Trego, page 10
“Well, not me, I’m a one woman man. I don’t believe in cheating.”
“Do you think I do?” Brie said.
“Nope, of course not. I have complete trust in you. What do you think we should do, you know, about Blythe?”
“Nothing of course. He hasn’t done anything wrong, has he?” Brie said, as she reached for the chamber pot.
“No, not yet. I didn’t mean he had, as of yet. But, I was thinking about that money laundering. We need to find out where he is shipping the metal’s. Also, just how much and what its worth. And then someway, find out how much he gets paid for the shipment, and then subtract the two.”
“Oh, is that all, huh? But it might be possible to find what and how much is in the shipment; through Sam Benbow.” Brie said, as she stood up and walked to her chest of drawers to get some clean underwear. She reached in and pulled some bloomers out, she stood there thinking, “But you know, I was thinking, what do we care what he does, our jurisdiction ends at the city limits. The crime will take place wherever the shipment is going, not here.” She held the bloomers up, “Do you like these?”
“No, I hate them. They make you look like an old woman. Why can’t they make something a bit smaller, that fits tighter.”
“That’s my thought also. I have one of those new fangled Singer sewing machines, I bet I could make something. I could just cut these down, how small do you think I should go?”
“Well, something not so bulky, so they wouldn’t show through your pants.” I said.
“Yes, speaking of pants. They don’t fit tight enough either. They need to be tighter, just below my posterior, you know around my thighs. I know what I’m going to do today. I’m going to sew.” She completely forgot about me, she started pulling things our of her wardrobe and drawers.
“Alright, just don’t forget to put some clothes on before you go down stairs.” I said, as I got dressed and went down to the kitchen. Margaret had some food saved for me. I ate, then went to the barn and tossed some hay down.
When I got to the jail, there was still a couple of guys setting in front of the Mine office with their rifles. I unlocked the door, then I glanced at them, “What are you guys up to, with those rifles and all?” I asked.
They looked at each other and didn’t say a word. The guy closest to me had his rifle laying butt first on the boardwalk leaning against his bench. I walked over, kicking the butt of the gun inward, the barrel came toward my hand. I had it before he could react. The other one started to raise his rifle; I clipped him on the jaw with butt of the rifle, he was out like a good boy.
I turned back to the first guy, “Now then, I asked you a question.” I pointed the rifle at his crotch. “Take it easy, Mr. Blythe is getting a shipment together, most of it is in the office, we’re supposed to be guarding it. Take your finger off of that trigger, won’t you?”
“Now that’s more like it, all you have to do is be civil.” I said, as I jacked the shells out of his rifle, then handed it back to him. I let the shells fall where they would, some of them went between the cracks in the boardwalk. He was crawling around picking up what he could. Then I did the same to the first rifle, then I leaned it against the unconscious one.
I looked up, Evan Blythe was standing in the mine office window watching me. He had a mean look on his face. Now normally, if I wasn’t a peace officer, I would just call him out and have it done with. But I suppose it wouldn’t be proper to ventilate him with out due cause. What you had to put up with in the name of the law was sure a caution.
Sam Benbow appeared in the window next to Blythe, Sam took his elbow and turned him away from the window. Now Sam sort of knew me, he was probably a little scared that I might just plug Blythe through the window.
I spent the next couple of hours shuffling paper work and smoking some cigars that I found in one of the drawers. It was coming on to noon, when the door opened and Brie came in with lunch for me.
“What’s the awful smell? Have you been smoking cigars?” she said with a grimace on her face.
“Yeah, I found some in the drawer.”
“Well, don’t bring any of them home with you. I have already eaten, I was just on my way to the Ladies Haberdashery. I need cloth and stuff. I’m making some underwear that fits and looks better. Also I’m redoing all of my late husbands pants, not only to fit me better, but both Brona and Caitie want some different clothes.”
“Alright, I didn’t know you were a seamstress. All of a sudden you’re quite the domestic, huh?”
