Dave exited the room so Rose could change into her disguise. Once she donned her disguise, she opened the door and let him in as they discussed what story they would fabricate so as not to draw suspicion of any kind.
Rose hummed, “I can dress the part, play the part, but I definitely can’t speak the part. Perhaps, I can be a mute cousin of yours.”
Dave grinned, “That works. You whip ‘em at poker, and I’ll ask the questions.”
Rose spit into her hand and held it out for a shake. “Sounds good.”
Dave’s brows rose. “Colour me impressed. You didn’t do this while you were in England, did you?”
Rose opened the door, zipped her lips, and shrugged her shoulders in protest. Her muteness had commenced.
As they walked side by side toward the Omineca Saloon, Dave occasionally gave her some pointers on how to walk more like a man. A swinging lantern, hanging from a hook in front of the door, cast spectral shadows upon the timber wall of the saloon.
This town can catch fire so quickly. We’d have another Barkerville situation on our hands.
A pair of broad shouldered men, their beards unkempt and oily, ambled into the saloon. As Rose and Dave followed the pair in, Rose marked the half naked busty women, prancing about, lounging from lap to lap, and leaving the marks of their kisses on most available cheeks and necks.
This is not going to be a pleasant show.
Dave glanced at Rose, an awkwardness colouring the way his eyes shifted in the dim light. It was clear that he hadn’t ever or didn’t make a habit of frequenting these kinds of rogue establishments. After a moment of intimating his weakness and insecurity, he steeled his emotions and donned a shrewd mask.
Rose made a concerted effort to not allow her creeping jealousy to infuse her performance with mediocrity. However, the room was full of feminine parts to ogle. And here she was in men’s clothing pretending to be a man. There was no competition. And speaking of busty…
“My, my handsome!” the prostitute purred as she placed her hand on Dave’s cheek. “You’re so delicious. How would you like a private dance later?” Without allowing him to answer, she kissed him full on the lips.
Fuming and rolling her eyes, Rose was unable to fail in being a convincing man because the prostitute’s friend was running her hands over Rose’s arms. The prostitute caressing Rose said, “This one’s a little scrawny, don’t ya think? That’s no matter, I still think you’re cute!” She grabbed Rose’s face between her hands and squished her cheeks together. “And his skin is so soft…” she giggled.
Rose implored Dave with a panicked dart of the eyes, desperate for escape.
Dave quickly swiped the rouge from his lips. He chuckled nervously. “My cousin is mute.”
Rose’s prostitute giggled again. “Ooo, a challenge! You may not be able to speak, but I’ll have you moaning and groaning when I…”
Dave reached for Rose’s shoulder and extricated the ladies off of them. “Ladies, thank you. You’re very generous, but we’re just here to play poker.”
Rose’s attache pouted and said, “Well, if you change your minds, we’ll be around.” She winked.
Rose muttered under her breath, “That was one of the most uncomfortable moments of my life.”
Dave added, “They’re like a pair of crows, trying to steal the shiniest objects and bring them back to their nest. Here, let’s get a beer, and see what kind of information we can get out of this gentle…man.”
The gentleman Dave had motioned toward turned his gaze from the rim of his cup and glared at them, promising swift punishment if they dared stepped closer.
Dave stuttered, “Hey, we were just…uh…planning to sit here, but…” he licked his lips as the man continued his glare. “We see this table is full. Thanks, we’ll find somewhere else to sit.” He hurried Rose out of that particular corner and headed toward the pair that had entered in before them. “Is it all right if we join you?”
The older of the two gestured toward two open seats. “Help yourself. I see you’ve gotten Neville’s message loud and clear.”
Dave chuckled nervously as they took the referred seats, “Yeah, is he always that way?”
The man waved his hand in an off-handed manner. “Agh, most nights…he’s like that with everyone. Did I hear you say your…friend is mute?”
Rose nodded and Dave replied, “He’s my cousin.”
