Chapter 19, Part Three

No Honor; 19, Part 3: End's Beginnings

It was ghastly. Those men hung from that tree for at least fifteen minutes. Finally, when we was sure the mob had left, and everythang was all clear, James and me went out an' cut 'em down. Sal came out ta help as well.

We talked about what to do fer a bit. As business owners, they couldn't leave those bodies bakin' in tha sunlight, and we wasn't sure if anyone was gonna come along, ta take care of 'em. How many was there left in Marco's camp?

Three? Two?

Moon did an excellent job o' thinnin' out the herd, and The Station took out tha rest, with no trouble at all. As things stood, there was no way Marco was gonna get more money out us, and no way, was he gonna be able ta enforce anythang. The Station was lawless, and that was terrifying.

In the end, Sal took up tha job o' diggin' graves, as the bodies was closest ta his place. James decided ta help and I moved on. It was half past five, when I walked into tha front door, o' the grocery. Mitchell's eyes lit up a bit, when he seen me.

There was a few customers, at that time. Mr. Stevens, and some other man I don't know. I acted like I was browsin' tha aisles until they left, and when they did, I met Mitch at tha counter.

"Hello young man", I said. "Kin you escort me ta tha back please?"

He said, "Yes sir!"

In tha back, Moon and Norm was sittin' wit tha guests o' tha house. Norm was sayin' somethin', but he hushed up as soon as he saw me. Rex glanced over and his breath caught in 'is throat, then he sighed and looked away. Carter turned and saw me and smiled.

I said, "I wanna apologize, to you gentlemen, for my absence."

They was all sayin', "No, no", and Carter said, "Not at all, sir".

Norm said, "We're sorry about that fire, Wayne."

I shook my head, "It's a burden off my mind. Believe me...

"So what's hap'nin?"

Carter said, "Well, there's two orders ah business... First, we was discussing what to do with our Mexican friends here. Their time with us is up I thank, but I don't want 'em rejoinin' ranks.

"What we need is a volunteer, other than us here, ta drive these men in a wagon, to the border. Once they at the border, all tha man's gotta do, is drop a small knife by 'em, and then drive the horses back to this area, leavin' the wagon there."

I nodded.

Carter said, "If you know someone Wayne, that'd be excellent. I'm willin' ta offer twelve dollars, ta the man for the job."

I thought about it. I was su'prised myself, at how quick tha answer came.

"Cliff", I said. "Clifford at The Stable would do it, I thank. He's a fan o' yours def'nitely, and no friend ta Marco."

"A'kay", Carter said. "I'll leave it to you, ta put it to 'im... The next thang is, Mr. Marco himself.

"Now I still don't believe, that Larson's on his property. But as it stands now, he's as weak as he's gonna get, and we should be able ta match his defenses, man ta man. We may even have better odds...

"So, tonight gentlemen, we're gonna eliminate his place as a possibility. And with any luck, we kin end this, right away."

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Chapter 19, Part Two

No Honor; Chapter 19, Part 2: Ruckus

Jim wished me luck, and we parted ways. I decided I needed ta get back ta Norm's, but before I did that, I made a couple stops. First was ta Percy Lambert's, for a shave and a cut. Percy wasn't there, and after twenty minutes he didn't show, so I decided ta come back.

I went an' called on James then, at 'is Butcher Shop. I thanked him again, for his help with tha fire, and I paid 'im, for another one o' those 'House Special' corn beef sandwiches. While I'm sittin' there with my supper, I heard a few raised voices. Then I heard gunshots, and them voices got much, much louder.

I didn't know the cause at tha time, but I found out, soon after, that the bother came from The Stable. There was five Mexicans near tha well there, and they was chargin, y'know... Fifteen cents, or twenty-five cents a gallon, whatever it is. Well, apparently someone refused to pay and argued, with back up, and one o' them Mexicans shot 'em.

We're talkin' about, what looked like two unarmed men, and tha rest o' that line at that well was not happy about it. So, tha shooter got attacked, and two of 'is friends nearby got attacked. One thing I know fer sure was, the one opened fire was shot dead, with one other, and tha third man was stabbed in tha back, an' killed.

That left two other Mexicans in the area, and I'm not sure what their best move woulda been. They was lookin' at a mob of about forty-five people. Pissed off people...sick o' payin' fer water, and overpayin' for rent, and Marco's other bullshit. Here's tha thang though: when I was a kid I was taught early, never ta run from an angry dog. The reason is, that dog's first instinct, is ta chase you.

Well, The Mexicans ran right past tha Butcher Shop, and the mob was right on their heels, shoutin' and cussin' the entire way. As I watched, they ran inta Sal's place... Sal sells oil, an' matches an' firewood... Lucky me, they didn't use any o' that, but they did pull them Mexicans outta there.

The next thang was... pretty brutal. See, while they had 'em, some decided ta give 'em quite a few cheap shots. Then, they was stomped on, and finally, dragged to a nearby tree. Some o' that mob was cowboys, so they took them ropes, and tied their necks, and strung 'em up.

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Chapter 19, Part One

No Honor; Chapter 19, Part 1: Gauntlet

Before I left, I posted a 'Closed' sign, an' locked tha bar up. It seemed pretty pointless though. The roof was gone and the east wall was such that... Well, any young man could run, and jump and climb over it, but I guess it didn't make sense, ta make it easier for 'em.

Back at tha hotel, I fell on the bed, exhausted. I felt like a baked chicken, and it took me a while, ta get any rest at all. In tha later hours, right before sunrise, I heard gunshots, somewhere in tha hotel. They stopped after a bit, an' then I heard more, some two hours later.

Part o' that, was just The Station bein' The Station, but it was true tha violence had kicked up. My best guess was that, with the Morphine bein' gone, people was testy. Arguments was more likely ta start, and when they did, they was more likely ta erupt. I was sure it was just gonna get worse; the only thing that was keepin' thangs, from bein' unbearable, was people catchin' wind, and leavin'.

