Jim was feeling more disgruntled than ever. No one had seen his partner and if any of these people knew anything about what was going on they were very good at hiding that fact. He was so distracted by his thoughts he failed to notice the woman leaving the mercantile with a large stack of neatly piled packages until it was too late. He almost knocked the woman over and succeeded in tumbling her packages to the boardwalk.
"Excuse me, ma'am." Jim apologized as he began picking up the packages. "Is this your wagon?" He asked indicating the wagon parked in front of the store. At the woman's nod he began putting her packages in the back.
"That's quite a load you have, I'd be happy to accompany you and help you with them on the other end. It's the least I could do." Jim flashed her a smile.
"That's quite all right. I have hands at the ranch to help me with that." She smiled back at him as she moved close to him with a large package she struggled to place in the wagon.
"Take a word of advice and stop looking into the telegraph matter. You'll end up worse than your friend if you don't." She whispered as Jim tried to keep his expression in check.
"Thank you for your help. I live on the Double Bar J ranch about three miles east of town…come on out for supper I'd love to show you around." She called out to Jim as she climbed into the seat and took the reins.
"Thank you ma'am I think I'll take you up on that." Jim tipped his hat in her direction and smiled. Right AFTER I talk to the Colonel! Jim thought as he went in search of his superior.
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Jeremy sat in his camp staring at the flames waiting for his coffee to boil. There had to be something they were missing. Someone they had not yet talked to. Maybe when he met the Colonel later he would have something new for them. He was positive there was something going on at the ranch he had been tossed off of yesterday and he would have to find another way in to investigate further.
"Why do I get the feeling that doctor was hiding something?" Jeremy talked quietly to himself as he poured a steaming cup of coffee and took a sip. "I hope Jim is having better luck. I think I'll go have a chat with him…something's not right here." Jeremy finished his coffee and headed into town opting to stay in the disguise of the fur trader.
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"Wake it up." The man paced back and forth in front of the large cage.
"But Boss…" Jeff and his men looked at him, fear written on their faces.
"Are you daring to defy me?" He bellowed. "I want that creature awake…NOW! I need to see just how badly damaged it is. If that agent's tussle with our furry friend has damaged him too much I'll kill that government agent myself." The man's pacing increased as he impatiently waited.
Jeff grabbed the long pole off the wall and cautiously approached the cage. Putting the pole between two of the bars he carefully slid the end of the pole toward the sleeping animal. Tentatively he poked it. Getting no response he pushed harder with the pole. The Sasquatch finally began to move. Frustrated with the slow progress the man strode forward and yanked the pole from Jeff's hands.
"I do not have all day!" The man pulled back on the pole and stabbed at the animal hitting it in the chest.
The Sasquatch shook its head as it became aware of its surroundings. He looked around and growled. Seeing the bars of the cage all around him enraged the beast. He turned to look at the offending human when the pole struck him again. Breathing deep, the Sasquatch roared and rose. He charged the bars reaching through as far as he could, trying to reach the human.
"Look at that! The same injuries on a human would probably have come close to killing them…he acts as if he isn't even aware he's been hurt." The man said as he jumped back out of the animal's reach. Lowering the pole the man brushed his hands together and looked at his men.
"Go to Chief Running Bear. Tell him I am ready to make a deal. He gives me the men I want and tells them they are to listen to anything I tell them….OR I will kill their sacred Sasquatch." The man again jabbed at the animal causing it growl. Pushing the pole through the bars he shoved the creature toward the far side of the cage.
Jeff nodded to the other two men and they quickly left the room. The man pulled the pole from the cage and returned it to the rack on the wall. Then he turned and leaned on the wall crossing his arms and stared at the beast. The Sasquatch bared his teeth and growled.
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Hannah looked up as her husband entered the room. He had a troubled look on his face and didn't even acknowledge her as she moved to allow him to sit next to the patient. Edward perched on the edge of the bed just staring at Artie.
"Dear?" Hannah asked warily.
