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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Silver Moon" data-source="post: 3803058" data-attributes="member: 8530">Chapter Two-hundred-five, “Bonnie’s Tale”, Saturday, June 17th, 10:45 A.M. Chester wakes in his room at the Lucky Lady. It had been a long but uneventful night guarding Watson, until he was relieved by Eduardo. The play was long since over when he got out, so he shuffled back alone. In the morning, Chester rose and splashed water on his face. He dressed and made his way into the kitchen, where he put on a pot of coffee. Lighting a cigarette, he pours a cup from the pot and drinks. Things at the Lady are quiet until mid-to-late morning when Tim Finnegan, Jeff Mills and Thom begin to rearrange furniture for the poker tournament. Chester asks, "Expecting a big crowd for the tourney? Let me help out. Did anyone stay to watch the end of the play last night? How was it?" Jeff says, "We all stayed until the crowd cleared out.   They're doing the play again tonight at the Gay Lady and tomorrow afternoon at the Town Hall, so you should try to catch the last two acts at one of those performances." Chester says, "Thanks Jeff. I'll try. I want to make it up to Clarisse for leaving her last night. Especially with her seeing the shooting. I'll see you later. I'll be back later to keep watch over the tourney." He slaps Jeff on the back and leaves for the office. The men at the Lucky Lady rearrange the five biggest tables with one in the center of the room and the other four northeast, northwest, southeast and southwest of those.    They arrange seven chairs at each of the tables, for a dealer and six players.    They then arrange all of the smaller tables and the remaining chairs around the perimeter of the room, leaving plenty of room for folks to get to and from both the bar and the side door to the outhouse.    Once they are done Jeff tells Thom and Finnegan "Go get washed up and changed, Van Horne wants us to all look our best." Minerva sits up and grabs her head. She comes out into the living room and finds Nakomo dressed in his Sunday best. She says, “My don't you look dashing. Where are you off too?" Nakomo looks over his shoulder and is startled by Minerva's disheveled appearance and gray complexion. "Well you don't look so good, if you don't mind my saying so. where have you been?" he scolds and walks across the room to her. She replies, "I will be fine Nakomo. Just a bit to much celebrating is all. Now where are you off too?" He says, "I am working at the Lucky Lady today and If I don't hurry I will be late. Gotta go." He says and rushes out the door. Minerva takes her time getting dressed and makes her way to Dorita's in search of a strong cup of coffee and a newspaper. Dorita is quick to give the Priestess a hot mug of coffee. "Gracias Dorita. You are an angel. Would you have something for this headache as well?" She replies, "IF it is an alcohol-produced headache I can make up my hangover cure." She replies, "Si, I would really appreciate it. I would take my punishment for being so foolish but there is so much going on in town today. I feel I must be on my toes." Dorita disappears into the kitchen and comes back a few minutes later with a mug of steaming liquid that smells like a cross between tar and a dead animal.    After taking the first sip she concludes that the taste is comparable to the smell. Minerva finds a copy of today's Promise City Mirror as well. "Ugh," she grimaces and quickly follows it with an appreciative smile. Gracias Dorita. This is just what I need and exactly what I deserve."   She bravely swallows down the foul liquid. "I am not sure that I am ready to read quite yet. Is there anything in the paper that I should be aware of?" Dorita says, "Main story about shooting at play last night.   Other stories about Lucky Lady poker game today, bank robbers escaping from prison, Law and Order Party changing some candidates, and some comment about Monday's trial of Marshal Earp." Minerva replies, "Bank robbers escaping from prison? Not around here I hope.” Dorita answers, "No Colorado, but they same ones who hurt Chet and Jake in January back when they both bank guards.   Hope they no come back here.” Minerva comments, “We seem to attract more than our share of trouble and with this poker tournament in town I'm sure that there will be more. What are people speculating about Senor Earps trial? Do you believe that he should hang for what he did?" The middle-aged Elvan woman replies, “Two editorials, different views.   Chumbley like Earps and argue for acquittal.   Letter from Sheriff Leslie want him hung.   I not know what to think, hope I don't have to be on Jury." Minerva states, "Nobody relishes the thought of serving on a jury. But if it keeps an innocent man from going to the gallows than it is worth the inconvenience do you not agree?" Dorita answers, "Si, life is a thing most precious." The Priestess says, "I think that I am feeling much better now. Perhaps I will have some breakfast and then see if they need a hand at the Lady. I have an ill feeling about this tournament that has nothing to do with my hang over. I would feel better if I were closer to Nakomo in case of trouble. He and Katherine's girl are serving drinks today." Minerva orders a hearty breakfast and then returns home to dress into fancier attire.  She slips on gloves,  picks up her parasol and carefully conceals her pistol into her skirt. She examines herself in the mirror. Places a large fancy hat upon her head and strolls over to the Lucky Lady with Luna perched upon her shoulder. Meanwhile, Jake had awakened the morning of the tournament with a throbbing head.  