Kid stood just inside the door of the Office his hands on his hips. The two men who had been playing cards sat just watching him. One of the men stood and extended his hand to Kid.

'Howdy Marshall' he spoke earnestly 'Glad to see you. John Breen at your service.'

'I want you men to gather your belongings, your services are no longer required here.' he spoke his voice harsh as Jimmy and Buck walked through the door behind him.

'On who's authority' the second man stood, a tall muscular man, well dressed and clean shaven was plainly furious.

'Territorial Governor, do you have a problem with that?' Kid faced him defiantly holding the letter in his hand.

'No sir.' he walked towards the door, collecting his coat from a peg on the wall on the way, shouldering Buck out of the way as he passed.

'You shouldn't have done that Marshall' Breen spoke quietly.

'Why not?' Jimmy asked

'He was appointed by Donovan, the Saloon Owner. Donovan owns this town. You will have just made yourselves a bad enemy.' Breen walked by and placing his hat on his head walked out the door.

'Good Luck Marshall, you look like nice fellas, I hope you have better luck than the others.' he walked down the street, whistling a mournful tune. 'I think we need a drink, don't you boys.' Jimmy spoke filling the silence that had fallen.

The three of them walked out of the office and along the shopfronts stopping at the front of the Red Garter saloon.

'Ready' Buck asked as they prepared to enter, at the nodding of the others heads he swung the door open.

There were several people in the Saloon. Cody stood behind the bar and called to his friends.

'Marshall what can we do for you?' he called. The three lawmen walked towards the bar.

'Sarsaparillas, thanks' Kid spoke, turning to gaze around the room. He saw Ike seated in the corner sipping quietly on a drink, four men played poker at a table adjacent to Ike, another man sat at a table some distance from the rest being entertained by a saloon girl. Ups

tairs Ignatius Donovan, a large muscular man with a head of thick brown hair and intelligent green eyes had a clear view of the events in his saloon. Donavan clearly a very wealthy man, dressed in an expensive burgundy suit, crisp white shirt and golden brocade vest, clamped his teeth around the end of his cheroot thinking. Seated across the room was Simpson, the deputy whom Kid had fired and seated on his lap, the new saloon girl was running her fingers in his hair, batting his hand away from her body was Lou.

'Louise, come here' Donovan called her.

'Yes Mr Donovan' she extricated herself from Simpson's groping arms and stood by Donovans side.

'See that Man down there' Donovan pointed and at Lou's nod continued.

'It's time to prove yourself girl.' he peered at her 'I want you to go and ingratiate yourself with him. Do anything it takes to get to him. I don't care but I want him to be so besotted with you he tells you everything. Then report back to me. Do you think you can do that?'

A sly grin crossed Lou's face as she watched Kid leaning on the bar 'Sure.' she shrugged her shoulders.

'There'll be a bonus in it for you. Now go.' Lou left the room and walked slowly down the stairs, swirling her skirts around her legs. Every man in the saloon was captivated watching her every movement, when she reached the bottom of the stairs she walked directly to Kid.

'Hi Marshall', she said loudly "Buy a girl a drink'

'Sure thing Ma'am, what would you like.'

'Same as you would be fine.' she murmured. Watching the smirks on Jimmy and Bucks faces she smiled and worsened Kid's torment.

'What's a handsome fella like you doing wearing a badge?' Lou asked huskily running her hands up his chest.

'Just doing my job Ma'am' he answered.

'Why don't you just call me Louise sugar' she slipped her hand around the back of his neck and pulled his face down for a short kiss, 'Kid he can see and hear everything we do in this room. He's sent me to seduce you and gather information then report back.' Kid pulled back nodding slightly.

'You sure are intoxicating Miss Louise, but I have to get back to my office. Later this evening, perhaps you could get away from here to come for a moonlight ride with me.'

'Sure thing sugar' she pulled him close for another kiss then walked with the three of them to the saloon's swinging doors.

'See you later sugar' she smiled as they left then turned and returned to Donovan's side.

'Was that what you meant Mr Donovan?' she asked sweetly as she entered the room.

