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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Silver Moon" data-source="post: 3901731" data-attributes="member: 8530">Chapter Two-hundred-thirty-one, “Betting the Saloons”, Monday, June 19th, 4:15 A.M. Jake takes his seat. “Mierde” is the first thing that comes to mind. As he stretches and settles in he comments to the players at the table, "Mr. Maverick and I were just discussing what a small world it is. One just never knows what friendly faces from the past will surprise you. I had the good fortune to cut my teeth as they say playing poker on the Commodore's fine gambling vessel." Duvall says, "Except for Mr. Kane here I had everybody here at the table on the Lauren Belle at one time or another." He glares at Adair and says, "Most of whom I was glad to have there." Brady Hawkes says "And aside from Mr. Cook here I've had the pleasure of playing before with every one of you, as well as Mr. Maverick's Father Beau." Maverick says, "Pappy said that you all but retired." Hawkes says, "Not entirely, once gambling is in your blood it's there for life. I have spent the better part of the last decade riding with an apprentice, a young fellow named Billy Montana, as well as getting reacquainted with my son Jeremiah." Jake notices that Michael George is still on duty behind the bar, the change there being the removal of the new Niles Hoover portrait that had been painted by Moria Enion's husband Patrick, which was apparently the 'accomplice behind the bar' that Gonzales spoke of. Jake does not see Gonzales in the room any longer. Jake plays the first hand, planning on folding quickly without raising. During the first hand he develops a cough. He makes his ante for the second hand and rises, "Excuse me a moment, I find I need some water." Getting some water at the bar he motions to Jeff Mills. "That is not Job Kane. It is someone magically masquerading as him. Send someone out to look for Job, and someone to tell Van Horne. Do NOT let Tony Lucky in on it, he is likely in cahoots with Adair, who is likely involved in this. If anyone has harmed Job...." Silver Jake Cook's eyebrows come together in a dark look but waits for Jeff's acknowledgement. Jeff says, "Are you sure? What am I saying, of course you are. It's another one who that Messier changed I'll bet. Tony in on it? Makes sense, he was the one who went to go get Job. I'll get the forces in motion on this, you just make sure that you keep that imposter here." Before turning back towards the table, Jake sighs and releases the tension. He composes his face and returns to the table. His intent is to slow the game down, keep the bids low and hold his losses to a minimum. Jake and Maverick both keep their bids low, as does Hawkes, giving the now constantly-winning Adair an opportunity to relieve Duvall of his money. After a half hour of six hands Jake, Hawkes and Maverick are each down $ 600 and Duvall is down to his final $ 1200. Jake notices the Jeff Mills has not returned and that he took both Harkers with him, leaving Tony Lucky, Frank Lucky, Thom and Tim Finnegan as the security guards. Jake starts some small talk, and Maverick readily joins in. Jakes waits for an opportunity and then says, "That reminds me of a story." Which he tells slowly and in a disarming manner. "I don’t even remember the name of the dead end town, but I was working there for a few days trying to get enough to eat before I moved on to the next dead end town. One of the larger boarding houses was much like the El Parador. It had a saloon, barn, corral and a daughter who had just gotten to marrying age." Jake looks around and smirks before continuing. "Somehow," Jake's smirk turns into a smile, "I found myself speaking to this pretty young thing and suggested that she meet me in the barn later so we could talk some more. I am not sure if someone else overheard me, or if I was not as persuasive as I imagined but instead of being greeted by the pretty girl with soft brown eyes there was a broad-chested man holding a pitch fork in a rather menacing fashion." Jake stops for emphasis. “Yes, I’ve come about the advertisement to bale hay. I told him. But he only glared at me and took a step towards me." “I can provide references. I am a very hard worker. I tried again. Again he advanced wordlessly and kept the nasty looking pitchfork pointed in my direction. Perhaps I’ve come at a bad time, should I come back later? I asked and tried to walk around him but he lashed out with