CHAPTER 5 -- HOPE FOR A MIRACLE
The evening wind howled as the two men ducked into some trees off the main road for shelter. After walking several yards, they sat down on a fallen tree, and looking at each other, they wondered how long it had been since they’d last seen each other. The man with the dark overcoat spoke first, as he warmed his hands with his breathe. “Abner,” he said through shivering teeth, “why in the hell have you called me out here tonight? It’s freezing.”
Looking at him with narrow eyes, Abner opened up his satchel exposing countless gold pieces.
The man’s eyes grew large as he slowly surveyed the sparkling treasure. Running his hands through it, his interest was peaked. “Okay, you have my attention, Abner, but you still haven’t explained why you telegrammed me, forcing me to come out here into the wilderness.” Leaning forward, he wanted some answers. “Come on, what is this about?”
“All this could be yours,” Abner said pointedly. “All we ask is that you cooperate.”
Looking around for another person, the man asked, “We?”
“The person whose money this is of course.”
“And who would that be?”
Laughing, Abner tossed the satchel into the man’s lap. “Stanley, Stanley, Stanley, you always did ask too many questions.”
Staring him straight in the eyes, Stanley Johnson replied, “I’m an attorney, Abner, that’s my job.”
“Yes, it is. That is your job, and that is what we’re counting on, you doing your job.” Leaning toward him, Abner abruptly grabbed Stanley’s coat and yanked him toward him. Reaching into his pocket, Abner pulled out a gun. “You better understand right now that we mean business, Stanley.” Waving the gun in front of him, Abner pushed him back down on the fallen tree.
Considering how far back they went, especially having been the best man at his wedding, Stanley was shocked and insulted that Abner had resorted to using a gun on him. Fixing his coat, he spoke softly but distinctly. “You know, Abner, I would have thought you would have been grateful for all I’ve done for you.”
“Grateful!” Abner cried out angrily. “You think I should be grateful to you? You in your big house in Gallatin with all your prestige and power, thinking you have the world by the tail. Hell, you wouldn’t even be there if Pa and I hadn’t helped you.” Glaring at Stanley, Abner’s blood was boiling. “I’ve spent the last two and a half years trying to forget what my stupid mother and that bitch Hattie did to me, but even after all that time, the wound is still sore. Yet, you want me to be grateful. Ha, what a joke!”
Stanley’s shock now turned to anger. “Damn you, Abner! You have no right to come down here and threaten me, much less belittle me for what I’ve achieved. Yes, you and your Pa helped me, but as I remember, that was part of our agreement. And the other part of our agreement that you so conveniently fail to recall is that I would help you if you ever happened to get into any trouble. Well, Abner, not only did you ‘happen’ to get into trouble, but you have seemingly made it your life’s work.” Standing up, he paced back in forth while he talked. “I don’t know how many times I’ve thrown false leads to the Sheriff just to cover your ass. You’re a smart man, Abner, no one denies that, but with as many horrible things as you’ve done, you would have surely been caught by now if it wasn’t for the help that I have given you.” Pausing, he looked directly into his eyes. “That, my friend, is the sad truth.”
Standing to face him, Abner pointed the gun right at his head, but then, as the sting of Stanley’s words was replaced by the realization that he was right, he slowly lowered the revolver. Clearing his throat, his voice was somber. “Here’s the deal, Stanley. No more fooling around. Ira Saxon killed Nicholas Starr last night right outside Sharpe’s farm near Gallatin. You need to get on the case and go after him. My silent partner and I want him hung for it, not life in prison or anything else. He has to die.” Glaring at Stanley, Abner’s words echoed into the night. “The gold in the satchel is only one-third of what you’ll get if you can accomplish this for us. Furthermore, my partner will remain silent until such time that they deem it necessary that you meet. But I’m warning you, Stanley, if you try to go behind our backs, I’ll hunt you down. Understand?”
