When the Devil Cries (Arthur Morgan X Male OC)

31. Isolated

From Atticus' POV

A WHILE LATER

LEVITICUS' OFFICE, ANNESBURG

"The trap failed?" Leviticus exclaimed in disbelief as he read the telegram. "We had nearly a dozen men guarding that stagecoach! How on Earth did Van Der Linde's men manage to kill them all?"

I sat near one of the factory's windows and casually held a pocket-watch in my palm, staring vehemently at Nathaniel's portrait which was tucked neatly inside.

"It appears that we underestimated him," I concluded. "Dutch may be broken, and he may be deluded...but he's far from unintelligent. No fool would be capable of evading the law for as long as he has. We can't approach him like some common criminal."

Cornwall tossed the telegram onto his desk in frustration and let out a sharp breath.

"Well, there must be something we can do! The question is: what? The Pinkertons can't catch him, the bounty hunters can't catch him, and even we've failed to detain him. It seems as if this man is invincible."

"He's not," I corrected. "None of us are."

Leviticus placed his hands on his hip. "Well, of course. Though, I'm afraid I'm starting to run out of ideas, Mister Rose. I paid an incredible amount of money to the Pinkertons to aid them in their search for Van Der Linde, but still -- nothing. They give me excuses instead of results. This Dutch robs me, and laughs at me. How are we supposed to capture a man who is seemingly untouchable? It's all just a mess."

I stood up, gently snapping the pocket-watch closed.

"Well, if I've learned anything from my encounters with Dutch," I stated, "it's that he aspires to be a modern king without any willingness to build the throne himself. He helps the poor and abandoned in exchange for their blind loyalty, and casts out those who refuse to bow to him. So perhaps, Mister Cornwall, the solution is not to take down the man himself, but rather, the men around him."

Leviticus's head perked up in curiosity. "The men around him, you say? Any...specific names you might be thinking of?"

I pulled out a cigarette and stuck it between my lips, lighting the tip aflame. "...There is one. His name is Arthur Morgan. I understand he's one of the more trusted members in the gang, and also the same man who happens to be protecting the boy I'm after. I can promise you it'd benefit both of us to kill him."

Cornwall nodded steadily in agreement. "Yes...I believe I've met him before. If I'm not mistaken, he was with Dutch when I ambushed them in Valentine. There's no denying he'll be tough to take down, but he's only one man. We should be able to get rid of him. How do you suggest we start?"

Before I could answer, a gentle thud came from the office's door as a third party abruptly joined the conversation, causing me and Leviticus to bring our attention to the new arrival.

"Ah," I said calmly, recognizing their face, "Rodrick. There you are."

Sauntering into the room with a casual sway to his step, Rodrick gave me and Mister Cornwall a toothy grin as he lay a shotgun on his shoulder, immediately frightening the businessman with the amount of blood that was staining his suit.

"Morning, Atticus," he greeted, his injured eye making it look as if he were winking. "Sorry to interrupt."

Leviticus mindlessly backed up out of fear and pointed a shaky finger at Rodrick, looking to me for reassurance.

"Y-You know this man?"

"He's one of mine," I confirmed, introducing the two of them. "Mister Kingsley, this is the man I've been cooperating with this past week: Mister Cornwall."