Chapter 6, Part Three

No Honor; Ch. 6 Pt. 3; Locked Horns

Marco had been jabberin' on, in Spanish, to his friends. There was four of 'em back there, not countin' his lady loves. Moon and Marco took a good moment, to eye each other up, and then Carter looked around and addressed the crowd.

"I beg yer pardon. It's unlike me to ruin a good time, so I promise this interruption'll be brief. For those 'o you unaware, my name is Carter Moon. And I'm in town for one reason. One...reason only... A man name Roy Larson.

"Mister Larson is a slenda, sandy-haired, ill-tempered and unclean bastard of a man. I followed him here, I wounded 'im, and here is where he recovers. Over the past few days, Mister Larson's been moved from one place, to the otha. His horse was sold and led away, in an effort to throw me off... Some o' ya, have given me some good information about Roy. And some o' ya have been.... less than honest.

"Well, I know where I am. I know what this, 'Station', is... You don't rat on people. You don't help the law. And you mind yer own, I get that. But what you don't get though, is that Larson is scum, that shouldn't be counted as one o' ya. Ya see Roy, is a cold-blooded monsta, that don't deserve ta live. He's the type o' man, that'll get his friends, to burn the tepees o' travelin' Indians... while they're sleepin' o'course. He's the type o' man, that'll have all the males killed, so he kin sell off the women. And when those women fight for themselves, when they fight for their lives and the lives o' their children... he's the type o' man, the type o' ungodly beast... that'll throw those children, inta tha fire."

Marco said,  "Oh come on, wit t'is. Et's a bullshit story... Roy's no child killer man. He's a bank robber, an' dat is all."

"He's a lot o' thangs..."

"Oh, I'm sure you belie' dat, I have no question. I can see dey got you all hot, and angry, and ready to shoot up de world. Heh... Et's a con, man... There's some price on his head, you don't know about. You give 'em de man, dey give you some furs, and some bone necklaces and pocket de gold."

Laughter broke out, among Marco's camp.

"But I tell you some'ting. You're late. De man you want, he left here dis morning, I don' know where. You make a good guess, go in de right direccion... he's a day ahead, no more."

Carter shook his head. "If you tol' me he was dead, I mighta believed ya. Roy had a bullet in his leg, when he came here, and he was bleedin' bad. Right now, he's deathly sick. Any trip'd be too much, for his heart ta take."

"'E must have decided to risk it, then."

"No he didn't. No, he's here... And he's a child-killer...and a bank robber, and a coward, an' everything else you could call 'im, so I'll make you a deal."

Carter looked around, at the people surroundin' him. He tapped Shadow lightly, with the toes of his boots, and then he said, " I'll make the same deal, wit' all o' ya."

That horse started walkin' backwards. She didn't move her head none, she just walked backwards. I'd never seen that animal do that.

"Fifty dollas", he said. " Tell me where he is. Tell me where I can see 'im with my own eyes. If I can do that, you get paid".

Marco got up. "Okay, you know wha'? You don' know where you are. You don't. Dere es no soul in dis place, dat will sell out fa' you".

Carter smiled. "Fifty dollas", he said. "He's one man not worth half o' that, but it's yours, if you give 'im ta me."

As Shadow inched closer to the doors, Carter tugged on the reins a bit, to turn 'er head.

"Light a candle in yer winda, sometime between nine and midnight, I'll be by to see ya".      

With that, he spurred the mare, and they went on out.                                                                                                

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Chapter 6, Part Two

No Honor; Ch. 6 Pt. 2: Pleasant Greetings;

After I had first heard about the incident, I excused myself from bartendin', and I left Wally in charge, so I could go to the house. Marco's boys took the bodies from the front o' the place, and it looked like they watered down the blood okay, but the inside hadn't been touched, at all. Thank you Carter, for leavin' me that mess. I walked up to First Street, and approached the gates o' Marco's huge home.

It took fifteen minutes almost, to get someone wit' passable English. Finally though, I got 'em to agree to come back for the other corpses, and I went back myself, to start cleanup. It was about nine-thirty or so, when I returned to the bar. Marco was there, again, and I refused to meet his eyes. He was the last one I wanted to talk to, and I hoped whoever it was, that got slaughtered, were friends o' his.

Wally's stomach started to bother 'im, as it does sometimes, so I sent him home. Given the circumstances, I agreed to help Dave 'til one o'clock, at least. I didn't mind it as much that night; the traffic was steady, but not overwhelmin', and it had been, relatively peaceful. Then, at eleven o'clock, Carter rode inta the bar.

He and Shadow just pranced on in, real slow, like they owned the place. I couldn't help but notice as well, that the man had a rifle on his shoulder. Not the best look, when yer goin' into a place o' business. I glanced over, and saw that Dave was gettin' real nervous.

