The Last Love Of Arthur Morgan

Banking, The old American Art

Arthur stomped into Dutch's tent, Thomas hot on his heels, interrupting a conversation between Hosea and Dutch. He looked surprised to see both men standing in his tent, but invited them in anyway. He told Hosea to stay, which piqued Arthur's curiosity.

"What's all this about?" He questioned.

"Hosea got a lead from some rich folks passing through Rhodes. He went on a shopping excursion with Pearson. Anyway." He waved his hand."These folks were headed to Saint Denis' first bank. Rumor has it, they are getting a thirty thousand dollar deposit from our favorite person...That's right, Leviticus Cornwall."

Arthur exhaled a breath."Cornwall? Thought you was done with him."

"Not when there's thirty thousand dollars at stake. That's it, Arthur, that's our golden ticket."

"You been sayin' that since Cherry hill."

"Ah, Arthur." Hosea cleared his throat."In this case, Dutch is right. This is our ticket to freedom. We just need to plan thoroughly before we jump in."

Arthur nodded his head and turned to Thomas, who had an impatient look on his face. He suddenly remembered their reason for being there. He turned to Dutch and wiped his nose with the back of his hand.

"Thomas has somethin' important he needs to talk about, Dutch...I think you need to listen to him."

Thomas stepped forward and cleared his throat."It's about the prisoner - the O'Driscoll. Uh, well, I know him. He's one of Colm's closest, at least third or fourth in command. I don't think he sent him knowin' he'd die. I think he sent him knowin' he wouldn't."

Arthur clamped a hand down on his shoulder."What Thomas is gettin' at is, we took the bait an' now Colm is waiting to attack us again."

Hosea turned to Dutch."We ought to do something with that boy. He's stinking the hell out of that shack."

Dutch sat back, his hat slightly ajar now, and exhaled a breath. He looked confused and angry. He didn't know what to believe, but he knew he had to do something. He sat up again and rubbed his face with his hands.

"We kill him, send a message to Colm."

"That's what he wants." Thomas said."He sent Michael knowin' he wouldn't die, but if he does die, they'll have every reason to retaliate now."

"How will they know?"

Thomas snorted."If I know Colm at all and I'm pretty sure I do, he's probably watching us."

"If he was, I'd know about it." Dutch argued.

"They're always one step ahead of us." Thomas pointed out."This is Colm's last phase of torture. Bait and wait. Trust me, I've done this kind of shit with him. Sometimes we'd wait months before attacking. We'd make sure they knew we were there though, but we wouldn't attack until they, whoever they were, were uncomfortable, afraid and at each others throats! I see that happening here and that's exactly what he wants!"

Everyone was quiet for a while, trying to process what Thomas just said. And it was a lot. Dutch seemed the most disturbed by the revelation. Hosea didn't seem at all surprised. And Arthur, well he was plain disgusted.

"So what do you think we should do then?" Dutch questioned him, though his voice was menacing.

Thomas glared at Dutch, clearly sensing the underlaying tones to his question. Arthur could feel the tension between both men and snuck a glance at Hosea, who had his head down, staring at the floor.

"We need to either let him go unharmed or move. Trust me on this one. You don't want him to come back for more. That baby upstairs, that little boy, they'll be first on his list." He pointed toward the house."And you don't even wanna know what he'd do to the women. Killin' them would be a blessing."