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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Silver Moon" data-source="post: 2212591" data-attributes="member: 8530">Chapter 111, “A Visit to the O.K. Corral”, Thursday, January 12th, 1882:Nanuet meets Sonoma early and they accompany Seawell to attend to his business before heading to see the Shaman.  She says, "Let's go take care of the discussion that needs to happen Mr. Seawell then we can have the rest of the day to ourselves Nanuet if that's OK with both of you." "You know whatever you say is ok with me, Sonoma," Nanuet says blushing.   Sonoma smiles at both men as she mounts her horse and settles in for a ride. It is late morning when Patrick Seawell, Sonoma and Nanuet reach the mountainside farm two miles from the town of Dos Cabezas situated in the mountains of the same name. They see a flock of two hundred sheep grazing in the fields. A lone farmer is sitting in a wooden chair on the hillside. He eyes them suspiciously. A shotgun is at the man's side but he does not reach for it. Sonoma calls out in Spanish "Hello I am Sonoma and I wish to speak to you may we come to your pasture?”He yells back in Spanish. "Yes, come over. Do you wish to buy some meat or wool?" Sonoma rides over with the men following her "I have come to talk to you about many things that may interest you, wool, meat and the land that you have your pastures on. you are?”   He replies, “I am Juan Carlos de Verdes. And who are the three of you?" Sonoma introduces both Mr. Seawell and Nanuet.  She says, “ I have come here because Mr. Seawell wishes to speak with you and his Spanish is not what he wishes it to be.”Sonoma and the farmer have a long conversation. He expresses how they cannot sell the land, as his family cemetery is located on it. She talks to Seawell and he explains that the section of the mountain he is interested in is not anywhere near the cemetery. He offers to pay the wood elves $ 5,000 for the thirty acres of the mountain that is of interest to him. Sonoma gets Seawell to use his geology skills to find them closer water source in the land if one exists. He agrees to do this prior to extracting any ore. She also negotiates as part of the deal for Seawell to purchase thirty of the man's sheep. Seawell asks her in English "What will I do with those?" She replies "You will pay me with them for helping you make this deal. I am trying to make it a good deal for everyone." She then smiles and says "Unless you plan to use them to become a rancher?"  He laughs and says "No, I think I have enough on my hands already." Tentative arrangements are worked out. Seawell says that they will return in a few days to finalize the deal.   The three ride back to Promise City.Jake arrives at the Morand Cartage Company and asks if this is a good time to bring the wagon and team over and pay for it. Zack Morand introduces him to a half-elf employee who he introduces as Julio O'Grady. He instructs O'Grady to ride the carriage over.  He invites Jake into the office and pours them both a glass of whiskey. Morand asks Jake "So tell me Mr. Cook, do you have any brothers?""Uh, yes." He replies a little uncomfortably. "Both older. Charles and Lawrence are their names. I would be indescribably surprised if you were to tell me you knew them from west of the Mississippi somewhere." Morand replies "Oh no Mr. Cook, I doubt I've ever met either. You've met my brother, one of the most successful ranchers in the territory. I've always been in his shadow. He made me manager of this company but that's the best I ever thought I'd aspire too. Mr. Cook, this opportunity is great. Sure, it's my brother's money that's invested but Seawell partnered with me, not Forest. Berg structured the money from Forest as a loan. This is my chance to be a success in life Mr. Cook and I'm not going to blow it." "I can understand being in a successful older brother's shadow." Jake takes a sip of the whisker, thinking 'ah just what I needed for this hangover'. "Look, I think you are a competent guy. Let me know how we can be successful." Jake raises his glass to him.O'Grady returns with the carriage and Zack spends the next half-hour doing a thorough inspection. He tells Jake "Everything looks in order. Let's head back over to your bank and transfer money from my account to yours." "Good." Jake finishes the whiskey and his head starts to clear.  