Have Gun Will Travel - Powder Smoke in Dodge City

[jemmus]

The front desk man wears a handlebar mustache and oiled hair with a crisp part. He examines a wide page of a hotel guests registry. He says, Yes, there are a Michael Murphy and a Martin Murphy registered. He speaks like a man trying to cover a local country accent and enunciate in a more urban way.They’re still guests, they haven’t checked out as yet. Room 205. Almost directly across the hall from yours, sir…. Mr. Paladin, I believe. By the way, Mr. Ray Wiley Hubbard, who is also a guest, asked the hotel to provide you and the older gentleman you’re traveling with with every amenity, at his expense, of course. Mr. Hubbard is one of our oldest and most frequent guests at Harvey House. And quite influential in the town. He knows everyone, from cattle baron to trail boss to sale barn auctioneer to purveyor of spirits to saloon manager to dance hall girl and town drunk. And of course every gambler of any repute in Kansas and Missouri, and probably beyond too. Did you know that Dodge City doesn't even have a mayor or town council, Mr. Paladin? The local merchants and regular families want to change that. To take control of law and order against the drifters, vagrants and criminals continually shooting up the town.
They're demanding peace, order and stability. And the establishment of a mayor's office, to get a handle on town affairs. They say that lot of money passes through Dodge City--and getting a handle on some of it could be quite... lucrative. For the town. For even building and running public schools.He winks a knowing wink and smiles.

Would you like to have a bottle of whiskey sent to your room, Mr. Paladin? Or some pastries? A songstress and, um, masseuse? I’m afraid we don’t have any wine or chocolate on hand at the moment. They should be in from St. Louis within the week. Is there anything else Harvey House can help you with, U.S. Deputy Marshal Mr. Paladin? The man with the waxed mustache and oiled hair looks Paladin in the eye, without blinking.

[Grognardsw]

“I’m all for ‘peace, order and stability,’ as you say,” replied Paladin to the talkative clerk. “So I appreciate your help.”

“Thank Mr. Hubbard for me for his hospitality, and tell him I can’t accept while I’m on the job.”

Is Harvey House the type of hotel where they keep the key when you leave, or does one carry it with you? If the former… Paladin saw the hotel key board and looked at the hook for the room 205 key.

[jemmus]

I see, the desk man replies. We'll check with older gentleman then.

Guests take their keys with them at Harvey House, or they can leave them at the front desk. There's no key hanging from Room 205's hook.

[Grognardsw]

“Please notify me and the marshal’s office if you see these men go to their rooms,” said Paladin. “There is a sizeable award for it. And you can help bring ‘peace, stability and order’ that Dodge deserves.”

Paladin went back up to Hartsfield’s room.

”Mr. Hartfield, you recall when we were coming back from the Longbranch and heard those gunshots? They hit the Dodge marshal and his deputy. They are still alive. There is a chance those shots came from this room. Your door was not broken into. Is your hidden money still here?”

[jemmus]

Hartsfield says, I thought I caught a little whiff of gunsmoke smell when I came in, but it was really faint and I couldn't be sure. Somebody shot Dillon and Goode? They have any idea who, or why? Not that there's any lack of bad men out there that would want them dead. It's wonder they're still alive. But yes, Mr. Paladin, the money's still in the bag. I checked it when I came in.

[Grognardsw]

When Paladin and Hartsfield returned to Hartsfield’s room, did Hartsfield have his key on him or did he pick it up at the front desk?

“The marshal believes it was the two men we passed on the stairwell. The why is for revenge. I’m glad the money is here. Though there is still the question of how the two men got in - did they pick the lock or somehow get a key?” Paladin didn’t voice some other suspicions.

“Well, good night. Secure the door. We meet Henry Miller tomorrow at 8:30 am, assuming he wasn’t wounded in the Longbranch brawl.”

After leaving Hartsfield, Paladin stepped quietly in front of the door to room 205 and listened at the door in case he heard anyone stirring or talking within.

If so, something else than if not…
Paladin then went back to the Longbranch to inquire with Miss Kitty.

“Kitty, do you know an Irishman John “Johnny” Duffy?” he asked.

Paladin eyed the room to see if the gambler Ray Hubbard was there.

[jemmus]

Paladin heard Hartfield turn the key in the door's lock and prop a chair's back against the doorknob. Room 205 was dead silent.

At the Long Branch, he saw that Ray Wiley Hubbard was dealing at his reassembled faro table. The players and spectators were all sporting black eyes, swollen lips, and contusions about the face. But not Hubbard. He looked as if he'd just stepped out of a St. Louis hotel. Henry Miller was seated at another table. There was a clean white bandage wrapped around his nose, ears and the back of his head. He was watching as Emma as she and the other waitresses finished sweeping up broken glass and splintered furniture. There was a half-finished glass of beer in front of him.

Johnny Duffy? Kitty said. That's him at the faro table. He's the short man with the oversized cowboy hat. He's not drinking yet because his credit here has run out, and nobody likes him much. No doubt he's playing for funds for his first drink of the night.

[Grognardsw]

When Paladin and Hartsfield returned to Hartsfield’s room, did Hartsfield have his key on him or did he pick it up at the front desk?

Paladin studied Johnny Duffy from the bar, where he drank a beer. "Sorry a little hell broke loose here tonight," he said to Kitty. Paladin was going to keep a discrete eye on Duffy, and follow him back to whereever he lived.

When Henry Miller was at a break in his game, or was done, Paladin approached the man. "How you feeling Henry? Are you still on for the 8:30 am meeting tomorrow with Amos Hartsfield? It's a good opportunity for money, and will have you back here in a few days to spend it on Emma."

Paladin watched the floor for the Mack, or Murphy, men in case they decided to seek out their next victim.

If a spot opened in Ray Hubbard's faro table, Paladin took a seat.

[jemmus]

Hartsfield had his key on him. A more extensive GM post coming later.

[jemmus]

Miller is breathing through his mouth and he speaks with a muffled nasally voice. It seems that Doc might have stuffed his nostrils with bandaging to block any bleeding. I've felt worse, Mr. Paladin. I'm up for the job and I'll be there in the mornin.

Paladin kept an eye out for the Macks/Murphys, but didn't see in the Long Branch or enter or exit it.

Paladin stood watching the faro game for 20 minutes or so, observing how it was played and the progress of the various players around the table. One fellow, a townsman by the look of him, had a run of bad luck with his bets. He put $5 on this one and lost it too. That's it, I'm done for the night, he said. He stood and went to the bar. Gimme a beer, barkeep. I ain't goin home to the old lady both broke and drunk. Paladin took the man's seat at the table. The dealer Ray Wiley Hubbard stroked his handlebar mustache and touched to fingers to the brim of his derby hat. Good evening, Mr. Paladin. An honor to have you at the table.

[jemmus]

GM post above revised slightly after posting.