Unshaken

A Fisher of Men

The next day Liam thought about the train robbery. He killed men. He was now a murderer. It didn't matter to him though. Those lawmen were crooks, the O'Driscolls were scum, and his daddy was a horrible man. Everyone he had killed had it coming. He was impressed with the amount of money he'd saved up. He wasn't quite sure what he was gonna do with it. He climbed onto Colter and rode to the Dakota River to get some air. He found a nice spot and sat on a rock skipping flat stones across the water. He sat for a while lost in thought. He was thinking of heading to Valentine later. He then heard familiar voices approach.

"Alright, this looks as good a spot as any." Arthur said riding in. Jack was on the front of the horse. Arthur let Jack down and then jumped off. Liam stood up. "Didn't know y'all were coming down here." Liam said to Arthur. "Yeah, me neither. Taking the boy fishing. We could all get outta camp a little bit." Arthur said. "Definitely. Wish I would've brought my damn pole, didn't think about it." Liam said as Arthur took his and Jack's out. "Don't worry, I got an extra." Arthur said pulling another pole off of Trigger. "Thanks." Liam said baiting it and casting the line into the river. Arthur explained to Jack how to bait a hook and cast the line. Matthew never cared to show Liam how to fish. Luckily, he met some fisherman at Ringneck Creek when he was about ten years old who gave him a pole and showed him how. Jack quickly grew bored and went to pick some flowers. Liam smiled as Jack ran excitedly to them.

Liam walked next to Arthur. "He's lucky, that kid, to have y'all around showing him the ropes." Arthur looked into the distance. "I wouldn't call him lucky, but yeah, he has all of us to care for him. That's something we didn't get growing up." Liam pursed his lips. He then noticed Arthur's line jerk. Arthur quickly reeled the fish in. "I'd say about six pounds." He guessed, holding it. "Nice catch. Definitely feed us for a few days." Liam said. Arthur laughed. "That's if Pearson doesn't let it rot before then." They both laughed out loud.

"Hey, look at this!" Jack said to them holding up a necklace made of flowers. Arthur and Liam approached him. "At what?" Arthur asked. "This necklace I made." Jack said excitedly. "Necklace?" Arthur asked in an enthusiastic tone. "For mama." Jack replied. "Sure." Arthur said as he and Liam noticed the detail the four-year-old had put into his work.

"What a fine young man, and in such complex circumstances." A voice rang. Liam and Arthur jumped at the comment. It was a government agent. Liam's stomach dropped. "Arthur, isn't it? Arthur Morgan?" The agent asked. The one behind him cocked his gun and rested it on his shoulder. "Who are you?" Arthur asked in a defensive tone. "Yes... Arthur Morgan. Van Der Linde's most trusted associate. You've read the files. Typical case. Orphaned street kid seduced by that maniac's silver tongue and matures into a degenerate murderer. Agent Milton." He said pointing at himself. "Agent Ross." He said pointing at the man behind him. "Pinkerton Detective Agency. Seconded by the United States Government. Nice to finally meet. We know a lot about you, and this one right here." Milton said walking up with Ross and looking at Liam. "Seems you're taking the path Mr. Morgan here has. A southern peasant boy turned young gunslinger. Coincidentally, you fit the description of a young man who savagely murdered his father in Rhodes and disappeared. With a small price on your head, you're wanted to be hanged for your crime, Mr. Liam Parker." Milton threatened. "You don't know who I am." Liam told the man, his heart racing. "Oh, but that's the thing, we do. We know both of you inside and out." Milton accused the two. 

"Do you?" Arthur asked. "You're a wanted man, Mr. Morgan. There's five thousand dollars for your head alone." Milton threatened turning his attention to Arthur. "Five thousand? For me? Can I turn myself in?" Arthur asked sarcastically. "We want Van Der Linde." Milton demanded. "Old Dutch? Haven't seen him for months." Arthur lied. "Is that so? Because I heard a guy fitting his description robbed a train belonging to Leviticus Cornwall up near Granite Pass." Milton said. "Well ain't that... a little old-fashioned nowadays?" Arthur asked with a nervous laugh. This made Liam grow nervous. "Apparently not. Listen, this is my offer, Mr. Morgan. Bring in Van Der Linde, and you have my word, you won't swing." Milton proposed. "Oh, I ain't gonna swing anyways, Agent, um..." Arthur shot back. "Milton." The agent corrected. "You see, I haven't done anything wrong aside from not play the games to your rules." Arthur told him.

"Spare me the philosophy lesson. I've already heard it. From Mac Callender." Milton said. "Mac Callender?" Arthur asked, anticipating the agent's answer. "He was pretty shot up by the time I got to him, so really, it was more of a mercy killing. Slow, but merciful." Milton said with a sinister smile on his face. Liam didn't know who Mac was, but knew Arthur must have known him. Milton was trying to get under his skin. Arthur looked down angrily and threw his pole down in a fit of rage. This caused Ross to immediately aim his gun at Arthur in a fast motion. As that happened, Liam pulled out his revolver and aimed it at Ross' head just as quick. Ross eyed Liam for a moment with pure hatred, then turned his attention back to Arthur. "You enjoy being a rich man's toy, do ya?" Arthur asked infuriated. "I enjoy society flaws and all. You people venerate savagery and will die savagely. All of you!" Milton threatened. "Oh, we're all gonna die, Agent." Arthur told him menacingly. "Some of us sooner than others. Good day, Mr. Morgan." Milton said waking off angrily. Ross still had his gun pointed at Arthur while walking off. "Enjoy your fishing, kid, while you still can." He told Jack with an evil laugh. Jack was hiding behind the two. Liam put his gun back into its holster.

"Who are they?" Jack asked worried. "No one to worry about, no one at all." Arthur said leading Jack to his horse. "Come on. Let's pick up your things and get home." Arthur said grabbing his materials and loading Jack onto the horse. He gave Liam a look they both understood. This was urgent. They rode back to camp quickly making sure they weren't followed. When they arrived, Jack ran to Abigail. She noticed Arthur wasn't normal. She asked him what happened and he said he needed to talk to Dutch. He then went and told Dutch what happened and returned to Liam. "Those snakes are the ones to watch out for." He said to Liam. "I just wonder how they know so much. Seems off." Liam said. "I know. Just watch your back, okay?" Arthur told him. "Of course." Liam agreed as Arthur went back to Dutch to explain the situation in further detail.

Liam knew about the Pinkertons. But he didn't know that they knew about him. He sat at the scout fire alone, thinking about the turn of events. Who told the town that he "savagely" murdered his father? It was a blatant lie. And now he was a wanted man. If they found him, he was gonna swing. Although he knew he'd be safe if he stayed with the gang. And the law in Rhodes was a joke. They couldn't catch him even if they tried. He knew the place inside and out. His mother must have reported him to the police. This made him hate her even more. And a price? For him? He knew bounty hunters loved their money. He made sure to watch his back as Arthur said. Anyone could be after him.