Weather Forecast

• Sunny, clear, and cool, with some high cumulus clouds
• Temperature: 45.1°F to 67.3°F (7.3°C to 19.6°C)
• Wind: Light north wind (1-3 MPH | 2-5 KPH | 1-3 KN)
• Precipitation: None

Valentin had spent the rest of the previous evening soaking in a hot bath and then having dinner with Alafair in the hotel’s restaurant. After dinner, he had settled into his room with a few copies of the Kalispell Union newspaper. Some copies were older, which suited him just fine since he wanted to research the town’s crime rate. The most recently dated paper let him catch up on the town’s current events and even a few upcoming ones. Val slept later than normal, only waking when Alafair knocked on his door. As soon as he was dressed, they headed down to the restaurant for breakfast. By the time they finished, it was approaching mid-morning. Alafair chose to explore the town and do some shopping while Valentin headed toward the town marshal’s office.

Stepping outside, Val took a deep breath of the fresh air. There was a slight chill to the morning air, but with the beautiful deep blue skies overhead, the sun would soon warm things up. Montana was a long cry from Louisiana, which rarely got below fifty degrees even at the height of winter. The lack of noticeable humidity was also pleasantly refreshing. No doubt, Valentin would be longing for his old Louisiana home by the time winter hit. Of course, that was provided they even settled in Montana. Before long, he reached the large and fairly new-looking Courthouse and Municipal Building. Val had been told that the Flathead County Sheriff’s office was inside the building on the lower floor. The town marshal’s office was also on the building’s lower floor with a separate exterior entrance.

Val removed his hat as he stepped into the marshal’s office, noting a comfortably spacious layout as he closed the door behind him. “Good day,” he said politely, his voice low and quiet, “I am looking for Marshal Guyer.”

~*~

Flip

Speed was about to settle into his least favorite, but necessary task, reviewing the circulars that had arrived in the mail two days earlier, men wanted from across the territory. Top to bottom, side to side. The stack was thinner this month, several of those wanted had been either taken in or killed, resisting. To his surprise, as he leafed through posters, Emmit Black was no longer among them. Black had been wanted in almost every town one could name. Murder for hire had been his stock in trade, one less to be concerned with. Speed looked up as a man entered.

Val removed his hat as he stepped into the marshal’s office, noting a comfortably spacious layout as he closed the door behind him. “Good day,” he said politely, his voice low and quiet, “I am looking for Marshal Guyer.”

"Well then, you're in luck, I'm in." He stood, offering his hand, "Speed Guyer. How can I help you?" He asked after introducing himself to the stranger. He was a big man, but a quiet man, Speed surmised. The way in which he carried himself, and a few other traits that were evident, at least to the lawman, he realised that the man might just be getting to know the people he would likely be dealing with. Now, in which way would he be dealing with the Town Marshal, or was it the representative of Wood & Guyer Mining Company?

"Miss Fetterman from across the street didn't send you over, did she?" He asked, then explained, "We buy and sell mining claims, minerals, and timber." The return look told him all he needed to know, that was not why he was in the office.

@Stormy

Val extended his hand to return the marshal’s handshake. His first impression was of a well-groomed man of medium height and a strong build. Marshal Guyer’s handshake was firm but not overly tight; it conveyed a sense of self-confidence without any need for dominance. His light blue eyes revealed intelligence and curiosity, without a hint of wariness or hostility. Overall, Val felt that this was a man he could likely work for if he managed to secure employment.

“Valentin Caine,” Val said, introducing himself in return. “If you look me up, you’ll find my birth name is Duquesne. Caine is just easier all around,” he explained the differences in his surname. It made no sense to start in Kalispell by lying to the town’s top lawman. “And no, Miss Fetterman did not send me, though I’ve done some mining work in my time.”

The Cajun paused momentarily, trying to decide which subject to broach first. Should he ask about the man he was looking for or a job?

“Truthfully, Marshal Guyer, I stopped in because my daughter and I are hoping to settle down here. Wondering if you might be hiring? I have previous experience with the Texas Rangers and a few other law enforcement jobs over the years.” Val reached into his jacket’s inside pocket and pulled out a small, neatly folded sheaf of papers, “Some letters of reference and experience.” He offered the papers to the Marshal.

Flip

"You might be in luck." Speed began, "My deputy, Barnabas Pike, might be looking to step away. He's got a ranch now, and a family started, and he's talked about needing more time for that, so I'll talk to him and see what he says. Now there is a night deputy, Charlie Wentworth, who would rightly be offered the day job. The problem with that would be his lack of experience." Which was true.

"So I'd have to ask, what experience do you have?" Speed wanted to know. He would make a good replacement for Pike if he had enough experience, not that Speed started the job with a wealth of it. He hadn't, but he seemed to have done all right. They hadn't fired him, at least. Well, not so far anyway. It's a good town, quiet most of the time, but we have had our problems, like most other towns."

