“The people drinkin’ and gamblin’ in here don’t work for me, Fred,” Masterson said. “Everythin’ happened just the way Mr. Butler told you.”
“Well,” Singer said, “with you fellas backin’ his story, I got to take your word for it. You know these dead fellas, Jim?”
“Never saw them before.”
“You think they was hired?”
Neal Brown snorted and asked, “What do you think?”
“By who?”
“That’s your job, Marshal,” Dog Kelley said, “findin’ out who and why, ain’t it?”
“You ain’t the mayor anymore, Dog,” Singer said. “You can’t tell me what my job is.”
Brown snorted again and said, “Somebody’s got to.”
“Look,” Singer said, facing Neal Brown squarely, “you got a beef with me, Neal? Let’s get it out.”
Brown started to speak but Masterson said, “Let it lay, Neal. Nobody’s got a beef with you, Fred. You’re right, somebody had to take the job. I wish you luck with it.”
Singer faced Jim Masterson.
“That’s real decent of ya, Jim,” he said. “I appreciate it. Well, I best get your place cleaned up for ya.”
“Appreciate it, Fred,” Masterson said, standing. “We’re gonna go over to Dog’s while you take care of it.”
“You stayin’ in town, Mr. Butler?”
“I am, Marshal,” Butler said, also rising. “I have a room over at the Dodge House.”
“Well,” Singer said, “I’d appreciate it if ya didn’t shoot anybody else while you was in town.”
“That ain’t fair—” Neal Brown started, but Masterson silenced him with a hand on his arm.
“I can assure you, Marshal,” Butler said, “I’ll try my very best not to.”
“Come on, Butler,” Kelley said, “come over to the Alhambra with us. I’ll show you some real hospitality.”
“Thank you, Mr. Kelley. I’d be honored to.”
“It’s Dog,” Kelley said, “just call me Dog. Everybody does.”
They walked together over to the Alhambra, where they sat at a table in the back that was reserved for Dog Kelley and his partner, Pete Beatty. Since Butler had been there just a little while ago another poker game had broken out, and there were now three going on.
“If poker is really your game,” Dog Kelley said to him, “this is the place for you.”
“I hate to admit it, but he’s right,” Jim Masterson said, “you’ll get better poker here than at my place, especially if you’re lookin’ for high stakes.”
“And real gamblers,” Neal Brown said. “That’s Ben Thompson over there at that table of five.”
“I heard Luke Short is dealing faro over at the Long Branch,” Jim Masterson said. “Working for Chalk Beeson and Bill Harris.”
“Yeah, but when he wants to play poker he comes here,” Kelley pointed out. “You’ll get some good games here, Mr. Butler, and I’ll extend you all the credit you need.”
“Why would you do that, Dog?”
“You helped out my good friend Jim, here,” Kelley said. “Kept him from getting’ killed on the self-same day he got fired. That’s worth a lot to me.”
“Even more to me,” Masterson admitted. “In fact, Mr. Butler, it’s worth a steak at the Delmonico, if you’re interested.”
“That’s actually where I was headed when I stopped into the Lady Gay,” Butler admitted.
“Well, finish up your beer, friend,” Masterson said. “There’s steaks a-waitin’.”
Kelley stayed at the Alhambra because it was getting busy. Neal Brown accompanied Masterson and Butler to the Delmonico, where they ordered steak dinners with all the fixin’s.
“How long do you figure on stayin’ in Dodge, Mr. Butler?” Neal Brown asked.
“Long enough for you to start calling me Ty, I hope.”
“Ty?”
“For Tyrone.”
“That’s a helluva name to hang on a youngster,” Jim Masterson said. “You must’ve had a lot of fights when you were growin’ up.”
“I had my share,” Butler admitted. “You can call me Ty, or Butler. It’s your choice.”
Masterson thought a moment, then said, “I think I prefer Butler.”
“Me too,” Brown said. “So, how long
“I don’t have a set time,” Butler said. “I am moving west, but I’m not in a hurry. I guess it’ll depend on how my luck turns.”
“Well,” Masterson said, “it’s gotta get better than it was today.”
“Oh, I don’t know,” Butler said. “I could have taken a bullet.”
“True enough,” Masterson said. “True enough,” but I think you might’ve got yourself on the wrong side of some people today.”
“If they’re the kind of people who have other people shot in the back,” Butler said, “I think I’m on the right side.”
CHAPTER 11
After their steaks Jim Masterson was going back to his own place, the Lady Gay. Butler said he thought he’d go to the Alhambra and play some poker.
“Mind if I tag along?” Neal Brown asked. “I’d like to see you in action.”
“Be my guest,” Butler said.
The three men left the restaurant and walked as far as the Lady Gay together, where Masterson wished them luck and a good night.
When Butler and Brown reentered the Alhambra it was even more crowded and lively. Butler had been tempted to try the Long Branch, but decided to save that until tomorrow.
Once inside, Butler and Brown got themselves a beer each and walked to the back where the poker games were going on. There were still three tables, and no seats open. That was all right with Butler. He wanted to watch the competition for a while.
“Are you sure that’s Ben Thompson?” he asked Neal Brown.
“Dead sure. Why?”
Butler shrugged.
“I thought he’d be bigger.”
Dog Kelley sidled up alongside them.
“Are you interested in starting another table?” he asked Butler.
“I’d like to watch these for a while.”
Kelley nodded and smiled. “It’s a wise man who investigates his opponents first. Just let me know what you want, gents. Drinks, cards, a poke with one of the girls.”
“On the house?” Neal Brown asked, hopefully.
“For our guest,” Kelley said, “not for you, Neal.”
“I’m much obliged, Dog,” Butler said.
“Just so you know,” Dog added to Butler, “the offer of a woman for free is for tonight only.”
“I’ll keep that in mind,” Butler promised.
As Kelley walked away Butler said, “He doesn’t seem that upset for someone who just lost an election.”
“Dog knows somebody’s gotta win and somebody’s gotta lose,” Brown explained. “He’s a politician.”
“And what about you fellas?”
“We’re not politicians, we’re lawman,” Brown said. “Jim’s upset about bein’ fired.”