The man put out his hand for a shake, “The name’s Ed.”
Dave shook his hand. “My name’s Dave and my cousin’s name is…”
The one thing we didn’t talk about!
After glancing at her quickly, Dave finished with, “…Rowan.”
Ed nodded and asked, “You here to play poker? It was pretty apparent you weren’t here for the girls.”
The girl who had initially draped herself over Dave waltzed by and sat on Ed’s lap. While Ed was burying his face into her ample cleavage, she bored her eyes into Dave’s and wore a smug smile. Dave cleared his throat and looked toward the poker table.
Ed removed his head from its place of embrace, smiled big, and said, “If you boys ain’t enjoying it, don’t mind if I do. Anna…” he gestured to his empty beer mug.
She turned her back to him, and he slapped her bottom as she walked away, her eyes dancing with mischief as she looked at Dave over her shoulder.
Dave looked at Rose and saw her bent over looking sick. Anna’s ridiculous overtures in trying to make Dave jealous threw effective grappling hooks into the hastily erected wall of Rose’s disguise, and threatened to tear it down in one fell swoop.
Ed leaned and put his hand on Rose’s shoulder and asked, “You okay, son? You look queasy. Here have another!” Ed grabbed the beer Anna brought over and pushed it toward Rose’s nose.
Rose shook her head. A couple sips from her first mug made it very clear that beer was not her favourite drink in the least.
Dave clapped her back hard and said, “You know what would make him, uh, much better? It’d be a game of poker. Can we get in?”
Ed bantered, “That right? Well, sure, we can get you in. That one, directly ‘cross from the front door is Mikey. Poor lugger, he keeps spendin’ his money on this game and hasn’t got a penny to his name. He keeps thinking he’s goin’ to win it all one day. The others just take advantage of his delusions and keep playin’. The one on Mickey’s right is Peter. He’s one of the better players and good for him. His wife don’t know he comes here every night. She thinks all the extra money he gets is from his job. After him is John, a decent player. The next one is Sean, he’s good at the game but he’s got a mean temper that always gets the better of him when someone else wins. Last one is…”
As Ed droned on, Rose touched Dave’s knee with hers as Dave realized that Sean fit the profile, and he bore a familial resemblance to Agnes.
“Sorry to interrupt. Does Sean have a sister? She’s got honey locks and blue eyes.”
Ed furtively glanced at Sean and lowered his voice as he answered, “Yes…but we haven’t seen her around town in a while.”
Dave pressed on. “Her name is Agnes.”
Ed gave a minute nod.
Dave took another swig of beer and asked, “I know it’s not any of my business. Did he…did he ever hit her?”
“Ah, boy, you sure are right about it being none of your business. Look, I ain’t never seen Sean hit her, but any time he ever lost…ach, whenever I’d see Agnes afterwards, she was all beat up. Claire told me she’d swing by here to be patched up. Claire did the patching you see. Now, don’t you go telling Sean I said anything. I didn’t say nothing.”
Dave promised, “I won’t say a thing.” He indicated toward the poker table. “Say, Rowan, would you like to play a round?”
Rose nodded and jutted her chin toward Ed in invitation to join her in the game.
Ed slapped the table and said, “Ah, why not, one round. Then we’ll go home, eh, Smythe?”
During the whole discussion, Ed’s companion didn’t seem interested in the establishment around him except for the fact that he had a full mug of beer in his hand. He sipped quietly and nodded his agreement.
Rose followed Dave to the table. “Gentlemen,” Dave announced, “you’ve got two new players. That all right?”
Peter folded his cards like a fan and said, “One of you can take my place. I should leave. Don’t want to press my luck.”
Just as Rose was itching to win a round, Claire sidled up to her once again and said, “I think I can make you sing. Why don’t you give me a chance?”
I’d rather play than…wait a minute, this is a great opportunity.
