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."

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