When the afternoon came, I sat in my room, not sure what to do. If I opened up, and it started rainin'... Eventually, I went back to tha bar out o' habit. I unlocked the door, but I kept tha sign up, and I went behind tha counter and poured me a whiskey.

After a bit, Jim Sheldon seen me, and he came in ta join me. I greeted 'im, and poured 'im a beer.

"Ah...thank you", he said. "How much?"

I shook my head. "Forget it... I'm not in business anymore."

That threw 'im.

He reeled back a bit, and then he said, "Well, I'm sorry the fire happened Wayne, but the bar's still in good shape... If you want, I can help you pay for repairs. It wouldn't be a problem."

"No thank you. To be honest, I got the money already. I could even see Gordon, about buildin' a new house, but... I'm not goin' to."

"Why? You got such a good thing going... I understand it's gotten bad around here, but, that won't last forever."

I said, "And when it does calm down, I don't wanna be here. There's a lot o' places around, ta hang yer hat, a lot o' better places... This ain't nowhere ta live."

"... I understand."

We was quiet awhile. After I finished my whiskey, I poured another, then I refilled Sheldon's glass.

I said, "Let me ask you a question, Jim."

"Hmmm....? Go ahead."

"Let's say a man takes another man's wife by force... Or throws 'er outta movin' train. What would you do with that man?"

"Hang 'im."

"Okay...", I said. "Now, let's say that man's caught, and they find he's got cancer... And he in real bad shape. Four weeks ta live... Would you still hang 'im?"

He paused a bit, and looked to tha skies, then he took a drank, thought some more, and then nodded.

"Yeah", he said.

I said, "Why? I agree with you, I just wanna know why."

He said, "'Because it isn't about his health, it's about what he did."

"Right", I said. "Right... It's about that, and it's also about tellin' people... you know... This thang ain't acceptable."

"Right", he said. "Are we talking about someone specific?"

I said, "You know who we talkin' about".

He took a sip, then he nodded.

I said, "How come they ain't give 'im up? This town's so small... How come no one came out 'n said, 'Tha asshole's over here... Take 'im".

He laughed, and then 'e shrugged. "That's just... It's just a part of that mind set. You know...? When I was a kid, I lived and died by that rule. You're not supposed to give people up, I mean... No matter what."

I said, "That's a stupid fuckin' rule."

"I know it. It is."

"You can't make no exception?"

He said, "Well, I certainly agree with you Wayne, but... I don't know what to tell you. You know... That's just the way people are."

"Yeah...", I said. "They are."

After we finished drinkin', I told 'im I was gonna go ahead, and lock up. While I was walkin 'im out, he turned ta me.

"So what's the next stop for you sir? You got any plans?"

I said, "You know Jim, I really don't know... I haven't figured that, but...

"But I ain't givin' Roy no pass for 'is health... And I ain't givin' us no pass neither."

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Chapter 18, Part Three

No Honor; Chapter 18, Part 3: Burn

This was too much. This was way, way too much. I felt like... the shit just didn't make sense.

Now lookit... I never found out who actually torched tha place. But c'mon, I know why they did it; it was all Carter. It was revenge. It was 'cause we took Rex away. 

It was spite, 'cause we was lookin' for Larson, and they didn't want it. It mighta also been an attempt on Carter's life. Or my life... Honestly, it coulda been aimed at me. I was thinkin' that some Morphine-freak got stupid, and forgot ta check for Shadow, before lightin' tha place up. I might be wrong...

It coulda been just because I was seen wit 'im.

Whatever the reason, the idiot done it had no fuckin' sense... Ta set my house afire was ta set the bar afire. Ta set the bar afire, was ta threaten ta burn down Fourth Street, and who knows how many lives.

I ran up ta third, and got buckets o' water, from tha stable well. While I was on my way, I seen others, with the same idea, runnin' with their buckets, towards tha blaze. If I had any chance o' savin' Fourth, I needed every single soul... Tha fire was big, tha water was far away, and I had a bar fulla alcohol, that was smokin'...

After my trip back I stopped, and shouted directions, as best I could. I wasn't concerned about tha house, tha house was gone. What we needed ta do, was stop tha fire from eatin' tha bar up, and spreadin' from there.

We wet tha ground, between the two buildin's, and we got ta work on the bar's east wall. After a while, I dunno how long, I was sure that tha fire, on the bar at least, was out. So, we got on, with workin' on tha house. While we was doin' that though, either the bar relit, or it was still on fire, and we didn't see it past tha smoke.

Even worse, it was lit up high, and tha ceilin' started smokin', on that side. I grabbed a few people and I begged 'em, ta go to tha carpenter's, and fetch us some ladders. Meanwhile, more people came, wit tubs o' water, from tha hotel. There was Jim Sheldon, and Mr. Stevens and Janice and Millie, who lived on Fourth as well. There was Mr. Butler, from the Bake-ry, and Gordon, and De La Rosa, and James the Butcher. There was that boy from tha hotel, and Dave, and Clifford... I even saw Norm.

They was all helpin', and I'm grateful to all of 'em fer that. During it all though, I noticed who wasn't there... Marco wasn't there. Rita wasn't there. In fact, not one Mexican came out ta help, and they supposed ta be runnin' tha place.

We worked well into the night. The ladders came, but they came a hair late. The roof of the bar collapsed in flames, and a good part of the east wall fell with it. Half of us there ran inta tha bar, ta douse the flames, the rest was on the house still.

And through all o' this, we're runnin back and forth, back and forth to tha stable, to reload. It was hectic, but we killed the bar fire completely. Tha house collapsed, but we was able to get that fire pretty good. I just made a few more trips to the stable, while tha house was still smokin', just to be sure.