"There is something more going on in this town than meets the eye. There is a government agent asking questions about the telegraph wires they have been trying to put through…a dandy shows up asking about buying land…and then there's Mr. Peterson. Somehow they all tie in together and I have a feeling this man does too. I just wish I knew what side they were all on." Jones shook his head and sighed.
"Dear, you said one of the men was a government agent. Why not find him and talk to him? Could be this man works with him." Edward looked at his wife and smiled.
"Hannah my dear, sometimes you have a way about you of smacking me up along side the head with the very facts that have been staring me in the face the whole time."
Jones quickly checked Artie's wounds and applied new dressings. He didn't like the look of the gash on his leg and asked his wife to keep a close eye on him while he went out to find the agent.
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Jim made his way toward the saloon, hoping to find Colonel Richmond. Glancing over the swinging doors he saw the object of his search. Pushing the door inward, he entered the saloon and made his way over to the Colonel's table.
"I see great things for this area, sir." The Colonel was saying as he waved Jim over and motioned to an empty seat. "Yes, sir I see big things for this area and I want to be in on them. Tell your boss I'd like to come out to his ranch and pay him a visit. I'll be out that way tomorrow." Jim waited patiently until the man left the table.
"Sir, we need to talk." Jim back when a barmaid approached.
"Brandy for my friend here...the best you have. My friend here and I have big things to talk about BIIIG things!" Richmond stayed in character, causing Jim to cringe.
"So, Mr. West how goes your investigation?" Richmond asked loudly knowing they were probably being watched.
"Slowly Mr. Richmond, very slowly. Seems you have a much better chance of getting people in this area to talk than I do. I'm only here to help in any way I can but these people look at me as more of a threat than a help." Jim picked up the brandy the barmaid had placed in front of him and took a small sip.
"Well I for one welcome your help sir. If it takes the government's intervention to get that telegraph line though I'm all for it! Yes sireee…why even Seattle has those what do you call em…"telephone" lines. I'd like to see that for this area but this area needs that telegraph first." Jim was watching the saloon patrons trying to see if he could pinpoint their surveillance.
"Yes, sir, being allowed to run telegraph lines through here would really drive up the overall value of the area." Jim commented as he watched two men finish their drinks and leave.
"James," Richmond leaned in toward the table. "have you any word about Artemus?" Sighing Jim shook his head.
"Mind if I join you gentlemen?" Edward Jones asked, Jim looked shocked at not having heard his approach.
"Well…this was to be a private conversation." Jim began only to be cut off.
"I believe I may know something about this man you are looking for." Jim motioned for him to sit.
"What do you know of the old timer?" Jim asked pointedly.
"I know he's not what he appears to be." Jones looked Jim in the eye. Richmond's sharp intake of breath made Jones look toward him.
"Are you part of whatever is going on?" He demanded as Richmond and Jim exchanged worried glances.
"Is there somewhere less...public we can talk?" Jim asked as he finished his brandy, Jones nodded.
"Gentlemen my wife is quite an excellent cook. I haven't yet had the opportunity to speak to either of you and I would be honored if you would join us for supper. I know it's rather early but I can take you on a small tour of the area first if you'd like." Jones spoke loudly.
"That's a fine idea, sir, a fine idea!" Richmond replied as they rose and made their way to the door.
"Watch out, sir," Jim whispered, "I saw those two men ride out of town but a few of their friends seem to have followed us."
"Let's take my carriage gentlemen it will be a better ride than horses." Richmond told the men as they headed toward the livery stable.
Jeremy stopped to wipe his face on his handkerchief when he noticed Jim and Richmond walking with Dr. Jones toward the livery stable. He also noted they were being shadowed. Thinking quickly, he tied his mule to a nearby tree and made his way stealthily across the street and around the building coming up behind the men hidden in the shadows.
As they stepped off the boardwalk to cross the alleyway Jim noted movement in the shadows. Whispering a warning he quickly turned and flung himself toward the figure. Immediately three more men jumped out and surrounded them. Jim pushed the man closest to him backward and brought his right hand up in a biting uppercut, striking the man on the chin, sending him back against the wall. Jim looked over to see that Jeremy had appeared and seemed to be holding his own, although his "beard" was missing pieces.
