Chapter Eleven—The Reader Has Been Here Before

     In a few minutes, I saw one of the men come out of Robin’s store and walk around to the back. He went into the stable and was gone for a few minutes, and then came out leading Robin’s horse, all saddled and ready to ride. I recognized Roberta immediately. The man then took the reins of the other four horses and led them all around to the front of the store. Within a minute, I saw the other three men, and Robin, come out of the shop. I felt a momentary pang when I saw her, but my main concern was, what is she doing with those four men? I realized it could have been harmless, maybe they were all going to a party together, but from what I could tell, it looked more like a wake. Robin wasn’t smiling, and there wasn’t any laughter or good-natured bantering.
     They all mounted and then headed my way. I was still in the shadows so they couldn’t see me. Robin, of course, had seen Ol’ Paint before, but he didn’t have such distinctive markings that she would recognize him. They passed me, riding at a slow trot, Robin in the middle of a diamond. One man in front, one on each side, one behind.
     I didn’t need to be hit in the side of the head with a 2x4. They weren’t going to a wiener roast. I knew that because I hadn’t seen any wieners. I let them get about 100 yards ahead, and then I mounted Ol’ Paint and followed.
 
     I followed Robin and her escorts at a discreet distance. Once they got into the foothills and trees, I couldn’t see them any more, but it was still light enough, barely, that I was able to follow their tracks. And once fully in the pines, there wasn’t really any place they could go. As I arrived at the edge of the clearing and saw the massive house, I spotted Robin and the four men walking up the steps to the front door. One of the men opened the door, and they all disappeared inside.

     I didn’t follow Robin and the four men up the path to the front of the house. I led Ol’ Paint through the trees. It wasn’t easy, because they were thick, but we made it. I stopped when we were even with the front porch, which was perhaps 30 yards away. I looked carefully and I listened even more carefully. I heard a little rumble of thunder, and the wind was blowing in the trees, but that wasn’t what I was trying to hear. I was listening for non-nature sounds, i.e., human beings. I heard no such sounds and saw no such creatures. I would like to have hung around and reconnoitered a little longer, but I was a little afraid for Robin’s sake. So I hopped off Ol’ Paint, and dashed, crouched, to the front stairs. Up to the front door. Listening. Nothing. I turned the doorknob; it gave, so I gently pushed the door open just enough to see inside. Not a sound, well-oiled hinges, exactly what I would have expected and was immensely grateful for. I peeked, saw no one, then opened the door wider and stuck my whole head in, glancing around. I failed to mention that I had drawn my gun while running to the stairway, and when my head went inside the door, my gun did, too. There was no one there. I quickly slipped inside the house and quietly closed the door. I saw all the lushness that Robin had seen, and I saw one more thing—one of the doors at the end of the long hallway to my left had just clicked shut.
     That’s the direction I headed.

     Nobody in that room noticed that the door had opened just a crack. I could see Robin and a little fat man, but not the four men who brought her. But more importantly for the moment, I could hear what was being said. I was 99.9% sure this wasn’t innocent, but I didn’t want to illegally enter someone’s house—and maybe get caught—until I was sure I had just cause. If this was on the up-and-up and Robin was here voluntarily, I’d slip out as silently as I had entered and with no one the wiser. So I listened…

     Much of the following was recorded at the end of Book 2 of this novel, but, to keep the reader abreast, will be recounted here as well.

     The fat man was speaking to Robin. “You have been paying $150 per month for the privilege of having your business and for the protection against someone coming in and opening another similar to it. They will not be able to do this as long as you make your payments, and I am the mayor. Which I will be for as long as I wish. And, as mayor, I know pretty much everything that goes on in this town.” He smiled wickedly. “Everything that has anything to do with money, that is.”
     Robin just looked at him and didn’t say anything.
     “I am well aware, Miss Morrow,” Fatso continued, “that you stand to lose your business and your aunt will lose her home if your…income is not expanded somewhat in the very near future.”

     I smiled. Not any more they won’t, Blubber Bottom…

     Robin replied, “I suppose you got that information from Eric Wilcox. Do you own him, too?”
     Roly-Poly’s face clouded up. “No, though I do get reports from one of the bank’s accountants on who has what. If it hadn’t been for you, I would have had Wilcox completely in my power right now, I’d own the bank, and much of Whitewater. But no, just as you did at the meeting with Lt. Veal, you had to open your big mouth and put a dent in the bank run.”
     Robin appeared nonplussed. “What are you talking about?”
     Bowling Ball seemed a little exasperated. “How do you think that rumor of an insolvent bank started, Miss Morrow? I started it. I intended to drain that bank dry to where Wilcox would have to start foreclosing on businesses, homes, ranches, and so forth. And then, he would be so desperate for money that he would sell me the notes at rock-bottom prices. I would then own all of that property and could sell it to whomever wanted it at a substantial profit to myself.”

