Inwardly, Morgan winced at his misstep. Suddenly understanding that Hawthorne wanted to keep her talents, whatever they might be, hidden elicited a pang of sympathy from him. He was intimately familiar with the struggle to keep a burdensome secret.

Looking down at the crate full of Goodwin's possessions, he said, "I apologize, Miss Hawthorne. Clearly, I was mistaken."

Morgan nodded gratefully at Darling's suggestion and resumed walking toward Earp's Office.

Clearing his throat, he said, "I didn't take the time to thoroughly look through Mr. Goodwin's possessions when I retrieved them from the Dog Eye. I had hoped to enlist Marshal Earp's help, but if the two of you wouldn't mind, perhaps we could all examine these items at the Town Marshal's office and see if there are any more clues to be found."

"I'd like to be of help, Morgan, no matter how mundane the task. However, I owe my publisher a telegram to let them know I won't be able to come through with an exclusive interview with Radcliffe, since he's been spirited away by those damned government men." He walks along in silence with his friends for a moment.

"Say, do you think Earp's on the level? That he surrendered the man to US agents? You don't think he's playing a double game and working with the Confederates, do you? I mean, he let those Wilderness Riders walk away scot-free after Walter Jackson was beaten."

Morgan was quiet for a moment as he considered Darling's question.  "Mr. Darling, I had telegraphed the Agency about Vinton Radcliffe shortly after we brought him here to Dodge. As well informed as you are, you may already be familiar with that organization. They are Union agents tasked with investigating...well, some of the more unusual occurences out here on the frontier." He sighed and shook his head. "I'll be frank in saying that I'm not especially fond of them, but in instances where a Marshal like myself encounters a crime that involves something supernatural, we're expected to report those things to the Agency."

"I honestly regret having informed them about Radcliffe. So much so that I'm afraid I'll have to think long and hard about reporting anything else to them in the future. I believe that Radcliffe might have been able to provide some information that would have been useful regarding the massacre in Hays, but the Agency snatched him away before those questions could be asked. For what it's worth, I'm truly sorry you weren't able to conduct your interview."

He frowned. "I do think that Earp is trying to do the best and most honest job that he can. I think he makes an earnest effort to distance himself from anything that could stir up any kind of political hostility. I believe he's trying to avoid showing favor to either Union or Confederate symapthizers. To be as neutral as possible."

"I'll be honest, Mr. Darling. When I saw what had happened to Walter Jackson, my intention was to take the men responsible to jail. By force if necessary. I told them as much. But when Earp came on the scene, he simply made them leave. I may not completely agree with that decision, but I understand it. I believe that he was thinking in terms of keeping the peace and avoiding more violence. In his estimation, arresting those boys would have incited more chaos. I think he was trying to do what he thought was best at the time."

Morgan shrugged. "So yes, I do think he's on the level. Unless he does something to make me believe otherwise."

"Speaking of Walter, did you find out if he saw the doctor? Even with that arm being set, he was beaten pretty badly."
This message was last edited by the player at 21:31, Wed 03 Apr 2013.

Pleased that Caleb was intuitive enough to drop the subject, she let his explanation of the situation soothe her ruffled feathers and took a moment to calm herself.  It surprised her that Caleb had been the one to contact the Agency and have the man whisked away, but she couldn't fault him for it.  It had been a curious and frightening experience, and not one that needed to be repeated.  Better the man remain in custody of people that could properly restrain him.

"Yes, we did ask the doctor about Mister Jackson, and the doctor saw him last night.  He said that whoever set his arm did a fair job at it and that he was doing well when he left." She indicated the way to Earp's office.  "I'd love to have a look in that box.  Perhaps there are further clues about what this man was up to and why someone killed him."

When they arrived at Earp's office, Randolph tipped his hat to Coraline, "I'll be back presently," he says with a smile and sets off down the board sidewalk.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:07, Fri 05 Apr 2013.

Morgan pushed open the door to the Town Marshal's Office with his shoulder and held it so Hawthorne could enter. Stepping inside, he sighted an empty desk and set the crate down on top of it.

After greeting Earp, Morgan briefly recounted all that he had been able to learn that morning about Paul Goodwin.

