A Town Called Sunrise

So Much For Law-Abiding

Baron Landsman listened to Arley's report on the visit to Casey, his mood souring more with every word. He knew the old fool had found a real strike in those mountains and he was damned if he was going to be deprived of the wealth.

"Three of you couldn't take one old man and a mule?"

"Some old men can be just too ornery," Arley stated, with emphasis.

Baron's head came up and he studied the gunman for guile. "He'll be in town for the jamboree day after tomorrow, because that's when the assayer comes each year. If he gets it registered, then we'll have a devil of a time taking it from him. We can't let him meet with the assayer."

"You want us to ride all the way back there and make him sign it?" There was an audible groan.

"No. No, it's too late for that now. There's folks in town that know he'll be coming down - that sheriff is one of them."

"Then what?"

"We intercept the assayer." Baron's eyes lit up over his idea. "That's it! We intercept him and make him see things our way."

"What if he don't?"

"That's up to you to see that he does. And this time don't take no for an answer."

******

Belinda Freegate bustled quickly down the wooden side walk in front of the buildings, pausing to look in windows, and frowning when she didn't see what she wanted. Emma Porter stepped out of her store and called to her.

"Do you need something, Belinda?"

"I'm looking for Arvil, have you seen him?"

"Isn't he in the livery?"

"No, and I've looked all over town."

"Try Skinners. Avril always gets an annual shave for the jamboree."

"Oh, right. Thank you, Emma." And with that she crossed the road, aiming for the barber shop.

"Oh, my!" Klaus held up the soap covered razor like a sign.

"Blue? What the devil are you doin' in here?" Avril spun the chair around to face her.

"Sorry to interrupt, but can you come and see me when you're done here?"

"Somethin'wrong?"

"No, but it's something important." She glanced at Klaus and back again.

"Okay, sure. Won't be long. I'll come right over."

Klaus went to the window and watched her stride up the street. "I never . . . in all the years I've had this shop, there's never been a woman pass these doors."

"Well you can bet if it ever did happen before, it woulda been Blue." Avril laughed and leaned his head back on the rest.

******

Slant Boniface reached for a bottle as Avril pushed through the saloon doors, stopping when Avril waved a hand.

"Here to see Blue. She was lookin' fer me."

"In her office." Slant leaned on the bar, "I see you scraped off that tumbleweed you bin hidin' behind."

"Had to. Wouldn't get near those beauties in the kissin' booth if I didn't." He winked and headed for Blue's office.

She looked up from her ledger. "Ah, Avril, thank you. It's about the assayer. Last year he set up here in the saloon, but he was so slow getting things done, I lost a lot of business because of the people he was meeting. I was wondering if we could use the livery this year . . . you usually close it for a couple of days . . ."