these strange men were completely in charge with no weapons in the possession. Sydney was glad to see that the Native American male released the one brother from his hold. That should help keep the tension at more of a minimum. There was still some other issues in the air that kept a pressure on the lawman and his companions. His eyes watched as the Native American started to circle the group. There was not much room in the hallway for maneuvering but that did not stop the man.
Sydney was not sure what else to say. Dorothy seemed rather intent on running from him. His words seemed to bounce right off from her. The other two men were not helping matters when it came to talking with her. For now, he opted to stay silent. He could hear the young woman behind him still asking to be released from this tense situation. What could he do to defuse this situation? Would they even listen to him? Right now, he was uncertain how this would proceed.
"My promise still stands, Dorothy. I won't give up. What will you do?"
"You won't get away with this, forever. I will find you after this is over." The promise the marshal made to them back in that bank manager's house echoed in her memory - along with the mental imagery of how they'd left him trussed up in the banker's bed, something they'd all shared a good laugh over later at Sydney's expense. Now it didn't seem so funny.
She thought his promise had been fulfilled the day Bobby died. Apparently not. Now here they were. Sydney, Dave, & Charlie ... and whoever Mary was ... at their mercy. But as Sydney looked at her and reminded her of his promise, she felt like she was the one that was trapped.
"Luddy Mussy, Syd! Ain't I paid 'nuff...?" She implored, those stupid tears threatening to form in the corner of her eyes again, her lack of sleep not helping her ability to keep her emotions in check. "Ya already took Bobby!"
She glared at him, unable to see any good answers here.
They could bind the 3 of them and just leave. But that meant going back to a life on the run... just as she'd been starting to settle in with Bobby's old buddies. Where would she even go? Going back with Jack would just lead Sydney to Flinch, Smitty, Cessy, Joe, PJ, & Esme. That sure wouldn't earn her any brownie points. And going with Connor...? She was reluctant to even look at him. He might be willing to protect her life, but she thought he'd made it pretty clear a short while ago that the thought of her sharing his bedroll repulsed him.
They could kill them. But Dotty was not a cold-blooded killer. Even if she was, ultimately it would not solve the problem of needing to go on the lam again.
She brushed away that dampness in her eyes and licked her slightly chapped lips, steeling herself, silent for a long moment before finally speaking, avoiding Jack's gaze because she thought he would object. "If I go with ya without a fuss, can ya promise I stay in Arizona 'stead a Texas?" The charges against her for her role in the Texas train robbery would likely be more severe than the charges for the gun theft in Arizona.
She thought his promise had been fulfilled the day Bobby died. Apparently not. Now here they were. Sydney, Dave, & Charlie ... and whoever Mary was ... at their mercy. But as Sydney looked at her and reminded her of his promise, she felt like she was the one that was trapped.
"Luddy Mussy, Syd! Ain't I paid 'nuff...?" She implored, those stupid tears threatening to form in the corner of her eyes again, her lack of sleep not helping her ability to keep her emotions in check. "Ya already took Bobby!"
She glared at him, unable to see any good answers here.
They could bind the 3 of them and just leave. But that meant going back to a life on the run... just as she'd been starting to settle in with Bobby's old buddies. Where would she even go? Going back with Jack would just lead Sydney to Flinch, Smitty, Cessy, Joe, PJ, & Esme. That sure wouldn't earn her any brownie points. And going with Connor...? She was reluctant to even look at him. He might be willing to protect her life, but she thought he'd made it pretty clear a short while ago that the thought of her sharing his bedroll repulsed him.
They could kill them. But Dotty was not a cold-blooded killer. Even if she was, ultimately it would not solve the problem of needing to go on the lam again.
She brushed away that dampness in her eyes and licked her slightly chapped lips, steeling herself, silent for a long moment before finally speaking, avoiding Jack's gaze because she thought he would object. "If I go with ya without a fuss, can ya promise I stay in Arizona 'stead a Texas?" The charges against her for her role in the Texas train robbery would likely be more severe than the charges for the gun theft in Arizona.
Things could escalate out of control very quickly, simply because Sydney just didn't know when to quit making the same mistake over and over again.
That being; he kept making Dorothy cry!