He wasn't alone. A hush gradually fell over the place, and every set o' eyes centered on Carter, awaitin' his next move. Well, the first thing he did was tug on the reins. To his left sat a Mexican, Marco's hombre, that looked like he was about to draw on 'im.

Carter came to a full stop. He looked at the man, and he waited. He didn't make a move, or say a word, and that rifle didn't budge an inch. He just, waited.

El Hombre looked around himself, and then back at Moon. He hesitated a bit, but eventually, he eased back in 'is seat. The albino lingered there, a minute or two more; again, he just waited. Hombre saw somethin' interestin', in the other direction, and Carter gently egged the horse on.

Shadow's gait stopped, a foot and a half away from Marco's table.

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Chapter 6, Part One

No Honor Ch. 6 Pt. 1: Lightning;

The way I heard it, there was four of 'em, all together. They drank, and waited for the rest o' the patrons to leave, which turned out to be around half past one. Once they were sure that there was no stragglers, roamin' about nearby, they tightened their gun belts and went straight to my place.

The rain had stopped, sometime before eleven. Shadow was tied up to the rail, near the southeast corner o' the house, so they knew that Carter was inside. Now, being in no ways idiots, these men removed their spurs, and then they picked the lock and entered the front door.

Carter had been advertisin' his position upstairs for some time, so I'm sure they didn't bother with the bottom floor. Once they found the staircase, they went on up, with guns drawn and cocked in front of 'em. Now, this is a matter of debate, about how silently they approached. No one knows, but I'll say this, as far as creaking boards, there were none to.my knowledge.

I built that house years after the bar, and it was well built. It settles, like every house settles, but there's nothin' they woulda stepped on, that woulda given themselves away. In any case, they made it to the guest room without a hitch. Two of 'em led the way inside, and the other two were near behind.

When they stepped in, they found nobody home, and I imagine they were confused fer a bit. I also like to think, that one o' them caught sight of the bed, and how awkwardly it was placed, against the wall. See, his eyes woulda went from there, to the farthest bed post, and then to the rope tied to it. By the time he followed the rope's length, through  the winda, Carter woulda swung up, wit' his gun raised.

Moon's pistol fired four times. One bullet struck a man in the shoulder. He might have survived that one, but his partner behind him was so scared, that he squeezed his trigger too early, and shot him in the back o' the skull. The second man up front was shot in the neck. He was probably dead, before he fell and tripped up the man behind 'im, who was turnin' to flee.

That one got hisself up though, and he bolted. Moon tried to catch him, with the last two in his revolver, but he was shootin' inta pitch black, and the man was quick; he went out into the hall, and down the steps, smearin' his buddy's blood against the walls.

The one that shot his friend, recovered from his mistake. Moon saw him raise his gun, and before the barrel fired, he was on his way down the rope. This was on account o' Percy Lambert, the barber that lives across from the house's west side.

Mr. Lambert also saw Moon sprint around, to the east side of the place, and he noted the "peculiar way" in which Carter moved. The albino was still limpin' a bit, no doubt due to that hip. His right leg, however, had the stride of two, well enough, and Percy said he was fast.

Out came the runner, wit' his blood-spattered boots. He saw the rope was unmanned, and he guessed, correctly, that Carter went east to the horse. He followed, quick as a rabbit, and when he got there that horse was not happy. Percy heard the animal neighing, and he saw 'er  hooves, darting out from the corner.

The runner reeled back in defense, and Carter was on 'im. There was no shot fired and the man didn't scream, so I reckon, that whatever blade the spook had, went right into the man's lungs. Anyways, just as his legs start to go out from under 'im, Mr. Friendly Fire runs out.

He sees the pair, turns and fires, and Carter puts his buddy between them. Imagine the look on his face!

Cussin, red, an' hot with anger, the last man of the party started reloadin' his pistol. Moon inched forward, still holding that dead man in front of 'im, and as he advanced, the killer retreated, right into the spurs they had left there...

He fell over, howlin' in pain.

The gun got loose, during his stumble, but it wasn't far out of reach. Carter was right there, in front of 'im though, with a fresh sixer on 'is belt. There was some brief words exchanged, but possibly because o' the drink, whatever was said didn't stop the man, from going for his gun.

He got it, Moon drew quick, and the man turned right into a bullet.

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Chapter 5, Part Three

No Honor - Ch. 5 Pt. 3: Echo;

There's a doorway behind the bar, that leads to a break room. I've thanked myself, many times over the years, for puttin' it there. You can slip into the back so fast, the patrons don't even see you go, and there's a door in the break room, that leads to freedom. I sat in there, and supped, and thought about things, and I kept lookin' at that door to the outside.

Don said I might have to leave. That it might be too dangerous to stay around. I'd actually be forced to go somewhere with a Sheriff, and a court, and some law, and some normal people. I tried to imagine getting on a horse, and riding off to someplace else, but I just couldn't believe it.

