Author's
Note: "Choices In Time" is a sequel to "A Time For Love".
It is recommended if the reader is not familiar with the storyline and characters
therein it would be beneficial to read the first installment. This piece has
been renamed from it's former title "Choices". Please let me know
what you think. I enjoy any feedback from you readers!
Choices In Time
by Jeanette © 2001
It was an odd coincedence Lewis thought, that his good friends from Rock Creek
had suddenly appeared in New Orleans. Carson had hired him to find the trail
to McBride's gold but the trail which at first led to the small town had grown
quite cold. There was no way of knowing which way the trail turned. The only
sure thing he knew was that the treasure hunters would come to New Orleans.
Rock Creek, New Orleans...he couldn't get over the connection of the two. His
friends here, now...but most importantly why? He'd heard their reasons and if
they had any idea of the gold they sure did a good job hiding the fact. Lewis
would sit on this a bit. He would keep the suspicion even more so from his boss.
He hoped that his friends were here for recreation as they had informed. Lewis
himself couldn't tell what devious stunts Carson Moore would pull if he even
sensed they had the slightest connections to that gold.
At the spacious office of Carson Moore, there was an aura of delight that swooped in the air. "Thank you very much for the information. I'm sure you'll find the amount satisfying." A slender stack of bills was pushed across the mohogany desk. The recipient waved a hand, refusing the payment. It was then understood between these two that the favor would not be forgotten. Such words were worth more than meager bills. They were like gold in themselves and to a man with a problem, a security deposit to be called on at will.
Carson watched the man turn, soon to close the door behind himself. He sat back as the leather chair hugged him like the pair of a lover's arms around the other. His fingers threaded, he flickered his thumbs over his bottom lip, his thoughts heavy and pensive. This new information was more than he could've dreamed of falling on his lap. But it had. Lady Luck still smiled on him and the Southern Belle. "James Butler Hickok. Welcome to New Orleans."
**********
"Do you think he suspected anything?"
Kid's eyes followed Lou as she paced back and forth. "I don't know. Lewis is a hard one to read. But no, I don't think so."
"Well good. At least our hand is still safe. I can't believe that Lewis is involved in all of this. How does he get himself mixed up in this kind of business?" Lou found relief plopping herself down on the small sofa next to Kid and met with a loving arm around the shoulders. She leaned into his comforting embrace, sighing as to the turn in their fortune. Deciding wether this was good or bad was an enigma all its own.
"How does HE? How do WE?" chuckled Kid.
"Even if he did suspect something he didn't show it. But we have to give him the benefit. He would've confronted us had he the slightest idea."
Victoria looked at Jimmy wondering how was he so sure. It was Lewis' nature she was informed. Though he could be his own kind of pain, he was straightforward. It was that simple. Never holding back from speaking his mind was a requisite for getting himself into many a pickle making such an aspect of his personality one they could rely on.
"So why is it we're mopin'? Shouldn't we be jumping for joy and all that other stuff. We hit the Jackpot didn't we?"
"I suppose Lou," Jimmy replied. "But this is where the game starts getting serious...and very dangerous. We can't waltz in there half blind. We have to know exactly what we're doing. Now Lewis said that Moore has a coin in his possession and the painting is still there."
Jimmy looked at his three companions. He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees as he sat across from them. He was as anxious as they all were to find this money but he knew they needed to restrain that eagerness that flowed among them.
"Moore likes high stakes poker. We go in on this tournament, that's enough to keep Lewis in the dark."
Lou frowned voicing her disapproval. They seemed more like snakes than treasure seekers.
"This is the way you play the game Lou," Jimmy retorted. "We can't lay our hand on the table for everyone to see. This is a dangerous thing we're doing here. Men like Carson Moore...you don't fool around with his kind. He's the sort that'll take you out the first chance he gets."
She knew he was right. But she still felt like a snake.
The plan was laid out. Kid and Jimmy would join the tournament for appearance's sake. Lewis would be kept busy enough rendering his own agenda while at the same time, Jimmy would climb the ladder all in hopes of getting a coveted seat at Carson's table. The invitation to the Southern Belle was extended to them all via Victoria, in other words, another ticket to success. It would serve a greater purpose in severing connections with Lewis at this time. The greater the gaps between their relationship, the better chances they all had of getting what they wanted out of this deal.
**********
The thumping of the wooden deck under his feet melded together with the other sounds he'd become accustomed to on the riverfront; the voices of merchants docking at port, the laughter behind the worn, bearded faces, the gaiety of a young woman welcoming her beau back home, the mighty whistles that blew...one and then another, announcing to all a merchant's safe journey. The smells were unique to this place all its own, the people were no different. They spanned from all walks of life, all colors, all stations but even in each one's misery there was a common love they all shared...a love for this city.
