Part Three

Sinjn gently rolled Curlly off of him so he could dress. It was an hour before the coach was to leave, and he didn’t want to blow Curlly’s cover by being caught. Once he finished he returned to the side of the bed to awaken his wife. They had only been married for six months and he still couldn’t believe how this one tiny person affected him so much. He gently shook her awake and said, "Hurry up my dear. You only have 45 minutes before we depart."

Curlly stretched and murmured, "Hmmmmm?"

Smiling, "You only have 44 minutes to get ready." He knew his wife was a little vain about her appearance and that she liked to have at least an hour to get ready. Suddenly her eyes popped open and she bolted out of bed.

"What are you still doing here? Please see that that moronic driver has all my things stored correctly, oh and I’ll just have some chocolate and toast for breakfast."

"Curlly, I’m not sure if they have chocolate here."

"Well, you claim to know me so well, find me something to eat!" she said as she walked over and gave him a light kiss.

As she started to pull away, Sinjn caught her in the circle of his arms, "You’ll have to do better than that!"

She gently pulled out of his arms and continued to get ready, "I never pay until after service is rendered." Chuckling Sinjn left via the balcony doors.

***

They arrived just before eleven. Sinjn disembarked first to hand Curlly down. Curlly was straightening her skirt when she heard a female voice shriek, "Curlly! You’ve finally made it!" Curlly ran over to give Rita a hug.

"You know I wouldn’t miss your wedding for anything! So where is he?"

"Michael is at the ranch working. I have your room all ready, we will just have to gather your luggage and depart. Which bags are yours?"

"All but the small dark blue one."

"All?" asked Rita. Curlly nodded her head and Rita sighed.

While Rita made plans for getting the luggage to the ranch, Curlly went over to say goodbye, "Well Mr. Tyler, it has been a very interesting trip. I hope you enjoy your stay in Cracked Rock." Inclining his head respectfully, "Pleasure ma'am!" Then he walked of with his one suitcase to arrange a room at the local inn.

On the ride over Curlly told him that she’d poisoned the priest, and Sinjn confirmed his death. Then he asked her why she’d allowed that thief to take the ruby necklace he’d given her Valentine’s Day. She told him that she had copies made of all her valuable jewelry made before the trip and that’s what she gave the leader, whom happened to be the contact she needed to give her the missing pieces of the message, and the decryption sequence. So she’d go to the telegraph station to receive instructions and then they could enjoy the rest of the trip.

Sinjn had started working for the government after he finished his schooling in England. Then he moved to Boston, where he’d met Curlly at one of the many social functions. After they became engaged his superiors had told him they needed to get some information on some men planning an assassination attempt on the president in the area around Cracked Rock. Since the target group would never suspect a widowed woman going to her friends wedding, Curlly was approached. There was no way he was going to stay behind! So the sooner they got this all over with, the better!

***

Curlly asked Rita if they could stop by the telegraph office so she could tell Sylvia she’d arrived safely. Rita took her to the office and told her she was checking the post office and would be right back. Which worked out great for Curlly. "The bartender at the local saloon, eh," thought Curlly. All she had to do was meet Sinjn and he could take it to the bar and this whole thing would finally be over!

Curlly waited outside until Rita came for her and they were off to the ranch. The landscape seemed rather barren until one got used to it. And Curlly was definitely not used to it. Why anyone would want to get married in this dusty place was beyond her! But after she got settled she came to the dinning room to meet Rita’s fiancé and become acquainted with her friends.

A very handsome, quiet man with green eyes turned out to be the lucky man Michael. Jack and Roy (also not so hard on the eyes) were ranch hands. Jurgen the sheriff, Northstar and her younger brother Birkoff, whom ran the local mercantile store, Brenna and Nabiki were Rita’s friends, and Curlly watched with great amusement at who tried to sit next to who.

North was obviously having fun flirting with Jurgen, whom seemed only interested in his job. Nabiki was very much in love with Roy and visa versa. Birkoff seemed to be on rather good terms with Brenna, while Jack just seemed to be friends with everyone. So all and all it seemed to be a rather jolly group.

The next day Rita came with the other ladies to help Curlly unpack. Curlly had brought with her the wedding gown and veil, the bridesmaid dresses, the grooms suit, and presents from Rita’s friends that were not able to come. That afternoon all the ladies went to the church to plan the final decoration scheme. It was a very quaint little church with a nice white haired priest.