“I always was, but since I met you, you’ve brought out the animal in me, if I wasn’t so busy right now, I would show you.” Brie said, as she went out the door.
I ate the lunch, then decided to make my rounds. When I got to the saloon, Sam was standing at the bar, with a drink in his hand. I went up and stopped beside him. Bayard came over, “What’ll it be Trego?”
“Just some coffee,” I said, then turned to Sam, “so, when does the shipment go out?”
“Two days from now, around five in the morning. We’re taking it to Helena, then by train to Chicago.”
“Are you expecting any trouble?” I asked as Bayard came back with my coffee.
“We’re taking about ten men, with rifles. We shouldn’t have any trouble.”
“Well, I hope their better than those two this morning.”
“They’re all about the same, it’s just that you’re faster than most of them.” Sam said.
I looked at the drink in Sam’s hand, then back up to his face. “You always drink this early?” I asked.
“Here, taste it.” He said, I took the shot glass from him and sipped a bit. I looked back at him, “Damn, tea, how come?”
“I made a deal with Bayard, when I ask for a drink, he gives me tea. That way everybody thinks I’m drinking with them. You see I stopped drinking several years ago. But some of the rough crowd don’t trust you unless you drink with them.” He said.
“Yeah, but with me, I don’t care what they think, I don’t drink hard stuff. Never did see any benefit from getting drunk. Are you going all of the way to Chicago with the gold?” I asked.
“Yes, so is Blythe. You know I just don’t trust him. I get a funny feeling every time I turn my back to him. I think the man is basically evil.”
“Do you think he suspects you?” I asked.
“I don’t know for sure. I haven’t figured out why he hired me to oversee the shipment. I know why we wanted to infiltrate his organization, but why did he send for me?”
“Yeah, that’s been bugging me also. Could it be that he’s on to you?”
“No, I don’t think so. Why would he pay to bail me out? I don’t know, I just don’t have a good feeling about the whole thing.”
“Well, I’ll do some thinking on it. You just watch your back.” Then I drained my coffee cup and tossed a dime on the bar. I went back toward the jail. Sitting in front of the mine office were four men. The first guys that were there this morning were nowhere in sight. As I approached, they lowered their eyes, I just passed them by and went in the Jail.
I put my feet up on my desk and pulled out a new cigar, I didn’t light it, I just chewed a little on it. Mulling over what Sam said, I thought something was fishy too. One thing that I’ve learned, is to never ignore a gut feeling.
I took the cigar from my mouth and looked at it. Why in the world was I messing with these things? I didn’t like to smoke them and I sure didn’t like the taste when chewing on them. I threw it in the wastebasket.
That made me think of how much other people and their ways influence one. Can a person ever truly be an individual when they are a member of civilization? I think they have a term for it, its called peer pressure. People are scared to do anything or say anything that their peers may disapprove of. And giving into peer pressure they lose their individuality.
I was still contemplating what a conundrum civilization was, when Brie came breezing in. Now here was a good example of one who did not let what other people might think influence her.
“Let me show you what I have.” She said, as she laid her packages on my desk.
“Look at this, its called elastic, I’m going to use it to hold up my underwear. That way I won’t have to make a tie.”
“Uh, yeah, that’s nice sweetheart.” I got out of my mouth, before she swept back out of the door.
Ah, my beautiful, gun slinging, knife throwing, passionate wife, had a domestic side. Did that surprise me? Somewhat, to tell the truth, all that I had seen of her domestic side was the dress’s she wore. Now that she was in pants, this sewing did seem out of character.
She left me wondering one thing; what the hell was elastic? I guess that would have to wait till this evening to find that out, since I had rounds to do. Another thought popped into my mind as took my feet of my desk, why was I taking this Marshal’s job so seriously?
In answer to that, I heard my father’s voice, ‘A job worth doing, is a job worth doing well.’ Yeah, sure Pop, but I’m not sure this job is worth doing. My mind answered me, well not me, him.
