by James Walker
“So, Collin,” William asked. “How did you like the rest of the tour?”
“It was great, Uncle Will, I responded.” That is a neat spot! And the sunset! I don’t think I have the words to describe it.”
“Try anyways,” he said with a twinkle in his eye.
After a moment, I gave Catty a sly wink and said, “Uncle Will, it was so beautiful, I think I saw God himself as he pulled back the light of day.”
“Excellent.” Then he laughed, “Though it does sound a bit familiar. Don’t you think so, Catherine?”
“Extremely,” she replied, staring right at me.
“OK, OK, you got me! Paraphrasing aside, it was the most beautiful sun set I have ever seen.”
William beamed. “I’m so glad you enjoyed it. I had a feeling it might be spectacular tonight. After a year here, I get a feel for the atmospheric conditions.”
“Well, we saw something even more unusual that that,” Catty piped up.
William looked to me, but I just shrugged as I didn’t realize what she was referring to.
“What would that be, Catherine?” William asked.
“Those barge rats were actually doing some work.”
“Oh, Yea!” I remembered. “Catty recognized two of the men from the barge on Marquis’ boat. They were plumbing the area around the barge.”
Though I think catty had just made a half-hearted remark, William seemed to take it seriously. He spoke to Catty.
“Are you sure they were men from the barge? I myself have never seen them.”
“Pretty sure. I saw them through the binoculars. I met them once when Marquis had brought them to town. You know he supplies them with just about everything.”
He switched his gaze to me. “You are certain they were plumbing?”
I gave my uncle a look. “I know what plumbing is. One man was dropping a weighted, knotted line over the side and marking the waterline and the other was recording it. What’s so strange about that, Uncle? I would think it to be a prerequisite for that kind of work.”
William put his fork down and sat back in his seat. He slowly steepled his fingers in front of his chest then lowered his head until his lower lip rested on them. Just like that, the Sherlock Holmes detective was back.
“Do you not think it strange that after a month on station, they are just now preforming a task that should have been foremost on their itinerary? Given the fact that they could just as easy go to the harbor masters office and request an updated chart of the river’s depth for mere pennies. Why pay Marquis far more for his services.”
I didn’t reply because I thought he was being a bit screwy over nothing. No one spoke for a long minute and William picked up his fork and took another bite. We all went back to our bowls for a few minutes in silence when I saw Ozaki catch William’s eye. Facing his employer, he flicked his eyes in my direction then rolled his eyes towards Catty. Having been together for longer than a lot of married couples, William knew exactly what the little man meant.
“Oh, yes.” William said, and then turned to me. “Collin, I wonder if I might ask a favor of you? Usually, when Catherine works into the evening and is going home, either Ozaki or I will accompany her- at least as far as the ferry. Tonight, however, there are some matters I would like to attend to after dinner and I need Ozaki’s assistance. Would you mind terribly, if I asked you to see her home safely?”
A plan popped into my head and I replied, “Of course. I’d be happy to.” I turned my head towards Catty, “If you don’t mind riding on the back of my motorcycle.”
She looked a little hesitant. “Are you sure it’s safe to ride one of those things at night?”
“No different than the day,” I winked. “I always ride with my eyes closed anyways.”
14
Everyone pitched in on clean-up and soon Catty was seated behind me as I kick started the bike and we headed down the steep path to the ferry landing. Catty was an old hand at riding shotgun on a motorcycle from her many trips home on the back of Uncle Wills’ and knew how to stay balanced. I let her wear my leather jacket and she had a shawl to drape over her legs, so decorum was kept.
Our ferry ride was pleasant. The river was moving slowly and there was no wind to put a chop on the water. A half-moon gave everything a soft glow and the stars were on parade on this warm spring night.
Being the last ferry trip at eleven o’clock at night, there were few other passengers and one model T, besides us and my Harley. The ferry’s engines were flat out as they made a beeline for the town dock.