'That was very clever my dear. Anything he wants you to do it. I want him to think you are falling in love with him. I want him to fall in love with you. When he is completely under your spell, he will tell you anything I want to know and I will be able to get control of him.' Donovan spoke his thoughts out loud.

'They just rode in Sir, maybe she could take them a meal... to show our gratitude for the new law.' Simpson spoke from his seat in the corner

'Good idea.' he frowned at Lou 'Well what are you waiting for girl.' he pushed her towards the door. Lou ran down the stairs and collected three meals on a tray and carried them to the Marshall's office. She noticed, however, that Simpson followed her closely.

'Lou what are you doing here?' Buck spoke as she entered the room. 'My new boss thought that you guys might like some food.' she placed the tray on the table and started unloading the plates.

'I'm being followed' she whispered.

All three men sat at the table. Buck and Jimmy tucked into their meals, while Lou tucked Kid's napkin into his shirt. Then seated herself on his lap, running her fingers through his hair, Kid gripped her by the waist and nuzzled her neck.

'Sugar, I don't think you want an audience, when we get back from our ride, maybe you would like to spend some time alone with me.' she spoke loud enough for Simpson to hear.

'Anything you want Miss Louise' Kid raised his husky voice as she climbed from his lap.

'See you later this evening sugar' Kid sat there stunned as Lou flounced out of the room with the tray. They waited for several minutes then Buck left the room through the back door and checked that their listening friend had gone.

'He must use his saloon girls to get under the Marshall's skin, then takes over the town.' Jimmy spoke a smile in voice at the expression on Kid's face.

'Yeah, little did he know that Miz Louise only had to speak to get under his skin' Buck laughed as he pointed at Kid.

'You two want to go out and introduce yourselves to the storekeepers, ask about the town, see what you can find out.' Kid spoke looking at both of them.

'You okay here alone.' Buck spoke seriously

'Yeah, they shouldn't try anything so soon.' Kid answered. Buck and Jimmy reluctantly left Kid alone to go and acquaint themselves with the town and townsfolk.

Lou walked back into the saloon kitchen, finding Cody there alone washing glasses. He chuckled when he saw her 'That was some show you put on before Miss Louise' he laughed.

'Shut up Cody. I was ordered to get under Kid's skin.' she blushed ' I don't think it took much, do you.' She walked to the kitchen door and peered out to make sure no-one was listening.

'Something is going on and I don't think I like it.'

Cody walked over to her and embraced her 'He'll be alright Lou. He's got more lives than a cat'. He released her and walked out of the kitchen to his bar.' Neither of them noticed Simpson slipping down the alley to his Boss' door.

Lou had no sooner returned to the barroom, when Simpson sidled up to her a smug expression on his face.

'Boss wants to see you Missy.' he spoke the sneer evident in his voice

'No problem.' Lou slid from the stool she had perched on and sashayed up the stairs to the Owners office, closely followed by Simpson.

She had barely stepped through the door when Donovan slapped her across the face. Surprised by the attack, she was knocked off balance and fell to the floor. Simpson hooked his hand under her armpit and pulled her back to her feet.

'Who are you working for?' Donovan cursed at her.

'You Mr Donovan' Lou looked at him confused, rubbing the mark across her face.

Donovan nodded at Simpson who hit Lou across the side of the head, as she fell to the floor her head glanced across the edge of a heavy mahogany desk. Lying on the floor dazed, she shrugged away from the hand of Donovan's henchman and lifted herself to her feet.

'What is your relationship with the new bartender?' he asked, seating himself once again in his huge velvet covered wing chair, nonchalantly lighting a cheroot.

Lou immediately knew that someone had heard her conversation with Cody in the kitchen. Thinking quickly she answered with a small laugh

'Did he' Lou answered with a quick jerk of her head 'tell you that we are woking against you' when he didn't respond she continued 'He probably overheard us talking in the kitchen. I met Cody on the trail a couple of days ago. While we were getting acquainted, we realised that he knows my brother, a Pony Express rider. I confided in Cody that I am worried about him, what with the Indian trouble and all.' she laughed

'Cody keeps telling me that he has more lives than a cat.'