Rose put her arm around Claire and tugged her close. She nodded to Dave whose surprise turned to understanding. Dave proceeded to take Peter’s seat while Claire giggled and led Rose to her room in the back.
Just as Claire proceeded to lift her skirts in a flirtatious dance, Rose held out her hand and said in her normal voice, “Please don’t.”
Claire dropped her skirts and backed up with her hand over her chest and exclaimed, “Heaven’s sakes! You can talk? And what’s wrong with your voice?”
“Sshh! Claire, I’m not a man. I’m a woman. My name is Rose. I’m dressed like this because…well, did you know Agnes McVee?”
Claire’s wide eyes wouldn’t relent from their stance.
Rose sighed in exasperation, sat on Claire’s bed, and patted the bed next to her. “I promise I won’t bite.”
Claire advanced slowly and sat down.
Rose resumed her questioning. “How close were the two of you?”
“We became good friends. She’d come visit me sometimes…”
“You mean after Sean beat her.”
Claire looked down at the floor. “I never saw…”
“Claire, Agnes’s life may very well be in your hands! She’s been missing for almost a fortnight. Anything you say can be of great help. Dave and I are helping to look for her.”
“Dave? I remember Agnes mentioning she was going away with him…”
Even now, Agnes’s grand idea of winning Dave’s heart annoyed Rose immensely. Rose must have broadcast the severity of her annoyance on her face because…
“All right, fine! You’re right. Sean did beat her, but only when he lost at the table.” She glanced away, biting her lip.
“How often was that?”
Claire gulped, “Often enough, about once a week, maybe a little more. The thing is…I don’t understand…Sean loves her, takes care of her. And what do you mean you’re looking for her?”
Rose sighed, “Is it possible that Sean kidnapped her a little over a week ago?”
Suddenly, before Claire could answer, the knob of the door jiggled.
Claire jumped up and planted herself in Rose’s lamp.
Rose attempted to shove her off. “What are you doing?” she hissed.
“If we don’t make it look like we’re going to…you know…I won’t get paid. I need that money, just kiss me here…” she pointed to her left collarbone.
Rose did so a second before the door slammed open and Sean’s bearing figure stomped in a step. Although Rose couldn’t see Claire, she could hear the put on voice of pleasure to stamp out any spark of suspicion.
Claire giggled, “Sean, what are you doing in here while I’m pleasuring our guest?”
Sean’s lowered brows levelled. He said, “I heard you shout. Everything okay?”
Claire’s breath tickled Rose’s ears as she seductively murmured, “Oh, that? Well Mr. Rowan here touched…”
He cut in, “ Never mind!” Many rushing heartbeats later, he closed the door.
Rose quickly separated herself from Claire and quietly paced back and forth. “Back to kidnapping, would Sean ever do that?”
“What would be the point in that? Yes, Sean beat her when he lost and had too much to drink. It was always done in a rage of passion. But he would never keep her a prisoner.”
“You mean he uses her to let out his frustration, and then he treats her with the greatest respect?”
“When Agnes left, he…he cried. He loves her. He just can’t control himself when he’s angry and drinking.”
The tenderness with which Claire uttered his name, the emphasis she put upon his devotion…
“You’re in love with him, aren’t you?” Rose asked.
Claire covered her face with her hands.
“I have one more question. Did Sean leave town a week and a half ago?”
“Running the saloon is demanding. Sometimes he goes out of town for business, supplies and such. And before you ask, no, he doesn’t tell me where he’s going.”
Rose nodded matter of factly. “Thank you for talking to me. Don’t tell anyone about…” She waved her hand over her body and said goodnight.
As soon as she returned to the poker game, Sean looked at her suspiciously, “Did you, uh, have a good time in there?”
She nodded.
Dave looked at the time. “Well, boys, thank you for letting me play a round. We’ve got an early morning tomorrow.”
Sean got up from the table. “What’s the rush?”