Of course, a few the walk-ons were staring out over the river and studying everything they saw out in the distance. I stayed seated on my bike, but Catty got off to stretch her legs. She stayed close by and we looked at the stars and talked about getting the telescope out tomorrow night. Everything was Jim dandy until I noticed a man at the railing was giving us a hard look. He was about my age and wore working man’s clothes. I watched his out of the corner of my eye for a moment and I could feel the loathing emanating off him towards us. I met his eyes with mine and he sneered.
My first thought was to casually pull back my vest to show him the grip of my Colt .45, in its docker rig, but I didn’t want Catty to think I was a thug. Instead, I looked at Catty and jerked my chin in his direction.
“Who is that guy at the railing? Do you know him, cuz, he’s looking at me like I just slapped his Mama!”
Catty turned to look, and the coward turned away quickly to look out over the water. Catty turned back to me and sighed. “Yes, I know him. Matt Rainer. I went to school with him. He’s friends with my brothers.”
“Is he an old boyfriend or something?”
“Hell NO! EEWW!” She said with grimace. Then she saddened and murmured. “Don’t get all riled up, he was probably glaring at me. I…I had a bad year last year.”
She tried to smile as she said it as if it were a joke, but I could see the deep hurt in her eyes, and I was moved. I reached over and took her hand in mine.
“So did I, Catty. So did I.”
The ferry was already about to dock, so the moment passed, and we got ourselves situated to ride off. As we got to the road, Catty put her lips behind my ear and said loudly over the engine noise, “It’s the third street on the right. Stop at the corner.”
I heard her loud and clear, but I had other plans. As soon as we reached the town, I turned onto Main Street and gunned it a little. Catty cuffed me lightly in the side and shouted, “Where are you going? I said, The third left!”
I slowed the bike to a crawl and turned my head. “I know, but I thought I’d treat you to a drink at the Inn.”
She cuffed me again, a little harder this time. “Stop!”
I brought the bike to a stop and half twisted in my seat to face her. “Christ! You’re not a prohibitionist are you?”
She frowned. “Hardly. But if you think that I am going into a bar with you- or any other man- at nearly midnight-you are out of your mind! By morning, half the town’s tongues would be wagging, and I’ve had enough of that kind of talk to last me a lifetime.”
‘And it probably will as long as you stay in this town’, I thought to myself. Still, I wasn’t really thinking of the ramifications. I simply found myself enjoying her company and I wanted to stretch our time out a bit longer. The drink was an enticement also.
I realized I owed her an apology. “I’m truly sorry, Catty. I wasn’t thinking.” I shrugged, “I…just like talking to you, I guess.”
She smiled shyly at me. “I know. I’d like that too. But it’s late.” She gave my shoulder a gentle nudge to turn me then she put her arms around me and whispered in my ear, “Now, take me home. Let’s get out of here, before someone sees us canoodling out here!”
I laughed and dropped the bike into gear. Holding the right front brake in and gunning the engine, the back of the bike swung around quickly, making Catty hug me tighter. I took off and soon turned the corner. A minute later I was on the corner of her
street and I remembered her original instructions. I stopped the bike and she hopped off. Her house was still not in sight.
“Are you sure you don’t want me to take you the rest of the way?”
She shook her head. “Thank you, but no. I’m sure someone has already heard the motorcycle and they’ll think it was Mr. Gillette that dropped me off like he always does. If they see a strong, handsome man escorting me home-I’ll hear no end of it!”
I could see that. “Fair enough. See you tomorrow?”
“Most likely. Thank you for the ride,” She hesitated for a moment then began to walk away. Over her shoulder, she added, “and the thought.”
I turned the bike around and headed back to the ferry, smiling. She thought I was strong and handsome!
My good mood suddenly died when I got to the ferry slip and all I saw was the dim lights of it across the river. I realized that I had missed my trip back and I was out of luck until the morning. Cursing myself, I headed back towards town. I was going to have to ride the long way home, the way I went with Wiliam earlier, and I wasn’t happy about having a forty- minute ride ahead of me. Nor, truth be known, that I would have to cross the railroad bridge in the dark. I hoped I had enough petrol.
