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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Silver Moon" data-source="post: 3033507" data-attributes="member: 8530">Chapter 160, “Jake’s Declaration of War”, Saturday, March 25th, 1882, 5:30 PM Everyone at the Lucky Lady is taking their time as they wait for Chester, chatting about news around town, so Ruby pulls Minerva aside. "So, we've been busy the past couple of days. You haven't told me yet how your date with Nanuet went. I mean, it must have gone well, you two seem to be together now but I want details! So, spill? How'd it go?" Ruby stands facing Minerva with a smile. Minerva gets a dreamy look in her eyes "Oh, Ruby it was wonderful just as you said it would be! He feels the way that I do. I was so worried for nothing. He says that we have a bond and that he feels that it is more than just spiritual, and when he kissed me...," she sighs, "Well let me just say that it was quite a religious experience," she says with a twinkle in her eye. "At the end of the evening, when I was back in my room, he serenaded me from my window! It was very moving, Oh, I am so excited, I can not sleep, but I have so much energy! I have gotten more done today than in my entire time in Promise City!" She laughs and hugs her friend. "Gracias Ruby, for everything!" "You're very welcome." Ruby tightly hugs Minerva back. "Oh yes, he was just as nervous as you were when he came knocking on my door. I am surprised that the two of you did not bump into one another!" Ruby looks into Minerva's eyes. "But I didn't want to ruin the surprise by telling you how he felt. You needed to hear it from him." She laughs, "And it took forever to find the right song!" "Oh, I am so happy for you! Now the two of you have to take good care of each other." "Si, it felt as though he knew what was in my soul. And how are you feeling since our little dance in the desert?"  "How am I feeling? Well, I don't know. I guess I'm still a bit confused but some things seem clearer to me. Like, last night I saw Mr. Gonzales. Before I didn't realize how much he cared about me and how much I cared about him. It seems different now. After doing some soul searching I have to admit a few things to myself, the goddess must be watching over me." Ruby smiles. "I guess you are asking about Jake?" "Si, are you still confused about his feelings for you?" "No, not really confused. He cares for me, how could he not, right?" she laughs. "But I will give him time to realize it. I don't have that panicky feeling anymore. He will realize it one day. I just have to do a better job of showing him what love really is. I know we were meant to find each other, to be together, maybe for always. And I hope the goddess will hold true to her word." "I am sure that she will, she did not lie when she called you her favored one, and would not have given us such a sign as when she created the crystal leaves otherwise." "Why do you think the goddesses gave us the gift of the olive leaves? What are they for?"  She replies, "I honestly don't know. I wear mine on a chain as a reminder of the bond that the three of us share." Ruby considers that for a moment. "I think they gave them to us so we could remember that they watch over us and love us, especially when we make them happy. I don't need it to remind us of our bond," Ruby says hugging Minerva again. "I do not know what power if any that they may hold and the goddesses have not made clear the intent of the pendants or their intent for the three of us. The goddess will let us know what to do with them in time." A smile slowly crosses her face... "What do you have in mind, Ruby West?" Ruby leans close to Minerva and whispers in her ear. Minerva's eyes widen and she exclaims, "Oh, I don't know that is a good idea, their meaning is not yet clear." She looks at Ruby's crestfallen face, then smiles, "But perhaps it is a love potion!" Chester runs into the Lucky Lady. "Sorry I'm late everyone, I'm only on a break for now." "Well," Ruby replies, "That job is sure keeping you busy! I hope you'll be back tonight for our poker game!" "Of course I'll be here," he smiles back.  They all take their seats around the table and Ruby pours bourbon for everyone except Kate, who chooses iced tea instead. "Ok, baby," Ruby smiles at Jake, "You have all of our undivided attentions."Jake hands Katherine a candle and some matches. "Mrs. Kale would you be so kind as to light the candle, it makes the table look nice among other things."  