Durin' one o' those trips, I saw Carter up on his horse, way off in the distance. At that time o' night, Shadow was just as black as Midnight was, and Carter's white skin shone brilliant. He did look like The Reaper then, or like a creature from a nightmare...  Some kinda monster.

Maybe he was my Reaper. Maybe he was sent ta lay waste ta my hopes, and my dreams, and my life here. Maybe he was sent ta destroy tha town. Maybe we was all failures, in tha eyes o' God, and He planned our punishment, from the heavens.

It was my fault he was here. If it wasn't for me, he never woulda survived 'is first night in town. I never woulda known about Roy. And Roy prob'ly never woulda said, what he done.

I knew Carter was watchin' me then. He was too far away fer me ta be sure, but I felt it. He lowered 'is head then, and turned, and rode away. At that time, I just felt betrayed; I kept wond'rin what I coulda done, so wrong, in awl my life, ta deserve him.

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@ChannelSeals

Chapter 18, Part Two

No Honor; Chapter 18, Part 2: Ignition

I slept in that day, and I didn't leave the hotel, 'til it was time ta open. We had a good dozen or so early, and I was happy ta see that Millie was among 'em. Better still, she looked more like 'erself, and she was in better spirits.

She said 'Hi', and ordered, and slipped off ta talk ta some guys. I even seen 'er smilin'... Three of her girls was workin' tha place, and that included Ms. Curvy. I caught the young woman's eyes, and waved her over.

I said, "I'm sorry, what's your name?"

"Janice."

"Janice... a pleasure ma'am."

"Likewise."

"Janice, kin I get you somethin'? On tha house?"

She thought a minute, then she said, "Just orange juice."

"Not much of a drinker are ya?"

She smiled and shook her head. So, I poured 'er some OJ, and I came in close, and I nodded in Mildred's direction, and I said, "How's she doin'?"

Millie was still chattin' it up, and grinnin', at a faraway table.

Janice said, "Much better. Lots... There been some trouble, at tha howse, that's been botherin' er... and... wit Emily's death..."

"I hear ya."

"But taday, we here celebratin'."

"Is that right?"

"Yeah", she said, "I'm leavin' here."

"Is that right?"

She smiled. "Yeahhh... Awl my debts is paid, and I got enough money naow thet... well... There's this nice man... down in Kentucky..."

"Sure", I said.

"God willin", she said, "In a few weeks, I'll be married."

I smiled. "Congratulations, Janice."

"Thank ya sir", she said. "You know...  it was Millie, thet helped this happen. We put money aside, and we planned, and... She a saint, I swear, she... She wants us awl outta here."

I nodded. "I hope you all do get out."

After that, I was in a pretty good mood. Dave came in... I had a few dranks, and... I got ta thinkin'... Y'know... maybe I'd get lucky.

Maybe Roy'd keel over one day soon. Maybe Marco would start feelin' tha pressure, and pack up, n' leave.

He wasn't the first man ta run The Station, and I doubted he'd be the last. With a new leader, we could see a new future. Maybe he'd be tha type o' man, ta turn over men like Roy on principle... Maybe he'd run a fair shop, and give a fair shake, and keep some kinda order.

Well, I was sippin' my third Bourbon, and thinkin on that, when I saw smoke, comin' from the bar's east wall. Before I knew it, people was yellin 'Fire!' and runnin', and I looked up and saw tha buildin' was empty. I finished my drank, put down my glass, and walked outside. There was a buncha people starin'.

I turned round and seen that my house was swallowed up by flames. And since the rear o' the house is close to the bar's east wall, that also lit up, and tha fire was quickly headin' up, to tha ceilin'. Honestly, at tha time, I crossed my arms, and shook my head, and smiled...

And I said to mahself, "Un-fuckin-believable".

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Chapter 18, Part One

No Honor; Chapter 18, Part 1: Conflicted

I left the grocery, with Jonas's words ringin' in my ears. Roy needed a whole year, ta be outta health trouble. That was a big deal, and maybe Carter was goin' way too far... Why was we rushin', ta collar this man? Why was I?

I returned to tha hotel, and got inta bed. For the life o' me though, I just couldn't find rest, not for hours. I thought on the whole ordeal: on the horror that Roy had done, on how I met Carter, and how I got involved, the whole business. When the time came ta join 'em, I just followed the pack... I didn't question a thang, and maybe I should've.

I still thought what happened needed ta be answered, and that Roy had ta account for what 'e did, but I just didn't know if the cost was worth it. I didn't know if it was best ta just leave it be. Most of all, I didn't know why I was fightin' the fight. There was no need ta get myself involved.

What I wanted was ta run my bar, and make my livin', and that was it. I wanted Roy to be caught, sure, but I wanted things ta end. I wanted some sorta peace.

In the later hours of the night, past three a.m., I kept wrestlin' with tha questions, and I didn't have any answers. It's a wonder that I got ta sleep at all, but I did it. When the mornin' came, and I was due to help Norm and them, at the grocery, I just didn't do it.

Maybe the right thing was ta leave it alone. Maybe what was best, was ta walk away...

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Chapter 17, Part Two

No Honor; Chapter 17 Part 2: Challenges

We escorted Mitchell back ta third, and tha grocery. Me and him tied up our horses, while Carter remained mounted. I nodded to 'im.

"Goin' back to your tent?"

Carter said, " Soon. I'm almo-

"...almost..."

Somethin' was wrong. He had this strain on his face, and he was takin' these long... very long and labored breaths.

I said, "Are you alright?"

He nodded and put up a hand, then he put his hands on his hips, looked at his saddle, and breathed. Breathed like he was stuck in a coffin, and there was only so much air ta be had. Mitch was silent at the time, but I could feel 'im starin' at me. I shared his concern, but we waited patient, and after a minute or so, he started breathin' normal.

