Chapter 5

"We're going to be cops? Really? You've always said that only the most incompetent people would work for them-" asked Arthur, once again in disbelief, on the way back.

"I have to say that your skepticism does cause some discomfort, Arthur. No, we certainly can't become like those Pinkertons who got their start by suppressing strikes." Dutch said, "That's why I don't want Cornwall to come in and take a hold; if he does so, he would have us going to Annesburg to punch and shoot at the miners after we've sent Colm to hell."

"So that security consultancy company you were talking about was just an excuse? To show Cornwall that we're not hostile?"

"Yes and no." Dutch held up his index finger and wagged it, "Our lovely wares are fragile and breakable, so how can we sell them better without a reliable band of armed salesmen?"

"The 'armed' part is fine with me, but bootlegging salesmen ..."

"You should read the papers once in a while, Arthur. Prohibition is the general trend, Mr. President has been heavily taxing alcoholic beverages for nearly thirty years, and within twenty years there's bound to be a national Prohibition bill - don't look at me with such skepticism, and if you'd get into the habit of reading the papers too, you'd come to the same conclusion." Dutch said, this with the thought in his mind that "come on, there's such a big, thick stack of papers, but you never pick out more than a few stories to read."

"And bootlegging is just the springboard for our transition. The population living in the cities in this country already exceeds the suburban, and it's no longer realistic for us to try to make a living in the sandy deserts, we need to make our way to the cities."

"I don't like cities." Arthur muttered.

"I don't like them either." Dutch took him by the shoulders, "But we have to, the good old days are gone. What do you think, Hosea?"

"Leviticus, a marvelous name, though it doesn't fit what he did at all." Hosea said, "But it's a great start, and I'm optimistic about this partnership, Dutch. By the way Arthur, you should listen to Dutch. Although a lot of his ideas seem inexplicable at the moment, I agree with him that the good old days are over and we need to change."

"Ah, Leviticus, a bit boring, but it says 'Breach for breach, eye for eye, tooth for tooth; as he hath caused a blemish in a man, so shall it be rendered unto him.' That's one I really like." Dutch said.

"So Pinkerton really won't be after us anymore? I didn't even know you knew the law, Dutch." After a moment of silence, Arthur asked again.

"I told you that you should read the papers once in a while." Dutch was a little amused.

They returned to the Horseshoe Overlook and headed for Dutch's tent, and before they could sit down they heard a tumultuous series of hoofbeats mixed with a panicked shout, " Dutch! Arthur ...! They got Micah..."

"What's the matter?"

"They got Micah... He's been arrested for murder. He was in Strawberry and... " The visitor was Lenny, who came running up for air.

It is still coming, Dutch rubbed his chin. Tricky one. Emotionally, he definitely didn't want to save that son of a bitch, but ...

"That fool brought this on himslef! That son of a bitch Micah, just let him stay in Strawberry. The noose will match his shirt." Arthur made no effort to hide his disgust.

"Arthur! ... I can't just drop members of the gang because of my personal preference - or yours." Dutch sighed again, "Although I don't like him either ..."

"Then why did you get such a guy in?"

"Yeah, believe me, I've been asking myself that question too ... Dutch Van der Linde you dumb ass, why did you get someone like that in?" Dutch tapped his temple with his finger, "I honestly don't want to save him, but I had no reason not to - not for you, but for the rest of the guys in the gang. What are the others going to think of me when Dutch gives up on a member for no reason? Will there come a day when Dutch gives up on me the way he gave up on Micah?"

"No, I ain't saving that fool." Arthur was about to leave with a wave of his hand when Dutch pulled him back.

"Then you have to, at least, help me come up with a plan." He whispered in a voice only the two could hear, "Or unless ... you can help me come up with a reason."

Without waiting for Arthur to make a statement, Dutch switched back to his usual booming voice, "You take that kid into town." He pointed to the paralyzed Lenny, "Valentine, not Strawberry, get him drunk, and Arthur ... no crazy business."

For some reason it seemed to Arthur that Dutch was forcing himself not to laugh when he said that.

"And about Micah, help me ... come up with a plan."