Wednesday, August 16m 1876, 4:00pm
Beginning at the house on Oregon Street
The news about Marshal Guyer had reached the men across the street from Leah Steelgrave's clapboard home almost as soon as it had happened. None of the men inside were happy about it, and they too wondered who and why and were vocal about who they suspected, but then none of them were at all happy with Elias and his brand of bullying to get what he wants, though the man had not actually started trying to coerce those yet to arrive to build Leah's hospital mainly because the builders and supplies had yet to arrive.
But there was the continual animosity with those on the other side of the hill, the Lost Lake Ranch. The men in the house understood that the only reason that there was not an ongoing range war was simple, the inability to outright attack Lost Lake because of the terrain, not because of the number of men or guns. Oh, everyone knew that sooner or later there would be blood spilled on both sides, and Kalispell was in no real position to deal with open warfare. Now, with the Town Marshal lying near death, his one deputy out of the area, and no telling where the two Territorial Marshals were, things did not look good.
The conversation strayed toward what would they do in this instance. How were they to respond to the situation? They were known gunmen, not really well-liked in the community, though people understood their purpose in protecting Leah Steelgrave, perception of the young woman may well have shifted what with her efforts with the hospital, but, she was, after all, a Steelgrave, and could she really be trusted? It would seem so, yet only time would tell.
Tired of the conversation, and a feeling of uselessness as to the situation with Marshal Guyer, Carson got to his feet. "I'm goin' up to the Lick Skillet and get we some supper." He announced.
"Not alone," Bannister stated, reminding him, no one went anywhere alone.
"I'll go with him." Gilchrest offered. "Be two of us, oughtta be plenty. Things is quiet anyway."
"Alright, fair enough, just watch yerselves." Bannister added in a warning.
So, out the door they went, deciding to walk, as it really was not that far. It was good to get out of that house, it was close, hot, and uncomfortable. The two drifted into easy conversation about a whole lot of nothing as they made their way to the cafe stepping inside the found the place busy, but there was an open table which they seated themselves at.
"So, I been meanin' ta ask, as it never really come up, that feller you you curled up, he draw first?" Gilchrest asked, and to anyone listening it could have been about anyone, even though it was about the Lost Lake rider.
"He did, that's how he got lead in me." Carson replied. "Old news." He added in an effort to change the subject.
@Longshot
One table over from the two Evergreen hands, his back to the two men as he ate, Quentin Cantrell slowed his chewing and sat up a bit straighter. He had seen the two men walk in and had immediately judged them for cowhands, but since he did not recognize them and this was not the time of day for any of the ranches outside town to be able to spare men, the hairs on his neck had stood up a bit. They seemed relaxed and casual enough as they took the table behind him. Quentin continued eating but focused on them, trying to hear what they might be discussing or where they were from.
When the one asked the other about the man he killed and how that had come to happen, Quentin had set his knife and fork down and pulled the napkin from his shirt neckline. He continued to listen but noticed the conversation had begun to drift away from the shooting. Killing a man was not exactly rare even in this territory, but Cantrell had long ago stopped believing in coincidences, and the loss of their hand had weighed on everyone at Lost Lake, even if they had not had any idea who had done it or how it had happened.
Cantrell finished his coffee and then stood, making it look like nothing more than adjusting his coat as he took a glance around the diner and let his eyes fall across the two men. Both wore guns, but their hands were all busy with their food now that is had arrived. Quentin slid a hand under his coat to his Hideaway Colt and pushed the leather loop off the hammer, then he took a few steps around and then sat down on the side of the table opposite the two men, putting them the same distance apart as he settled into place. He gave a nod to them as they both paused in word and deed to look at him.
"Gentlemen, Good afternoon...Please keep your hands on the table...all four, please...if any of them start to move, I am sorry in advance for any difficulties that may cause..." Cantrell's right hand was ostentatiously out of sight under the table and his left drifted up and tapped the "Deputy Marshal" badge on his left coat lapel. "...Now I don't know if you know me or not, but the name is Quentin Cantrell. I'm from Lost Lake, and with Marshal Guyer laid up at the moment, I am helping keep the peace while he is on the mend." Cantrell let his eyes move from one man's to the other's, so they can realize they are dealing with one of their enemies...and one wearing a badge.
"Now, I could not help but overhear you both speaking about a killing that happened recently..." Cantrell glanced at their hands to make sure none were moving, then back to their eyes. His eyes stayed on the man who had talked about the man drawing first. "Now, you...first of all, his name was Jimmy Franklin. I think it's only fair you know the name of the man you shot. I figure you may or may not see his face a lot, so you need a name to go with it." Cantrell gave him a few moments to register what he had said, then he leaned in a bit.
"Now that you know that I know you shot one of my hands, I'm going to talk from behind this badge. You better tell me exactly what happened...and after you tell me...if...IF...I believe you, we're going to the Marshal's Office and you'll write out a statement so we can close out this killing the legal way. If your story then doesn't match your story now...you'll hang." Cantrell sat back just to keep both men in his view fully. "Now, talk..."
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It was really busy, every table was taken by hungry customers. Fortunately Lucinda was helping or Clara would have been swamped, even as experienced as she was in running this diner. God, how she wished Emeline would get back! The two women had their hands full alright.
Despite rushing in and out from the kitchen to the customer tables, Clara couldn't help but note that Quentin Cantrell had got up from his table and was now talking to two men. She'd seen them before, Evergreen sorts. In other words, trouble. The last thing she needed was an exchange of words escalating into gunplay. There were women and children in here!
