The Great Train Massacre

by William W. Johnstone

  “He’s a what?”

  “He is a most resourceful man. He, alone, is the reason that all the previous attempts have failed.”

  “He’s some rube, ain’t he? I mean from somewhere out West?”

  “I believe he is from Colorado.”

  “Ha!” Borski replied. “Well, he ain’t never encountered anyone like my boys. You just come up with the money, then put it all out of your mind. Ten thousand dollars, I believe you said.”

  “Yes.”

  “Hand it over.”

  “No, I’ve already paid others to take care of them, and they failed. I won’t pay for any more failures. You do the job, then you get paid.”

  Borski smiled, though it was a smile without humor. “You know what, mister? You have just made a big mistake. You don’t have a choice. You have to pay me now, or I will go to the police and tell them that you are trying to hire someone to kill John Gillespie. And Gillespie, being a rich and famous man, is going to get their attention just real fast.”

  “What? Why, you wouldn’t dare!”

  “Oh, yeah, I would. Trust me, I really would.”

  There was a moment of silence.

  “All right, I’ll pay you. But you absolutely must assure me that you will be successful. We’ve come too far now. John Gillespie and his daughter must both be killed.”

  Borski smiled as the money was counted out.

  “Well, I’ll tell you what. You and your people can put your minds at ease, because the job will be done. Just think of all the money and worry you would have saved if you had come to see me and my boys in the first place.”

  Chapter Thirty-five

  Decatur, Illinois

  When Matt returned to the private car, Mary Beth, now having cleaned up and changed clothes, was already there.

  “Where’s John?”

  “He’s having to sign some papers to get track clearance for us to go on to Chicago. He’ll be right back.”

  “I suppose so, but I don’t like letting him out of my sight for too long.”

  “You’re supposed to keep me in sight, too,” Mary Beth said. “Don’t I count?” She pouted, coquettishly.

  “Sure, you count.”

  “Well, that’s certainly good to know.”

  Matt took a seat where he could look through the window.

  “There’s something I’ve been wanting to ask you,” Mary Beth said.

  “What is that?”

  “Why?”

  “Why? Why what?”

  “Why have you never been married?”

  “I told you why.”

  “I know you said because you didn’t think that the way you lived would let you settle down and get married. Have you never found a woman that you liked?”

  “Yes, I’ve found women that I like.”

  “You know, Papa really thinks a lot of you. I know he would give you a job, a good job that would pay very well, one with a lot of responsibility. You could settle down then.”

  “Mary Beth, I . . .” Matt wasn’t certain how he was going to answer that but, fortunately, there was no need for him to, because at that moment the door to the car opened, and John Gillespie stepped in.

  “John, I’m glad you’re back,” Matt said. “I was a bit uneasy with you off by yourself like that.”

  “I wasn’t really by myself. I was in the depot in front of a lot of people. And even coming out here to the car, I had one of the railroad detectives walk with me. I told him that someone had seen the private car and tried to rob me at one of the earlier stops. He was glad to do it.”

  “How much did you give him, Papa?” Mary Beth asked.

  “Twenty dollars.”

  She laughed. “Then, of course, he was glad to do it.”

  “I got another telegram from the office. Drew is still gone. I have no idea where he is.”

  “You know Uncle Drew, Papa. He’s always finding things that need to be done.”

  “That’s true. I’m not sure I could run the office without him.”

  “Of course, you could,” Mary Beth said.

  “Well, yes. But I must confess that Drew takes responsibility for so many things that he just about makes himself indispensable.”

  “Have you ever thought that he might be doing that on purpose, just to make certain that you keep him around?” Mary Beth asked.

  “Ha! Even that shows how smart he is.”

  “Did you get track clearance for us?” John asked.

  “That I did, and a new engine crew. They’re building up steam now.”

  “Why, you didn’t need a new engine crew, Papa. Matt and I could have taken you on to Chicago.”

