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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Silver Moon" data-source="post: 3743120" data-attributes="member: 8530">Chapter One-hundred-ninety-one, “Hanging Aftermath”, Friday, June 16th, 4:45 P.M. Kate and Conrad finish up the meal but seeing quite a few people heading east outside Conrad observes "The hanging must have just gotten over, folks are heading back to where ever. Let's stick around here a while longer until all of them clear out." Kate nodded. "Since there's no one shouting or angry, I assume this hanging went as it was intended. I don't regret the loss of Bob Skull or Elmer Koontz, but I'm just as glad not to have seen it." Conrad replies, "I agree. I also think that if the town decides to actually build a school they should pick a site other than that municipal lot where the gallows was erected. Jeff Mills would like a fire station, far better to put that on the site than a place to education children. I don't believe in ghosts but I do feel that places of intentional death hold bad omens." Kate says, "I don't believe in ghosts as most people think of them, but I do know that a spirit can be trapped here after they pass, unable to move on until those still here let them go. I suppose it would be possible for the spirit to stay because of its own anger. I don't know. But I would never build anything for children on such a site and I would refuse to teach there. I've never heard you say something like that, like believing in omens. Do you believe the land takes on a taint from what happened on it?" He replies, "Mother Jaminez has taught me a great deal. She knows more about the land than anybody, if she says that places can hold bad omens then I am inclined to believe her." Kate held his arm a little tighter and shivered. "Yes, Mother Jaminez is very wise. She helped us yesterday, locating those who avoided the sunlight although she would go no further. I will have to make sure we soak the ground at the ranch with good omens, and my school as well. I want the town to have a public school, but I had gotten the idea in my head of my school lasting decades and maybe becoming a boarding school. But that was probably more than I'd be able to handle anyway with the ranch to work." Conrad says, "Well, let's wait and see what comes of the election before making any permanent decisions regarding your school." She says, "My dear, I'm not planning for much beyond December. There's just no way to know how things are going to stand.” Mr. Maverick finishes the meal and he departs with Mrs. Enion. Some more people enter and from their conversation both Conrad and Kate conclude that the hangings did indeed occur. She says, "It's over, at least." She watched Mr. Maverick walk away with Mrs. Enion. "She would be an interesting woman to know. She seems to have a sense of humor about life." Conrad says, "Yes indeed. Let's see, he called her Miss. Stone, mentioned con artistry, she spoke with a hint of a British accent and referenced her father. I imagine that would be Michael Stone, probably the best in the business for that line of work. If memory serves, he lived here in the States for several years following the war until he ran into trouble with the law and then returned to England." "How do you know all these things?" she laughed. He says, "I've been a gambler for a while now and grew up in the theater. As shocking as it might sound the business of con artistry is interrelated with both of those professions. I imagine that was part of why your family was so skeptical of me in the first place. Kate replies, "Not shocking at all. And I think my family would be skeptical of anyone I introduced to them, they always have been. Charmichael was more of a surprise though. Well, he'll go to college a meet some lovely girl and marry her and forget he ever thought of me. I was suggested politics for the fascinating Mrs. Enion as a way to honestly pit her wit and charm against others. Keeping criminals out doesn't have to mean keeping talented people out." She says, "The family business. That certainly would explain her accommodations in California. I can see how such a life might be appealing. Pitting your mind against another and using the power of your personality to cloud their thinking until you've set things up just as you want them. We could have used her as a consultant for the Unity party. There are plenty of places for a quick wit and a winning smile." He replies with a laugh, "From what I saw of San Francisco politics I would say that profession also strongly overlaps with con artistry. And wasn't the Unity party founded in order to keep the criminals out of office?" Conrad says, "Yes, but despite what she said I am skeptical of Mrs. Enion's putting the past behind her. If she were truly committed to that she wouldn't have just conned her way into the tournament." Kate answers, "Maybe... I'll keep my eyes open during the tournament, at least when I'm there. And perhaps I'll just say a word to Jake. I don't like to lay suspicion on someone who might not deserve it, but I think he'll understand." He replies, "That might be a wise move. And on the subject of wisdom, I keep thinking that I made a foolish move, turning down Mrs. Higgins entry money because I didn't like the strings attached. Not only has it created