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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Silver Moon" data-source="post: 3957037" data-attributes="member: 8530">Chapter Two-hundred-forty-five, “Curious Visitors at the Lucky Lady” , Monday, June 19th, 7:00 P.M. Being focused on his game, it took Jake a while to notice the of men near the kitchen. Most notably that they were armed. Jake says just loud enough for everyone at his table to hear, "Who are those gentlemen over near the kitchen door? The one pretending to be a cactus in that green suit and his friend." Isaac Stevens says, "I think they are friends of Mr. Van Horne, they were speaking to him earlier before the session." The next hand is dealt. Jake notes that Adair is now somewhat more nervous, glancing occasionally to the men in the corner. All players bet $ 200 above the ante on the hand, with Jake winning. On the next hand Adair folds but the others all stay in with $ 400 above the ante being bet. Maverick wins this one with a full house Kings over nines while Jake had a full house Queens over sixes. Hawkes wins the next two hands, Jake and Maverick both folding on the first but Adair staying in for another $ 300. All four players stayed in for the second, with the pot increased $ 300 each above the ante. As the Clock reaches 7:15 PM the last four hands leave Hawkes up $ 1400, Maverick up $ 300, Cook down $ 100 and Adair down $ 1600. Jake looks down at his last played hand and comments, "What a funny coincidence. Those are just about the exact same cards held by the right honorable James Donald Cameron, Republican from the great State of Pennsylvania when he broke the late Zachariah Chandler's bankroll. After Chandler passed the reins of the Republican National Chairmen to Cameron they had a late night game. It was not public knowledge but those boys do like to play poker for high stakes. Sadly for Chandler he was never much good at it so kept it quiet. I got to watch and wait on the table because Uncle Blair is one of Cameron's top advisors. It is quite amazing what those men talk about when they get liquored up and play poker, thinking no one is listening." Jake smiles a cat ate the mouse smile and glances at Adair. "Funny thing is after Marshall Jewell took over the chairmanship, he and Cameron played poker too! That is just the way of life in politics I suppose; gentlemen entertaining themselves while they pass on the important knowledge to their successors." Jake goes back to focusing on his cards. Adair breaks out in a bit of a sweat, something Jake has never seen him do before. The Palace Saloon owner also appears to loose his focus on the game as the next hand goes $ 400 over the ante and he stays in despite having mediocre cards, with Hawkes barely taking the pot as Maverick and Cook both had good hands as well. Like a shark sensing when there is blood in the water, Maverick then adds to Adair's misery by asking him about his being in England during the dates that Jake had suggested. Jake notes that the two gentlemen with the guns seated over by the state perk up at hearing that, despite the fact that they hadn't seemed to be hearing the table conversation across the room. Adair barely looks at his cards and folds during the next hand, which goes $ 200 over the ante for the other players and Jake wins. Adair does the same at the hand after, which goes $ 400 over the ante and Jake wins again. Once again in a low voice just loud enough for his table Jake says, "I do believe those gentlemen are straining to hear what is being said at this table." He chuckles, "Anyone here have a skeleton or two in their closet? They look too well dressed to be bounty hunters, excepting the green color. If they were Arizona law folks would know them. This little mystery is starting to get interesting." Silver Jake Cook continues to cheerfully play his hand. On the next hand Jake is dealt a garbage hand and he folds. This allows him time to focus on the rest of the room and he catches the Western Union telegraph operator Dave Melany being let into the room from the kitchen door by Maria where he quickly brings a telegram over to the two seated men and then quickly departs out through the kitchen as quickly as he arrived. This hand only goes $ 100 over the ante, and Hawkes wins. After a while, Chester and Clarisse decide to visit the Drover's Hotel. "Come on, let's see Mr. Shaw and the others. They'll be wondering where we are." They walk slowly to the party, arm in arm, enjoying each other's company. Eventually they make it to the Unity Party semi-rally. Chester seeks out Vera Blake. "Evening, Mrs. Blake. Thanks you for inviting us. It's nice to see you again. I'm actually nervous about the election tomorrow. Mr. Shaw did well for himself at