She wanted to tell Fritz he’d just made a deal with a snake. She wanted to tell him her job of making sure the soldiers got anywhere safe was that of the Cap’n and his troops.
Scarlet’s feelings were twisted up with thinking whoever rode with patrol would be a target of the outlaws. After taking a moment to bury feelings, logic told her it would be better if they didn’t have to worry about the wounded while they were under attack, not that Fields would. In her current state of mind it was best to say nothing so she just turned and walked away.
As Scarlet passed him the Captain spoke.“When Colonel Troutman told me there was going to be a wedding, I have to admit I was curious to know who was foolish enough to try and fill Travis Corbin’s boots.”
Scarlet stopped briefly. “You were a pathetic excuse for a man and you are an even more pathetic excuse for a soldier.” She sneered then continued to pass.
The suppressed amused look from the man on his right didn’t go unnoticed by the Captain.
His mind raced. He had tried to force her before to take him to the Indians. That was before the army, the mob he had ridden with didn’t like going to the C-C. Travis Corbin was too respected, or feared, depending on who you were, amongst the men he had been with then. Now was different, these were his men. He had Fritz, disarmed at that, he had leverage in the situation. Nobody here was big enough to pick him up and crush him like Travis had, something his ribs reminded him of every cold morning.
He stepped off his horse and covered the ground between them in long strides as he thought about picking her up and putting her on her horse and making her go with them.
“I need someone to scout…” He said as he put out his hand to grab her by the shoulder.
She stopped short and spun to face him almost causing them to collide.
“Don’t” She growled.
He wasn’t sure if it was the tone of her voice, which sounded like a cornered animal to him, or the look that could have frozen the flames of hell, which caused him to jerk back his hand and take a step back to put a bit of distance between them.
Scarlet had been irritated by the way the man had ridden in and handled the situation the way he had. His move towards her made her temper flash.
“If you touch me, I will view it as an act of aggression. Rest assured I WILL defend myself and I doubt you will be as lucky as you were before.” She growled between gritted teeth.
He didn’t like the fact she had now insulted him more than once in front of his men who he knew without looking were all eyes and ears.
“Miz Corbin, you have a total lack of respect for the army. I was only going to ask your help in the situation.” He said trying to remain calm.
Her look told him she knew he was lying. “No, you’re wrong there. It’s not the army I have a problem with. It’s you. Your father was a good man, a good soldier. You must be such a disappointment to him.”
Andrew Fields clinched his jaw tight as Scarlet continued.
“The Corporal that rode with the men that lye in that tent was a good soldier. There are others that lye in there.” She said pointing her finger towards the tent “that are good soldiers.”
“These men I speak of would have at least asked about their fallen comrades. Would have said thank you to the woman who puts her life in danger for them and stayed up all night making sure they didn’t suffer and die.”
She looked him up and down as she circled him. “You on the other hand, ride in here dragging your big guns, no help for the fallen, only hoping to take prisoners, and since you can’t find Indians to take back you arrest one of your own. You don’t even know who did this, nor have you taken the time to inquire.”
The Captain stood in shock mostly. He was used to pats on the back for jobs well done. He was used to being chewed on too, but this, this was somehow different.
“You, Captain Andrew Fields.” She said coming to stop looking him in the eyes again “are a disgrace to that uniform.”
“Very well executed personal attack.” He retorted.
Scarlet stepped up so the were nearly touching, her voice low. “Here’s the personal part Andrew. The people that did this, we kind of figure are after the guns you have with you. Hell, maybe they know you because you are predictable. If they attack your patrol and Sergeant King dies because of your piss pour judgment. My suggestion, if you do not die with them, is to take that service revolver, put it in your mouth and pull the trigger.” She stepped off leaving the Capt. there to mull over his thoughts.
Passing Sergeant Carter, Scarlet stopped and handed up the belt and the carbine Fritz had given her. “If you are attacked at least have the decency to let him try to defend himself.”