I hope everyone enjoys this chapter, with its nice, foreboding energy, because guess what's coming next week!

Chapter 30: Pinkertons

"Now, pull back on the string. You can pull it pretty far before it's too much, and you'll feel it when it is."

Arthur did as Charles said. He'd fired a few arrows, and so far they'd hit the makeshift target that Charles set up, though they certainly weren't in the center. "Like this?"

"Hold on, you're dropping your elbow," Charles said.

"Oh." He adjusted his stance. "How about now?"

"Close. Here, may I?"

Arthur tried not to turn bright red when Charles wrapped his arm around his shoulder, guiding his elbow into the right position. "How does that feel?"

"Uh, better. I think."

"Looks better."

Arthur tried not to think about how Charles' hand lingered between his shoulder blades as he released the arrow. But that time it hit almost perfect. "Huh, how about that?"

"I knew you could do it," Charles said, giving Arthur a smile. Arthur glanced down to avoid eye contact. Now that he was aware of his attraction to Charles, it felt like that was all he could think about. Half the time he was making excuses to spend time with Charles, and the other half he was trying to stay away so that he could concentrate on work. Of course, now Charles was joining him on that work, hunting pelts to sell or to craft alongside Arthur and Isaac.

As much as Arthur wanted to throw caution to the wind and talk to Charles, Isaac came first, always. If Arthur got the slightest impression that Charles was at all interested in him, or even interested in men, Arthur would have to talk to Isaac about it. And that was a whole different conversation. In all the years since Eliza's death and Isaac coming to live with him, Arthur had never been in a relationship. Sure, they'd talked about Mary, and Isaac seemed to understand that Arthur may be interested in someone else one day, but doing so near his kid? Arthur wasn't sure he could do it.

Although, Isaac and Charles did get along rather well. Maybe Isaac wouldn't mind after all.

"You alright, Arthur?" Charles asked.

Shit, he'd been staring off into space, hadn't he? "Just fine. Just remembered something I gotta do."

"With Hosea and Dutch?" Charles asked.

"Sure," Arthur agreed, seeing his excuse to get away for a minute. "How'd you know?"

"I think they are arguing."

Arthur turned and sighed as he saw Hosea and Dutch in the middle of yet another discussion. A discussion that was getting louder by the minute, and was hurting his ears by the time Arthur said his goodbyes to Charles and made it over to them.

"It's a simply plan, I promise," Dutch said, pointing at the map again. "The ferry is set to dock at five in the morning, just as the sun is starting to rise. We'll be in boats out on the lake, sneak on before it docks, and grab the money. I don't understand why you are so uncertain about this!"

"I told you, Dutch, it don't feel right," Hosea said with a sigh. "Micah heard about this from contact he won't tell us about."

"Right."

"And I heard about it from the cashier at the general store. And Arthur heard it from the stablehand."

"So?"

"So that's three normal fellers who know details of a bank transfer, and a federal reserve transfer at that. Doesn't that seem a bit suspicious to you?"

Arthur glanced between Hosea and Dutch. He had to admit that he sided with Hosea on this one. "Everyone is talking about it, Dutch," he said.

"Exactly!" Hosea continued. "Everyone is talking about it. You know how many people we used to have to bribe for this kind of information?"

"That just goes to show how confident the government is in this method. And normally I'd agree, robbing a boat is a whole heap of trouble. But this is different! The boats have to slow to navigate the shallows around the Blackwater docks, giving us plenty of time to get on board, get the money, and leave with the crowd! By the time they realize the money is gone, well, we'll be halfway to New Austin by then!"

"I doubt that. You'd be lucky to get back to camp before they realize what happened," Hosea said. "Listen, this real estate scam I found, it's more low profile-"

"Which is why we can do it alongside this ferry job."

Arthur studied the map for a moment before jumping in. "What if we send the rest of the camp along to New Austin before we do the job. That way they won't immediately suspect us."

"The plan is to take all our fighters onto this boat, Arthur. If there's as much money as Micah says there will be, then we'll need folks to help carry the gold!"

"Well, if Micah says so," Arthur huffed.

"Now, I know you two don't see eye to eye-"

"It ain't that, Dutch. Well, it is that, but Micah has only been with us a few months. How do we know he's thought this through?"

"He ain't some young idiot, Arthur," Dutch said. "He's been an outlaw for a long time."

"An outlaw running by himself," said Arthur. "He don't seem like the type to think about the whole family. Now, if we send Susan and Pearson with the rest to New Austin-"

"And with all our guns on the job, how will they defend themselves?"

"I think they could handle it," said Hosea. "You've seen Susan with a shotgun, and the others ain't exactly helpless."

Dutch rubbed his chin, considering their words. "I don't like splitting up. You know that."

"I know," Hosea said. "But-"

"But, nothing!" Dutch said, walking off. "We're not splitting up! Now, about this real estate scam you have going on… I think it would be better for us if Arthur was keeping an eye on things in town, so why don't you take one of the girls along on this?"

