Benson.
I rode into Benson this morning and headed for Jack’s house, taking a deep breath. I wished I didn’t need his help but the truth was, I hadn’t been alone for a while and wondered if I could handle it now, even if I was stronger. Playing at the Stock Exchange on Monday had been difficult as it was the first time back there without Alex, but I needed to do it and somehow move on. Now that I was without a partner at the agency full time, I would need protection.
Jack walked outside and greeted me, “I heard you ride up.”
“Jack... how are you doing?” I asked as I dismounted.
“I’m great. How are you today? You alone?” he looked around.
I decided to play it cool and said, “Okay... What are you up to today?”
“Oh I was just looking over some papers,” he invited me inside. “Come have a seat. Make yourself at home.” When I had sat on the couch across from him he asked, “So what brings you out this way?”
“Been a while since I’d seen you, thought I’d come out and see how you were doing,” I smiled.
“Well I’m good. I was just updating my collection of badges. Had to add a few more stars.”
“Oh yeah? Been busy?” I looked over.
“This represents law shot,” he said about the badge board.
“I remember...”
“I guess I need a symbol for outlaws,” he laughed.
“Outlaws huh? Something happen?”
“Well, they get out of hand too,” he laughed.
“Don’t I know it,” I chuckled.
“You know I try not to shoot unless it’s justified.”
“I know you don’t...” I nodded.
“But the law seems to want to control Jack rolls eyes. Like that is possible.”
“What law...” I sighed.
“Um.. All of them. My first day in town Matty tried to take my guns. Big mistake.”
“All of who? Every time I go around and look for law, there’s no one around.”
“Well they seem to find me. I guess they like me.”
“So... they been finding you lately, Jack?”
“Yeah, like they have a map right to me.”
“Sorry I’m so quiet... I just... Got a lot on my mind I guess...” I started.
“What is on your mind?”
“I don’t know if you heard... Alex and I split up... and I guess I’ve just been... I’m not exactly handling it all that well.”
“Who is Alex?”
“He was the guy I was living with for a couple of months... thing is... he was my business partner too. We worked well together. He helped me become strong but now that he’s off doing his own thing I...”
“Happens. You know women seem to want to rope a man.”
“I’m all alone again, Jack. And I know that I’m stronger but...”
“We can’t be roped, or at least you can’t let us know we are roped,” he laughed.
“Jack, I need your help,” I said finally.
“How can I help?”
“I’m a good detective. I can ask questions and get information with the best of them. But I... I’m not usually one to use my gun unless I absolutely have to.”
“Oh. I love my guns.”
“I know you do,” I nodded. “And you’re good. Really good.”
“I do Everything with them on.”
“I know that too... Jack I... if I need to go into a dangerous situation for a case, I want to have backup. There’s hardly ever any law around and I might need help getting out of things without getting shot.”
“Oh. So you want me to protect you.”
“Without making it obvious that you’re protecting me..”
“I can do that.”
“If anyone found out about this arrangement...”
“Well as soon as I kill a few they will figure it out,” he laughed.
I shook my head and said, “I don’t want you to kill anyone. And it’s only when I go to talk to outlaws... When there’s no law around.”
“What if they shoot at you?”
“Distract them? Somehow? Without killing them?”
“What if they shoot at Jack?”
“Run like hell?” I winked. “You’re good, aren’t you?”
“Not when my back is turned running away, but I could try to um... run. Now, hypothetically speaking. Say they shoot you in the back as you’re running. You want me to just run?” he asked and I sighed, knowing what he was getting at. “Well I guess I could circle around make sure you get away then come back kill them,” he laughed. “So where we going?”
I started to get emotional, wondering if this was really a good idea. “Jack, I...” I looked down, anywhere but right at him. “You probably think I’m crazy.”
“No, I think you don’t want to take responsibility if Jack kills the whole gang,” he laughed.
“I don’t want to get killed while I get information. Look... maybe this was a bad idea...” I stood.
“Well whatever you think. I just know outlaws.’
“Jack, I’ve got nothing left. I’m all alone. Law doesn’t help me. I find things out through telegrams. I’ve got to claw my way in to get something to do. I don’t even know who the hell I am anymore. I walk through town and it feels like I’m in a daze.”
“Well, I guess I could try not to kill anyone...”
“It’s like it’s just this huge nightmare that I’m gonna wake up from some day and I can’t...”
“It’s hard to be a Pinkerton. Law don’t like you stepping on their toes. But once you aide in the conviction of an outlaw, they will be more receptive.”
“That’s the problem. I’m there to help them but they...” I sighed. “I’ve done it before, Jack. I’ve helped them arrest people. I’ve convinced people to turn themselves in.”
“They don’t like Jack much either.”
“I helped them arrest Clint Houston, for God’s sake.”
“Oh, he’s good.”
“See? What do they want from me? I can’t do this job on my own, Jack. I need law to help me. And right now there’s barely any law around. And when they are around they’re out doing things with their wives or their girls and..”
“So you need muscle.”
I nodded, looking down and feeling ashamed that I’d stooped so low. “I understand this is a two way street here, Jack...”
“So what’s in it for me?”
“What do you want?”
“Hell, I don’t know,” he looked around. “I live pretty good.”
“I know you do.”
“You know I worked as a bouncer for Lil, and her deal was pay me a couple hundred a night but if I got to shoot someone I worked for free.”
“I can do that... Pay you each time we go somewhere...” I nodded.
“I know, sick huh?” he laughed. “I don’t expect you to.”
“I just... I need to know you’re there, close by. You might not even have to do anything.”
“How about favors?”
“Such as?”
“I’m sure I will think of something. Perhaps an alibi from time to time. Don’t suppose you could burn the warrants in the jail stove?” he laughed and I shook my head. “I’m sure I will think of something.”
“Or..” I stepped closer, taking a deep breath and putting a hand on his arm, looking in his eyes. He extended his hand but I shook my head, “I was thinking... we could do more than just shake on it...”
“Well that could work,” he pulled me close. “What did you have in mind?”
I leaned forward to kiss his neck softly and he lifted my chin to kiss me. My body trembled with uncertainty but I knew it was either this or I’d be completely alone. I whispered in his ear, “This stays between us. Deal?”
“Deal. Tit for tat,” he said and I blushed, stepping back a bit. “Consider yourself protected Pinky,” he smacked me on the butt.
“Thank you, Jack. It means a lot,” I smiled.
“Now, you’re right. No one can know I’m helping a Pinky.”
“Between you and me. Period.”
“Oh yeah its going to be between you and me alright. Well just let me know when you need help.”
“I will.”
“Of course, I’m really the main outlaw,” he laughed.
“The irony wasn’t lost on me,” I chuckled. “I should go...” I traced a finger down his arm.
“Okay detective. You have a great day.”
“Mmhmm, you too Jack. And... thank you...”
“Don’t let the law upset you,” he showed me out. “Be careful. Once you hang a few they will get mad.”
“You be careful too,” I nodded.
“Yes ma’am,” he nodded and walked back inside as I rode back into town.
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