She says, "Of course." With a now practiced hand Kate quickly lit the candle, doing it so smoothly that unless one knew what to watch for, they wouldn't see anything out of place. After Katherine is done Jake begins promptly "I am not going to sit and be a target, nor will I stand for you all to be one either. I don't believe John Ringo is willing to negotiate peace, nor do I think he will accept that he could be outmatched and run away. Since that only leaves his so called war, I have decided to actively hunt down Mr. Ringo and kill him." Jake holds his hand up as several of them look like they will speak. "I am not going to ride in like the US Calvary after him and his gang. I don't have the skills of a hunter like Nanuet. I will be hunting him Silver Jake Cook style. Don't waste your breath trying to change my mind. Taking the fight to him is less risky that just sitting around waiting his pleasure. We have plenty of leads, we just haven't followed them. I intend find out all I can about him and his gang. Ruin their plans, set traps for them, plant misinformation, set them against each other, and generally take apart his organization a piece at a time until it leads to Mr. Ringo." Jake scans their faces while giving them a moment to think and respond.Chester states, "Whoa, there. I'm all for taking Ringo and the cowboys down, but plotting to kill him is close to the line, if not over it. If you have your mind set on it, don't do it in town. Or at least make sure Ringo's got a gun in his hand. 'Cause if Berg or the other deputies hear this, they'll keep an extra close eye on all of us. Jake, I promised you that I'm not a spy for the Marshall, so I'm just giving you advice, OK?""Then we need to make sure they don't hear this." Jake keeps his expression neutral. "Chester, I AM crossing the line. You don't need to be involved and can walk away any time if you think that is best. I am not planning on making it obvious or going to jail. It is too early to tell where this will lead. If Ringo or his men are in town I would be happy to have the law go shoot them instead."  Chester is silent for a while. He then says, "I'm already involved. They've shot at each and every one of us. They've kidnapped me and Nanuet. And they threatened us and our home. just tell me when you're going out, so I can 'forget' my badge."Kate states, "The law is all well and good, but there is only so much they can do about the Gang unless they come into town and cause obvious trouble. The way it operates is meant to get around them. And I'm fairly certain the next time we see Ringo there we be plenty of guns in hand." "You're right about Ringo, Jake" Kate said quietly but firmly. "There is something about him... Something broken. He has done all the negotiating with us he will, and he has supreme confidence in himself. His rivals have been dropping like flies, I'm sure he thinks he's in a good position. I won't try to change your mind. I'm tired of looking over my shoulder all the time, and of not being able to walk alone even in broad daylight. I don't like it, but it's necessary. I'm not a strategist or a marksman, you all know that, but I have a few useful talents to add to the efforts. Let's do what needs doing so we can get on with our lives."Minerva agrees that it is not wise to wait for the cowboy gang to bring the war to town. "I know that a war is coming. I was warned in a dream last night" She tells them about her second dream involving Ringo and Mars the god of war. "Discordia and Furiae are also getting involved. We are at a significant advantage however, since the goddess Minerva will be on our side and there is no other god who can match her for war tactics. I will pray for her guidance. Perhaps this would be a good time for each of you to seek guidance from whatever gods you have the favor of also, but I must agree with Senor Jake. we must act and we must act soon. If they bring their war to town many people including women and children will be placed in harms way.”Ruby states, "I don't think we can match them on their turf. We have to bring them to town, or better yet, get them in a neutral area. We set a trap, take the books, use them as bait, act like we're bringing them somewhere out of town, lure them out of hiding."Chumbley arrives at the Lucky Lady with a stack of newspapers with the headline "Earp War Ignites!"  Not wanting to talk to Chumbley right now Jake asks Chester to buy a couple papers and waits until he is back with them before they continue speaking. "Ruby you can find out what else half pint knows later."  Chester heads over, "Evening Chumbley. Let me have a couple papers, please. Four bits, right?" Chester hands the halfling two quarters. "Here you go." Chester hands one of the papers to Jake and scans the front page of the other.Kate states, "The books would make good bait. We could load a wagon with the French, English, and Spanish volumes, they'll make an impressive pile. Meanwhile the dangerous volumes would stay safe where they are."   Ruby suggests, "We can ask Shaw if he'll help, which we already know he will. We can spread the rumor we're bringing the books to him. You know we'll get attacked on the road to his place."  