Though tempted to crawl back under the covers, he instead cleans up, dresses, and trudges to the El Parador for coffee.  Two large Jake Cook cork bottomed mugs of black coffee later, which is about one hour before the tournament is scheduled to begin, he is standing outside the McCoy residence rapping lightly on the door. Bonnie McCoy answers the door.   Once she sees who it is she looks both ways to make sure that nobody is watching, then ushers him quickly inside.  She says, "Have you decided to help us?" "Yes."  Jake pauses and takes stock of her and himself.  Is Minerva right?  Am I a nice guy?  Maybe, but I have my motives.   He says, "I have done more than that.  If all that Adair has against you two is contained in the three loan documents and various property deeds that he once had in the bank safe box you named, then consider yourself free of his influence.  I expect to have them in my possession soon."  He watches her expression.  "However you have a choice to make.  Rest assured that I am no black mailer, and if you and Prosper mean no malice towards me then these papers will never see the light of day.  I ask nothing more of you. If, however, you would like these papers for yourselves, I have some conditions.  They are quite reasonable.  First, my associates and I incurred some small expense gathering these documents and should be reimbursed for it.  Second, which ever of you two knows the whole story must tell it to me.  There are documents that may be unrelated to you and I do not wish to inadvertently give away another’s secret.  Once I am convinced that I have been told the honest and complete story, I will give the documents to you, to do with as you see fit.  I will keep no copies.  I will not tell the stories to others to use against you."   Jake gives her an easy smile.  "Lastly, after I have given over the documents I ask that you consider me a friend, and that if Evan Adair is planning on doing something that would harm me, my friends or my business you at least give me adequate warning to protect my interests or my life.  I ask you to take no other risks."  He gives one final smirk, "Of course if you know that snake is doing something immoral and want some help in having him caught in his own foul web, I would be most pleased to assist in that." Bonnie McCoy's facial expressions change from delight to concern and then hesitancy as he speaks.   She then says, "There are four documents that pertain to us, two are loan documents and two are deeds.    I'll tell you the story but only if you promise not to repeat it to anyone." After Jake agrees she states, "Prosper's father and brother are both prominent members of the Greek-Roman Church of California.   But his brother also has a gambling problem, and borrowed money from the Church treasury which he planned to pay back but lost instead.  It would have been a great scandal if it were discovered.    So Adair loaned us the money.  It was important to keep the McCoy name off the transaction, so my father was officially the person taking out the loan.   Adair made him put up the deed to my family's house and farm in Missouri as collateral. Around six months later the brother got in trouble again and a second loan was needed, this time the deed to the McCoy home in Oakland was used as collateral.    Prosper has been working almost as a slave for Adair to repay those loans." Jake states, "If I count correctly, the McCoy family borrowed ninety thousand dollars from Adair.  That would take several life times to repay on saloon help wages.  Do not take me wrong, but I do not understand where Adair is in the wrong here.  I mean he did loan the family all that money.  As much as I despise Evan Adair, it seems you ought to be angry at your husband's brother.  Is he Harvey?" She states, “No, Harvey is Prosper's father, the brother's name is Horace.   Mr. Cook, the loans have been fully repaid, plus another twenty thousand on top of those amounts.  But Adair has calculated astronomical interest costs that were not part of either loan agreement, that is what he is making Deacon work off.   We have no choice as he has threatened to expose the scandal to the church, which would ruin Harvey's reputation and cost him his job." Jake answers, "Well that is more like the Evan Adair I know.  Fine then.  So is Augustus Prentiss your father?  And is Bishop Charles McCoy another brother?" She replies, "Yes, Augustus is my father.  Charles was Harvey's father, Prosper's grandfather.   He died last year.   Harvey has now been promoted to the Treasurer's position." Jake nods sagely.  "Your story squares up with the documents.  I will be happy to turn those documents over shortly, and you two can go on with your lives."  He taps a finger on his lips a few times and says, "There is the matter of the expenses still....." She says, "I will have to talk to Prosper about that but if we can get those documents back I'm sure he will probably agree.  How much money are we talking about?" Jake puts on his best serious poker face and replies somberly, "Eight dollars." Her face changes to surprise, apparently expecting a much higher figure.  "Oh, I can get that for you right now," she states and hurries off into the kitchen.   She returns a moment later with a five-dollar paper bill and three dollar coins. Jake says, "Excellent.  I will repay my associates, it is a tradition of honor you see.  For our time and risk, we only ask your future considerations as I discussed previously.  