“Al, the only way we’re going to clear him is to find out who really did it,” Butler said, “and we have an idea. We talked to this woman—”
Newman put both hands up, palms out, and said, “I don’t want to hear it. Just keep in mind that I vouched for Luke.”
“I will,” Butler said. “Thanks again.”
Butler joined Short in the cab as Newman walked the other way.
“Worried about his reputation?” Short asked.
“He did put it on the line for you,” Butler pointed out.
“I get the feeling he did it for you,” Short said, “but whatever the reason, I’m thankful. I think Courtwright was planning on having me killed while trying to escape tonight.”
“That’s why I knew we had to get you out of there fast,” Butler said.
“Well, I appreciate the quick action, Butler, but we still have to find the man old Mary Cronin saw coming and going in and out of the Bloody Spur.”
“Sutherland,” Butler said.
“That’s what the bartender said. So our job right now is to find a man named Sutherland.”
“Who may or may not have a reputation as a killer,” Butler said.
“My thinkin’ is,” Short said, “this is a man who’s still lookin’ for a reputation.”
“So he can kill you and get himself known, and then kill me and get himself some money.”
“And after all that,” Short said, “maybe he can take over Cramer’s businesses.”
“Not if we can help it.”
When they got back to the White Elephant, Short went to the office to talk to his partner. He told Butler he was going to have to calm Bill Ward down and it would probably take a while.
“I’m afraid he’s either going to have a heart attack,” Short said, “or offer to buy me out.”
“Without you he’d lose the gambling business you bring in,” Butler said.
“That may not be worth it for him,” Short said, “if I keep finding trouble.”
“What happens if it’s trouble that keeps finding you?” Butler asked.
“I don’t think he’ll see the difference,” Short said. “I’ll see you later on. Thanks again.”
“Glad I could help.”
“So far,” Short said, “I can honestly report to Bat and Wyatt that you’ve been doing a bang-up job of keeping me out of jail…and alive.”
“I’ll see if I can keep to that high standard,” Butler said.
CHAPTER 34
Butler had never heard the name Sutherland before today. More importantly Luke Short, who knew everybody there was to know who had a reputation with cards or a gun, had never heard the name. Short was probably right. This was a local tough looking to make a name for himself. And if he was local, he had to be known by locals.
Butler knew the men he’d played poker with, and the only local there had been Al Newman. He couldn’t go to him for help, anymore, without risking the great wrath of his wife.
He’d known Victor somewhat, but Victor was dead.
That left the bartender Jerry, who Luke Short seemed to think of as a scrapper.
As usual, Jerry was behind the bar. In fact, Butler couldn’t recall a time when Jerry wasn’t working behind the bar. The man never seemed to take any time off. But he was a local, so Butler decided to try the name on him.
He elbowed his way to the bar. Men moved aside because if they didn’t know him by name, they knew him on sight as somebody who was close to Luke Short.
He got Jerry’s attention and waved him over. When the bartender pointed to the beer questioningly, Butler shook his head and waved him over again.
“What’s the deal” Jerry asked. “Not thirsty today?”
“How long have you lived in Fort Worth?” Butler asked him.
“All my life,” Jerry said. “Why?”
“Do you know a man named Sutherland?”
Butler saw the man stiffen, knew immediately that he recognized the name. Now the question came up, was he going to lie about it?
“Why are you askin’ about him?”
“Because I need to find him.”
“You don’t want to find him, Butl—”
“Look,” Butler said, “I’m pretty sure he killed Victor, and tried to kill me. I also think he killed Ed Cramer. So if you know anything about him, now’s the time to spill it. Luke’s life is on the line here, too.”
“Mr. Short? Why?”
“Because the law thinks he killed Cramer. Come on, Jerry. We need your help here.”
“Look, all I know is that he hangs out downtown,” Jerry said.
“In Hell’s Half Acre?”
“Well…sort of.”
“What does that mean, Jerry?”
“I’m a bartender, I hear talk—but that’s all it is, talk. I don’t know nothin’ for sure.”
“So tell me what you don’t know for sure,” Butler said, “and I’ll check it out.”
“There’s a whorehouse on Main Street, just a couple of blocks off the docks. He’s supposed to be there a lot.”
“Tell me more.”
“I don’t know no more,” Jerry said. “There’s supposed to be a girl there he likes.”
“Come up with a name.”
“Geez, Butler, you want—wait a minute,” Jerry said. “I remember. Somebody said it was Lily, like that actress, Lilly Langtry.”
“Lily.”
“That’s all I know,” Jerry said, “I swear. Butler, if I could help Mr. Short I would.”
“I believe you, Jerry,” Butler said. “Thanks for the information. Now one more thing.”
“What’s that?”
“If Luke asks you where I am, you don’t know.”
“Okay.”
“And don’t tell him what you told me.”
“You ain’t goin’ into Hell’s Half Acre alone, are you, Butler?”
“Just remember,” Butler said. “Don’t tell him about Sutherland.”
“Nothin’.”
“Nothing.”
“You want me to lie to Mr.—”
“I don’t want him going down there, Jerry,” Butler said. “The sheriff already has it in for him, and Sutherland likes to shoot people from rooftops. I want Luke to stay inside, where it’s safe.”
Jerry looked confused, but he said, “Well, all right, if that’s the way you want it.”
“That’s how I want it.”
“What about Mr. Ward?” Jerry said. “What if he asks where you are?”
“He won’t,” Butler said, “but if he does, don’t tell him, either.”
“So nobody but me is gonna know you’re down there?”
“Now you’ve got it,” Butler said. “Thanks, Jerry.”
Jerry watched as Butler went out the door. He didn’t like the responsibility he’d just been given.
