Martinson came out of his store at a run, catching the woman around the waist and easing her to the ground. He shook his head. “Those two animals did this?”
“Them, and other things.” Simms jumped down from the buckboard and together the two men took the unconscious Noreen into one of the outbuildings behind the store. Inside one was a makeshift bedroom, with a rickety dressing-table, wash bowl, and small mirror. They laid her down on the bed.
“You had all this ready?”
Martinson grunted. “My wife, she…” He shrugged.
Simms patted him gently on the shoulder and, before anything more was said, pressed a five-dollar bill into the man"s hand. Martinson frowned. “Until I get back, feed her, make sure she rests. She"s been through a lot.”
Both men went back outside and Simms walked over to th
