Butler's Wager

CHAPTER 29

Updegraff found Red Sandland and his two partners in a popular Front Street café the next morning, having breakfast.

“What happened?” he asked, sitting down. He spoke to Sandland, ignored the other two. All three men seemed to be suffering after the night before.

“Couldn’t get it done yesterday, Al,” Sandland said, “but don’t worry. It’ll get done.”

“I know you couldn’t get it done yesterday,” Updegraff said. “That’s obvious. What I want to know is why?”

“He spotted me,” Sandland said. “He got suspicious. That meant we couldn’t catch him by surprise.”

“So now he knows you three are after him?”

“He only saw me,” Sandland said, “he didn’t see Dave and Willy.”

Updegraff stared at the other two men, who were concentrating on their flapjacks. To him “Dave and Willy” sounded like a circus act. Maybe he’d picked the wrong men for this job, but he’d already paid them most of the money Peacock had given him.

“All right,” he said. “Get it done today or tomorrow, and don’t spend the money until you do.”

“You sayin’ you’re gonna want the money back?”

“If you don’t do the job.”

Sandland studied Updegraff for a few moments. He knew the man had been a lawman in his time, albeit a crooked one. He also knew that his brother-in-law, A. J. Peacock, was a fair hand with a gun. So he figured, better to do the job than not do it and try to keep the money—some of which had already been spent on whores and whiskey.

“Like I said,” he replied, “don’t worry. The job’ll get done.”

“Okay,” Updegraff said, standing up. “I’ll let Anthony know we got nothin’ to worry about.”

It took Sandland a moment to realize that Updegraff was talking about Peacock.

After Updegraff had left Sandland got the attention of Dave and Willy by slamming his hand down on the table.

“Wha—” Dave asked. Willy looked around, his eyes wild.

“Tonight we stay sober and do the job.”

“I’m in favor of stayin’ sober,” Willy said. “I feel like crap.”

“Sure didn’t effect your appetite,” Dave said.

“Nothin’ effects his appetite,” Sandland said.

He turned his attention to his own breakfast. He didn’t have to wonder what Peacock and Updegraff had against this gambler, Butler. He’d heard how the man had backed Jim Masterson’s play in the Lady Gay. It was well known in Dodge that Masterson and Peacock were on the outs. Without the gambler around, Masterson would be an easier target, even with Neal Brown backing him.

Sandland just wondered what Peacock and Updegraff were going to do about Bat Masterson after they killed his brother Jim. Well, that wouldn’t be any concern of his. He didn’t mind bushwhacking a gambler, but they’d have to pay him a lot more money to go up against Bat Masterson.

A lot more!

Butler had breakfast in the hotel. It was just more convenient that way. As he entered he didn’t see Dog Kelley anywhere. Either the ex-mayor had eaten and gone, or he’d decided to change up his routine today.

He did, however, see Ben Thompson at a table. As if he sensed he was being watch, Ben looked up, smiled and waved Butler to join him. Butler thought they were either going to end up very good friends, or sick of each other.

“’Morning,” Thompson greeted. “If you’re not sick of me yet have a seat and join me.”

“Seems to me you’d be the one feeling that way,” Butler said.

“What, you mean after last night?” Thompson asked. “That was fun, son.”

“Losing is fun?”

“Well,” the other man said, “not as much fun as winning, but you can’t take this stuff too seriously.”

“I suppose not.”

Thompson had not yet ordered so the waiter came over and took orders from them both—steak and eggs for Thompson, bacon and eggs for Butler.

“Any sign of your man today?” Thompson asked.

“No,” Butler said, “and so far I don’t seem to be drawing any obvious attention.”

“Enjoy it, then,” Thompson said, “with the Earps gone, Bat Masterson and Bill Tilghman and Luke Short and the like, this town is looking for new blood.”

“Like you?”

“Me? I’m old blood,” Thompson said. “You’re the one who’s new blood.”

“I like my blood just the way it is, thanks.”

“Then let me warn you about the editor of the town newspaper. She’s got charm and looks, and, if you’re not careful, she’ll talk you into an interview.”

Butler looked away.

“Ah, I see I’m too late.”

“Did it last night, at supper.,”

“Ah,” Thompson said. “You got her to eat with you. Good man. We did mine in the hotel lobby. When is it going to run?”

“I don’t know,” Butler said. “She didn’t confide that.”

“Probably in the next couple of days,” Thompson said. “You want my advice, make your money and get out. If you weren’t a target before, you will be after that.”

Butler thought Thompson was kidding, but couldn’t tell by looking at him.