the debate." Vera replies, "And you did very well at the trial. You better explained through your answers what has been going on in this town and your investigations. Mr. Earp's testimony shouldn't hurt you either, and what Mr. Upton said about the Marshal Berg's honor will reflect favorably on you as well." Chester and Clarisse decide to stay for a couple hours at Vera Blake's gathering. Meanwhile, Kate enters the El Parador Cantina. As per a typical Dorita party, the place is already jumping with quite a few of the wood elves of the area in attendance. Kate immediately notices Francesca Perez over at a table with Frank Condon and his new fiancé. Kate headed for the table. She had not seen Francesca Perez since the capture of the hooded riders. With a smile at all three she said, "It's a pleasure to see you all. Mrs. Perez, I hope you're doing well." She smiles and says "I am Kate. And how are you doing? I heard that you got shot last Friday night." Kate replies, "It was nothing serious. I was sitting with Edwin Booth, and Mr. Watson's first shot went through his shoulder and lodged in my arm. Dr. Eaton did a wonderful job and it's healing quite nicely. Other than that I'm quite well. Mr. Condon, I hope you'll accept my congratulations and best wishes on your engagement." He replies, "Why thank you Mrs. Kale, I agree, James does amazing work as a surgeon. Promise City is lucky to have him. Have you met Leila Morales yet?" "I have not, but I'm glad to do so." Kate offered her hand. "My congratulations to you as well, Miss Morales. It's so nice to meet someone under such pleasant circumstances." She gestures to Frank Condon and replies, "Si, I had met Francis a few years ago when there were only a handful of buildings here. I was surprised to find that he remembered me." Francesca Perez interjects, "Oh, he never forgot. After you left he had nobody to dance with except me, but all he talked about was you. If I hadn't been happily married I might have gotten jealous." Kate says, "A happily married woman always recognizes a man who wishes to be so himself and understands. I would guess the town has grown quite dramatically since you last were here? I only arrived in January, so not much has changed for me." She replies, "Yes, it was too small for me before. I live in a rather large city down in Mexico. This place is finally getting to a size that I will be comfortable living in." Kate says, "I know what you mean. I'm from Boston, and while I love Promise City sometimes I miss the things a big city has to offer. The theater and concerts, a shop for everything you could imagine, libraries and museums and restaurants... I imagine I will visit home more often than I really should." Leila says, "What I miss are the colors. In my city in Mexico has fire colors - reds, oranges, yellows - adorn the buildings, the clothing, plus there is no shortage of blues as well. Here there are too many things that are brown, gray and black. This town needs a woman's touch." Kate smiled. "You're not the only one who thinks so; more than one lady here would like to bring a little color. This town is just a little utilitarian, isn't it? But out on my ranch it's a beautiful green, and when the sun sets you get a beautiful show of red, yellow and orange." They chat for another fifteen minutes until Edwin and Conrad Booth arrive along with Theodore Roosevelt. Kate joins the two brothers and they have a light meal of Dorita's fine cooking as Edwin had not eaten since a late breakfast. Edwin still has the arm in the sling but jokes that it will be the first thing he parts with once he boards the stagecoach. Jake continues to focus on adding to his bank roll, glancing at the strangers between hands. The next hand is dealt. Unfortunately Jake again gets poor cards so folds. The other three remain in, the pot being raised $ 300 above the ante. Before the cards are shown Jeremiah Peck enters the front door and yells inside "The Earp Jury is returning! Looks like a verdict is in." The reporters and photographers rush out the door so quickly that there is a traffic jam at the door which Thom has to help sort out. Cornelius Van Horne returns to the table and says, "This is the last hand then. We'll take a break of one hour." The cards are shown and the winner is Maverick with a Royal Flush, the other two having a flush and three-of-a-kind. A nervous Adair, having lost all nine hands dealt this session, quickly rushes from the room. The clock reads 7:45 PM Van Horne states to the remaining three players, "I'm impressed gentlemen. You are now within $ 2200 from highest to lowest with Mr. Cook leading at $ 16,400, Mr. Hawkes at $ 15,800, Mr. Adair at $ 15,300 and Mr. Maverick at $ 14,200. I would say that any one of you could win at this point. I will