To Tame the Wild: a Red Dead Redemption fan fiction

Chapter 19 - Investigations

The muffled murmurs of men and the muted song of the piano from downstairs were the first sounds Jack recognized as his senses came back to him one by one. He awoke beneath the bed sheets, lying on his back with his head tilted slightly to the right. His eyes slowly opened, and he blinked several times in confusion when all he saw was blackness. Befuddled, he rolled over onto his side and looked around the rented room of the Blackwater saloon.

His boots were haphazardly laying by his bedside, as well as his duster, hat, and bags. He hazily recalled the night before, drinking shots of whiskey until he lost count and stumbling up the stairs with Maddie's help. He couldn't remember if she also helped him undress. I sure as hell hope not, he thought as he looked across the room over to Maddie's bed. He grew worried when he saw it hadn't been touched; all her belongings were neatly sitting by her bed. Wonder where she is. He glanced around the room and found a clock hanging on the wall. It read one-thirty. With a grunt, he sat up, wincing as the pain in his left shoulder and collarbone reemerged with a vicious vengeance. He sucked in air through gritted teeth and glared at his injuries with hate before rising out of bed, slipping on his boots, and leaving the room. He wandered down the hall, running a hand over his face and through his hair. He remembered slipping in and out of sleep throughout the day, lying in bed in misery with a pounding migraine and a flaring, stabbing pain in his shoulder. Twice, he threw up in the bucket Maddie had sat beside his bed.

Jack slowly descended the stairs and looked about the saloon. There were a few local drunks still lingering about; the bartender stood behind the counter looking bored and tired. Jack ambled up to the man and inquired about the whereabouts of his friend, and the man pointed outside to the patio. Thanking the man, he walked outside and found her sitting at one of the many empty poker tables.

Her back was turned to him as she sat smoking a cigar. On the table, beside her left forearm, a stack of file folders was lying open and spread out before her.

Quietly, he strolled over and sat down beside her. He took his time easing down to not jostle his shoulder. Once he was comfortable, he looked her over and asked, "What are you doin' out here alone? It's awful late."

She stared off into the dark, a twisted frown of pain and frustration crossing her pursed lips. She lifted the cigar to her lips and took a long puff. She glanced down at the file folder as she let out the smoke in a long, exasperated exhale. "I thought I'd sit out here and think for a bit. Besides, you were asleep, and I didn't wanna disturb you."

He reached up and touched her shoulder. "You doin' all right?"

She shook her head, her long hair swishing across her chest. She took another puff of her cigar before answering, "I'm still just as clueless as the day I learned Uncle Edgar died. It doesn't make any sense, Jack...I mean, there's hardly any mention of your pa helping my uncle out. There are records of my uncle supposedly bringin' in all your pa's former gang members, and...your pa's name is also on that list. But here's what I don't understand: if what you say is true, then the government has no record of it, or if any exists, I wasn't able to get my hands on it." She shook her head again. Her eyebrows narrowed over her darkening eyes; the flame of revenge and the hunger for the truth burned within them. "This doesn't make any sense! Why would a file tell me so little? Why are there so many holes? And why wouldn't my uncle file a report for what your father had done? As far as I know, John did the work. Did my uncle just stand by and let your pa do it for him? Maybe Archer was right...maybe my uncle really was a bitter old man."

Jack bit down on his lip to refrain himself from commenting.

"There's not a lot I dug up today, and as far as your story goes, Jack, Fordham backs it up. Your father did do everything you said he did. Archer and I discussed this today; he told me everything you've said."