Cybil sat with the Bellows sisters after the court representative who informed them that there would be no special hearing or court appearance for the prisoner had visited them. He had been sentenced to hang and he would... at three-o'clock that afternoon. Hannah seemed resigned to her loss, or what she deemed a loss financially and Jean just shrugged, allowing that she thought maybe her injury might have won her something.

"That would probably come from the railroad if at all," Cybil told her.

"Seems you're the only one to come out of all this with anything substantial," Jean stated, referring to Cybil's story.

"It is possible that my editor might consider a small payment for your individual statements on all of this."

"We would both be more than grateful, Miss Marsh if that could happen. Jean and I have a long way to travel home and it would go far in covering our costs."

"I can't promise anything; it's just a maybe you understand. If I can through on the telegraph... well, as I said... it's just a maybe."

They both nodded and took her hands. "Thank you for even considering to help." There was an awkward moment of parting and Cybil made her way from their room down the stairs to the hotel lobby.

"Miss Marsh." Peter Soughton waved from a seat in the corner where he sat with Penny Hatcher. "Miss Marsh," he said as she approached. "I wonder if I might impose upon your discretion with respect to anything you may write about uhm- Miss Hatcher and I?"

Cybil smiled mischievously. "Now what would I have to write about you two?"

Peter's cheeks flamed as he glanced at Penny's down turned face. "Uh- uh- the uhmm... laudanum?"

It was Cybil's turn to blush. She was thinking of a romantic angle and had completely forgotten about the drug episodes. "Oh Peter, I apologize for embarrassing you. Of course I would never write something like that. I'm not a writer who pursues scandal for the sake of scandal. My story will be about the ordeal we all suffered and the character of the people involved and I assure you, you both displayed a strength of character that brings no shame to either one."

Peter sighed noisily and took her hand. "I thank you. I thank you very much. Miss Hatcher and I... well we're entertaining the idea of- of a courtship period and what with her notoriety and public following it just wouldn't- we don't think- it- oh dear..."

"Relax, Peter. You'll both be fine. Even the most famous of people do have normal relationships now and then." She smiled and leaned forward giving him a huge hug. "And Penny, I can only wish you both the very best and hope someday to hear of success in both your public and personal lives." Cybil placed a finger on her chin. "Maybe I'll even get an exclusive one day." She winked and waved them goodbye, leaving the lobby for the dining room.

Ryan adjusted his new sling and studied himself in the large, gold-framed mirror. The bath had been an adventure he wouldn't soon forget nor repeat. His hair was slicked back and his clothes had been washed and mended, boots shined as best they could be and a spanking new shirt with a sky-blue neckerchief. His hat, which he twirled absently as he studied his reflection, had been whisked as well and he shivered slightly, thinking he looked like a city dandy.

"I don't know—"

"Tut tut, there now, Marshal. You are the perfect image of a gentleman." Eliza Heaven delivered the terse compliment with several adjustments of his jacket and neckerchief. She had seen the scrubby looking Marshal come asking for a bath and had personally taken charge, ordering three of her favourite girls to perform the task. Ryan had tried to refuse but they had him down and stripped and into a tub of scalding water before he could act. Soap had filled his eyes, ears and nose and hands had scrubbed and prodded in places that gave him awkward reactions and the women fits of laughter.

When they were done and he was dried, Eliza had him delivered to her room where he sat uncomfortably wearing only a thin towel and shared a mandatory drink with his hostess. By the time she had wrung his story from him and plied him with more drinks and fresh fruit, Ryan had resigned himself to his situation and begun to actually enjoy the pampering.

He looked again in the mirror and sighed mightily. "Eliza, don't ever let it be said you don't know how to boss a fella."

She laughed raucously. "You got my word on that, Marshal. Now you just fetch yourself down to the diningroom and I'll have one of the biggest, bloodiest steaks you ever saw all ready for you chomp down on."

"Now that's something I can really look forward to."

Eliza draped a bare arm over his shoulder as they walked to the door. "And when you're done eatin' you just mosey on back up here and I'll give you somethin' else you could really go for." Ryan felt her arm drop down and firm fingers take a grip on his backside.

"Uh- I uh- let's see how that plays out. I wanna go to the jail for a few minutes." He stopped and turned to face her. "How much do I owe you for all this, Eliza?"

"Aside from doin' what I suggested, four dollars. The town is pickin' up the rest as compensation for your ordeal."

He looked bleakly at her and flushed. "I don't have four dollars. I don't get any pay until I'm back in Triple Creek. I've got about ninety cents." He waited until he saw the glimmer in her eye and he swallowed, closing his eyes and nodding slowly. "After I eat, I know. Okay, Eliza, you win." He turned and left hearing her blow a wet kiss at his back.

"Don't eat too much, Marshal."

Sheriff Tollman opened the door to the cells and pointed Ryan to where Devlin was lying on a cot. Ryan walked to the bars and stared down at the man who had made such a devastating mark on his soul and rested his fingers on the butt of his grandfather's gun.

"Go ahead, Marshal, be my guest." Devlin opened his eyes and grimaced at Ryan who let his hand drop away. "Guess I made it all worthwhile, eh? No point transportin' dangerous prisoners if it's a simple cakewalk, right?"

"What happened with Gage Talbot?"

"Who?"

"The man you stole that medallion from."

"Aaah yeah. Friend of yours, right? I shot him in both knees and hung him by his ankles over a slow fire. Seems he was lookin' to take me in for some killin' I done. He was a tough old bird. Took hours." Devlin licked his lips and sneered at Ryan.

"You okay back here?" Tollman ambled down to the cell and stopped next to Ryan. "Bin down here a while, everything okay?"

"Is he chained to that bunk?"

"Uuh, yeah... why?"

"I want in for a minute."

"Oh now wait a min—"

Ryan drew his gun and held it by his side. "Open the door, Sheriff."

"You best think this over, son."

"Just open the door. I only want to tell him somethin' in private."

"I'll leave then."

The gun came up and Ryan shook his head in apology. "The door."

Tollman took out his key and unlocked the cell then stepped aside. Devlin watched, holding his breath as Ryan moved into the cell. "You can lock me in if I break the law, Sheriff." He walked over to the bunk and stared down at Devlin then bent down close to his face. "That lawman was my grandfather, Otis and the medallion was for marksmanship but since your such a coward and a back shooter I guess that wouldn't mean much to you." Ryan bent down and picked up a length of the long chain holding Devlin to the bunk.

Devlin watched nervously as Ryan took the chain and slipped it over Devlin's bandaged foot, placing it directly over the wound entry then he yanked it up tight and hooked it on the top of the bunk, pulling his injured leg up at an excruciating angle and pressing painfully on the wound. Tollman started to protest but Ryan stepped back and smiled at the prisoner. "Think about my granddad while you're enjoyin' my version of a cakewalk, Otis. Happy to have ended your days." He turned and walked out with a simple nod to the Sheriff who closed and locked the cell as Devlin screamed in agony at his distorted limb.