Select rooms in the back of the warehouse stay busy. It is a symbiotic relationship. The men drink, and the woman get paid. The owner receives a percentage of the ladies score, and as long as the women are treated right, the arrangement works for everyone.
Tonight Jeb wants privacy, not company. He drinks straight from the bottle and keeps his gun close. Jeb notices the stranger as soon as he enters. His dress gives away his status, he screams money, but the man's eyes show a ferocity which Jeb can appreciate.
Aiden takes in the scenery, scanning the room until his eyes rest on Jeb before dismissing him and stopping on the girls. Two of the painted girls walks toward him with a smile, and he puts his arms around their shoulders and walks toward the bar, laughing at something one of them says. His smile doesn't quite reach his eyes. He places his order and takes a seat at the bar.
He shrugs the women off and asks the bartender a question before they both turn towards Jeb's corner. Aiden looks and pays for another bottle of whiskey before heading his way.
Jeb watches the stranger walk toward him and raises his pistol to the top of the table. Aiden's grins and slams the new bottle on the table and takes a seat.
“This place smells like shit,” Aiden says with a sneer of disgust.
“What do you want?” Jeb slurs and stares at the bottle.
“Well, thank you for asking. I'm in need of a man who knows his way around this city and has access to supplies.”
“I ain't interested,” Jeb says finishing off his bottle. “I gotta find out where they buried my brother. Then, I'm gonna make them pay!” he yells slamming the empty bottle on the table. His other hand cocks and uncocks his revolver, unaware that he is doing it.
Aiden leans back with a gleam of interest in his eyes. He opens the whiskey bottle and pours a glass for himself, then slides the bottle towards Jeb.
“Bastard killed my brother, and then he takes that bitch, Cassie, and leaves!” Jeb rages and takes a long pull on the new bottle, ignoring his company he puts his pistol down and sighs.
Aiden is instantly alert. “Did you say, Cassie!” His hand snakes out, and he snatches the revolver from Jeb's hand, flipping it around to point at his surprised face. “You're gonna need to pay real close attention to me, Jeb. I came here to find her, and you are going to help me. You help me, I'll help you. Who took Cassie and where did they go?”
Jeb's eyes widen, and he groans, “That woman ain't caused me nothing but trouble! She says he's her husband, but I don't believe it! No man in his right mind would let a woman that beautiful walk around this city alone! My brother and I was just going to get to know her some, and he did this to me and killed my brother, Boomer.” Jeb tries to set the bottle down without spilling it, and Aiden is forced to hide his disgust.
“Does this man have a name? Where did they go?” Aiden asks again lowering the pistol, he slams a five-dollar bill on the table. “I can pay you very well, Jeb.”
“You’re too late, they left this afternoon on the train. His name is Dalton Rivers.” Jeb says, spitting on the floor. “He’s taking her to his ranch, in Utah or Wyoming, somewhere?” he slurs looking away.
Aiden leans back and smiles. “This is perfect.” While she is traveling, thinking she's escaped, I can take care of the ‘paperwork' at the bank. No paper trail, no evidence of her ever having sold the mine or land.
“Jeb, I need someone I can trust. I can promise you that before we are through this, Dalton Rivers will suffer, and you will be rich.” Aiden states.
Jeb smiles, “Now you’re talking. Tell me what you need.” Jeb takes the five dollars and holds his hand out for his pistol.
“Dynamite. I'm going to blow up Wells Bank, then I'm going after a train,” Aiden says sipping his whiskey and watching Jeb's reaction.
A wicked sneer crosses his face, “Dynamite is a thing of the past. I know where to find liquid gold, enough to take out a city block, I have a few guys who will help us, but it will cost you.”
“I’m listening.” They spend the next hour talking about the shipment coming in Friday night and formulating the plan. They agree to meet back at the bar on Thursday night at five o’clock with the crew. Aiden will pay them half up front and half on delivery.
“Enjoy your whiskey, Jeb. I have two ladies waiting for me.” He saunters off, and the girls lead him to the back room.
Jeb watches him go and imagines all the ways he will make Cassie beg as he kills her man in front of her. His laughter rolls out, and he finishes his second bottle before stumbling back to his room. Friday can't come soon enough.
Chapter 25
Thursday morning Faith lines the six paintings up on the wall in the living room and stares at them. She’d used some of her savings to buy paints after they’d arrived. “What do you think, munchkin?” Hope stares at her and waves her tiny fist in the air, answering her with a cooing sound. Faith smiles and kisses her cheek.
“They are good, aren't they? If I make enough, I'm going to buy you a proper cradle so you will not have to be on a cold floor or