"Curlly this is the priest marrying us, Paul Wolfe," said Rita. "And this is Curlly-"

"-Bradshaw!" interrupted Curlly giving Rita a warning look. The whole group talked for a while longer and later that night Curlly had a chance to talk to Rita. "I was married, it was just a marriage of convenience. Jonathan Bradshaw died a month later. And while I didn’t wear mourning for very long, I do think I should keep his name. I didn’t mention it earlier because I was just so excited to see you again. And Rita," said Curlly taking both of the other woman’s hands, "I’m so glad your marrying for love!"

"That’s okay Curlly. But I did receive some rather interesting news about you a few weeks ago."

"Oh, what’s that?"

"I heard you had gotten married but some few months ago!"

Curlly shrugged, "Must have been about my marriage to Jonathan."

Rita laughed, "Could be, I thought the last name was Taylor or something."

After dinner there was still several hours of light left and Curlly decided to go for a ride. Jack offered to go with her and she gladly accepted. They road into town on the excuse Curlly wanted to see the church again. Curlly said, "Riding sure is thirsty work!"

"Well, the only place to get anything to drink is the saloon owned by Miss Maddy Moffentof." Then he turned a little red and continued, "It’s not a place for ladies and Mr. Samuel would skin my hide if I took ya there!"

Curlly knew Sinjn would be there gambling, so she said, "Mr. Jack, I must admit I had you take me here under false pretences. I would really like to play some poker. I’m just a wee bit of a gambler. I promise that as soon as it starts to get dark we’ll leave! Please?"

"I don’t know…"

Curlly jumped off her horse and tied her reins to the post. "Come Mr. Jack it will be ever so much fun!" Reluctantly Jack followed her in. He watched her as she joined a group playing, making sure she was okay. But soon his attention was drawn to the beautiful whore cavorting and singing on the stage. He’d been in love with Avillion sense he came to Cracked Rock. But she loved all the pretty things men gave her and she told him she was in love with someone else. He couldn’t imagine who it was. That priest was always here preaching against sin, probably driving whomever she loved away!

Curlly couldn’t figure out where Sinjn was. She talked to the company she played with and discovered the high stakes games were in the back room. Finally the trashy looking woman sing stopped and disappeared behind a curtain. She noticed the besotted expression on Jacks face as he regarded the woman. So that’s the way the wind blew!

Hmmmm, maybe that’s where Sinjn was playing. Curlly excused herself about half an hour later and entered the dim room behind the curtain. As her eyes adjusted she saw a rather attractive woman of indeterminate age who was dressed as a woman of night. She was dealing at a table, smiling. Her smile look just like a Madonna smile, but it was spooky. But Sinjn wasn’t at the table. She looked around, saw a whore from the other room sitting on… Sinjn’s lap!

Curlly saw red; she strode over and pushed the doxy out of Sinjn’s lap. "Curlly!" exclaimed Sinjn in surprise. He stood up so fast that if Curlly hadn’t pushed Avillion off his lap she would have tumbled right off.

"C’oo ducks! No need to get all-uptight, luv! Oi would ‘ave sent him back ta you all purrin’!" exclaimed the tramp.

"WHAT!" shrieked Curlly.

Bending down Sinjn asked, "Avillion, are you alright?" She nodded her head and said she was.

Curlly’s eyes narrowed and said, "Not for long!" and lunged at the woman. "Sinjn let me go! I’m…"

"Stop it you're making a scene. Just because we had a nice time on the trip down means that is just it. A nice time," said Sinjn with a warning in his voice and an apology in his eyes. Eyes, which Curlly would gladly claw out. She pulled herself out of Sinjn’s grasp and stiffly walked out of the room. She was just about to mount her horse when a hand possessed her arm spinning her around to face Sinjn. "Curlly don’t go off in a huff let me explain."

"You are worse than pond scum. I’m glad you had a nice time, since it’ll be the last pleasant memory you’ll ever have of me!" Pulling out her hair stick she almost stabbed his hand when she handed it to him. "Give this to the bartender. His name is Davenport. Then find yourself a good divorce lawyer."

He gently ran his knuckles down her cheek. "You know it’s was just keeping my cover in place."

