Lara Croft's Wild West Adventure^ã
Tomb Raider Fan Fiction

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Chapter Four - Night Rendevous
Not wanting the others in their group to see that they had retrieved their belongings, the two women crept up the back stairs of the hotel like a couple of errant schoolgirls. They paused near the top, made sure the hall was clear, then moved quickly into their room.

"Whew!" laughed Lara, pushing the door closed. "I think I've had quite enough sneaking around for one day!"

Britches joined in the laughter. "But it sure has been fun, hasn't it?"

"Smashing! And you know what? Tomorrow I think I'd like to go riding. Those horses down at the corral look absolutely tip-top. Do you ride?"

"Yes. It's fun." But there was something in the way she said it, that made Lara pause.

"I'm sorry. Did I say something wrong?"

"No, Annie." Britches tried to smile, but it was a very small one. "It's just that...that...well, when I was younger I was a barrel racer. I won a trophy when I was seventeen. I even had thoughts about doing it professionally." She turned and looked out the window and it was a moment before she spoke. "But the next year, during the championship, my horse slipped and fell on me. I broke my left leg in two places. Patty, my horse, was hurt pretty badly, too, and dad had to put her to sleep."

So that what had been bothering her. "Britches, that's awful. I had no idea...."

The young woman was silent for another moment. "So now I've got a piece of stainless steel in my thigh. It almost never bothers me, thank the Lord, but my barrel-racin' days are over. Dad bought me another horse and made me ride again as soon as I was well enough, but it's not the same." She turned to face Lara. "So now you know. Dad got me into fast-draw pretty soon after that and I'm almost as good at that as I was at barrel racin'."

Something clicked for Lara. "I think I remember something about that. It was in the papers, how the daughter of John Darwood, Chairman of Darwood Industries, was hurt in a riding accident."

"Yeah, that's me," Britches replied. "My name's Julie. And yes, I do know how to ride a horse."

"Julie, I'm really sorry I brought it up. We don't have to go riding. Maybe we should check out the bank. I'm not afraid of Branson."

Julie's smile returned. "I'd think that'd be fun. But not tomorrow. The sheriff's gonna be watching us like a hawk. Let's save it for later in the week. I think we should go for a ride. The country around here is beautiful and I'd like very much to see some of it."

Lara was dubious. "Are you sure it's all right? If it hurts to bring back the memories..."

"It does," Julie replied. "A little. But I have to make myself deal with it. That's part of growin' up, isn't it?"

"You seem pretty grown up to me, Julie Darwood."

"Do me a favor, would you?"

"Anything, Julie. Anything at all."

"Please, just call me Britches, okay? Forget about Julie, I left her back at Reception Station. I'm Little Britches, the outlaw, this week." She held out her hand. "Deal?"

Lara took the hand and gripped it hard. "Deal, Britches. And when this week is over, I want to get to know that other young lady, too."

* * * * *

"Ready?"

"Just a sec."

Lara watched Britches pull the brush through her a hair few more times. Both had changed into long dresses in accordance with the hotel's rules for the evening meal. The blonde girl's dress flattered her slender figure. After some thought, Lara had chosen her clothes conservatively in keeping with her desire to maintain a low profile...except for one dress she was saving for the last night.

Britches set down her brush and stood up.

"Ready."

When they stepped into the hall, Lara saw a maintenance worker nearby.

"Good evening, ladies," he said with a smile, moving aside to let them pass.

"Hi," replied Britches. Lara smiled but said nothing, thinking it curious he was dressed in coveralls. Everyone else she'd seen was dressed in period clothing.

The dining room was three quarters full and Lara wondered where all the people had come from. She had seen very few on the street.

"I'm starved," Britches whispered while they were waiting for someone to seat them.

"Quite right," agreed Lara. "All that running around can really work up an appetite."

"There you are," said Hickcock, coming up to them with a smile. "We thought you'd fallen in a hole somewhere."

Britches glanced at Lara. "We were out takin' a walk, Mr. Hickcock."

"That's right, marshal," Lara agreed. "You really should take a look around at the train depot." Out of the corner of her eye, Lara saw Britches bring up her hand, trying to hide a grin. "It really looks authentic. Besides the station, there's a repair building and even a couple of buildings for storing important stuff."