Connor could stomach a lot of things. He had decapitated men, scalped them, hack their skull open with an axe, toss them down cliffs, shoot them at point blank with bullets and arrows. Some of these things Dorothy had even seen him done.
But if there was one thing that truly unnerved Connor, was the sound of a woman crying. That the woman in question was Dorothy was doubly troubling.
For a moment he looked like he lost his composure, the Brave's arm trembled and he had to grip his revolver harder to not accidentally drop it, or worse, start firing. It was Maggie's pleads that finally made him regain focus and he glanced at the woman with the bright red hair.
Connor knew that it was a huge liability to let her go. She could very well rat on all of them, honestly, Connor had no reason to trust her even if he technically knew her. But she was a distraction and Connor could seldom afford to have any of those right now.
"Go on. Leave." He gestured to Maggie with his revolver, giving her permission to leave the deadly scene.
Not soon after, Sydney was making his declaration and to Connor's horror, Dorothy was agreeing to go with him despite the fact that they could easily kill them all or at the very minimum incapacitate them so they could run. Dorothy didn't even need to sully her hands, she only needed to say the word and Connor would happily do the deed for her. He wouldn't even be too loud, just a quick chest stab in the heart for each man. No one would be none the wiser.
But it was Dorothy who was turning herself in?? For shame! "Dotty, no!" Connor suddenly cried out. He knew he couldn't focus on talking to Dorothy and holding the men at gun point at the same time, but he had to take the risk since Jack was holding all their weapons. He stepped sideways towards Dorothy, keeping an eye on Sydney and his men whilst he whispered to Dotty.
"Come with me, like I told you. Easton will cover for you, he has done so for me and many men. Do you not think I am not wanted too by the government?" He glanced at Sydney again, scowling before looking at Dorothy again. "You don't have to do any of this. You can be free... with me." The last part was barely a whisper.
That being; he kept making Dorothy cry!
Connor could stomach a lot of things. He had decapitated men, scalped them, hack their skull open with an axe, toss them down cliffs, shoot them at point blank with bullets and arrows. Some of these things Dorothy had even seen him done.
But if there was one thing that truly unnerved Connor, was the sound of a woman crying. That the woman in question was Dorothy was doubly troubling.
For a moment he looked like he lost his composure, the Brave's arm trembled and he had to grip his revolver harder to not accidentally drop it, or worse, start firing. It was Maggie's pleads that finally made him regain focus and he glanced at the woman with the bright red hair.
Connor knew that it was a huge liability to let her go. She could very well rat on all of them, honestly, Connor had no reason to trust her even if he technically knew her. But she was a distraction and Connor could seldom afford to have any of those right now.
"Go on. Leave." He gestured to Maggie with his revolver, giving her permission to leave the deadly scene.
Not soon after, Sydney was making his declaration and to Connor's horror, Dorothy was agreeing to go with him despite the fact that they could easily kill them all or at the very minimum incapacitate them so they could run. Dorothy didn't even need to sully her hands, she only needed to say the word and Connor would happily do the deed for her. He wouldn't even be too loud, just a quick chest stab in the heart for each man. No one would be none the wiser.
But it was Dorothy who was turning herself in?? For shame! "Dotty, no!" Connor suddenly cried out. He knew he couldn't focus on talking to Dorothy and holding the men at gun point at the same time, but he had to take the risk since Jack was holding all their weapons. He stepped sideways towards Dorothy, keeping an eye on Sydney and his men whilst he whispered to Dotty.
"Come with me, like I told you. Easton will cover for you, he has done so for me and many men. Do you not think I am not wanted too by the government?" He glanced at Sydney again, scowling before looking at Dorothy again. "You don't have to do any of this. You can be free... with me." The last part was barely a whisper.
Dorothy thought she had a good handle on men in general, but Connor Kenway continually mystified and confounded her. Maybe she only had a good handle on the sort of men that frequented brothels. She held his gaze for several seconds, surprised by what might have been the longest speech she'd ever heard from him and the sentiment behind his words.
Exactly how Easton was going to hide her (or simply shield her) from an Arizona Territory Marshal, she didn't know. If Sydney had found her here, surely it would be even easier to track her down if she was holding steady employment on the Marshal's home turf. But the way Connor said it made her believe it was possible.
