Oh that voice, that calm pleasant voice. It made her want to vomit.
"Crystal is not really a gem," she replied. "Not in the truest sense of the word anyway. It's colorless and a little cold maybe," she continued, dropping her dress and exposing her red petticoat and corset. Picking it up, she draped it over the chair and turned around. She watched him in the mirror, saw his eyes cloud over with desire as she leaned forward, patting her hair.
"It doesn't have the fire of a diamond, or the rich hues of the other gems, but there is still something special about it, don't you think?" she asked. Picking up a bottle, she dabbed a touch of perfume on her neck before opening a drawer and reaching inside.
"If you say so, honey," he agreed. "Now, why don't you come on over here to the bed?"
"A crystal has other attributes though," she continued as though he hadn't spoken. Her cold fingers closed around the grip of her gun and picked it up. "It has brilliance to it, reflecting back the colors around it. It's a unique and clever little stone, stealing from its environment. Don't you agree?" she asked, turning around and pointing her gun squarely at his chest.
Carl White jumped to his feet in shock.
"Sit down, Mr. White. It would bother me to kill you before telling you why."
His eyes traveled to the door where his guns hung and he wisely decided he couldn't reach them before she pulled the trigger. Sinking to the bed, he looked at her and smiled.
"What's this all about, Crystal? If it's money, it's a piss poor way to make it, robbing your customers," he taunted.
"I guess in a way it is about money, for you. For me, it's about justice. You see, I want you to pay for killing Clyde McKay."
"Yes, I heard something about that. Word is his funeral was well attended by gems. Was he one of your favorites? I was sorry to hear about his death," he offered congenially as his glance darted around the room as though seeking another way out.
Pleasant, his voice was always so pleasant and it made her furious. He inched toward the foot of the bed and she cocked the gun.
"Were you, Mr. White? Were you sorry to pull the trigger and shoot him in cold blood? And don't move another inch," she snapped, bringing up her other hand to grasp the heavy barrel of her weapon.
"I have no idea what you're talking about," he snorted. "You'd better stop this right now. No one knows how Clyde McKay died, except maybe his half-witted boy and he ran off."
"Really?"
"Yes, I've asked around town, wanted to help the lad if I could, but he up and disappeared."
Crystal laughed. The sound was as cold and colorless as her name.
"You're mistaken, Mr. White. Not only did he not run off, but he's still around to bear witness to his father's cold blooded murder… against you, Mr. White."
"That's impossible," he snarled, losing his composure for the first time. Suddenly, his narrowed eyes and his rough voice allowed a glimpse into his dark soul. "I've searched all over for that kid."
"You were looking in the wrong places," she informed him coolly. "You see Clyde McKay never had a son, only a daughter."
"A daughter?" he demanded.
"Yes, a daughter who watched you murder her father and is now ready to blow you to kingdom come."
"You?" he asked, sweat beading on his brow.
Crystal nodded, once. "You have two choices and at this point I really don't care which you pick," she said, regretting the weight of the pistol in her hands. Her arms were starting to shake. "You can sign a confession stating you killed my father in cold blood to get your hands on our mine, or I can kill you. Truthfully, I prefer the second one as my arms are getting tired and I'll kill you if I think for one second I'm going to drop it. Hurry up, Mr. White. Each second you delay is bringing you closer to meeting your maker."
"Suppose you miss?" he suggested with a smug expression on his face.
"You can pray for that if you wish, something you didn't allow my father, but it's unlikely."
"Where's the paper?" he sighed.
***
Jasper entered The Red Petticoat Saloon and made straight for the bar. The look on his face didn't encourage conversation and the gems looked at each other before Opal approached him.
"What can I get you?" she asked, wiping the bar in front of him.
"Bourbon," he replied.
"I thought you left town," she remarked, setting his drink down.
"I did, but I forgot something." With a frown, he picked up his glass and stared into it.
"Crystal?" she enquired gently.
Jasper nodded once before taking a drink and Opal patted his hand in sympathy. Shooting Gabe a look, she walked away.
"Things didn't work out for you in San Francisco?" Gabe asked, taking Opal's place.
"You could say that. Any good games going on?" he asked, looking around the room.
"Only upstairs," Gabe replied, nodding toward the upper level.
Whiskers approached the bar and ordered a beer. He wiped his lip after taking a drink of the frothy brew Gabe placed before him. Watching the clock, he drummed his fingers on the bar.