I went by my Uncle’s Barber Shop, he was shaving somebody, it turned out to be Sam Benbow. “Well as I live and breath, if it isn’t my old buddy, Sam. How you doing Sam? Are you sure you have time for a shave?”
Sam looked at me quizzically, “What’s your problem Trego, you been drinking?”
“Nope, not me. I’m just trying to figure out what the hell I’m even doing in this town. Have you met my Uncle Lambert?”
“Huh? This is your Uncle?” Sam said, glancing sideways.
“Yeah, since he has that razor next to your jugular, how about you tell me that you haven’t lied to me?” I said. “And that gun you have in your lap won’t do any good, cause he can slit your throat before you can squeeze the trigger.”
“I have told you the truth, I swear to God, I have.” Sam said, looking at me like I was crazy. Perhaps I was, but this was too good of a chance to pass up. My uncle looked at me and just kept shaving Sam.
“Alright Sam, I believe you. So are you still on track to move that shipment in the next couple of days?”
“Yeah, I think the day after tomorrow. There is three hundred pounds of silver and two hundred pounds of gold.
Anyway that’s what the shipping manifest says.” Sam said.
“I guess there isn’t anyway to be sure, until it’s loaded in the wagons. Then really not either, cause there could be rocks or something in the box’s.” I said.
“Yeah, that’s right. But it is imperative that the shipment gets all of the way to the Bank in Chicago. The U.S. Marshal there wants to wait till it gets there, then they will raid the bank and compare the shipment with the money that the Bank pays him for it. That’s the only way they can convict him of money laundering.” Sam said.
“But what about the other charges, you know, like you said, the rape and such.” I said.
“They are more interested in the laundering charge. That way they can arrest those other gangsters in Chicago. Evan Blythe is small potatoes.” He said.
“Hey, I just thought of something, the reason they sent you here is to protect Blythe, this whole thing depends on him delivering that gold and silver, doesn’t it?” I said.
“Yes, they heard that you were the town marshal, and that you might just kill him. I was supposed to talk you out of it, or kill you myself.” Sam said.
“They heard about me all the way to Chicago? I don’t believe it, I’m not that important.” I said, with a laugh.
“Well, not just you, you’re your father’s son. He is well know in federal circles.”
“Only one problem there, my father’s dead, I buried him a year ago.” I said.
“I’m sorry to hear that, the Army owed him a big debt, the way he revenged the death of those soldiers. Even if they never got their money back.”
“Oh, so they want their money back?” I said.
“Not especially, they are willing to let you keep it, for not killing Blythe.”
“How do they know that I have it? But never mind that, what if someone else kills Blythe, what then?” I said.
“As long as its not you, you’re free and clear. There is nothing that can be done about chance and circumstance.” Sam said, as Lambert finished wiping the shaving soap from his face and removed the apron.”
“Why Sam, I’m surprised at you, you didn’t have your gun in your lap. Let me give you a piece of advice, always have your gun ready under that apron, you’ll live longer.” I said, as Jane and Mary came into the shop, along with Garnet. Garnet said, “Would anyone like a hot cup of coffee?”
“Sure,” I said. Sam was still setting in the barber chair, he was staring at Jane.
“Uh, yeah, I would also.” Sam said.
“Good, why don’t the three of you come in the back room, I have a new pot on the back of the stove,” Garnet said, as she took note of the looks going back and forth between Sam and Jane. By her expression, I don’t think she approved of them.
Another one that didn’t approve, was Mary. It was only natural that she wouldn’t, cause being twins, they hadn’t been apart since they were dropped into this world. Now me, I wasn’t all that into those come hither looks that were passing back and forth between them; why? Cause, I wouldn’t give two hoots and holler for Sam’s chance of living out the summer.
Garnet said, as we all sat down at the table, “I have some fry bread, does anyone want some?”
“Sure,” I said, Sam was still in a fog, I elbowed him, “Huh?” He said. “Do you want some fry bread with your coffee?’ I reiterated. Without taking his eyes off Jane he said, “Sure, please.”
