Stevens watched as his Uncle Mort and the Chief of the Middleton Police Department drove from sight. Then he turned to the deputy and motioned to the house. When they entered they heard Elly on the phone directing Doc Granger where to meet up with the others. Maggy was busy closing and locking the doors and windows in the back room.

Stevens pulled Mike aside upon entering the house.

“Yeah?” Mike asked.

“How well do you know this house?”

“I lived here for a while as a kid.”

“Good. After I call the squad, I want to go over every inch of it. Every entry into the house must be checked carefully. I want to know the layout, possible escape routes, everything.

“Will do.”

Elly was just replacing the receiver when they entered the kitchen. She left to join Maggy in her efforts. From the kitchen the men could hear them slamming shut windows and sliding dead bolts into place.

Stevens picked up the receiver and dialed the church. 

“Is this Reverend Phillips?” he asked after a brief pause. “Yes, this is Stevens. Is Haverty there? Yes, put him on.... Haverty there’s been a change in plans. We relocated to the Broden’s residence … an emergency. The wedding’s been called off indefinitely.... Yes, the address is...” he glanced at Mike.

“One-o-seven Main.”

“One-o-seven Main. Yeah, I want the same set up as the church, only have Reynolds hold back until Collins checks in. Have him tell Collins to call here as soon as Perretti hits town. The number is,” he read the phone plate, “Mary Francis 12-24. Let’s hurry, okay Haverty?”

Stevens hung up the phone. “They’ll be right here.”

Mike nodded. “Did you want to start upstairs, or the cellar?”

“Start from the top and work our way down.”

While the men went about their examination of the house, the women continued to close and lock all the downstairs doors and windows. When that was finished, they descended to the cellar and checked the bolts on the cellar door and the vents. They returned to the first floor once they were satisfied.

“Did we get everything?” Elly asked Maggy.

“I think so. We’ve been over every inch down here, and I’m sure Stevens and Mike will lock down the upstairs windows.

“It’s going to get stuffy in here,” remarked Elly. She regarded the girl. “I have a feeling there’s not going to be a wedding today and I feel like an idiot in this thing. Would you mind terribly loaning me some clothes?”

Maggy smiled. “I was thinking the same thing.”

“In all honesty,” Elly said. “I feel like completely slobbing out.”

Again Maggy smiled. “Let’s go."

They went up the stairs to Maggy’s room. Maggy pulled two pairs of jeans from her bureau and threw them on her bed.

“Just pick whichever pair you want,” she said as she made her way to her closet. “I have these shirts,” she said pulling two hangers from the rod. “They used to be Chief’s before I accidentally shrank them. They’re really pretty comfortable.” She set the shirts next to the jeans.

“Great,” Elly said, picking up one of the shirts. It was soft flannel, Scottish Black Watch in blue, green and black. “Could you help me with this dress?”

“Sure.”Maggy began unfastening the multitude of hooks that adorned the back of Elly’s gown.

There was an abrupt knock at the door.

“Yes?” Maggy said to the door.

“Just wanted to secure the room,” replied Stevens’s official voice.

“Well secure somewhere else, we’re busy in here.”

There was a pause, before he replied, “Yes, ma’am.”

They heard his footsteps retreat down the hall towards the guest bedroom.

The women continued changing. Maggy sat at the end of the bed and removed her dress. She paused briefly when she noticed the Derringer planted firmly in her garter. It was embarrassing. She glanced over her shoulder at Elly, who was busy pulling the flannel shirt over her head, ignoring the buttons. Maggy took the gun and set it aside. She quickly changed into her jeans and flannel shirt. Then she clipped the Derringer in place onto the waistband of her Levis and kept her shirt un-tucked to hide the gun. When she was through, she noticed Elly, busy tucking her shirt into her waistband and looking at the mirror. She had a slender waistline and the jeans fit her well.

“What do you think?” she asked.

“They look good on you. I have some boots you can borrow as well. I think we’re the same size.” Maggy went to her closet and pulled out two pairs of cowhide boots. “Brown or black?”

“Doesn’t matter.”

Maggy passed her the black pair.

Once dressed, they found the men in the back room discussing security procedures as well as a possible escape route should there be a breach.

“I think I can use some tea,” Elly said after considering the men. “How about you two?”

Mike looked up, “Sure, El. Thanks.”

Stevens briskly nodded the affirmative.

Once the water was set to boil Elly and Maggy collected around the kitchen table, trying to make small talk. The conversation turned to Kelly and they both prayed the child would be all right. They fell silent contemplating the child’s danger as well as their own.

“Your poor father,” Elly said quietly. “It must be tearing him apart.”

