Leverage

The sun dipped low and the shadows stretched over the floorboards.

Jackson leaned against the bar. She adjusted the neckline of her blouse.

She checked the derringer in her garter one last time.

The batwing doors creaked.

Eli Newcombe swaggered in. A smug grin plastered his face.

He looked over at Jackson and stared.

She smiled.

-Evenin’, Eli, she said. You look like a man who’s had a productive day.

Eli dropped onto a stool. He smelled of cheap tobacco.

-Damn right I have, he slurred.

Jackson poured him a double. She let her fingers brush his.

-Oh? Do tell, sugar, she purred. Ain’t nothin’ I love more than a good story.

Eli downed the bourbon. He slammed the glass.

-Ain’t no story, darlin’. It’s a fact. Got myself a paper that’s gonna bury a certain loudmouth.

He patted his vest pocket. A crisp edge of paper peeked out.

Jackson’s eyes locked onto it.

She poured him another.

-Sounds powerful important, she said.

She leaned forward.

-Maybe you oughtta let me take a look. Keep it safe for you.

Eli hesitated.

-Now why would I do a thing like that? A man’s leverage is his own business.

Jackson smiled.

Her hand shot out.

She snatched the folded paper from his vest.

She stepped back. The deed was in her fist.

-Because your leverage just became mine, you slimy bastard.

Eli lurched to his feet.

-You goddamn bi—

Jackson grabbed the bourbon bottle. She brought it down hard on his head.

Glass shattered. Whiskey sprayed.

Eli crumpled. He hit the floor with a thud.

The saloon went silent.

Jackson breathed hard. She smoothed her skirt.

-Nobody calls me that in my own damn saloon, she said.

She uncrumpled the paper.

The Sheriff’s official stamp was clear as day.

The backroom door burst open. Tiny and Annie rushed out.

Annie looked at Eli sprawled in the puddle of liquor.

-You let him live, she said. She gave Eli a light kick on the head.

-Wasn’t about killin’, Jackson said. Was about sendin’ a message.

She shoved the paper into Tiny’s hand.

-Here. It’s all there. His stamp. Your names.

-Now what? Tiny asked.

Jackson’s jaw set.

-I’m gonna look my husband in the eye, she said. And I’m gonna ask him why he chose a nest of vipers over his own wife.

-We’ll come with you, Annie said.

-No, Jackson said. This is between husband and wife first.

She walked out.

Tiny went behind the bar. He poured a drink andwaited.

Time passed.

The door opened. Jackson walked back in.

Her face was pale. Grim.

-Mike’s not there, she said.

She walked to the rack behind the counter. She pulled down a double-barreled shotgun.

-His desk was cleared out. Deputy said he rode north an hour ago. Toward Newcombe territory.

Tiny looked surprised.

-Somebody must have tipped him off, he said.

Jackson pumped the shotgun.

-He’s runnin’, she said. Which means he knows it’s over.

-So we run after him? Tiny asked.

Jackson slapped a box of shells on the bar.

-We hunt, she said.