Arthur and Hosea exchanged a look. Sure, Arthur hadn't been involved in any sort of scam or robbery in over ten years, but why was Dutch insisting on getting involved in Hosea's job? Especially when he had his own to worry about? "The whole idea with bringing Arthur was to have someone unsuspecting who is good with a gun," Hosea said carefully. "Just in case."

"Mary-Beth has some experience with guns," Dutch said.

"Not much."

"And she's a good actress."

"I'll think on it," Hosea said, trying to end the conversation.

"Good. Now, in the meantime, how about you and I talk locations in New Austin?"

"Later," Hosea said. "I want to talk to the girls. Arthur, want to come with?"

"Sure."

As soon as they left, Micah swooped in to talk to Dutch, and Hosea continued to grumble. "Maybe you can take Mary-Beth out for some shooting lessons this week."

"What about Karen? Or is Dutch dragging her on this ferry job, too."

"It seems like everyone is going except you and me. And Uncle."

Arthur rolled his eyes. "Is that man ever going to work?"

"I thought you said he's helpful talking to customers."

"Yeah, because talking is all he knows how to do."

Hosea chuckled. "We all have our strengths. Hey, Mary-Beth. What do you say about running a scam with me?"

"Sure, Mr. Matthews, what is it?"

"Some fellers are selling fake deeds to new folk coming into town. Thought maybe you could play my daughter. You in?"

"Of course!" she said, jumping up and dropping the sock she had been darning next to Jenny. "Am I the young girl dedicated to taking care of my father as he grows old?"

"Who are you calling old, girl?" Hosea teased. "But yes. My darling Mary-Beth, so kind hearted, ensuring that I am taken care of as I get up in years. You see, she never married."

"But that's because my true love died in a tragic accident," she continued, fake sniffles and everything. Jenny giggled as she watched them.

"What do you think, Jenny? Convincing?" Hosea asked.

"Reminds me of what I'd do whenever I wanted a day off from work," she said, before putting on a sad voice, too. "My dear grandmother has come down with a fever, and I can't bare it if I didn't see her one last time."

"Looks like we've got a natural," Hosea said. "You want in on this, too? One daughter to care for me, another that I must find a suitable husband for?"

"Oh, I was going to do the ferry job with Mr. Van der Linde," she said.

"Really?" Arthur jumped in. "You ever robbed before?"

"I've stolen, sure."

"But robbed. Like, held up someone with a gun."

"No," she said sheepishly. "But Mr. Van der Linde says that this will be a quiet robbery."

"Yeah, quiet is always the goal, but it ain't the reality," Arthur said.

"I do have experience with guns," Jenny said. "And Mr. Van der Linde was saying that having someone who doesn't look like a robber with the group will make us seem less conspicuous."

"That's good but… maybe talk with Annabelle first. See if you can get her to take you out on a smaller job, get your feet wet a little before you go after a big bank transfer."

"Maybe," Jenny said. "I'll think about it, Mr. Morgan."

"Call me Arthur," he said before walking away, but once she couldn't see him anymore, he frowned. "I don't think she should be going on that job."

"Me neither. I appreciate her ambition, but…"

"Yeah."

"You did good sending her to Annabelle," Hosea said. "She'll help."

"If she goes," Arthur said. "Now, go rescue Dutch from that idiot."

"With pleasure," Hosea said.

With Hosea having found his replacement for the scam in Mary-Beth, Arthur went into Blackwater almost daily with his cart. Arthur took Rory, so Isaac got to borrow Boadicea to go hunting with Charles. "You know," Arthur told Isaac as he handed him Boadicea's reins, "I heard a story from your Uncle John that the last time you were on Bo by yourself, you were trying to sneak out of camp."

"What?"

"Oh, don't you remember?" Arthur teased. "You were only four years old, I was stuck at the doctor's on account of my leg."

Sean perked up at that, hoping to hear some new details to aid in his mission, but Arthur glared at him.

"I don't remember that," Isaac said.

"Well, I do!" John jumped in. "Scared the shit out of me! I thought I was going to have to chase you down or tell Arthur that you got hurt on my watch."

"Wait, really?" Isaac said.

"Fortunately for both of us, Bo just wanted to eat grass," John said.

"I think Isaac is strong enough to pull her head up this time," Arthur said. "Now, you listen to Charles."

"I know."

"Come here," Arthur said, pulling Isaac into a hug.

"Pa, this is embarrassing!"

"What, too old to hug your father now?"

"Pa!" Isaac wiggled his way out, mounting Boadicea quickly and turning her out of camp.

"Well, at least she hasn't bucked him off yet," John laughed.

"You just wait! You'll have a teenager one day, too!"

"Jack won't be like that, he's a sweet kid."

"Oh, that's how they start out," Arthur said, continuing to rib John.

"Shut up!"

"Alright, alright. I'm going into town."

As Arthur sat on the corner, working on his latest project and staring out into the town, he started to understand why this town would need such a large amount of funds. An entire block was being dedicated to a new bank and government buildings, and with all the supplies and workers coming in, they certainly needed cash. There seemed to be a lot of travelers, too, not just from the passenger ferry, but also coming in from the north and west.

