Chương 44: Badge vs. Duty
Leslie's eyelids ripped the dried tears that kept them together, staring at the orangish-pink ceiling above.
"I'm sorry...I'm sorry..." A low voice mumbled. "I did it again…I didn't mean to...I didn't want him to hurt you."
She turned her head to find the sunrise light splitting through the window, painting the room in the warm colors.
Beside her was the twisted remains of Kenneth Cornfeld; his head corked left, neck wrinkled, and spine protruding beneath the skin like broken twigs wrapped in leaves.
"It was an accident… I didn't want to hurt anybody."
Leslie stared blankly, blinking; her eyes adjusting to the light though the shadows in the room hid the grotesque remains of the deputy. It was better that way. She didn't want to look upon the man who defiled his badge.
"He'll be alright...He's only sleeping...That's all."
It took her mornings strength to sit up and move her head in the direction of the voice. Her eyes beamed. Sitting on the floor, down by her boots, was a giant of a boy with messy, firey hair, and eyes that were sunken from a long slumber.
"Rynan!" She cried, crawling towards him and wrapping her arms around as much of his body she could.
His clothes were wet from sweat and smelt of rotting rats, yet his warmth was all she noticed. Her tears to rolled down her cheeks while he squeezed her like a pillow.
"I'm sorry...It was an accident."
"I know," Leslie whispered. "I know it was. Don't you worry. Everything will be alright—"
The door creaked open and three people stood over them silently watching.
The roundest one spoke first, "so it's true…" She knew his voice well. Boris voice trembled, "Kenneth is deceased."
"As I said…" Oakot stammered. "I found the big one there over two dead bodies."
"I only see one," Barrot spoke coldly. He dropped to his knees, reaching out a hand. "Are you two ok?"
"Don't touch me…" Leslie's eyes narrowed. "And fine...Kenneth tried to—" the words were lost. "—Rynan saved my life."
Barrot lowered his hand, eyes on the corpse.
Boris grabbed his nose. "Why would Kenneth attack you?"
"When had he not," Leslie spoke through her teeth. "He always tried to have me his way… And I didn't allow it."
"And you snapped his neck?" Boris rose a bushy eyebrow. "Hard to believe—"
Rynan choked, nose oozing. "It was me…It was my fault...he can't hurt her now..."
Oakot lowered his head, "I've got to get back to work...Please clean this mess before the Stir Doctor come...He'll be quite upset this happening here." The boys lip sunk as went back down the stairs.
Boris lifted his chin, "I will tell the Mayor—"
"You can't!" Barrot raised a fist. "or so help me God I'll leave you lying right beside him—"
"I'm sorry Barrot but I have priorities that come before you both." His thick lower lip trembled and they could see it hurt him to say so. His boy was why he worked long hours, trying to save the money to help him get the Alchme care he needed. "I must tell the Mayor."
"Tell him," Leslie said. "Do not break your oath of justice." She pointed towards the door. "Now go…"
"I'm sorry—"
"Go!" Leslie pointed, her arm shaking. "Before I change my mind…"
Boris looked between the faces and frowned. He nodded and left with haste.
Leslie spoke to Barrot, "Get Rynan as far away from here as you can."
"Where do I take him?"
"The ranch...He'll be safe there while I speak to the Mayor."
Barrot nodded. "You can count on me."
"I know I can," She squeezed hugged him. "Stay off the main streets. Don't draw too much attention to yourself, and once out of the city ride by horse not by train."
Barrot pulled away finding her eyes. There was something different about them...bright with determination. "What's going on, Leslie?"
"Rynan is not safe. The attack on the train — they were after him."
"After Rynan...Why?"
Leslie kissed his cheek and they brightened red. "I don't have time to explain...You just have to trust that these are dangerous men and they'll stop at nothing to kill him." She raised to her feet, and ran towards the bed, grabbing a tin container. "Here! Take this!" She placed it in his hand. "This is healing remedy. Apply it to his wound twice a day."
