"Why do you continue to assume that I am associated with every confidence artist plying his trade, Mr. Larabee?"

"Settle down Ezra. I don't mean anything by it. What I do know is that you like to make sure you know your competition, and if this guy has been around for a while, and I bet he has, then you may have run into him before."

"If he is proclaiming himself to be a man of God it is far more likely that Josiah will know of him that I would.

"Well, 'claims' is the important word there. I have my doubts about the truth of that statement."

"Mr. Larabee – are you becoming a cynic?" The others at the table grinned at the question. Cynicism was nothing new to Chris.

"A realist. He don't ring true, but I can't say why. Maybe we've just had to many false prophets. Anyway, I did ask Josiah.

"Can't say the name or description is familiar to me, but then I've been away from preaching a lot longer than you've been away from –" he hesitated, unsure how to finish the thought.

"My former line of work?"

"Yeah – that'll do."

Ezra sighed and put down the deck of card. "Tell me what you can. Start with a description. We can get to what he said, how he said it and what he didn't say after that."

Chris leaned back. Clearly this was going to take some time.

"I'd say he was 'bout your height, maybe a bit more. Dark hair with a bit of grey. No scars I could see."

"Sounds right." Vin agreed. "Clean shaven. Think his eyes were brown?"

"That's it." Ezra questioned when they stopped. "That is the sum total of your observations? No small wonder he in unfamiliar to you Mr. Sanchez. His mother wouldn't recognize him on such little information."

"Well I can tell you what he was wearing for what good that does." Chris added angrily.

"All this time I thought you paid more attention to your surroundings gentlemen. No, I suppose that isn't fair. I have no doubt you pay attention. You simply fail to note the details. I am certain you saw more than what you have described, and with a small amount of coaching will recall not only the facts, but a multitude of observations and presumptions based on those recollections.

Let us start with the clothing that you are dismissive of. Were the cuffs frayed? Did the buttons match, or were they an amalgam of whatever might serve the purpose? Did the jacket match with the pants – fabric, fit, style? Shoes or boots? Designed for walking or working? Were the garments cut in a fashion to disguise the possession of a weapon, or did they hang naturally? Did he carry a handkerchief? Folded neatly out of years of conditioning, or merely stuck into the pocket?"

They all stared at the line questioning, no one speaking.

"His appearance then. How long since his last haircut? Professionally done, of self cut? Was the colour natural, or was there boot black or other substance altering the effect? Trying to appear younger? Older? Spectacles? Were they needed, or being used to affect the appearance of wisdom or sincerity? You said he was clean shaven. Was the skin equally tanned over the face, or was the absence of facial hair a recent change? His hands, smooth or calloused? I trust you took the opportunity to shake hands to assess their condition as well as his strength.

"Are you messing with us Ezra?" JD interrupted. "You expect them to answer all of this?"

"We've only begun. Did his voice maintain an even timber, or was there a variance in the range? Was there an accent? Consistent? Identifiable? Then of course there is rhythm of speech. Did he rush some thoughts, as if seeking to be able to change the subject? Did he look you in the eye when he spoke, or was the gaze focused more on your chin or neck? And we have not even begun to address his vocabulary and choice of phrasing and patterns."

Ezra stopped, looking at them to provide answers. No one spoke for at least a minute. Finally, he broke the silence he had created.

"Well?"

"You have got to be kidding us Ezra." Buck sputtered out. "Who notices all of that?"

"Everyone does Mr. Wilmington. That is the point. The eye takes in all of that, and a great deal more. The trick is allowing the mind to register, retain and process the information. And then draw the necessary conclusions to enable you to size up your opponent."

"That's crazy."

"No, it isn't Buck." Chris grinned. "I get what he's saying."

"I thought you might Mr. Larabee. You do the exact same thing every time you face down a challenger before drawing your gun. Mr. Tanner, you practice your skills when tracking, noticing and analyzing every aspect of your surroundings. And even you Mr. Wilmington. I daresay you note more than that every time a beautiful woman, or for that matter any woman, crosses your path."

"This why you win more that you lose when you're playing cards Ezra?" JD asked.

"It help's. The more you observe, the more you are prepared for whatever happens next. The better you can determine the exact character of your opponent.

But no observation can be taken at face value. Fancy clothes and polished nails could reflect a man of breeding and old money. But equally, they could be the spoils of someone who has only recently come into funds, and is making the effort to appear to fit into a new social circle. One must look beyond the surface."

"How?" JD felt he should be taking notes.

"If the clothes are brand new, there is a good chance the money is too. And nails can be buffed to look good, but the weathering of the hands will tell more of a man's history than a cosmetic effort can hide. Even more than that is a comfort with the image. Pulling at the neckline of a shirt, fussing with the jacket, difficulty counting out the bills. All signs someone is unaccustomed to the wealth he portrays."

"What about you Ezra? What about the way you dress and act?"

"Do you really think I should share all my secrets with you JD? However, since you know me as well as you do, I will share this much. My overall bearing is that of a winner whenever possible. Most people make the assumption that I am then 'due' for a loss. Anyone a little more observant will note the slight wear on my garments. Not a great deal, but enough to show they are not newly acquired from a haberdashery. This will make them uncertain of my position, yet at the same time they will draw certain assumptions just from the nature of the clothing itself. The style, colour and accessories will lead most to believe I am a man who is less that cautious with his finances."

"That would be a costly assumption for anyone to make." Josiah smiled.

"As it has been for many people, on more than one occasion."

"That's all fascinating Ezra, but do you think we might get back to the matter at hand? You want some more of our observations so you can figure out this Brother Bill character for us?"

Ezra snapped his head around to stare at Chris. "Brother Bill? That is the moniker this gentleman is using?"

"Yeah – why?"

Ezra rested his head in his hands for a moment. Why could his past not stay buried behind him? When he finally looked up, Chris could see the distress in his eyes. There was little effort being made to hide it. There was no point.

"Allow me to answer some of the questions I directed at you a few minutes ago. Brother Bill would appear to be in his mid to late 30's, with a touch of grey in his hair at the temples. He appears at first glance to move stiffly. The actions of a man not used to an outdoor or overly physical life. You indicated he is clean shaven, so his face is likely tanned, but would not be weathered.

His clothing looks well used, likely fitting him loosely. It would appear they had never had a proper fitting, and could well be hand-me-downs or possibly belonging to someone who had lost significant weight due to a less than profitable life. Either way, the truth is that they would be loose enough that any weapons he would wish to hide on his person would not be noticed. I can assure you they would be quickly accessible if needed.

He is well spoken, with an extensive vocabulary that he uses with comfort and ease. I cannot be certain, but would venture to guess there is no immediately identifiable accent to his speech, but undoubtedly sounds soft-spoken and gentle."

"What aren't you telling us here Ezra?"

"Please Mr. Larabee, I will explain in minute. Is he alone?"

"Can't be certain, but we didn't see anything to make us think otherwise." Vin answered, seeing the evident stress on the gambler's face. "You OK Pard?"

Ezra nodded slightly, but his face betrayed the action. "If you will excuse me for just a moment, I will explain myself on my return." Without waiting, he stood and quickly left, heading toward his room.

"This is bad Chris. Something is definitely wrong."

"You know," Josiah noted with concern, "for all the things we've faced down, for all the stupid risks we've taken, this may be the first time I've ever seen Ezra really and truly scared."

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tbc