I came to The Station straight from jail. I had nothing in my pockets back then. It took a good amount of risk,  and a whole lot of luck, to get the bar built, and to make enough money to live on. What was I gonna do, start over again? I could try it, but I doubted it would work.

After my meal, I only had a half hour left. Dave told me when ten o'clock struck, and I put my coat and my hat on, to leave. My big mistake that night, was fixin' to use the front doors, and gettin' myself seen.

Marco said, "Wayne! Wayne, hold up... Jus' a minute there, buddy."

He jogged up to me, and then he pulled me to the side.

"I wanted to let you know, right away what's going on, because, I guess there's been some kind of mix-up, or mis...communicacion or somet'ing, and I know it isn't your fault, like, I know you're straight-up with me, but... I can't have dis no more."

I said, "What're you talkin' about?"

"You're still short", he said, "from last month. I got de money for dis month fine, but we gotta get you caught up here."

"What? No... I gave Wendy that money. I'm not short on anythang."

"Did you get a receipt?"

"I never had to get no receipt! I pay that money, every month, on the day, and I never missed out on one, ever. Not ever!"

"Okay, calm down, calm down", he said. "I understan' dis is upsetting you, I get that, okay? But si, I don't have it en de books, and you don't have no receipt to show me, so... y'know, what can I do? Hmm? Go down, call Wendy a liar?"

"Marco, she wrote it down, in the books, right in front of me."

"We don' have it", he said. "Believe me. I checked and she checked twice. Look, lissen, I understan' now, dis is a surprise. You didn't know, okay, but,  wit'out no receipt... No receipt, I can't back you, cause everyone would want... de same. Right? So, I'll say dis. Twenty next month. Not twenty-four. Twenty... Twenty and I'll say fair. Okay?"

I didn't answer. He went on and on about how sorry he was, and how he'd help me with some receipt, and how important the money was, for Indians, and for this and that. I had to leave soon, or I'd hit him.

Standin' there, with my back to 'em,  I felt the eyes of Wally, and Dave and Don, and Millie, and the whole bar besides. How many of them were in earshot? How many were seein' the boss and owner of the bar, the goddamn Station elder, bein' robbed and humiliated? I was so furious, I didn't realize Marco was still talking: he patted me on the shoulder, said somethin' about Twenty again, and then he turned away.

I walked straight out, into the rain. It was pourin', but I was in no hurry. I spent most of my time walkin', tryin' ta talk myself outta goin' back behind the bar, and gettin' my shotgun. I knew if I did that, I wouldn't leave the place alive.

It took a good few minutes, to think about maybe goin' down to the Receiving Office, the next day, and demanding to see the books. I knew that was pointless, right away though. Wendy was smart enough to misplace those books, and any one I could get would probably have the key page ripped out.

With everything, I was madder'n hell at myself. I never saw that coming and I should've. I really should've.

While I was walking, I did notice two or three fellas riding horseback, through that mess of a storm. I say 'noticed', but I really couldn't place 'em, and I couldn't say how many for sure. I did find out quite a bit about that group, later on though.

I know they met up, with a friend at the bar. I know they stayed late, and drank heavy. And I know that, on that same night, they were fixin' to murder someone.

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Chapter 5, Part Two

No Honor - Ch. 5 Pt. 2: Thunder;

The rain kicked up, quite a bit. Geoff's music kept the place cheery though, despite the horrible weather. I had a few hours to go, before I'd leave Dave and Wally in charge, and I hoped it'd ease off, by then.

One of Marco's girls, the super-thin one with the curly hair, asked me for two tequilas. After paying me, she took the drinks over to him. Marco was so focused on his game of stud, he didn't even see her. The guy playing across from him, was a Mister James Sheldon.

Jim runs the one-and-only Station hotel, called "Henrietta's", on Second Street . Like me, he's one of the few folks, that was at The Station, for Marco's arrival several years ago. He built up his business from nothin', and he makes good money, maybe the best besides Marco himself. That belly o' his, is definitely, the mark of a rich man.

My eyes wandered over, to a table across from the bar, and back a ways. There sat a man, with the largest beard I'd ever seen. He looked like he hadn't shaved in five years. While I was watching him, he started fiddling with this small brown envelope, and soon enough, he was shaking this powder stuff from it, into his drink.

I grabbed Walt by the elbow, and I told him, "You got to get these morphine-freaks in line."

He followed my eyes, and then he made a face at the guy.

"Jake!", he said. "Jake...What I tell you about that shit? You take that crap upstairs, or you take it outside."

Jake said "It's pourin' out there, Walter."

"I don't give a damn. You pull that one more time and yer outta here, fer good."

Jake deflated. He got up, and then he walked towards the bar with his drink, mumblin' under his breath.

Wally said, "What's that Jake?"

"Nuthin."

Jake threw some coins onto the bar, and then he turned, and walked toward the staircase. It was right about then, when I heard a loud boom towards the back.

The piano tune died off, and just about everyone turned. Marco had Jim Sheldon's arms pinned, to a huge money pot, on the table between them.

