The Hangman's Halo pt5........AerisVampire

5

It was a Friday evening, and Cort Martin was marinating in the saloon. Roland Timmons, the sheriff, was sitting beside Cort, and both were drunk on company.

“And there I was in my room,” Cort raved, “Chantin’ something silly about devils and ghosts. And there was a picture and a hang-- and a--” Cort fell forward with laughter, and would certainly have crashed into the floor if the table had not been there to catch him. Like Roland’s, his face had gone a cherry red around a maddened grin. The two of them rocked with hysterics around Cort’s tale of the hanging of Hank Hale.

Though they both were engaged in laughter, Roland calmed himself and took a few minutes to settle Cort. Roland has serious news for Cort, belated news.

The night of Hank’s trial, there was a murder at the general store. Until now, the culprit had not been taken to jail, much to the benefit of the town. She was, Roland said, the best barmaid at the saloon. Rosie! Cort’s mouth opened to speak, but no words came. Rosie! The poppy of Tucson had killed a man in an argument. Killed a man in an argument about Cort. His heart raced in shock, his body went white hot. It was like a fire rain that singed his body all over. And once again the mental cinema returned, and once again it appeared different as before. Now there were two bodies hanging. The static figure of a man hung on the left, and on the right, the skirted body of a woman twisting in the breeze. Her hair was the red of Rosie Thomas’s hair, and those spurred brown boots were unmistakable. He shook the apparition away and looked Roland in the face.

“You’re telling me,” he choked, stumbling over his words, “that I hang Rosie this Sunday?”

Roland nodded. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner. Things have been crazy this week for me..”

You think the past few months haven’t been crazy for me? Cort thought bitterly. The sheriff went on, but Cort didn’t care. Spitefully, he mocked his friend.

Excuses, excuses! Cort mentally whined. The only excuse is yer cowardice, Sheriff, and that don’t make for a good public official.

Without any further comment, Cort left the table, tipped Roland’s hat down, and proceeded out the door.

(To be continued)

Thanks so much!! AerisVampire

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