"There's mining, which is picking up, so that means miners coming in to fill the needs of the mine owners. There's work crews for the hospital, that's also brought in men, plus the usual drifters. It can be busy at times." Speed finished up.

The news that there might be an opening was great! Valentin liked what little he had heard and seen of the town so far. With some luck, he and Alafair could make this their last stop on the long journey of looking for a permanent home.

Val offered a folder with that had a neat sheaf of papers tucked inside, "Letters of recommendation and documents of my related job experience, and education. I did some intelligence work during the war that I am not at liberty to talk about, worked undercover and as a consultant and tracker for the Texas Rivers during several operations to infiltrate and clean up the River Rats on the Sabine after the war. I have also worked as a deputy, even as sheriff, in several locations detailed in the paperwork. I have a law degree, but have always preferred to use it in just execution of law enforcement."

That was a longer speech concerning himself as the main subject than he usually cared to make. If there was an opportunity to settle in Kalispell, he was willing to try and sell himself and his skills as a lawman.

Flip

Well, with that sort of resume, which is far greater than mine or Pikes, I might suggest you consider the County Sheriff position. I have that authority currently, but never the time to range out to investigate, where you, you would have the time and possibly the resources to actually get out there and do some good." Speed said.

"I'd be more than willing to recommend you for either job," he added. "There are good men about who could be deputies, and no, we're not a state, but we have the use of terminology and authority for the position. But I'll leave all of that up to you."

It would be a quick trip up to the second floor and Mayor Wentworth's office, whenever Mistger Caine decided what suited him. He may not have to go before the Town Council. The County Sheriff was needed, but then, so was filling Pike's slot, as well, though he had not said he was done yet.

Valentin took a deep breath, surprised at the offer of the County Sheriff's position. He had to admit that he was tempted. The position of authority suited him, the job itself was likely more challenging than that of a deputy marshal, and definitely came with higher pay. On the downside, Val would be responsible for a larger territorial region than a town deputy would. That would take him away from home for longer periods of time, leaving Alafair alone more frequently. One of the main reasons Val wanted to apply for the town deputy job was so he would be home more for his daughter. He had spent too much time away from her when she was at school in Europe and while he worked for the Texas Rangers hunting the river pirates.

"With all due respect and gratitude for the job offer," Val told the Marshal, "I'd rather opt for the deputy's position. I need to be closer to my daughter. Now, I'd be happy to help fill in until you find a good county Sheriff candidate." 

Val felt that to be a reasonable compromise. He lifted an eyebrow and waited on Marshal Guyer's decision...


Flip

"Can't say as I blame you, with a child and all. The county has been quiet for a while now. Which means little; it could erupt at any time now. But the rustling has completely dropped off, which is good and a sign the rustlers have moved on," Speed informed him, but the county job might have you all over the place, we're a big chunk of land. We may not get to keep it all once we get the nod for statehood, not that anyone's holding their breath on  that one."

Which was true, the County Sheriff could be on the trail for days, the county was over five thousand square miles in size. Kalispell would be the county seat for Flathead County, not that it wasn't already. Montana had yet to be admitted into the Union. And things might change when and if that happened.

"I guess what we'll do is, I will swear you in, as I am allowed to hire who I want without the Town Council's approval. So, you want to stand and raise your right hand, Mister Caine?" He said as he rose to his feet, "This will be simple, but legal. You swear to uphold the laws and statutes of the territory of Montana, the laws and statutes of Flathead County, as well as those of the township of Kalispell, so help you God?"

"This will be simple, but legal. You swear to uphold the laws and statutes of the territory of Montana, the laws and statutes of Flathead County, as well as those of the township of Kalispell, so help you God?"

Caine straightened his posture, reached into an inner pocket and pulled out a small, well-worn Bible that he held next to his heart with his left hand. Raising his right hand, he solemnly repeated the Marshal's words, "I, Valentin Caine, swear to uphold the laws and statutes of the territory of Montana, the laws and statutes of Flathead County, as well as those of the township of Kalispell, so help me God."

As he completed the oath, Val lowered his head for a brief moment to send up a quick prayer of thanks to God. He was feeling better about his decision to relocate to Kalispell. Just in the short time of speaking with the Marshal, he was gaining respect for the man. He liked his direct and straight-forward, no-nonsense attitude. 

Val grinned at Guyer, "I guess Alafair, my daughter, and I had better get busy finding a place to live."

Flip

"Good luck to you. There are some cottages that might be available. I'd check with Charles Wentwoth up to the bank; he'd have  a feel for what's available aside from the boarding house or the hotel." Speed informed him. "You're on duty, but there's no need to report for work for a couple of days while you get settled. On the off chance there's some trouble, we'll find you."

Speed got to his feet and extended his hand again. "Welcome to Kalispell, and to the office. This should work out just fine." This would change things, Pike would be able to quit and end a partnership that he had not seen ending so suddenly. Yet, the Rockin' P Ranch needed Barnabas' attention, as did the family he had started, and with this change, he knew that his time was coming as well.