A perplexed look appeared on Walter's face. Even though he had been looking at the envelope, he hadn't bothered checking out who it was addressed to. It had been in the slot where mail was dropped off for guests who hadn't checked in yet. The hotel was busy at this time of year, that the mail slots were only for use for guests who were currently staying at the hotel. The former occupants of the rooms where Mr. Tyndall and his friend were staying, had left only a few hours ago. Thankfully, Mr. Wentworth had a hired maids who did their jobs well enough to have the rooms ready in time.
Reading the name on the envelope, he saw that it was indeed address to Tyndall. Smiling sheepishly, he handed over to the man.
He hefted the envelope wondering what was inside, but there was time to look at it when he was in his room. "Who dropped this off for me? Mister Latham perhaps?"
"Sorry, Mr. Tyndall I have no idea. It was probably dropped off some time during the night. You could ask the night clerk when he comes on duty at 8 o'clock."
"Well thank you Walter." He looked to Bradley Fairchild. "Interesting. Shall we put pour bags in the room and perhaps catch a bite and a drink or two? I have no idea what this could be but we'll know soon enough."
"Yes, let's, I could use a drink after that ride out here, maybe a couple, and something to eat, that sounds about right to me." The two men headed to their respective rooms to drop off their bags, then each headed toward the dining room, Tyndall clutching the mysterious envelope.
Each placed his order for an early dinner, and ordered drinks at the same time, those would be served right off so, without further ado, Carson Tydall opened the envelope and removed it's contents. A number of papers, on top a note of explanation.
'Mister Tyndall,
Enclosed you will find a copy of a contract between the town of Kalispell and Leah Steelgrave. We believe that due to that absence of the signatures of myself, and Judge Benjamin Robertson there was no legal quorum, and therefor this contract is not valid.
C. Latham'
There was the contract, a list of the council members and a copy of the minutes of the meeting where the contract was approved and a bank draft for five hundred dollars.
"Latham, he can be such a pain in the rump!" Tyndall stated.
Storyteller / Shared NPC
NPCs: Carson Tyndall, Bradley Fairchild
~*~ ~*~ ~*~
"And you are supposed to intervene in this? Looks to me like whatever it was that is going on here is on the up and up. I mean how do you run a Town Council so short handed? What in the world were they thinking? And why stop the construction of a hospital?" Bradley Fairchild asked, confused by the request.
"I can tell you this, Bradley, with Elias Steelgrave you never know what is going to happen with anything." Carson bemoaned. "I can tell you the problem is simple, his daughter is heading up the project, as you may well know from your investigations, and he has no control over it or her. So Latham is hopeful I can overturn the matter."
Just then their orders arrived. "This looks good, far better than the fare at those stage stops." Fairchild stated as he appraised the meal set before him. "So, it is really a family matter, this hospital business, and what can you do, really? I mean, the contract is already signed, sealed and delivered to Miss Steelgrave and I'm sure by now that whoever is doing the building has men and material on the way."
"Exactly. The problem becomes worse as we go along. There is no judge present to get an injunction to stop what is already in motion. There is a circuit judge, however, but who knows when he will visit Kalispell again. And then comes the worst part, we do this and she counters with her own attorney, and God knows who she might have. It will then be tied up in the courts, possibly stranding me here, or worse, the case may get moved to Helena."
"Worse? How so?" Fairchild asked between bites.
"Governor Samuel Thomas Houser. He wants to see this hospital built and, the adjoining orphanage, which is also in this contact. And that my friend, means possibly tangling with the territories attorneys. Something I'd rather not do."
---
Written by Flip
Storyteller / Shared NPC
NPCs: Carson Tyndall, Bradley Fairchild
~*~ ~*~ ~*~
"The Territorial Governor? Intervening in this?" Bradley said, somewhat amazed. "Some jerk water burg's hospital project?"
"Yes. Houser sees it as a move toward civilization. And a feather in his cap. Not that the Sioux are pacified, nor the Blackfoot, or any other hostiles. But he see any progress as a positive, and I would agree, Bradly. Moving Montana Territory forward toward statehood." Carson explained. "It's men like Steelgrave that don't want progress and are working against it. But the railroad will be coming, and Statehood, unless I miss my guess."
"And the Federal Government. Isn't the Army already here?" Fairchild asked.
"Just five miles south of town. And yes that is the problem, Federal jurisdiction." Tyndall stated. "But it is unavoidable, it is on it's way like it or not, and they don't. Now I can't say the Thornton's are against it, never have talked to them."
"Custer's not dead three months yet and Houser's going on about civilization?" Bradly asked.
"Yes sir, that's his aim. Probably thinking of being Montana's Senator in Washington. Natural chain of events." Carson said, I forget that this hotel has a fine chef, and puts out an above average plate." Bradley simply nodded in agreement as he chewed.
---
Written by Flip
Storyteller / Shared NPC
NPCs: Carson Tyndall, Bradley Fairchild
~*~ ~*~ ~*~
After swallowing Bradley said, "Civilization will be a long time coming this far west. I mean, this is about as civilized as it's going to get for Kalispell. I mean, Virginia City and Nevada City, from what I've read, are still the wild west, for God's sake."
