"What the hell were you thinking? We've got a pair of Deputy Marshals just down the hall and you're out lookin' to shoot the Sheriff like some back shootin' coward!" Playford threw his hat across the room. "I thought you were supposed to be some kind of professional."

"It's what you wanted," Trace argued back. His body stiff with anger at being scolded like some schoolboy.

"Wanted, yes. Past tense. We don't need it now, we have the papers remember?"

"You think they make you bullet proof? Why do you suppose those Marshals are here? I'll give you odds your friend at the bank is shaking in his greedy boots and ready to sell you down your precious river."

Ansen stared at his hired gun, unable to respond readily to the statement - it rang too true. He saw Banner nodding to himself, his face adopting the smirk of having gained the upper hand.

"I'll visit him in the morning and mention your name so forget the Sheriff and concentrate on moving on with the plan. My men will be here by tomorrow's stage, we can pick them up and get started with the wire on the property."

"Fine, but don't think the Sheriff and I are done; he's made it personal." Ansen made a face and massaged his forehead; Banner was beginning to lose his appeal.

*********

A swath of sunlight stole across the floor catching the toe of a boot, a rumpled piece of clothing and continued up the wall beside the bed ending against a section of the wire foot board. Sated sighs emanated from the part still in shadow and a rustle of blanket seemed to modify the pleasure.

"Good morning."

Allison sat up and rubbed her eyes, squinting through the bright path. "What are you doing?"

"Watching you sleep- and listening . . ."

"What time is it, I have to get to the store?" She began to step out of bed then gave a small gasp and snatched the blanket for cover.

"I don't have a watch but I reckon it's about seven, marking the sun. I made some coffee-"

"What!" Her exclamation was a harsh whisper. "You went into Jenny's and- and-"

"Nobody was there. It's fine- and I'm dressed anyway."

She padded across the room, tripping a few steps on the trailing blanket and shoved through her clothes rack behind his chair. "Don't turn around. And why is the chair over here?"

"The better to watch you, dear." He smiled at the unintelligible muttering and stood up. "I have to get up to the hotel while Bates makes his arrest- I'm not looking," he laughed at her squeal. "I didn't think you'd mind really."

"No woman wants to be ogled when she first gets up in the morning."

"I wouldn't have ogled exactly, just-"

"Nathan! Just go and make your arrest . . . and be careful."

**********

Heading up to the hotel Nathan saw Dora Cutter striding with an air of bold confidence toward him. He touched his brim as he angled toward her.

"Mornin', Miss Cutter, going to send off your report?"

"Yep. You doin' rounds . . . Sheriff . . .?" Her pace slowed along with her words and she looked at the laundry where he was coming from.

"Rounds?" He followed her gaze. "Oh, yeah- rounds. Yeah, like to make sure things are- gotta keep on top of . . ." She cracked a smile. "So, you ready to make the arrests?"

"That's the plan."

"I was thinking, the noon stage might be bringing those other two men and that's the one you're taking back - what if you all meet up?"

"Walk with me." Dora said. "Maybe you'll get to arrest them and the whole gang will be finished."

"Speaking of that, what about Morley?"

"Winston figured since he gave him all the necessary information to make the case for the territory, you could prosecute here in Parkerville; might go a bit easier on him."

"Sure- sure that'd be fine. Didn't figure him for a soft side." Dora slid him a look. "I uh- I meant for criminals . . . I mean- I meant . . ." She chuckled and opened the office door, holding it for him.

Inside, Nathan made an unnecessary introduction when he greeted Jepson along with an explanation as to why Dora was there then he wandered to the notice board, ears flaming and his silent voice ripping a strip off himself for his stupid behaviour.

"Ready?" Dora was holding the door again and Nathan dutifully left the office, joining her on the walk back to the hotel.

"You don't need to be there, Sheriff, Winston and I can handle this."

"I thought you were having breakfast first."

She leaned her head back and laughed then slapped Nathan on the shoulder. "And here I thought you were offering to help."

"I am . . . to eat." Another slap and he figured that was enough humour.

Winston was sitting in the dining room with a plate of eggs and steak, obviously he didn't stand on ceremony. Maggie scurried out with a pot of coffee and poured some for Nathan and Dora and went back to the kitchen.

"I ordered for you, Dora; didn't expect you, Sheriff."

"That's okay, Maggie knows what I like." She came back with some egg and fried potato for Dora and asked Nathan what he wanted. The deputies shared a grin.

Nathan had to wait until the others were through before his came and hechewed some bread and ate his bacon with his fingers. He must have done something she didn't like, he knew but what it was he had no idea.

"Well, Dora, you ready to take down our villains?" Winston patted his stomach and slapped his hat on, tugging it down and waiting for her to move.

"You want me there, Marshal?"

"You're here already, Sheriff, they're upstairs. We can handle that. Don't want the hallway too crowded. You see that nobody goes up or down and I'd be grateful."

"I can do that okay."

"I know you can, son- I've seen your file at county." He turned and headed for the stairs, leaving Nathan stunned and surprised. Dora gave him a grim smile and a nod of her own.

**********

"Yeah, who is it?"

"Deputy Marshal Bates, Mister Playford. I'd like a word."

"About what?"

"If you open the door I can explain."

"I can hear you fine."

"Be a lot better for everyone if you just opened the door."

A short silence then the click of the latch. Dora unslung her carbine and levered in a cartridge. When it opened Playford stepped back, hands well out to the side.

"Okay, Marshal, what word did you want to have?"

Bates pushed the door wide with his foot and waited a beat then entered the room, quickly scanning the corners. Dora stayed just outside.

"Mister Playford I'm placing you under arrest for conspiracy, fraud and murder. You are coming with me to the state capitol where you will be judged and tried."

"You're crazy. I have documents to prove that what I'm doing is perfectly legal- and I didn't murder anyone."

"Where is Banner?"

"Who?"

Bates grabbed him by the jacket and hauled him out into the hallway where Dora eased him toward the stairs with the barrel of her rifle.

"There's also a hard way to do this, Playford. One I don't think you'd like. Now where is Banner?"

"Lookin' for me?"

Bates spun around as the gun fired and he staggered back against the wall. Dora shoved Playford hard onto the floor and swung her gun toward Banner, levering off several shots that tore up the wall and door frame by his head.

He ducked back into the room and Dora scrabbled over to Bates, eyes searching for the wound.

"Under the arm," He gasped. "Blasted luck!"

Nathan pounded up the stairs, tapping Playford on the back with a warning not to move and joining the deputies.

"He needs the doc, fast."

"You go and get Maggie, she'll have things moving in short order; leave Mister Banner to me. We've had this coming for a while now." He helped her settle Bates more comfortably then moved down the hall to the room where Trace hid.

Dora pushed Playford down the stairs with more force than necessary and he wound up on his back under a table. Maggie rushed from the kitchen, listened to a barked set of orders and immediately began snapping out her own to her employees before dashing upstairs to where the Marshal lay.

"Maggie! What the- get back downstairs before you get shot too!"

"You just get on with your own business and leave me to mine, Nathan Tessler."

"This is my business! Now get back downstairs before I shoot you!" He waved a threatening hand and for the first time, Maggie obeyed. She stared at the man she thought she had known for so long, not recognizing the stone features and the dead eyes.