Maggy looked up from her own thoughts. “Yeah,” Maggy sighed and fell silent. Then she looked up at Elly. Her eyes filled with tears. “Suppose he doesn’t get to her in time, Miss Elly? Suppose... my god, Miss Elly, it’s unspeakable what Mr. Blackney plans to do to her.”

Elly took Maggy’s hand in her own. “Believe me, Maggy. It will work out. It has to work out.”

There was a brusque knock at the front. Stevens left his chair in the back room and made his way to the front of the house. After glancing through the window he opened the door. Four men entered the foyer. They talked quietly in the hallway, then a set of footsteps was heard retreating up the stairs, another down the hall to the window in front of Chief’s office, and a third into the cellar. Stevens returned to the kitchen with only one man at his side, the man that would guard the dining room window.

“This is Lyle Carter,” Stevens said, introducing him to Elly and Maggy. “He’s going to watch this side of the house. We have six men dispersed around the perimeter, two in the woods, two watching the house from the front and two making rounds. All in all, I think you’re well protected. As soon as Perretti makes a move on you, we’ve got him.”

Both Elly and Maggy regarded Carter. He was a man of average proportions. It was apparent that he kept himself fit physically for the demands of his job. His eyes were hazel but more on the green side than brown. They pierced whatever they gazed upon. His hair was sandy brown, but longer than most of the Federal agents Maggy had met so far. He wore it greased back. The whole effect gave him an oily appearance. 

“Thank you, Stevens,” Elly said. “I really appreciate what you all are doing for me.”

Stevens smiled. “It’s our jobs, Miss Saunders. The bonus will be arresting Perretti.”

“Are you ready for your tea?” Elly asked as she stood.

“Yes, thank you.”

“If you don’t mind,” Carter broke in. “I could go for some of that myself. We’ve been at the church half the day. I didn’t get a chance to eat yet.”

Maggy glanced at him. “I could whip something up for you if you’re hungry.” She turned to Stevens. “Are you hungry, too?”

“Nothing for me, thanks, Miss Broden.” Stevens turned to Carter.  “You better get to your post.”

“Yes, sir.” 

Carter watched Stevens leave the room. Then his eyes came to rest on Maggy. He watched her rise from her chair and go to the icebox. While she was busy unloading the icebox of sandwich fixing, her back turned to him, he surveyed every inch. 

Maggy didn’t notice the attention until she turned to place the groceries on the table. His studied gaze was unnerving, and she felt uncomfortable before his eyes. She smiled in her nervousness.

“I’ll bring your lunch in to you as soon as I am finished,” Maggy told him. But he continued to stare. His eyes moving along her body like a set of fingertips.

“Here’s your tea, Agent Carter,” Elly said and handed Carter his tea.

“Shouldn’t you get to you post?” Maggy asked.

Carter smiled. “I guess I should.” He turned to Elly. “Thank you for the tea, Miss Saunders,” he said and sipped it, his eyes slipping over the cup to again rest on Maggy. “What’s your name?”

“What difference does it make?”

“I’d like to know what to call you. It looks like we’ll be cooped up here together awhile.”

“Maggy.” 

The smile that creased his lips was as greasy as his hair.

“Carter!” Stevens shouted from the back room. “Get to you post!”

Carter shrugged. “Yes, sir!” He left for the dining room, smile still in place.

Maggy took a deep breath and began making the sandwiches. “I guess I’ll make a few of them and then we can hand them out to the rest of the men.”

“That’s a good idea. Then when they make a shift change and the men outside come in, we can feed them, too.”

The phone rang as the women completed the last sandwich. Maggy answered it.

“Hello? Yes... this is MF1224… Stevens? Yes he’s here, just a minute ... what did you say your name was? Collins? Okay hold on, Agent Collins.” Maggy turned to get Stevens, but he had overheard the conversation and was at her side. 

“Yes, Collins? .... He did? ...Where is he now? At Elly’s....” Stevens said and turned to Elly standing behind him. Mike entered the room and looked at him intently. “I see ... he checked out the church, someone there told him the situation ... then immediately he went to Elly’s Bar and Grill. He’s probably searching for the ledger there. It won’t be long. Is Reynolds on his way over here? ... Going by way of the back? ... Good. I don’t want him spotted ... Good work Collins. Stay on him.”

Stevens hung up the receiver. When he turned around he was looking into the faces of both women and the deputy. 

“Well?” Mike asked.

“He’s here,” Stevens answered, his voice contemplative. “Across the street tearing apart the pub.”

Elly felt the blood drain from her face and quickly sat down. She suddenly realized what Kelly had been going through. “That’s it then,” she whispered. “It won’t be long,” she repeated Stevens’ words. “God, I thought I’d be able to handle this better... I feel so ... trapped,” she added looking up at Stevens.

“You’re safe here,” he said. “Collins said he only has three men with him. Against our fourteen, those are betting odds, little lady,” he added and smiled.