the tines and I dodged back. He took a few more determined steps towards me backing me into an upright ladder." Jake stiffens his back and pretends to have backed into something with his eyes wide in fear. "I looked over his shoulder and cried out, Thank the gods you are here sheriff, this heathen was going to skewer me! He turned and looked over his shoulder and I clambered up the ladder." “Get back down here and gets whats you deserve! The man bellowed at me and his face turned red with rage." “Oh, you can speak. I taunted him. I will tell you though, my knees were still shaking. Then I said, I was beginning to think you were dumb.” He made a noise that was more an unintelligible growl than a response and started looking around him. I supposed he was looking for something to throw at me or inflict some other unpleasantness. He reached out behind a post and retrieved a nasty looking hand scythe. He pulled his arm back to throw it at me but before he let it go I had pulled hard on the top of the ladder and caught him in the groin with one of the ladder legs." Jake makes a wincing expression on his face. "Well the brute dropped the scythe and doubled over in pain while I started laughing so hard I nearly had tears in my eyes. I did not even see him grab the bottom of the ladder I was leaning on. I lost my balance and fell forward, but jumped and landed across the top rung of the ladder. The brute is balancing the ladder so I cannot reach the loft. He then starts to shake the ladder trying to knock me off but he cannot because I'm holding on with all I have got. He is so strong that he starts to pound me against a support beam like I'm a fish on the end of a pole. My leg bruised and my forehead bleeding I decide it is my last chance to do something." Jake feigns to wince when he touches his forehead. "In a flash I stretch down to the furthest rung I can reach and flip myself over the top of the ladder. This throws his balance off and the ladder falls with me landing feet first holding the ladder over my head. He was facing the other way, so the ladder goes over his shoulders putting his head between two rungs. As soon as I had hit the ground I started running, and the bottom rung taking him right in the throat with an udible 'glauh'." Jake pushes his arm up to this own throat and sticks his tongue out for emphasis. Out of the corner of his eye he is watching for Jeff Mills or the others. "On my way out of the barn, I let one of the ladder legs catch the edge of the door. Of course it stops suddenly I hear a couple of loud snaps. They just do not make ladders the way they used to. Anyway, I did not see the big brute after that because I was too busy running. Just another night for poor Jake Cook to be sleeping out of doors. A shame too, that girl's brown eyes were mighty inviting." Adair becomes annoyed with Jake's story while the other players enjoy it, and Duvall manages to win the next two hands, keeping him in the game. Hawkes finally gets a good hand, full house King high, and bets heavily, but Adair barely takes the pot from him with a full house Ace high. After another half-hour of play Duvall is down $ 400 from before, Hawkes is up $ 400 as well, Adair is up $ 1000 while Maverick and Jake are each down $ 500. That is when dealer Job Kane makes the comment, "I am going to miss this place." Jake asks, "Going somewhere?" Job replies, "I'm afraid so. My lady Bernice is tired of small-town life. We're going to move to somewhere larger. We plan to leave later today in fact, I know it is short notice, it was a surprise to me too, but she insists and I don‘t want to risk loosing her. You understand don't you Jake?" Jake says, "That is quite a surprise. Job Kane has stood by me in times of need, I can do no less than respect his wishes. Sure partner, I understand. I can make you a good offer on your share of the Saloon." Jake knows what is coming next, but he plays along. The dealer replies, "I'm sorry Jake, but I already sold my twenty-five percent. Bernice and I needed a stake to get going on our new lives. I was made an offer that I couldn't refuse, more than twice the amount that Austin Blake is paying for Hoover's share." "I'm afraid so Cook," Adair states. He places a deed on the table and says, "Here is the document, all legal, Attorney Fisk finalized it. I'm your new partner." Jake says, "My, that is quite a surprising and unlikely turn of events. Who could have imagined even yesterday that this would come to pass. You must have quite