Paladin - Have Gun, Will Travel

[jemmus]

Paladin waits and waits for someone to answer the door. He can hear what sound like quick feminine steps moving around inside the house. At last the door cracks open and a young woman who looks like the woman in the photo at McCollum's house shows her face-- and the barrel of a sawed-off shotgun tilted to skyward. But she's wearing makeup and lipstick, and is in a fashionable dress suitable for a trip to Austin. She somehow says with a mixture of both terse warning and coquettish charm, Yes, how can I help you, sir?. She displays to him refining her grip on the shotgun, with all of the skill of an actress on a stage.

[Grognardsw]

Paladin nodded his head, removed his hat in a gentlemanly manner, and said: “Good afternoon Mrs. McCullom, my name is Paladin. No need for guns now. I was hired to check in on your welfare, to make sure you were safe, happy and healthy, and ascertain if you had any problems or particular needs. Perhaps we could chat over a cup of tea?”

[jemmus]

The young woman's face relaxes. Well, I see, Mr. Paladin. That would be Daddy. My father. She bends and and appears to lean the barrel of the shotgun against the wall. She opens the door, looks up, and smiles a charming smile. It seems to the hired investigator that she looks him in the eye a little long and bats some eyelashes.

Won't you come in, Mr. Paladin? I apologize for the discourteous greeting before. San Marcos is little frontier town, with surprisingly terrible goings-on. Why, just a couple of hours ago, I heard gunfire from the area of town's saloon. Nothing ever happens in this little backwater, but when it does, it usually involves some senseless, drunken savagery. Oh, how I wish I was back in Houstin. But do please come in, Mr. Paladin. Is that a French name? I believe I have heard of it from the Tales of Charlemagne, or the Tales of Roland. One of the classics I read during my little education.

It seems to Paladin that she kind of name-drops the book titles. And that she may have worked at toning down the usual twangy Texas accent.

Oh, but I've forgotten my manners. Tea and not coffee, Mr. Paladin? Please have a seat here in the parlor. She goes to the kitchen and before long returns with a tray with a doily and two cups of tea.

Well, if you do need to report to my father, you can tell him that I am well. Though I did have a little... misfortune. You see, I'm married to a man named Daryl McCollum. He has a farm and ranch outside of town. I thought he was a kind, gentle, thoughtful man, but after we married he changed. It turns out he won't listen to even one little suggestion from his wife. It's just his father he'll listen to. I wasn't counting on his father being around so much an interfering with us setting up our marital household. And he's terribly possessive... jealous, really. If I even politely greet a gentleman at church he gets angry and sulks. And he has such a temper. He can be calm one minute, then flying off the handle and yelling in a fit of temper the next.

Tears well up in her eyes and she withdraws a handkerchief from rather low-cut bodice and dabs at them.

Excuse me, I'm sorry. Mr. Paladin, it got to the point that living with Daryl, I feared for my safety. There was no one to protect in the farm, least of all his father. I had to flee, but there was nowhere to go. I couldn't go to that hotel, which is just a barroom and a den of iniquity. And it's not safe, as was probably just demonstrated by those gunshots. So my only option was to seek shelter with the county sheriff. Sheriff Behan has given me sanctuary here, until I can figure out what to do next.

She breaks down into tears and sobs a bit, then recovers. She snuffles holds her handkerchief to her nose.

I'm very sorry, Mr. Paladin, she says, voice breaking. You can report to my father that I am safe and sound. And that I will soon write to him regularly as I did before. And that if he could send a little financial support, care of Sheriff John Behan, that would be of help. For my transportation to Austin or Houston, when I'm ready. Perhaps at time, you would be willing to escort me, Mr. Paladin? Per a paid contract, of course.

She looks at Paladin with a sad puppy face. Looking him in the eye a little long.

[Grognardsw]

“Thank you Ms. McCullom,” said Paladin as he accepted the tea. His eyes did not return her lingering stare. Back at the Carlton Hotel in San Francisco, Paladin had the pleasure and displeasure of dealing with women like Virginia. When on the job, he had a strict policy of not mixing business with pleasure.

