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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Silver Moon" data-source="post: 3485030" data-attributes="member: 8530">Chapter One-hundred-fifty-six, “Broken Mirror, Broken Hearts”, Wednesday June 14th, 1882, 9:30 P.M. Upon his arrival the first thing that Jake notices is that the full-length mirror behind the bar is mostly gone, with several bullet holes in the wall with only a few shattered pieces of mirror hanging from the sections where it was mounted. Job Kane has a poker game going with some of the regulars. Tony Lucky is hanging around the bar with one of his players, his game having apparently broken up not long ago. Jake helps himself to a whiskey. "I truly am afraid to ask.... but what happened here?" Tony says, "Happened around two hours ago. Some drunken prospector, didn't want to give up his gun to Thom and emptied it into the wall. Jeff got cut by some flying glass, Doc Eaton came by and patched him up, he's up in his room now. Thom managed to get the guy's revolver but the guy took off before anybody could grab him." Jake walks over to Thom, "Hey big fella, can I see that gun you took from that troublemaker? I am glad you kept anyone from getting hurt, including you." While Jake examines the gun he asks Thom, "What did this guy look like? Was there anything in particular you remember about him?" Thom hands Jake a Colt Thunderer revolver. He says, "Yeah, the guy acted odd, and his eyes had that glassed over look like I haven't seen since Thomasville." Jake nods. "Get yourself a good sized piece of the broken mirror and prop it up over there," Jake points to the floor a little ways from the door. "Make it blend in if you can or hide it behind something, but put it so you can see the reflection of anyone coming in or out of the door. If you see someone without a reflection, remind me that we are out of rye whiskey." Jake gives him back the pistol. "Be careful with the glass Thom, we do not want any more employees in bandages." Jake gives Job Kane a sideways glance before going back to the bar. Jake secretly experiments with what he can see in the mirror and the people in the room. He tries to get a look at everyone. Everybody in the room has a reflection. Afterwards he heads up to check on Jeff Mills. He knocks at Jeff's room. Jeff replies, "Come in". He enters to find the big man seated in a chair beside the bed with a map spread out on top of the bedspread. His left hand and arm have some bandages over them. Jake says, "Tough luck there Mr. Mills. I trust you will heal soon enough. A might strange in a town full of blood suckers to have our mirror shot to Hades." Jeff says, "I was thinking the same. You don't find it a coincidence that the poker tournament is coming up in a few days do you?" Jake says, "I was never one to draw to an inside straight, so I am not inclined to easily believe coincidences. I do not see any connection to the tournament directly though. All I see is someone without a reflection wants to come into the Lucky Lady and keep that a secret." Mills replies, "Well, thankfully I'm already knowledgeable to these creatures thanks to Tomlinson and his fellow hunters. I'll go see them in the morning and explain the situation, they may have some suggestions and items to help protect the place. We may also want to hire on some of them as added security for the tournament too, but you'd have to discuss that with Mr. Van Horne. He should be back now. Jake, I understand that he's a part owner and all but I don't trust Van Horne and am not happy about him living under our roof. He spent most of tonight over at the Gay Lady with Evan Adair and they looked to be far too friendly with one another than I'm comfortable with." Jake says, "For now just keep an eye on the fat Georgian. Mr. Van Horne looks after himself, so in the end I suspect we may be able to use him against Adair if it is in Van Horne's interests. We will just have to play that one by ear. I am not adverse to having Tomlinson or any of his crew as security. Even if they do not have much to help us we ought to fill this place with small mirrors that we can use." Jake then tells Jeff the details of the vampire hunts from the last couple of days including what he knows about Messier. Finally, pointing down at the map Jake asks, "What is this for?" Jeff replies, "Well, now that Colin Hunter is gone I've been considering actually looking for that buried Confederate gold." "Really?" Jake looks at him for a long moment. "There is something about a pile of gold that can make a man crazy. You be careful over that." Jake tips his hat to Jeff, "Take care of that arm." As Jake is closing the door he adds, "And let me know if you want another crazy to help you look for that gold." Down stairs Jake makes a quick trip to the outhouse. Chester and Clarisse come into the Lucky Lady. He