"Hey!", Jim said. "What is th-"

Marco got up and pulled Jim's left arm straight out, and then he rolled up the sleeve. Jim started to holler and move a bit, but Marco grabbed him, and then he did the same with Jim's right arm. There was nothing to see there, but Marco paused for a moment, before he let him go.

Jim said "What you do that for? You think I would cheat you?"

He rolled his sleeves back down, and then he took off his coat.

"Here, look." He turned out his coat pockets, and then he shook it.

"I don't have no reason to cheat you, sir. In fact, I've never cheated you, or anyone else at cards. What I win, I win honestly, as a gentleman."

Marco didn't respond, and he didn't even move. All he did was stand there, and look at Jim Sheldon, and breathe.

Mr. Sheldon's posture changed a bit, and he started separatin' some o' that money from the pot. There was a lot in there too, maybe around seventy-five dollars, or more.

Jim said "Look, I'll give you a chance to win that back. You just made a mistake, that's all... Ten percent. We'll give you ten back, and we'll-"

"No", Marco said, and he stopped Jim's hands. "No, this is yours."

He started arranging the money, into neat little piles,

"Et's your money. Every cent of it. Fair es fair, and no one can say...I am not fair."

He pushed the stacks towards Jim, who said, "We can play another, if you like."

"No, no. I'm-"

Marco stopped short, and the bar got eerily quiet. He looked up, and then he swept his eyes 'round the bar, to see his audience. When the patrons met those eyes, they shifted in their seats, or looked elsewhere, or turned away completely. Tben his eyes fell on Geoffrey, at the piana.

Geoff just sat there, with his eyebrows raised and his hands in his lap. Eventually, he was able to manage a half-smile.

Marco said, "Es the party over, or what?"

Geoff turned and started back on the piana. After a moment or two, people were talking again, but it was softer, and quieter than before.

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Chapter 5, Part One

No Honor - Ch. 5 Prt. 1: Talk of the Town;

Marco and Co. got their usual tables, at the rear o' the place. One group of folks volunteered to move, as soon as they saw them approach. The other group had to be convinced, but they weren't bullied. Marco was all smiles, and his hands found their way, onto a lot o' shoulders.

As soon as the group got settled, Millie reappeared, with a drink in her hand. She took a seat at the bar, in front of me.

"So what's this I hear, about Dave putting you up?".

"Well, yes", I said. "He's been kind enough to host me, for a little while."

"Kind enough? What's he gonna say? You are his boss, aren't you?"

Suddenly, I felt Dave and Wally's eyes on me.

"Well, I didn't think I'd be botherin' him. Dave, am I botherin' you?"

He started to protest, but Millie put up a hand to stop him.

"No no, no no no, don't bring him inta this", she said. "Talk to me."

"Well, I'm tellin' ya, I didn't think I'd be botherin' 'im", I said. "If it was a big hassle, I'm sure he would have said somethin'."

Dave smiled, and Millie and Walter started laughing.

"What?"

They just laughed harder. Meanwhile, I seen Donny Wilson come in, from the storm outside. After shaking the rain off his hat, he came over and took a seat.

Mildred said, "Why didn't you go to the hotel, Wayne?"

"Their rooms is small!"

Another fit o' laughter.

Millie said, "I swear.... You're the most insufferable man alive", and then she was laughin' again.

Fine.

I turned to Dave. "I'll be out by next week."

"No rush", he said. "Take yer time, sir."
Nodding towards Donny, I said "And what can I get for you?"

"Whisky sour", he said. "What about you, Wayne? Anything I can get for you?"

It took me a minute, to realise he was talkin 'bout my inventory. "Oh... Gin, I guess. You'd have to talk to Dave, to see how much and what else."

Millie said, "Y'know Wayne, I don't blame you for leaving home with that character over there... He is frightening as hell".

Donny said "He asked you to leave?"

"Pay-ing me", I said. "He's payin' me, to go elsewhere for a while."

"I wouldn't have him", said Mildred. "I wouldn't wanna know what he'd do in my place all alone."

"I wouldn't neither", Don said.

"Oh come off it, both a ya's", I said. "You'd pack up and leave the Station behind, if the money was right."

"You might have to anyways, Wayne", Don said. "That man will bring the heat o' hell to your doorstep, and it'll be trouble for ya, weeks after he's gone."

"What, is he famous?", I said. "If he has that many enemies, how's it that I've never heard of 'im?"

"He's not famous", said Don, "he's notorious. Not around these parts, no, but in and around Louisiana, he made enough of a stink, to sour most folks from hirin' him."

"Is that where he's from?"

"More than likely. The elderly folk 'round there tell stories, about a young boy they remember. A boy that's as pale as he is now. I haven't gotten his family name yet, though. Whoever he is, he's been using that alias a while."

That stopped me. "So his name's not Moon."

