Butler's Wager

CHAPTER 11

After their steaks Jim Masterson was going back to his own place, the Lady Gay. Butler said he thought he’d go to the Alhambra and play some poker.

“Mind if I tag along?” Neal Brown asked. “I’d like to see you in action.”

“Be my guest,” Butler said.

The three men left the restaurant and walked as far as the Lady Gay together, where Masterson wished them luck and a good night.

When Butler and Brown reentered the Alhambra it was even more crowded and lively. Butler had been tempted to try the Long Branch, but decided to save that until tomorrow.

Once inside, Butler and Brown got themselves a beer each and walked to the back where the poker games were going on. There were still three tables, and no seats open. That was all right with Butler. He wanted to watch the competition for a while.

“Are you sure that’s Ben Thompson?” he asked Neal Brown.

“Dead sure. Why?”

Butler shrugged.

“I thought he’d be bigger.”

Dog Kelley sidled up alongside them.

“Are you interested in starting another table?” he asked Butler.

“I’d like to watch these for a while.”

Kelley nodded and smiled. “It’s a wise man who investigates his opponents first. Just let me know what you want, gents. Drinks, cards, a poke with one of the girls.”

“On the house?” Neal Brown asked, hopefully.

“For our guest,” Kelley said, “not for you, Neal.”

“I’m much obliged, Dog,” Butler said.

“Just so you know,” Dog added to Butler, “the offer of a woman for free is for tonight only.”

“I’ll keep that in mind,” Butler promised.

As Kelley walked away Butler said, “He doesn’t seem that upset for someone who just lost an election.”

“Dog knows somebody’s gotta win and somebody’s gotta lose,” Brown explained. “He’s a politician.”

“And what about you fellas?”

“We’re not politicians, we’re lawman,” Brown said. “Jim’s upset about bein’ fired.”

“And you?”

“I’ll get me another star somewhere down the road, sooner or later,” the ex-deputy said. “But Dodge City, it means something to the Mastersons. They all wore badges here, and Ed died here. Yeah, Jim’ll be upset for a while, but he’s got some distraction now.”

“What’s that?”

“Stayin’ alive, if tonight’s any indication.”

“You said you knew who sent those boys after him?”

“Had to be either Al Updegraff, or Peacock.”

“Isn’t Peacock his partner?”

“Yeah, but they ain’t getting’ along so good,” Brown said.

“And Updegraff?”

“Peacock’s brother-in-law. That’s part of the problem.”

“So because they’re having some kind of dispute, they’d have Jim killed?” Butler asked.

“I don’t have much knowledge of business,” Brown admitted, “but it seems to me, that might be cheaper than buyin’ him out.”

“What about being bought out?”

“Peacock likes owning the Lady Gay too much,” Brown said, “so that ain’t gonna happen.”

“Well, he’s got you to watch his back.”

“That didn’t do him so much good tonight, did it?” Brown asked. “You saved both our asses.”

“I just happened to be in the right place at the right time,” Butler said, his eyes on Ben Thompson. The Texan had a reputation with cards and with a gun. Butler wondered if he was as cool with either.

“Don’t say that like it’s an accident,” Neal Brown said. “In my experience, bein’ in the right place at the right time is a talent.”

“You may be right.”

“But you’re right about one thing,” Brown said. “I do want to watch Jim’s back. I got to get back to the Lady Gay. I just wanted to ask you somethin’.”

“What’s that?” Butler took his eyes off Thompson and looked at Brown.

“The rest of the time you’re here,” Brown said, “if you could manage to keep bein’ in the right place at the right time I’d be obliged. I’d like to keep Jim alive. He’s a good friend of mine.”

“I’ll do what I can,” Butler promised.

“Bat may be in Tombstone,” Brown went on, “and maybe they ain’t talkin’, but I don’t wanna have to explain to him why I let another brother get killed in Dodge.”

“Can’t say I blame you for that.”

“Thanks. I’ll see you around tomorrow, then?”

“That’s where I’ll be.” When Brown frowned at him he added, “Around, I mean.”

“Oh, okay,” Brown said. “’night. And good luck.”

Butler watched Neal Brown make his way through the crowd and out the batwing door onto the street. Beyond that he couldn’t help the man anymore tonight. He turned his attention back to Ben Thompson’s poker table, where a man seemed about to get up from his seat.

“Come on, friend,” Dog Kelley said, appearing again and clapping him on the back, “I’ll get you in there.”