“Yes, the French word paladin means warrior, usually referring to one of the 12 knights in attendance of Charlemagne. As time went on, its meaning grew to include any chivalrous or heroic person, or someone who fights for a cause. The Song of Roland does indeed have the hero leading 12 paladins.”

“San Marcos is rougher than Houston. I’m glad to hear you are okay, even if under uncertain circumstances. I’m sorry about your troubles with your husband. If you believe yourself to be in danger, the sheriff seems a safe refuge.”

Paladin didn’t know who to believe. Dennis seemed more resigned than enraged about his wife, and his father a voice of reason. But that could just be their public face for a visitor.

The most important thing was Virginia’s safety. Paladin sipped the tea and shifted in his seat as she started her dramatic sob. He resisted placing a hand on hers in support, lest it be taken the wrong way.

“A lady of your stature,” said Paladin appealing to her vanity, “would seem better served in a more cosmopolitan place. A divorce could be gotten discretely here, and leave you free and clear to pursue a befitting station in a more sophisticated city.”

Paladin figured this advice would not be frowned upon by her father.

“As to accompanying you to Houston or Austin, I wouldn’t be opposed to such a contract but would defer to your father.”

“I will pass word to him of your status and financial request. I’m sure like any father he would welcome your regular correspondence.” Paladin got up to leave. “I hope everything works out for the best.”

After taking leave, Paladin went to the telegraph office. This whole situation could go in any direction, but his job was observation only at this point.

He sent Mr. Christian Cummins the following telegraph:

VIRGINIA LEFT DENNIS. STAYING WITH SHERIFF JOHN BEHAN. SAFE BUT CLAIMS DENNIS DANGEROUS TEMPER. DENNIS CLAIMS OTHERWISE. HER VERACITY QUESTIONABLE. WANTS $ WIRED C/O SHERIFF TO COME HOME WHEN SHE “IS READY.” IF FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS, WIRE WITH ADDITIONAL FEE. OTHERWISE, WILL COLLECT MY REMAINING FEE.

Paladin recalled that Cummins was a cotton, maritime shipping, and rail baron based in Houston, with an office in Austin also. His Waco and Northwestern Railroad Co. operated the railroad from Austin to Waco, 60 miles to the north.

[Grognardsw]

“Did that telegram go through okay?” Paladin asked the clerk.

[jemmus]

The telegraph clerk has a reply from Cummins. MCCOLLUM CALM? REMAIN IF UNREASONABLE V'S SAFETY IMPERATIVE WILL PAY DAILY EXPENSES FEE BALANCE AT LOCAL BANK INFORM V THAT HER $S AT BANK It seems that Cummins is a rather terse communicator. Or frugal when it comes to the cost of pay-per-letter telegrams.

If there's any doubt about which it might be, there's another telegram that came in shortly after the first one. ABBRVT EXPNSD MSGS

[Grognardsw]

Paladin raised an eyebrow as he thought over the matter. He wasn't one to get into family affairs. He doubted Virginia was in any rush to get home if daddy always sent her money. His statement of "her veracity is questionable" and the skeptical quotations around when she "is ready" were as far as Paladin would go in the telegram.

Paladin thought Sheriff Behan more in danger from Dennis than Virginia herself. Make that Dennis in danger, as he'd probably lose in a gun fight against the Sheriff. Whatever the case, until Virginia was out of town there would be simmering tension that would eventually break with violence.

Paladin responded by telegram, dropping some vowels to satisfy the penny-pincher: WLL RMAIN 2 DAYS THN RPORT

The gun-slinger went to the bank to collect his remaining fee, then walked over to the saloon. By now the sheriff should be done and have a moment to talk.

Timewise this is day one and the saloon hub-bub may be over.