Millie said "No, you idiot", then they all started laughing.

"Oh come on now", I said. "You been on my case all night".

Don said, "I don't know no fella named 'Moon'. 'Specially none that's white as a sheet."

Ha ha ha...

I could've sworn I left my jester cap at home.
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Chapter 4, Part Two

No Honor Ch. 4 Pt. 2: The Boss;

It was business, as usual. Geoffrey was on the piana, Millie was on the dance floor, and we kept the liquor flowin'. Our patrons were sittin' down mostly, drinkin' and playin' cards. Stud poker is the game a choice 'round here, unfortunately.

At one time, I thought I was somethin' at that game. Often I pictured myself, gamblin' my way to fame and fortune. Well, I'd done the exact opposite, several times, before I finally found the strength to pull away.

Now I don't even play Solitaire.

"Millie!"

A young woman's voice. It was one o' Mildred's girls, and she was in trouble, surprise, surprise.

"Millie!"

She came rushin' down the steps, with some young man chasin', and cussin' at her. Since she was tryin' to hold her dress up, and run at the same time, he would have caught her, if not for Millie bein' on her job. When the pair came down all the way, she caught him, and with sweet questions over his loud cussin', she politely, and gently, put his back to the wall.

"Goddamn it", he said. "That ho owes me somethin'."

"Well, sir", said Mildred, "if it's money your owed, I can settle that debt for you."

"It ain't about money!"

He took a moment to breathe, and then he said "Look ma'am, I don't want no trouble with you. It's just that.... well, that... woman, had an agreement with me, and she reneged on the deal before we even started!"

"Ah", said Mildred. "Well I'm sorry sir, but she has the right to change her mind. Long as you got your money back-"

"I said it ain't about no damn money!"

Another man said, "E'scuse me."

It was Marco, standin' near the entrance. Behind him were his two young lady friends, and five of 'is Mexican associates. Now, I should point out, as Marco would hisself, that the man is not Mexican, he's Spanish  As fate would have it, however, his alliances have changed, and for the benefit of us all, I'm sure.

So Marco and his friends closed in on the young man, who shrank away. Try as he might, he just couldn't burrow through the wall behind him.

Marco said "''What's the problem  man? Es there a problem, that perhaps, we can... assist you with?"

"No sir. No sir, it's not a problem at all."

"Well something's going on man, c'mon. You're screaming and you're yelling, and you got young girls runnin' out, into de rain." Marco laughed. "Et's okay. We can settle whatever issue it es, that you're having. But you gotta talk to us, man. Talk to us, or we can't help you."

Marco crossed his arms, and waited.

The young man looked at Mildred, who turned away, and then he said "Sir, I don't mean to cause no trouble, it's just... It's just that I'm unique, when it comes to my business. I only fancy things if they're done in a... certain way."

Marco nodded, and the young man went on.

"This was all explained to her, plain as day. Plain as day an' she agreed... She made an agreement with me."

"Right, right, I understand. Mm-hmm".

"The thing is, she run off at the start. 'I can't do this', she says, 'I'm sorry', she says. Well, I'm sorry, but where I'm from, you says a word you honors your word".

"Ah", said Marco. "I si, I si.... Okay. Now, did she take your money from you?"

The young man looked away. "Well, she did at first. At first, she did, yessir, but... she ain't run off wit' it. She left it on the table up thar".

Marco shrugged and laughed. "Well, that's end of de agreement. That's it. Y'know?

"I mean, I hear you. I understand that, where you're from, you do things diff'rently, but... when in Rome, what they say? You do as Romans do, dis is De Station, and here, you have to play our rules. Et's as simple as that."

The man looked down, then nodded.

Marco said "Now, this is what I want you to do. Go up, and get your money. Then, come down and see Mister Wayne at the bar. There he is, see him? That's Wayne. He's gonna fix you whatever you want, on me okay?

"Then come see, Ms. Hattley here", he motioned towards Mildred. "You tell her all about your... unique... wants and needs. Now, Millie's good here. If she has a girl that will help you, she will help you. If not?" Marco shrugged. "You try your luck in another place. Okay? Go on."

Without looking up, the young man turned, and went up the steps. After he watched him go, Marco turned to Mildred.

"Another satisfied customer, right? Heh-he-heh... How's et going, Millie?"

Mildred said "Marco", and then she turned and walked away from him. Everyone in that camp started to chuckle, except for the two girls, who just dug icey stares into her back.

Marco said "Well, en case you were  wondering, yes, she's still sore at me... Alright, let's get some tables here."

I thought to look for that young man, some minutes later. I never saw him again, though.
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Chapter 4, Part One

No Honor Ch. 4 Pt. 1: The Set-Up;

I asked Carter, if the doctor gave him anything for his pain. He said he was given Laudanum, and he admitted to taking some, but he didn't look like he was keen on the idea. He was supposed to stay in bed as well, for at least several days, and he wasn't too keen on that either.

