Chapter 9
A few days later, Henry Gowen sauntered into the café. He nodded at the hostess and sat down. He normally would go into the saloon, but today he just didn't feel it. He sighed and removed his hat setting it down on the table. Bill Avery walked by holding two plates of food.
"Mornin Bill," Henry slightly nodded.
"Hello Henry, Clara will be with you right away," Bill acknowledged with a rather hurried voice. He quickly deposited his plates and rushed back into the kitchen. Henry grinned, he normally would have teased Bill about him doing "women's work", but today he had a lot on his mind.
Clara walked over and filled up Henry's cup of coffee. She asked if Henry was ready to order, he ordered a plate of ham and eggs. Clara nodded and went back into the kitchen. Henry thanked her and began to sip at his coffee while he waited for his order.
He hoped to talk to Bill about what he had heard that night. Bill was the closest thing Elizabeth had to a father in the town. Henry thought it might be a good thing to bring up. Just in case there was something that he knew that might cause Elizabeth to decide what she wanted in the future. Elizabeth was a good and kind person, someone Henry had been mildly attracted to once upon a time, but he knew she was a far better person than he. He also felt slightly protective of her and would go to bat for her if needed.
Bill walked back in looking far less stressed and acting as if he were ready to depart from the café to take on his other duties. Henry waved him over. Bill, hesitated, he and Henry were not friends by any stretch. But he was curious why Henry would wish to speak to him. Bill walked over with a quizzical look and asked, "Yes Henry, what can I do for you?'
Henry motioned for Bill to join him. "Have you got a few minutes?" Bill nodded. Clara placed a plate of breakfast in front of Henry. She smiled at Bill and held up her coffee pot, but Bill shook his head.
"Yes, things seem to have slowed down." Bill sat down opposite Henry and folded his arms. So what is it you wished to discuss? If it's legal matters, we are able to talk in my office. But I am helping with a prisoner transfer in about 30 minutes."
Henry began to cut into his food, but paused with a thoughtful look on his face. "No, I think here is just fine. There are not too many people around and I think the low murmur of voices will keep what I have to say muffled enough." Bill's eyebrows came down and he frowned slightly. "This actually involves Grant." Bill turned his head, clearly intrigued.
"What do you mean?" Bill's heightened sense of awareness clearly triggered.
Henry swallowed. "Well, it seems last night I heard a conversation between him and, well, no body in particular. But it involves him and Elizabeth." Bill still confused just sat there. "He was essentially conversing with Jack, kind of like a confession."
Bill leaned forward and quietly said, "What did he say?"
Henry slightly smiled, "Well, he pretty much confessed his love for her. However, it was as if he were apologizing for it. I wonder if there is more to this story. They, Jack and Nathan, never met did they?"
Bill stroked his chin thoughtfully for a brief moment, "No, I don't think they did. But it wouldn't be unheard of. They were both at Ft. Clay at some point." Bill had a brief moment of recollection where he had thought he had seen Nathan near the cemetery at some point late one night. "I wonder if he has been visiting Jack before?" He thought to himself.
Henry shrugged. "Well, I don't think there is a problem, but you seem to be close to both of those people. I figure you would have their best interests at heart." Henry smiled as he pushed his empty plate away and gulped his coffee. "Well, I better leave. And I don't want to keep you from your prisoner transfer. Henry pushed himself away from the table, stood, dropped a few bills, and placed his hat on his head, nodding a farewell to Bill. Bill remained in his seat still thinking quietly for a moment.
This is an interesting development. He prided himself about staying out of Elizabeth's personal life. Rosemary was involved enough for the entire town. But maybe there is something that needed to be examined. Nathan, while working hard and fulfilling his obligations above and beyond what Bill could have hoped for, had seemed slightly distracted. But today was not the day to discuss that detail unless Nathan was willing to. They had to be focused on the task at hand.
Bill rose from his table and strode quickly to his office for his gun and horse.