  “Sure we could have,” Matt teased, “if you had been willing to trade jobs with me. You shovel and I drive.”

  “Come to think of it, maybe it was a good idea to get a new crew,” Mary Beth agreed, with a laugh.

  Half an hour later, they left Decatur.

  Chicago

  It was eight o’clock that evening when they rolled into the Central Depot located in the middle of the city. They left the car, then waved to the engineer as he moved it to a sidetrack where it would wait the few days to be attached to the train that would take them back to San Francisco.

  The depot was a curious mix of architectural styles with several restaurants and spacious waiting rooms. When they stepped inside the building, Mary Beth smiled and called out to someone she saw.

  “Uncle Drew!” She rushed toward him with her arms extended, and he embraced her.

  Drew looked toward John. “Hello, John,” he said.

  “Drew!” John replied with a happy smile, greeting his friend with an extended hand. “What are you doing here?”

  “I couldn’t just wait anymore for your telegrams telling me you were all right. I had to come here and see for myself that you made it,” Drew said. “Hello, Mr. Jensen,” Drew said, extending his hand. “You don’t know how thankful I am that you have been able to keep my friend in one piece.”

  “You have no idea what all he has done,” John said. “He has saved Mary Beth and my life more times than I can count. I don’t know where all these would-be assassins have come from, but whoever it is that wants me dead has certainly gone all out to get the job done.”

  “We were wrong in suspecting Keaton, Mitchell, or Morris,” Drew said. “None of them have a thing to do with it.”

  “Yes, I’ve learned that as well. But tell me, Drew, how did you get to Chicago so quickly? I know we left before you did.”

  “I took an express, and unlike you, who wound up gallivanting all over the country, I came straight here. I’ve discovered who is behind all these attempts on your life.”

  “Who are they? Have you sent the law after them?”

  “Well, I misspoke when I said I know who it is. I should have said that I know what it is. It is a consortium of businesses who are in competition with us. The problem is, I don’t know which businesses, or any of the people who are actually involved.”

  “How did you find out that it was a consortium?”

  “Jefferson Emerson’s Detective Agency found out. He’s still trying to learn just which businesses are behind it.”

  “Yes, of course, I should have realized Jeff would be doing that. Good for him. Well, shall we arrange for transportation to the hotel?”

  “I’ve already hired a coach, the driver is waiting for us. And I have four rooms at the hotel.”

  “Rooms? I thought you had arranged a suite for Mary Beth and me.”

  “Yes, but we had to give it up when you didn’t arrive on your original schedule. I do have one for you for tomorrow night.”

  “Yes, of course, I didn’t mean to be critical.”

  The lobby of the Palmer House Hotel was just as nice as Matt remembered from his last stay here. The frescoed ceiling was done in gold and red, and the walls were festooned with electric lightbulbs. Cushioned chairs were set around low tables that were scattered throughout the lobby, and several of
them were occupied by well-dressed men and women, many of whom seemed to be engaged in animated conversations.

  The desk clerk was standing behind a carved, mahogany counter, and he greeted Matt and the others as they approached.

  “My name is Drew Jessup,” Drew said. “We have four rooms reserved.”

  The clerk looked at the registration book and nodded. “Indeed you do, sir. You have rooms on the second, third, fourth, and fifth floors.”

  “I specifically said I wanted all four rooms on the same floor,” Drew said.

  “Sir, I wasn’t here when you checked in and don’t see any such notation,” the desk clerk said.

  “How can a hotel like the Palmer House be so incompetent? Change it now, please. I want all four rooms on the same floor.”

  “I’m afraid that is impossible, sir. We are completely booked up.”

  “This is unconscionable,” Drew said angrily.

  “It’s all right, Drew,” John said. “We’re all tired and any room sounds good. Let’s have our dinner and go to bed.”

  Picking up the keys to their rooms, the four went into the dining room, a large, oak-paneled room with matching oak tables, each table situated under a hanging chandelier. They had the evening special, which was a spinach salad, smoked trout, and wild rice.

