*
Jack made his way through the muddy streets. He rode slowly, making easy time on his tired horse. Except for a few people daring the light rain, the street leading to Mulholland’s apartment was quiet and deserted. There, he tied his horse tightly on the post and kicked the mud off of his boots at the doorstep.
The hallway was silent this time, the apartments either vacant or the residents were busy sleeping through the afternoon rain. Jack knocked lightly on Mulholland’s door and waited while leaning on the frame. He heard some light footsteps come to the door and then pause. Her faint voice could be heard through the old door.
“Who is it?” she asked, her voice sounding suspicious and distant.
“It’s me again, Jack Blackwood. I have a few more questions to ask you.”
The door opened and Mulholland stood there with an easy smile. She looked fresh, her hair still damp. He could smell a light perfume, and she was wearing a slip that only went down to her knees. He looked her up and down slowly. Jack gave a low whistle and gave her a leer. “You’re looking quite nice today, missy.”
She smiled shyly and said, “Come on in.”
He walked in and kicked the door shut behind him. Mulholland sat down in front of a mirror and began fixing her hair.
Jack sat down on her bed and watched her for moment before speaking. “I’m sorry to bother you again, but as I said, I have a few more questions for you.”
She paused and put down the hairbrush in exasperation. “I’ve already told you I don’t know where Lawrence is.”
“I already know where Lawrence is now - he’s buried six feet deep.”
She stood up quickly in shock and faced him. “What do you mean by that? Is he dead?”
“Oh, he’s dead alright. One of Davis’s men killed him before we had a chance of finding him alive. He was buried just the other day.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.” She sat back down and continued to work on her hair. “Whatever happened between Lawrence and I was a long time ago, but I’m still sad to hear that he is gone.”
Jack said nothing but just watched as began to pin her hair up. Her movements were slow and graceful, and Jack felt she knew he enjoyed watching her. “I wanted to ask you about Abbott again,” he finally said. “You told me you didn’t know him. Are you sure?”
She paused for a moment as if making a decision. She finally said, “Oh, I knew Abbott.” She gave him a sly look. “He was always meeting with Davis. He had quite an appetite for women.” She had turned to face mirror again, her back to Jack, the brush pausing in her hand as she listened to his questions.
“Why didn’t you tell me before?”
“I hated Davis and wouldn’t protect him for all the money in the world. But Abbott came around here to see me a few times. He paid me well enough and I was hoping to keep it that way. Why should I tell on a good customer?”
“I found Abbott murdered in his apartment last night.”
Mulholland stopped fiddling with her hair.
Jack continued, “All of the evidence points to a woman. It was a woman that visited with him and ended up killing him in the end.”
“Surely you don’t suspect me,” she said with a faint smile that he could see in the reflection of the mirror. She was certainly being cagey in her answers, he thought.
“Turn around Elizabeth. I have a few more questions for you.”
She stood up and swayed towards Jack. “I’m tired of your questions.” She pulled the slip off over her head, the silk material whispering against her skin. She stood nude in front of him proudly - her breasts were small and her body still thin. Looking at him unashamedly, she said, “Now take off your boots, mister, I don’t want you to get my bed all muddy.”
He pulled his boots off and threw them into the corner. He lay back on the bed with his head on a pillow and watched her as she pulled off his pants. She straddled him and began to unbutton his shirt. She looked serious as she worked off his undershirt.
Jack then pulled her roughly down to him and kissed her hard on the mouth. “You’re a beautiful woman, Elizabeth.”
She hushed him. “No more questions and no more talking.”
They kissed for a while longer, their hands exploring each other. He rolled over, pulling her underneath him. He kissed her breasts and stomach. She sighed and pulled him back up to kiss him hard on the mouth. Jack pulled himself up to look in her eyes before thrusting deeply inside of her. She writhed underneath him, her legs wrapped tightly around him as he made love to her.