Western Flower | ✅

Chapter 8 - Better The Devil You Know

There was a knock at the door, before he answered Abraham Cohen drank the glass of whiskey sat before him. He drank the whiskey aggressively before he beckoned the visitor to enter, he then drank another whiskey, again in a similar fashion. The door opened and in came Pearl who looked puzzled, as she came in Abraham motioned for her to sit and offered her a drink which she declined with a very polite nod. For a moment there was a silence that was broken by Pearl.

"Is it true that you have let Rose leave?" Pearl asked - the reason for her puzzled look was now apparent. She eyed Abraham eager for his answer, again, he took a third drink and paused for a moment before he answered.

"My dear Pearl. Rose came to us at a very awkward time in her life, she was not entirely happy here and I saw how she was with young Bill. Who am I to come between young love?" replied Abraham in his usually charismatic tone. With that Pearl snatched the bottle of whiskey and took a large gulp from the bottle, much to Abraham's surprise.

"Cut the bullshit, Bram!" Demanded Pearl, for a brief moment Abraham was rendered speechless by Pearl's sudden and out of character outburst.

"Fuck me sideways, pardon my French," said Abraham finally, stunned.

"Oh, I speak French" came a swift reply from Pearl.

"Of course, you do. How could I forget your tongue of many talents?" Replied Abraham calmly.

"It never used to forget when it suited you Bram" Said Pearl in a knowing tone.

In the past, Abraham and Pearl had been lovers. Abraham had been an outlaw in a gang and Pearl had been a whore, that was until Abraham had won a gold claim in a poker game and worked the claim until it was exhausted and he had enough money to set up a saloon. When he did, he wrote for Pearl to join him. She accepted but they had been apart several years when they re-joined forces the feelings between the two had changed.

With this Abraham eyed Pearl with an almost remorseful look as Pearl continued to look at him knowingly. This made Abraham uncomfortable, the only person that he could not lie to was Pearl. He knew that the more they made eye contact the more he might admit more than he cared to.

"Was there ever a chance for us? For us to be happy again like we were before I left?" Asked Abraham, choking on his words.

"You made your choice Bram, I needed you and you left! I came back to you, hoping that you would be a different man and you were but for all the wrong reasons" Pearl replied scornfully.

"Then why did you stay?" Abraham asked confused.

"You made your fortune, I thought I might as well make mine" replied Pearl lamenting the past.

"Anyway, I have my own reasons for releasing Rose. One day I will tell you why and maybe one day you will tell me why you stopped loving me?" Abraham responded, trying to keep face in front of Pearl.

"And that will be the day that we meet our maker," stated Pearl with a hint of danger.

With that the two former lovers looked at each other, they eyed each other with suspicion. Abraham had hoped that after all this time Pearl would have forgiven him and they could move on, but alas apparently it didn't look like that was going to happen yet.

"Pearl! My dear, could you be so kind as to ask Edgar to come to my office, please?" Asked Abraham who now seemed to be back to his usual self. After making his request of Pearl he poured a large drink of whiskey and toasted to Pearl. She did not answer but as she went to exit the office she gave a slight nod of acknowledgement, with the Abraham nodded back and finished his drink in one go.

After the door was closed Abraham stood up and went over to the doors that lead on to the balcony of the saloon, Abraham would often ponder or spend time on the balcony surveying the town. Abraham was a self-confessed people watcher, he felt that this help him in matters of business. The ability to read people, pre-empt their thoughts and use that to his advantage.

Abraham could now see Edgar, in conversation with Pearl who was obviously relaying Abraham's message to him. The thing that Abraham liked so much about Edgar was that he was eager to please, Abraham would say jump and Edgar would instantly ask how high? In many ways, Edgar was like a loyal dog to Abraham. On the rare occasion that he would berate him, Edgar would comply just like a dog would with its tail between its legs too scared to defy its master. While Edgar entered the saloon, Abraham casually made his way into his office and slowly eased himself into his chair awaiting Edgar.

A moment or two passed before Edgar knocked on the door, Abraham lazily signalled for him to enter. When he did Abraham poured two glasses of whiskey and without looking to Edgar cleared his throat.

"Now I may regret asking this but where have you been? Why just now I asked Pearl to tell you to come to my office thinking that you were downstairs, but by happy chance, she meets you in the street. Where could you have been?" After finishing his interrogation Abraham now looked at Edgar awaiting his response.

Edgar was now sitting in a chair facing Abraham, he was now fidgeting nervously with his hands almost hesitant to answer Abraham. After a moment he finally answered, "I had just been to visit the Chinese..." Edgar started eyeing Abraham with apprehension before he was interrupted.

"You went to visit the Chinese" Abraham started "now why would you want to do that? Nearly everything you'd want, I have" he questioned in a demanding tone, he then raised an eyebrow and awaited Edgar's response.

"Well, the Chinese women are cheaper and they also have.." Edgar paused, he could see the look on Abraham's face and knew that he shouldn't be talking. Deep down he knew that he should have maybe lied altogether rather than incur Abraham's wrath.

"DOPE! YOU WENT TO THE CHINESE TO GET HIGH OFF FUCKING DOPE, YOU STUPID COCKSUCKER!" Abraham roared, making Edgar jump out of his skin. "You had gone to the Chinese to get high and then milk your prick in some Chinese pussy! Pussy which I might add, that is half the price of what I charge! I pay you good money and then you go and spend it on dope and pussy, putting money in the pocket of my competition! I need you to have your head clear and thinking straight!" Abraham finally finished his scathing rant, much to the relief of Edgar.

"I'm sorry Bram, I won't do it again, I promise" Edgar managed to say through a panic-induced stammer. For a moment the two looked at each other then they both drank the whiskey that Abraham had poured earlier. "You wanted to see me, Pearl said," Edgar asked after finishing his drink.

"That's right" Abraham's tone was calm again. "I have released Rose from my employment, hopefully now she can go live her life happily and I no longer have to harbour any guilt about not being able to buy the land in that deal that went sour, we can now all get on with our lives".

"So does that mean..." Said, Edgar.

Abraham cut him off. "It sure does, what the fuck they put in that dope? Whatever it is it's apparently given you the ability to read my fucking mind."

"Are you sure it's wise Bram?" Replied Edgar.

"For fuck sake, I pay you to do, not to think. I want to strike while the iron is hot! Before anyone can put a halt to the plan." Abraham stated, not hiding his annoyance at being questioned.

"So shall I go get.." Asked Edgar.

"Would you like to see what happens if you don't! Replied Abraham, now angry.

With that Edgar jumped up, stumbling over himself. In his haste to leave he forgot to shut the door to Abraham's office, he doubled back to close the door and apologised as he did. With that Abraham poured himself a whiskey and slowly drank it in one go...

Authors Note
Abraham, you dark horse (no offence Coal) ! Not only do we find out that him and Pearl were once an item (what caused the issue between them) but Abraham has a nasty side. The next chapter is a flashback to Bill before the beginning of the Struck By Lightning chapter. I hope you enjoyed the chapter :-).