In reply to Sheriff Cruger (msg # 914):

"All right," Jake replied with a nod. He still thought it a little odd that JEB's statement about what had happened out at the camp last night wasn't sufficient for Sheriff Cruger, but he thought it best not to question Cruger's judgment on the point.

"I was asleep when things started to go south. I got waked up by some gunshots, an' first thing I  saw was a feller standin' 'bout ten feet away from me. I heard Cole Trayne, who was on watch, yellin' somethin' 'bout Kirbee bein' bad, an' for us to put him down -- an' that there was someone else out amongst the horses."

"Turns out that the man standin' near me was Kirbee, an' he was pointin' his pistol over at Cole. I saw some gunsmoke swirlin' 'round him, so I figured he'd already fired at least once."

"JEB -- Sheriff Beauregard -- bless his heart, fired at Kirbee whilst I was scrabblin' for my Spencer. Otherwise, Kirbee might've got me, seein' as how he was standin' so close by. Since Kirbee was so close I couldn't hardly miss, so I put a round in his midsection an'  got up on my feet."

"Like I said, I'm sure I hit Kirbee -- an' Sheriff Beauregard an' Cole Trayne was firin' at him, too, an' might've also hit him. I'd say that Kirbee was dead afore he hit the ground -- an' if not, very damned soon afterwards."

"Soon as I saw that Kirbee was down an' outta the fight, I turned an' seen somebody spurrin' my horse -- Ghost -- away at a gallop. Travis Sunday an' the Perfesser -- a greenhorn from back east -- was firin' at the rider, an' I snapped off a shot soon as I had a chance. Truth be told, I ain't certain-sure whether I hit Weasel or Ghost -- the light was poor an' the rider was low in the saddle, presentin' a right smallish target. I followed a short way on foot, but wasn't willin' to risk no more shots in such chancy circumstances."

"I returned to the camp an' kept the Perfesser comp'ny whilst he tended to Jack -- that's Cole's dog, who got hisself shot by Vickers. Cole mounted up fast as blazes an' took off after Vickers, lickety-split, an' Travis an' Sheriff Beauregard mounted up an' followed soon afterwards."

"After a while, I heard a single rifle report from somwheres off to the east -- a goodly ways off, from the sound of it."

"A right longish time afterwards, I caught sight of everybody comin' back into camp, walkin' the horses. Seems like my pards had managed to catch up with Ghost an' Vickers afore he was able to get clean away. Ghost was 'bout played out from the chase an' had a bullet crease, but I reckon he'll recover, given good care an' rest. Vickers rode him nearabouts into the ground, but leastways he didn't cripple him nor kill him. 'Twas a right good thing the Perfesser was thaere last night to tend to him."

"Like I already said, I'd've given Vickers what he deserved then an' thaere, but that ain't the way it played out."

Jake fell silent after his recitation and thought for a moment, then added, "Reckon that's 'bout it, Sheriff, 'less you got some questions."

In reply to James E. Beauregard (msg # 913):

Think nothing of it sheriff, it's my duty to use my education in such ways. I spoke to Mr. Xu briefly when he and Mr. Clampitt came to collect Mei Ling, he seemed genuinely agrieved so I doubt he did it; still, nothing should be ruled out. We should also find out if anything was stolen from her or from the room.

ENS considers for a moment.

I can take the button to the town's tailor in the morning... it's a longshot but perhaps he can give us some information on it or even identify it.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:10, Mon 09 July 2012.

Cole moves near Travis and whispers to him so as to prevent anyone from eavesdropping.

I got a bad feeling about that Loco feller, over yonder. I'm of a mind to follow him when her leaves, to see if he ends up somewhere interesting. Way I see it, if a man is going to follow a Chinaman, it could be a might helpful having someone who can speak the language come with.

You in?

In reply to Jake Richardson (msg # 915):

"That seems to cover it, I suppose," says the sheriff. "Assuming I am correct to note that the horse is now in your possession."

The sheriff glances away, toward the saloons, for a moment, and then returns his attention to Jake. "On second thought, I do have one question. Is it your opinion that Vickers intended to steal Ghost?"

In reply to Rojas (msg # 901):

Randy regains his composure and releases Rojas properly.  "I looked for you when I was in San Antone back a few months.  'Course I couldn't find you, then here you are.  Just like these fellers, right outta the dust, every cowpoke I know shows up.

"Hey, did you know what became of Joe Turner?  I ain't seen him since the last ride of the Buffaloes.  Then there's the Major.  But I figure he's just fine."  Randy pauses for his questions to be fulfilled.

In reply to Sheriff Cruger (msg # 918):

"Well, he ain't 'zactly in my poe-session -- he's over yonder at the livery stable," Jake replied.

When Sheriff Cruger asked if it was Jake's opinion that Vickers intended to steal Ghost, the ex-Wells Fargo man looked puzzled, as if he had been asked a trick question. "What difference does that make?" he answered after a moment. "He did it, didn't he?"

In reply to Jake Richardson (msg # 920):

Sheriff Cruger doesn't bat an eye.

"Did he? I don't know. I wasn't there."

In reply to Sheriff Cruger (msg # 921):

Jake stared at the lawman as if he had just sprouted a third eye in the middle of his forehead.

"What kinda bullshit is that?" he growled, suddenly very hot under the collar.

"Of course he did it. Ain't you been listenin' to what I said? An' didn't you already talk to Sheriff Beauregard? Mayhaps you warn't thaere, but him an' I was."

"You need to talk to maybe Sunday an' Trayne too?"

"Or mayhaps you need the Archangel Gabriel to come down an' point out the horse thief for you?"
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 04:09, Tue 10 July 2012.

