A/N: Another older story, from 2008 ;-). Will post chapters as I break them apart from the main document.

Argenta

Chapter 1

Johnny sat loose in the saddle and hunched his shoulders under the short coat he was wearing. They were getting a late start on their way to Conaway. It was an odd day, sort of cool-ish in the shade where he waited for Scott but he had no doubt that the day could eventually become sultry. He eyed his brother coming out of the hacienda, throwing his saddlebags over his shoulder as Murdoch followed closely behind.

Scott looked at Johnny and raised his eyebrows. "I think we've got it, Murdoch."

"This deal is very important to the ranch, if it should fall through…"

After tying the saddlebags off and checking his cinch, Scott leaned over to snag the reins from the hitching post. "Sir, you've gone over this with us several times already."

"Wait; don't forget the letter of introduction to Petersen." He thrust an envelope towards Scott and sunk his hands into his pants pockets. "There's one thing I forgot to mention. I want you boys to ride to Argenta after you're through at Conaway."

Johnny looked around. "Argenta? Murdoch, that has to be thirty miles east of where we're going."

Murdoch gave a small smile, much like a child offering his mother a frog. "More like thirty-five. I want you to check on an old friend for me while I run the Cattle Grower's Association meeting here this week. I could make it worth your while."

Johnny leaned over his saddle horn, smiling. "How much worth it?"

Murdoch stuffed his hands lower in his pockets. "Two days off."

"Make it four."

"Three, and you still have to run the herd to Tio's Creek."

Winking at Scott, Johnny held out his hand to shake. "Done."

"Who is this sort of friend and why are we checking on him…or her?" Scott asked.

"It's a him and I haven't seen Jake Mueller in close to thirty years. I heard he's having some troubles with his ranch, not exactly sure what kind but I thought you two could look into it. Mueller did me a favor a long time ago." He paused and looked directly at Scott. "Actually, he saved your mother's and my life and I feel I owe it to him."

Murdoch looked older, with the sunlight hitting his face and planing all its creases. Then he closed off again, like a shutter over a window.

It took Johnny a good moment to tear his eyes away from their father and focus on his brother. Surprised didn't begin to cover it.

"That's all you're leaving us with?" Scott's voice had a quiet edge to it, yet snapped out like a cat o'nine tails.

Not a question at all and Murdoch's eyebrows lifted. Johnny found himself holding his breath a little.

"It was a long time ago, son. Water under the bridge. Go to Argenta and see if he needs help. I'm asking."

And Murdoch opened the door and disappeared inside, even though Scott wasn't finished—arguing or protesting.

His brother frowned. "What our father means is that we ride and don't ask any questions."

Johnny dragged his eyes away from the closed door. "Didn't you tell me once that Murdoch is entitled to a little private life? Maybe this falls into that." He kneed Barranca and started out, yelling over his shoulder, "C'mon Scott, let's go. The quicker we get done at Conaway, the quicker we can get to Argenta."

#~#~#~#~#

Argenta was a tired town, almost pounded down, thought Johnny. Not very many people were out this time of day. Those few who had braved the heat stole wary glances at the two men riding down the middle of the street that effectively sliced the town in half. A weatherworn sign bobbed on rusty hinges. It proclaimed that 'Mrs. Smith's Boarding House, One Block Down', was open for business and had vacancies.

He tipped his chin towards a whitewashed storefront at the far end of town with the words "Let'er Buck" written boldly across its roof in a slash of garish red. "I figure we can get some answers in there."

Scott nodded his assent.

Unlike the town, the saloon was bustling with activity. Johnny stopped at the swinging doors and checked the room before stepping in. Someone had taken a real care with the Let'er Buck. The bar was carved oak and so large it melded with the stairs and balcony. Behind it and all the liquor bottles on the mantle, was an expensive-looking gilded mirror. His eyes tracked upwards and found, to his delight, that a painting covered half the ceiling. The curved side of a filmy-clad female in full repose made him grin.

A few cowboys were scattered around at the tables in various stages of drink and cards. Halfhearted notes were being plunked out by a grizzled old man seated before the piano. More than a few of the notes went sour as the piano player gazed up at the bar maid. She was clad in a tight outfit and stood leaning on the wall beside him urging him on with a smile.

Tamping down the bit of unease that he experienced in every new place, Johnny pushed all the way through the batwing doors, and he and Scott entered the saloon and went up to the bar.

The fat bartender shuffled up to his newest patrons, "What can I do ya for gents?"

Johnny took off his hat and slapped it down on the counter. "Two beers, and maybe some information."

"I can get ya the beer but I'm not so sure about the information. Who is it you wantin' to find?"

"Who said anything about finding someone?" Johnny countered.

The bartender slapped the full glasses down on the bar, spilling foam. "Mister, in my line of work you're either here to find someone or get drunk, and since you're only orderin' beer, it don't strike me that you're lookin' to tie one on."

Johnny threw some coins on the counter. "We're looking for someone by the name of Jake Mueller."

"He ain't here." With that, the man scuffed off to the opposite end of the bar.

Both brothers leaned on the bar and took long pulls on their brews. Scott contemplated his beer for a moment. "I'd say that went well."

"There's more than one way to skin a cat. Look." Johnny angled his head towards the mirror. Scott searched the mirror until he found one lone cowboy at a side table, staring intently at them. After draining his glass, the man stood up and went out the door, casting one last glance their way.

