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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Silver Moon" data-source="post: 3097276" data-attributes="member: 8530">Chapter Eighty-seven, “The Vigilance Committee‘s Response“, Monday June 5th , 1882, 6:30 P.M. Tuesday morning after breakfast at the El Parador, Chester goes down to the stable. His shift doesn't start until later and Clarisse is busy with her sewing circle. The deputy brushes down Lookout and feeds him a carrot from Dorita's kitchen. "How've you been? Let's go for a ride. You must be bored down here." He saddles the Morgan and rides out into the desert where no one will interrupt him. While checking his Spencer carbine to make sure only normal rounds are loaded, he sets his sights on a cactus a hundred yards away. He ties his reins to the saddle horn and gets Lookout into a charge. "Yah!" He yells as he fires the rifle at the selected cactus. Five bullets strike the target as they bear down on it. Chester reloads and repeats the exercise a few more times until he hits with all seven bullets. While Lookout rests, Chester practices with his six guns, firing both together and then one in either hand until he is satisfied. Remounting his horse he picks out another cactus and shoots his Remington with his right and left hand, nodding each time he hits. By now the sun is at its height and the heat causes the air to shimmer. "Time to come in, I guess." He slowly rides back to town and brings Lookout back to the stable. "That was fun, right?" The horse says nothing as it eats from a bag of oats. Chester removes the saddle and brushes down the horse. Then he visits the bathhouse to wash away the grime and sweat. Feeling suitably refreshed he has lunch with Clarisse at the El Parador. They chat about how their mornings went. Clarisse  visits Josephine’s Marcus again to thank her again for agreeing to fill in for her at the Comique.  Oh thank you so much, Josephine. She hugs the other singer before heading back to find Chester and head over to the Comique to talk to the owners.   Chester is at the Gay Lady bar to talk to the bartender about the goings-on at the Thayer Ranch. He says, "I don't know where Madson could be. He'll turn up, though. He's probably worried about what Nick Thayer's going to say to him." He says to Clarisse, "All set?"  She says, "Yes. The rehearsals are during the day, so her nights are free. Now I need to convince the owners to accept the deal. Come on." Chester pays for the drink and the pair walk to the Comique.  Clarisse says, "I hope they'll let me go to the Lucky Lady full-time. It's a big opportunity for me." "I hope so too. Having you at the Lucky Lady will make it so I don't have to leave there except to go to work." He grins.  "Very funny, Chet. It's short notice, but Josephine is such a good singer." They enter the saloon. Co-owner Warren Watson is playing the piano at the side of the stage. Al Brower is behind the bar. She goes up to him. "Mr. Brower? I wish to speak with you and the other owners, if that's possible."Al pulls Pierre Jaquet over and gets Watson when he finishes this song. Al smiles and says to Chester and Clarisse, "So, are you here to ask us about using the Comique for your wedding reception like we did with the Davis couple?"   Clarisse blushes deeply and Chester looks at the ground. He lifts his head and says, "No, nothing like that. But, I'll let Clarisse talk." She clears her throat and says, "Mr. Brower, Mr. Jaquet, Mr. Watson, you've been so nice to me these past few months since I came to Promise City. I hate to do this, but Mr. Cook offered me a full-time job singing at the Lucky Lady. It pays more than what I'm making between the two places now. But, I asked Josephine Marcus if she would fill in for me so you can find someone else. She says she could do it for a couple weeks until the play starts. But, then she's leaving town after that. Is it alright if I take the job?"Watson exclaims "NO, It is not all Right! You work for us!" Al puts his hand on his business partner's arm and says, "Calm down Warren. She's received a better opportunity and it will be safer for her to be in one saloon than two. If we wanted her full time we should have hired her for that. Besides, she's giving us time to find another singer and with half the saloons in Tombstone having burnt to the ground we should be able to find one if we act soon." Pierre says, "A good idea. I'll take the stagecoach there tomorrow."Clarisse shrinks at Watson's outburst. She stammers, "I'm... I'm sorry... Mr. Watson." Chester is about to say something when Al calms Watson down. Relief fills Clarisse's face as Al and Pierre take her side on the issue. "Thank you, sirs. Mr. Cook just offered the job to me tonight, so I was just as surprised as you are. I really hope you find a singer in Tombstone."Chester's shift starts soon so he says goodbye to her and moseys over to the Marshall's Office.  