Mitch said, "What the hell was that?"

Carter shook his head.

"Nothin", he said. "It's just... that damn drug."

I said, "Are you sure yer alright?"

He nodded. "Yeah... Go on in and slap Rex around fer me. I'll meet up with ya, later taday."

He didn't wait ta talk any more. Shadow was spun around, and given spur, and the two of 'em was off and quickly gone. As I watched 'em leave, I felt Mitch's eyes on me again.

He said, "That isn't good".

"I know it."

We went inside. Mitch went ta join 'is better half, and I found Dancer, sittin' on the floor, in front of the other guests. That seat in front of Rex hadn't moved, so I took it up, and addressed 'im.

"You know of anythang better than that Laudanum you been givin'?"

He said, "What do you mean by bet'a?"

"I mean somethin' that don't make a man breathe like a beached fish."

He looked at me a moment, studying.

Then he said, "So... wha'? Are you 'is nurse now? Pardon me, but what the fuck do you care?"

"Just answer the damn question."

"Aw'right, yeah, there is somethin' bet'a; et's called Morphine, and he refused it."

"Ain't you got nothin' else?"

There was that look again.

He said, "What I have, what I gave him, was very sound medical advice, that any sane, rational person would've listened to... It's called 'bed rest'. It's called 'time to heal'...

"But since we're not talking about a sane person, or a rational person, it's no wonder why he's acting like an idiot. What I'm clueless about, is why you're doin' the same."

I said, "What the hell are you sayin'?"

"Wha' I'm sayin is, I don't know what you're doing here. I'm fucking clueless... I mean the Indian makes sense at least. Him, I get et... But 'ow did he string you along?"

That stopped me. What reason did I have for bein' there? I thought about it a minute, then I said, "I'm int'rested in seein' Roy get caught."

"Oh are ya? It's a good and worthy cause, innit?"

"That's right."

He said, "And because o' that good cause, we're willing ta have a town tear itself apart, ta see et done. Excuse me if I don't applaud...

"Look, if either of you had any sense et'all, you'd let me loose, and give me me bloody medicine, and stop following a madmin... Because if you don't, if you don't realize what you're doing, a lot of people are going to die, for no good goddamn reason."

I said, "So we're supposed ta let him go free? Is that it? We're supposed ta to let you crush men ta death, an' turn tha otha way?"

Rex said, "Let me say it again. Roy Larson is a dead man. Alright?... You get et?... If you bet on him pulling through this, I've got some other shit ta sell ya."

He laughed.

"Trust me..." he said, "All of this is nonsense. And don't let 'im tell you any different. There is no reason ta think that Roy's beating the odds here. For a man in his condition, to make up the amount o' blood 'e lost... to even walk out of 'ere, without fear of cardiac arrest... he'd have to wait a minimum, a minimum... of six, bloody, months, and more than likely, a year...

"One... year... And that fucking, crazy, bastard, Carter knows that."

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Chapter 17, Part One

No Honor;  Chapter 17 Part 1: Conjecture

Out with me and Carter that night was Mitch, leaving Dancer and Norm at the grocery. We rode out ta Carter's tent again, which was moved from the place I last saw it. Still, it was angled in such a way, that we could get a good view o' Marco's buildin', and what activity there was, which wasn't much. We was there for an hour, an' no one came in or out.

There was one o' Marco's boys, on the third floor of the place, that was lookin' out the winda, and keepin' an eye on the property. Besides that lamp bein' lit, there was two others, in roughly the center of the home's second floor. This, we figured, was Marco's rooms. In the time we was there, we saw shadows movin', for a few minutes or so, but after that all was still.

Mitch said, "He's gotta be in there."

Carter shook 'is head. "Doubtful. Highly doubtful."

I said, " He might have a point Moon. Why not hide 'im in the most obvious place? Ya don't expect it, he knows that, and his security's right there, keepin' Larson safe."

Mitch said "That's what I'm saying".

Carter shook his head again. "One reason that can't be is Rex. He was just in there for a meetin', and if Roy was in there, he woulda did a check-up shorely, just ta see what was what."

I said, "So maybe Rex was lyin' about not seein 'im... It's possible ain't it?"

"It's possible, but unlikely", he said. "I don't know if I believe his intentions is all pure, when it comes ta this town, but he can't profit none by lettin' us round up his product, and cuttin' his customers off. If Roy was in there, he woulda gave 'im up."

"Okay", Mitch said."You convinced me... But if he's not in there, how come you're watchin' the place?"

"I'm lookin' for opium, or anythang, that makes me think it's comin' here. He has to know his suppliers got ambushed. So, he's either waitin' on the stuff, or he's clueless as ta when n' where it's shippin'."

"Which one you think it is?"

Carter shrugged. "I just hope that, by the time it gets here, it'll be awl but over."

He closed up his spyglass and mounted, so we mounted as well. After a moment's pause, he turned ta me.

"How much time you got?"

I said, "Well... I'm not tired yet".

He nodded. "Accordin' to what I heard in town, Mr. Melvin Price, decided ta skip town. Now wit awl that happened, over the past few days, I cain't say I'm su'prised, but I don't take anythang for granted.

"His place still needs ta be searched. Jake Waters' home as well, and if you're willin', we could use tha back up."

And so we went. Carter was able to open door locks, with some thin metal tool he had, makin' our entry, inta each buildin', quiet and easy. In fact, that's how I'd describe that night in general: 'Quiet and easy'. We met no resistance, and we didn't attract much attention.

Price's place was cleaned out. I imagine he heard we was lookin' for 'im, so he set up shop elsewhere. This suited Carter just fine. Jake's place wound up bein' exactly the opposite. Not only did we find Morphine, we found tobacco, and a whole lot o' booze, but we had ta wade through a ton o' shit, ta even see 'em; there was garbage all over the floor, and on every flat surface.