Pointing to the crate, he said, "I collected Mr. Goodwin's possessions from the Dog Eye, but I haven't had the chance to look through them. If you'd like to lend a hand, you're welcome to. If you have other matters to attend to, Miss Hawthorne has been kind enough to volunteer her help and Mr. Darling should be along directly."

Wyatt Earp looked like he hadn't slept in a month. Managing all the chaos seemed to have taken a noticeable toll on the lawman. He stood up, and looked in the box, and fished around in there a little bit.

"Sure, I suppose I can lend a hand. Change of pace. There somethin' in here in particular you're hopin' to find?" he asked. He removed a jacket from the crate, searching through the pockets as he waited on a response.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:10, Fri 05 Apr 2013.

Picking up a pair of Goodwin's trousers, Morgan searched the pockets.

"I'm hoping we find something that would give us a clue about what Union business Goodwin was attending to here in Dodge. I'm guessing that, whatever it was, it's probably the reason he was killed."

They spent several minutes searching through the mundane items in the box that Caleb had retrieved from the Dog Eye Saloon, but turned up nothing that would distinguish Goodwin from any other man. At the end, they had a neat pile of clothes and assorted items.

"Well, that's too bad. A good thought, though. We'll keep this here for a few days, just in case anything turns up." He looked at the crate doubtfully.
This message was last updated by the player at 19:39, Sun 07 Apr 2013.

A bit disappointed that the search had turned up little, Coraline sighed softly.  Placing the object she'd examined back into the crate, she turned to Caleb.  "Marshal, do you intend to continue scouting the town for clues of this man's identity or do you have another plan in mind?"

It was diificult for Morgan to mask his disappointment. Returning the last items he had examined to the crate, he shook his head. "My only thought at the moment, " he said, "is to return to the Dog Eye once things liven up over there. See if I can speak with a patron or two that Goodwin might have interviewed. See if they recall anything of note."

"It might be that Mr. Darling can glean something from Goodwin's book. If anyone could dig some clues out of it, it would be him. If he finds something, we can chase that lead down."

He gazed out the window at the dusty street. "Other than that, it's just a matter of waiting. Perhaps Gabby, Daniel, and Sky Dog will learn something from the Wilderness Riders. Hopefully, Suzy will regain her senses soon and we can ask her about what she saw."

He glanced at Earp with a wan grin. "Sometimes, doing the work of the law, waiting is all you can do."

Frowning, he asked, "Marshal, the name Barney Ford wouldn't happen to mean anything to you, would it?"
This message was last edited by the player at 14:13, Mon 08 Apr 2013.

"About letting Mr. Darling dig around in the book you found, I think we probably want to get that back. You said you have contacts at the Agency, Marshal, and I think it's best to get it to them. Do you really want a reporter nosing through what might be your government's intelligence?"

When Caleb asked him about Barney Ford, he thought about it for a moment, and shook his head. "No, I'm afraid I don't know the man. Who is he?"

Morgan considered Earp's statement. He knew that the Deputy Marshal was thinking of Darling only in light of the man's profession. And there was no question, Darling was eager for a good story and had meant to make Vinton Radcliffe his latest. But there were things Earp couldn't take into account. The man had traveled to an abandoned mine and faced plenty of horrors to help rescue Edwin Wilder. Nothing had obligated him to do that but he'd risked his life anyway. Though he couldn't say as much to Earp, Morgan was choosing to trust Darling.

Nodding, he said, "Being a writer, I thought Mr. Darling might have some insight that I didn't into Mr. Goodwin's novel. But I'm certain that once he's looked it over, he'll return it here for safe keeping."

"Goodwin dedicated his book to this Barney Ford. Called him a life long friend. Goodwin indicated in what he wrote that he and his wife had spent some time with Ford in Denver, at the Inter-Ocean Hotel, I believe. I guess I was just hoping that perhaps someone by that name had done some business here in Dodge City."
This message was last edited by the player at 19:37, Mon 08 Apr 2013.

"You might want to send a telegram to the town authorities in Denver," says Darling from the doorway, "See if they can give you a line on Mr. Ford."

