Renata Montaño‘s family proved remarkably skilled in tracking down all of those who had played a part in defending Lincoln from the restless dead the evening before. Sending her children and grandchildren to the Thornton-Curry, and to homes around the county, she managed to gather each of them at her boarding home for breakfast that morning, assuring them that making certain that they were well fed was the least she could do in light of their service to Lincoln.

The welcoming scent of cooking food and coffee wafted through the dining room as each of the invited took their seats. As coffee cups were filled, one of Señora Montaño‘s great nephews delivered the news that Doc Wood had managed to keep Sheriff Brady stabilized through the night, and felt certain he would survive his ordeal.

Valentina Perez gave thanks for the news by way of a prayer before the meal. Lena Bauer, Aileen Kearney, and Desiree Thornton, all appearing somewhat shy of sleep, gratefully accepted coffee when it was served to them.

As food is passed around, Señora Montaño finds a seat at the head of the table. ”Already, this morning, there is talk of appointing a new sheriff,” she says.

After the commotion of the night before, Albert made his way back to his uncle's ranch and update the senior member of the Cooper family on recent occurrences. Albert had been given a pass on his normal chores, though still was up and helping his aunt with a few things in the ranch house when the call came.

He had figured there might be a gathering, so he was mostly ready - just needed to get his mount ready for the ride into town. It didn't take long as Brandy seemed to have plenty of pep in her step this morning. Probably still annoyed at losing a foot race to that outlaw.

When he entered the boarding house, Albert removed his hat and set it on a nearby peg, followed by his holy and dirty duster and his riding gloves. He breathed a sigh of relief at the news that Brady was alive - it had looked quite bad from where he'd seen the assault.

Albert drew in a deep, slow breath at the conversation piece brought up by Montaño. "Señora, first, thank you for invitin' me ta yer table and sharin' yer food with me. I am grateful fer both. As fer Sheriff Brady - we do need a new one. Didn't look like somethin' a fella recovers from all too quick." Or in full.

"Mayor the one doin' the appointin'? Guess I ain't up on specifics of that parta the law."

He sighed, taking a long sip of his coffee. "My guess is, whoever is responsible for selecting the next Sheriff is gonna be leaned on pretty heavily by the local business interests to get someone in office that will pursue an agenda that sets off the hotheaded Regulators, and will probably set his folks to be a burr in the side of my own investigations here in town."

"Ain't nobody gonna be happy in this town until half of it is dead," Jacinta commented with a grunt, though she seemed in relatively good spirits.  She wasn't shy about partaking of the food, either, helping herself to buttered biscuits with jam and a steaming mug of sweetened coffee.

”The decision rests with Judge Bristol. Warren Bristol of the Third Circuit Court,” Montaño explains, taking a sip of her coffee, ”He has a strong belief in...how is it called?...the free market. Healthy competition in business. I have heard that he was once a banker in Texas. In most of his decisions, it seems that he has tried to remain impartial. Not favoring Señor Murphy, or any other side in disputes. Unfortunately, he only comes to Lincoln three or four times a year.”

“Judge Wilson, the Justice of the Peace, rode out before dawn to San Patricio, to send a telegram to Señor Bristol’s office in Santa Fe.”

She set her cup down, regarding her gathered guests with a concerned frown. ”Last night. What did you see?”

Tamsin had been convinced to stay, eat, rest- she had done what she could but there really wasn’t much more for her to do for the sheriff. Still, she was glad for the coffee, and glad the sheriff had survived.

She had already thanked Renata Montaño profusely and attempted to pay her for the food despite her offer, so Tamsin launched straight into what she had seen.

”Well, the train wasn’t near as terrifyin’ as everyone made it sound. There was a man outside of Ramsey’s last night that I didn’t keep track of but seemed harmless enough... but there was the man who came from Wilson’s and scattered somethin’ on the porch of the courthouse just before... everything happened.”
This message was last edited by the player at 18:44, Mon 08 Apr 2019.

"I saw a man open the door of the Murphy store to stare at the wagon train. Pretty tall man with a long coat and a cavalry-type hat from the looks of it, but couldn't make out much about it. He stared for a good bit, then turned his back on the situation - at which point the wagon train disappeared. Any chance that might've been the very Murphy himself?" he said.

"It was somethin' strange. I think I need to learn more about the whole wagon train business."
This message was last edited by the player at 16:50, Tue 09 Apr 2019.

Albert raised an eyebrow at the commentary about Bristol. "Sounds like a fella what wouldn't mind linin' his pockets - ya think Bristol's decision could be sold ta the highest bidder?"

Albert took a sip of coffee as he listened to the other descriptions. He was rather perplexed by the answers. "Waitasec, do you wanna hear 'bout that fella? Or all them walkin' bones? Cuz I'm purty sure that the creature that burrowed up inta the courthouse - destroyin at least half of it - and slammed the sheriff in the head was the same one local injuns talk 'bout. As fer description, was a couple feet taller'n me, say eight or so? Looked buggy, like a bug brain decided ta create a huge insect body outta bones. Only went down from a bullet ta the black heart in its middle."

Kate was, above all, fashionably late.

But she had to be.  She was plumb loco, sneaking in here, but when would she get another chance?

And it seemed she had walked into the perfect moment of the conversation.  She'd come in with her bandanna worn like a kerchief and walking with a blanket pinned around her.  It did not hold up under close scrutiny but it made her not look like her usual self outside, and it had forced her to stash her hat and rifle, which she didn't like.

But Kate wasn't sure how she'd be received here, given the mixed company, and searched desperately for eye contact, shedding the improvised and useless disguise.

Albert noted Kate's entrance and tried without success to stop himself from chuckling at the sight. He raised his coffee cup in her direction. "Coffee's warm if yer inclined."

"Yeah, I've never seen anything like whatever tore up the courthouse. Y'all sure do have some kinda critters out in these parts!" he said. "We were lucky Coop came through with that clutch shot or it could've been much worse for us."