Hickcock looked a little confused, like he knew he was being made fun of, but not how. "Well, uh, maybe we'll take a look down there tomorrow. But right now, let's eat. We've saved you a place." He turned away and both women grinned at each other.

"Annie, you're terrible!" whispered Britches fiercely. "That was an awful thing to do."

Lara giggled. "But it was fun, wasn't it?"

They followed Hickcock to a table near the back. Seated next to Belle was Wyatt, who looked very handsome in his long coat when he stood to greet them. After an exchange of pleasantries, the men held chairs so Lara and Britches could be seated. Lara was about to sit down when she suddenly froze.

Alison Kennedy, Mr. Trimble's assistant, was seated near the window, sharing a meal with a distinguished-looking man Lara had never seen before. Instead of the sleek business suit Alison had worn this morning, she now had on a period dress like everyone else.

"Something the matter, Miss Annie?" asked Wyatt, who was waiting to seat her.

"Oh, ah, no, Mr. Earp," she replied hastily and hurriedly sat down. What was Alison doing here?

"Hi, Belle," said Britches, trying to restart the conversation. "You look beautiful tonight."

Belle blushed prettily. "Why, thank you, Miss Britches."

Beautiful indeed, thought Lara. Belle's long, black hair now hung in ringlets, and her low-cut, dark blue gown made her easily the most beautiful woman in the room. Lara glanced at Hickcock and saw immediately the pride and the love the man had for his wife. A touch of envy stabbed Lara when she noticed the way they looked at each other.

"You know, marshal," she said to Hickcock with a smile. "That lady outlaw sitting next to you looks too beautiful to be running around loose. I think you should place her under arrest and carry her off to jail. She'll probably get a life sentence."

Hickcock blinked in surprise, then beamed when he realized what she'd said. Lara couldn't tell for sure, but she saw the tablecloth move between Hickcock and his wife. They were holding hands under the table.

"Hear. Hear," exclaimed Wyatt. "That was well said."

Lara glanced at Britches, only to see her staring back, her mouth open.

"Close your mouth, Little Britches," she teased. "You'll catch a fly."

"Marshall, what happened to the two complainers?" Britches asked when their laughter had died down.

"Gone," replied Hickcock. "Claimed they were gonna walk back to Reception Station and go home."

"Well, good riddance if you ask me," said Wyatt. "All they wanted to do was play shoot-em-up."

"And what about you, Mr. Wyatt Earp," Lara asked. "What's your game?"

He was saved from answering when the waitress arrived to take their orders. It only took a moment, and when the waitress was about turn away, Lara touched her on the arm.

"Pardon me, Miss, do you know that woman sitting by the window?"

The waitress turned to look. "Oh. Sure. That's Abby Kenton. She owns this hotel."

"And the gentlemen sitting with her?"

"That's Jason Tindle. He owns the Circle-T ranch near here."

Lara got up. The men hurried to stand with her, but she waved them back to their seats.

"Pardon me, everybody. I'll be right back." So saying, she crossed the dining room to where Alison Kennedy and her guest were seated.

Alison looked up and her eyes widened in surprise when she saw Lara approaching the table. Following her gaze, the gentleman with her looked up, too...and hurriedly pushed back his chair.

"Please, don't get up, Mr. Tindle," Lara said, placing a hand on his shoulder. "I can't stay but just a moment." She turned to Alison. "Mrs. Kenton, I just wanted to say how much I'm enjoying my stay in your fine establishment. It is indeed a pleasant surprise to get such nice accommodations this far from home."

Alison played right along. "You're quite welcome, Miss Oakley. We're happy to have you."

Lara turned to the gentleman. "I understand you run the Circle-T, Mr. Tindle. Do you have a board of directors to help you?"

Jason Trimble was just a fast as his assistant. "Why, certainly, Miss Oakley. We all hope you're having a good time here in Silverado."

Lara looked him right in the eye and allowed her facade to drop for just an instant. "Indeed I am, Mr. Tindle. Thank you so much for inviting me." Then just as quickly, the facade was back in place. "I'll certainly recommend it to all my friends."

* * * * *

Bill Dugan closed the door of the maintenance room and pulled out his cell phone. It took a moment, but the call finally went through.

"Dugan checking in, sir." He listened a moment. "Yes, sir. I've planted devices in her room and the sheriff's office. Do you want me to go ahead or should I wait for..."

