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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Silver Moon" data-source="post: 3635948" data-attributes="member: 8530">Chapter One-hundred-seventy-six, “Good News”, Thursday, June 15th, 8:00 P.M. “Good News?“ Jake asks. Harry slides him the newspaper and says, "Yeah, Chester got a pair of those guys who shot the two of you up last January in that bank robbery. One's in jail, the other is at Lester's Funeral Parlor. The paper says a couple of guys from here helped Chet out. Jeff says they were him and that new security guy who you hired, Boston Harker's cousin Jonathan. Jeff said that Harker got hurt but the Doc is patching him up and he should be fine to work the tournament. According to the paper the tournament money is what they came to town for." Harry smiles and says, "But there's more, it just hasn't made the paper yet. Chumbley says they'll be a special edition out in a few hours to cover it, that enterprising halfling hit me up for ads for both the Liquor business and Lucky Lady to go in it. I said yes since he let me in on the stories, he should sell hundreds of papers. And the story is not just about Sam Slade's place blowing up. It seems that Wyatt Earp decided to shoot up the Liberty Party Headquarters, killing all of their candidates except Fisk, who wasn't home at the time. The irony is that Fisk wasn't there because he was visiting a client in jail, and now it's Earp who is rotting in jail." "Really?" Jake pretends to eagerly read the paper. Good, let others have the fame. A small grin sneaks its way to his face. "This is worth celebrating. I had not heard all the news, thanks Harry. You are getting to be rather good being an insider. A singularly fine and useful skill to hone." He raises his glass to Harry. He muses silently while sitting and chatting with Harry. How are you feeling about all this Mr. Cook? The more Cowboy gang members dead, the better. Who would cry over blood suckers being vanquished? Did you enjoy shooting the smarter Koontz brother? Was the revenge sweet? No. There was no pleasure there. I did not have a vendetta against the Koontzs. Really? I do not believe you. If I had, then the stupid one would be dead too. No, Bryce was shooting his gun and was going to kill either the Priestess or the Deputy. I could not allow that. Neither of them caused Dead Eye to shoot me. I caused that trying to get at Pinto. That is all water under the bridge now. I do not give a rats tail that they tried to rob Condon's bank. It is just good that they are not a risk to the tournament. What about Earp. Why did you save him? Did I save him? Perhaps I did. It was my opportunity to kill that wizard and I took it. I still do not know how Earp survived that explosion. He should have been blown to a thousand pieces. Are you going to help him avoid a rope? There is just too much evidence against him. Whether Isby wants to or not, he will hang him. Yes, that seems likely. However my thoughts about that matter are still unclear. There is something of a camaraderie between us. Yet, he would have sacrificed me willingly and easily if he had need. What will you do? A fine question. One that does not have an answer yet. I will bide my time. The questioning voice inside him goes silent. Jake is grateful he can enjoy the whiskey in peace. At the El Parador, Conrad walks over to Kate and whispers "Is it true that Earp is in jail? Josie called off the rehearsal when she heard that rumor." She says, "It's true. Earp took advantage of some chaos that happened during the arrest of the second Koontz brother to take out some of the Liberty Party members. The dynamite shed went up in the crossfire. I'm not sure how he was hurt or found, but he was. I wondered how Miss Marcus would take it. You have an understudy for her, I hope?" He gives a reluctant smile and says, "Actually she was the understudy, Miss West was supposed to play Juliet. In fact, there's only one other woman in town who knows the part....." Kate replies, "You must have realized Ruby wasn't going to come back in time to rehearse the part and act it when she wasn't back early this week. My dear, I don't even know if I can act at all, or know where to stand, what to do..." She took a few deep breaths. "I would try. For you. Wyatt will be tried tomorrow and I don't think the verdict will give her much comfort." He replies, "Ah, but she is a professional. The show must go on....yes, I know, I'm kidding myself. If he gets hung, and quite frankly I don't see any other outcome, then she will be in no shape to perform." Kate nodded. "I don't see any other outcome either. He's guilty. He's been a danger to the Cowboy Gang and innocents alike. But... I know how the desire for revenge can eat at your soul." She tangled her hand in her hair. "His capture could be considered my fault. I gave him the opportunity. I didn't mean to, but my impatience set everything off." Conrad replies, "Katherine, you're not responsible for the actions of that madman. He was determined to kill those men and would have whether it was now or later." She took one of his large hands in her two small ones. "I know. But I can't help going over it all again and finding fault with myself. The good news is, amongst that all we destroyed the last two vampires left in this town." Kate went on and described what had happened , leaving out the identity of the new slayer, saying only they'd gotten some help near the end. "I know you'll think I shouldn't have been there, and you're not wrong. But it had to be done and there were things only I could do." He hesitates to answer for