With tha end o' that business, Carter was satisfied, that at least what powder was in the town, would not be resupplied. What there was left, would probably be used quick, and perhaps it already had been. Everythang was set up at that point; the plan was in full-swing.

All we had ta do, was wait.

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Chapter 16, Part Two

No Honor Chapter 16 Part 2: Hush

Ta avoid suspicion, I walked outta the grocery store wit a few items. I got a sandwich at the butcher shop, then headed on in ta work. At seven o'clock, Dave came in. I asked 'im where Wally was, and 'e said he didn't know.

I was su'prised at that; Walt normally sends word, if he's not gonna show. Luckily, if you can call it that, there wasn't too much clientele, ta worry about. Honestly, we was down to about a third o' what I normally expect. I kept my gun on my hip, in case that meant trouble was comin'.

Millie walked in, with Ms. Curvy, around eight-thirty. She wasn't right. I mean... she was dressed up nice, and her hair was done up, but there was no color in her cheeks, and she looked tired n' worn. She took up a seat at the bar, while Curvy tried ta mingle, and ferret out a customer.

I said, "Good to see you Millie. What kin I get ya?"

"Bourbon", she said.

"Straight?"

She nodded. I wound up servin 'er three o' those thangs, then real quick, she motioned me for a fourth. I did pour her a fourth, but I was startin' ta get worried.

"Slow down a little bit now", I said. "We open all night."

She nodded, then she drunk half o' what I poured her.

Later, Marco walked in, with three familiars. He exchanged a look with Mildred, then he went on towards tha rear. There was no smiles and no pattin' shoulders this time; he was absolutely, positively stone-faced, and people mostly didn't look 'im in tha eyes. He sent one o' his over for a bottle o' Tequila; it's expensive ta do that, but he paid it fair, so I sent tha bottle over, with a buncha glasses.

I have ta note how quiet it was then. Sure, there was less people, and there's no doubt about that, but it was quiet for what folk we did have. It's like they was whis'pren and mumblin' insteada talkin, and it may sound strange, but Geoff's piana was lower somehow; for what reason I don't know. Maybe he just wasn't inta playin' it, that night.

Millie eased up a bit, but she still didn't look good. While nursin' that drank, she just sat there slumped forward, starin' at the wood grain in the counter.

I said, "Do you want some water?"

She shook her head, without lookin' up.

I said, "By the way Millie... I'm sorry for your loss."

Right away, she put both hands on her face and started sobbin'.

"Oh honey, I'm sorry."

Curvy appeared. She started rubbin' Millie's shoulders, and whis'pren to her. I didn't hear what was said, but MIldred nodded in response; she didn't move 'er hands though.

I said, "I didn't mean ta upset 'er".

Curvy said, "That's awl-reight. She just tired. C'mon Millie, lets go... Let's go home Mill."

She got Mildred up, and they left together. The bar got even quieter, as a result. Without Mildred's girls, wasn't much keepin' the guys there but drank, and sometimes that ain't enough.

The silence held, 'til well on in the evenin'. While Marco was leaned back, and sippin 'is tequila, a tomahawk blade came through the back wall, about two inches from 'is left ear. His hombres got up instantly, he yelled somethin' in Spanish and they rushed outside. Marco hisself hopped over the bar here, knockin' over a shit-ton a glasses, and bottles and breaking quite a few.

He went through the break room door and drew a pistol, and I heard him open that door to tha outside. Well, there was runnin' and yellin' goin' on, but no shootin'. After ten minutes or so, Marco calmly entered the bar again. He was followed by two guys, but not the third, and I noticed this right away.

Well he went an' disappeared, and I'll tell ya right now, none o' us touched 'im. Dancer was behind the mischief, as you mighta guessed, but he got clean away, and 'e didn't take none wit 'im. So, as far as I know, that third guy took it upon hisself, to use the commotion and slip off alone. All things considered, it wasn't a bad idea.

---------------------------------

Chapter 16, Part One

No Honor; Chapter 16 Part 1: Empathy

So here's how it works. One person should be watchin' Rex and The Mexicans at all times. They serve meals before openin', after closin', and one time durin' the day when the doors is locked, and a "Be right back" sign is posted. If they gotta go, a large pot in their room is what they do it in, then that gets dumped in the nearby outhouse pit.

Whenever they eat, or are released to relieve 'emselves, two people must be present at all times; one undoes the ropes, and the other one trains the gun. They eat, and do their business one at a time. Their exercise is jumpin' jacks, that's all, and they're gagged whenever the shop's open, or when they get lippy... The Mexicans are pretty much gagged, right after they eat.

That's about it... After I got up and bathed in the hotel's ration, I happily hopped on over to the grocery, since they serve way better than Henrietta's. Buttery grits, an' eggs an' sausage, an' biscuits... Norm's a hell of a cook.

While he an' Mitch prepared the grocery for openin', I had the pleasure o' sittin wit' Dancer, on duty. The Mexicans across from us looked every which way, except in our direction. Jonas, with a belly fulla breakfast, was fast asleep. After five minutes or so, I decided ta break silence.

"Soooo.... Dancer?"

"Yes."

"Skin Dancer?"

"Yes."

"Soooo... why-?"

"I've stitched the best coats, and the worst wounds."

That was all he said.

It seemed like an eternity passed, in silence, but really it was only fifteen minutes or so, before I tried again.

"That story... What Carter said Roy had done... Is that true?"

He looked at me. There was a pain in his face that was... It came over me as sure as he must have felt it. He opened his mouth, and nothing came out. Then he paused, before turnin' away.

"Yes", he said.

I said, "I would've burned this place to the ground... for hidin' that man. Why aren't your people here? Why Carter?"

