Allgood and Cooper walk away from Ellis’ store, stepping out into the muddy expanse of Lincoln’s Main Street. The rainfall has lessened to a fine mist, gray fog settling over the edges of the valley, concealing the nearby mountains from view. The cool air is heavy with the scent of pine and moisture.

Cooper and the Reverend see Jake McGraw and Jacinta Castillo haul the bulky crate the engineer had brought from Roswell to the front door of his adobe walled shop. On the left, Bryan Lee ventures inside the long, weathered structure that is the Jose Montaño Store.

Moving further down the street, the pair see the Iglesia de San Juan Bautista come into view on the left, its blue painted doors standing open, dim candlelight visible within. On the right, simple clapboard structure that serves as the Assay Office, and the temporary quarters of the The Lincoln Independent can be seen.

Albert allowed the Reverend to complete whatever business he needed before taking a walk along the town with him. He started with the closest buildings and gave the Reverend the basics as they walked. "Across the street is the Patron House, and right next to it is the Montano store. They also live there. Right there where Jake and Jacinta are is McGraw's store, the Assay office right next to it."

He pointed back to the side of the street with the Montano store. "This here's Iglesia de San Juan Bautista, the Catholic church, and right next to it is the Schoolhouse. Usually are kids in there this time of day, but ya heard what Ike said."

As they continued, Albert gestured back to the other side of the street. "Over here is Wilson's saloon, and I don't recommend that one, and then that round building is the Torreon. Built for helping repel Apache raids."

Al pointed back at the other side. "That right there is the Murphy store. That whole set of buildings is owned by Murphy. I think ya heard what I said about those fellas. Of course right across the street..." his gaze and hand swept that way "....is the Tunstall store, with the McSweens livin' right next door."

He continued looking at that same side of the street. "Doc Wood lives right next to the McSweens." Al stopped walking now, and trust to eyes and gestures to direct the Reverend to the rest of it. "Further along that side is the the Wortley Hotel and the Thornton-Curry Saloon next to it. Across from the saloon you got the Courthouse and Sheriff's office, the Sanchez Saddlery, and the Ramsey Restaurant."

Albert then turned to face the building in front of which they'd stopped - the one across from the McSweens' home. "And this, Rev, is Lincoln Methodist. Unless ya got any questions 'bout the town, we can step inside an have a look?"

The church is a sturdily built, single story wooden structure with a tin roof. A steeple rises above the front entrance, its whitewashed walls a bright contrast to the gray mist that has overtaken the valley. The grounds surrounding the small building are free of weeds and litter and a pair of wooden planters have been set on either side of the steps to the front door, in which have been planted some bright red desert honeysuckle.

Two individuals, a man and woman, both clad in work clothes, are patching one of the boards on the lowest of the entrance steps. They look up from their chore when they see Allgood and Cooper stop in front of the churchhouse.

"Thank you, Mr. Cooper."

Approaching the pair of step-menders, he doffs his hat.

"Good day. I'm Reverend Earnest Allgood. I was looking for Reverend Benton. Are you members of his congregation?"
This message was last edited by the player at 18:04, Thu 01 Mar 2018.

The two stand as Allgood introduces himself. The man removes his hat.

The woman speaks up. ”Good afternoon. I’m Dena Slaight. This is my husband, Jeffrey. Please don’t think him rude, Reverend. He was hurt in the war. His injury robbed him of his voice.”

Jefferey smiles and nods politely.

”We are...were members of Pastor Benton’s congregation. We’ve been watching after the church over the last little while since...”

She pauses and frowns. ”Well, you see Reverend, about a month ago, after Sunday services, Pastor Benton went home to the parsonage and...well, no one’s seen him since. Not in town. Not anywhere in the valley. At least not that we’ve heard.”

Al nods at the thanks. "Yer welcome, Rev." The ranch hand stands off to the side while the congregation members inform Earnest of his predecessor's fate. Years of not allowing himself to be caught off-guard made Albert look around at the town every now and then, but his focus was on the story from the Slaights.

In reply to Marshal (msg # 5):

Earnest reaches out to shake Mr. Slaight's hand: "No apologies are needed to excuse the results of a battle wound honorably received. You have done good work keeping up the church.

"I presume the congregation has gone out to the parsonage. What was found there? Any indication that he had packed up and moved on? Or of foul play?"

Jefferey shakes Allgood’s hand and smiles.

”Several of us did go out there, Jefferey and I among them,” Dena answers with a nod of her head. ”To be honest, it looked like Pastor Benton had just stepped out for a moment, and was going to return at any time. There was a fire in the stove and a meal on the table. The cup of coffee we found was still warm. Everything in the house looked like it was in place. Pastor Benton is very tidy.”

“Some people stayed there for awhile on the day we visited, and we’ve checked on the parsonage regularly since, but there’s been no sign of the Pastor. We reported it to Sheriff Brady, too. But he hasn’t been able to learn anything about where Pastor Benton might have gone. Mr. Ellis is still keeping Pastor Benton’s mare at his stables.”

Jefferey motions at the ground with an open palm.

”Right. The only thing that did seem out of place was Pastor Benton’s garden. He grew some vegetables and a few flowers in it and always kept it up. But the day we went to find him, we found his garden overrun with brambles.”

Earnest ponders the story, then reaches into his billfold and extracts a letter.

"Here is the letter I brought by way of introduction to Pastor Benton. I'd appreciate it if you would let the church elders or deacons know that I am available to take on Sunday services until Pastor Benton's return.

"Right now, I have to see about finding lodgings. Where would you suggest, Mr. Cooper?"

Albert thought for a few moments. "Well, if yer lookin' ta stay in town, Missus Montaño runs a nice spot at the end of the road, back where we got off the stagecoach. It's well regarded and a bit less expensive than the Wortley on the other end. Course my uncle would prolly be happy ta put up a Methodist preacher 'til ya get things in order. He'd consider it neighborly, I think. Understandin' I can't speak fer my aunt and uncle, of course, but he's a neighborly sorta fella, an my aunt is a sweetheart."

Dena Slaight accepts the letter. ”I will give this to Michael Kibbee, Reverend. He’s our Deacon. He publishes the newspaper here in Lincoln. Right now, you can best find him at the Assay Office. I’m sure he’ll be glad to help you with anything you need, as will Jefferey and I.”

“It will help a lot of people’s spirits to be able to attend church again. We’re thankful you’re here, sir.”

In reply to Marshal (msg # 11):

"Perhaps I had best give the letter to Deacon Kibbee this afternoon. Thank you, Mr. and Mrs. Slaight for your help. I look forward to seeing you again soon.

"Mr. Cooper, I appreciate your hospitality, but I wouldn't want to impose on your aunt and uncle. I'll just go down to Señora Montaño's establishment and inquire there. Thanks for your assistance in getting my bearings here in Lincoln. I look forward to seeing you again."

Albert nods at the response from the Reverend. "No problem, Rev. I'm sure I'll be seein' ya 'round town. If ya need help with anything, lemme know."

Albert makes sure the Reverend heads in the right direction, then moves in the direction of the Assay Office. Mike Kibbee was top of Albert's list of people to see.