The smell of gunpowder lingers in the air within the Thornton-Curry Saloon when Bryan Lee and Jacinta Castillo step inside. Glancing left of the batwing doors, both the ranger and the scout notice a pair of bullet holes marking the wall, just shy of the window looking out onto the Main Street.

The barroom itself is empty, save for the proprietress, Desiree Thornton, who is busying herself with righting updended furniture and returning order to her establishment. Both vistitors note that Thornton has a noticeable mark on her left cheekbone, the leavings of an injury that will likely become a bruise soon.

Thornton glances up as the two enter. ”Ranger Lee. You and your friend need something to make the day a little more tolerable? It’s still a little early, but believe me, I’m the last one to judge.”

Jacinta waved off the invitation of drink by the barkeep, though she smiled.  "I ain't one to normally decline, but as you said -- it is a mite early.  We came to see what all the fuss was about in here and to see if we could help."  Moving to an overturned chair, she began helping Thornton set the furniture to rights.   "You okay?  Looks like someone a piece of you."

Bryan also waved off the drink politely.

"I suspect by the end of the day I'll need one, but for the moment I need to keep a clear head, though I won't judge you if you need one. Could you tell us what exactly transpired in here with respect to your injury, and also the shooting of Tom O'Folliard?"
This message was last edited by the player at 17:52, Wed 19 Sept 2018.

Thornton smiles at Castillo. ”I’ve had a lot worse back in Louisiana. I’ll be fine. Before the day’s out, I’ll get a cut of meat from the Tunstall Store. Put it on there. That’ll take it down some.”

“But, since you asked, Ranger, my injury originated with a woman named Kansas Kate. Someone I believe you’re already familiar with. And who, apparently, is not very well thought of by many lawmen like yourself.”

The furniture righted, the saloon keeper gestures for her guests to sit at one of the tables in the center of the room. Joining them, she looks pointedly at Bryan Lee. ”But, I’m curious. What did you think of poor Tom’s wounds, Mr. Lee?”

"To be honest, I didn't see any clear evidence of injury or blood anywhere on the fallen man’s body, at least based on what I've been able to view so far," he said.

"But you said that he was shot. You spoke up for the Doc out there, and I let things be for a bit until I got a chance to talk to you privately, on account of you bein' so helpful yesterday when I was bendin' your ear about the town. There's somethin' more goin' on here than meets the eye. Saloon keeper's tend to know and see more'n most folks, and I figure you can tell me a much more interesting story."