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.

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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.

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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.

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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?"

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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.
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