"Oh right as the mail, Bradley. Kalispell has just been fortunate in that regard, or should I say, so far. Trouble always seems to be just on the verge of boiling over when something or someone puts a stop to it. The fact is, it is going to erupt, it's just a matter of when, and hopefully not while we're here."
"My report will not help matters then. I mean, what news could I give him that would soothe the bad news about his fortune, his wife, oh my. Damned if I do and damned if i don't." Fairchild lamented. "At least, his daughter Leah cannot be linked to any embezzlement. Though I suppose it's his own fault for not removing her from his accounts. I can find no other reason that she might have access, and Ezekiel, the more I think about it, the more I feel he should have noted the missing money and alerted his father "
"It is what it is Bradley." Caron Tyndall said, setting his fork aside.
---
Written by Flip
Storyteller / Shared NPC
NPCs: Carson Tyndall, Bradly Fairchild
~*~ ~*~ ~*~
"What we have Bradley, is a two headed snake. What we have to report and what he wants done about this hospital business. Neither is a pleasant option. Oh I suppose we could try for an injunction, but if Houser is backing this, and from all I've heard, he is all in, then we tangle with the territory's attorneys not a pleasant thought, as I've said before. On the other hand, there's Elias and the bad news about his finances. Take your pick. Nothing pleasant to look forward to." Tyndall said.
"I understand about dealing with both of these things, and both likely at once." Fairchild responded. "What I don't get is the action against the hospital, which the governor is in favor of and he can't possibly win. My God, what have we gotten ourselves into, and why on earth did you drag me into this?"
"Because Bradley, you have all the information to present to him, and quite frankly, I didn't intend on presenting all of this to him myself." He pause. "Well then, an excellent meal, I say we get a good night's sleep and look forward to breakfast, after that, well, I doubt we'll be in the mood for much else facing Elias Steelgrave."
---
Written by Flip
"Every town needs a newspaper."
Phin stepped into the hotel dining room where on occasion he treated himself to a steak dinner, but this evening he hoped to get a story for his next edition, one that involved these two men whom he observed in conversation.
He walked up to them and announced, "Gentlemen, I am Phinias G. McVay, editor of our humble newspaper, the Kalispell Union and I wonder if I might have a moment of your time."
"Really." Tyndall said, then it came to him, an easy way out of the hospital quandary. "Of course, sir. And how can we help you?" The shocked look on Fairchild's face should have given it way, but Phin was not looking at him.
I suppose the best way is simply to ask why you gentlemen are in town." Phin stated
"Oh, easy enough, we have an appointment with Elias Steelgrave, I am his attorney, and Mister Fairchild is my investigator, I am Carson Tyndall. Now there seems to be a pressing matter to do with the contract for Miss Steelgrave's hospital project. A local attorney associated with Mister Steelgrave, a Mister Cole Latham has put together a a motion to undo what your Town Council has approved, but unfortunately, I am not privileged to practice in Flathead County on local matters, which this is.
Phin was writing a fast as he could, with plenty of abbreviations, which only he would recognize. "A motion? against the approval?"
"Exactly Mister McVay. It seems there is a mood to see the project stopped. Why I cannot fathom. Mister Steelgrave seems to be in favor of her project, or so I've been advised." He lied.
"We are here to advise Mister Steelgrave on some financial matters that have come to our attention, nothing serious, or criminal you see, just somethings that require Mister Steelgave's attention." His fabrication should satisfy the newspaper man, who seemed pleasant enough. It also should shine a favorable light on Elias, regarding the hospital motion from Latham. A man he never liked.
"Every town needs a newspaper."
"You know sir, the general feeling has been that Mister Steelgrave was not in favor of the hospital, in fact, from what I've gathered, he is said to be very much against it, or at least her involvement in it the project. However, your statement sheds new light on the subject." Phin countered.
"Yes I'm sure that what you say is accurate, but hearsay," Tyndall stated. "Unless you've heard that directly from Mister Steelgrave, you can take it with a grain of salt. Mister Steelgrave loves his children and is very supportive of their endeavors. Though he shies away from financial support for such things, he would be in financial ruin with supporting his five children, his wife, estranged as she is at the moment, not to mention the burden of the Evergreen Ranch, with its many cowhands, staff, and expenses."
"Yes, yes I suppose you are right about that. Though we know that Leah Steelgrave has managed to pull it off, and building supplies and men to build it are on the way. She has proven to be most resourceful, the community is excited at the prospect of a medical facility right here in Kalispell." Phin agreed. There was something just a little too slick about lawyer Tyndall's statements. A little too practiced.
"Well, sir, if that is all, we've had a long journey from Helena and would like to get some rest now that we've eaten. If you don't mind." Tyndall suggested in a most pleasant way.
"Of course gentlemen. A pleasure, and thank you for your time. I do appreciate it." Phin said as he rose from the table. "Have a pleasant stay." And with that, he turned and left.
Carson Tyndall exhaled, "Well, it seems the community knows Elias very well then, doesn't it?"
"Indeed." Fairchild agreed as he watched Phineas McVay step out the door.
Phinn paused a moment reflecting on the conversation. "That was horse manure!" Then walked on toward his office.