Fallen Angel

Part 1

"So what does this have to do with me?" Hank asked, though he had a feeling he knew the answer.

"As soon as I saw you, Hank, I knew it was an answer to prayer. With your tracking skills, and experience with the army, you'd be perfect for the job."

For a long moment Hank just stared down at the paper. "I don't know, Zeke," he said at last. "I didn't come here looking for a job."

"Well, just think about it," Zeke said, folding up the paper and shoving it into Hank's hand. "So what did you come here for? What's your long story?"

Hank was about to answer when a door in the back of the room opened and two people came in. A girl wearing the typical dance hall attire, bright frills and long feathers adorning the low-cut dress, was carrying two bottles which she dumped on the bar so fiercely it was a wonder they didn't shatter. The man behind her had a hand of cards and moved a bit sluggishly but fast enough to catch the girl before she could move away from the bar.

"Come on, Miss Gina, don't be like this, me and the boys were just having a little fun," the man said, grinning down at her.

The girl mumbled something Hank couldn't hear and tried to step away.

"Come on back with me," the man said blocking her way. "You're my good luck charm."

"Well your luck's about to change," she said, her voice rising, and she made another attempt to get by but this time the man grabbed hold of her arm, the smile hardening on his face.

"I was thinking of talking to Brodie about you, give you a chance to make some more money," he said in a low voice. Hank barely heard the last statement.

"Did you hear me?"

Hank blinked and glared back at Zeke, breathing heavily, his fists balled at his sides. "Sorry, Zeke. Who is that?" He pointed down the bar.

Zeke carefully turned around and immediately froze. "That would be Tim Carlin," he said in a hushed voice. "The girl's Gina. She works here."

For a moment both men just stared at the scene before them. "I thought about it," Hank said suddenly. "I accept the marshal appointment."

"You do?" Zeke blinked a couple times then quickly reached into his pocket and produced a pen and a badge. "Sign here," he said and handed Hank the badge before swearing him into office. Apparently he didn't want to give Hank the time to change his mind.

As soon as the badge was pinned on, Hank turned to face Carlin and squared his shoulders. "Come on, Zeke," he said, his voice low and stern. "I want to introduce you to my wife."

If Zeke had been surprised before, he was completely shocked now. Hank reached the end of the bar in three strides and took hold of Carlin by the shoulders. "You could do with a lesson in manners," he said, pushing Carlin away in disgust. "The lady isn't interested."

Carlin stared at Hank as he righted himself. Zeroing in on the badge he smirked. "Come on, marshal, she ain't no lady."

Carlin was in mid chuckle when Hank hit him. The patrons who'd been ignoring the entire exchange for the most part finally turned at the thud of fist on jaw, but when Carlin fell to the floor out cold, they shrugged and returned to their state of apathy. "Take him in the back," Hank said to the bartender, who'd already started gathering Carlin's scattered hand of cards. "His friends might be wondering where he is."

Once the bartender and a very groggy Carlin left the room, Hank turned his attention back on Gina, who had not moved from her corner near the bar. He took a step toward her and she flinched, stopping him in his tracks. In that instant the anger he felt toward Carlin disappeared and all he could think about was the very real fear in Gina's eyes. She seemed more afraid of him than the man who'd actually been assaulting her. Hank decided that it might not be the best time or place to assert his husbandly rights.