Lila hated to admit it even to herself but Decker Malloy's visit had  shaken her to the core. She had thought she left abusive men back East when she had relocated at Bethlehem Falls. Her business of service and rescue had been profitable and rewarding until the Damned had formed. Now, little by little, her freedom,, hell, the freedom of everyone in the county was in jeopardy.<br/><br/>"Miss Lila, the miners want to know if you are open for business because you didn't light the red lamp in the window. I thought you just forgot,"Millie, one of her girls inquired.<br/><br/>Lila sat at her writing table and wrote a note.<br/>"We will be closed for the night. Hopefully, we will be here tomorrow night. Sorry for the inconvenience. Lila McLure."<br/><br/>"Here, Millie, put this on the front door. Blow out the lamps down stairs. You girls will just take the night off. Don't go out, Just rest in your rooms. No music or noise." Lila said, kissing her on the cheek.<br/><br/>Millie left the room and Lila pulled out her secret stash of whiskey. She poured a cupful into her Dresden china cup and sat sipping it. The candle that had set on her desk burned lower and lower.<br/>What was she going to do? If it was just her, she might marry Decker and slowly poison him, like she had her last husband. but with the girls,,she couldn't risk taking them out to where Amsterdam was rumored to be involved in debauchery and debasement. If it was just her,but not the girls. She couldn't get them out of Bethlehem Falls. The Damned controlled the roads. Now this stranger. Damn her good heart. What a fool. She should have let him lay there. and Damn Jeb Williams for getting involved. now his family was in danger. Damn the Damned.<br/><br/>She poured another cup of whiskey. The candle guttered out and she sat in the dark, sipping whiskey. Three more cups and she pulled the pins from her hair and allowed herself to cry. A knock came on the door,<br/><br/>"Miss Lila,"the voice whispered, "It's Bethenny. That naked man under my bed is groaning. Maybe he is waking up. What do I do?"<br/><br/>"Just crawl under there and see if he can talk. Give him some water. I think we have some willow bark. I will boil some water for tea. That might help him some." Lila swayed as she stood, but managed to make her way to the door. Beth's mouth gaped as she took in the fumes of whiskey and the slurred speech of the madame.<br/><br/>"Okay, Miss Lila, I will see what I can do." she said and scampered back up the stairs.<br/><br/>~~~~~~~~~~~~<br/>Jeb's house was sleeping. He could hear the quiet breathing as he sat at his desk, reading through the disturbing correspondence.<br/><br/>"Dear Mr. Williams,<br/>It has come to my attention that your spread is financially beneficial. Perhaps you were unaware that all people in our lovely county pay me for protection since our local law enforcement is unable to insure safety to all citizens. On a ranch your size,that tribute is 20 dollars cash money or 10 dollars in gold a year. That payment is due immediately.<br/>You will also permit my stock to water at your river and send your stud to my foreman for breeding purposes as part of your payment. My man will be around to collect soon. I expect you to give him the same respect to him as you would to me.<br/><br/>Signed,<br/>Mr. Amsterdam