Lewis smiled along as he walked up to the ramp of the Southern Belle. She stood elegant as she always did, a diamond among lesser goods. The sounds that drifted around him did little to quell the nagging thoughts about Jimmy and Kid, their reasons for being here. The walk from the hotel hadn't been forever lengthy but for some reason today it was. Questions stormed his mind but he couldn't doubt his friends. Life was full of coincidences...wasn't it?
He pushed his doubts far aside for now changing his focus on the tournament ahead. His scheme would play like the sweet sound of a violin if all went according to plan. If Jimmy accepted, Lewis would be his consort. It was an easy stride to the top and a pot of gold waited at the end of this rainbow. Jimmy had the noteriety, Lewis, the mind of a swindler. All in life was a risky affair. This was no different. Lewis understood the repercursions if and only if Carson got a whiff he had any connections with Jimmy. The end would be a watery grave below the Mississippi in no time at all.
The Southern Belle was quiet for now unlike the goings on outside her doors. A few scattered employees took care of the business at hand, making sure all was in order for the evening's activities. Dressed in blacks and whites one folded cloth napkins while another polished the silverware. The plumage of a maid's duster swiped delicately across the frame of a regal painting draping the wall and once done with it, moved on quickly to the next. Towels, fluffy and white, folded and stacked in a neat pile made their way from the dungeon down below by one of the chamber maids, a beautiful redhead who always made Lewis break a smile, though in reality, brunettes were his favorite. Lewis greeted her as usual with a charming smile and a compliment to go along with it as she made her way past him, returning a smile without a word.
He let out a sigh as he watched her disappear through the swivel doors leading to the rooms being prepared for guests on the next cruise up the Mississippi. Of course Carson held nothing back as far as class and decor was concerned. Every penny of his patron's monies was well spent in order to induce them to spend more and on his ship no doubt. The elegance with which Carson had risen the Southern Belle had become an object of envy, an object of desire, of covetousness. Why wouldn't she be? She was afterall, the best.
Lewis approached the bar and before taking a seat, his usual was already being poured. He thanked the barkeep who served more than his drinks as he took the glass to his lips.
"Thought you might be interested...package came through not too long ago," he paused, and whispering added, "...for Carson."
"Who?"
Lewis shifted in his seat, not from fear but curiosity. Information provided by the right sources was an invaluable commodity he never took for granted.
"Dunno really to tell you the truth. But I recognized him from the bar last night. Came in and had himself a hell of a time," he chuckled. "Didn't pay him much mind...you know how it is," he leaned on the counter, "the type that can't hold the liquor, started yapping somethin' about the legend."
Lewis only shook his head, smiling into his glass as it met his lips once more. "Why'd he come looking for Carson? To increase his liquor tab?" A wry chuckle echoed from his glass. "You can never make sense of those drunks, they talk and make no damn sense. Guess folks are right about it," he added, swirling the amber liquid against the sides, "it's the Devil's drink, some can dance with it, others can't handle her."
"I suppose but he didn't come to ask Carson for that. I know it cause he clears his account each time. He kept talking about the legend of the gunfighter. Said he seen him here last night. If you ask me, I think he had one too many but Carson saw him anyway."
Lewis' felt his blood freeze for a moment. He swallowed the liquor hard which for some odd reason now burned the back of his throat. "Legend of the gunfighter heh?" he snickered. "And did this legend have a name?"
"Wild Bill Hickok."
**********
Before the information had enough time to sink through and an adequate lie fomented, Lewis found himself before the face of his boss. He was called into the office as the man behind the desk shuffled through a file of papers full of numbers. Carson conducted himself as if all was normal. He asked about the activities of the evening before and what Lewis thought about the success it had been all in preparation for the tournament ahead.
Lewis of course gave an optimistic report which was no lie. The Southern Belle was jumping, the liquor flowing and the cards dealing, everything that made such an evening a grand success.
Carson had gone through much trouble to ensure that all was as it was. Every patron within his walls was to be catered to, accommodated, made to feel special. That's why the affluent crowd loved coming aboard and those with no fortunes to call their own made the extra effort to board at least once if possible at all. Once inside, everyone was equal and everyone was fair game.
"And so it is my dear Lewis." Carson's smiled beamed. "The casino alone pulled in enough to make me quite the happy man you see before you today."