see you in an hour." As the men ate lightly at the El Parador, Dorita kept making sure Kate's plate was laden with good things. After she'd eaten almost twice what the men had, she sheepishly explained, "Dorita thinks I'm too thin, and I didn't feel like arguing with her today." And it's been a long, long time since lunch, she thought. Just as Kate was saying how much they would miss having Edwin there, Jeremiah Peck thrust his head in the door and shouted that the jury was back. Kate's heart thumped in her chest and she squeezed Conrad's hand under the table. "I guess Estaban will make it to his party," she said with an even voice. "Let's go find out what they decided." The four walked together over to the town hall, arriving early enough to get seats near the center of the room. It was bright and loud with chattering voices all trying to guess what the jury had decided, but Kate was quiet, well aware that whatever it was the Earps would finally be out of her life. Kate didn't realize she was muttering to herself until Conrad leaned over to her and whispered, "What was that, my dear?" She replies, "I was just being grateful that this is almost all over." As the Lucky Lady, Isaac Stevens heads upstairs as does Van Horne. Maverick and Hawkes both head out the door as well. Jonathan and Boston Harker take charge of the piles of poker chips as Harry Rote helps to clear the gaming table and replace it with a new tablecloth. most people file out of the Lucky Lady, Jake orders some food from Maria and while waiting searches for the two strangers. Jake sees the two men are among the few patrons who do not leave to go hear the results of he verdict, staying at the table over by the stage. He Decides to approach them and introduce himself. "Greetings gentlemen," Jake says with his pleasant I am the owner here smile, "Silver Jake Cook." He offers them his hand. "Welcome to the Lucky Lady. It is a shame you missed most of the Poker Tournament, it has been exciting. What brings you here?" The younger man in the green suit stands and shakes him hand. He states, "Hello Mr. Cook, this is a fine establishment that you have here. I am afraid that I am not at liberty to discuss the reason for our visit. My associate is Artemis Gordon and my name is West, James West." "Thank you for the compliment, we are proud of what we have done so far. If you cannot tell me how I can assist, Mr. West, then all I can do is bid you and Mr. Gordon a pleasant visit. I trust you will enjoy the rest of the tournament." Jake scratches at his beard and adds, "Though with the speed at which Mr. Evan Adair departed I wonder if he is coming back. I have not seen him act so strangely prior to this. He is a vain man, careful to maintain his image. Being a gambler by trade, my instincts say not to place a large bet upon his return." Jake shrugs. "I do hope he does. I am anxious to relieve him of his stack fair and square. I have always suspected that he comes by his wealth via illicit means." Gordon says, "You appear to be very perceptive Mr. Cook. But I believe that your concerns are unfounded. There will be no stagecoaches leaving this town until tomorrow and your poker companion Adair has never learned how to ride a horse." West interrupts him to say, "Artemis, that is quite enough." He turns back and says, "Mr. Gordon never learned when to keep quiet. Mr. Cook, Mr. Gordon and I are federal agents. We are currently here on assignment from the United States Secretary of State Frederick T. Frelinghuysen to locate your associate Adair on behalf of the British Ambassador. After we found him we notified Washington of his whereabouts. We have been waiting for further orders and have just now received authorization directly from the United States Attorney General Benjamin H. Brewster to place him under arrest. Now that you know that I am afraid that you will have to remain here in this room under our supervision for the next hour and to say nothing to anybody else who might choose to warn Mr. Adair of the fate that awaits him." "Federal..." Jake slips and then is quiet while they are talking. I expected Lloyds of London, this is even better. His mood brightens considerably at the prospects of Adair arrested by Feds. "I have no interest in Evan Adair avoiding his date with justice. I am happy to do as you instructed. However, I believe you may underestimate Evan Adair. He has many connections and resources. However, I will leave this work to the professionals. Ah, there is my dinner, if you will excuse me. Please let me know if I can be of any service." Artemis Gordon departs but James West remains. Jake's dinner is rather peaceful in the nearly empty saloon for around fifteen minutes or so.</blockquote>

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