They head over and process the transaction. "I'll get with the miners and we'll kick this operation into gear." After Jake is finished at the bank with Zack Morand he heads out in search of his mining partners. All the while keeping an eye open for any of his friends or Seawell. Grant Keebler runs into Jake and says "I think they all headed back to Fisk Mountain last night." "Thanks Grant, I'll see ya 'round the El Parador. Next drink is on me." Jake heads over to the National Bank to see the manager.Jake goes into the First National Bank looking for Paul Stevens.  He asks him about how his account is setup for the mining profits from Fisk Mountain.  Stevens explains how it is a revolving credit line based upon the value of the ore. The ore itself is stored in the vault and picked up by the United States Government once a month, although that frequency may need to be increased if more silver flows into town.  Jake can transfer money to or from any other account at the bank without any penalty, or withdraw any amount of his money in silver for an assay certificate fee of one-percent. If he wants cash that will cost him five-percent. Jake also inquires about the serial number from one of the new $20 bills. He looks up the serial numbers and says that it wasn't part of his last shipment but picks up fewer than one-hundred bills from where his left off. He says that Tombstone got the next cash shipment after his so it was probably from that bank."Jake goes over to the Lone Star and finds Tom Whipple, inviting him to take another walk.  "So tell me about the operating costs and returns." Jake says to him. "My final decision as a part owner also depends on how well any other partner and I can work together, I'm sure they would feel the same way. That and in the short term I need to keep Miss West as a headliner, otherwise the returns will slow down. I'm all ears Mr. Whipple, tell me how good a deal this is."Tom Whipple tells Jake "You've been hanging around for over a week now, you see what the place can do. You've had one good night as dealer. Tony and Job both had excellent nights the last two nights. I've taken in over $ 300 combined from their tables in that short amount of time plus made another $ 100 on drinks. A regular week isn't usually that good, but I still do pretty well. It's a lot less risky a venture than silver mining.   As for partners, Kane has already accumulated over $ 700 in just two days. If he does the same tonight that will give him enough for a 25% share of the business. I know he trusts you, so I think you'd be a good partnership.""Job wants in, huh." Jake says scratching' his beard. "Mind if I talk to him about this?"  Tom replies, "Suit yourself. Just make sure Tony doesn't get wind of it. He doesn't know I'll be leaving and the guy could never keep something like this a secret." "Alright, I won't be telling anything to Tony." Jake tips his hat to Tom and heads off to the El Parador.Kate had gone back to the El Parador. She peeked inside to make sure Conrad Booth wasn't there, and then went to his house and knocked on the door. Booth opens the door "Why hello Mrs. Kale. It is nice to see you again. I'd invite you in but we don't need any more rumors floating around town about you and your friends. I usually eat my first meal of the day at the Cantina around noon. I'd settle for an early breakfast if you're up for an early lunch."She says, "To be honest, it would be breakfast for me as well. I had quite a bit to do this morning and left in a hurry." She took a step back from the door. "I'm sure my friends and I have the town buzzing," she laughed. "I'd be happy to join you." Kate walked to the El Parador with Mr. Booth and led him to a table where no one would hear their conversation. "Why don't we take care of business so we can have a pleasant breakfast?" Kate began. "You remember I asked you about Irby Cole, and you were kind enough not to ask why. You already know one of my secrets, I hope you won't mind another." Kate quickly sketched in the situation with meeting the Apache and clearing out the rustlers’ caves. She then told him about Curly Bill's body and her difficulties with collecting the bounty. "I know you don't know Mr. Cole well, but I hoped you could at least advise me as to whether you think he's trustworthy at all. Am I foolish to think we could make any kind of deal?"Booth replies, "He's not the sort that somebody like you should be talking to, let alone making any kind of deal with. But I know that he's overstayed his welcome at the Long Branch and Kate Higgens would welcome a chance to get rid of him. Unfortunately telling him to leave would not be very safe. So if this body would get him out of town it would be welcomed. Do you know how much the bounty is?"She says, "No. I wish we did. The bounty is in Texas, and we haven't been able to find out here in town what it is. If the Apache weren't expecting supplies, I'd just bury him and be done with it.  