Kate states, "The timing could be tricky on that. The Shaws could set up an ambush, but we'd have to make sure the Cowboys know far enough ahead in order for them to react. We wouldn't want to get all the way to the ranch before they attack. Is Ike Sherman back yet? He's a friend of Ringo.""Think about all we know," Jake says, "We have some names of Ringo's gang from Judge Isby. They are John Bell, Lester Olivier, George Otis Grosvenor, Rudolph Foote, Sherwin Allen and Riff 'Alabama' McNally. We should not tell anyone the real reason we are looking for these men. Wyatt Earp told me that Buck Fly, Roger's brother, was good friends with Ringo    We have been pretty sure right along that the Papago store was a place the gang frequented. Ike Sherman seems to be a friend of his and was suspiciously absent at the last Merchants meeting. Rufus Davis of the Arizona Billiard Hall said guys from Galeyville come into his place. He's heard Cowboy gang talk there.  Peter Lovelace of the Rio Grande Hotel said Pony Deal had been to his restaurant before.  We know they used to gather at the Trail Dust. We should draw that out on a map and see if there is something in common with them all.  We know Galeyville is Ringo's home territory and source of guns for hire.  Any ideas on how to use any of that?" "Nanuet," Jake turns to the Indian, "Should we check the small caves again? Maybe just see if there are foot prints or use of some sort?  What about the large rustler caves? Do you think the Apache would tell us if they are in use?""It can't hurt to recheck the caves," answers Nanuet. "And I'm pretty sure we can find out if the larger caves are in use again, although I think Flint blew most of what was there up."   Ruby butts in, "What kind of time frame are you thinking of here? That is a lot of information to sort out."  "I figure we dig up information for a couple of days and see what we got before we take any planned action like a trap." Jake smiles, "Any gang members that fall into our lap are a different story.""I don't think it's too tricky. We make it known around town that we are moving a large quantity of books on a certain day. That information will be sure to get back to whoever wants to know. I'm not suggesting the Shaws set up an ambush. I‘m suggesting we do it. Just have a couple of us takes the books and the rest follow unseen."Kate says, "Flint's lady friend Naki-Yai is Apache. She told me they watch our ranch. Most of us have a friendly relationship with the Apache, Nanuet and I especially. I can ask Naki-Yai if I can speak with some of her people, or if she'll ask for me.""Let's take a look what's in the newspaper while we talk." Jake suggests.   The Promise City Mirror front page story details that on Wednesday the Earps rode into camp of Pete Spence, a suspected Cowboy Gang member. Spence was not around but a half-breed human/Apache friend of Spence by the name of Florentino was. Florentino was later found dead. On Thursday both the Tombstone Epitaph and Wells Fargo Company came out in support of the Earps and their current quest.   There are also rumors that the Earps had a shootout on Thursday afternoon with a large number of Cowboy Gang members near Iron Springs, although no details are known yet about that encounter other than the fact that the Earps are said to have survived and several Cowboy Gang members were apparently killed.When the newspaper is set down the back page is now visible. It is another full-page advertisement with two drink coupons for the Palace Saloon. The advertisement tells of the Saturday Night bare-knuckled boxing featuring undefeated champion Iron Fist Flannigan. It states that he will take on all challengers and lists that he is already scheduled to fight Alcorn Roony, Rex Hooper, Jervis Clifton, Rudy Foote and Bill Cleaver.   Ruby exclaims, "Well there you go, Ruby Foote!. A couple of us can still get into the Palace Saloon... Go check out boxing tonight. The Judge said our best chance is getting one of them onto our side.""I like the book trap idea, we need to keep working on it, but don't set a date yet." Jake's eyes go unfocused for a second before he slaps his hand down on the table. "I'm an idiot."  "That's not something you should admit in public, baby." Ruby says giggling.  Kate says, "Jake, what's the problem?"  "The Rio Grande is next to the pool hall which is next to Fisk's office which only has an alley between it and the old Trail Dust." Jake sighs. "Still right near there is the Long Branch that Fisk is always in, the barber shop and the Sheriff's office." Jake looks around. "Is anybody following me?  