Dave ran his hand through his hair. “Really, we need the sleep. We’ll tell others about your fine establishment, at least the right kind of people.” He winked.
Sean narrowed his eyes and looked straight through Rose. “Appreciate that.”
As soon as Rose exited the saloon and rounded the corner of the next street, she exhaled deeply.
Dave neared her as much as possible without their position seeming too familiar and put his hand on her back. He bent his head toward hers and whispered, “Are you okay?” His gentling tone of voice could do little to ease the aggression building inside her.
“How could you let him almost blow my cover?” Rose snapped.
“I tried to stop him! I told him it’d been a while since you were with a woman in that way. He just wouldn’t hear it. I even got up and stuck his beer in his hand, but he pushed me away and walked straight to where you were. Did he catch you?”
“If he did, did you think I’d leave with a pretty face?”
Dave looked at the ground. “I’m sorry Rose for putting you in any kind of danger. You know I would never…”
“Stop…it’s no fault of yours. I said I wanted to help in this way. I’m sorry for snapping. It was just…it was a close call. And I’m still shaking from it.”
“Let’s go back to the room.”
Once they entered and closed the door, Rose turned to Dave as she shook out her raven locks from her hat and said, “Sean did beat Agnes every time he lost at poker. He was also gone about the time that Agnes was kidnapped. “
“Sounds like a strong case to me.”
“When Sean walked in, I had to get really close to Claire’s…face. Anyway, I saw that she was wearing heavier makeup around her eyes. I also saw a few hints of purple bruising. I think he’s been beating her since Agnes left. Looked about a week old. Claire said he’d beat Agnes up at least once a week maybe twice. So if Claire’s bruising is a week old or more, that means that he’s found someone else to do it to.”
“And that someone is Agnes. We’ve got to find out where he’s keeping her!”
“Let’s say he’s done this… how does he go from beating women up to killing them? And why would he kill men?”
“He’s fuelled by money and passion. Let’s follow those trails.”
Rose pulled off her suspenders and stared at the wall in front of her. “Let’s start with passion. We know his love for his sister stops him from killing her. And Claire…”
“Could it be he’s in love with her?”
“I know she’s in love with him, but I don’t think he knows that. When he entered her room, I didn’t notice any signs of acknowledged shared intimacy.”
Dave held her at arm’s length. “What if he killed those other three girls because he doesn’t love them. When Agnes left, he didn’t have anyone he loved to take out his frustrations on except Claire. So as he searches for Agnes, he comes across these other girls and kills them. He has to return home because of the saloon. When he does the same to Claire, he can control himself because he loves her. What about the men?”
Rose gripped Dave’s forearms in turn. “If we follow that parallel train of thought in regard to money, he kills the men because they’ve cheated him from winning. He won’t stop to just a beating because they’re the source of his downfall.”
“That makes sense. The only thing that doesn’t make sense is the bones left behind at each crime scene. According to Jack, they’ve got a meaning of witchcraft. Sean is clearly a simple man with simple pleasures. If they’re not sated, he flies off the handle.”
Rose continued, “He clearly doesn’t have a head for further ministrations, especially those of the occult.” She snapped her fingers. “He must be working with someone else.”
“You’ve got to go back and talk to Claire.”
“Tomorrow night, and this time you can’t come.”
“Rose, please, you’ve got nothing to prove. After tonight’s close call, it’s too dangerous. What if Sean catches you?”
“It’ll be more suspicious if you come with me.”
Dave crossed his arms. “How’s that?”
“They might catch on that you’re keeping them busy while I slink off. If I go, they won’t talk to me too much, and I’ll mind my own business with Claire. Sean will know I’m quiet and won’t come barging in like he did last time.”
“I don’t like it.”
Rose tugged her shirt out of her pants. “Neither do I, but we need those answers without being under suspicion.”
Dave crushed Rose to his chest and buried his face into her hair. “Okay, but you need to work a little more on your walk, still.”
Rose grinned and swatted his arm.