Why wouldn't it be safe to ask him to leave?"  Booth answers, "Cole has a quick temper and doesn't take orders from anybody. He also seems to like it here. He came for the bounty on Arcade's Gang and seems content to wait until they return. I've told him they're gone and not coming back soon. I've also told him that they weren't involved with the shooting at the Comstock House last week, but he doesn't seem inclined to believe me."She tells him, "I seem to have hit a dead-end. Cole is my last hope of taking care of this problem. You believe I would be in danger if I approached him? Perhaps if I showed him where the body is he would decide to just take it? I don't want to end up shot just trying to get rid of this body." Booth says "Tell you what. Let me talk to him. I gamble where the guy is living and have spoken to him on occasion. I'll head over to the Lone Star at some point tonight to let you know what he has to say. Of course, if I do this for you I expect you to sit at my table on Sunday night and bring me luck like we talked about earlier.""You would really do that for me?" Kate shook her head. "No, I can't have you getting hurt for my problem."  He says, "Oh don't worry none about me. I'm not one to risk my life. If the conversation starts to go sour I'll back off.   Don't spread it around but when the James Gang was spotted inside my house I stayed well away until after Arcade's Gang was finished with them. Self preservation is high on my list of traits." "Well, you're smarter than I am then. I can't seem to keep my nose out of dangerous business,” she states “As long as you're sure you can keep yourself out of trouble, I'll accept your offer. I can't guarantee luck, but I'll sit at your table. So. Tell me about the rumors going around town," she smiled.  He answers, "Depends what you're looking to hear. Most people know that the Whipples are fighting because of the court testimony. Mrs. Whipple becoming friends with Pedro and Dorita seems to have the people in this end of town confused....I don't think the rest of the town knows about that yet. Word is out that Pamela Yeats may have to sell the Trail Dust Saloon what with her husband now going to prison.”He pauses and then continues, “Word has it that Rebecca Shaw will be having a major fundraiser to build a Roman Church here in town. Anita Rameriz is said to be pregnant and while it is assumed that Rufus Davis is the father that may not be true. I heard that Bob Skull got so drunk the other night that he wandered into Hooton's pigpen and then passed out. And they say that Galeyville is about to be burned to the ground by the Cowboy Gang. Is that enough rumors for you?""I hate to admit to being so self-centered, but I really just meant the rumors about my friends and I," Kate laughed. "But those were good ones too."  They kept up some light conversation while they ate, and Katherine was sorry when she finally decided she had to be on her way. "I'm sorry, but I really should be going. I need to ride out to my new ranch and let Flint know that I won't be able to get rid of our valuable friend today, and then I have an appointment this afternoon.  Thank you for all your help. I'll see you later this evening."Meanwhile, after a long, hot, bumpy, smelly and rather quiet ride the Stagecoach finally reaches Tombstone. Nevers checks his watch and tells Ruby that it's currently 12:30, and that they plan to leave promptly at 2:00. He asks her if she has any shopping she'd like him to do for her this time. "My, Mr. Nevers, aren't you sweet. Actually if you could find another bottle of that Kentucky Bourbon for me I would SO appreciate it." She hands him a $5 bill. "I'll make sure to be back by 2:00. I can't miss the coach back."  With that Ruby gives him a wink and walks over to the O.K. Corral.Ruby heads down Allen Street and stops at the O.K. Corral at the north side of the street between Third and Fourth Streets. The Corral itself runs way back to the next block. The main barn area is along the street. She enters the building and sees two men working. One is grooming a horse while the other is shoveling manure into a wheelbarrow. Ruby adjusts herself in her dress again to make sure everything is in the right spot and she approaches the men.   "Ahem, excuse me gentlemen. I'm looking for a Mr. Tucker..." When they look up at her she smiles at them."I'm Tucker," the man with the shovel states. He sets the shovel down and walks over to a bucket of water, washing his hands in it and whipping them on a towel handing on a nail. He then approaches her. "Do I know you?" he asks.  