Eduardo greets Chester at the door and says, "Quiet day so far, Tuesday's usually are. You have duty just until supper time, then Helen will relieve you. Neil's away cutting timber today. Mitch is over at the Arizona Territorial Office meeting with the Judge. Here's a copy of today's newspaper, Chumbley just came by with it. Some pretty interesting stuff, seems another rancher is now missing." Eduardo departs."OK. Thanks, Eddie. The bartender at the Gay Lady told me about it." Chester sits at the desk and reads the article about the missing rancher. "First the killings out their, then rustling, now this. What is Sheriff Hunter doing about this? It's outside our area."  Eduardo says, "I don't know that he's doing a damned thing, too busy campaigning in town for Marshall and blaming us for everything wrong.""He's doing a good job of that. Course we're not helping ourselves by getting stuck on Buckley's killing." Chester runs his hands through his hair. "Before I forget, did you find out who left that note under your door?"  Eduardo replies, "I think so. There's a wood elf by the name of Federico Valdez Luca who used to round up wild horses out on land where the King's Bar-W Ranch and Oldfield's Circle-R ranch are now located. He still has a cabin near the end of Pine Creek. He wasn't at the wedding but folks saw him in town a few days ago, specially the morning I found that note."Chester says, "Let's talk to him. But we can't leave the office without someone here. Can he speak English? I should learn Spanish with all the elves living here."   Eduardo and Chester's conversation is cut short by the arrival of Timothy Courtright, former City Marshall of Fort Worth, who had last visited the town two days earlier.  Chester says, "Hey there, Marshall. Have any luck finding the Douglas Gang?"Tim Courtright replies, "I have a good lead. The Promise City Mirror had one fact wrong, it said that Elmer Koontz had died from wounds from the bank robbery. He didn't, he was critically wounded and presumed dead, but survived and is still in the area with his brother Brice. I am suspecting that the New Douglas Gang will try to contact them so plan to stick close. I'm told they are currently out at the Rattlesnake Ranch. I also found out one other piece of information in Galeyville. A person in a bar last night says that Claude Buckley's killer is camped out on a hill a few southeast of here. He said it was the same hill where the Army camped the night before they signed the treaty with the Apache last January. I figured you lawmen would want to know that."   Chester replies, "Yeah. That's a great help. Finally, someone helping us, rather than trying to scare us off. Now that is worth leaving the office for. What do you think, Eddie?"Eduardo says, "Let's go tell Mitch. Thank you Marshall." Courtright departs. Eddie gets the keys and unlocks the gun case, taking out two of the shotguns. He then tosses the key ring to Chet and asks him to get a box of ammunition out of the locked bottom desk drawer.As he's gathering the ammo, Chester says, "This is the first good news we've had about Buckley's death. Tyche might be favoring us after all." Chester helps Eddie load both shotguns and then loads the sixth cartridge into both of his pistols. "I'm ready. I'll lock up." The deputies walk over to Berg's legal office. They enter the front door. Chester says, "Mitch? Marshall Courtright stopped by and gave us a lead on where Buckley's killer might be. It's the hilltop where the Army and Apaches signed that treaty."   Eduardo adds, "And I think I know where the writer of that note is."Berg says goodbye to the Judge. They head outside and since nobody is around Berg comments, "Okay, one thing at a time. Courtright's reputation is such that the lead sounds promising. I'll go saddle up and the three of us can ride out there together. Chet, swing by the Barkers and let Helen know that she's in charge of the town until we return."Chester replies, "Gotcha boss. Didn't know you were meeting with the judge. I'll meet you outside the office. Chester rushes to the Barkers' studio. "Afternoon, Helen, Stanley. Can I speak to Helen alone? Official business." Stanley says, "Certainly deputy. I'll go into the darkroom." When her husband leaves Helen asks, "What's up Chet?" He says, "Courtright gave us a tip about Buckley's killer that we're checking out. then we might go looking for the elf who wrote the note Eddie found. Mitch says that until we get back, you're in charge. OK?"   