The foursome sat at a corner table in the saloon, looking forward to dinner and an early evening. Ezra barely glanced at the poker games being played at several tables, knowing the remainder his reserves were required for the days ahead. He was now $100 short of the required buy in, but was certain he could find a pick-up game before the main event to replenish the depleted cache of funds. Buck considered sitting down to a game, but his heart wasn't in it. He'd had a much quieter afternoon that he'd expected. His mood picked up considerably as a young lady sashayed her way to the table.
"What can I get for you handsome gents?"
"Well now darlin…"
Chris cut off his friend. "You got food here?"
"Beef stew."
"That's it?"
"No, but it's the only thing you'd actually want to eat." On getting confirmation nods from all four she turned to leave.
"Bring a bottle of whisky and glasses too." Chris added.
"Something decent, not the house brand please." Ezra smiled at the knowing look he received from the waitress. He reached into his pocket to hand her a coin. "You understand?"
She looked at what he had pressed into her hand and smiled. "Absolutely sir."
"Feeling generous tonight there Pard?"
"Not particularly Mr. Tanner. I would simply prefer not to make myself ill on 'rot-gut" prior to the game."
A few moments later the food and drink was placed on the table. Buck gently grabbed at the young woman's arm, holding her in place for a moment.
"You forgot to favour us with your name darling."
"Well you can call me just about anything you'd like handsome." He let go of her and she brushed her hand over his cheek. "Anything at all." He watched the wiggle as she walked away.
"I guess we know where Mr. Wilmington will be spending the evening. Tell me Mr. Tanner, will you be taking a room, or sleeping under the stars."
"Sleep better outside Ezra – you know that."
"I never assume. Mr. Larabee?"
"Found a rooming house this afternoon. Got a spot held for you too, if you need it. Was going to just stay here, but they're taken up with activities for the night."
"Thank you for your consideration on that Mr. Larabee. I shall indeed take such lodging. Not up to my standards, I am sure, but definitely an improvement over the other options.
The rest of dinner remained as quiet as the ride had been, and once finished they parted ways after agreeing on another early departure the next day. Ezra alone remained at the table, slowly sipping on what turned out to be a less than stellar, but still surprisingly decent whiskey. He watched as two customers followed Vin and Chris out the door, but when they turned in the opposite direction he gave it no further thought. He shook his head in mild amusement as Buck whispered in their waitress's ear. She spoke quietly in return, and with a wide grin he headed up the stairs. Ezra watched as she went to the bartender, who smiled widely himself after she spoke with him. Before she reached the stairs, she saw Ezra signal her to the table, and shimmied over to him.
"Forgive me if I speak out of turn, but I am presuming you expect to spend the evening with my traveling companion?" She smiled, a bit suspicious of where the conversation might be headed. "Have no concerns my dear. I have no desire to disrupt, or heaven forbid, join your plans. And I would like to ensure you have no intention of shattering the illusions of Mr. Wilmington. You see, he sees himself as quiet the lady's man, and I have seen sufficient evidence to support his claim. He maintains he has never paid for – companionship. I see no reason for you to presume to spoil his record, do you?" He pressed a bill into her hand as he spoke. Looking down at the denomination her eyes went wide. "Mister, for this kind of money, he can have whatever illusions he wants." He added a smaller bill to the first. "I presume you will be required to share some of this with the bartender."
"You sure you don't want to…"
"Thank you for the offer, but I think I would prefer a quiet evening."
"Suit yourself. Buck's a lucky man."
"I'm certain come morning he will agree."
"That ain't want I meant Mister." She gave Ezra a rare genuine smile as she left the table and headed up the stairs.
Glancing around he could see one of the poker games had broken up, but two were going strong. It took him only a moment to confirm the players were quite amateur, and further establish the stakes were too small to reimburse the funds he needed, having depleted his coffers earlier in the day. He had no doubt he would be able to make back the $100 - no - $125 he now needed. There would be any number of opportunities prior to the main event. There always were at such functions. Deciding to save his focus for those games, as well as the featured game that was now less than 48 hours away, he finished off the drink he was sipping and prepared himself to leave.