Also, I expect that you and your husband will not reveal who provided you with the documents.  One of you ask for me at the Lucky Lady before noon if you please.  I will have the documents there and will hand them over to you as promised.  I trust this has been a rewarding day for you." He asks her to check to make certain he can leave without being noticed, for her safety of course.  Once it is clear Jake departs.  First he goes home to lock up the other documents in the safe.  Then he carefully rolls up the two deeds and the two loan papers and ties them with a string and puts it in his shirt.  Satisfied, he leaves for the Lucky Lady. Chester reaches the Marshal’s Office and is surprised to see a quartet of United States Army soldiers on guard duty outside of the town jail.   They see the badge that Chester is wearing and the corporal in charge asks for Chet's name before letting him advance to the door. Chester raises an eyebrow at this. "I'm Deputy Marshall Chester Martin, corporal." The soldier says, "You're on our list. Go on ahead deputy." Chester replies, "Thanks, soldier. Carry on." Once inside Chet sees that Marshall Berg and Neil Cassidy are both on duty.   Warren Watson is in one cell and Wyatt Earp is in the other. Chester hangs his hat on a hook. "Hey Mitch, Neil. When did Wyatt earn federal protection? Not that I'm sorry to see them here. Any help we can get is great. Any news on the search for Buckley's killer?" Berg says, "Sheriff Behan asked them to come here.   Some of their Regiment are in the play, so the others were happy to join them.  They've worked out a schedule so that four will be on duty here and another four on call at the Sheriff's Office while the others are off seeing the play or enjoying themselves elsewhere in town. As for us, Helen is playing in the tournament so she has the weekend off as long as she is still actively playing.   I want one of the other four of us here at all times, another inside the Lucky Lady, and a third out on Main Street between Fremont and Allen Streets since between the Lucky Lady's tournament, the play tonight at the Gay Lady, and all of the gambler's money in the First National Bank there could be trouble at any of those spots.     Eddie is off resting and will take over at 10:00 PM for one of us, pick your choice of assignments gentlemen." Chester states, "I'll take the play again tonight. By the way, I heard it was Helen who shot Earl Hogan. Didn't think she could miss like that." Berg says, "Yeah, she feels awful about that.  He moved at just the last second, otherwise we wouldn't be holding him for trial, he'd be at Dick Lester's instead." Chester says, "Yeah, it can be hard shooting in a crowd like that. That's why I didn't fire. My aim is nowhere near as good as hers. Hogan should heal up quick, so no harm done." "Only to her confidence," is Berg's reply.    Mitch says, "Okay, Neil will stay here, I'll head over to the Luckly Lady and you can watch Main Street Chet.   The gamblers should be arriving at the Lucky Lady for the tournament so you can eyeball them before they come in." Chester says, "Sure thing, boss. Let's all hope for a quiet day." Chester walks up Fremont Street to the telegraph office opposite from the Lucky Lady. Jake arrives at the Lucky Lady to see all of the staff present and attired in their finest of clothing.  Thom, Timothy Finnegan, Jeff Mills, Tony Lucky, Frank Lucky, Boston Harker and Jonathan Harker are lined up and receiving instruction from Cornelius Van Horne on security.  Thom and Finnegan wearing newly tailored suits correctly proportioned for their forms.   All seven have red armbands over booth upper arms with "Securitiy" embroidered upon then in gold script lettering. Jake sees six youngster, namely Ginnie, Nakomo, Burt Hoover, Melvin Caudell, Cathleen O'Hara and Colleen O'Hara also well attired and sitting at a table together.   They each have deep green armbands over both upper arms that read "Lucky Lady" in gold script lettering.    Michael George and Harry Rote are behind the bar, also with green armbands reading "Lucky Lady".   Stanley Barker is seated at the piano, but has opted not to wear the bands upon his arms having instead placed them around his tips cup. Jake, attired in his French silk white shirt and black linen pants, looks back and forth, "Very nice, very nice indeed.  Mr. Van Horne you have outdone yourself.  It must be due to the most excellent people you have recruited."   He hands Jeff Mills his Colt, gun belt and derringer.  "Take mighty good care of that," tapping the short barreled Colt revolver, "if you please.  I assume Mr. Van Horne already given you instructions regarding whom to give it to for safe keeping.”  Van Horne picks it up and says, "I'm going upstairs now to speak to the dealers, I will take care of it." What about the knife," Jake says pointing to his boot with the hilt protruding, "must that be checked as well?" Jeff says, "Yep, I'm afraid so.   Don't worry though, the seven security guards, both bartenders, all five dealers and the hostess will all be armed, as will Helen Barker.   If there's trouble there are enough weapons in the house." Jake sighs, unaccustomed to being unarmed, "If it must be....."  He hands the big man his dagger and sheath.  Jake then goes about getting his mind prepared for the game.  As he does so he is watching the other players, learning every little bit about them for the upcoming tournament.  Every personal trait he learns is an edge, and Jake is after every edge he can get.  Jake is here to win.</blockquote>

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