She watched as her friend slipped through two broken floorboards. He waved once with a grin before disappearing completely. She had always been mezmerized by his bravery and confidence, ever since she first saw the posters around town, demanding he be found and arrested. She wasn't sure what he had done wrong exactly, but she knew he was a runaway, and an outlaw. He had somehow succeeded in outsmarting the sheriff and the rest of town by getting away with nearly everything. He was never caught.

She suddenly remembered the sheriff. After covering the broken floorboards with the bright red rug, she hurried to the door. He was standing on her doorstep, with three other men wearing vests and holding guns at their sides. "Yes?" she said, trying to sound innocent. It sounded good to her. "Can I help you?"

The sheriff tipped his hat. "How you doing, ma'am? Sorry, but we've gotta have a look around. Looking for this fella. You seen him?" He held up a drawing of a young man. She recognized him immediately, even though the picture didn't look much like him. She knew who they were looking for. The sheriff continued, "He's a fugitive. We'll give you cash if you tell us where he is."

She bit her lip. She was in love with that fugitive. She tried to act clueless. "I'm sorry, no, I haven't seen him. I wish I could help."

Apparently, she wasn't as good a liar as she thought. The sheriff grabbed her by the arm and pulled her close. The other men stood ready. "Ma'am," the sheriff said, "we heard you been harbourin', hiding them here. Is that true? If you give him up right now, I give my word, I'll keep your name clean." He watched her face expectantly.

She didn't say anything. He couldn't bully her. There was nothing he could offer that would make her give Billy up.

"I see," the sheriff said. He pushed her aside and barged inside her home. She didn't protest, knowing that if she did, they'd know she had something to hide. The other men went inside. She followed them in. Without glancing toward the red rug, she waited for them to finish searching.

After a long while, they met back in the entryway. The sheriff didn't look happy. He gave her an evil look. "Sorry for bothering you, ma'am," he said, nodding in her direction.

"Sheriff?" she called as he went out the door. He turned back, and she gave him a mischievious smile. She couldn't help herself.

"You'll never find him."