tension between myself and my employer but it will cost me another $ 1,500 for what was probably a meaningless gesture. Her conditions would have only factored in if Mr. Adair, Mr. Cook and I were all three among the final players in the game, which is unlikely with twenty-eight participants." Kate states, "It was the right thing to do, even if it's not easy. It wasn't meaningless. Mrs. Higgins must know that you're her employee, not her toady. I'm glad you didn't compromise your conscience to make your days easier." Kate looked down for a moment. "You've changed a great deal since I met you, and I'm sure Mrs. Higgins lays some of that at my door. I'm sorry about that. Maybe it really is time to think of what else you might be able to do. Although I don't know that there's anything here as lucrative as gambling." He says, "Well, there's always politics! The Law and Order Party may be looking for a new candidate or two, maybe I should approach them about being a substitute." "But my dear, it just wouldn't do to have you on the losing party!" Kate teased. "Honestly, I usually find as long as you keep your eyes open there are opportunities. And things with Mrs. Higgins should smooth out after the election is over and things settle down again. After all, you're still bringing money into her saloon." He replies, "Indeed I am, and if either myself or Mr. Spaulding do well in the tournament that should bring even more people to the Long Branch given the publicity that this will generate. Actually, Earp going on trial when he is should add even more, because reporters coming for the trial will no doubt cover the end of the tournament as well." She says, "They'd be fools if they didn't. This is going to be a very busy town the next few days. There's enough time for reporters to get here for Wyatt's trial from almost anywhere in the country if they use usual methods. If I were Jake I'd sniffing out some opportunity for myself in that. Either advocating the idea of voting for all races and genders, or just getting a little publicity for the school. I might have to think about that a bit." At the gallows, Minerva stands tight lipped at the back of the crowd watching the ropes swing with the weight of retribution. With grim satisfaction she silently acknowledges that this time, the law has done it's job and justice has been served. She melts back from the crowd being careful not to draw attention to herself and makes her way to the jail to speak with Earp. Back at the municipal lot, the crowd is starting to clear from the gallows area, with Koontz and Skull both swaying by their ropes, the deaths having come swiftly. Dick Lester rides up with his wagon, with two of the fancy caskets from Madson's store in the back. Berg tells Chester, "Let's cut them down and get this over with." Chester climbs onto the scaffold and cuts Skull down with his Bowie knife. "Who paid for the fancy coffins? Adair?" Dick Lester says, "Adiar paid for Skull's, Fisk paid for the one for Koontz." Chester says, "Let's get them down quickly. They'll go bad fast in this heat." He looks at Berg. "Marshall, do you think Snavely and the others will get off on the appeal?" Berg says, "Not at all, with Grant Porter's testimony the case against them is rock solid. That was very smart of Isby to treat the boy the way he did, the Judge actually didn't want to do that at all." Chester raises an eyebrow. "He didn't? It was good of him to give the young man a second chance." Berg says, "As far as Isby was concerned Porter deserved a rope as much as his co-conspirators. But he was smart enough to realize that he had a weak case, since the hooded riders all kept their hoods on and with Ashley King, Luthor King and Don Hudson all conveniently dead the others would shift the blame to them or deny having been part of the gang during their crimes. So Isby realized the only way to accomplish true justice for the majority of them was by getting one to talk, and Porter seemed the best bet for that since Porter's father and Doc Eaton also put pressure on the boy to do so." Chester replies, "Smart man. A chain is only as strong as its weakest link. Plus Porter's young enough to learn from his actions. I can't believe he's as hardened as the others." Berg replies, "I agree. I was the one who came up with the idea of military service as an alternative to prison time. Isby only went for that since it would guarantee the boy would be out of the Judge's jurisdiction for the future. The part that the judge kept quiet about was the boy's use of magic, it wasn't just Vaughn who knew how to mix up those potions, I think that's the real reason he wanted him gone from here." Chester drags Skull to the wagon. "Yeah. If that came out, then he couldn't let Porter off with just service. Chances are that the laws against sorcery won't come off the books anytime soon." Berg replies, "No Chet, they won't, which is why people will have to keep pretending they don't see things that they clearly see, or come up with mundane explanations for them instead." Chester shakes his head. He says, "I have to admit. If you told me about this stuff a year ago. I would've wanted to string up Porter, too. Now? Now, sorcery is just a tool. A powerful and strange tool. But a tool all the same." Berg says, "I agree. And although he would never admit it in public I'm fairly