Her gaze slid briefly to Jack, considering the Easton counterpart - Esme Wilkerson. But she simply didn't trust that Esme would ultimately look out for anyone but herself and maybe PJ Meyers.
She looked back at Connor and nodded several times.
"Okay," she said, barely any louder than the Kiowa Brave had been. "I'll come with you..."
They'd figure it out together. Right?
Dave was still cradling his arm, but scoffed. Apparently, his 'lesson' was already starting to wear off, because he shook his head in disgust, offering some free 'advice' to Connor. "Don't let them crocodile tears of hers fool ya, Tom-Tom. She wormed her way into that greyback's bedroll too. Got her claws into him. And you know what it got him? It got him dead..."
Exactly how Easton was going to hide her (or simply shield her) from an Arizona Territory Marshal, she didn't know. If Sydney had found her here, surely it would be even easier to track her down if she was holding steady employment on the Marshal's home turf. But the way Connor said it made her believe it was possible.
Her gaze slid briefly to Jack, considering the Easton counterpart - Esme Wilkerson. But she simply didn't trust that Esme would ultimately look out for anyone but herself and maybe PJ Meyers.
She looked back at Connor and nodded several times.
"Okay," she said, barely any louder than the Kiowa Brave had been. "I'll come with you..."
They'd figure it out together. Right?
Dave was still cradling his arm, but scoffed. Apparently, his 'lesson' was already starting to wear off, because he shook his head in disgust, offering some free 'advice' to Connor. "Don't let them crocodile tears of hers fool ya, Tom-Tom. She wormed her way into that greyback's bedroll too. Got her claws into him. And you know what it got him? It got him dead..."
Jack stood at a cross-road. He wasn’t brainy, but he was smart enough to see that. He wasn’t worried about getting out of this situation alive - they clearly had the upper hand - but still things were slipping out of his fingers, and he’d stand empty-handed if he didn’t react fast enough.
Connor’s surprisingly long and heartfelt words had kept Dorothy from making the mistake of following Sydney. Jack himself had been too gobsmacked at the fact that she even considered giving in to his offer, even if it was to save the others. It had only strengthened Jack’s belief that she was part of the family; anyone willing to offer themselves up to save the others was worth saving.
But Dorothy wasn’t the only woman present, he felt a loyalty towards. He hadn’t seen Maggie in almost half a decade. And now she was suddenly there, looking disturbingly like herself despite the years that had passed. He had so many questions for her, but none he could ask in front of the current crowd. Not without blowing her cover or his own.
It hadn’t yet occurred to Jack that when Dorothy said ‘I’m coming with you’, she’d meant Connor, and not both of them. For now it was enough that she wasn’t actively holding her wrists out for Sydney to cuff them.
“Can it,” he told Dave, who’d apparently forgotten all about how easy, Connor had let him go last time. “Ain’t none of us gonna cry if ya mouth gets ya killed. Now y’all stay out here for at least a day. Then ya head back ta Arizona and forget y’all ever saw us.”
———
Maggie nodded gratefully when Connor gave her permission to leave. She wanted to just make a bolt for the stairs, but realised that sudden movements in such a tense situation likely wasn’t a good idea. She held up her hands and slowly moved out from behind Sydney, while the Kiowa made his offer to protect Dorothy.
His words stung. They weren’t even meant for her, but still they hit her somewhere she thought had been numb for years. She’d been made that promise before, and where had it brought her? She was scamming people for a living, and lived from glass to glass, bottle to bottle.
Her eyes shot daggers at Jack briefly, but he was too busy defending his blonde. Maggie managed to keep herself from scoffing, but she couldn’t leave without one last shot at Jack.
“Careful with who ya trust, Darlin’,” she told her. Not the most creative man, Jack likely used the same nickname for all his girls, Maggie thought. “A man’s promise only holds as long as he gets enough back. Their allegiance can change as quick as the wind.”
She was by the stairs now, slowly removing herself from the scene. She contemplated going to fetch the constable, just to get revenge on Jack. She also considered going back up there, swallowing her pride, and beg Jack to take her out of South Fork. It seemed like her plan of two-timing the two Goller brothers no longer was going to be the fastest, most profitable way out of the nightmare town.