I think he's got a screw loose. He never mentioned what this Roy did, that upset him and his employer so much, but it can't be worth all this.

Get outta town! Go heal your ribs and your hip and your shoulder and save your hide while you're at it.

I said none of this to him; he is a grown man, after all, but - I jus' don't understand it.

I hadn't slept at all, so I took the rest of the day off. The next day was the start of a new month, and that meant givin' the devil 'is due. I went right up to what we call "First Street" and I entered the Receiving Office, where I'd leave Marco his twelve dollars in "rent".

Of course that's bullshit. He didn't build that bar, or my house, I did, and he didn't own the land neither. The Station stands on unclaimed territory; it's not in a state and it's not on Indian land. So the money wasn't for rent, it was for his so-called protection.

It's supposed to be protection from the Indians, but it's more like it's from Marco's goons. Back home, they'd call that robbery. Here, it's just the price of doin' business. It's funny how we all get in line, to the teller's booth, like the whole thing's legit.

I headed to the bar around 4 o'clock, to start my normal shift. The boys were both in by 7:30, and that's about when the crowd gets in. It was a smaller bunch than normal though, due to the thunderstorm we was havin'.

Millie still showed up, like every night, but this time she was in this big red dress, all lady-like. She told me Carter had already paid her what I owed, when she stopped by with the doctor. She also said he'd asked her plenty of questions, about The Station, about the people that live and visit here, and the man that's running the show.

Chapter 3, Part Two

No Honor Chapter 3 Pt. 2 - The Arrangement;

We talked for a little while, after that. He heard that I had paid Millie to help him, and he insisted on settlin' that debt. He also gave me ten extra, and he asked me to fetch him a horse, any horse, as soon as I could possibly manage it.

Yes, he understood that he should wait for the doctor, and yes, he figured that ridin' wounded was ill-advised. Still, he stressed the importance of his mobility, and he told me that the lack of it was his death, regardless.

We talked a little bit about compensation, for his use of the house, what food stores I had, and the closest water supply. With that, he bade me to get that horse.

And so I left. I noted right away, that his dead horse was gone. I had to wonder if she was ditched, or carved up to dress a dinner table. With the way he had taken that mare's death, however, I was sure to never mention that to him.

The first thing I did was call on Dave. I gave him some story, about old buddies of mine being in, from out o' town, and I mentioned that they needed the house for "something they were setting up". He just shrugged. People in The Station are good about not asking questions (except for me of course). He got me all set up in his guest room.

Luckily enough, Dave knew a guy, that knew a guy, that sold horses. We went ahead and wired him, to set up a meeting.

Returning promptly, at four in the afternoon, I arrived on Carter's new horse. I went in to show him what a great job I did, but I entered my bedroom and I found he wasn't there. Then I realized my bed wasn't there either...

I searched the place, and I found both of 'em in the guest room on the second floor. He had thrown my hammock to the side, and he was laying on the bed, which was brought right up to the windas.

"Hope you don't mind", he said. "This room suits me better."

"How the hell did you get my bed up here?"

"Well, your doctor helped me out with that, though he preferred to be called 'Mister' instead."

"He was here?"

Carter puffed his cigarette, and then he nodded. "He left about an hour ago".

"What did he say?"

"He told me to quit smokin'". Carter smiled.

"I got three broken ribs, and a hip sprain", he said. "all on the left side. The hip'll take two weeks to recover, the ribs'll take six. My left shoulder was out o' place too, but he set that right on the spot. He got quite the holler out of me for that, I'll tell ya."

"Well that's not bad", I said, "all things considered."

"No, not at all", Carter said. "Had all that weight come down on my spine I'd be a cripple, and that's if I survived."

"Yeah", I said.

He was lookin' out the winda, and then he said "Is that that mare you got me?"

"Yes she is. How you like 'er?"

He nodded. She was handsome, she was.... Tall, well built, and covered in the darkest of gray furs, 'cept for a touch of white 'tween her eyes, and above her hooves.

"Her name's Shadow", I said.

"Shadow", said Carter. He fell quiet a moment, and then he said, "Y'know, I spent twenty years riding Midnight. Two decades on one animal."

I nodded.

He said, "She took me right into manhood", and then he shook his head.

"It's a damn shame it had to end like that, but her killer's done far worse in 'is time... An' I aim to make him pay for it all."

He puffed some more of his cigarette, and then he blew the smoke outside.

I said, "Is it wise to be showin' yerself like this?"

He waved a hand at that. "Word will get around, whether I do or not. It's already begun, and I'm glad of it. I got no interest in dragging this out."

"Well, I would've figured you'd at least wanna lay low for a while. To heal, if nothin' else."

He shook his head. "I'm afraid that, whenever it starts, it'll never be convenient. No, I'm gonna let this play out. In fact, if you're of a mind, you can spread the word for me.

