Loyalty Divided

Chapter Fifty Six

"Nothing like talking to old Strauss to make you... want to blow your own brains out. I should have left him where I found him all those years ago. Bookish little Austrian fresh off the boat, his eyes out on stalks," Dutch muttered, swirling his drink in the dimly lit saloon.

Arthur sat across from Dutch, his expression contemplative. Evangeline had left Valentine earlier to prepare for their plan to get everyone out, and her absence weighed heavily on him. They had agreed to start the evacuation soon, taking however long it took to secure everyone's safety. But sitting here, amidst the usual clamor of the saloon, the task ahead felt daunting and precarious. Arthur's mind wandered to Evangeline, her health, and the potential pregnancy that weighed heavily on both of them. The thought of her being in danger, especially in her current condition, filled him with a quiet dread. He couldn't shake the worry that time was running out for all of them, and the urgency to act pressed on his conscience.

Arthur's thoughts drifted to the gang's recent activities. Their robbery of a Cornwall train had stirred up trouble, and the gang was on edge. He glanced at Dutch, who seemed uncharacteristically reflective. The charismatic leader had been more erratic lately, and Arthur couldn't shake the feeling that the foundation of their gang was crumbling faster than he could patch it up.

"Well, I guess the... Dutch van der Linde finishing school has some strange graduates," Arthur remarked, trying to keep the conversation light despite the undercurrent of tension.

Dutch chuckled, raising his glass. "That it does. To your good health."

"Thank you," Arthur replied, clinking his glass against Dutch's. As they drank, a sudden scream from the street pierced the saloon's murmur.

"Van der Linde! Get out here. Get out here now!" a voice shouted, slurred and angry.

"What the hell..." Dutch muttered, his expression darkening with concern. The name Van der Linde, spoken with such venom, sent a chill through Arthur. This was not some random drunk; this was personal.

They stood and moved toward the door, the saloon patrons watching them with a mix of curiosity and fear. As they stepped outside, the cold evening air hit them, and they were met with the sight of several armed men holding John and Strauss hostage.

Van der Linde! You don't know me... but you keep robbing me. My name is Leviticus Cornwall. I am not a man to be messed with by the likes of you. Get out here, before I have these men killed!" the man bellowed, his voice echoing through the street.

Arthur felt a jolt of recognition and alarm. Leviticus Cornwall was a name synonymous with wealth and power, and his presence here, shouting their name, meant serious trouble. He glanced at Dutch, whose eyes had narrowed with a calculating gleam.

Dutch stepped forward, raising his hands in a placating gesture. "What do you think?" he whispered to Arthur, his voice low and urgent.

Arthur's mind raced, trying to process the situation. "Well, I... You start spinning a yarn and... when I think the moment's right... I'll make a move," he murmured back, his hand instinctively moving toward his gun.

Dutch nodded, picking up a bottle of whiskey and moving toward Cornwall with a calm, confident stride. Arthur watched him go, his heart pounding. He knew Dutch's charisma could buy them time, but with Cornwall's men holding John and Strauss, the stakes were dangerously high.

Cornwall, drunk and furious, continued to shout, his voice slurred and thick with anger. "Van der Linde, you're done. Now get out here, now! Deal with this nonsense," he spat to his men, his eyes blazing with a mix of rage and disdain. With a final sneer, he turned his horse and rode away, leaving his men to confront Dutch and Arthur. The tension in the air was palpable, the situation teetering on the edge of violence.