Helen Barker replies, "Okay, I'll have Stanley finish up here and I'll be heading over to the office. Good luck and be -careful Chet."Chester says with a slight smile, "Aren't I always? Good luck yourself. We won't be long, so any crooks won't take advantage. See you later, Helen." Chester goes to the stable and saddles Lookout. "Hope you're well-rested. We're going back out." He climbs aboard and trots over to the Marshall's office. "I gave Helen the heads-up. To avoid what happened at the Crazy 8, we need to keep our eyes peeled. We're not going to get rescued again. Our luck isn't that good." Kate arrives to see a pitcher of Lemonade and a plate of what appear to be Stanley Barker's cookies are on the table in the center of the Cattleman's Association building. As Chairman of this evening's meeting Emery Shaw welcomes each member as they arrive. Kate also notices that Ned Phillips is present as well.Kate took a cookie from the plate and nibbled at it. The room slowly filled up with other ranchers and Emery Shaw kept smiling and nodding. Finally she went over to Ned Phillips. "Mr. Phillips, I don't think we've met. I'm Mrs. Kale. I was very sorry to read about the problems you had the other night."   He replies, "That's why I'm here. I made a mistake not joining your group when I had the chance before. I had thought the rustlers were gone for good."Kate says, "I think we all hoped for that. But even if the Cowboy Gang were completely gone there never seems to be a shortage of people looking to take what they can get. And the association is about helping each other out in other ways as well."   The Cattlemen’s Association meeting begins. Emery Shaw is the chair for this evening’s meeting. He introduces Ned Phillips to those present who don’t know him yet and states that Ned and his boys have reconsidered joining both this town and the Cattleman’s Association. He told that to Judge Isby yesterday and he and his boys all signed up to vote last night before the registration period ended. I will now call on a vote of the members as to whether to accept Ned’s petition to join our group. All those in favor?Kate raised her hand in favor of the new member and tried to look discreetly around the room to see who else was in agreement.   They unanimously agree. Ned is welcomed to the group.  Shaw states, "Our next agenda item concerns cattle rustlers. The Phillips ranch lost several animals a few nights back. The King’s and I have supplied extra men to help guard their ranch since then. Mrs. Kale informs me that suspicious people have also been seen watching her ranch. What made her ranch so inviting to rustlers is that most of her animals were unbranded. You handled that today didn’t you Forest?” The Morand patriarch says, “Yes sir. We went there today and with help from Flint and Sonoma's help we were able to get all of the animals marked. Five of my men are out guarding the place now. But this is only a short-term solution. "  Kate looked to Mr. Shaw and spoke after he nodded. "We plan to hire hands to help with the security, as well as the work. I'm looking into finding trustworthy people. Any suggestions any of you have would be most welcome."  Morand says, "We can help you with that Mrs. Kale." Shaw says, “Okay, but on a related topic, what I think we need most of all is some means of quick communication between the ranches. You said that you had an idea Temple?” The younger Morand says, “Yes sir, our ranch has had friendly Apache working it for decades. Their traditional methods use smoke to communicate across distances during the day and drums at night. Each of our ranches is close enough to the next for that to work. I suggest that we each hire on an Apache that is proficient with this type of communication.” Anse King stands and says, “I will not allow one of those savages onto my land and any of you who do are fools. They may agree to be cooperative now, but they’ll just be there to spy on where you keep your weapons and valuables for future attacks. And how do you know they’ll be signaling what you ask them to? They can’t be trusted.” Forest Morand stands and says, “That’s absurd. I’ve had them working my ranch for a decade now and we’ve had no difficulties. They are good honest people who put in an honest day’s work for an honest day’s pay” King says, “You are daft! Those heathen live for centuries, they’re just pretending to be friendly. They may not attack for another fifty or one-hundred years so it might not be you who they murder but your great-grandchildren, but one day your family will suffer for it if you show them all of your secrets. They cannot be trusted, ever! Shaw, you remember the days of Cochise. Do you really think this Geronimo is any better?” Emery Shaw says, “Him personally no, but the Morands have Apache on their ranch who are only peripherally linked to him.”  