The other man goes back to grooming the horse, ignoring them.  She says, “No, you don't know me. My name is Ruby, but we sort of have a mutual acquaintance. Is there somewhere more private we can go to talk?” Tucker and Ruby head down the street to a small restaurant in the Mexican Quarter run by a pair of middle-aged wood elves. The elves bring them a strong herbal tea to drink. Tucker says "Who are you and what do you want?""My name is Ruby West." She looks him over trying to figure out if he looks shady or not. Anyone shoveling manure can't be shady she thinks. She pushes her hair to one side, leans closer to him and whispers, “Mr. Tucker, I’m going to get right to the point. I am a friend of Katherine Kale, Tom Kale’s wife. It was a terrible shame what happened to him and it has come to my attention that he did not die in the manner of which Katherine was told. Being a friend of Kate you can imagine that I would not want my friend to suffer needlessly, which is why I am here. But being her friend I also think she deserves to know that truth about what happened to Tom. I already know that he died not from an illness but from a knife in the back, either from Johnny Ringo or Morgan Earp. I believe it was Morgan and his behavior lately has started to prove my theory correct. So the reason I am here is to find out what really happened. You were there the night of the card game. What happened?” Ruby takes a big breath waiting for his answer.Colby Tucker hesitates. He then asks "What will you do with the information? It could get one or both of us killed if they think we'll bring it to a judge."  She answers, "Depends on what it is. But believe me, Mr. Tucker, the last place I'm going to is a judge. I know that more than one person know what happened so no one will know I got this information from you. I just figured you being friends with Tom and all..."He answers, "I've been trying to forget that night. Tom was so excited about Katherine's impending arrival that he drank too much and won too much. It bothered both Johnny Ringo and Morgan Earp. Morgan accused Tom of cheating but Tom just laughed it off. That seemed to anger Morgan Earp even more, but James Earp managed to talk him down……I was the one who found Tom later that night. I had left before he did but he never came back to the boarding house. I got scared and went for help. James got his brother Virgil. In hindsight I should have gone to Sheriff Behan instead but I was too shocked to think straight. Oh Gods, forgive me." He starts to cry and buries his face in his hands.Ruby is a bit shocked by the outburst from Tucker. She puts her hand on his shoulder to comfort him and then whispers, "So what do you think happened? You think Morgan did it?"  He replies, "I know he did it. It was his knife. I didn't recognize it at first but I did after I calmed down. Virgil Earp confiscated the knife. He would have known it was Morgan's too."  She asks, "I knew about the knife. But couldn't someone else have used it?"He says, "Yes, but the Earps aren't exactly know for loaning out their weapons. Besides, Morgan was the one angriest with Kale that night. Kale was just happy about his wife, but Morgan thought he was gloating about his winnings instead." "Alright, Colby. I am sure this has been very traumatic for you." She pats him on the back softly. "Why would the newpaper not want to print the real story? The editor seemed to know the truth. I guess he is also afraid of the Earps?"Tucker says, "Afraid? If you mean John Clum of the Tombstone Epitaph, he's good friends with the Earps. Theodore T. Eyck of the Tombstone Nugget may be afraid of them, but he's a newspaperman originally from New York, so I doubt that much scares him. Could just be that they both believed what Marshall Virgil Earp told them.""Mr. Tucker, you have been more than generous with your information, especially to a stranger. Can I buy you a drink before I leave? Looks like you need it." She has the waitress bring them over two whiskeys. Ruby drinks her while Colby just stares at his.  "If it's any consolation, Kate is doing ok for herself. She's made friends and is moving on with her life." Ruby gives his shoulder a final squeeze and heads back to the stage.Ruby waits for the stage, pondering what Tucker told her. She hadn't really learned anything she didn't really know, but Tucker was positive that Morgan did it. Ruby didn't have any more information to go on and she did believe what Tucker said. Maybe it was time for Kate to know. Ruby remains lost in her thoughts while she waits.</blockquote>

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