Strictly Taboo(28)
“No, he’s in Kansas City.”
“Then we have no testimony of her so-called virtue.” The judge leaned over the bench. “Young lady, are you a virgin now?”
Victoria shook her head. “No, I’m a married woman. My husband took my virginity on our wedding night.”
“How do we know that?”
The trial continued for another hour as Hinckley called a man who said he was the coroner for Kansas City and that the dead man died from poisoning. Dodgeson tried to ask him about his qualifications and credentials, but was shut down by the judge. Another man who said he was the Sheriff of Kansas City at the time of the arrest testified the Victoria was a well known prostitute and that he was satisfied that she was guilty of murder.
Hinckley summed up the testimony for the jurors. Dodgeson was so angry that he couldn’t speak. He didn’t give a closing argument.
The jurors didn’t leave the jury box. They leaned together for a few seconds and the jury foreman stood up. He said, “Guilty.”
The judge said, “That’s good enough for me. The defendant will rise.”
Victoria was in shock. She didn’t move. The judge didn’t wait. “Mrs. Burdette, you have been found guilty of the crime of murder. Your sentence is death. Such sentence will be carried out immediately.” The judge turned his attention to Sheriff Kindlow. “Sheriff, it has come to my attention that you have been charged with corruption. You are no longer Sheriff. I’m appointing Jud Nielsen Sheriff. Sheriff, take your prisoner in hand, and we’ll go to the hanging tree.”
Nathan stood up. “I don’t think so.”
The judge slammed his gavel again. “And why not, Mr. Burdette.”
Nathan didn’t speak. He pointed to the four doors leading into the court. Three opened and five men with rifles came in. The door at the back opened and six men came in, led a tall man with a big hat and United States Marshall star on his chest. He pointed to the judge, the county attorney and the new sheriff. He said, “I’m Marshall Sam Norton. Take him and him and him.” The judge, county attorney and new sheriff were led out.
Marshall Norton stood before the jury. “First three men to testify about the illegality of what happened today, go free.” Twelve hands went up at the same time. He laughed. “Alright. We’ll take all twelve of you. That ought to be enough.”
The Marshall waved at Nathan as he followed his deputies, witnesses and prisoners.
Victoria and Dodgeson looked at Nathan for an explanation. He said, “I talked with the Marshall yesterday after Victoria was arrested. He said he’d take care of it because it fit in with a continuing investigation he was conducting.” Nathan looked around the court. “Did anybody see that Artimis Gordon fellow? He should have been arrested as well.
That night, Victoria and Nathan undressed for bed. Nathan said, “Were you scared today?”
“Yes. When the judge overruled all of Mr. Dodgeson’s objections and supported Mr. Gordon’s testimony, I was sure I was going to die.”
“Thank heaven for the Marshall.”
Chapter Eleven
They were in Nathan’s house on his ranch. Outside, Artimis Gordon snuck through the trees and sage brush to the back of the house. He crept closer until he could look directly through the open window. He saw them move into each other’s arms and decided to wait to kill them.
They were both standing by the bed. Victoria put her hands on Nathan’s chest. “Sweetheart, I have a request. If it’s alright, I’d like you to do everything tonight. I just want to lie on the bed and let you touch me where ever you want to. Is that alright? I know it isn’t really fair to you, but I’d really enjoy it.”
“So would I. We should both be naked, though.”
“I agree.”
Artimis lifted his head up to watch Victoria take her clothes off. He stayed as still as a mountain until she threw her last piece of clothing on a chair. He mumbled, “I won’t kill them both. I’ll kill him and run away with her across my saddle. I can go to my cabin in the mountains and play with her all night.”
Nathan took Victoria in his arms and kissed her thoroughly. She smiled as he did it. After she’d been kissed as much as she needed, he led her to the bed and had her lay down across it with her knees on the edge and her feet touching the floor. She said, “What are you going to do?”
He looked into her eyes. “Everything.” He started by looming over her on his hands and knees. He kissed her again then kissed his way down her neck and chest to her left breast. She watched him take her little tip in his mouth and suck and nibble on it. He put his other hand on her right breast and pulled and twisted her nipple. She felt satisfied. Nathan loved her. She said, “Do this to me for a while. It’s so heavenly” and dropped her head on the bed and closed her eyes.