In reply to Jake Richardson (msg # 922):

The deputy in the chair tenses when Jake loses his cool. Mangy remains seated, his rifle at the ready as usual.

Sheriff Cruger shows no sign of concern. "It's my duty to ask questions, Richardson," says the sheriff, in an even tone. There's a notable shift in his tone--one of dismissal--when he continues. "I reckon we can wind up this interview now. Mangy will find you when we need you."

In reply to Sheriff Cruger (msg # 923):

That's mighty damned weak, Jake thought when he heard the Sheriff's explanation. It's one thing to ask questions when the facts are in doubt, but thaere ain't no doubt whatsoever that Weasel stole Ghost. I wonder would he question the sun's risin' in the east? 'Less he doubts Sheriff Beauregard's an' my accounts o' the matter, thaere ain't no reason a'tall to still question whether Vickers stole Ghost -- an' if he does doubt our tellin' of the way it was, hell, that's the same as callin' us either fools or liars.

It was pretty clear from Jake's expression what he thought of Sheriff Cruger's explanation, but he wasn't so angry that he had lost the ability to reason. And he reasoned that he probably shouldn't push the lawman any further.

However, Jake didn't entirely trust himself to keep a civil tongue in his head if he answered, so he simply nodded his understanding and turned on his heel to leave.

After Jake Richardson has cleared away, the sheriff exchanges a few words with deputy Mansfield before leaving the jail himself. He turns toward north along Griffin.

In reply to Cole Trayne (msg # 917):

I'm in.  That said and I mean no offense Cole but do you know how to follow a man without being observed?

The emphasis on "you" implying that the former scout did.

In reply to Sheriff Cruger (msg # 925):

Jake was in a sour mood after his "interview," as  Sheriff Cruger had termed it. He didn't know if Weasel had stole my horse 'cause he warn't thaere -- my ass! the ex-Wells Fargo man thought to himself, shaking his head at the absurdity of the lawman's statement.

He turned up the collar of his duster, glad to have the coat to help ward off the evening's chill. Jake's stomach was starting to talk to him about wanting some food, and he decided that he'd stroll on up to Hatfield's and eat dinner.

In reply to Jake Richardson (msg # 927):

Jake stops at Hatfield's and finds the place closed up tight.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 928):

JEB sees Jake stop down the road along Griffin, not far from the Beehive. Just about that time, he sees what he believes is the sheriff stepping off the porch of the jail, and starting up Griffin toward Jake.

In reply to Randy Oldman (msg # 919):

Rojas smiles. He seems quite pleased to see Randy. He listens to the big man ramble on.

"I have not seen Joe Turner in a lifetime, it seems," says the Mexican. "The Major, he is up north, now. Montana, I think."

Rojas glances around the saloon, taking in the current events. "I have heard you are going to be in the new show at the Frontier House, si? I look forward to throwing rotten fruit at you."

In reply to Travis Sunday (msg # 926):

Cole smiles and shakes his head.

Nope. Can't say I know much about sneaking about. But, the way I figure it, it might not matter much if the man being followed ain't much of a sneak either.

Still, seems plain as day that a man with sneak skills would be a might better at this here job than me.

Cole then looks at Travis, expectantly.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 929):

JEB nods at Ringgenberg's suggestion of visiting the tailor in the morning, "That's a decent notion. The tailor ought to know every thread and button in town. I'll meet you here after breakfast. Good night."

JEB then approaches the local lawman, "Good evening, sheriff. May I have a word?"

In reply to Cole Trayne (msg # 931):

I'll follow you.

In reply to James E. Beauregard (msg # 932):

The sheriff was approaching the intersection of Second and Griffin when Deputy Beauregard was speaking with ENS. The lawman had passed Jake Richardson, who stood near Hatfield's, still more than a mite irate but now apparently thinking at least as much about where he might find something to address his hunger.

Catching sight of his new deputy on saloon's front porch, the sheriff hears JEB's call. He turns toward the porch.

"I was fixin' to ask you the same," Cruger replies. "I need to locate Clampitt first. Walk with me."

The sheriff walks with JEB and passes through the wagon yard gate. It doesn't take long to find Clampitt, who is putting finishing touches on a plain but well-crafted coffin, under lamp light near his home and shed at the west end of the property.

"Clampitt, that's a fine job. It's good to know we can count on you when it really matters," says the sheriff, by way of greeting.

"Mangy's in charge while I'm gone. This is deputy Beauregard. He is investigating the woman's murder in my absence. If you need something for the funeral, one of them will assist you."

In reply to Sheriff Cruger (msg # 935):

The bearded carpenter nods to both lawmen. He says "Deputy" in response to the sheriff's introduction.

"No funeral, sheriff. Well, not soon I reckon. Mr. Xu gave me instructions for the body. He is supposed to return on the morrow."
This message was last edited by the GM at 12:43, Wed 11 July 2012.

In reply to B.F. Clampitt (msg # 936):

"All right. We should honor his wishes, if practical." The sheriff glances at JEB and begins to walk around the side of Clampitt's shed toward the river.

Inside the Beehive, Travis and Cole find themselves waiting at the bar. They've been nursing their beers for a spell.

Ruby Easterling returns her attention to the men. With only a raised eyebrow and without a spoken word, she asks whether they are ready for another round.

In reply to James E. Beauregard (msg # 932):

Good night sheriff, see you tomorrow.

ENS watches the sheriff walk off for a moment, then replaces the button inside his coat pocket and goes back into the Beehive. Quite an evening... I think I'll have that beer now.

As he enters he sees Cole and Travis near the bar, so he approaches them.

Hello again gentlemen... Cole, I'd like to take you up on that beer if you please!
This message was last edited by the player at 15:40, Wed 11 July 2012.