[jemmus]

This is the afternoon of Day 1. Day 2 - Prisoners spend all day in the stockade. Day 3 - The day of the trial.
Paladin enters the saloon and finds the Hoffman family scrubbing the floor, with former judge Captain Jonathan Doos's help. Hoffman stands in his accented English that the learned in Texas. The sheriff? He has taken the most of the men to the old stockade outside a town. Vill ya need a meal or refreshment, sir? Please pardon the condition of the dinin room. You were wise to leave when you did, if I may say so, sir.

Paladin can try to speak with Sheriff Behan that evening, or any time during Day 2. Day 3 he'll be occupied with the trial-- and Daryl McCullom and his long shotgun.

[Grognardsw]

Figuring the sheriff will be busy and probably not in the best of moods by end of day, Paladin decided to wait until tomorrow morning to seek out Behan.

“Thank you, I’ll have a beer and a late lunch,” Paladin said. He sat on the other side, away from the blood stains, and looked out the window. He wondered if that preacher was still around, or if like most men of God he had moved on to find more civilized communities.

“So how many died?” Paladin asked Hoffman. “Any of the customers?”

I’m assuming that Paladin’s conversation with Behan on day 2 may inform his actions at Hoffman’s on day 3 with Dennis.

[Grognardsw]

Paladin was intending on asking Behan if he got the Cummins money, among other things, which will help in responding to Cummins inquiry.

[jemmus]

This happens the day before the shotgun duel.
The sheriff says, I don't know how much of yer business it is, mister. But since Mrs. McCollum's father hired ya to check on her well-bein, I will say that I believe she received some money directly from her father. He hasn't sent any care of me. It doesn't seem like Mr. Behan is welcome to much discussion on the topic of Virginia McCollum.

[Grognardsw]

“I agree a man’s business with his woman is entirely his own,” said Paladin, trying to keep things civil and friendly with Sheriff Behan. “I’m only the eyes and ears of Mr. Cummins, her father, who would probably argue he has some interest in any business Virginia is in.”

“I’m glad Virginia is in good health and safety. I’m not one to pry, but Dennis has made clear his dislike of you...” Paladin trailed off, letting the statement hang.

[jemmus]

Well, ya can let Mrs. McCollum's father know that neither her nor me has anything to fear from Mr. McCollum. He's a hothead, but not one to take real action. I've known him since grade school. He gets mad, but ya just have to let him who's the better man and he backs down quick enough. I won't abide by any lawless behavior in this county-- includin by someone who's lived his whole life here like McCollum. Well sir, I'd better attend to business. I trust yer word that you'll report to the hotel fer the trial tomorra and no bond will be required.

The bootless bored prisoner in the cell behind has been attending on every word. He calls out, I have scant fondness fer ya, sheriff! With yer jailing me and fining me for vagrancy, when all did wrong was git robbed on the road south to San Antone! But I'll give ye a little advice-- don't trust that city man dressed all in black! You'd be better off just shootin him or runnin him off now, ruther than puttin innocent lives in danger in the future! That's the kind of man who won't set foot in a Methodist church to help a man in trouble! Why? Because he don't dare to. That's why. His black heart don't dare to. Jist do the right thing and rid the Earth of him right now, sheriff!

Behan looks at Paladin and does the stonefaced Texas equivalent of rolling his eyes. He says, not looking back, Tha prisoner will mind his peace and not disturb the business of the office of the county sheriff. Ya done two days out of three toward credit toward payin yer fine. Just settle down and tomorrow sunset ya can be on yer way.

Well, what about my boots? And my money and my gunbelt and my horse, that them robbers took?

We'll git boots or shoes on you, if the county has to buy them itself. He murmurs, And maybe a train ticket to anywhere outa here as well.... The sheriff stands up from his chair behind his papers behind his desk, squares his shoulders, and sets his jaw. Please give yer assurances to Mrs. McCollum's father that she is well and has taken shelter under the umbrella of the the law.

He pauses a second, then asks, It seems like Mrs. McCollum's father is a man of some substance. Able to hire able men such as yerself to travel backwaters like Hays County and stay fer some days to check on the welfare of a fond family member. Maybe a statesman in the capital and person of influence. Behan's eye franklly meets Paladin's eye, proposing and bold and mutually beneficial deal and venture.