sees the broken mirror. "What happened here? Did I miss a bar fight?" Tony Lucky interjects "No, more like a one-sided shootout. A drunken prospector didn't want Thom to take his gun. Jeff got cut by some broken glass but otherwise nobody was hurt. The guy ran off." Chester replies, "That's good that no one was seriously hurt. Is Jeff going to be OK? And where's the gun? I want to take a look at it. Maybe I can figure who it belongs to." Thom gives Chester the gun, a Colt Thunderer. It has not distinguishing marks on it. Thom says, "Jeff is upstairs. He's okay, Doc Eaton checked him out." Chester turns the gun over in his hands. He gives it back to Thom, who puts it into the cabinet. "Did you tell the Marshall? Especially with all that's going on, we can't have random shootings in town.” Thom says, "Deputy Cassidy came by and we told him what happened." Chester pats Thom on the arm. "Thanks, Thom." Chester says, “I'll see if Jeff saw who did it." He turns to Clarisse and says, "I won't be long, dear." She says, "Hurry back. You're not on duty." He kisses her on the forehead. "I know, but I'm here now." Chester goes upstairs and knocks on Jeff's door. "Jeff? It's Chet. I want to see how you're doing." Jeff says, "Come on in Chet. Jake was just by a short while ago too." He opens the door and walks in. Jeff is sitting in his bed. "Tony told me some guy came in and shot the mirror. Are you hurt bad?" Jeff replies, "Nah, just some scratches. The only problem with my getting hurt is that it didn't enable me to catch the drunk, me made it clean away." Chet replies, "That's good. Did you get a good look at him? Was it a local? A night or two in the hoosegow should teach him not to shoot up the place." Jeff says, "Nah, never saw him before. Dressed like a prospector, dirty brown overalls, denim shirt, work boots, hat that didn't fit right, long scraggly beard and brushy mustache." Chester replies, "Hmm. I'll tell the Marshall. Maybe he's staying in town." Jeff says, "I'll bet we don't see him again after tonight. Jake's worried though, he thinks it may have something to do with those creatures of the night. He may be right, that mirror being gone will make it harder to catch those guys." Chester replies, "He does? That's just great. Does Rixton's sell mirrors? If we can't get a mirror in time for the tournament, we'll have to put up holy symbols. Garlic wouldn't be neighborly." Jeff says, "I'll check out the different stores in town tomorrow for mirrors. Between the general stores, the furniture store and the pawn shop I should be able to find some." Chester answers, "Good. None of us wants those bloodsuckers to come in here. Clarisse is waiting for me downstairs, so I'm going to go. Get better." "Okay Chet, I'll see you tomorrow." Jake returns, having missed Chet coming in. He goes back to the bar to finish his drink. Chester returns downstairs to see Clarisse seated at the table and Jake Cook over at the bar. Chester makes his way to the bar. "Hey Jake, heard someone shot the mirror." "Yes." Jake has another sip of his whiskey and glances around to make certain no one is close by listening in. In a quiet voice, "Seems very strange, does it not? When I asked him about the man, Big Thom also mentioned to me he had a funny glazed look in his eyes. Does that sound familar? Why not have one of your minions come in and eliminate an easy way to identify you. Either someone is planning to come here to fight back, or they simply want to come in here. Not sure why, maybe the poker tournament. Maybe word is around that I have killed one too many vampires." Jake goes on to tell Chet all the details of the last several days. "So there you have it. Turner and Vaugh are both in town. Katherine has the picture of one disguise and the other is Denny Gaurin. Messier also mentioned a Kane disguise in a money clip, as if we already knew that. Either we have it and do not realize it, or there is someone who can magically impersonate Job Kane. Minerva is all but ready to go busting doors down to go after them, you might want to find her. Besides all that, everything is just peaches and cream." Jake tosses the remaining whiskey down his throat. "I have had enough, Chet. I am headed home. Fetch me if you have need, I have not been sleeping well anyway." Jake bids him good night. Chester watches Jake leave the saloon for a few moments. Then he looks around for Clarisse. He finds her and takes a seat at the table. "Some drunk shot the mirror. Jeff got hit by some glass, but isn't hurt too bad." Clarisse covers her mouth, "Oh no. You've got to do something. The town needs to see you're doing something to bring this lawlessness to heel." "After dinner, I'll stop by the office. There's just so much going on. I'm having trouble keeping track of it. Let's just eat." The gambler returns his horse to the El Parador. His rifles and saddle bags hanging