Connor’s surprisingly long and heartfelt words had kept Dorothy from making the mistake of following Sydney. Jack himself had been too gobsmacked at the fact that she even considered giving in to his offer, even if it was to save the others. It had only strengthened Jack’s belief that she was part of the family; anyone willing to offer themselves up to save the others was worth saving.
But Dorothy wasn’t the only woman present, he felt a loyalty towards. He hadn’t seen Maggie in almost half a decade. And now she was suddenly there, looking disturbingly like herself despite the years that had passed. He had so many questions for her, but none he could ask in front of the current crowd. Not without blowing her cover or his own.
It hadn’t yet occurred to Jack that when Dorothy said ‘I’m coming with you’, she’d meant Connor, and not both of them. For now it was enough that she wasn’t actively holding her wrists out for Sydney to cuff them.
“Can it,” he told Dave, who’d apparently forgotten all about how easy, Connor had let him go last time. “Ain’t none of us gonna cry if ya mouth gets ya killed. Now y’all stay out here for at least a day. Then ya head back ta Arizona and forget y’all ever saw us.”
———
Maggie nodded gratefully when Connor gave her permission to leave. She wanted to just make a bolt for the stairs, but realised that sudden movements in such a tense situation likely wasn’t a good idea. She held up her hands and slowly moved out from behind Sydney, while the Kiowa made his offer to protect Dorothy.
His words stung. They weren’t even meant for her, but still they hit her somewhere she thought had been numb for years. She’d been made that promise before, and where had it brought her? She was scamming people for a living, and lived from glass to glass, bottle to bottle.
Her eyes shot daggers at Jack briefly, but he was too busy defending his blonde. Maggie managed to keep herself from scoffing, but she couldn’t leave without one last shot at Jack.
“Careful with who ya trust, Darlin’,” she told her. Not the most creative man, Jack likely used the same nickname for all his girls, Maggie thought. “A man’s promise only holds as long as he gets enough back. Their allegiance can change as quick as the wind.”
She was by the stairs now, slowly removing herself from the scene. She contemplated going to fetch the constable, just to get revenge on Jack. She also considered going back up there, swallowing her pride, and beg Jack to take her out of South Fork. It seemed like her plan of two-timing the two Goller brothers no longer was going to be the fastest, most profitable way out of the nightmare town.
Sydney remained silent while the others spoke among themselves. He would only make matters worse for him if he spoke up. The others were pretty intent on having their voices heard. The name Easton caught his interest when the Brave mentioned him. He was not familiar with the name but he could look into it. This person could lead to more criminals or to darker deeds.
There was hope when he heard Dorothy say she would head back to Arizona with him. His eyes went towards Dorothy to see if she was just saying the words or if she meant the words. There did not seem to be any deception in her words. It would not be easy but Sydney could secure her to serve out her sentence in Arizona. There would be no need for him to hand her over to any other authorities. He was about to say something when the others chimed in. Without his firearm there was nothing he could do to stop them.
Sydney held a look of disappointment in his eyes. This would be his last opportunity to get Dorothy to do the right thing. To get the guys to do the right thing as well. He watched the others for a moment before focusing his attention on Dorothy. She was the main reason he was here. Knowing that she would more than likely head off with the two men he was more resolved to continue to pursue her. He was not going to give up so easily on her.
"I can make sure you stay in Arizona. That only will work if you come with me now. Leaving with the others will take this out of my hands, Dorothy. I leave the choice to you. There is nothing I can do to stop you."
There was hope when he heard Dorothy say she would head back to Arizona with him. His eyes went towards Dorothy to see if she was just saying the words or if she meant the words. There did not seem to be any deception in her words. It would not be easy but Sydney could secure her to serve out her sentence in Arizona. There would be no need for him to hand her over to any other authorities. He was about to say something when the others chimed in. Without his firearm there was nothing he could do to stop them.
Sydney held a look of disappointment in his eyes. This would be his last opportunity to get Dorothy to do the right thing. To get the guys to do the right thing as well. He watched the others for a moment before focusing his attention on Dorothy. She was the main reason he was here. Knowing that she would more than likely head off with the two men he was more resolved to continue to pursue her. He was not going to give up so easily on her.
"I can make sure you stay in Arizona. That only will work if you come with me now. Leaving with the others will take this out of my hands, Dorothy. I leave the choice to you. There is nothing I can do to stop you."
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