Trouble with Drifters
Chapter 31: Pete Meets with the Council
Mayor's Office 8:10am: "The sheriff seems to have forgotten about our meeting?" Mark said after checking his pocket watch. "Maybe Pete has more pressing matters to attend to." Roger replied with a yawn. "That I have no doubt of." Jacob added thinking about Pete admitting cheating on his daughter. "Indeed!" Teal'C commented as he reached for his third doughnut. "We'll give him a few more minutes then send for Mr. Wayne, are we in agreement gentlemen?" asked Cliff none too happy either. "Surely we can give the sheriff the benefit of the doubt. He might be finishing his morning rounds!" Roger asked not happy at the others quickness to question the man's lateness. "I believe Deputy Mitchell can handle that or any other situation that comes up." The mayor answered leaving no room for argument.
Sheriff Shanahan arrived finally interrupting Sara Gardner's paperwork. She didn't really have an opinion about the man other than he wore cheap suites trying to look good. Sara knocked on the mayor's door getting his attention. "Yes Miss Gardner, what is it." Cliff asked opening the door himself. "Mr. Mayor, Sheriff Shanahan just arrived. Do you want me to send him in?" Sarah asked looking her boss in the eyes. "Yes, please do so. We have much to discuss." He answered going back to sit behind his desk.
"The mayor and councilmen will see you now Sheriff Shanahan." Sarah told Pete as he checked his reflection in the mirror. "I heard the mayor Miss Gardner." He replied then walked past her in a huff. Why did Roger have to open his big mouth last night? Now he'd more than likely have to work with the big bad bounty hunter. Mr. Williams practically ordered him too when they met last night. Harry didn't help the situation by agreeing either.
-Begin Flash Back-
Sheriff Shanahan walked down the short hallway leading to Maybourne office. Williams wanted to have a meeting between the three of them, presumably to talk about the next 'round up'. He noticed Ned sitting by the door guarding Harrys office to prevent anyone from listening in. "Hello Ned, are Mr. Williams and Harry inside?" He asked the man getting no response at first. "What kind of question is that, of course they are you idget." Ned answered giving Pete a harsh look. "I'm not in the mood Ned; it's been a long night." Pete snapped back not wanting to deal with the man. Neither of them liked each other, only tolerated. "...neither is the boss. Now go in, listen and be a good boy." Ned replied moving to let Pete inside.
"Hope you have the good stuff Harry; I need it right about now." Pete said sitting down in a cushy chair expecting to be served. Maybourne's personnel office made their 'business' meeting s more tolerable. "Why is that Sheriff? " Williams asked sitting behind Harry's desk getting comfortable. This wasn't lost on the bar owner. Williams always made it clear who was in charge. "Who put a burr under your saddle tonight?" Harry added while pouring the 'Good' stuff. Normally he would make the man do it himself but he was already up. "Roger and his big mouth. Now I have to work with Wayne!" Pete complained angrily. "...providing he takes the job." Harry replied setting the whiskey down before sitting also. "Mr. Wayne 'WILL' take the job, I gave him no choice." Jeff said leaning forward eyeing both men. Harry didn't know what Ned had said to Jonathon during the council meeting, whatever it was the bounty hunter wasn't happy. "What do you have on him Mr. Williams? It has to be something big." Pete asked his boss wondering what it might possibly be. "That's none of your concern Sheriff; your only concern is to do what I say and how I say." Jeff told the man staring him down. "Had you took my advice and not pissed Wayne off you'd not have this problem." Harry reminded Sheriff Shanahan. "I don't want to hear it Harry; he made a fool of me and took my girl." Pete replied hating having it thrown back into his face. "Harry is right Sheriff; the man bested you each time. Miss Carter would've done the same had he let her. You will work with him until he is of no use to me. Do we have an understanding?" Williams informed Pete. "Yes sir, we have an understanding." He replied a smile forming on his face.
Harry cringed inside, he knew what Jeff meant. Harry disagreed with Jeff concerning Sheriff Barkley interference but it fell on death ears. Now Jonathon could possibly share the same fate. The man could easily be a friend because of his personality. All the women liked how he did his job, even Thelma. However customers that didn't act 'civil' quickly found out how unfriendly the bounty hunter could be. Williams started speaking again getting Harrys attention.
"Chief Eagle Talon and I meet yesterday. He wants more compensation than I'm willing to part with. Hence the chief will be riding into an ambush Monday night." Jeff paused making sure both men were listening then continued. "His tribe has outlived their usefulness also. Mr. Wayne will be taking care of that problem for us, Pete... you'll assist him to make sure he goes through with it." Harry didn't say anything knowing how Williams hated being interrupted in the middle of a thought. Jeff had paused indicating questions could be asked. Pete didn't like what he heard, Williams might be the boss but his input mattered given he's the sheriff.