a moment. "Well it is at least over now," he states. She nodded and held his hand tighter. "It's alright to disagree with me, you know. It was stupid, and..." The tears she had been too exhausted to cry at the bathhouse broke through and her shoulders shook. "I'm sorry," she managed to whisper and dug for her handkerchief. Conrad says, "Well, we can discuss it later my Juliet. I must get going over to the Long Branch. My relationship with Mrs. Higgins is strained enough as it is, I should not be late, especially since my father and his friends plan to stop by for a few hands of poker with me." "I'll walk with you if you don't mind, since it's on my way to the Lady." She wiped her eyes and got hold of herself. "I apologize, I'm just exhausted. I could use a week of absolute quiet." She stood up, took his arm, and walked with him over to the Long Branch. "Give your father my greetings and my thanks for coming to the school tomorrow," she said before giving him a quick kiss. He hugs Kate and gives her a longer kiss in return. He says, "My father's traveling companions may want to talk to the students as well. One is a New York City politician and another is a coal baron from Philadelphia." She states, I'll take every opportunity to show the students what's beyond Promise City. They'd be very welcome." She took a moment to enjoy the embrace before pulling back. "Just send word if you need me tomorrow. I could have a very busy day." He comments, “I should know Josie's status by late morning since the trial is earlier than that. Too early for me to actually want to attend," he replies. She answers, "Hmm, I wish I could sleep in too," she said.  "You'd best get to work.  I'll see you tomorrow.  Tonight I guess I'll be brushing up on my Shakespeare." With that he walks away saying "Parting is such sweet sorrow." Kate shook her head with a smile and walked over to the Lady.   Inside the Lucky Lady, Burton Lumley stops by and joins Jake at the bar, ordering a glass of scotch from Harry. "Well Jake, I guess I owe you an apology, you were right about Adair. I've resigned from his Freedom Party and am back to running for Town Council as an independent." Jake replies, “Apology accepted. I am pleased you learned before it cost you too dearly, that would have been a pity. What did he do that changed your mind?" Lumley says, "He got himself arrested. I was just over at the County Jail talking to him. He was with Bob Skull, who was invisible and walking around alongside Adair through town. Neither one of them was apparently bright enough to figure that with the town covered in fresh layer of dust and rubble that an invisible person would still be kicking up dust and getting a thin layer over their feet and legs. The Deputy Sheriffs saw the dusty feet walking and arrested them both." Lumley drinks half of his glass of scotch and continues, "Adair claims he didn't know Skull was there but I've played poker long enough to tell when somebody is lying. No way I'm going to support folks who murdered Derek Avery." "Sounds like it is getting mighty crowded over at the Jail." Jake comments between sips of whiskey. "Still a shame about Avery. Ironic that they went after the wrong guy too. Not that I condone going after the folks who might have blown up his saloon that way." Jake shrugs, "I expect that Adair will manage to get out of jail regardless. I feel a bit better with Skull being behind bars. I believe I am on the Palace folk's short list of people to ruin, so having Skull wandering about was a concern." Jake thinks for a minute. "Do you have any idea what Adair has on McCoy's wife that keeps old Prosper in line?" Lumley finishes his glass and orders another. "No, can't say that I do. But I do know that she hates Adair with a passion." He starts the second scotch and says, "You're probably right about him getting out, especially if they have no hard evidence that he knew Skull was there. But that won't happen until tomorrow at the soonest. Isby will have to hold a trial with all of the jail cells now full. Can't have that at the start of the poker tournament can we, they might be needed for cheaters!" Jake chuckles at Lumley's jest. "As a fine upstanding citizen of Promise City I would be willing to contribute to expanding our jail capacity for both purposes." His mouth loses his smile for a moment and adds, "You well know I cannot stomach cheaters in my saloon. Sadly, I expect we will have at least a couple with the temerity to engage is such base activity at the tournament. We shall have to be vigilant." Jake clicks Lumley's glass and the smile returns. "I do look forward to this tournament. I expect to enjoy myself greatly." Lumley replies, “And attended by some of the most famous gamblers. The Wells Fargo Stage just arrived and off of it came Commodore Duvall, Willy Spinner, Brett Maverick, Twitchy Brooklyn and John Wesley Hardin. Word is that Ben Thompson also just rode into town." Jake comments, "If my memory serves me, Ben Thompson is a little too fond of drawing that pistol of his and has been getting ornery as time passes. I wonder if he has any money on his head. I do not want our tourney interrupted by bounty hunters." Harry says, "You remember correctly, he has over a dozen killings to his name but always manages to get off by waiting for the other guy to shoot first so he can claim self defense. No fear of Bounty Hunters though, he now wears a badge himself! Austin Texas actually elected that no-good-nick as their Marshal! That may keep him in line, although I hear he rode in with his brother Billy, who is even more of a loose canon than Ben." Jake taps his