[Grognardsw]

“I hope you’re right in your judgement of McCullom,” said Paladin. “I’ll be there tomorrow for the trial.”

Paladin ignored the prisoner’s harangue and cracked a mild smirk when Behan rolled his eyes.

At Behan’s overture, Paladin said: “Virginia’s father is indeed such. What do you have in mind?”

[jemmus]

Well, access to loans and capital is always a good thing for an enterprising man, the sheriff answers. And I'll tell you frankly that I might have some political ambitions someday. I believe I can do as good a job or better than some of the worst fools and scalawags in Austin.

[Grognardsw]

Seeing only upside in humoring the man, Paladin replied: “I understand your perspective, and will put in a good word for you.”

Paladin knew Behan would use Virginia as a pawn to get in her father’s good grace and wallet. At least Dennis seemed moved by true love. Neither men were good for Virginia, not to mention this town. Maybe he should suggest such more plainly in his next telegram to Cummins. Paladin stopped his brooding over the girl.

“Thank you for your time sheriff.”

As Paladin stepped outside he thought back to the prisoner in the jail. The man may or may not have been unjustly imprisoned. His appeal for help followed by a threat showed him to be unreliable though.

“…you take a message to the Methodist church for me? They might help out a fellow Christian.”

Being Paladin had time on his hands, he went over to the church.

Taking his hat off before entering, Paladin walked in looking for the preacher man.

[jemmus]

Paladin finds the church doors unlocked and the pews empty. The church and Hoffman's are likely the two finest structures in San Marcos. Still, the sanctuary is a simple affair, with wooden floors, whitewashed walls, finished but simple wooden pews, a pulpit, and a simple finished oak cross hanging on the wall behind. There are doors to either side on the back wall. The one to the right is open, and Paladin's hearing tells him someone is inside. Approaching, he sees that he was correct. A hatless, white-haired, rather short and stocky man comes to the door. He's wearing a suit coat, but the string tie around his neck is loosened. He wears no gun. He appears to be of mostly Anglo descent, with perhaps part Tejano ancestry also. The man has an open and honest face-- but one that has probably seen plenty of sun, hard work, and its share of adventures in its earlier years.

The man says in a friendly tone, Hello, sir. Welcome to the First Methodist Church of San Marcos. Reverend Pete Locklear. Glad to meet ya. He smiles and extends his hand for a handshake. I suppose you're travelin through, but we'd love to see ya in church on Sunday.

Tejano - A Texan of Mexican descent. Please see Game Setting post viewtopic.php?p=636460#p636460

[Grognardsw]

If there was a donation box in the church, Paladin put in a quarter.

"Hello Reverand, my name is Paladin. Yes I am passing through town, but here for a few days. In the spirit of good will, I come with a message from a prisoner in the jail. He claims to be a Methodist, and that he was unfairly fined and jailed after being the victim of a roadside robbery. He hoped you would visit him, so that he may tell his story and appeal to your good nature for whatever help could be provided."

[jemmus]

Reverend Pete replies, Yer a kind soul for checking in on a jailbird, Mr. Paladin. If he's done wrong... well, he can do right. Everybody got a chance to turn around and git right along the way. Thank you sir, I will go to see that man in jail. The little old white-haired man moves to tip his hat, but forgets he's not wearing one.

[Grognardsw]

“Thank you reverend.”

Paladin took his leave. He wondered how Virginia was doing, and if Dennis would be angry enough to take action against the sheriff. In any scenario, Virginia would likely be safe.

Time would tell. Having the rest of the afternoon free before the trial tomorrow, Paladin checked in at the post office in case Cummins had sent any telegrams; got a shave at the barbers and made small talk; rode his horse exploring around the outer perimeters of the town; and got a drink and dinner at Hoffmans and chatted with Hoffman or customers to pick up any town gossip.