Johnny grabbed his beer and turned around to face the tables. "Now we wait."

"I say we wait at a table. The ride from Conaway was a long…" Scott was interrupted by loud voices to his right and the angry sound of a hand slapping skin. Piano man had latched onto the saloon girl's wrist and was trying to pull her down to his lap when she let go with a roundhouse smack to the man's cheek. The man abruptly stood and hauled back a closed fist. Scott moved neatly to intervene and closed his own hand around the man's fist. "Not today, friend."

The gentle buzz in the saloon quickly died out. Redness crept up into the man's face and he yanked his arm away. "Mind your own damn business. Louise here knows I wouldn't hurt her any." The girl dropped her eyes and absently rubbed at the mottled fingerprint marks left on her arm.

A booming female voice came from the stairs. "Why Jack, you sonuvagun! What happened to the music I was so enjoying upstairs?"

"Aw, Miss Collette, me and Louise just got into a little misunderstanding is all and then this yahoo steps in."

A short, plump woman dressed in a magenta gown with a plunging neckline descended from the stairs. Bright eyes filled with anticipation peeked out from under a thick thatch of auburn hair and generous, ruby-colored lips complemented a wide smile.

Colette's smile grew frosty when she saw the damage done to Louise's wrist and, catching the girl's eyes, she cocked her head towards the stairs. Louise took a quick glance at Scott through her lashes and scurried up. Colette wrapped a practiced arm around Jack's elbow and led him to the batwing doors, "Jack, Louise is going to take a rest right now, why don't you just come back in a little while?"

Before the man knew what had happened, he was standing outside the saloon and Colette had turned her attention to Scott and Johnny.

Johnny watched the proceedings with an alert eye. The woman looked vaguely familiar and he wondered where he had seen her before. It finally it hit him. Looking quickly to the ceiling, he confirmed it.

"That's right, cowboy, I'm her." She hooked her arm easily through Scott's and waited for Johnny to proffer his. "A fella from back east did the painting and I can always tell when a man gets clued in."

Johnny's grin broadened.

She led them to a table in the back of the saloon. "C'mon, let's have a seat," she purred at Scott. "I owe you, Handsome, for getting that rascal off my girl. Jack usually isn't that frisky or that drunk this early in the day." She signaled the bartender for more drinks.

"So where are you two boys from? Or maybe more to the point, who are you looking for?"

The men shared a look across the table and Scott spoke up, "We're here to see Jake Mueller."

She surveyed the men, her words taking on an intentional coldness. "I see. Funny, you boys don't look to me as the type to be happy being pack dogs."

"Colette!" She flinched in the chair, caught unawares by the cool, hard voice coming from behind her. "Don't you have something better to do?"

Trepidation then disgust flitted across her face before she quickly composed herself and got up from the chair. "That I do. The company was suddenly lacking anyway and now that you're here it's gone straight to hell."

The man grabbed her shoulder and spun her around. "That's enough from the likes of you."

Scott was half way out of his chair when Colette waved him down. "Two saves in one day? I don't think so Handsome, this girl can take care of herself. Besides, this pup's bark is worse than his bite. I wouldn't waste my time." Throaty laughter accompanied her back to the bar.

If Johnny read the muted fury in the cowboy's face and the curled fists correctly, he could only think that Colette was due for some hard times. That was a shame because he inherently liked Colette and just as naturally distrusted the man before him. He could tell Scott felt the same way; his brother had gone quiet except for the tapping of a single finger against his beer glass.

The man spoke again. "I hear you're looking for Jake Mueller."

Johnny finally looked at him, not bothering to hide his contempt. The man was a little younger than him and his mouth had a cruel bent to it, especially now with it turned up in a snarl. What stood before him was a deadly combination of immaturity and cockiness that didn't seem to be hampered by any of the inhibitions that go along with good sense. The low slung pearl-handled forty-five looked to lie heavy on his right hip, and was well used. If the boy's actions failed to lend any authority to him, that weapon surely would.

Johnny spoke in a low, deliberately calm voice, "That's right, we're looking for Mueller and you're not him."

The man pushed back his hat and a small smile played about his lips. "Well now, I might be a Mueller. I'm Jim, Jake's my daddy and you were supposed to be here last week. He doesn't like to be kept waiting." His eyes flipped to Scott. "Keep in mind we only hired one of you, we ain't paying extra. 'Course, if you both want to stick around to share in the leavin's then that's up to you."

Scott looked at the man. "Who do you think…"

Johnny raised his hand. "Wait a minute, Scott; let's give the man a chance to speak."

"Like I was sayin', we're only gonna pay for one of you. So unless you're willin' to share the wages, then you," he looked at Scott and jabbed a thumb over his shoulder, "can hit the trail."

Scott sat back in his chair and raised his eyebrows; a soft, slow smile crept across his lips as he looked at Mueller. "Can I?"

Amused, Johnny watched Scott's reaction and then met the boy's eyes with a half-smile of his own. "And those wages would be for what exactly?"

Mueller peered at Johnny, "Are you stupid, or just actin' it?"

Scott cheerfully egged the man on. "Oh no, Mr. Mueller, I believe that he just needs a bit more explanation. Why don't you enlighten him?"

"Yeah, why don't you enlighten me? If I'm gonna get paid for something I'd like to know what I have to do for it."

"What? Listen, are you Red Mangus or not?"

Johnny stared at Mueller and swallowed hard.

tbc