“Right now? Almost nonexistent.” Murdock steepled his hands and gazed at the senator over his fingertips, frowning slightly. “Private financing versus government funding—it would certainly eliminate unnecessary costs and regulations. I’ve thought of it myself.”
“Good God, man, I didn’t come to you for confirmation of the occasional idiocy of congressional acts. We all agree that some laws are designed to profit the government more than citizens. It’s a fact of life.”
“And some are designed to profit government officials more than citizens,” Murdock said quietly, smiling slightly when Brandon frowned. “It’s true, William, and you know it. Even you profited by the whiskey scandal.”
This was not going at all as he had hoped. Disconcerted by Murdock’s unfortunate reminder of past transgressions, he struggled for an effective argument that would persuade the millionaire investor to stop Steve Morgan. He was well aware that Steve was capable of retaliation, but Murdock was not a man who had to answer to voters. And he was Steve’s partner. Could he convince him to interfere, or at the least propose a way to block Morgan’s influence?
Brandon eyed Murdock for a long moment, then said, “Morgan has gone so far as to try to ruin me! It’s almost a personal vendetta. We’ve disagreed over politics or policies before, but I never thought he would act upon his threats. It seems he’s quite capable of impoverishing me if he’s not stopped. Sam, I appeal to you, as his partner and my friend as well, to do something to stop Steve Morgan from ruining me.”
Sam Murdock quietly drummed his fingertips atop the gleaming surface of his ornate mahogany desk, eyeing Brandon thoughtfully. “It would be a conflict of interests were I to involve myself in either of your interests, William, as I am sure you must realize. Steve has his own pursuits, and would not listen to me in any case.”
“But you must certainly see the advantages to the current situation in Mexico. You’re a shrewd businessman. In a few years, the railroad will be the main way to ship goods all over the continent. The man who builds the first commercial railroad in Mexico will practically rule the country!”
“That doesn’t seem to be a job with longevity,” Murdock observed wryly. “Mexico has a history of bloody revolution against its rulers.”
“A puppet-head ruler would be valuable, with the real leader behind the scenes pulling his strings.” He leaned forward, hands clasped atop the silver head of his cane. “We could be the power behind the throne, make decent laws. But we won’t succeed if Díaz is not as amenable to American involvement as was Lerdo. The country is rampant with outlaws like Juan Cortina running loose, crossing the border at will to steal from American citizens.”
“Yes, but Juan Cortina is in jail now, caught by the Texas Rangers and imprisoned for his crimes,” Murdock reminded.
“You know as well as I do that the Mexican government won’t keep him there long. He’s as involved now in political schemes as he was when ‘free’ as an outlaw.” Brandon scowled and shook his head.
“Díaz came to power as a champion of liberal principles such as municipal democracy and no reelection. But now that he has assumed the presidency it’s become clear his main concerns are internal stability and foreign investments. While I agree that a law-and-order program is desperately needed to counteract the depredations of the bandits, he has at least taken measures to put an end to the outlawry.”
“The Rurales are nothing more than legalized bandits! Most of them were notorious outlaws themselves until Díaz drafted them into his paramilitary force.”
“Perhaps, but you must admit that they are far better trained and paid than the reluctant men conscripted into the army by force. And if they were bandits, they know how to find the bandits.”
“Yes.” Brandon looked up, suddenly alert. “They would certainly know how to find another notorious bandit. You’ve given me an idea, Sam.”
Murdock’s eyes narrowed slightly.
“I hope it’s not what I think it is. If you send men after Steve Morgan, he will come after you. Personally, I wouldn’t want to risk it. Besides, what of Virginia? Your daughter does not deserve to have her father hunt down her husband as if he were a criminal.”
“Steve’s activities have not always been legal, and my daughter is far too well aware of that. She was warned. I begged her not to come to Mexico, to go back to England or at least stay in the United States. If she chose not to listen to me, then she will have to face the consequences, as the rest of us are forced to do on occasion.”
“William, I cannot compel you to listen to me, but I will offer this advice. Don’t provoke Steve Morgan. He can be as dangerous as a tiger.”
“Even tigers can be caged, Sam.”
“That’s true, but I’m not at all certain I’d want to be around if this particular tiger got loose.”
“I’ll keep that in mind, Sam,” he said, a genial smile replacing his brief frown. “And you’re right, of course. It would be too awkward. Will you be in El Paso much longer?”
“No, I’m just here checking on some of my cattle investments. The last Indian raid decimated a great deal of my herd. I’m thinking of moving the herd farther north for a while, to a friend’s ranch in New Mexico.”
Conversation moved to cattle and the price of beef on the hoof at the markets. By the time Brandon left for his own hotel, he was fairly satisfied that Steve Morgan would not be a problem much longer.
Prayers End—a cross between heaven and hell in Steve’s mind. He stood for a moment on the weathered boards of the depot platform. The hinged sign swung creakily in a constant wind that blew across flat, brush-studded plains. He didn’t know why he’d gotten off here, instead of riding on, going straight to Prendergast’s ranch.
It was the same thing he’d done last time, gotten off too early