He said, "We are Tonkawa. War with the Comanche has weakened us... To come to this place, we pass through bad lands, and many enemies."

I nodded.

I wanted to apologize to him... I didn't have nothin' ta do with it, but I felt responsible somehow, like Roy was kin o' mine. I hoped he knew I wasn't like that and I hoped he knew how I felt about it.

In the end we just sat there in silence.

------------------------------

Chapter 15, Part Two

No Honor Chapter 15 Part 2: Smoulder

The man Marco bit, turned out to be Jacob Waters. That was Jake, the man with the five year beard. Unfortunately, he don't have much of a nose above that beard now, but he's dead, so I can't imagine he cares. No one knows too much about Jake's three friends, that fell with 'im; I'm just glad that Dave and Wally wasn't among 'em.

I wondered if it was my pay, that made Dave wanna push powder for Jonas. He coulda had that place o' his, paid Marco and 'ave been fine, but... That's not enough for some people. Some folk wanna live more comf'table, and I can't say I disagree.

That night, after my shift, I met up with 'The Mystery Men'... That's what I call 'em at least. I got my own scarf, dark hat, and coat from 'em then. It was now official. I was mixed up in shit I had no business in, but I was sure I was on the right side.

I felt a thrill I hadn't felt in years, when I put that stuff on; it was exciting and terrifying, all at once. Like fixin' ta rob a bank, you're anxious and tense, and you know how it's supposed to go, but when does it ever? The one thing made it different was the cause. I was in it to protect someone, to make sure that Carter made good on 'is promise.

Wally left the bar first, and then later, Dave locked it up. I watched Carter and Norm and Dancer, cut 'im off from his walk home, much like they did me. He bolted, and I got another chance ta see the cowboy's talents. It's amazing to me, watchin' a man rope the limbs of a scared, fleeing animal.

The timing has to be just right, and the placement... Where you put the rope is everythang. You pull it taught, you force their legs together, and then you grab the front limbs, and tie 'em to the rear. If you good at it, you kin get 'em subdued wit' no chance of a struggle.

Norm was good at it. Dave was on 'is side, with 'is hands and feet tied together, behind 'is back. It was the first time I'd seen Dave angry, and even then it showed as mild annoyance. I was watchin' from down the street, with my hat on as low as I could get it, and my scarf so high on my nose I could hardly see.

They questioned 'im, and patted 'im down. Norm took one of those pouches off 'im, and with his keys, Norm went in his house and got more. Carter and I was lookouts, and Dancer had us covered, from the shadows. At the end of it, Dave was cut loose, and we went on so Moon could get more info on this 'Price'; our next target.

Moon got the Indian to show 'imself now and then, throughout the night, He was set up ta spook the locals, but they was already scared. You could feel it on the wind even; we was stirrin' the pot and it was finally boiling over. That robbery attempt on that office was just the start o' thangs.

Back at the grocery store, Mitch was sitting in front of Rex and the other four guests, whittling away at a wood block. We walked in, and the sight o' Dancer agitated the Mexicans, who was tryin' hard ta curse, through their gags. The Indian opened a small sack, he had slung over 'is shoulder, and he came out of it with a mass o' hair, lined red on one side.

The Mexicans fell back against the wall, and huddled together, and cussed, more riled up than ever. I looked at Carter.

He said, "We have problems with them gettin' squirrelly. That there is his way ah keepin' em in line."

"Does he have ta carry that around everywhere?"

Carter shrugged. "You're free ta argue the point with 'im, but he won that scalp fair 'n square, and I reckon he kin do what he likes".

Danca wasn't payin' attention. He just held out 'is trophy, shook it and scowled. The Mexicans closed their eyes, and huddled closer, and made muffled curse words. If they hands wasn't bound, I imagine they'd be crossin 'emselves. Rex just rolled 'is eyes, and looked away.

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Chapter 15, Part One

No Honor; Chapter 15 Part 1: Heartbreak

When Marco was 18 years old, he fell in love with an English teacher there, in Spain. The teacher was Wendy Thomas, an American woman. Wendy was 45 at the time. Young Marco told Wendy how he felt, and I'm sure she was flattered, but like any sane woman that age, she refused him.

Well, Marco all but courted her, for a year and a half, and at the end of that time, they were lovers.

I don't know how long that went on, but I do know that, eventually, Wendy got old, and Marco lost interest. But that ain't ta say there wasn't love still. As Marco made his mark amongst the gangsters, Wendy stayed by his side, even with all the girlfriends, and whatever else he was doin'.

When Marco took over the Station, he appointed Wendy, now 64, as book keeper. Every mornin' Wendy'd come in, with two o' Marco's camp, to open the Receiving Office, and tend to tha rent money. Well, the mornin' of Rex's first day with us, that happened as normal. What happened next wasn't normal.

See, Marco was still losin' goons. At the time, he was down to about ten or so. This was well known, and the word got out, that maybe that camp was weak. If you think about it, what went down was fated ta happen.

Marco's boys was outnumbered, two-ta-one, and they wasn't given a chance. Wendy was lead, at gunpoint, to the safe in the back. She did open the safe, but maybe the robbers weren't satisfied, or maybe she still felt scared. Either way, she made a run for the front door, and they shot her in the back.

Now Marco's no idiot. That office is three doors down from his estate. One of his lookouts saw the trouble,  got him up, and he had his clothes on before that fatal shot was fired. When it was, the response was quick.

Marco took five, of the eight or so left, and they trapped the four robbers in the place. The shoot out lasted about a half hour. I know at one point, one o' Marco's was firin' shells, inta tha back winda. He wounded one of the guys in there, and that man fled through the front door, durin' a stroke ah genius; he was shot down pretty quick... The word is, that that's when Marco saw Wendy's body.