pursed lips a couple of times. "I do not know Brooklyn and Spinner, but I have heard of Maverick. I did not care for the Commodore last time I watched him play on the river. Ah, well, their money is green. I thought Hardin was a wanted outlaw?" Lumley states, "Convicted prisoner actually, but he was recently pardoned after serving only four years of a twenty-five year sentence. Ben Thompson has the reputation of an angel compared to Hardin. He once shot a man just for snoring too loudly." Jake replies, "Spectacular. We are certainly blessed with a wide range of participants." Several ideas come to Jake but he chooses to keep them to himself. Jake stays and socializes with Harry and Lumley until the owner of the Gay Lady takes his leave. Afterwards Jake locates Maria and has her make him some dinner. He stays at the Lucky Lady relaxing until game time. The first two of Jake’s players to arrive at the Lucky Lady are Al Brower and Helen Barker. Stanley Barker is in tow and goes to the piano to play until all of the players are present. Helen ignores Jake, giving her husband her undivided attention. Al heads up to the bar and orders a whiskey from bartender Michael George. Next to arrive for the game is Zach Morand. Jake asks, "Good evening Zach, you in for the winner take all game tonight?" Zach Morand says, "Indeed I am. My brother Forest is playing in the tournament. The entry fee is too rich for my blood, but I can spare the $ 500 for tonight. I'm glad that Helen thought of this." Town blacksmith Henry Weller is the next to arrive for the game. Jake realizes that it is highly unlikely that the reckless gambler will win, but does recall a few times when Henry has had hot nights at his table. Jake says "Hmmm, simple math tells me that means six players. Weller, Barker, Brower, Morand only makes four. Who are the other two?" Henry Weller replies, "Cassidy and Shaw I believe. We may have to wait a while longer, Neil is still on duty with Chester over at the Jail. They'll both be along once Berg and Rodriguez relieve them." Inside was a larger crowd than Kate expected on a Thursday, with Stanley Barker at the piano.  Only Jake was there out of everyone who'd been in the mess earlier.  Apparently they'd all gone their separate ways.  She sat down at an empty table and listened to Stanley's music, trying not to think about tomorrow. Priestess Minerva strides over to the jail in search of Berg or Chester. She sees Chester on the porch of the Marshal's Office, the door shut behind him. Minerva strides purposefully toward Chester. "Hola, Deputy Martin. I hope you did not get too banged up this after noon. I Thank the gods and you that we came out of it reasonably unscathed. Did you know that Nagle is over at Fisk's place with Fisk and Leslie searching for evidence? " Chester says, "Hey there Priestess. I got a few aches and pains. Not too bad. I didn't know the Deputy Sheriff was over there. I'd like to go there myself, but with all the people we have in the hoosegow, I can't leave." Minerva raises an eyebrow at Chester "Are you not a bit concerned that they may be up to no good?" Chester looks around and says, "Of course I am. But like I said, I'm needed here. We know these guys broke the law, so a bird in the hand and all that. Have you tried to stick your nose in?" Minerva huffs, "I did and they made it clear that I wasn't welcome there. So I decided to tell you." She shrugs her shoulders  "I have done my duty. I am off to the Lady in search of something to warm my belly. Usta Luego, Deputy Martin. May the gods keep the wolves from your door, for a time at least." She shrugs her shoulders  "I have done my duty. I am off to the Lady in search of something to warm my belly. Usta Luego, Deputy Martin. May the gods keep the wolves from your door, for a time at least." She chuckles and hurries to the Lady before something else can keep her from a hot meal and a warm drink. As she departs Chester says "I'll see you around, Priestess. Thanks for the warning." Deputy Neil Cassidy comes by to relieve Mitchell Berg so that he can go get some supper.  He reminds Berg that he has a prior engagement that evening at the Lucky Lady.  Mitch says, "Yeah, I remember, you and Helen both needed the night off.    Eddie and I will come back in a few hours so that you guys and Chet can go relax for a bit, but I'll be needing all of you back here by 6:00 AM tomorrow as we'll all be needed for the trial given the number of prisoners." Chester says, "Got it Mitch. Having all of them in here makes me nervous. I keep expecting a jailbreak." Berg nods, "So do I Chet. We'll just have to be extra vigilant, then." Chester adds, "By the way, I heard that the deputy sheriffs were over at Fisk's place and Liberty party headquarters looking for evidence with Fisk." Berg replies, "Let them, it's his house.  We already have enough evidence for Isby to hang most of this bunch." Chester answers, “OK. That's fine by me. I'll see you later. We'll hold down the fort." Berg leaves and Chester settles down on the porch. The day passes uneventfully. Berg and Eduardo come back to relieve Neil, Helen, and Chester. Chester says, "Things have been quiet here. We'll see you in the morning." He stops by Clarisse's place to visit. She rushes up to him and hugs him closely. She says, "I was so worried about you when I heard the explosion. Were you hurt?" Chester replies, "Not too bad. Earp was knocked around from what I hear. How have you been, dear?" She answers, "Pretty good. The sewing circle and singing at the Lucky Lady have kept me busy."</blockquote>

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