Forest Morand says, “That’s right. They respect him as a leader but have chosen to live their own lives apart from those in the mountains. They also wish to be a part of this community and have registered to vote in the election. Those are the people who we are suggesting for this task, not Geronimo’s warriors."Kate states, "Our ranch sits almost right on the edge of Apache lands, and they have never been anything but helpful to us. In fact, an Apache woman visits us fairly frequently to help Flint. They've also brought us wild horses, given freely.   The Apache who chose to live among humans are choosing to find a way for humans and elves to live peacefully together. They have adapted to many of our ways. Why not adapt ourselves to one of their good ideas?""Do what you want but count me out!" King exclaims. "Same with me," Calvin Oldfield echoes. "Sounds too dangerous to me," adds Phillips.  Shaw says, "Fine, this group is to discuss ideas. I for one think the idea is sound, and I've had more experience with hostile Apache than any of you. If the specific individuals are ones who the Morands’ trust then I will as well."  Kate nodded in agreement and observed the others in the room to see who looked uncomfortable with the idea.Emery Shaw states, "The final item on the agenda is the Law and Order Party. We had submitted four recommendations to their group, those being: One, Manuel Escobar as a candidate for Town Council   Two, Emery Shaw as a candidate for Town Council   Three, Chester Martin as a candidate for Town Marshall  Four, Bill Watkins not be on the ticket as we feel he is unelectable. Unfortunately they have chosen to reject three of those four recommendations. They’ve rejected Deputy Martin’s nomination, Watkins is one of their candidate’s for Town Council, and they have decided to allow our group to choose only one of their Party’s candidates for Town Council, either myself or Mr. Escobar. Apparently they don’t feel the need for as much support from us as I hoped.” Ashley Shaw speaks up and says, “That’s not true, they’ve agreed to let you pick a candidate. They didn’t have to do that. And they’ve chosen me as the ticket’s candidate for Town Marshall and I’m an active part of the Cattleman’s Association.”   How very convenient for them, Kate thought. "What's the next course of action then? Do we try to negotiate further, or throw our support behind individual candidates?"Shaw says, "I say neither, we put forth our own ticket. I'm guessing that Bill Watkin's name will act as a poison pill to the so-called Law and Order ticket and this town needs another alternative to the Freedom Party."  Anse King says, "That's crap! You'll just split the electorate and the Freedom Party will be swept into office!"   Forest Morand says, "Okay King, that's what you need to go back and tell your Vigilance Committee! If they insist on running Ashley here for Marshall I say we accept it. But Watkins has to be off the ticket and both of our Town Council recommendations on it, otherwise we'll draft our own ticket and end any financial support to the Vigilance Committee. That's our final offer." Anse says, "I didn't see that voted on, and I'm opposed." Emery Shaw says, "As Chair, I'll take Morand's proposal as a motion. Anybody care to second it?"   "I'll second that," Kate said. "May I also suggest there are many fine people running independently who might appreciate being part of a slate."  The motion is put to a vote and passes with only King and Oldfield opposed. Emery Shaw declares, "Very well. I am calling another meeting for 6:00 P.M. tomorrow. We will need an answer from the Vigilance Committee by that time. Otherwise we WILL draft another ticket at that time. I call this meeting adjourned."Kate moved to speak with Emery Shaw. "Our school has that baseball game tomorrow in the afternoon. It should be over by six, but we're holding a party for our students afterward. I can sneak out to be here, but I might be a bit late.   Is it very terrible of me to hope the Committee refuses? Selfish I suppose, but I'd rather field our own slate."He replies, "Actually, I hope they accept because based upon our Association's rules that means Anse Shaw chairs tomorrow night's meeting. I'd rather him not have that much control over the possible nomination process."  Kate sighed. "And he might not be in a very good mood either. I don't suppose they'll like it very much if the Moral Values school doesn't win the game. I guess whichever way the committee decides I'll just have to look for the silver lining.  I think I'll have to ask Sonoma when our turn to chair comes up," she said with a self-deprecating little smile. "I don't much fancy being in charge."Shaw replies, "Don't be silly, you're fine with public speaking. You teach two dozen students, we're less than half that number."   The meeting starts to wrap up and people begin to depart.  Yes, less than a dozen full-grown, contentious adults. Instead of voicing that thought she only said good-night and made her way toward the door.</blockquote>

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