At Wit's End

[Elegant Ella]

Standing in front of the Ace with Eddie, Ella was surprised to see four riders escorting the stage.

Eddie shouted and waved, "There's Jimmy and Lily!"

The two lead riders waved back. When the stage pulled up, Ella recognized the other two riders as deputies from Houston who had come to Fort Fetterman with Marshal Hayes.

"Deputy Mason, Deputy Locke, it's a pleasure to see you again."

"Thank you, Mrs. Coatsworth," they replied, then followed Jimmy and Lily toward the stables at the Ace.

By now, the steps were in place and the driver was helping a passenger out. Ella was shocked at the changes in Dr. Martin. He had written that the Army had used an injury to his leg as an excuse to force him to retire, but he had not mentioned that he was using a wooden peg instead of a left foot! His hair had all gone gray and he looked like he had aged twenty years. Ella wondered if he would be able to take care of the El Paso medical practice.

The driver handed Dr. Martin his crutches, and turned to unloading his baggage.

"Dr. Martin, welcome to El Paso! Eddie will bring the carriage around to carry your baggage to the house."

"There's not that much baggage, Mrs. Coatsworth, just those two bags. One learns to pack lightly in the Army, after all."

"The house is a few blocks away. Would you rather walk there or ride in the carriage?"

"I've had enough of sitting. Let's walk."

Eddie had already collected the two bags, so they set out. Ella watched Dr. Martin carefully, but he was walking easily, using the crutches only for balance, not for support.

[Scarlet Angel]

Hank stepped into the doorway between the Ace and the stables. "Lilly, Jimmy" he said greeting them then eyed the other two.

"You can tie your horses to the post out front or the public stables is up the road, unless you have an invite I'm not aware of" Hank said to the two men.

He was aware of the way the two deputies were looking at him. They were both obviously wondering who the gunfighter was standing in the doorway. It wasn't often Hank went around wearing his old rig but he was well practiced at still using it. He'd left the door ajar enough that if Jimmy Bradbury was half listening he would hear, Scarlet and Fritz had gone upstairs earlier.

"I run this place." He said answering the unasked question.

[Elegant Ella]

Jimmy answered, "Hank, I'd like you to meet Deputy Oliver Mason and Deputy Harold Locke. The Marshals office in Houston sent them to lend a hand here for a couple months. Missus King and Missus Coatsworth both met them last summer. Can they get rooms here at the Ace for tonight? We'll find them boarding house rooms tomorrow."

[Scarlet Angel]

"Yeah, we got rooms. Your horses can go in them two stalls right there." He said pointing at the two stalls at the front of the barn.

"I'll meet you at the office desk to pick up your room keys. Should I send someone to tell Marshal Phillips or Missus King you've arrived?"  Hank asked wondering who they were sent here to help and how.

[Elegant Ella]

Deputy Mason spoke up, "We're supposed to report to Marshal Phillips in the morning, but we would like to speak to Missus King before that, if possible."

[Scarlet Angel]

Scarlet picked up the note that Hank had slid under the door and read it.

"Scarlet-new deputies arrived, waiting to see you."

Looking over the paper she smiled at Fritz. "Locke and Mason have arrived they have requested to see me."

"Wise young men, you're the first one I'd want to see when I arrived here." He said taking her in his arms then kissing her deeply.

Scarlet fanned herself with the paper "My oh my Mr. Fritz." She said breathlessly then smiled and continued "I was not excited about Hayes sending for them at first, but maybe you will finally get a break" She paused, stepping back as her eyes danced mischievously and she looked him up and down "time to come home and see how those guns perform."

"You are being a tease you know." He said.

She was wearing an impish grin now "Oh yes, I know." She giggled.

"What did Marshal Wheeler say about these two?" Fritz asked.

"They are young, opposite of Phillips as far as their minds are concerned. He thinks they show potential. That is praise coming from Wheeler." There was a slight change in her tone as she said "Hayes said Locke has been a deputy for three years and Mason for two. He's worked with them for the last year."

Fritz knew Scarlet still didn't trust Hayes. When Hayes hinted towards having the two deputies come to the Starr Scarlet had shot him an icy look that made the hints stop. He also knew there was an envelope from the Marshal in Galveston she had looked at many times since Phillips came. He never saw her open it to read, she would just look at the outside, obviously she knew what it said without looking. He suspected there was something in that letter that had recently kept her from pinning her badge to Hayes hind end and kicking him off the ranch.

[1stSgt Fritz King]

Fritz took the note and placed it on the bedside table.  He looked into Scarlet's eyes, and slowly slipped the scarlet silk straps from her shoulders. 