  “I will say this about the consortium who is after Mary Beth and me,” John said as they ate. “They are very determined. I have lost count of the attempts.”

  “Yes, but thankfully you have survived every one of them,” Drew said.

  “There is something about these attempts that I don’t understand,” Matt said.

  “What’s that?” Drew asked.

  “It is a question that has perplexed me from the very beginning, and I have asked it of John, but now I will ask it of you. I can understand how business competitors might want John out of the way. But why are they trying to kill Mary Beth?”

  “Are you sure they are trying to kill her? Or is it just that she has been there for every attempt?” Drew asked. “I’m sure that when they cut the tongue pin on John’s coach, they had no idea Mary Beth would be with him.”

  “You may be right,” John said.

  “No, I don’t think so,” Matt said. “John, you remember back in Assumption, those two men told us they were being paid to kill you and Mary Beth.”

  “That’s right, they did say that, didn’t they?” John said.

  “Which brings me back to my original question. Why do they want to kill Mary Beth?”

  “But what happened in Assumption might not even be related to all the other attempts,” Mary Beth said.

  “Why do you say that?” Matt asked.

  “Remember, they said that a man named Sullivan was the one who was paying them. And Mr. Morris said that Sullivan was upset because the mine is doing so well, and he blames Papa.”

  “I think Mary Beth is right,” John said. “I don’t think the attempt in Assumption had anything to do with any of the earlier attempts. And Sullivan was just evil enough to want to kill Mary Beth as well, because he knows how much she means to me.”

  “Instead, he wound up killing himself,” Mary Beth said.

  “Sullivan killed himself?” Drew said. “How so?”

  John explained how, while Morris was showing them a new seam in the coal mine that Sullivan had set off an explosion, intending to cause a cave-in that would trap them.

  “But he miscalculated,” John concluded, “and he brought a large part of the wall down on himself.”

  “Well, thank goodness, none of you were hurt,” Drew said. “And that is the important thing. And Mr. Jensen, you are certainly to be congratulated. You have been most successful in your obligation to get John and Mary Beth here safely.”

  “Jeff Emerson certainly deserves every cent we pay him for keeping him on retainer,” John said. “His suggestion that we hire Matt was, quite literally, a lifesaver.”

  “Oh, I agree,” Drew said. “By the way, Mr. Jensen, I have taken the liberty of securing first-class passage for your return trip to San Francisco. Your train leaves at six o’clock tomorrow morning.”

  “What?” Mary Beth asked, with a surprised gasp. “Uncle Drew, why did you do that?”

  Drew got a surprised look on his face. “Have I erred? I thought the idea was for Mr. Jensen to get the two of you here safely. That he has done, so I assumed he would be anxious to get on his way.” Drew laughed. “After all, he does have five thousand dollars to spend.”

  “Yes, of course, his job is finished,” John said. “But I assumed he would have a couple of days of rest before he started back.”

  “Mr. Jensen was going to take me to the theater while we were here,” Mary Beth said.

  “Mr. Jensen, I assure you, it was not my intention to hurry your departure,” Drew said.

  “Don’t worry about it,” John said. “I know you did what you thought was best. Matt, it’s up to you. You may stay a few days longer or start back tomorrow.”

  “It’s just that I’ve already purchased the ticket,” Drew said.

  “Oh, for heaven’s sake, Drew, the decision certainly doesn’t turn upon the price of a railroad ticket. If he doesn’t use it, we can turn it in and get the money back,” John said. He laughed. “And even if we can’t, I’m sure we can afford to take the loss.”

  “Well, it’s like Mary Beth said, I did promise to take her to the theater,” Matt said. “So, if it’s all right with you, John, I’ll stay a few days longer.”

  “Oh, Matt, they have a bar here, one that serves ladies as well as gentlemen,” Mary Beth said. “Would you have a glass of wine with me?”