Before I say what happened next, you should know what didn't happen. Ya see, the Mexicans was armed pretty good, but Marco wanted ta make a statement. He had three o' his guys join 'em, with back up rifles and some kinda bombs. These were the nasty, filled-with-nails kinda bombs.

Those things were never thrown. I think at the time, that Marco musta known about Wendy. He had to know it, the whole time. After seein' it though, he ran into that office, with no help, and nothin' but a pistol.

His boys were so shocked, they didn't stop him, and they didn't follow in time. Their boss burst in, and hollerin' got as loud as the shootin' in there. They were still loyal though. From what was seen, they tried ta go in ta help, or pull 'im outta there.

That just wasn't possible. Bullets was flyin' round, in all directions, and tryin' ta enter was just too dangerous... Well, eventually, the shootin' stopped. They heard Marco's voice, so they got up courage, and went in.

Two o' those robbers was shot, and one o' those shot was bitten horribly. In fact, his nose was all but gone. Marco, with tears on his face, was killin' the third right then. He was stompin' his head into the ground.

-----------------------------

Chapter 14, Part Three

No Honor; Chapter 14 Prt. 3: Obsession

Carter said, "I want the names o' those movin' Morphine for you.... Those men you were droppin' off to tonight. Who are they?"

Jonas said, "Fuck off... I don' have to tell you that, that's none a your business."

"Rex, you kin drag this out all you want, but I'm gettin' my way, I promise you."

"What's the point o' this shit? Really mate, what is it? I told you Roy's a dead man anyway."

"So there's no point in hidin 'im. Exactly..."

"No one's gonna help you shoot a dyin' dog alright? It's pathetic."

"I don't have to shoot anyone. Not if he comes along quiet."

"Then he dies while you drag him around, right... That's better."

"You're all heart doctor."

"I'm no bastard mate... and I'm not a crazy like you are."

"Oh? Is that right? You jump a pair a horses into a wagon... To trample men to death... and you're not crazy...Right? There's nothing wrong with you."

Rex shook his head, and looked away. Then he closed his eyes, sighed and said, "That was a message that had to be made.. alright? You don't get et... I've seen entire cities, fulla living, fucking corpses. All of 'em barely alive, because o' that drug.... Because o' wha et does...

"Do you understand? If I let opium, inta this town, there's no savin' et."

"And no way ta make money off your powder, isn't that right?"

"Yeah... well... That's just a perk", Rex said. "No one else is gonna reward me."

"Let me tell you the deal", Carter said. "Cause it's only fair ta do so... Until I get Roy you're not goin' anywhere.

"Now, you kin tell me who's movin' Morphine for you, or you kin sit there silent, I don't care which. They will run out of it, they will go without it, and they will have to make due, without you... Now, I don't know what the consequence o' that is, but I think it might be better ta just give 'em the opium...

"Either way, you'll be here to find out so it's your choice. Now or later Rex, I got all the time in the world...

"Now or later."

Jonas sighed, and looked up to the ceiling.

Carter said, "Or, you kin say where Larson is, and save us awl tha trouble."

"I couldn't 'say where Larson is', I honestly don't know."

Carter kept quiet, and Jonas sighed again.

Then he said, "Melvin Price, Jacob Waters and David Hem-, um... Henderson."

"Henderson", I said. "My Dave Henderson?"

------------------------------

Chapter 14, Part Two

No Honor Ch. 14 Pt. 2: Pressure

The young man stuck out his hand and smiled. "Hi, how are ya?"

"Howdy", I said, and I shook it, wonderin' if my shock showed on my face. It was a firm grip too, nothin' weak about it. I tell ya, had Norm and Mitch not said they were... that way... I swear I'd never 'ave guessed.

I looked at Carter, who was deep inta his steak an pasta. He looked up at me, nodded, then went right back ta supper. It was like Norm just said the sky was blue.

Mitchell was searchin' his pockets, and then he came out wit' a small pouch, and dropped it on the table. Partly open like it was, you could see that it was fulla small, brown envelopes.

"I found that on his horse", he said. "A bunch more of 'em too, so I'm sure he was droppin 'em off to someone."

Carter said, "Maybe that was the plan for tonight, then his talk with Marco ran long.... Alright, did you tell 'im what I said now?", and then he took another bite o' steak.

"Sure did. And I asked him to spread the word, so...they'll know you got 'im."

I said, "Who knows what now?"

Mitch said, "There's a young guy, working the stable overnight. I told 'im to let people know that Carter's got Rex, and that again, he's looking for Larson."

I turned to Moon. "You holdin 'im ransom? Is that what this is?"

"That's what it's down to", he said. "All those candles and awl those leads went cold.... Either they point me one way, and he been there an' left, or they point me the otha, an it's just a wild guess for that money."

"Okay", I said. "So you squeezin 'em. Taking away they medicine man."

"I'm takin' away their dealer", he said. "That Indian in there? He's more of a medicine man than Rex'll eva be... I mean... that stunt, with those horses..."

"Yeah, hold on." I said. "That Indian... He was the one outside my outhouse that night, wasn't he?"

Carter smiled, and the other two laughed.

"Danca was excellent... Excellent", said Carter. "I couldn't have done that better."

Norm said, "I wish I coulda seen it. I was back here watchin' those Mexicans, and fallin' asleep."

Carter said, "Yeah, about that. Wayne... We're gonna need yer help, watchin' em. These boys have a store ta run, and Danca can't do it all day, so... A few hours, after your breakfast and before yer shift, and I'll be much obliged to ya."

"Well I'm in this now", I said. "There's no doubt about that."

"I thank ya sir... Don't think I forgot all you done, I haven't. And I promise, we won't need you long, it's just 'til the ruckus starts."

"You expect somethin' big then?"

He was chewin on 'is last few bites but he nodded, and I reckon 'e was right. Morphine was all over the town... and wit' no opium yet, and maybe never? Shit. Not even alcohol could fix a drought of the stuff, if it came to that.

