The air hung over the town like damp washing on a still day. Just crossing the street had dresses hugging, shirts clinging and hat bands sticking. Mayor Willard Covey shifted uncomfortably on his chair; the desire to appear official was extracting a price as his vested suit seemed to shrink in size while he listened to the man berating him across the desk.

Corbin Wellman was on a rant. It was his brother's place and now his brother was dead so it was his, period. No question.

"You have to understand, Mr. Wellman, by law we must process all the documents regarding the deed to your brother's property through the proper channels. There are a number of things to be consid-"

"Consider this!" Corbin pounded the desk sending the Mayor's treasured photograph of himself with the governor jittering across to the edge. "It was his and now it's mine!"

"Sir, there is the question of taxes owing, outstanding debts to businesses here in town . . ."

"I don't know nothin' about taxes. If he's dead how can he pay?"

"He doesn't, sir, the new owner does and until they are remitted, the bank retains title."

Corbin stood, glaring, fists clenched and a look that Willard was certain belonged to Death himself.

"Where's this banker?"

"Uh- well, in the bank but you-" His words ended abruptly as the brother snatched up his notification letter and stormed out.

Willard stumbled to his office door, yanking his tie loose and almost ripping the buttons from his vest.

"Edith, get the Sheriff and tell him to get to the bank quickly!"

Leaning in the shade in front of the bank, Nathan saw two of the men he'd met at Wellman's ranch and he steered Edith back to her office, putting his hat on and walking faster to cross the street. They all traded stares as he passed them and entered the bank. Morley Ashbridge was the colour of sunset, hands out in protest as the man in front of him waved a piece of paper threateningly in his glowing face.

"There a problem here?" Nathan asked, moving to one side of the pair. Morley blubbered unintelligibly, sliding along the wall toward his office. "Mr. Wellman?"

Wellman snarled something about rights and shoved the letter at Nathan. It was a notice of his brother's death and the current status of the property.

"You have trouble with this?"

A noisy breath came through Corbin's nose and his face went dark. "I cain't read."

Nathan glanced at Morely, "Didn't he tell you this?" Mutton chops flapped as Morely just shook his head.

"Mr. Wellman, all you had to do was ask for someone to read it for you. Didn't the mayor offer?"

"He told me a lotta crap about taxes and debts!"

"Okay, let's ease back a bit; I can read it for you now."

"I don't care what is reads, I'm tellin' you all that I'm takin' my brother's ranch and anybody comes objectin' are gonna get this."

The gun came quickly out of the holster and Nathan threw up a blocking arm, following it with a solid fist to Corbin's jaw. A woman in the bank screamed as Corbin crashed into the teller's cage and immediately Corbin's friends burst in through the street doors.

"Hold it right there, boys." Nathan waved his own gun, slowing down all the action. "Mr. Corbin you and your friends here would be better off out of town until you can calm down. Your brother's property will be determined by the law not by you yellin' and wavin' a gun around."

Corbin picked up his hat and held out a hand for the letter, snatching it away angrily.

"This ain't over- ain't over at all. C'mon." He shoved his men ahead of him and the trio left the bank.

Nathan watched them right to the end of town then went back inside and saw that Morley was being well attended by his staff so he headed back to his office. Corbin Wellman was getting closer to doing something dangerous and Nathan wasn't comfortable about the possibility.

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

People had gathered in the shade in front of the various shops, all attracted by the scream from the bank and the quick departure of the three riders. Nathan gave them all an assuring wave and an accompanying smile then paused as he saw Allison standing in the general store doorway.

He hopped up onto the walk and took off his hat. "Nothing too serious," he smiled. "Some banking disagreement."

"And the scream?"

"Uh- well there was a bit of a tussle . . ." The smile widened and he shook his head. "How's the job going? Haven't seen you since we discussed it."

"About that . . . I don't know what to say. You saved me from a lot of grief, Nathan."

"So it's going alright then?" He deflected her embarrassed, thank you.

"It is. Mr. Ledger seems quite pleased with the early results."

"Good. That's great. When he makes you partner I'll expect a Sheriff's discount." They fell into silence and stood wearing foolish smiles.

"I guess I'd better get back . . ."

"Right, for sure." He put his hat on and stuck out his hand for a shake. What am I doing? He withdrew his hand and felt his neck grow warm.

Allison dipped her head and went back inside. Nathan followed the bounce of her hair and the sway of her skirt then almost crashed into a couple of ladies waiting to enter.

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

Corbin Wellman slouched in the chair at the table in his brother's cabin, fingers wrapped tightly about a third glass of liquor. Neither of his men occupied the extra chair; they stayed near the door, well away from their brooding boss. He muttered something and drained the glass, standing and hurling it at the bloodstained bed in the corner.

"The woman!"

"Corb that ain't gonna help your cause with this property." The man looked to his partner for support and got a non committal shrug.

"I ain't worried about the property; I'm on it ain't I? But that woman- that back stabbin' whore- she's gonna pay."

"You don't even know what she looks like let alone where she is; how you expect to do anything? They said she went back east."

Corbin advanced on the man, face like thunder. "Liars! They're all liars!" He shoved him aside and left the Cabin.

"Thanks for the help, Jethro, you moron."

"Hey, you keep callin' me names, Gus and I'm gonna help you right into the ground one of these days."

"Then start using that head for more than a hat rack and help me settle Corbin down; he's gonna lead us into a mess of trouble- and I'm tired of thinkin' for both of us."

Corbin was leaning on the end of a hitching rail, staring across the desolate landscape of his brother's ranch. What would he do with this place even if he did get it legal? He wasn't interested in wrangling cows. He turned as his men came from the cabin and the sight of the broken down building filled him with more doubt and anger.

"You okay, boss?" Jethro asked.

"Where's my brother's herd?"

Gus figured the question wasn't serious since there was no way either he or Jethro could know but not to answer might just set his boss off again.

"Guess they were all moved somewhere temporary like. They couldn't sell 'em; not 'til the deed's settled."

"I don't want to hear about settlin' no deed. I'm here and it's mine."

"Just sayin, Corbin."

"Yeah- well I ain't just sayin'; I'm doin'." He marched off to his horse and mounted up. "We're goin' back to town to find that woman."

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

Allison stood at the counter folding up several articles she had taken out to coax a customer into purchasing; one of the few sales she had failed to make since starting work. Margaret arrived as Ledger was locking up for the day.

"Allison! Great news, you have a room at the laundry; you can leave the hotel."

"The laundry?"

"I spoke to Jenny and she says they have a nice room in the back that you can have at half of what Ryan is charging."

"I don't know-"

"You'll like it, you'll see and you can save money faster for that trip home."

Allison knew Margaret was just being helpful but she wondered if she still did want to go home. She had more here than what she left behind. Wasn't that the hope for coming west in the first place, to get away from all that? She finished putting things away, said good day to Ledger and let Margaret lead her out and down the street to see the room.

"Good evening, ladies." Nathan came out of his office just as they reached his door and he stood on the walk causing them to stop.

"I'm taking Allison to see a room she's been offered at Jenny's." Her mother hen manner coming to the fore.

"The laundry- really." He knew he had made an error from the look on both their faces.

"It's a perfectly respectable place, Nathan," Margaret fussed with her handbag and took Allison's arm again.

"Oh, absolutely- indeed. I didn't mean anything-" He held up a hand and configured an apologetic gesture. Nobody moved. "Uh, Allison- uh, I was wondering if later I might call . . . ." Before she could reply, Margaret said yes and whisked her away leaving Nathan uncertain as to the answer, hoping Maggie didn't mean her.