  “Oh, but we can have wine right here at the table,” John said.

  “Papa!” Mary Beth said.

  “Of course, what was I thinking? You young people go ahead. Drew and I will have our wine here.”

  Mary Beth smiled. “Thank you,” she said. Getting up, she kissed her father lightly on his cheek, then held her hand out toward Matt. “Shall we?”

  Chapter Thirty-six

  John watched Mary Beth and Matt as they headed toward the hotel bar.

  “Do you think that was wise, John?” Drew asked.

  “Do I think what was wise?”

  “Letting Mary Beth go off with Jensen like that.”

  “Drew, what in the world are you talking about? Our lives have literally been in Matt’s hands for the last several days. Why should I be in the least concerned about letting Mary Beth go into the bar with him?”

  “It isn’t her safety I’m concerned about. Surely it is obvious to you that Mary Beth is taken with him. You are a very wealthy man, what is to say that Jensen won’t see some advantage in the situation? Surely you wouldn’t want someone like that as a son-in-law.”

  “I don’t think that thought has crossed his mind. Matt Jensen is one of the finest and most dedicated men I have ever met.”

  “But don’t you worry about his character? From what I understand, he has killed several men just since you left San Francisco.”

  “Yes, he has, but in every case the men he killed were men who were trying to kill Mary Beth and me.”

  “I’m not criticizing the killings, I’m sure they were all justified. But it takes a certain kind of man who can kill so easily, don’t you think?”

  “Drew, Mary Beth killed one of those would-be assassins,” John said quietly.

  “Mary Beth did?”

  “Yes, and she has had a hard time of it. I would very much appreciate it if you didn’t talk about this subject around her.”

  “Well, yes, of course. I won’t mention it anymore. As I say, I was just thinking about her well-being, is all.”

  “I’m glad that Mary Beth is showing some interest in anyone. Ever since her mother died, she seems to think that, somehow, she would be deserting me if she showed any interest in a man. I don’t expect anything to come of this, but I do want her to enjoy the opportunity of spending some time with him.”

&nbs
p; “Of course, John, please forgive me,” Drew said. “I’m sorry I ever brought the subject up.”

  “There is nothing to forgive,” John said with an easy smile. He reached over to put his hand on Drew’s arm. “We have been friends for far too long to be worried about what we say to one another.”

  There was a piano in the bar and a pianist wearing long tails was playing music.

  “Matt, let’s go over there and sit next to the piano,” Mary Beth suggested.

  They did so, and while Matt knew that piano players in the saloons almost always had an empty beer mug for tips, he didn’t know what the proper protocol would be for a place like this. When he saw, not an empty beer mug, but a decorated bowl for the same purpose, he added a dollar.

  “Thank you, sir,” the pianist said, without missing a note.

  “You’re welcome,” Matt said.

  “That’s Mozart’s Piano Concerto Number Nine,” Mary Beth said.

  “Very good, madam, indeed it is,” the pianist said. “I am always happy to play for someone who not only appreciates the music but recognizes it.”

  “I love classical music, and you are playing beautifully.”

  Pleased by the compliment, the pianist smiled and nodded his head.

  “Do you like Mozart?” Mary Beth asked Matt.

  “Well, I like this,” Matt said. “But to tell the truth, I’ve never really had the opportunity to listen to this kind of music. I know that Sally likes it, though.”

  “Sally? Who’s Sally? You’ve never mentioned Sally.”

  “You asked me once if I had ever found any women that I like. Well, Sally is such a woman. She is a very beautiful lady, and like you, she knows the manners of good society.”

  “Are you in love with her?”

  “Am I in love with her? Well, no, I couldn’t say that. She is a wonderful lady, and I do think the world of her. But I’m not sure how Smoke would take it if I said I was in love with Sally.”

  “Smoke?”

  “Smoke Jensen. Sally is Smoke’s wife.”