Red remained at the Long Branch for over an hour. He didn't sit to play cards nor did he chat up Sam and Kitty. He just stayed within himself.
Kitty nudged Sam on the elbow and motioned him to follow her to the end of the bar. "Sam. Has that cowboy said anything all day?"
Sam looked at Red and shook his head. "No, Miss Kitty. All he's done is order drinks and stayed to himself. I even tried to get him to talk, but he wouldn't."
"Hum. I don't know what it is...but I have a funny feeling about him. And I don't like it." Kitty continued to look at the man who was absorbed in his drink.
"I'll keep an eye on him for you Miss Kitty." Sam smiled at this employer.
"Thanks Sam." She returned the smile with an added wink. Sam walk back down to the centre of the bar where the brass pulls waited to fill patrons' empty glasses. Sam was immediately busy doing just that.
Red inched closer. "Hey barkeep." He spoke loud enough for even Kitty to hear. "Where's a good place to get a hot bath and a decent meal around here?"
Sam set a glass down and moved closer to Red. "You can find your bath across the road at the Dodge House. Delmonico's down the street have good meals." He looked at Red in the eyes as he spoke. Red didn't like it. "What's that look fer?"
Kitty now joined the men. "This here barkeep was givin' me the eye." Red drank the last of his drink. "You better teach him some customer manners, before someone else does." He sneered at both of them before picking up his saddlebags and leaving the Long Branch.
Louie was on the front boardwalk busy sweeping it when Red burst out of the doors. He looked down on Louie and his eyes narrowed. Quickly he turned his attention to the Dodge House and stormed across the street to the hotel.
Louie stood slightly shaken. Then in the back of his mind he remembered something. Something about that man. But he couldn't place it. He stood the broom against the wall and entered the saloon and quickly walked over to Kitty. "Miss Kitty. Who was that man?"
Kitty's eyebrows rose. "We don't know. Haven't seen him before. Sure is a blustery type. Why?"
Louie's face grew more puzzled. "I don't know. I'm certain I've seen him before, but I just can't remember."
"Well, he sure has that kind of personality..." Kitty smiled. "Here, have a drink on the house." She set a glass in front of Louie and pour a inch or so of amber liquid into the glass.
"Sure wish I could remember..." Louie picked up the glass and toasted his friends.