"I want you to tell 'em there's this scary-lookin' fella in your place. Tell 'em he says he's Carter Moon, and that he's looking for a man named Roy Larson. You see, I know he's still here, Mister Chatman, and I'm hell-bent on findin 'im."
---------------------------------

Chapter 3, Part One

No Honor Chapter 3 - Pt. 1: A Conference;

I made him as comfortable as I could, in my own bed, lucky devil, and then I excused myself for a moment. I returned to the fallen mare, and I retrieved the bundle that he had tied to the saddle. He was grateful to see it.

Part of me wanted to let him rest; he had a hell of an early mornin', but I'd be restless myself, until I knew a couple things.

"Wayne Chatman", I said.

I stuck out my hand and he shook it, but then he winced in pain.

"Sorry about that."

"That's alright", he said, "I'm afraid a few o' my ribs is broken, and Lord knows what else. To be honest, it hurts just to breathe."

"I hear you. What did you say your name was now?"

"Oh, I'm sorry. It's Carter."

"Where you from, Mr. Carter?"

"Oh, just 'Carter' is fine. I'm from east o' here, Mister Chatman, farther east. But I guess you could say I'm a wand'rer now."

"I see."

" That man I was followin', did you see where he got to?"

"I'm afraid not. You were quite the handful, at the time."

"Reckon I was, and I thank you sir. I understand a physician is on the way."

"Well, I asked Mildred to call on him, but I'm not sure when he'll get the message."

"Hmmm", he said. "I'm afraid I've put you in a queer position, and you have my apologies. In order to repay some o' yer kindness, I feel I should make the situation plain.... I'm sorry, do you mind if I smoke?"

"No, go right ahead."

He pulled out a cigarette, I reckon he must have rolled earlier, and then he produced a match. He struck it against the bed post, lit his smoke and took a few puffs, and then he went on.

"That man I was shooting at, was the worst kinda beast you can think of; and his actions put his humanity inta question. Now, I'm being paid to balance the scales, one way or the other, and though I intend to do just that, I've no wish to get you killed in the meantime. 

"Normally, I'd take my leave, but I've been seen being delivered here for one thang, and I'm wounded on top o' that. I do need that doctor's council as well, so, it seems I got no choice.

"Tell me sir, are you livin' here alone?"

"I am".

"Good. I imagine you have friends, or family in the area."

"Well, no one really has family here", I said. "I wouldn't say that I have friends here either, to be honest."

"What about acquaintances? Coworkers? Associates?"

I nodded. "There"s two fellas runnin' the bar for me, when I'm not there. I suppose they're friendly enough."

"A'kay", he said. "Well, until I give word otherwise, I'm afraid yer gonna have ta visit 'em."

I couldn't believe it. He was kicking me out of my own house....

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

Chapter 2, Part Two

No Honor Chapter 2 Pt. 2: Great Escape;

He was unconscious when we walked up to him, and I could all but feel Millie tensing up. She looked at me, but I darted up a bit, to get the man's hat off the ground. I stuffed it in my pants, and when I looked up, I could see her lookin' down at him, with disgust on her face.

How many of those looks does he get a day, I wondered. His hair, his skin, hell, even his eyelashes were white. It was a striking thing, to say the least.

Millie said, "What the hells wrong with 'im?"

"He's an albino", I said.

"And that means what?"

"Well, it means pretty much what yer lookin' at."

"That ain't natural", she said.

There was two ways of doing it, I thought. The horse was on his chest, so we could try to pull him out by his legs, but that left just one of us, to hoist the mare up. The other thing we could do, was to both lift up the mare, and get the man to scoot hisself out. That seemed like the better option.

Millie said, "You're a damn liar Wayne. This animal is huge, and it's gonna take a lot more than us, to get it offa him".

"Well, he'll just have to help us out", I said. I shook him a bit. "Hey, wake up son. C'mon now, wake up there".

He opened his eyes. They were gray, and rimmed with red from all that hollering he'd been doing. He looked like he was just now seeing me, and his situation, and looking at his horse again, he frowned.

"You gotta help us get you out from under here", I said. "Now, me and Millie are gonna hoist the horse up a bit. I just need you to scoot your head out from under 'er."

He nodded.

"This ain't gonna work Wayne", Millie said. "I'm telling you, this horse is too big".

"All we gotta do is get 'er up on her belly. She's thinner down there, and he'll be able to push out easier".

Millie shook her head, but she knelt down by the horse's shoulders and waited for me.

"On three, push hard", I said. "One.... Two.... Three".

We pushed, and the animal moved about a half inch. The spook pushed up, with his one hand, and just like I asked, he tried to shimmy out of there. She was too heavy though, and me and Millie gave out.

The corpse came down on his face.

I said, "Shit!"

He started flailing his arms, and tryin' to lift that mass, to get him a breath. Mildred started panicking, and I had to think fast.

"Get on the other side and push her belly", I said. "Quick now!"

We hopped over.