Oh and also Mr. Cantrell had not yet paid his bill, he couldn't have because she hadn't given him the receipt. Hopefully he was still planning on paying because Lost Lake big shot or not, Clara was not going to get gyped out of her rightful payment. Emeline would expect no less.
Not wanting to interrupt the men's 'chat' though plus she was more than a little busy, for now she kept stealing glances their way. They better not go for that door!
Carson looked at Gilcrest as if to say, 'you had to ask.' "That's easy enough Deputy, simple case of self-defense. Now first off I know I was on the border of, or maybe on Lost Lake ground when this happened, I don't rightly know, nor do I care, but I'll tell you what happened." He looked at the man, "Mind if I move my hand to that cup'a coffee?"
"So this is the way of it, I rode for Steelgrave, I'll not deny that. Was his order that sent me out that way, past the sod busters place, and up the side of the mountain. I'd never seen the place so I was curious about it. I mean I heard about the place, but a bird's eye view, well, I was game. So I just reached the summit when this stranger, well, yer man, he asks what I'm doin', so I tell him I ridin' an' lookin' around." Carson took a drink of the coffee and set the cup down, easy like. Again he looked at the man, there was no doubt any dumb move by either and both of them would would be hoppin' the hot coals of hell.
"He seen the brand on my horse, Evergreen brand, and went for his iron. Well, I'd no choice, be his target or go for mine, which I done and we exchanged shots, he got me, I got him. I just got him worse than he got me. Glad to show you the scar if ya like."
"I don't ride for Steelgrave no more, I pitched in to watch over Miss Steelgrave. Got shut of that place, an those people. So, that's the truth of it. Nothin' fancy, just did what I had to do's all." He smiled, "Mind if I finish my supper, an' I'll give you that statement." Carson looked at Cantrell, the man was all business, that was for sure, and what happened next was his call. He laid both hands flat on the table.
Quentin sat back a bit and regarded the two men. His eyes moved from the one who had done all the talking and his companion. Cantrell's fingers drummed on the tabletop as he chewed over what had been said. As much as he hated to admit it...Jimmy had always been a bit of a hothead with the impulse control of a housefly, so he could see the young hand reacting like that if he had come upon an Evergreen rider that close to or even inside the Lost Lake border. Both Quentin and Shade had always been protective of Lost Lake's land, but unless someone was actively causing trouble, as in rustling cattle, destroying fence, or starting a fire, both men had told the hands not to just randomly shoot people unless they picked the fight. Quentin looked at both men closely and had to admit....both were very cool customers considering what they were being confronted with. Quentin could not detect so much as a drop of sweat out of place or a tremor in the hands that stayed in plain view as they responded to his accusation. Finally he shifted and sat up a little straighter.
"Alright...for now I'll take you at your word. What you're saying doesn't seem out of place for Jimmy, but I still expect you to go to the Marshal's office and put this right. Innocent or not, you can't go shooting people and then just riding off." Quentin pondered for another moment. "As for you both siding with Leah Steelgrave, well...good for you. She seems a decent enough sort" Centrell then leaned and extended a hand, first to the man who shot Jimmy, then to his companion. "Good luck to you both...and enjoy your dinner. I'll pay for them on my way out. Least I can do for disturbing your meal."
Quentin then turned and walked over to the counter and got Clara's attention as he reached into a pocket. "How much were those two cowhands' meals...?" He asked. "I want to buy their dinner as well as pay for mine. The food was delicious as always, Clara."
Open tags
Their conversation seemed to be over and there was an exchange of handshakes sealing some deal, Clara reasoned. And now Mr. Cantrell was approaching her. Good! To no doubt pay his bill. Well, Lost Lake folk had always been honest reasonable sorts. She couldn't say the same for some Evergreen men. But what could one expect when a snake like Mr. Steelgrave hired them.
"How much were those two cowhands' meals...?" He asked. "I want to buy their dinner as well as pay for mine. The food was delicious as always, Clara."
"Oh? Just a moment please," Clara located the correct receipt, grabbed a pencil and did some quick addition then announced the price for the two followed by what he himself owed.
"And thank you for the compliment, it is appreciated. And could you say hello to William and Antoinette for me, please?" Clara then gave him back his correct change.
"Thanks, appreciate that, an' I'll be over to do just that once I'm done here," Carson said, shaking the man's hand. "If he'd not drawn, well, things coulda been different. An' Miss Leah, well, yeah she is a decent sort an' what she's after is what's good for the community. I'll be seein' you over there."
He watched the man move away then turned to Gilcrest. "Worked out, truth always does. Glad to have that cleared up."
"Al'ays, thet's fer shore. I might head over and see if that doctor needs a hand." Gilgrest said.
"You be careful, I oughtta go with you. Can't be sure there's no Evergreen men about."
"I'll be a'right I ain't seen none all day which is normal right? So doen'cha be worryin'. I'll slip on over't his house an' see if I can be of help. You get on back. I'll be along." The oldtimer said.
"And thank you for the compliment, it is appreciated. And could you say hello to William and Antoinette for me, please?" Clara then gave him back his correct change.
Quentin smiled and accepted his change. "I'll do better than that. Next time I bring the children to town, we will make a point of having a meal here so you can see them again. I am sure they would love to see you again and have something different than ranch food. It's delicious, but can be repetitive."
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