"I will."
She kissed his cheek once more, "Once this is over I'll find you both — the Mayor has helped me before — he'll do it again. "
Leslie faced Rynan whose chin was tucked to his chest. She grabbed his cheeks, rising his head for their eyes to greet. They were big, blue and dark with worry.
"Are we going home now?"
Leslie's voice trembled. "Not yet," she smiled weakly. "You and Barrot are going on an adventure, just until I sort this mess out." She rubbed his thick, hairy hand.
"You won't take too long, will you?"
"As long as it takes...But I'll do my best to hurry."
Rynan's lips raised while his cheeks sunk with half-mooned dimples.
They hugged, squeezing as if it was their final hour then set off. Leslie escorted them outside where they called upon a carriage to take the boy and deputy to the edge of the city. "With haste!" She told the coachman who whipped the reins sending the horses galloping madly.
Leslie then mounted Brick's young, short haired horse with golden-brown hair and built to hold a man woman three times her size.
The capitol building was only a few blocks away; at the center of the city where the gallows stood and and the Jailhouse resided. She stopped in front of the building; a large, white structure, with more pillars and windows then she could count. It stood above all the other building — The Heart of the City, the townsfolk called it — that beat like a heart but had no sense of one, they'd say.
She came to the double doors where men if the Lockiron Legion stood waiting to escort her: wearing black trench coats, black trousers, black hats, and an expression that left their insides black and bitter.
"This way, Sheriff…The Mayor is expecting you."
They roamed long, marbled hallways filled with busts of former mayors and pictures of the Nation of Wars and maps of the south. Then ascended several flights of stairs, passing under chandlers and around the pompous employees, dressed in their gowns and suits, talk high and mighty about one's self.
Finally, after Leslie nearly gave up hope, they ended at the Mayors office; the doors large and wooden, taking up half the wall. One of the Legionnaires opened the door and she walked inside.
"Sheriff Turnbuckle!" The Mayor said, from behind a oiled desk filled with publish-blue flowers that gave a soft, elegant smell to the room. "I've heard the news!" He was dressed in a blue cape that crossed over one shoulder and a white button shirt that matched his trousers. "Come, my dear, have a seat."
Leslie eyes shifted around the room. Large windows gave the room light, showing off the many bookshelves, couches, and lavish fireplace held a ferocious flame. She walked closer, examining the bust that resembled the may or his desk; made of a fine, earthy wood, and carved much thinner than the man appeared.
"Boris told me of the events…"
Leslie eyes narrowed as she looked upon the fat man at the Mayors right, then to the large man in all black on his left. She didn't expect Jack to be there but his presence gave her comfort.
She stopped, standing straight, hands at her back, pressing her chest out. "i can explain everything—"
"No!" The Mayor snapped, placing his elbows on his desk, chin in his palm. "I will explain what happened." There was a darkness in his eyes she'd never seen before...like his soul was taken. "Kenneth told me what your brother had done...He told me that he would comfront you and bring him to justice, and in doing so your brother killed him."
"But that's not what happened…"
"It is what happened!" The Mayor stood to his feet, slamming a hand down on the table. "Because of your brothers senseless act I am having troubles with the Cyoakian tribes and the Pompies." He huffed. "Yurks have attacked us — we may be at the brink of war — and I now have a dead deputy…" He shook his head and his voice softened. "My dear. Give up your brother and we'll give him a trial—"
"If we give him a trial he'll be hung. You know it and I know it…"
"Then so it shall be!" The Mayors brows furrowed. "He has brought you much pain...And I've covered for him one too many times...He must face his consequences!"
"No!" Leslie said, "there must be another way—"
"There is no other way." The Mayor stood tall, talong a long, drawn breath. "it is either this or you leave me no choice."
Leslie shook her head, "You must think I'm a fool to give him up…I won't!"
"Then I will have your badge!" He yelled. "And by tomorrow, your brothers life…"
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