We made small talk, nothing all that important. Jane had a bemused look on her face, like she was somewhat contemplating what Sam was offering, only she wasn’t too sure about it. Really I didn’t think Sam knew what he was offering. He was just smitten.
After the coffee and bread, Sam and I left together. The outside air, seemed to revive Sam somewhat. “Sam,” I said, “you can’t afford to let your concentration wander. I know you’re hot for Jane, but you had better keep your mind on your business, that is if you want to stay alive.”
“Yeah, Trego, I know. By the way, I wanted to talk to you anyway. Do you remember that I said, they were taking a load to Helena. Well things have changed, the Utah and Northern Railroad have pushed the rails to just north of Monida Pass. Blythe wants to catch the train there. It hooks up to the Union Pacific Transcontinental railway to Chicago.
“The hell you say? There pushing a railroad into Southwestern Montana?”
“Yep, it’s going to Dillon then north to Butte.
“Damn! That’s going to bring everybody and their cousin here. Where’s a person going to go, to get away from them?” I lamented.
“You aren’t Trego, you’re just going to have to make peace with yourself.” Sam said.
“If by making peace with myself, you mean accept it, you might be right, but I don’t have to like it. This country is about full up now. Shoot, up where our place is, we have neighbors within a two days ride now. That is if I wanted to ride that way. Oh hell, don’t mind me, I’m just pissing and moaning.
But I was wondering, who’s going to be in charge here in Coolidge, of the Wise River Mine?”
“Funny thing about that, Blythe doesn’t seem to be too worried about it, I don’t think he plans on coming back. Oh, he’s says John Derek is supposed to run things here, but he’s just a pencil pusher.”
“Is he in charge of the Stamp Mill too?”
“Yeah, but he’s such a willy-nilly, I don’t see how those miners are going to pay any attention to him.” Sam said.
I thought a minute, then said, “Sam, I don’t think that Wise River Combine has a clear title to that mine.”
“What makes you say that?”
“Well, my wife’s first husband filed on that claim. He was killed under suspicious circumstances. Brie still has the papers on that claim. She never pushed it, but I bet its still on file in Helena.”
“You mean your wife might own the Wise River Mine?”
“Yeah, could be. But I don’t know how much good that will be, cause I heard a couple of miners talking the other day. They were saying that the vein of silver is petering out. Blythe might be getting out with all of the gold and silver and leaving everybody else to hang and rattle.”
“You did? Damn, that makes sense, cause I heard Blythe tell the paymaster to wait to pay the months wages till he got back. But I seen that crooked lawyer of his cleaning out his desk and safe. He’s going with Blythe.”
“Rat’s leaving a sinking ship, huh?”
“It looks that way, but there will be hell to pay; those miners, most of them anyway, have families.” Sam said.
“Well, there is only one thing to do, we’re going to have to salt that load with rocks. Do you think we can get to the box’s without being seen?” I asked.
“Yeah, I don’t know why not. There not leaving till in the morning. I’m in charge of security. I’ll just let the rest of the guys go get a beer, since they’ll be dry for the next few days, they’ll leap at the chance.”
“We’ll just take a few bars out of each box, enough to keep the mine going and pay the miners. You know I can’t believe the mine’s running out of silver. If it does go dry, we’ll just have to pay the miners off. I sure would hate this town to fade away.” I said.
“Right, you be in the Marshal’s office around eight tonight, I’ll tap on the back door. Then we can go in the Mine office back door. There are plenty of rocks in the back alley. Alright we’d better split up, we don’t want to be seen together.” Sam said, then he ducked down the alley behind the Barber Shop.
I walked on toward home, it was coming on to supper time. As I came in the kitchen, the only one there was Margaret. “Where’s the rest of them?” I asked.
“All three of them are up in your room, sewing, if you’re going up there tell Brona and Caitie to get down here, I need their help.”