confident that Judge Isby thinks so too." The bodies are secured and Lester drives away. Berg says, "We might as well leave the gallows assembled until Monday, that'll give all of the newcomers in town for the weekend activities pause before they act harshly." Chester smiles grimly. "Nice thinking, boss. Every little thing will help. Hopefully this tournament won't draw too rough a crowd. Not much room in the jail." Berg answers, "Actually only Earp is left, but if you ask, that's enough." As Chester and Berg walk back the Marshal says, "On the subject of this weekend, I've arranged with the Deputy Sheriffs to have one of them guarding outside of our Office with one of us inside guarding Earp. Neil and Sheriff Nagle are currently en route to Tombstone with the hooded rider prisoners. Eddie and Leslie are guarding Earp. But I'm also concerned about the large gathering tonight at the Lucky Lady. Why don't you plan on being there for the play, but I'm going to ask you to pay more attention to the audience than the performers." Chester states, "OK. I'm your man. Are you afraid of something specific or just a general sense of dread? By the way, how much do you trust Nagle and Leslie? Because I don't trust them very much." Berg answers, "That's why they are guarding outside and we're inside. Leslie is a bad apple, they never should have put a badge on him. Nagle strikes me as okay, and he is at least somewhat bright. It was his idea in Tombstone to use dynamite to make fire breaks back during that fire last month. They would have lost a lot more of the town otherwise." Chester replies, "Hmph. As long as Leslie doesn't turn him, I guess that will have to do. Let's hope that they don't figure out why they're being kept outside. I take it, you warned the others to keep an eye on the deputies." Berg replies, "Yes. The Sheriff Deputites realize that for Earp's safety the doors need to be locked at all times with guards on both side. They may hate Earp, which is as much incentive as anything. They want to ensure that Earp's friends don't try to bust him out of jail before the trial." Chester says, "There are enough still left after the war they've had with the cowboys? I'm not saying that it can't happen, but how likely is it? We should check out anyone staying at the Great Western and the Promise City Hotel. Earp's friends, or enemies for that matter, could be watching the jail. Once is enough." Berg says, "Anybody new to town will probably be attending that play tonight Chet, you keep a close eye out there." Chester replies, "I hear you, Marshall. I'll keep my eyes peeled for any newcomers and anyone acting odd." Minerva arrives at the Marshal's Office and is denied admittance by Deputy Sheriff Frank Leslie who is guarding the door. Minerva stands firm, "Deputy Leslie, I demand to know why you would bar Senor Earp from a visit by the church." Leslie replies, "Lady, I'm not even allowed inside. My orders are to guard the outside and not to let anybody inside other than Marshall Berg and his deputies. Unless you're wearing a badge you stay out here." Minerva continues to stand defiant. Leslie says, "Ma'am, I have my orders." She states, "Well, I will just have to speak to Marshall Berg. Where is he?" "I think he's over at his office," is Leslie's reply. "Gracias, I will go and speak to someone of authority then." she turns on her heel leaves. The crowd finally thinned out and Conrad escorted Kate back home. Janet Fly would be inside and hopefully Ginnie would be home as well. At the back door, Kate looked around to make sure there was no one to see them. "There's something I've been wanting to do all day," Kate said with a smile. “You're going to be wonderful tonight. I can't wait to see you." She lifted her face to kiss him. "For luck," she teased. He smiles and says, "Now I can only hope that the elder Booth doesn't charm you away from me." "The Elder Booth holds no charms for me. He may be able to act many parts, but he can't fill all your roles," she said lightly but sincerely. Conrad replies, "I'm just teasing. Well, I'd better be off. If I'm late Miss. Marcus is liable to put in my understudy instead." "He might have a chance if you don't kiss me good-bye," she said, getting up on her toes. He leaned down and obliged her, then waited until she was inside before hurrying off to get ready for the play. Chester and Berg reach the office. Deputy Sheriff Leslie is sitting on the porch. Berg says, "Afternoon, Deputy Leslie. Anything unusual happen?" Leslie replies to Chester's question, "That Priestess tried to get in to see Earp. I sent her on her way." Chester says, "She did? Wonder why she'd want to see Wyatt. I don't remember them meeting before. I'll have to ask her later. Thanks." Chester and Berg unlock the door to the office and head inside. Berg asks, "Everything going smoothly so far?" Helen says, "Yes, everything is fine here. Glad you're back Mitch, I have to go meet Stanley for supper. He's playing tonight at the play." Berg smiles, "Alright. Go on ahead, Helen. You should have time to get ready. Tell Stanley to break a leg tonight." Helen chuckles and says, "Will do, Mitch. It'll be a good show. I've heard Miss Marcus is a very good actress. Chet, I'll see you there." Chester says, "I'll be there, Helen."</blockquote>

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