'If I find that you are lying to me, you will be sorry. Do you understand me?' he spoke.

'Yes sir' Lou nodded seemingly contrite. 'Go and clean yourself up and get back to work.' Donovan dismissed her

Lou left the room and paused outside the door as she pulled it closed to listen.

'Next time Simpson, you make sure that you are right. I can't make money from the girl if I've had to discipline her, can I.'

'Mr Donovan, something is not right. I aim to find out what it is.' Simpson affirmed.

'Just keep an eye on her.' he dismissed his henchman. Lou slipped into the nearest room to avoid Simpson as he left the office. After she was certain he had passed by her, she slipped out of the room and found her way back to her own room. By the time she reached her mirror, her head was pounding and her face was swelling and bruising. Covering it as skilfully as she could with make up, she returned to the bar.

Busying herself collecting empty glasses from empty tables, she returned them to the bar. Cody who had been watching her spoke when she paused to empty glasses from a tray 'Kid is not going to be happy.' he murmured looking at the bruising around Lou's face.

'I fell and hit my head, it was very silly of me, but I will be fine' she spoke calmly.

'Sure' Cody spoke his voice incredulous.

'Leave it alone Cody' she glared at him and retreated to the other side of the room.

The evening progressed quietly, not many of the town's inhabitants braving the night, preferring to stay in their homes. Lou sent a note with Ike to Kid saying that she would meet him shortly after ten pm at the outskirts of town. Unsure of his reaction to her facial bruising she didn't want him to create a ruckus in the saloon until she had a chance to explain it to him.

So she had Lightning saddled and was waiting at the outskirts of the township at ten pm when he rode up.

'Where are we riding to Marshall?' she asked demurely when Katy stopped behind him.

'I saw a pleasant little stream on my ride into town I thought that would be nice' he spoke loudly for the benefit of anyone who may be listening.

They rode in silence until they reached the stream, Lou always careful to keep the bruised side of her face away from Kid. He helped her dismount and taking her hand led her into the cave she had changed clothes in earlier. The other boys had already arrived and were waiting patiently in the back recesses of the cave a small campfire burning dimly.

Lou moved as far from the fireplace as she could, desperate not to let Kid see her face, knowing the short fuse he had when it came to protecting his loved ones. She didn't want to have to defend her ability to look after herself with him, because she knew that wasn't really the problem. The problem would be that Kid felt he wasn't able to protect her and care for the way he would if she lived openly as a woman.

'What have you found out?' she asked softly as she settled on the cold rock floor.

'Donovan is extorting money from every storekeeper in town, and if they don't pay up Simpson goes visiting.' Buck spoke his tone angry, his eagle eyes had spotted her face as she walked in and while he was furious that Lou had been beaten, he also knew instinctively that Kid apparently did not know yet.

'The townsfolk are afraid of the Marshall's office, I think that that is where he has been operating from.' Jimmy spoke.

'I think we should take our time, they are already suspicious of Lou.' Cody spoke, for once in his life showing some sense.

'How do you know they are on to you?' Kid asked quietly, his eyes had flown to her finally understanding why she had been so reluctant to be near him on the ride to the cave.

'I just know Kid.' she mumbled not looking up letting her hat shadow her face

'Lou' Kid spoke his voice firm 'Look at me Lou.'

Lou steeled herself for what she knew was about to happen and lifted her head proudly to look straight into Kid's eyes. His crystal blue eyes glazed over as he took in the slight grazing and heavy purple bruising along the side of Lou's face, her eye swollen slightly. Without another word he stood and stalked from the cave. Everyone of them knew the self control it had taken for Kid not to lose his temper as he had done before. She turned tearfilled eyes on the other boys, not knowing how to handle the situation.

'I'll go talk to him Lou.' Jimmy murmured. He was also incensed at the saloon owners treatment of Lou, but as they all knew, if they were to defend her they would ultimately reveal their deception and then place themselves in greater danger.

'No Jimmy, I will.' she answered as she climbed to her feet and followed the path Kid had taken to the front of the cave.

On to Chapter Five!