"You're going to let Hammond do your dirty work for us then." Harry said with a smirk, Jeff only stuck his neck out so far and this wasn't any different. "Why not, no one will be the wiser." Jeff answered with his own smirk. Pete thought about what he just heard, ambush instead of rustling meant no kick backs. What was the bounty hunter going to take care off he thought.
"What do you mean by 'taking care' off?" Pete asked for clarification. "Mr. Wayne has a unique past, one that I find useful." The boss replied with an evil smile. "Once Wayne figures out the Comanche and rustlers are the same, he'll act without mercy. Eagle Talon and his warriors will be wiped out, their village burned and those that don't surrender will be killed. Sheriff you will follow his lead as will everyone else." He said pausing to take a drink then continued. "There will be nothing linking us to the rustling providing both of you do your part." Jeff finished looking at both men. "I assume you have something else planned in place of rustling?" Harry asked not to keen on losing the extra money.
"Damn, I was counting on my cut of the money." Pete said out loud, Ranger Ron's had a pair of custom Remington's for sale he liked. "Don't worry Sheriff, you'll get compensated just like Harry." Jeff informed Pete giving him a withering look. "Sorry sir didn't mean to speak out loud. It won't happen again." Apologizing while avoiding eye contact Pete didn't want to get on Mr. Williams bad side. "Make sure it doesn't...sheriff!" Jeff replied voicing his displeasure. "To answer your question Harry, I do. Once I have the details figured out I'll inform both of you. We'll let the dust settle first though." He answered leaving it at that.
Seeing both men understood Jeff continued. "The revised plan is as follows. Sheriff, I have two jobs for you. First tell the council about the abandoned mine, I can sacrifice that. Second you'll get an anonymous tip about Hammond being the 'rustlers' next target. You, along with Mr. Wayne will gather volunteers to ambush the rustlers. With the warriors out of the way taking a village won't be a problem." Jeff informed Pete of his part then turned to Harry. "After their victory you offer free liquor to the brave men who liberated us from Eagle Talons attacks. This will cast suspicion away from you being a source of information." He told the bar owner then looked at Pete. "Sheriff, play your cards right and you can redeem yourself in the eyes of the town folk and more importantly me." Jeff said letting Pete know where he stood. The sheriff nodded holding back his anger; he would do his part then shoot down Wayne getting even with the man. "Gentlemen, I believe that will conclude our meeting...Sheriff, Tell Ned to come in the office on your way out." Jeff told Pete dismissing him like usual. He always wondered if Williams and Harry had a side deal going on that excluded him.
Ned watched Pete leave in a worse attitude before entering the office. The man thought to highly of himself for one. Two, he had no back bone either. Ned sat down in the same plush chair resting his foot on the stool. "What do you want to drink Ned, bourbon or Whiskey?" Harry asked going over to the liquor cabinet. "...Bourbon with a bourbon chaser." He replied with a smile. Ned trusted Harry more than Pete. The man had grit and good looking women to keep him company. "We going back tonight or staying Boss." He asked leaning back. Harry handed Ned his drinks then sat across from Jeff wishing he'd just leave. Cheng is waiting for him in her room with a bottle of French wine. He finally let Cheng know of his feeling for her getting a peck on the cheek and a smile in return. "Send the men to the hotel, we'll be staying here. Eagle Talon is sending out hunting parties tonight, no need to take chances." Williams said relaxing a bit now that the meeting was over.
"Good, Thelma told me to come see her if I stayed the night." Ned answered downing his bourbon chaser. "...are you planning on getting your hands full of Thelma's ample breasts Ned?" Jeff asked with a crooked smile. Harry rolled his eyes inwardly at their comments. What the women did after closing time was their business. Thelma just loved a good roll in the hay, didn't matter if she got paid or not. "That reminds me; you got a new employee, what's her name Harry?" He knew Jeff would spot the attractive black women. She was hard to miss given the woman's stunning beauty. Katz had slim figure with shoulder length dark hair, long legs and perky breasts. She had the same kind of figure as Inara which is why Jeff noticed her. The fact that she had a sunny attitude and great smile wouldn't matter to him.
"Her name is Katz Miller; she arrived on today's stage, hailed from Laredo." Harry answered already knowing why Jeff asked. "Would you introduce me, I'm suddenly in the mood for chocolate. Brazilian is great but I need a little more variety." He asked laughing at the joke along with Ned. Harry cringed internally again, he was trapped. Partnering up with Williams had been a bad idea. "I don't see why not. Don't scare Katz away, my customers like her already." He replied not knowing how she would react to Jeff's personality. "Don't worry Harry, I'll treat her properly." Jeff said standing up. "Looks like the night is going to enjoyable after all, right boss?" Ned added standing up as well. "It'll be like old times when I lived on my dad's plantation. That's where I had my first taste of chocolate." The fat man responded with an evil grin. Yep, Harry made a mistake. That was for sure. The question now was how to fix it?