a stash of funds available to you Adair to make such a generous offer, pounds upon pounds of it by the way you spend it." Adair replies, "With my own saloon damaged by those Law and Order Party fanatics I felt it was the time to diversify. Besides, I feel I can be generous, as I stand a very good chance of finishing within the top three in this tournament and thus increasing my immediate fortune." Jake says, "Not if I can do anything about it." Jake feigns anger. It is not hard, to do since he is usually angry at Adair. "Something is rotten about the way Job suddenly decided to sell, and I know you had something to do with it. I also know I will never prove it. However, I will beat you fair and square at this poker table so you can cease your gloating." Jake flips his ante into the pot and stands bolt upright. "I need a drink." With that he makes his way to the bar, hiding the little smile that comes to his lips. He can almost here Red's familiar voice, Jacob me boy, ye could have been an actor if ye weren't so addicted to poker. He looks around for any sign of the others. Adair raises his voice and says "Mr. Cook, am I under the impression by that outburst that you have strong objections of my being your business partner?" "So what if I do?" Jake says without turning around to face Adair, and thinks If this was not such a dangerous game, I could enjoy this. Adair says, "Well then sir, I am not one to go where I am not wanted, nor would I want you as my business partner with that attitude.   I tell you what I am willing to do, we're both gambling men.  I'll put my deed up against yours, winner take all.  I'm sure the other three players will be willing to sit out the next hand so that we can settle this once and for all." Jake answers, "What would that prove?  One hand can fall to luck." And I need you and your fake Job Kane to stick around.  "If you want my share of the Lucky Lady I will put it up as an added incentive to the tournament.  I go out before you, and you win what you have long coveted, my share of the Lucky Lady.  You leave the tournament before me, I own your shabby excuse of a saloon."  Conveniently, to which I already possess the deed. Adair states, "Very well Mr. Cook, I agree to those terms, once the sun comes up we could have our attorneys legalize the agreement."   A self-satisfied Adair sits back down at the table as Job Kane prepares to deal the next hand. Jonathan Harker returns and making his way over to Jake whispers "We can't find him.  We checked his house, my cousin's house where Bernice is staying as well as Adair's house and the Palace Saloon." Jake nods and beckons Tony Lucky and his cousin to him. Jake speaks in a very low voice with his face turned away from the poker table.  "Tony, are you keeping a secret from me?" Tony says, "Yeah, I am, I didn't want to worry you.  Don't be concerned about it, we have the situation well in hand." Jake states, "Do we now?  Tell me quickly, because I have a secret I have kept from you as well." Tony replies, "There's this guy who works for Arcade's Gang, their cook Joseppi.  His family has a long-time feud against mine and Frank's family, a blood feud.  He's committed to killing us.   We've been afraid that the might disrupt this tournament seeking his revenge, so we made sure that the other security men all knew what he looks like and to take whatever action is necessary to prevent him from interfering.  We didn't feel you needed to know that." "Thank you for sparing me those details."  Jake takes a sip of whiskey. "It may appear that Adair has me right where he wants me.  I bet you like being on the winning side Tony.  Let me tell you my secrets.  I know that is not Job Kane out there.  I know that you have been feeding Adair information.  You see, knowing this I have been feeding you false information.  So in actuality, I have Evan Adair exactly where I want him.  I am about to reveal the falsehood about the dealer which will in turn ruin Adair's plan and possibly even get him ejected from the game making me the new owner of the Palace Saloon, such as it is.” After a dramatic pause Jake continues with great intensity, “There is only one problem, we cannot find my friend Job Kane.  I will give you exactly six seconds from when I stop speaking to tell Jonathan Harker here where the real Job Kane is being kept.  If not, I will also tell Evan Adair that you have been my inside man and have been double crossing him.  I expect he will kill you for that.  