Most Wanted

Housty’s got it into her head that I don’t love her anymore. Got plenty to say about me being a lawman too, and most of it ain’t kindly. Course I’ve tried to reason with her but it don’t do any good. She was still bellyaching when I left the house this morning.

‘Go on Deputy, don’t mind me, just go ahead and do your duty.’

‘I ain’t turned you in yet, have I?’

‘Maybe you’re holding out for a reward.’

‘Hmm, that ain’t a bad idea.’

‘Huh! If you loved me you wouldn’t even consider it.’

‘Oh, shut your yap.’

‘And you wouldn’t leave me here all day, alone and defenseless.’

‘You’ve got Nameless, ain’t you?’

‘Shame you ain’t as loyal.’

‘Listen, a thirty dollar bank raid ain’t crime of the century. Give it a month and it’ll all be forgotten. Meantime just sit tight and keep your mouth shut. Or at least sit tight.’

‘And do what? There’s only so much a girl can do out here on her own.’

‘You could pass the time counting nickels?’

Housty slammed the door in my face. So maybe I pushed her too far, but she had it coming. Hell, it’s getting so that I can’t say anything without riling her. And when I say nothing at all, she wants to know what I’m thinking. 

I like wearing a badge. I like the respect it brings and I like using that respect to help folks get along, even if means threatening them with a spell in jail. I like saying hello to people in the street, too; I like to see them smile. Yup, I like wearing a badge. Being a deputy is about the best job I ever had. I’d sure hate to lose it.

I sensed something was wrong when I got to the office. Ain’t the fact that Emmett replied with a grunt when I said good morning; he always does that when he’s thinking, only it ain’t like him to grunt and sound irritated, and when I tried talking to him…

‘Want to hear how I got on yesterday afternoon?

‘No’

‘Want me to question some more women today?’

‘No’

Emmett was studying something at his desk. Ain’t sure what but I figured it had to be important. Feeling like a scolded pup I hushed up and made myself some coffee. You know that feeling you get when you think you’re in deep trouble, but you can’t say a word on the off chance you ain’t? Well that’s how I felt as I spent a minute or two gazing out of the window.

‘Alright Valance,’ said Emmett, as he got up from his chair and handed me a poster. ‘I want you to take a good look at this.’

My heart sank when I saw the face on the poster. ‘Holy shotguns, Emmett, this can’t be right. Five hundred dollars for a thirty dollar bank raid?’

‘With their good name and reputation at stake, not to mention ours, you can’t blame the bank for getting tough. Have you any idea who this could be?’ 

‘Nope, beats me.’ 

‘I’m asking you straight Valance. Are you sure? I hear you get quite a few lady visitors?’ 

‘Not that many, Sheriff. My Aunt JJ comes by once in a while, and Miss Sweet and Miss Cecile, sometimes, on behalf of the church. And then there’s Miss Patsy and Miss April, from the temperance society. The rest are lost souls and fallen women, seeking spiritual guidance.’ 

‘And you give it to them, huh?’

‘Only too willing, Sheriff. It’s my duty to provide food and shelter to those poor wretches, men and women alike. You should see us when we join hands and sing hymns together. It’d bring tears to your eyes.’ 

‘As I recall, you once swore in court that you didn’t believe in God.’ 

‘I found him again. Why, I’m almost a lay preacher these days.’ 

‘Alright Valance, cut the flim flam. Don’t say another word. I’m nobody’s fool. I've got a good idea who our bank robber is and I think you know, too. Now finish your coffee and take the rest of the day off. If you’re smart you’ll go home and do some serious thinking.’