He holds out Goodwin's book to Morgan: "I haven't had a chance to do more than riffle through this 'book' Caleb. It looks like a would-be novelist's pitiful attempts. Being a would-be novelist myself, I feel qualified to judge Goodwin's work at about a par with my own scribblings. Still, when this is reported to the federal authorities, you might want to pass it along to them.

"Have you found anything to indicate Mrs. Goodwin's whereabouts? Was his watch in his clothes or an address book?"
This message was last edited by the player at 19:58, Mon 08 Apr 2013.

"It seems that Paul Goodwin kept on him only what he needed, and no more. He wasn't free with his information, neither. He lived clean and simple, and didn't leave hints behind for us to dig through. Knowing his vocation, I don't find that surprising," he said.

"Honestly, I don't think we can even be sure that Paul Goodwin was the man's real name."

He nodded at Darling's suggestion. "I think I will send that telegram. See if the authorities up there have any suspicions regarding Mr. Ford."

"Then I suppose I'll head back over to the Dog Eye and see if I can locate anyone who remembers being interviewed by Goodwin." He looked to Hawthorne and Darling. "Unless either of you have some suggestions. I'm certainly open to ideas."

"I've done a little diggin' into the matter myself, and I haven't been able to find anything on Paul Goodwin, or whatever his name was, other than I think what we know so far - which is more than most folks know about him. I'm thinkin' maybe all we can do is keep a sharp eye out and see if we can't catch this killer the next time he strikes. I've alerted the other folks I've taken on who are watching other parts of the town. Other than that, I can't think of much that would be helpful. And make sure to get some rest today, whatever else. Tonight's gonna be just as busy as last night, though I can hope less bloody," he said.

Morgan nodded slowly at Earp's suggestion. Much as he hated to admit it, the Deputy Marshal was likely right. It had already felt as though they had been chasing shadows all day, but then a spy, by definition, was a shadow.

Perhaps Suzy would snap out of shock and be able to speak. Maybe one of the Wilderness Riders had witnessed something of import. Beyond that, it was a matter of waiting.

He had hoped to be out of Dodge soon. Back on the open prairie, where he belonged. It was July 3rd. He had three days.

"I reckon I'll walk our patrol a couple of times before nightfall in that case," he said, "Make sure I know where someone can run if they're trying to make an escape, in case our killer comes calling again."

Darling looks up from idly picking through the contents of the crate: "I'll walk along with you, Caleb, if you can stand the company."

"I'd welcome the company, Mr. Darling," Morgan said. "Miss Hawthorne, you're welcome to join us if you'd like."

"I think it best if we stick together for a bit.  We may not be able to cover as much ground, but it will be useful to have an extra hand just in case trouble starts up.  We should certainly be on the lookout for any more of these Wilderness riders." 

"Yes, ma'am. I think that would be best," Morgan said. In light of last night's events, working in larger groups certainly was the wisest course. Whether dealing with more miscreants like the Wilderness Riders or the killer they sought, none of them needed to face those threats alone.

As he walked to the door, Morgan turned and nodded to Earp. "Deputy Marshal, if you need us for anything, we'll be in the vicinity of the Dog Eye."

As the three departed the jailhouse, they encountered Walter Jackson, who was walking up towards them. "Just lookin' for you deputies. You in particular," he said, gesturing to Caleb.

"Wanted to thank you again for savin' me last night."

Randolph gives the Negro a smile. "I'm gratified to see you up and around, Walter. I do recommend, however, that you lie low for the next few days. Those boys are likely not done with you ye.," He reaches into his jacket for his wallet, "Do you need any money to tide you over?"

Extracting his wallet, Darling is struck with a thought. "Morgan, what if Walter's beating was set up as a distraction to give our murderer a chance to get away? That make any sense to you, Miss Hawthorne?""

"I was glad to help," Morgan told Jackson, "I'm glad to see you're doing better, too. I'd have to agree with Mr. Darling. You need to be careful, especially if you're around any place the Wilderness Riders frequent.  They strike me as the sorts that hold a grudge."

Morgan considered Darling's question. "It's certainly possible." Turning his attention back to Jackson, he asked, "Mr. Jackson, do you remember what led up to the Riders attacking you? I know you were mostly concerned with defending yourself, but do you recall anything unusual that any of those men said or did?"