As I turned onto Main Street, I figured I could use a bracer for the road, so I pulled up next to the Inn and went in for a drink.
From the foyer, I could hear the low murmur of at least a few people in the bar. I shed my riding gear, though I kept my jacket on, and went to the left towards the sounds. The room was brightly lit despite the late hour. A long bar, with brass foot- and arm-railings, took up the right side, complete with a barkeep polishing a glass in front of a mirrored back, lined with three shelves of bottles. There was a smattering of tables, scattered about, eight or nine, but only two were occupied. One had a few men, more or less my age, that all looked oddly similar. It was the other table that drew my attention. Catty’s brother, the smart aleck, Marquis sat at the other with two older, scruffy men and my old pal from the ferry, Matt. Everyone immediately quieted down and stared at me as I threaded my way to the bar. I could feel their eyes on me, but that wasn’t unusual for small town patrons. Strangers always drew attention. I made as if I didn’t notice as I set my gear on an empty table next to the bar and took up a position near the middle. I was alone except for an older couple that sat at the far end, obviously well into their cups. I decided to buy them a drink after I got one. It was always smart to get in good with the local bar flies.
The barkeep ambled over and grunted a greeting at me. “What’ll you have?”
“Evening,” I replied as I looked over the selection. The bar was set up like any other, with the gut rot on the lowest shelf, the mid-range on the second, and the best hooch on the top shelf. I spied a bottle of Bombay Gin, that looked quite dusty.
“Bombay. Neat.”
With a look of surprise, the keep looked up at the bottle and back to me, “That’s six bits a drink.”
I fished a gold eagle out of my vest and tossed it in front of him. “Double.”
“Yes sir, “He piped up and fetched down the blue bottle. He dusted off the cap and poured me a three-quarter full glass. Setting it down with a flourish, he picked up the coin. “I’ll be right back with your change. I’ll have to get it from the office.”
“Don’t bother,” I told him. “Hang on to it. I may stay awhile.”
He drifted down to his other customers to converse with them in a whisper. I just looked straight ahead and watched everyone in the mirror. They all were doing their best not to seem like they were looking at me, but I could feel their eyes on me. Three men behind me to the left were just curious, but the other table was going to be trouble.
My pal, Matt, was talking low to Marquis who in turn stared at my back with daggers in his eyes. I don’t know what manure he was shoveling at Marquis, but I knew it was about me and Catty. Whatever it was, the older two fueled the fire when one made some sort of joke and they both laughed out loud. That’s what set Marquis off.
Inwardly, I heaved a sigh and briefly thought about leaving when Marquis rose to his feet. I could tell from his jerky, slightly clumsy, movements that he had put away some drink before I arrived. As he ambled over to the bar, about three feet from me, I knew I should have left right then and there before there was trouble. I wasn’t afraid for my safety, but of bad feelings from Catty or embarrassment to my uncle. If only he hadn’t made those remarks at the doctor’s office.
Gripping the brass with his right arm, he turned to face my direction. I didn’t even move my head, but I kept my eyes on him in the mirror-after making sure no one else was getting up.
“Well, well. If it isn’t Dandy Boy himself.” he said loudly.
I didn’t expect that angle, but I didn’t react except to put a bored look on my face.
“Marquis!” The oldest man from the other table cried out. “Don’t start with him!”
“No, No,” Marquis returned. Pointing at me, he said, “I went up to the castle today to make a delivery and I saw this,” He paused to look at me, and continued in a contempt filled tone, “Man, lying about on a big sofa in his stocking feet, swilling booze like he had nothing better to do.” He turned back to face me, with a sneer on his face. “Of course, I guess he can now that he’s got daddy’s money!”