He listened for another twenty seconds. "Yes, sir, I understand. I'll let you know."

Dugan closed the cell phone and turned off the light. Then he opened the door and stepped into the darkness.

* * * * *

Later that night, Lara stepped out on the sidewalk in front of the hotel. Britches had said she was tired and wanted to go to bed early, so Lara decided to get a breath of fresh air. Brightly glowing lanterns hung everywhere and the street was cast in a soft glow. The temperature was perfect and Lara enjoyed herself as she walked slowly up the sidewalk. A few people were out, but Silverado was starting to settle down for the night.

Lara thought about the day and marveled at everything that had happened. And the best part was that it was only getting started. Mr. Trimble and his organization were onto something special here and she hoped they could make it survive financially.

She stepped down from the sidewalk and wandered over to the livery stable. It was darker in this part of town and Lara looked to see if her horse, Feathers, was in the corral. But as her eyes adjusted to the darkness, she could see that the horses were gone, probably stabled for the night.

"You remember what I said about your backside," said the quiet voice behind her.

Lara was startled, but did not turn. "Mr. Spade, I presume? Are you going to shoot an unarmed woman in the back?"

"If I have to," came the reply. "Now I want you to turn to the right and start walking."

Lara did as she was told. "And just where might we be going?" she asked as they walked further into the darkness. There was no answer, but she heard footsteps behind her.

"This is becoming a bit of a bother, Mr. Spade," she said, a hint of impatience in her voice. "Is this part of the adventure?"

"For you it is."

"Mr. Spade, I really must insist that you tell me what this is all about."

"You'll find out soon enough."

She turned to face the shadow behind her, her patience exhausted. "I'm not going to go another step until you tell me what this is all about."

There was a click and Lara saw the bright metal pointing at her. "Please point your gun somewhere else, Mr. Spade. I'm not afraid of it, or you either, for that matter."

Spade stepped up to her and she could see his face for the first time in the moon's cold light.

"You are my prisoner, Miss Annie, caught fair and square because you were careless. There's nothing in the rulebook that says your adventure stops at sundown."

"You seem to forget that I'm a guest here, Mr. Spade. You can't force me to do anything I don't want to."

His eyebrows went up and for a moment he stared at her, as if he was trying to read something in her face. Then he seemed to make up his mind. He lowered the revolver and dropped it back in the holster.

"You're right. You don't." He tipped his hat. "Good night." He turned and walked away.

Lara stared at his back for a few seconds, then ran after him. Grabbing him by the arm, she swung him around. "It is most impolite of you to walk away from me like that."

Spade pulled his arm easily from her grasp. "Why not? You've made it pretty clear you're quitting. We have nothing more to talk about. You can take the train back in the morning." He turned away.

"I didn't say anything about quitting," she called after him.

"Sounded like it to me," she heard him say. "When a guest says 'I don't have to do anything I don't want to' it means he doesn't want to be a part of the program. Most of the time that's fine with us. In your case, it's a disappointment. Big time. Goodbye, Annie Oakley. Nice knowing you."

Something about the way he said it pricked her. "Spade, wait. Please." She hurried after him.

"Yeah?" he asked tightly. "What is it?"

"Look, Mr. Spade, I don't want to quit," she said earnestly. "I didn't mean it like that. But you drag me out here in the middle of the night and..."

He cut her off. "Are you my prisoner or not?"

Lara felt the tug of war within her. Part of her was curious. The other cautious. She didn't know this man and …

"Well," he demanded. "What's it going to be?"

For a few seconds she said nothing, searching his face. Then, "Yes."

"Yes, what?"

"Yes. I am your prisoner, I suppose."

"No more backtalk?"

She shook her head.

He studied her, as if trying to judge her sincerity. "All right," he said finally. "Turn around."

A little nervous, she did as he asked.

"Now put your hands behind you."

What was he going to do? What if…?

"Last chance, lady. I'm not going to tell you again."

She took a deep breath and slipped her hands behind her. A second later Lara heard the ratcheting sound and felt the steel handcuff close around her right wrist. Should she go along with this? She could still turn and hit him. Then she could…

The handcuff closed around her other wrist...and Lara Croft, Tomb Raider, was well and truly a prisoner.

Go to Chapter Five.