Storyteller / Shared NPC
Greer smirked as he took his holstered gun, then the cartridges which he shoved in his pocket, "Bout time. You law....when Mr. Steelgrave finds out what you done to Case, well yer gonna regret it. Wouldn't want to be in yer shoes."
"Good day...deputy."
Then he headed for the door, he couldn't wait to get out of there. Actually he didn't much really care about Case and the lawmen's feuding, his thoughts were on that sonofabitch from Lost Lake, Cantrell. He would make him pay for pistol whipping and...well even worse humiliating him in front of the whole town. He would be smart about this though, Billy always said he was an idiot but this time he would bide his time and when he got the chance, ambush that Cantrell.
We may think we leave the past behind but it has a habit of catching up with us
"Sorry for the intrusion Ben, however, Case Steelgrave was arrested last night said he's being bound over for trial and I need to get him out." Cole stated. "Before this gets back to the Evergreen Ranch and Elias gets wind of it. When are you going to hear the case? With the bank robbers?"
He was flush with anxiety about this, there would be no telling what Elias Steelgrave might do. Of course when Robertson heard the cases for those in custody, unless it was that morning, it might too long for Elias to wait . "I believe I saw Nolan Ashworth high tailing it out of town, so one guess where he's headed."
Ben Robertson shook his head slowly, "I'm sorry, Cole. If Montana was a state I would be able to help you out but since its a territory any criminal charges, as you well know are handled on Federal level. You'll have to do your wheeling and dealing with Harland Bryant when he gets here."
He paused for a moment before going on, "However, if you have any reasons that come under civil law, then I might be able to do something. As the only judge in the area, I still have some authority in those cases."
Storyteller / Shared NPC
"My God Ben, we've got to do something. Half this town witnessed what happened, Case was drunk, I'm sure that was civil, but the main charges involve Case threatening not just his rumored opponent for the upcoming elections, Quentin Cantrell, but pulling a pistol on Marshal Guyer. I'm not sure how to get past those two charges, among others less severe."
It looked bleak from where Latham stood, Robinson was truly unable to assist in the release of Case Steelgrave, but there was the dealings of Elias's daughter, which prompted,
"The town Council? When are we meeting, and how do you see this hospital plan evolving, if I may be so bold as to ask." Anything positive on that front might quell Elias's anger about Case, at least for the short term.
We may think we leave the past behind but it has a habit of catching up with us
Ben Robertson nodded as he listened to Latham and then the question of the hospital came up. "We're planning to meet during the second week of May as we needed time to look into it a bit more. Some people are still not convinced that Leah is doing this on her own. Now that Scott Cory has been elected mayor, we can get on with it decided whether or not Kalispell wants a Steelgrave in charge of a community project such as this."
He looked at Latham intensely, "I have feeling whatever way this decision goes, a Steelgrave will get what they want and we will be powerless to stop them from getting more."
Storyteller / Shared NPC
"The second week of May, oh for God's sake, Ben. The Circuit Judge will be here by then. This place will be a circus with Case on trial and his sister before the Council. My God, and what of Elias, what if he does something stupid during all this?" Cole was seemingly on the verge of panic, yet he simply shook his head. "I know that you don't see eye to eye with either Elias or Case for that matter, and Leah? Just a spoiled hussy dressed up as if she were a proper lady, but we've got to do something."
He stood then and began to pace, stopping and looking at the retired jurist. "Think on it Ben, please. I best get out there to the Evergreen and see what I can do."
Thursday, April 27th, 1876, 6:00am
Things had been quiet around Kalispell for most part. There had been some serious rumblings of breaking the robber out and lynching them, but nothing had come of it. Both Speed and Pike had taken turns at being on guard which meant sleeping on the pallet on the floor with a shotgun close to hand.
Pike had spent a good part of the day out at his spread with Emeline, looking at the progress that had been made, but had returned in time to feed the prisoners, and then lead them, one by one, to the outhouse.
He was up and had the coffee on when Speed arrived to receive the same report he had given, nothing had happened. He sat at the desk sipping the hot liquid when Speed arrived from the Lickskillet.
"Mornin' boss." Pike greeted as Speed closed the door behind him. "Quiet night, as usual."
"Good." Was the reply as Speed poured himself a cup and Pike rose from the desk and moved to the chair along side it. "Circuit Judge should be here Tuesday, May 2nd. Trials should be shortly there after and you and me can get back to sleeping in our beds, town can see the outlaws swing, and things can drift back to normal."
"That suits me just fine. Better things to be doin' than sleepin' on the floor and nursemaidin' the\m galoots in the cell block." Pike said. "I would'a thought we'd a heard somethin' outta the Evergreen by now, not so sure I like that. Hardly makes any sense."
Speed looked up, "Been thinking the same thing. That does make it a bit too quiet. for my liking. Well we got a week to go before the judge arrives." He paused, "You best get breakfast before Emeline thinks something happened to you."
"Right you are, she's not been any too comfortable with the past few days." Pike said. "I'll be back shortly. Looks to be a right fine day out, don't it?"
"Does, best hurry along, I'll never hear the end of it if you don't get there pretty quick!"
With his horse at the livery, Pike walked to the cafe. The morning air that filled his lungs was crisp and fresh. It was good to be alive. He picked up his pace, the sound of his boots on the boardwalk just about the only sound at that hour, though he suspected many were rising and preparing for the day ahead.
There were thoughts of the the coming wedding, of the house that was coming along faster than he thought, and of Em. Life had surely turned out differently than he had ever expected it would.