Official BG Business 

Things were nothing but a blurry haze,

As from Mary Sue's room,

Jake was led away.

The crowd parted that had gathered in the hall.

He could remember the screaming. Mary Sue's blank stare.

Then not much at all.

He was escorted to a room by whom,

Jake couldn't later recall.

Told to wait there,

The click of the door shutting,

In his mind, he again saw Mary Sue's blank stare.

He took a deep breath and tried to make it make sense

His hand clenched into a fist.

Mary Sue was dead because of him.

Because she was a good woman.

She didn't deserve this.

At the wall, he threw a fist.

Sallie McClain would pay for this.

His knuckles cracked open and bled,

The pain helped to clear his head.

He beat his fist over and over until

The door to the room opened once more.

At the sight of Billy, Jake swore.

************************************************************************

Jujube was alerted,

Someone was trying to break down Miss Mary Sue's door,

She had no idea what for.

Jujube took the stairs two by two.

What he saw startled him through and through.

Jake in the room holding a dead Miss Mary Sue.

He tried to pull Jake away.

It was all his fault is all Jake would say.

This was not going to be a good day.

He asked Satchel to fetch Billy straight away.

Big Hunk was left to guard the room,

Since there was a broken door.

Jujube finally pulled Jake away,

As Lotta laid a sheet over the body on the floor.

Jujube led Jake to Rue's office.

He talked to him but Jake wouldn't speak.

He left him there knowing Doc and Unger he must seek.

---------

Billy heard thumping and crashed through the door.

He swung it open and Jake swore, his fists bloody and sore.

"Looks like you're about to have a bad day. 

Your lover is dead. Anything you'd like to say?"

"She...she wasn't my lover," he finally said.

Billy scoffed, "Well what would you call her then?"

The deputy took a seat in the chair,

As he knew what a long night they were in for.

Jake remained on his feet, the blood on his fist, began to seep,

Down onto the floor below.

Had she suffered? he pondered, 

they'd probably never know.

It was still an awful way to go.

Too damn young and through no fault of her own.

At least she hadn't seemed to struggle or be in fear 

as her end was near.

Nothing in her room had been out of place.

But she did have a scared look on her face, 

her eyes and mouth opened wide.

Jake closed his eyes, those memories he tried to hide.

But her face would forever be burned in his mind.

--------------- 

Rue came back to the hotel,

Now that she knew Sister and the children were doing well.

The last thing she expected to see was a filled lobby.

"What's going on here?"

"Someone is dead, I fear," a hotel guest said.

"Who?"

"Mrs. Mary Sue."

A sick feeling began to grow,

Was Jake involved? She had to know.

Jujube pushed his way through the crowd,

The gossiping was getting loud.

"Rue, I'm so glad you're back."

"Mary Sue? Was there an attack?"

"No, nothing in the room was disturbed. 

No one knew anything was wrong,

Until breaking down the door, could be heard."

"Jake," Jujube voiced her fear, "is he still here.

In your office with Billy by now would be my guess."

Rue could feel a greater level of stress.

"Let me know if you learn anything more."

Rue said before heading towards her office door.

She heard the men talking before she walked right in.

Billy sighed, "Oh no you don't! 

This is an interrogation."

Rue pushed Billy away as he tried to shove her back out the door.

"Jake, are you alright?"

She noticed blood dripping on the floor.

Jake let out a deep breath. Just how much worse could this day get?

Rue was the last person he wanted to see in a time like this. 

He didn't like the way she was looking at him. 

He didn't deserve sympathy from Ruechari.

"I've been better, I guess. 

I'm assuming you heard about Mary Sue then?"

His eyes went to the window again.

But Billy stepped forward cutting off Rue, 

"That's what we're here trying to do. 

 A woman is dead by means unclear. 

You say she wasn't your lover, 

but I've been talking to folks around here, 

and this much is true, you were seen leaving the room of Miss Mary Sue 

this morning, now care to explain Jake?"

Rue held Billy at bay.

"Can't you see he's been through enough for one day? He's hurt."

Rue understood in more ways than one.

Billy looked cross. 

"I have a job that must be done."

"You can do so when I've finished here," Rue said taking Jake's hand.

Footsteps echoed out in the hall, 

3Gun appeared standing tall. 

But his face was grim, without cheer.

"Now Rue you know better than to interfere." 

"Billy, get Jake out of here. 

Take him to the jail until we get things settled."

One look at Rue and he knew she was nettled.

"Come by if you want. 

You can take care of that hand. 

But Rue, this is official BG business now, 

you understand?"

Billy led Jake away. He said not a word. 

3Gun followed hoping his warning was heard.

Rue knew Jake was innocent. 

She could see into his heart. 

She'd be damned if he'd be left to take the fall 

for someone else's part...