Fritz grinned.  "Can this meeting wait for a little while?"

Scarlet began "I suppose it could..."  She never finished, as Fritz tasted the softness of her mouth.  Her hands slipped around his neck, pulling him closer.  His hands slid down her velvety shoulders, feeling the swell of her breasts.  They lingered there a moment, then ran down to Scarlet's hips.  Her mouth moaned against his as Fritz cupped her ass.

They would meet the two young deputies a bit later...     

[Scarlet Angel]

Scarlet took her time getting dressed and when she was finished she looked more like she was ready for a stroll along the boardwalk instead of meeting deputies. In fact, the peasant blouse and skirt she wore reminded Fritz much of one of the first dinner dates he'd had with her.

He had come to know her much better now than he had then. Then he had only wondered if she carried a weapon somewhere, then he'd let his mind briefly wander wondering if she was.  Then he had only caught a glimpse of the knife she carried. Now he knew she carried weapons, one would just have guess what she was in the mood to be carrying. 

He looked her up and down when she stood and faced him. She half smiled wondering what he was thinking "What's on your mind Sugar?" she asked.

"Just letting my mind wander." He said smiling back.

Scarlet kissed him softly on the lips then stepped out into the hallway; she stopped at the top of the staircase. Fritz knew she stopped to watch the floor below, most likely to observe the two deputies.

Noticing her watching Hank made his way to the table where the two deputies sat and asked them if they needed anything else. When he turned around he looked up and nodded at Scarlet, it was his way of telling her they were the ones asking to see her.

Fritz watched the unspoken communication between Hank and Scarlet. "How long have you known Hank?"

"Guess it's going on four lifetimes now." She said softly after brief pause.

"They seem patient." She said as she taking his arm. "We should introduce ourselves."

[1stSgt Fritz King]

He stood on her left and linked arms with Scarlet.  He wondered if she knew how happy he was, or how proud he was to have her on his arm.  She smiled and nodded; this move kept both of their gun hadns free, should the need arise.  Together they slowly moved down the stairs and towards the table.  Both men rose and took off their hats.  It was a sign of respect, but Fritz also know they had never seen a woman quite like his wife before.  He smiled.

"Gentlemen," Fritz began, "I'm Deputy Fritz King.  This is my wife, Deputy Scarlet King."   

[Elegant Ella]

"It's good to see you again," replied Deputy Mason, while Deputy Locke nodded in agreement.

Scarlet nodded, remembering the young men who had diced with Frank and Chris while she and Ella had talked to Marshal Hayes. Fritz didn't remember them, but he had been otherwise occupied at the time.

Deputy Locke handed Fritz a paper, saying, "Our orders from Marshal Thompson are to report to Deputy Phillips and assist in the operation of the Marshals office here. Our orders from Marshal Hayes are to watch Phillips and report any suspicious behavior to him. Since he is staying out of town and out of sight, we are to report through Deputy Scarlet King."

"Who is Marshal Hayes that he can give you additional orders, unknown to Marshal Thompson?" asked Fritz.

The deputies answered at the same time,
"Marshal Hayes has a handful of deputies who are trusted enough to assist him in special cases," said Deputy Mason, "We're the ones sent here because we had met you and Deputy Coatsworth at Fort Fetterman, and know Deputy Washington."
"Uncle Ambrose inspired a bunch of nephews to follow him into the Marshals service," said Deputy Locke. "He told exciting stories and taught us about codes, and we all created a family code."

[Elegant Ella]

Marshal Phillips came out from his office when he heard the stagecoach arrive so that he could see who got off. His relief at seeing Deputy Washington safely back was solely due to the return to 8-hour shifts, of course. The man Mrs. Coatsworth was meeting must be the doctor friend come to visit, which meant that Castletown could get its new doctor soon.

When Deputy Washington came back out from the stableyard of the Ace, Marshal Phillips had moved closer to the front window, visibly waiting.

Jimmy handed the reins of his horse to Lily, saying, "I reckon I ought to report. Bet he tells me to go on duty right now, and invites himself to dinner."

"I wouldn't bet against that idea. I'll warn Mrs. Coatsworth," replied Lily.

Jimmy headed for the office and reported, "Prisoners all delivered to the jail with no problems. A message waiting for us there told us to stop by the office in Houston on the way back. Marshal Thompson sent you a couple extra deputies. They said their orders tell them to report for duty in the morning."

"Well, you are on duty now. Deputy King will come on at 8pm. You can sort out with him how you want to divide tonight."

Marshal Phillips went into the office to secure his desk, then headed home. He resisted the temptation to invite himself to dinner at the Coatsworth's. Instead, he could have a relaxed evening at home and an early night. He admitted to himself that 12-hour shifts were wearying, but if an older man like Deputy King didn't complain, he wasn't going to.