heavily from his shoulders he trudges his way home. Exhausted, Jake stows his gear and goes to bed. After laying awake staring at the ceiling for some time he accepts the futility of sleep just yet and rises. Back in his kitchen the box is still waiting for his further examination. Fortified with another glass of whiskey in hand, he removes the box. Again he reads the letter from Ruby before he examines it more closely, including the pine box it was shipped within. In the packaging beneath the box is a short note in the same handwriting as the package address. It reads: Jake, Just wanted to let you know that all is going well. I am keeping a close watch on the ladies and making sure no harm comes to them. If I have any suspicion that Miss. West's family knows of our being in New York State I will usher them off on the next train. Richard Jake reflects upon Richards letter quietly for some time. He retrieves his sisters photograph from his secret wallet and lays it on the table in front of him. "Virginia, you and Ruby have nearly nothing in common, except you are both afraid of your parents." He mulls that statement over for some time, trying to image being worried about what his father or mother might make him do. He shrugs to himself, unable to fathom that particular problem. Jake had never been afraid of his father, perhaps that was the root of the problem. He attempts to imagine Ruby's worry and fails. "After years on the road, the cowboy gang, and dark creatures from the abyss it is hard to be worried about a couple of spoiled, old money, parents from New York." He sips at his whiskey and remembers the first few months after leaving Philadelphia. One memory in particular rises above the rest, the first time he killed a man. Except in Jakes case, the first time was three men. While he finishes his whiskey, no new feelings emerge, no new insights appear. He folds the notes back up, places them in the box and carries it upstairs. Back in bed he thinks the he needs to speak with Red tomorrow, and drifts off to sleep. At the Long Branch, Kate notices that Conrad calls a break at his table. Three of his players wander up to the bar and two leave the Long Branch. Conrad Booth remains at his table without getting up. "I hope you'll excuse me? I came in to speak to someone and I see he's free now. I'm sure we'll see one another again. I'm looking forward to Mr. Chumbley's article." She stood up and after a few more polite comments walked over to the table where Conrad was sitting. With each step she was a little more nervous until she wasn't sure she wouldn't rather run out the door. Then she was there. "I hope I'm welcome?" He replies, "Always. I see that you are safe. I was worried about you." She replies, "I knew you would be, that's why I came here first. Is there somewhere we can talk?" He says, "Sure, hold on." He walks over to Kate Higgins and says, "Let Spaulding take the table now, I need the rest of the night off." She says, "And I suppose you want tomorrow night off too?" He replies, "No, I'll play, and I'll bring in some celebrities in town for the tournament too. You won't be disappointed." Conrad joined her again and she said, "I didn't mean to pull you away from your work. Where are we going?" He replies, "Let's see, late on a Wednesday night what would be open that we would be welcome at? The Palace is closed, the Alhambra is the new Freedom Party Headquarters, the Comique won't let me in, the Lucky Lady would put you to work, Drover's will bring you constant interruptions from Unity Party members and the El Parador will bring about an equal number of interruptions from our friends. I guess only that leaves the Gay Lady and the Rio Grande. Do you have a preference?" She replies, "I was thinking something more private. The grove behind Mr. Valdez's church, perhaps?" "Oh, well I guess that would work," he replies. The two of them head over there. As they arrive Conrad makes small talk, pointing out the names of some of the non-native trees and shrubs that have been planted there and where Mother Jiminez had obtained them from. They finally reached the fallen log they'd often sat on before. Kate took his hand and rubbed the back of it with her fingers. "Conrad, I... we could argue day and night. Chances are we probably will after I tell you about the last two days. But no matter how hard we argue, or how angry we get, I love you. An argument is not going to change that. I love you. Let's talk this through. I hate the feeling of things being not right between us." Conrad replies, "Katherine, I love you. I have no desire to argue. But I am concerned about your safety and helping deranged murderers like Earp will lead to nothing but trouble. You can't expect me to stand idly by and allow things like that to happen." "And I don't." Kate sat down on the log and gestured for him to sit with her. Once he was