After he was done, Carter said, "Well, I guess I better talk to tha man", and then 'e got up.

Me and Norm looked at each other, and then at Carter, who was limpin'... a little less so, but you could tell still... towards tha door and out, across to tha otha room. Norm asked Mitch ta balance the drawer, whatever that meant, and then we got up and followed 'im.

It was us, Carter, Dancer, Rex, and four Mexicans, huddled together in a corner. The Indian stood again. Moon grabbed a chair, took the bottles o' cleaner off it, and dragged it right in front o' Rex and sat down.

He took off his hat, wiped the sweat off 'is brow, an' then he set back, to begin.
-----------------------------

Chapter 14, Part One

No Honor  Ch. 14 Pt. 1: Family

Due to 'is tumble, Jonas's right shoulder, was out o' place. None of us felt sure enough, about settin' it right, but Carter said 'Danca', would know how. The cowboy bound Jonas's hands, with rope. Rex complained, and spat out a few insults, but after that, he was pretty quiet.

We got 'is stallion up. The cowboy took the saddle, and Jonas was put on the horse, in front of 'im. We rode back to tha Station, and back ta 3rd. Carter wanted a second look at that wagon, and he told me after, that Junior was in there trampled, but Elder was missin'. There was no drugs in there at awl. So where that stash was, was anyone's guess.

I was su'prised ta see, that our next stop was the grocery, right on 3rd. We rode 'round to tha back, and there was a single section o' iron fence there, under the roof, that jutted out a ways. This we tied our horses to, but Carter didn't think it was smart, ta have Jonas's stallion there. The cowboy said he was sore, so Mystery volunteered, ta ride 'im over to tha stable.

I knew who the cowboy was, 'fore we went inside. I knew 'im caused he worked there, and whenever I needed to stock up on food, he'd be the one tendin' shop.

I said, "How you mixed up in this Norman?"

He looked at me, then he removed 'is hat an' scarf. Norman was yer average lookin' fella. Not tawl, but not short. Not skinny, nor fat neither. His hair's a bit long, but otha than that, there was nothin' outta the ways about 'im.

He said, "I been in this since my paw was killed. Since Marco had him beat ta death... I'm sure you heard about it by now."

"Goodman was your father? I didn't know that... But that ain't ya name, is it?"

"It wasn't his either... I'm Norman Fleischer. My paw was Thomas Fleischer. Goodman's just a name he went by."

What I said ta Carter, about no one havin' family in tha Station, it hit me then. I wasn't lyin' at tha time, I just... I didn't see that wasn't true.

Jonas turned ta Carter behind 'im, and he said, "Would it be too much trouble, to loosen up, this damn rope? You got me. I'm caught. I know that. Let's leave it out... and cut the bollocks, alright? It's not doin' me shoulders, any favors."

Carter said, "Sorry Rex. House rules. Norm, you wanna show our guest 'is quarters?"

"Certainly, but I'm afraid you're gonna have ta share it, sir. We got a few friends over."

Norman took 'im by his right arm, at first. But Rex screamed in pain, and hurled more insults, so he led 'im from behind, instead. Me and Carter followed, from the back room there, wit boxes o' jars wit spices everywheres, inta tha hawl, and then inta the room to tha right. Beyond that hawl, I could see tha shop counter, and the official grocery store. That room we went in, was nothin' but a space fer mops, and cleaners.

It was a good size though. I don't know if it was enough for an Indian, Rex, and four tied-up an' gagged Mexicans, but it wasn't a cramped closet, I'll say that. When we got in there, the Indian stood, and I'll tell ya, he wasn't scary tall, he wasn't. And 'e wasn't super muscular neither.

But...  but... he was just enough o' both, to be huge.

Norman said, "Rex, Wayne... say hello ta Skin Dancer."

Rex said, "You what?"

The Indian just nodded. We sat Jonas down by the Mexicans, and in front of tha jars o' lye. He fussed a bit, and winced in pain, and the Indian saw this. He walked over to 'im, and those Mexicans leaned far left, ta get away.

Rex said, "Ey, ey... What the 'ell is your problem?"

Without bein' told, the Indian looked at 'is arm, and then 'is back, and then he grabbed 'im. Before Jonas could pull away, Dancer hit his back, hard, and somethin' shifted.

"Fuck!", Jonas said.

He was red as a beet, and he was mutterin' to 'imself, but he moved that shoulder like it was healed. Carter nodded.

"Now I know he ain't learned like you have", he said, "but he's talented. You gotta give 'im that."

Jonas said, "What's all this then, huh? You're obviously still after Roy... Aren't ya?

"You mad bastard. What's the point o' this? Why am I 'ere, I told you what I know."

Carter said, "We'll talk after I eat. I been followin' up wit leads all eve'nin, and I'm not doin' shit, until I've had a bite."

Norm said, "How about some steak? Dancer, you want some steak?"

"That would be good."

"Steak it is. Apologies to you boys, in advance. You'll have to make due wit' beef and noodles, cause feedin' ya's gettin' expensive. But I'll see if I can throw some cheese, or somethin' in there."

We ate in the other room, across from Jonas, and the Mexicans and Dancer, who decided ta eat in there. We talked about how crazy that stunt was, wit Jonas's boys. We talked about tha Chinamen, and tha pipes, and tha missin' drugs. About five minutes inta our meal, another man walked in.

He was a bit shorter than me, but he was built. The kinda guy you'd want in a fight. He had a full beard, that was cleanly cut, and ta look at 'im, he seemed more like a log man, or an outdoors'min, not a grocery store worker. But that's what he was, and from his eyes, I knew he was Mystery.

Norm said, "Oh, Wayne... Before I forget my manners.

"This here is my husband... Mitchell."

-----------------------------