"PUSH!"

We gave it all we had. Luckily, once we got her on her spine, the body started to roll easier. The spook put his hands on the mare's underbelly, and with a cry of pain, he was able to get out from under her.

I've never been so exhausted in my life: and I felt a little guilty, 'cause I'm sure that could've gone better. Still, we done it, didn't we?

I scooted over next to him. "How it's goin' there? You hurt anywheres?".

He took a minute to say anything.

"My shoulder", he said. "My side".

I said, "Can you stand up?"

He thought about it, and then he shook his head.

Millie said, "He needs a doctor, Wayne."

I was still breathin' heavy.

"Well, let's see if we can get him up and in a bed first. What's side is hurtin' ya? The left one? The right one?"

It was his left.

"Alright Millie, grab hold of his right side, and help me hoist 'em up here."

He hollered a bit, but we got 'im up. He put his right arm, around my shoulders, and sure enough, he was favorin' his left side. He wouldn't put his left foot down.

Millie said,"Where you gonna take him?"

"Well, my place is next to the bar there. He kin have my bed for now."

"You know any doctors?"

I shook my head. "No, you?"

She thought a minute. "Well there's this one guy, that used to see some of my girls for things. I don't think he was no official doctor, but I think he knows his stuff."

"He'll have to do", I said. "Why don't you bring him by later on, and come get the rest o' that money."

"Alright."

"Thank you Millie."

"Alright."

With the young man leaning on me, we turned towards my place, and then we started making our way, slowly toward it. We hadn't got but three or four steps, before I caught somebody watching us.

It was Donny Wilson, looking from between some houses, on the east side. He had his arms folded up, and he was lookin' the spook up and down, very interested.

I cursed at myself, for my ill luck. For all the people in The Station, why'd it have to be loud-mouth Don? The man was a rum-runner, but he made most of his livin', sellin' information. If that woman hadn't told the whole town by noon, damn Donny would be sure to.

If the albino had any history at all, as I was sure he must have had, there'd be no hiding from it. Lookin' the way he looks, he'd be real easy to track down.

And here I was, bringing that mess inta my home.

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

Chapter 2, Part One

No Honor Ch. 2 Pt. 1: Big Mildred;

After a few minutes pounding on the door, and calling her name, I about lost all hope. I was wondrin' if it was wise to call on Millie anyways. I didn't know how much time was on the clock, an' there was no way to know, but what if I tried Wally or Dave, and they didn't answer?

"Millie open up, it's an emergency!"

Nothing.

I cursed again, and then I turned to leave, but that's when the door opened. Mildred is a good inch-or-so taller than me, and about four times as wide. She was a hot mess of long, frazzled black hair, and she stood there in a bath robe she must o' just threw on. I had obviously woken her, but she was more angry than tired, and she half-whispered and half-screamed curses at me.

"You got some nerve, poundin' on my fuckin' door this time a day! What the hell do you think your-"

"Millie come on, now. You gotta come out and help me, right away."

"Help you? What the hell is goin' on?"

"I got a man out here, trapped under a horse. I just need you to hel-"

"What the fuck", she said, then she went back to whis'pren. "What the fuck you come to me for that for? You can't get some man to help you?"

"They ain't up, and there's no time", I said. "Alls she needs is a shovin."

"Then shove her yourself! How the hell you think I can move a damn horse?"

"I'll help ya! She ain't a big mare, an' wit two of us, it won't take but a minute. I swear."

"You can swear all you goddamn please", she said. "I don't have no reason to throw my back out, tryin' to do no man's job."

"Look, I'll pay you two dollars, right now, and it won't take but a minute! Here..."

I dug the money out and stuffed it in one of her robe's pockets. She just stood there, with her hands on her hips.

"And one more if we get him out right", I said. "C'mon Millie".

She turned around. "Be out in a minute", she said, and then she closed the door. I should have known she would've wanted to change.

Standing there, waiting for her, I took a moment to glance down the street. The spook was still there, and still movin' his legs a bit, but he didn't seem to make no effort to free hisself. Whether that was 'cause a misery, or anguish I couldn't say. I had a funny thought, to look up in the sky to see if crows were circlin' round. I knew they wouldn't be there yet, though. They'd wait for the other scavengers, to beat us to the corpses.

I glanced at my pocket watch. It was five o'clock. Damn, where did the time go? I knocked on the door again.

"C'mon Mille. This ain't no time to be gettin' pretty now!"

She opened up, and stepped out. "Hold your horses, ya damn fool", she said.

She was dressed in a large pair a jeans, that were still a bit too small fer 'er. Her hair was pigtailed, and over her blouse, she had on one of those pretty Mexican ponchos; those things that look like a rug in yer sitting room.

I said, "is that a gift from Marco?"

She looked at me. "Wayne, I better be gettin' the rest 'a that damn money."

"You'll get it", I said, and then I motioned for her to folla me. "C'mon."