-End Flashback-
"Mr. Mayor, councilmen...My apologies for being late. I had to wake up my deputy; Miss Mal Doran didn't want him to leave without a kiss." He explained attempting to put forth a valid excuse. Jacob rolled his eyes dismissing the lame excuse. "Sheriff Shanahan, Deputy Mitchell's private life is none of our concern. He has conducted himself as a pillar of our community." Teal'C said making Pete angry. How dare the black man talk to him like that? "Mr. Murray, your opinion of my deputy doesn't matter. I'm his boss not..." Pete replied but got cut off by the mayor. "Sheriff Shanahan, please have a seat. Councilman Murray is correct. We asked you here to discuss your behavior over the last few days along with your plan." Cliff said motioning Pete to the empty chair. The sheriff sat down shooting dagger at Teal'C and the Carters.
"Jacob, I'll let you start first." The mayor told the older Carter. Pete winched internally knowing Samantha's father wouldn't hold back. "Sheriff Shanahan, your actions toward Samantha is unforgiving. That's something I won't discuss here given it's a personnel matter. What I will discuss is your actions in general. Had not Mr. Murray not interfered you would have slapped a women for speaking her mind, daring to voice her thoughts. Is that a crime?" Jacob asked looking at Pete directly. Pete knew he was boxed in with nowhere to go. "No sir, it's not a crime. Looking back I made a mistake. I've arrested others for what I was about to do. However she shouldn't have..." Pete replied getting cut off again. "Pete, this isn't about Samantha. This is about how you conducted yourself. A sheriff has to set a positive example, not negative. When my wife makes me angry I don't respond with violence." Mark added with a neutral face. "With all due respect...the sheriff had the right to be mad, granted he should have waited to speak with Samantha in private." Roger said coming to his friend's defense. "Councilman Smithers, the fact is Sheriff Shanahan did not speak in private. That's what the issue is." Teal'C replied shutting up Roger.
Pete didn't like what he was hearing; he had a right to be mad. He also deserved answers in private but no..! Samantha had to be stubborn. This was all her fault and the black mans. Mark even turned against him, no surprise there. Grant should've known better than to bring up Thelma. What Thelma and he were doing was their business and no one else's. "Sheriff Shanahan, I've heard the council's thoughts on your conduct. Your recent actions are not enough to remove you from office. However they are enough to give you a warning. Should this or similar actions happen again you will be removed from office given you were appointed, not elected. How can we expect citizens to follow the laws if we don't follow them ourselves? We are not above the law." Mayor Simon stated making it clear where Pete stood. He thought for a second before answering. Pete decided that after getting paid by Williams he'd be in the wind. This town no longer dissevered his presence. "I understand Mayor Simon and councilmen, there will be no further issues." He said looking at each person. "If we're done may we discuss my plan to deal with the rustlers?" Pete replied in an even tone hiding his anger.
"If no one has objections we will move on to the next topic, Sheriff Shanahan's newest plan to deal with the rustlers." Cliff asked finding all in agreement. "Sheriff Shanahan, you have the floor." Pete stood going over to a map of Haven and surrounding area. "Tracking the rustlers is hard as they don't take the same trail every time, however they eventually head north. There's an old mining settlement located here. I believe they could be using that as a base of operations." He pointed out on the map. The mine played out years ago making it perfect for Mr. Williams rustling scheme. "I want to take a posse to investigate this further. Maybe we can catch the rustlers off guard or lay a trap." He explained looking each man in the eye. Jeff knew when to cut his losses hence the location was no longer useful. Pete could respect that; he just didn't want to be one of the 'cuts'.
"That's a logical course of action Sheriff, why haven't you checked into this sooner?" Murray asked leaning forward to study the map. "Teal'C makes a good point. Why haven't you investigated sooner?" Jacob added wanting to know. "Probably because it's haunted, the miners that worked it often spoke of voices and random movements." Roger said being serous. "Do you really believe that Roger? Ghosts aren't real. The mine was reported to be unstable. That's was the main reason it closed." Mark stated giving the man a skeptical look. Cliff listened while the others talked. The sheriff had thought this one out for once. The mine would make a great base of operations. People did avoid the place because of the rumors of being haunted. "Yes, why haven't you gone there already?" Jacob asked giving the man a hard stare.
