he jerked Em’s chin up to have a look at her. “Never seen her before. Kill her.”
Lewt took a step, but the troll widened his stance and shoved the leader. “How come you get to say what we do with her? I’m the one who found her. I’ve about had enough of you thinking you’re the boss around here.”
The leader’s anger was barely in check. “She looks half dead from you bashing her head in. What do you care if we finish her off? Kill her. We’ll need to be moving on as soon as it’s dark, so toss her body in the stream. She’ll float down a few miles and turn into someone else’s problem.”
The troll of a man must have known he couldn’t win, so he tried bargaining. “How about I play with her while it’s raining, then I’ll kill her before we leave? I couldn’t tell much with that coat she’s got on, but she might be something worth a look.”
Lewt saw his chance. “I got a better idea. Why don’t we play cards for her? We’re all too broke to play for money, and playing for something makes a more interesting game.” He stepped up and fanned the cards as he studied the troll. “It’d be an interesting way to pass the time. I say she’s worth a hundred toward the pot. You win, you have her and extra money.”
The leader frowned. “Why would we risk our money to play for a half-dead girl when back at Three Forks we get all we want for free? Toledo don’t care long as we don’t hold up the cash flow.”
All the men seemed to agree. Lewt had already figured out that between them they had very little cash. That was probably how Toledo kept them working for her. She gave them room, board, and women, but no money. A man with money might think of leaving. A man with empty pockets would stay and work his shift.
“I don’t get free women,” Lewt said. “And I don’t have a hundred dollars, but I’ve got my vest. That should stand me for twenty in the game.”
The troll was interested. He must think he had nothing to lose. “String the girl up so we can all see her. I’ll play this fool a few rounds. If I win your twenty, I’ll have me a new vest and I’ll still have my fun with her. If you win a little off of me, I’ll let you have a turn if there’s time after I’m finished.”
One of the guards pulled Em to the nearest tree, raised her arms above her head, and tied her up, leaving her hanging like about-to-be-butchered meat.
“I need to make sure she’s alive.” Lewt walked toward her. “I don’t want to waste my time playing for a dead woman.”
The troll laughed. “It don’t make all that much difference to me one way or the other long as she’s still warm.”
While the others laughed, Lewt moved his fingers along the side of Em’s throat and felt for a pulse. It pounded strong and fast in his palm even as blood dripped from a cut at her hairline.
“Let’s get on with the game!” someone yelled, and the men circled a stump that had already acted as Lewt’s table. They’d been passing around bottles since they’d stopped to rest, and the whiskey had begun to take effect. None of the others wanted to play, but they all wanted to watch.
Lewt leaned close to Em, praying she was conscious enough to hear him. “When I say run, turn and run into the trees and keep running. Do you understand? No matter what, don’t stop.”
He thought he felt her nod slightly, but she didn’t open her eyes.
“She’s barely breathing,” he shouted. “If she dies before the game is played, all bets are off.”
“Then let’s get to it,” the troll yelled. “I’ll look mighty good in that fancy vest of yours.”
Lewt moved away from her, forcing himself not to look back. If he did, if he saw her hanging there, hurt and helpless, it would be his undoing. He moved to the center of the circle and began the most important card game of his life.
The rain poured above them, and now and then it managed to filter through the trees and sputter in the fire.
Lewt laughed and kidded with the men, but he counted every minute. Finally, after several rounds of play, he saw Em’s feet shift beneath her and take her weight off