Even if he does not, there are plenty activities Adair will go on trial for with you as an accomplice.   Isby will not take kindly that you brought in the magically altered Job Kane to the tournament.  The only thing worse for you is if some harm comes to the real Job Kane.  In that case, you are mine, and you will wish that I let Evan Adair kill you.  So help us find Job, and get back on the winning side.  I will put some money in your pocket and help you get out of town, safely away from Adair.  Otherwise, good luck with whatever short life you have until Adair catches you.  I am done speaking now." Tony stammers "I...we need to talk to my cousin Frank too.  My agreeing to your terms won't mean squat if he goes blabbing to Adair or Isby."   Job Kane calls across the room, "Mr. Cook, I've dealt the next hand.  Are you going to come play or should we ante in a coin from your pile?" "One more ante please.  I will be there shortly."  Jake calls back. Then quietly to Tony Lucky, "Quickly, I have a game to win." Frank Lucky is called over.  Tony pulls him aside with Jake and says, "The jig is us, Cook found out what Adair's doing.  Our lives are both in danger."    Frank looks at Jake and says, "Please don't turn us over to that hanging judge of yours Mr. Cook.  What do you want from us?" Jake says, "I want the REAL Job Kane on the front porch in minutes, safe and sound.  Take Jonathan with you.  Then stop helping Adair and stay out of his way.  We will figure out later how to keep him from killing you.  I expect to occupy him for a while anyway.  Now move." Frank says, "I don't know where he is, I didn't even know this guy here was a fake, just that Adair had a scheme to get you to gamble away your saloon.   Tony, do you know where Kane is at?  Is he alive?" Tony replies, "Yes I do and he is, but he's under guard right now, a couple of Adair's guys.  They won't give him up to me and even if they did they'll tell Adair and our lives won't be worth anything." Jake says, "Who and where?" Tony answers, "Graf Holzer's barn, near Job's house.   I don't know the guys' names, they work for the Rattlesnake Ranch." Jake tells Harker, "Jonathan, locate an officer of the law, preferably Helen Barker, Kevin Tomlinson or Chet Martin.  It is time they earn their pay.  This time we need real evidence, ideally enough to bring Evan Adair in front of Judge Isby.  First priority is bringing Job out unharmed, but see what can be done to incriminate Adair.  Take whoever you need, and get Mr. Kane back to the Lucky Lady as soon as possible.  I will stall as long as I can here." Jonathan Harker says, "Boston and I will see to it, we'll get Mills too.   That'll leave you a little light on security for the moment, just Thom, Tim Finnegan, Michael George and the Lucky's here who at this point I'd consider more of a threat than anything else." Jake exclaims, "Where in bloody hades is Van Horne.  Francesco, take your cousin with you and keep him out of any more trouble while you find Mr. Van Horne and bring them both back quickly.  Hermes, what a mess." Frank says, "He went upstairs to his room.  We will go wake him." Jake goes back to the table, "My apologies for the distraction."  Adair asks, "Is there a problem Cook? "   Jake replies, "Just some concern with the security folks, some personal feud between a couple of them and a man in town that seems to be coming to a head.  I have instructed them to take their problems elsewhere.” Jake slows the game down as much as possible and keeps the pots to the minimum levels. The game proceeds for another half hour, with a minimum of gambling and even less change of fortune as each of the four players win a hand, even Hawkes.   Adair then wins another three hands in a row, putting him up $ 1200 and each of the others down $ 300 bringing Duvall to only $ 900 left. Cornelius Van Horne makes his appearance in short order, although both of the Lucky cousins remain upstairs. Jake then notes an interesting trio enter the Lucky Lady consisting of Deputy Sheriff Eduardo Rodriguez, Father Thomas Valdez and the female halfling Sydney Sue.   Jake has seen the halfling before in Cumbley's company and begins to wonder what her connection might be until he recalls that she is the half-owner of the Liberty Hill Mine, the other half of that mine being owned by Graf Holzer whose barn Job was being held captive at.  The three head over to the bar, Valdez helping Sue up onto a barstool, and order drinks.</blockquote>

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