Pete listened to council members talk. Teal'C would be the one to point out the obvious. Roger chimed in saving him from answering the question. Mark, always the skeptic kept the topic going thankfully. With luck they'd forget his inaction concerning the mine. Jacobs question brought the discussion back on track though. "Yes, Sheriff...would that not been the first place to look?" The mayor inquired after sipping his coffee. "Sheriff Barkley and I went there a couple days before we were ambushed. We didn't find anything out of the ordinary. We did get an eerie feeling while looking around though." Pete answered lying convincingly. "Is that why you haven't been back, an eerie feeling or scared of being ambushed?" Jacob asked pointedly.
"Councilman Carter, there was nothing to there the first time. I doubt there will be this time either. Making sure the mine isn't being used will narrow our search down considerably. Going alone isn't an option I'm willing to take though and neither would you." Pete shot back glaring back at the elder Carter. "Your right, my father wouldn't Sheriff. However you could've kept checking taking volunteers with you each time." Mark Carter said defending his father. Roger kept quiet not saying anything. Pete didn't have a leg to stand on in this instance.
Mayor Simon came to a decision, the discussion went on long enough. Sheriff Shanahan had a solid plan, a little late though but solid. "Have a seat Sheriff, your plan makes sense. Councilmen...lets vote. Who's in favor of sending a posse to investigate raise your hand." He said raising his own hand. Everyone raised their hands giving Pete the go ahead. "That leaves one question, when do you plan on going to the mine?" Cliff asked looking directly at Pete. "Tomorrow around noon, I'll put the word out for volunteers today. My next move will depend on what is found there." The sheriff explained already knowing it'd be prepped by Mr. Williams' men, just not how. "What will be your next step if nothing is found?" Roger asked pushing the conversation forward. He didn't know everything, yet Roger knew why Mr. Williams paid him. "...simple, shake the bushes for information. I have a couple of hunches who might be in on the rustling." Pete replied smirking. "Don't ask me who or how I came by this information. I want to play this close to my vest for now." He added to keep them from calling his bluff. "We will refrain from asking for now." Murray replied scowling at the sheriff. "Your plan is approved Sheriff, follow through and report back no matter what you find." Cliff added growing impatient with the man.
-Jonathon Arrives-
Miss Gardner looked up from her paperwork hearing the front door open. Instead of a person coming through a dog bounded in. She knew this dog and its owner well. "Loki, wait for us!" Sara heard Cassandra Frasier yell putting a smile on her face. "...Loki...sit!" came a deep masculine voice making the dog do as told. The door opened wider revealing Cassandra and her uncle, Jonathon Wayne. She's heard plenty about the man. The younger women mostly talked about how handsome he is and his brashness too. "Hello ma'am, my name is Jonathon Wayne; I'm here to meet with the council." He said taking his hat off along with Cassie's. "Yes you are...I mean...have a seat Mr. Wayne. I'll let them know your here." Sara replied hiding a blush. The man looked really good in his black shirt and jeans. She wondered to herself how he fit into the shirt with those muscles. "Thank you ma'am, we'll just have a seat in the mean time." the man answered as he placed the hats on the coat/hat rack.
Loki lay down on the floor at his master's feet, no need to make him angry again. "Uncle Jon, can I go in with you? I promise to be quiet." Cassie asked handing a dolly to him wanting to play. Jonathon looked at the doll then at his niece. He smiled and gave into her request. "It might be best if you stay out here. We'll be talking about boring adult things little one." He replied getting a frown in return. "Loki and I will be bored out here Uncle Jon...please." she pleaded once more. "You're the one that insisted on coming with me." Jonathon reminded her. Cassie wrinkled her nose then sighed. "Trust me little one, Loki will keep you entertained. Besides you have your dollies." Sara watched the exchange from the doorway smiling. Valla told her that Mr. Wayne had a soft side...seeing was believing. "Mr. Wayne, they will see you now. Don't worry about Miss Frasier; I can keep her entertained while you meet with the council." Jonathon stood up then stepped over Loki then handed the doll over to Sara. "Thank you Miss Gardner, behave her while I'm in the meeting Cassie." He told her getting a nod in return.
Both Sara and Cassie watched the Jonathon enter closing the door behind him. "Your uncle isn't what I expected, is he spoken for?"" she asked the little girl. Cassie didn't even have to think before answering. "Aunt Sam and Uncle Jon are flirting, that counts as spoken for?" she answered looking up at the older woman. Sara chuckled before replying. "Yes, it does...they just don't know it yet." The little girl smiled widely as she petted Loki. "Want to help me with some paperwork Miss Frasier?" Sara asked getting an enthusiastic nod. With Cassandra distracted Sara knew time would go by quicker as these meetings could last longer than expected. That's what happens when too many men are in one room talking politics. Politics and men...go figure she thought while pulling out some crayons and paper for Cassandra.
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