Confession

The next morning, Jackson eased the door to the storeroom open. She carried a tin mug and fresh bandages.

Tiny lay still on the cot. His eyes were closed.

She set the mug down.

-I know you’re awake, Tiny, she said. Coffee’s gettin’ cold.

Tiny didn't move.

-How much for the coffee? he asked.

Jackson sat on the edge of the cot.

-Price went up overnight, she said. Now it’ll cost you the truth.

Tiny opened his eyes. He sat up slowly.

-Why’d the Newcombe Boys want you dead so bad they forgot to use their guns? she asked.

Tiny crossed his arms.

-I don’t reckon that’s fair, he said. You did a good turn yesterday. But my business ain’t nobody’s but mine.

Jackson leaned in.

-Ain’t nothin’ fair in Westtown, she said. That’s the first damn lesson.

She pushed the coffee toward him.

-You know ‘em? Personally? That ain’t a detail you leave out.

Tiny sighed. He took the mug.

-Ain’t one of the boys, ma’am. It’s the Newcombe girl.

Jackson stopped moving.

-Not Bertha, Tiny added. The other one.

Jackson’s breath caught. Her eyes narrowed.

-Annie Newcombe, she whispered.

She stood up abruptly.

-You tangled with Silas Newcombe’s daughter? You got a death wish painted on your back.

-She tangled with me, Tiny said. I treated her right and gentle.

Jackson laughed. It was brittle.

-You fool. You sweet, stupid fool. That girl is poison wrapped in petticoats.

-She’s my little flower, Tiny said.

-She’s a viper, Jackson snapped. Her daddy would burn this whole town to the ground if he thought she’d been slighted.

Tiny shook his head.

-We been seeing each other town to town. Fixing to run away together. The cousins found a note.

Jackson stared at him.

-The cousins didn't find a note, Tiny, she said softly. She left it for them.

-No, Tiny said. She runs with me.

-Annie Newcombe don’t run with nobody but her own, Jackson said. She was settin’ you up. Makin’ you the excuse for her daddy’s rage.

The door banged open.

Jesse ran in. He was pale.

-Miss Jackson! he yelled. Annie Newcombe is down at the sheriff’s office.

Jackson spun around.

-She’s raising high hell, Jesse said. Wants to file a missing person’s report. Says her cousins kidnapped a man.

Jackson looked back at Tiny.

-You hear that? she hissed. She ain’t lookin’ for you. She’s makin’ sure Mike finds you first.

-She loves me, Tiny said. She thinks they took me.

Jackson grabbed his chin. She forced him to look at her.

-She wants you nice and legal. Wrapped up in a cell where her cousins can finish the job.

Tiny looked at the boy.

-You tell Annie, kid, Tiny said. Tell her her Shetland pony is recovering.

Jackson’s hand clamped over his mouth. She shoved him back against the cot.

-You say one more word and I’ll gag you myself, she snarled.

She looked at Jesse.

-You didn’t hear that. You tell Annie nothing. You understand me? Nothing.

Jesse nodded. He ran out.

Jackson released Tiny. She was breathing hard.

-You wanna die? Is that it? she asked

-Annie’s heart is true, Tiny insisted. She’s loyal.

-Loyal? Jackson laughed. She laid the trap and walked away smilin’.

She slammed her hands on the cot rails. She caged him in.

-Open your damn eyes, Tiny. The only woman who ain’t lied to you is the one stitchin’ you back together.