[Scarlet Angel]

"You can keep your horses here by Deputy Washington's horse. It will give you a reason to come by, if I'm not here the barkeep knows where to find me." Scarlet said. "You're welcome to stay until you can find more suitable accommodations too, but I don't think you staying here will make Phillips allto happy."

"Do you think the barkeep will be agreeable to that?" Deputy Mason asked thinking of the rather cold welcome they had gotten earlier.

"Hank doesn't make good impressions on strangers who come in the back door. Give him a chance he'll warm right up to you." She replied then continued  "You can communicate with Fritz too, I'm sure you'll all be seeing each other often."

[1stSgt Fritz King]

"And I'll be going on duty in a few hours," Fritz added.  "If you want to join me on patrol, you'd be welcome."

[Elegant Ella]

"Thank you, we will." Deputy Locke answered for both.

[Scarlet Angel]

Scarlet waited until Fritz went on duty before she and Jimmy headed back to the Southern Starr.

They were well out of town before she said "Hayes is Locke's uncle, seems Hayes inspired a bunch of his nephews to join the Marshals."

"Does this put a burr under your blanket, or something you may admire?" Jimmy asked.

Scarlet looked at him trying to decide what she really thought of it. "I shouldn't let it bother me. I do the same; surround myself with those I trust."

Jimmy laughed then said "What do the men report about Hayes?"

"He has done nothing to report. Stays in the areas he's been asked to, asks for an escort if he wants to go anywhere." She replied.

When they reached the Starr Scarlet found Hayes visiting with Archie.
"You're two deputies are in town. They went on patrol with Deputy King." She said to Hayes.

[Elegant Ella]

"I'm glad they've plunged right in. I hope they don't pester you or Mrs. Coatsworth," replied Hayes.

"Why would they pester anyone?" asked Scarlet.

"They picked up a bit of hero worship after meeting the two of you and spending a few months with Jimmy Washington. Apparently he told some tales, and inspired them to spend free time reading the reports out of this office. They've been deputies long enough to know that the parts worthy of dime novel stories don't make it into official reports, so they might have questions about some of the cases."

[Scarlet Angel]

"I'm sure if Mrs. Coatsworth feels like she is being pestered she will let them know." Scarlet replied. 

[Elegant Ella]

In the morning, Ella knocked on the doorframe of Alan's office, where he and Dr. Martin were talking, before announcing, "Lily, Eddie and I are heading out to the Southern Starr for a couple hours. I want to invite Johnny and Rose Longknife to come to dinner tonight and meet you, Dr. Martin. Maybe Bo Corbin will come as well, since you stitched him up."

"You don't have any patients expected?" asked Dr. Alan.

"No one is expected, but Lena Morgan is in my office to take care of anyone who might come by while I'm gone." Lena Morgan was the widow of lawyer Raymond Morgan's brother, and had come to El Paso with him after the War to keep house. Lena had felt unneeded after Morgan married the daughter of a local rancher, and jumped at the opportunity to become Ella's apprentice.

Alan raised one eyebrow, but didn't make any comment about matchmaking.

[1stSgt Fritz King]

Fritz finished his final entry in the blotter for the night.  There was a fresh pot of coffee on the stove; Fritz made it for himself, not for the Marshal.  He would do his level best to say as little as possible to the man before he left.  Fritz was unsure if he should go home, or go to the apartment he shared with Scarlet at the saloon. 

The night had gone well.  It had been quiet, and the extra help had been welcome.  The two young deputies seemed eager enough, but were more interested in his career than in current events.  They knew of his exploits at the Rosebud, but those were recent history.  Fritz filled them in without overglamorizing the events.  The men were curious about his weapons as well.  The Navy conversions and the Walkers in his pommel holsters drew special interest.  While he sat at his desk, he drew the older Navy and looked it over.  It was well-worn, but well cared for.  Fritz smiled as he reholstered the piece.  "Kinda like me" he whispered to himself.

The Marshal walked in without saying a word.  He passed Fritz and closed his office door.  Fritz stood, took his coat, hat and '66 and headed for the door. 

[Scarlet Angel]

Scarlet and declined Jimmy's invitation to ride across the river to the next town to "unwind where nobody knows who we are" so instead they ended up sitting on his front porch drinking blackberry wine until the sun came up.

Scarlet laughed and pointed at the sunrise.

Jimmy grinned as he put down his guitar, it was no secret that he could play, what very few people knew is that he could sing.
 
Sitting on the porch talking about nothing was something they hadn't done in a long time.