Colonel Richmond was not dressed for fighting and it showed. His movements were hindered by his clothing and his opponent was taking advantage. Jim saw the man advance on his superior but there was little aid he could render as he was struck by a glancing blow. As he kicked out with a leg to his attackers abdomen pushing him back, Jim saw the Colonel being struck from behind.
Jeremy dealt with his attacker in much the same way as Jim. Dispatching him swiftly and turning to aid their boss. Jeremy pulled the board from the man's grasp and slammed it into his ribs. The man went down to the ground gasping for air. Jeremy rushed over to Richmond and bent over him. There was a small cut on the back of his head that was bleeding, other than that he didn't appear to be harmed.
"I'm all right, Pike," Richmond intoned irritated as Jeremy helped him to his feet.
"Where's the doctor?" Jim asked as he hauled his attacker to his feet.
"I am right here, gentlemen." All heads turned toward the sound of the voice.
Jones was coming around the corner of the building a scuffed up man in tow. The doctor had a scrape on his chin and what Jim thought would be a good shiner by tomorrow on his right eye. The doctor dumped his charge unceremoniously next to the other men. He wiped dirt off his jacket and looked up at the astonished agents.
"Yes, gentlemen?" Edward trying to look innocent, Jim paused before he spoke.
"No doctor I know can fight like that." Jim stared back at him.
"I had a…varied background." Jones shrugged as he reached for the Colonel to check his wound.
"This needs stitches I think we should head to my office." Jones remarked as he checked the wound. He looked at the faces around him and continued. "Besides, I have something at my home I think you need to see."
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"The Boss will be pleased you see things his way, Chief." Jeff was talking to Chief Running Bear.
"I care not for what your boss wants. We do what we need to do to get the sacred animal free." The Chief glared at Jeff wishing he could just put an arrow in him and be done dealing with these nasty white men.
"You'd best not take that tone when you speak to my employer." Jeff returned the cold-hearted stare. "At least not if you want your stinking animal back." Jeff grinned evilly.
"All will be done as agreed upon. You will be responsible for taking the lives of the who are interfering. That was not part of our agreement." The Chief spit fire from his eyes.
"I'll let my boss know. I think I can arrange to take care of them…maybe I'll use a trick or two I've learned around here." Jeff stood and left without bidding proper goodbyes to his host.
"Stinking white man!" The Chief spat. "When this is over I will plunge the knife into his heart myself. IF I can find his heart." The Chief commented to his shaman who stared icily at the white man's quickly retreating back.
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Hannah heard the voices in the outer room and she quickly left the patient's side. Stepping out of the room she wiped her hands on the apron tied around her waist. She started when she saw the motley crew before her. Quickly coming to her senses, she saw that her husband had a handkerchief pressed to one man's head.
"Oh dear!' She exclaimed as she quickly ushered the group to the examination room. "In here gentlemen, it's a good thing I took the time to clean this room after…" She froze for a second, "the last patient you saw." She finished.
"It's all right, Hannah. I brought them here to see our patient. Mr. Peterson here you know. This is Mr. James West and the one bleeding on our floor is Mr. Richmond." Edward steered Richmond toward the exam table as Hannah produced clean cloths and his instrument tray.
Hannah moved to the other side of the examination table as Edward removed the handkerchief from the crown of Richmond's head. Handing her husband instruments off his tray they treated his wound. Jim and Jeremy were given a quick once over, Hannah mused that Jeremy might not be half bad looking once he fully discarded his damaged disguise. She noted Jim was practically chomping at the bit for the doctor to finish his work and he almost vaulted from the table when his turn was done.
"Doctor, I hate to be so abrupt…" Jim began and glared when Jeremy pretended to choke.
"BUT…" Jim continued silencing Jeremy with another glare, "you said there was something here we needed to see." Jim looked at the doctor expectantly.
"Ah yes, gentlemen. Right this way." He led them from the room.
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