Eva realized as she walked through the giant doors to Mr. Amsterdam's home that she would have to do her duty. In her heart, she had known it back in her kitchen when that Mr. Malloy had laid out his plan for her to go talk sense to her husband. She hadn't wanted things to escalate there because Maddie would have had to see all the unpleasantness. Eva sadly thought of another woman raising her child.  Wanting to keep a shred of decency , she had dressed, written a note to Jeb, used his knife to fasten it to the desk  and joined Mr. Malloy outside. It was difficult to believe that men like these two existed in this world and good men, like Jeb, were few and far between. She had heard a granny woman say that only the good die young when she had helped lay out Eva's 13 year old brother at the end of the War. Must be true, Eva thought.  Any sacrifice was  worth it to give Jeb time to place Maddie somewhere safe.<br/><br/>Eva's thoughts were whirling in her mind as she was ushered into Mr. Malloy's private quarters. This was improper but Eva feared worse was to come. She was on a count down to death.<br/><br/>~~~~~~~~~~~~<br/>Lila was quivering with rage seasoned with a tinge of fear.<br/>"Whiskey will dry you out, fool." she said again, handing him the flat sheet from Beth's bed. "Try wrapping this around yourself." she suggested. "If it doesn't hurt too very bad."<br/><br/>Bethenny came back with some cool well water, averting her eyes. She handed over the pewter cup to Miss Lila and skeedaddled from the room. Miss Lila watched Heck's adam's apple work as he swallowed a little at a time.<br/><br/>"Looks like you have been dehydrated before" she remarked dryly, crossing her arms under her ample bosom.<br/><br/>"Yes, Ma'am, I have," he said and then drained the last of it, setting the cup down with a clank. He took the sheet and at first, tried it over his shoulder, toga style but the pain was too immense. He finally managed to create a makeshift kilt, tucking the edges in around his waist. "I reckon the sun lit on my shoulders and back first then skittered on down my body. What happened to my bags?"<br/><br/>"The Damned came, took your satchel claiming they were full of  money. to pay their boss and then pistol whipped you. A kindly neighbor, Mr. Williams, brought you in. My girls have cared for you. But sir, you  must leave. The Damned came back looking for you. We managed to hide you while you were in no shape to defend yourself  but you have to go. I can't afford to bring the wrath of the Damned on my girls."<br/><br/>Heck held out the cup for more water.<br/>"I don't reckon they will be back tonight. Once I'm back on my feet, I will get my money back and we can see about getting your neck out from under their foot. Now, how about more water and whatever it was that you put on my body to ease the pain."