Travelers that packed an impressive amount of firearms. Definitely bounty hunters, but also some government workers, too. It was odd, to say the least. And concerning.

"What's gotten you all sour? Still mad that your kid is borrowing your horse?" Uncle asked.

"You see those men?"

"Yeah. Awful lot of those bastards coming through here. One of them kicked me out of my seat at the saloon the other day!" Uncle said.

"You sure you didn't fall out of your chair?"

"Very funny. What's got you so worried?"

Arthur sighed. "Just seems like a lot of lawmen in the area just as a big shipment of money is supposed to be showing up."

"Now, don't get all whiny and nervous like you always do when the boys are about to pull a big job."

"What?"

"You always do this. Worry, worry, worry. You are going to put yourself in an early grave doing that," Uncle said. "Ain't good for the body, all that stress coming off of you. Me? I never worry, that's why I'm as youthful as I am."

"You keep telling everyone you got lumbago and can't work," Arthur reminded him. "You are the opposite of youthful."

"But I ain't dead!"

"And what a shame that is."

"Hey! You're just mad because deep down, you know I'm right."

"Sure," Arthur said, turning back to the soon-to-be glove in his hands.

"Now, watch me sell something to one of those lawmen you are so worried about."

"Uncle…"

"Excuse me, sir! You look like you could use some new boots. Custom-made to order!"

The stern man, probably government with his gray suit jacket, red vest, and matching bowler hat, barely gave Uncle a glance before saying, "No."

"Oh, come on!" Uncle continued, even though Arthur glared at him to stop, "that looks like a standard issue uniform, can't be too comfortable, can it?"

The man turned, eying Uncle, Arthur, and the cart. "You two aren't from around here, are you? Lots of travelers in these parts, but this doesn't seem the type of weather for heavy, fur coats."

"Came down here for elk in Tall Trees," Arthur jumped in quickly, before Uncle had a chance to butcher the conversation. "Can't go back north until some of that snow melts off the Grizzlies, so we're trying to make the most of it."

"Ah, so you aren't associated with the other travelers coming through here," the man continued.

"No, sir."

"I see," he said, unconvinced. "Agent Milton, Pinkerton Detective Agency."

Both Arthur and Uncle stiffened at that. They'd heard stories about the Pinkertons being hired as government muscles all around the country, but they'd never dealt with them before. "Didn't know West Elizabeth had any unions to bust," Uncle mumbled, just loud enough that Milton heard.

"We're hired to make sure lands stay civilized," Milton said. "And to drag certain areas and people into the civilized world. You do not seem like the kind of individuals who would understand that."

"You are right about one thing," Arthur said.

"You're inability to adapt will be your own fault," Milton said, walking away.

Arthur watched him carefully as he left before turning to Uncle and saying, "Gee, thanks, Uncle. Now we got Pinkertons mad at us."

"Well, how was I supposed to know?"

"I don't know, maybe next time you see some official standing on a street corner, don't invite him over for a chat!" Arthur watched as Milton met up with another man, conversing quietly with him. There was a glance in Arthur's direction, and a nod. "I've got to tell Dutch about this."

"What now?"

"Yes, now! We shouldn't be in Blackwater if those fool are around."

"But if we leave now, won't we look more suspicious?"

Arthur paused just before he started packing. "Dammit, I hate when you make sense."

"Gee, some thanks would be nice."

They were watched for the rest of the day, but not followed back to camp. Not that it mattered, really. Camp was too close to town. Too exposed. They should just go to New Austin now, forget Blackwater. Rob some stages or trains out in the desert and buy a ranch.

"Dutch, there's a problem with the ferry job," Arthur said to him, immediate and direct.

"What problem?"

"There's Pinkertons in town."

"So?"

"So, they're probably here to protect the money," Arthur said.

"If they were protecting the money, shouldn't they be traveling on the ferry with it? They are probably just here to ensure transportation in town goes well, which won't be a problem for this job, since we'll grab the money on the boat."

"But Dutch-"

"But nothing! This is too good of an opportunity for us, son. With the money from this job, we can buy land! Have the ranch we always dreamed about. Have some faith, son, please?"

Arthur swallowed, still unsure. But he said, "Okay, Dutch."

Still, he couldn't shake the feeling, so he went to Annabelle and Hosea. "I'll talk to him again," Annabelle said.

"It does seem fishy. Maybe Mary-Beth and I can move up our meeting with the real estate scammers. I know Dutch said to do it after the boat job, but given the circumstances, perhaps he'll reconsider," Hosea added.

"I just don't like this. You know those stories we've heard about the Pinkertons. We got Isaac and Jack with us."

"We'll talk to him," Annabelle reassured Arthur, but he wasn't sure it would work. The robbery was in two days. And two days was not enough time to convince Dutch that he was wrong.

For once, Arthur hoped that Uncle was right about something when he said Arthur worried too much.

But he wasn't sure if this would be that time.