He turned back to his friends, “Guess he’s lucky his old man couldn’t swim too good!” My glass was just touching my lips and I froze, a little of the gin sloshing onto my lower lip. Time seemed to stand still. In the mirror, I saw the three guys at the table recoil in shock. The older one who gave Marquis a warning looked furious. Matt, knowing that Marquis had crossed the line past bad talk, guzzled his beer down and slipped away. The other two looked faintly amused but had the good luck not to laugh out loud.
I didn’t dare move, because I thought I might just kill the fool if I did. Unbelievably, he started in again. Glaring at me, he took a step forward, pointing a finger, “You think you can ride into town on your fancy two-wheeler, throw your money around, and MESS WITH MY SISTER!” He slapped the bar for emphasis.
I had heard enough. Over the years, Ozaki has taught me how to channel my anger. When I’m truly vexed, I don’t shout or swear, I just focus my energy into preparing for an action to resolve the situation. When I’m calm, that’s when I’m dangerous. Still, for Catty’s sake, I needed to give him one more chance, though I prayed he wouldn’t. I set my glass down, pushing it forward to keep it out of harm’s way, and then I turned to face the jerk.
“You are an insect,” I explained in a low steady voice. “This is the second time today I have had to endure your pesky buzzing. Now, go sit with your friends and keep still like a good bug or you might just get swatted.”
Marquis’s sneer turned into a snarl, “I’ll give you ‘swatted’!” Then he stepped towards me and put all his weight into a great looping punch, aimed at my jaw. It was child’s play.
Hardly seeming to move, I pulled my head back as my right hand connected with his left bicep and I easily pushed the strike past me. The momentum carried him over the bar and as he was already bent over, I took the back of his head and bounced it off the bar top. Not hard enough to put him out, but it should have knocked some sense into him.
His eyes crossed and he began to slide down the bar, but he managed to grab the railing in both hands and pulled himself up right. He shook his head to clear it and I was convinced I was going to have to strike him after all. Even though I was ready, I was nearly caught off guard when he suddenly grabbed his beer bottle and smashed it on the railing, before thrusting the broken shards directly at my eyes!
I barely leaned back and got my hands up in time. My right hand grabbed his wrist and my left found a grip behind his elbow. With a hard squeeze on several pressure points and a slight twist, the bottle neck dropped harmlessly onto the floor. Marquis would have no use of his arm for a while. I released him and he took a half step away from me before he turned to face me.
His right arm hanging useless, nonetheless, he balled up his left fist.
I really wanted to break his neck, but instead my right hand flew out and over to connect with the side of his face in a resounding open-handed slap that sounded like someone cracked a bullwhip. The blow spun him halfway around until he was facing the tables again, and I lifted my leg and stomped on the back of his knees, causing him to drop like a stone. I didn’t let him fall forward, though. I brought my left hand up and caught him under the chin. I put a finger and thumb on his carotid arteries and squeezed. With his right arm still useless, all he could do was squirm and slap at my hand with his left. I could feel the strength draining from him as the blood flow was cut off to his brain. I didn’t intend to kill him, but I wanted him to think he was dying, just to teach him a lesson. I didn’t want to go through this every time I talked to his sister!
I leaned over to put a warning in his ear, but before I could open my mouth, the three men at the table jumped up.
Their glasses went flying, but one of them managed to grab the table before it went over. They started to move, so I let go of Marquis, who grabbed a chair next to him to stay somewhat upright and pulled my colt.
Time stood still for the second time that night. The three men froze. The younger ones looked like they were going to wet their pants. The older one was wary, but I saw no fear in his eyes, nor any threat. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see the older man who was sitting with Marquis, toss some coin on the table and jerk his head at the other man. Without a glance in our direction, they slipped out to the foyer and the front door could be heard opening in the stillness. I turned my attention back to the three I had covered.
“I have taken all the guff I’m going to for one night.” I jerked the barrel of the gun towards the door. “You finished your drinks. Now go home.” I figured I’d have to pay the barkeep off for some lost business, but I was still hoping I could have a drink in peace before I went home.