The realization someone was approaching from behind caused him to subtly shift his arm to prepare the derringer secured in secret there for release. He relaxed when he recognized the voice.
"Standish, your old reprobate! What are you doing in this corner of hell?"
"Mr. Needlemire. Or is there a new moniker by which I should refer to you these days?"
"Needlemire is just fine. Course you could call me Charlie you know."
"Charlie it is - for old time's sake. What on earth possessed you to abandon your New Orleans gaming establishments for this inhospitable locale?"
"Wasn't so much a matter of choice as a matter of survival, if you get my drift. If I recall, you and Maude left many a town under similar circumstances. How is your mother? Can't imagine her in this back water town."
"Our recent communications show mother to be well. I have not spoken to her for some time, and we have not worked together for a much longer period. There has been a bit of a divergence in our interests, and in our visions of future endeavours."
"Do tell? Heard you turned to the straight and narrow, but I assumed it was all part of a bigger plan. Maude's 'darlin' boy', a lawman? Must be snowing in Hell."
"Well, let us just say fate occasionally deals an unusual hand to everyone in the game. I have not, however, completely abandoned the ways of my youth. This journey, as proof, is to attend the rather high ante poker tournament in River Bend."
"Ain't heard of no tournament going on."
"Starts the day after tomorrow. My understanding is a $25,000 winner take all challenge. Not the largest in the land, but for this part of the country, it is a sizable action."
"Sure would be. That's why I can't figure why there's no talk of it. I mean, it is out of my league these days, but the side action would be more than enough for word to have filtered down. You sure about this."
"I received a telegraphed invitation, followed by a confirmation from a relatively trusted source." It did concern him though that no others had heard of the game. Perhaps it was a private event. It was, after all, invitation only. Still – word of even that event should have spread in these circles.
"Don't let my ignorance bother you none Ezra – I'm not in the loop out here all that much yet."
Ezra just nodded, and prepared again to leave the table. Before he could stand, Charlie spoke again, with a hint of concern in his voice.
"Did you know John Holmes is in the territory?"
It was a struggle to keep his poker face in place. Holmes was a name he hadn't heard in ages, and would have been happy to never hear again.
"Really? What has inspired such a plague to contaminate this region of the country?"
"Same thing as drove me out here – too many people back home wishing to recoup losses, although in his case I wager the law on his trail had more to do with it."
"He has been in violation of statutes any number of times in the past. Dare I enquire why the law looking for him would suddenly motivate his move west."
"Charges aren't for con. He's wanted for murder. Guessing you didn't know he was around."
"No, I was blissfully unaware of his presence."
"You think he may show up at this game of yours?"
"I would not expect so. Gambling against such experts was not his forte. He has neither the skill nor patience for such a challenge. I would wager he is selling worthless mines to travellers or running comparable swindles on the unsuspecting."
"Hear he's got folks with him now. Dangerous as he is on his own, if he's got a posse…"
"Yes, the man does have an astonishing lack of principles, even for one in our business. Murder now too. One of his marks?"
"Yup, and the partner he was working with. Guess he didn't want to split the proceeds." He paused for a minute. "So, you think he's still pissed with you over that business in Baton Rouge?"
Amongst other things. "I have no doubt of it." Without allowing for further discussion he rose to excuse himself from the table. "I fear I must make an early night of it my friend. It has been a long day, with more riding ahead, and I must be fresh to take on my competitors."
"Course – best of luck to you. Remember your friends if you when big!"
I assure you, that is my intention, he thought to himself.
Ezra strode quickly toward the telegraph office. The hour was late, but towns such as this thrived on night trade, and he was correct in his assumption the office would be open. He sent three quick messages to fellow gamblers who he felt should be aware of the event. He hadn't planned to contact the players expected to see there, as they all would be on their way, but at the last minute sent missives to two likely candidates. Lastly, he sent one to the man who was to be hosting the event, phrased in such a way not to raise too much curiosity he hoped. Given the hour, he didn't expect any response, but told the man on duty he would be buy first thing in the morning to check. When told they would be closed, he asked that any response be left at the rooming house for him, and left a generous tip to encourage compliance. A last minute intuitive hunch spurred him to add a short message to JD warning him to stay extra vigilante.
TBC
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