"Grabbing her butt must have been sooooo hard!" said Curlly stamping her foot.

Shaking her Sinjn said, "Stop it Curlly! You are making this worse than it really is."

"Stop shaking me!" Sinjn dropped his hands to his side seeing the anger in her eyes. He knew what was coming and braced himself. Ready to hop back from her kick. But she surprised him; her fist aimed straight for temple. She even had to jump a little to hit him. He reeled back. Shaking her hand slightly she smiled, "There! I feel better."

"Why you little vixen!"

"Give me a kiss and go pack your things. Now that is all over, you can come stay with me at the ranch."

"Like he…"

"Don’t swear dear," interrupted Curlly sending Sinjn on his way with a smack on his rump. "I’m going to go win some more money, so come get me once your bag is packed." Sinjn just walked off grumbling about marriage and how someone told him so.

As Curlly walked back into the saloon she saw Jack with Avillion. "Come Jack we are leaving."

"Now listen here missy, you already ‘ot one! Even I don’t ‘eed two," said Avillion after some thought.

"Come with me young lady!" demanded Curlly over Jack’s protests. Curlly dragged over to a corner and said, "What are you doing here Avi?" Avillion worked for the same agency as Sinjn. It had just taken for Curlly to calm down before she realized it.

"I’m working on the same operation you are. Only I didn’t know about the encoded text. I’m fairly certain that Paul Wolfe and Maddy are the ringleaders of the terrorists. Once Davenport decodes it, we will all know for sure."

"My goodness! What is going on with these priests! How many people are in this town are agents?"

"Just the four of us."

"That is it! The priest at the first stop was rogue, the priest here is. That must mean something! Awe bloody crap!"

"What is it Curlly?" asked Sinjn startling both women.

"Might as well go back to your whore Mr. Tyler, the games not played out yet. Jack, why don’t we go now."

"Avillion, what is she babbling about?"

"Babbling?!"

Avillion said, "It is most likely the terrorists are posing as priests and the local one is the ringleader. That is why her cover must stay intact."

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

Part Four

Avillion, Davenport, Curlly and Sinjn all met the day before the wedding just outside of town to receive the results of the decoding. Since the whole town would be in attendance it would be the best time to take Paul and Maddy; whom the message revealed as the leaders of the terrorists. Curlly and Avillion strongly objected, but the orders had been given. It was decided that Curlly would take out Paul since she would be with the bride’s party; Avillion would draw Maddy away from the festivities to Davenport who would take her into custody for questioning. Sinjn would do surveillance to prevent any other problems.

Curlly kissed Sinjn goodbye and the men left. Curlly asked her how she could stand the assignment she had been given. Avi replied with a shrug that you do what you have to do. "Paul Wolfe is just that. He is a wolf in sheep’s clothing. And the things that man wanted to do, for a priest! Poor, poor Jack."

"Jack? What about Jack?" inquired Curlly.

"We have known one another since we were children. Childhood sweethearts you could say. Anyhow, I couldn’t let him know what was happening, and I think he would ‘make an honest woman’ of me if would let him."

"When this is all over will you tell him?"

"If he still wants me."

"Of course he will Avi!"

Rita looked absolutely radiant. It was a very jolly group that arrived at the wedding ceremony. The priest married them and then everyone moved to the hotel for the reception.

The four-layer wedding cake was the crowning glory. It was made of chocolate chip cheesecake and had fudge roses decoration. Curlly had given the wedding couple a silver tea set. And the present Curlly had brought from Sylvia was a cut glass vase. Curlly watched with fond memories of her own reception as the happy couple opened their gifts. Curlly was sure she was making calf eyes at her husband, but she couldn’t seem to help herself.

Later there was dancing and as Curlly danced with Sinjn she revealed in the comfort of being in his arms. Rita was just leaving to change into her traveling outfit and Sinjn told Curlly to approach the priest because it appeared that Paul was getting ready to leave. Curlly kissed him lightly without thinking as she turned to leave.

"Why Mrs. Tyler! You do put me to blush!" whispered Sinjn in her ear.

"Oh stop you!" said Curlly with a smile. How she loved that man! She loosened her reticule and headed over to Paul. "Why Mr. Wolfe, that was a lovely ceremony."