Lewis commented on his chipper mood this morning adding that he'd never seen him this optimistic in quite some time.
"That's not all that has me smiling my friend."
Lewis took a seat. He would play the ignorant as long as he could. Carson was a smart man and one that had an ability to see right through a man's fears.
"Did you hear something that I haven't yet?"
"Some news came to me this morning. You might be interested. I know I was."
"Really?"
"It seems we have us a situation. Does the name James Butler Hickok mean anything to you?"
Lewis' eyes narrowed. "I've heard it."
"What do you know about Mr. Hickok?" Carson inquired.
"He's got a reputation. Gunfighter. They say he's the fastest around. Killed alot of men."
"And he's here in New Orleans."
Lewis frowned. "So what? A man with a reputation can't go where he pleases now? I thought you were above all of that."
"He was here last night. On board this ship and his skills with a gun isn't the only thing he obviously has a talent for."
Carson explained his suspicion. According to the records from the evening's games, Mr. Hickok had pulled in a handsome purse making him a very likely contestant to enter the tournament.
Lewis response was as follows, "Isn't that a good thing? A high profile contestant to bring in the hapless victims?" he snickered, though inside he knew this was most unfortunate. Carson would keep a close eye on Jimmy now that he knew who he was, making Lewis' job that much harder.
"Maybe it's good, maybe it isn't. I was only warned to keep an eye on him and I will certainly do that. A man's reputation speaks volumes and I don't need a trigger finger to go blowing someone away over a card game."
Lewis nodded. He knew Jimmy's given name, Wild Bill, wasn't the person Jimmy Hickok was. Jimmy never shot a man unless it was called for, and never in the back as some claimed.
"I want you to find out all you can about Mr. Hickok. Everything."
Trying to rid himself of this most uncomfortable assignment, he reminded Carson of his first duty, keeping his eyes open, his ears sharp to any information that could lead to McBride's gold. He had been busy enough checking into the interests of ones who had possible connections with McBride in the past and anyone of consequence who'd come into town recently.
"Well then, that puts Hickok right in the mix of it doesn't it? You take care of this for me Lewis. Bring me back anything you find out. We can't take anything for granted. Everyone is a suspect in my book. James Butler Hickok is no less."
**********
"Come in Mr. Neiland."
The slim man timidly entered the imposing office of Mr. Cornelius Webb, respectfully removing his black hat.
"'Morning to you Mr. Webb."
"I hope you had a nice time last night." He knew he had been on board the Southern Belle. Mr. Neiland had three sinful vices, drinking, gambling and wild women all the better to serve Cornelius Webb's purposes. He knew to feed a man's desires left them vulnerable to repay any debt, and Mr. Neiland had raked up quite an account.
"Thank you, yes I did."
"Now...did you take care of our business?"
He nodded. "Just like you said."
"Good. And what did Mr. Moore say to you?"
He shrugged. "Nothing much. Just thanked me for the information. He tried to give me some money but I...I didn't take it. I know you told me not to take anything from him."
He received a pat on the back. "Good man. No need having to repay anyone's kindness is there?"
"No...not at all...sir."
The businessman dug into his jacket pocket, pulling out an envelope with the incentive that made men do his bidding. "Thank you for your help Mr. Neiland. We'll keep in touch."
He took the envelope with a shakey hand, stuffing into the inside of his own jacket. It would be well spent later on the Southern Belle again. Some relationships were easily compared to that of parasites, blood suckers, attaching themselves on willing victims, feeding on each other in a recurring, endless cycle.
Cornelius Webb watched the man as they exchanged thank you's and good-bye's. Business was afterall what it was. This was another card in the hand he'd play to get what he really craved...the Southern Belle.
A form appeared out of the adjacent room. Mr. Webb turned to the man who had promised him the envy on all the Mississippi River. "So what's next?"
Jonas McBride lit a match, lighting a cigar he gripped between his teeth. His thick fingers propped the stogie in between as the aroma of sweet smoke began to rise in the air. "We wait."
"All this waiting is getting on my nerves McBride! What are you getting out of this deal?"
"That is for me to know," he answered directly.
He was silenced though his countenance showed disapproval. "Why is it I get the feeling you're pulling all the strings? I'm not your damn puppet McBride. What is it you've got wrapped up in all of this?"
McBride neared, his imposing persona stepping out of the darkness. "I told you, that is for me to know. You're getting what you want that's all that should matter to you. My business is mine. You want that ship you'll keep your end of our little bargain. That's all there is to it."
"You'll have my silence for now McBride...but once this is over...I don't ever want to see your face again."
"I guarantee...you won't."
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