So there is a couple of other places there too, including a burned down place that used to house liquor. I'm not necessarily suggesting Hoover might be in on it, but damn it, he may know something. I have never asked him. It is pretty clear what area we should be watching don't you think?""We have a pool hall here in Promise City?" exclaims Ruby.    Chester comments, "At least it keeps the cowboys in a small area. Easier to keep a watch on."  Kate says, "I didn't think the Cowboy Gang had such a strong presence in Promise City, but maybe they do. Considering how they were using the Trail Dust...I don't remember seeing anyone suspicious in the Long Branch when I went with Conrad, but I didn't know to look. You think Sheriff Hunter might be involved?"    Jake says, "I do. Until we prove otherwise don't trust him."Jake says, "Okay folks, sign up for information gathering. We have Katherine contacting the Apaches about the caves. I want to have a conversation with Conrad Booth, he seems to know what goes on in town. I'll take Hoover too. Maybe I'll get a shave at the barber shop next to the Sheriff's office. You following my thinking here?  Chester you handle Berg and the law. Do what you can to keep their eye's in that area. When we have a trap planned you can feed it to Gormely."  Chester says, "I can stop in to see what Hunter knows. I'll just say I'm introducing myself. I asked Gormley to tell Ringo that an unknown driver took a wagon out of town. If you want, I can tell him to just say nothing's changed, if that could mess up the ambush plans."Kate says, "I wish we knew for certain about Hunter. He would be a good way to pass on false information, too. Chester could talk to him under the guise of the lawmen keeping the lines of communication open.  Also to send out false information, or other rumors we want them to hear... I'm probably a good candidate for that. I don't lie very well, true, but they would never believe Ruby or Jake dropping sensitive information accidentally. They might believe I would be naive enough though."  Jake replies, "Good ideas Katherine. Yes Chester, have Gormley say nothing moved yet until we know our plan. Go ahead and check out Hunter the way Katherine suggested."Minerva sits quietly listening. When Jake asks for volunteers to gather information she speaks up "I shall go to the store of Mr. Sherman and see if I can find out where he is or where he has been. I could also speak with Mrs. Fly after the sermon tomorrow on the pretext of setting up a quilting booth for the festival and find a way to steer the conversation around to her husbands brother.""Just let me know when the plan is set and what I have to do," Ruby says.  Kate says, "We might want to have someone spend some time gambling in the Long Branch, as well. Fisk plays there, who knows what else might be going on?"   Ruby interjects, "I can do that."Jake watches the conversation going back and forth, ideas flowing and friends encouraging each other with growing pleasure. "Good Minerva, take those. Ruby perhaps you need to visit a billiard hall, sounds like you are good at that game?"   Ruby smiles, "What do you think?"Jake says, "This is an excellent start. Keep the ideas coming. We should gather every day to share what we know. If you can't make it tell either myself or Katherine, we will pass the information on. Katherine if I am not available hold the meeting." The smile flees Jake's face. "Please let me know before doing anything risky. If you can't at least take someone with you."  Chester exclaims, "Me, do anything risky? Not likely. But I get your point. If the cowboys have help in town, we have to be very careful about how we go about this."  Jake says, "Chester, can you check your schedule and see if you are free to take Katherine out tomorrow? If not, another one of us will."Kate turns to Minerva and says, "Festival preparations would be a good way for you to gather information. You have reason to talk to just about anyone you want.”  Looking back towards Jake she asks, “Does the Merchant's Association keep records on votes? It's a long shot, but we might be able to discover who some of Ike Sherman's friends are by seeing if he consistently votes with anyone in particular."    Jake replies, "Can you check with Chumbley on that first? There might be newspaper records. I bet Ike's votes are the same as Fisk's. It would be interesting to see who consistently votes together with that group."  Kate says, "I can do that. I'll be joining the Merchant's Association, I have good reason to be looking into it."Chester asks, "Jake, do you remember who voted for or against each of the new Marshals? If Fisk, Sherman, or the others voted for one of us, it'd be interesting to know. Do we think Adair is mixed up in this? He called me before him a couple nights ago. He wanted to know just who I worked for and he had some insults for Helen and Eduardo. I walked out on him. Now he has another reason to be mad at us."  