     I patted myself on the back for my correct analysis of what had happened in the Whitewater bank run. Typical rich, greedy thief…

     Obese Personified continued, “But no, just when I just about had Wilcox cleaned out, you come out of the bank and start yapping about all the stupid fools who believed a baseless rumor. So enough people kept their money in the bank to keep it afloat. It’s still teetering on the brink, though, and I think I can push it over soon. Wilcox needs a big deposit to restore confidence and I’m not going to let him have it.”

     I smiled again. Too late, fatso, he’s already got it.

     The fellow refilled his drink, and asked, “Are you sure you don’t want something? You look a little ill.”
     Robin did look ill. And I could understand why. But she shook her head. “Ok, I stopped your thieving bank run. I’m very happy about that. But what does all this have to do with me?”

     Good question. I was wanting to know the same thing…

     Brother of a Pig nodded. “Back to your situation. By the first of April, you are going to be a few hundred dollars short of what you need to make your loan payment and your aunt’s house payment.”
     “You’ve already said that.”
     The man continued as if Robin hadn’t interrupted. “I am confident that, by that time, I will have Wilcox and the Whitewater bank in such straits that he will need to start foreclosing on just about every property in town that he holds a note on. That means your business and your aunt’s home.” He smiled, his fat cheeks spreading. “I’m not all bad, Miss Morrow, and I’d like to help you out. I can help you keep your business and your aunt can keep her house.”

     Aww, aren’t you sweet…I frowned. Who IS this guy? Sounds like he owns the whole town…or wants to…

     Robin then asked him, “How can you do that?”
     "Well, you’ll need some more income, of course.”
     “And you can help me with that?”
     “I think so. Madame Sophie tells me you have…talents that could make me a lot more money.”
     The color in Robin’s face drained.

     And I frowned big time…Madame Sophie?? You better not mean what I THINK you mean, Elephant Gut…

     He said, “I understand that she even has a clientele waiting for you, but you continue to dawdle.” He looked at Robin harshly. “You apparently haven’t got enough sense to realize it’s your only solution.” He took a sip of his drink, and his voice became more…reasonable. “Just 15 hours a week is all that I will require of you, Miss Morrow; but, of course, you are welcome to work as much as you want. I’m sure you’ll enjoy it. At $30 an hour, that will bring in $450, $1800 per month. I will give you $200 of that, to pay your aunt’s mortgage. Also, you can have any tips above the $30 that you might be given. The rest of the money will go to me, of course; well, there will be a small stipend for Sophie, too, but that is none of your concern.” He smiled again, as wicked a smile as I had ever seen. “And to show you my good faith and generosity, I will lower your monthly ‘protection’ payment to $50. You can keep your store, your aunt can keep her house, I make a lot of money…” He shrugged. “It’s a win-win for everybody.”

     I was not only utterly shocked, I was outraged. Why, you sorry, low-down, stinking pile of fresh warm buffalo chips…

     Robin’s face was almost completely colorless now. She tried to speak, but she couldn’t find her voice for a moment. Then, finally, she croaked, “You…you can’t…”
     “Oh, yes, I can, Miss Morrow. I can and I will.” He smiled.  "Several of your male friends will be your customers.”

     Robin really felt sick now. That wasn’t technically true—about the men being her “friends”-- but she did know several of the men on the list Sophie had given her.
     Calf Slobber contined.  “Don’t try to stop this, Miss Morrow. It’s your only answer. And if you don’t go through with it….I think you should consider the security of your aunt. And if something… tragic… should happen to her, well, you have other friends in town as well, don’t you. Jennie Adams recently had a baby, didn’t she?”
     Robin closed her eyes and grimaced. “Ohw! You’re a monster! Nothing but an inhuman monster!” And she went for him, fingers curled like claws, intending to scratch his eyes out. But John Jones grabbed her from behind and pinned her arms. Robin kicked and struggled she couldn’t get free.
     The man laughed, a sick, insane laugh. “And while we are here, I think we all should get an advanced taste of what Madame Sophie’s customers are going to enjoy. Don’t you think so, boys?”
     It was fairly obvious that they did. Even the Three Trained Gorillas smiled at that one and started towards Robin.
     But then I made my grand entrance with those immortal words: “I..don’t..think so. No parties without me.”
     I do believe everyone was surprised to see me.