settled she continued. "We don't have to agree about everything, but how we handle the disagreement is very important. Conrad, I weighed the dangers differently than you and came to a different conclusion. But you equated my disagreement with a lack of ability to understand. If someone stood and basically told you that you were too brainless to understand your own situation you'd be angry too. If I had kept my own temper as well we might have worked it out; I might not have been so sensitive. But last Sunday I'd just seen those hooded riders running through town, my daughter threw lit dynamite out of our home. Then I went to the ranch and found out he was there. Again. All I wanted was a safe place to go, a place to be comforted, and that place was you. But it didn't turn out that way." Conrad replies, "Katherine, you need to look at it from my perspective. You hadn't shared any of that with be before. I went out to the ranch to be with you and found out that you were working with an insane murderer who the law is actively seeking. You tried to rationalize what you did by saying that he paid fro the horse that he got from you, well the law wouldn't make that distinction, they'd see you as helping Earp. I...I saw you in a situation that had spun out of control and wanted to resolve it." Even though they appeared to be alone, Kate sat close and kept her voice very low. "You misunderstood my meaning when I told you he bought the horse. I was only trying to tell you that I wasn't supporting him so much that I'd give him a horse. Not that the law would care one way or another. And yes, I hadn't told you anything about this. If you were questioned you could honestly say you knew nothing. And Mr. Gonzales did already know. I told him the day Rufus Davis married Anita Ramirez. At the time the ranch was being watched by Thayer's men. I had no idea why except some clues that Thayer was connected to the Cowboy Gang. Earp's the one who told me." Kate ran her hand through her hair. "Several times he's shown guilt over what happened to Tom. He said he would leave and not return if I asked it, or he would look into what was going on with the men watching. I thought the Gang has much more reason to harm me than Earp. I made a choice. I question it every day. I didn't realize then he'd look for hiding places on the ranch. When you saw him leaving he'd just been told by the three of us not to come back, and I don't believe he will." Conrad replies, "Well then, if he doesn't return then it is a moot point so there is no reason to argue further. I've missed having you around to talk to, and when my father arrives on tomorrow's stagecoach I would like you by my side to greet him and his friends." Kate looked at him for a moment, resisting the urge to shake her head to clear it. "That's not quite the end of the argument, dear, there's one more thing. If you had just suggested to me we go see Mr. Gonzales for advice I'd have agreed. Even if we both have to walk away for an hour until we calm down, work it out with me, don't make choices for me." She held his hand tighter. "I missed you, too. What time does your father arrive tomorrow?" He replies, "Mid-afternoon, he's traveling with two of the gamblers coming to the poker tournament. They'll be on the westbound stage from New Mexico." Kate says, "School gets out at 3:30, I think I can manage it. I suppose you'd like the fancy lady there to meet the stage instead of the rancher." She slid closer so their knees were touching. "Luckily all the pretty clothes still fit." He replies, "It doesn't matter to me what you wear, you're the most beautiful woman in Promise City regardless. Kate....let's not argue again. But...I am who I am. I've learned how to be decisive, to make quick decisions, that's part of why I am good at my profession." She says, "I know. We both have to get used to this, and I can almost guarantee we'll argue again. We're a rather odd pair, after all. I'm just learning to make those decisions and I'm still sensitive about them and my new freedom. You're used to making decisions, and you seem to have a wide protective streak." She took his other hand and looked up. "I rather like that, truth be told, but we're going to clash now and then until we learn to accommodate one another. For now, why don't you accommodate me with a kiss?" Conrad lifts up her hand and gives a soft kiss to it. He then lowers the hand and looks lovingly into her eyes. He leans in, softly touching his lips to hers while wrapping his arm around her back. Kate closed her eyes and rubbed the back of his neck with her fingers while the other hand slipped inside his jacket to rest on his side. Her breath came quicker and she pressed herself closer, feeling safe for the first time in days. Conrad pulls her closer and hugs her with both arms.</blockquote>

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