"Why thank you Mrs. Bradshaw," said Paul preparing to shake her hand when he saw a glint of metal under her hand. He grabbed her wrist as the sheriff Jurgen came up behind Paul and said softly, "She is married to Mr. Tyler."

****

Avillion went up to Maddy and said, "Lud Maddy! ‘here be a foin look’n gentlman wannan to sees you in withdrawing room. For bein’ a priest an all!" As Maddy preceded her into the room, Davenport rapped Maddy smartly on the head and picked her up and took her outside. He put her in the back of a dogcart and handcuffed her. Then he climbed into the driver seat and road off waving to Avillion.

As Avillion turned to go back in she heard a shot from inside the hotel. Running she entered the side door, down the hall and into the reception room to find chaos. Everyone was either on the floor, fleeing the room or hiding behind something for cover. Sinjn, Michael, Jack, and Roy all appeared to be exchanging fire with Paul, who was using Curlly as a human shield, the sheriff, and two other men that were considered scum of the earth.

Curlly was keeping eye contact with Sinjn. She saw him fire to her right and nod and she immediately went limp in her captor’s arms. The sudden dead weight threw Paul off balance and the two of them tumbled to the floor. Putting the dart Paul had forced Curlly to drop within her reach. She quickly stabbed Paul as hard as she could into his side. Not only causing extreme discomfort, she also delivered a higher and more potent dose.

By this time the gunfire had ceased. The sheriff and the other two men were shot mortally and Roy had taken a bullet in the thigh. Paul pulled the dart from his side and pulled another gun out from his robe and pointed at Curlly cocking the weapon. A shot rang from near Curlly’s ear. At first the pain in her ear from the closeness of the shot. The ringing cleared and Paul crumbled to the ground from a shot to the head. Curlly turned to see Sinjn’s smoking gun pointed just over her shoulder.

"Oh Sinjn!" cried Curlly walking towards his open arms. It was over at last.

Another shot rang out from the doorway. Maddy must have escaped Davenport for she stood in the doorway with a smoking gun. Then she turned the gun on herself and fell to the floor.

This time Sinjn crumbled to the ground. He had been shot in the back. The bullet sliced his spinal cord, punctured his left lung, and lodged near his heart. "NOOOOOOO!" screamed Curlly agonized.

Sinjn felt a sheering, burning pain rip through his back. He felt himself go numb as he fell to the floor. The lights seem so bright; he felt it was easier to close his eyes. A woman’s distraught voice pierced the darkness around him. It was so insistent he opened his eyes. Ah, it was his wife. He’d felt happiness in his life, but in his life with her he had experienced true joy. And she was so sad. Sinjn felt tired but he didn’t want her to be sad.

He concentrated very hard and lifted his hand to her cheek, "I love you."

As Curlly fell next to Sinjn she saw his eyes close. "NO! Please come back to me. Please. I need you Sinjn," she said brokenly. She hit him lightly on the arm, "Come back to me."

She saw his eyes open his eyes and stare up into hers. His arm shakily rose to caress his cheek and she heard very faintly, "I love you."

"Oh Sinjn, I love you too! Please hold on. It’s gonna be okay. It must be." But she could tell she was losing him. His eyes became unfocused. She held onto his hand in both of hers, murmuring her love to him. She saw his whole body shudder and felt his fingers go rigid. She saw the light she so loved in his eyes dim and then his eyes closed for the finial time.

"Please, oh please, we need more time. Sinjn. Sinjn! I need you have to come back. We’ve had so little time, I need more time! There has not been enough time." Then she collapsed on his still chest weeping bitterly.

Rita and Avillion moved over to pull her away from the body. At first Curlly resisted, but finally she prepared to leave. She kissed the hand she still held with hers and laid it gently on her husband’s chest. Then she kissed her fingertips, and then placed them on his lips. "I love you Sinjn Tyler."

***

Curlly walked down the stairs of the house Sinjn had bought for her. One day when they were courting, they had driven by and Curlly had expressed to him how much she loved that house. On the day of their wedding he had presented with the deed to her house. From the landing she went into the front parlor and sat in one half of the love seat looking at their wedding picture. Her hand gently ran over her slowly growing stomach. She wished she could have told her Sinjn about the babe.

The end

This story ©copyright Curlly, 2000