Elly glanced up at him. Then she nodded. The fear wouldn’t leave however, nor the dread of the waiting game; sitting like a trapped animal. The air was already getting too thick to breathe with the house all locked up.

Maggy offered her a smile. “They’ll get him, Miss Elly. He doesn’t stand a chance. He doesn’t even know they’re here. He’ll walk right into the trap.”

Again Elly nodded. But she had known Perretti. The likelihood of him walking into a trap just couldn’t be imagined.

“Well, let’s pass out the sandwiches,” Elly said, more to change the subject and get her mind off the inevitable than for any other reason. “I’d hate for any of these men to faint from starvation at the wrong moment.”

“Don’t worry. Really. Everything is under control,” Stevens assured her with a final nod, before returning to the back room.

Maggy’s eyes met Mike’s. Even in the midst of potential chaos, he remained calm. He smiled for her and she was taken with how handsome he was. She smiled back.

“Would you care for a sandwich, Mike?”

“Sounds good, Mag.” 

She handed him a plate with his sandwich. “I think I’ll get a glass of water for this,” he said and went to get down a glass. He overheard Maggy whispering to Elly.

“Could you give it to him. I don’t like the way he stares at me.”

“Maggy,” Elly said keeping her own tone hushed. “You’re a beautiful girl. You’re going to have to get used to the attentions bestowed on you by men.”

At that Mike turned around and looked quizzically at Maggy. She caught his eye and flushed.

“Something wrong?” Mike asked her.

She shook her head, as her face continued to flush a most becoming shade of pink.

“Come here,” Mike mouthed. She smiled and went to him. “What’s the matter,” he whispered in her ear.

“Nothing,” she whispered back.

“Oh?” Mike said again, gently tickling her ear with his breath. “If any one of these guys gives you trouble, you just come get me. I’ll take care of them.”

At that Maggy laughed.

Mike looked deep in her eyes. “I mean it,” he said trying to keep a serious note in his voice.

“Yes, sir,” Maggy said quietly and again giggled. Mike glanced at Elly who grinned.

“Go dish out your sandwiches,” he said quietly in her ear. “And remember, I’m close by.”

Maggy turned her face up to his and quickly kissed him. “Yes, sir,” she said once more and grabbed the sandwich tray. She went into the dining room where she confronted Lyle Carter.

He was sitting in front of the picture window, keeping an eye on the tree line beyond the backyard. She set a plate down next to him and a sandwich on top of the plate. Then she turned to go.

“Maggy?” His voice was deep. She turned. “I like that name. It suits you.”

“Thanks,” Maggy replied in a brisk no-nonsense tone. She turned to leave but he grabbed her arm, his hands adding a little too much pressure. 

She glared at him. “Let go of me.” She kept her voice low, not wanting to invite trouble between this man and Mike. Not now, when Elly needed all the protection she could get.

“You’re a very pretty girl, Maggy,” he said in a low guttural whisper. His eyes twinkled and his greasy grin returned. “I wonder what it might be like for such a pretty girl, shut away in a backward town like this.”

“Let go of me,” Maggy said again.

“I could show you the world, Maggy. The things I could teach you.” His words oozed out.

Maggy tried to pull free but Carter’s grip tightened.

“Let me go,” Maggy said again, her whisper full of fire. Her eyes flashed at the man who held her.

Then, Mike showed up at the doorway. “Is there a problem in here?”

“No problem.”

“Then let the girl go.” Mike glared at the man at the window, his jaw set.

“She belongs to you, I take it?”

Mike glanced at Maggy. “She’s not a possession to belong to anyone. But it’s clear she wants to be free of you.”

“When I’m ready,” he said. Maggy struggled.

Mike entered the room. He was much taller than the other man and better proportioned. And he was growing angrier by the second. Carter let Maggy go and stood facing Mike. Maggy backed away.

“Just who the hell do you think you are?” Carter asked, glowering.

Mike shook his head and glanced away briefly. When he returned to Carter he was preceded by his fist, which connected sharply against Carter’s chin. Carter’s eyes rolled back on impact and he slumped to his knees. The sound of the crack on the man’s jaw could be heard from the back room. It brought both Stevens and Elly into the dining room.

“What the hell is going on in here?” Stevens shouted when he saw his man slumped against the wall.

Mike turned to him. “He was taking liberties he shouldn’t have. Just tell him to stay away from the girl and everything should run smoothly from now on.” He looked at Maggy who stared at the man on the ground with a shocked expression on her own face. “Are you okay?”

She looked up and slowly nodded. After pausing briefly for another look at the man on the ground, she left the room, shoving her way past Mike.

“Maggy!” Mike called after her as she disappeared to the front of the house.

© Copyright 2025 C J Driftwood. All rights reserved.