Jake states, I don't remember exactly who voted, maybe Katherine can find that out.  As for Adair, I wish I knew. I wouldn't feel bad if he went down during this whether he is or isn't"Kate says, "I'll go out to the ranch tomorrow and talk to Flint, and try to meet with the Apache, but I'll need someone to go with me. I know it's inconvenient to have me over at the El Parador, but it would look suspicious if I move now. Usually Grant or Estaban can walk me where I need to go, but I don't want to drag one of them with me on this."   Ruby adds, "But it is safer, no doubt."  Kate took Ruby's hand for a moment and squeezed it. "That reminds me. The threat against the Lucky Lady still stands. We've searched it top to bottom a couple times and found nothing. I think they would use a rod like the one we took from the Cowboys when we got Nanuet and Chester back. We should keep as close a watch as we can."    "Which I now know how to properly use, by the way," Ruby adds with a twinkle in her eye.Nanuet asks, "Is there anything I can do?"  Jake states, "You are going to lead us to the small caves soon, I just don't know when and who is coming. You also are one of the best at hiding and watching after hours. Could you do some watching for activity around that block? You might even check up on who is going to see Gormley."   "Yes, when I return I can keep watch at night. I don't need much sleep," Nanuet replies.  Kate suggests, "Also, Kajika is also Apache, isn't he? A talk with him might be helpful."  Nanuet replies, "Yes, I've been trying to see him for a few days now, I'm planning on going tomorrow."Jake states, "Before we break up, did anybody learn anything that they didn't get a chance to share yet?"   Kate replies, "I don't think so. But there's a lot of information floating around in my mind right now. I'll let you know if I think of anything else." Ruby asks, 'Who's going to the boxing match?"   Jake says, "They won't let Nanuet in, you and I are working not to mention we are the most popular folks there."  Kate interjects, "They would never believe me coming in for boxing."  Nanuet states, "Well, I'm not allowed in and I don't think Kate is either. But this is probably a job for you Jake. Maybe you should go on a break."   Jake sighs. "Alright, I'll see if I can get over there. Maybe Chester can stop in too in his official capacity."Ruby says, "Did you not mention those names specifically darling? Don't be sighing at me." Ruby pushes the newspaper towards Jake and points to the ad for the Palace Saloon. "I doubt Mr. Foote will be wanting to speak with Chester in his official capacity."   Chester says, "Me and Berg are on duty tonight in case there's trouble at the Palace. Don't know if we'll be there or if we wait until we're called."Jake asks, "Ruby, Do we think Isby would give Berg an arrest warrant for questioning that guy?"   She answers, "I have no idea but we I can ask. I really don't see why he would. You can't just go arrest Cowboys because they are rumored to be Cowboys. What Isby said was we need more of them on our side. I don’t' know how we can convince them though."   Jake says, "What we need is more information. There are many ways of convincing them to talk. Take Gifford as an example."  Chester asks, "Did he spill the beans to the Earps?"  Jake says, "No but he did confirm a few things to use before Behan arranged to have him killed." Ruby exclaims, "Take Gifford what? I did my best with him and we couldn't get him to crack until he was on the coach to Tombstone to see Earp, who he knew was going to kill him because of the murder of Morgan. That's not going to work this time."   Jake concludes, "We can always use Gifford as an example of what not to do." Chester says, "If we want to get some of the cowboys on our side, we'll need to figure out what they care about, what their weak spots are."    Kate says, "When we cleaned out the Rustler's caves, what was the man's name, the one who stayed with the Apache? He might have a few things to tell us as well."  Jake says, "Add that to your Apache questions. If that is it for tonight, let's get to our business then." He holds up his glass. "To luck."Chester raises his glass. "May the gods smile upon us."   Ruby hesitantly holds up her glass, then says forcefully, "We make our own luck," before clinking her glass to Jake's.  "Luck, made or granted," Kate added before drinking.    Ruby says, "Very well put Mrs. Kale. Now let's go get some of that Italian food, I'm hungry!  And don't forget, tonight after work, poker and drinking!" Kate says, "Italian food sounds good. I'm starving. If everyone's ready?" she asked leaning over the candle. When there are no objections she lightly blows out the flame. "Let's go."</blockquote>

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