Page 103 of Native Hawk
“Yeah, well, I’m a gamblin’ man, but where I’m from, the locals frown on their sheriff playin’ cards.”
“You don’t say.” He clucked his tongue. “Folks here don’t seem to care. I’m Sheriff Ernie Campbell, by the way.”
“Ernie,” he said, handing the man his bourbon when it arrived. “You seem like a smart, trustworthy fellow. Can I confide in you?”
“Yes, sir.”
“I’ve been trackin’ a particular poker player, a man they say is unbeatable.”
“Is that so?”
“I figure an eagle-eyed sheriff like you is bound to notice a stranger in town.”
“A stranger like you?” he said with a wink.
“That’s right, Ernie. That’s right.” He clapped the man on the back. “At any rate, this man I’m lookin’ for is a…a half-breed. You wouldn’t know of anyone like that come through here lately?”
“A half-breed? Hell, we got two of ’em in town. And yeah, one of ’em is a poker player. In fact,” he said, gulping down a swallow of bourbon with a grimace, “he took me for a bundle. After he was done fleecin’ me, my Maggie Ellen wouldn’t have anything to do with me.” He sadly shook his head.
“So where does he play, this half-breed?”
“At The Parlor, just down the street.”
“Would he be there now?”
“Prob’ly,” the sheriff said. “His bride-to-be is workin’ there. But I’d be careful. He’ll steal you blind.”
Jasper spent a few more minutes in mindless chitchat with the sheriff, just for appearance’s sake. Then he interrupted the dances, much to his protesting sons’ chagrin, and headed out the door with them to The Parlor.
When they entered the salon, the two boys gave a low whistle, impressed with the rich décor and quality “merchandise.”
While Harvey stared in slack-jawed awe at the ladies preening on the balcony, Jim waved to one of the girls, and she lifted up her skirts in return.
“Can I get one o’ them, Pa? Can I? I won’t take long, I promise.”
Jasper figured he was probably right. The state the boy was in, it’d be all over before he even got his drawers halfway down.
“Sure. Just don’t pick up any bugs and don’t give her any bastards.”
“I want two whores,” Jim decided. “Can I have two?”
“Don’t be an idjit.”
He summoned the madam and gave her enough money for one apiece.
She eyed the boys and said, “You’ll have to hand over your guns, just for the safety o’ my girls. You can have ’em back after.”
The boys unbuckled their gun belts and gave them to the madam. Then he watched in relief as they clambered up the stairs, as excited as toddlers with a new puppy.
“I’m lookin’ for someone,” he told the madam. “The sheriff told me he frequents your place.”
“Did he?” She crossed her arms. “Well, I’m not in the habit o’ disclosin’ who does and doesn’t come to my establishment. It’s a matter o’ discretion.”
Jasper itched to show her his badge, slam her up against the wall, and demand to know where the half-breed was. But he knew he’d get more flies with honey than vinegar. So he bit the bullet and gave her a wide, innocent smile.
“Oh, it’s nothin’ nefarious, ma’am,” he assured her. “I’m just lookin’ for a good game o’ poker. The sheriff said there was a half-breed in town who—”
“A half-breed?” The woman’s face tensed slightly. Something rang a bell with her. Then, just as slick as a hawker of patent medicine, she clammed up and played stupid. “I wouldn’t know nothin’ about half-breeds. Don’t allow ’em in my place.”
