Abner Freeman dropped down from his saddle and began a slow walk along the dock boardwalk. He took in the clutter of crates and pallets that littered the area around Duggan's carpentry shop, a sorry anger in his thoughts. A few small boys played on the edge of the dock, pitching stones at a stick floating in the river. When he reached the boarding ramp, he stopped and turned to face Huber's office.

"Hey, boss. That darkie sheriff is outside lookin' at your place."

Huber came to the window and watched the sheriff for a minute, then went outside. "Something wrong, Abner?"

"That's Sheriff Freeman, Mr. Huber. And yes, somethin's wrong. The town has ordered me to tell you to get all that clutter off the boardwalk."

"That a fact. Why would that be all of a sudden?"

"Railroad representatives are arrivin' on the next train to do some business. It's town property, and they don't take kindly to your mess."
"That so." Huber stuck thumbs in the side of his vest and ambled toward the sheriff. "What kinda business?"

"None of mine. My business is tellin' you to clean it up - pronto." Abner tossed the reins over his horse's head and moved around to the side. "Wouldn't want to have to come back and find it ain't bin done." He swung up into the saddle and looked down at Huber. "My jail can be mighty uncomfortable."

Huber watched him leave then checked his pocket watch. Not long before the train arrives along with the riverboat. He strode back to the office shouting orders for his men to get busy moving their litter off the dock. Maybe now I'll find out what all this rumour is about.

******

Edward looked out the train window, pointing excitedly to the river, barely seen a few miles away through the trees. The train whistle screeched, and he felt it right to the bone. He couldn't believe he was a big part of a Galen's plan; his whole being was strung tight as a bow string. Ever since the Pine Ridge episode, Edward had swelled with the knowledge of his part and being a confidant of Galen Helliwell.

"Almost there, Henry. You ready to do this?" He jabbered.

"You bet. You got your credentials ready?"

"I do, By the time anyone can check, it should be all over, and I hope Galen gets to see the fine job you did on them."

"After making those pictures for him in Pine Ridge, I believe I can photograph almost anything." Henry shouldered his camera bag and stood his tripod beside his seat.

"Just remember, believe what we're saying, and it will ring true."

"You don't think there'll be any violence do you?"

"Henry, we've been all through this." Edward sighed. "You just set up your camera and do what we practised."

"Barrow Falls, connecting to the River Crown Riverboat to Cochrane, and the Enderby stage points north." The conductor weaved down the aisle, using seat backs to keep a steady pace. "All out for Barrow Falls."

"Okay, Henry. Let's do this."

******

Galen led Stanley down to the west end of the dock, impressed to see the riverboat rounding a bend on the way into Barrow Falls. At the same time he heard the train whistle back down the tracks, and his appreciation grew for the co-ordination between the two systems. People were gathering at the front of the Huber offices where the boat ramp stood, some waving prematurely, expecting arrivals, others with empty wagons waiting for cargo.

He stayed well back, watching for his friends to appear. He saw Jake march down the ramp, gazing about with eager authority, and the wagon from the train station pulled up, depositing his Pine Ridge friends. He smiled. They looked like railroad businessmen, and he silently applauded Edward's thoroughness.

They marched to a point opposite Duggan's shop and began their charade. Galen watched as Henry set up his camera, framing scenes with his hands, while Edward made a display of examining the carpentry shop. He glanced at Huber's office, and slapped his thigh when he saw the man himself come out to meet the boat, then halt as he saw the two men at the other end of the boardwalk. It had begun.

Edward saw the big man walking toward them and he went back to where Henry was. "I think this is him, Henry," he murmured, "get ready."

"Gentlemen." Huber stopped near them. "You must be the railroad representatives we were expecting. Darcy Huber." He closed on them, hand outstretched.

"Mr. Huber. Yes, we're here to investigate the best site for the new Railroad Riverboat Consortium hotel. Big plans for Barrow Falls. Going to put this town on the map. "

Huber blinked. "The what?" Consortium? Hotel?"

"The two companies have completed a long series of negotiations and have finally joined together to maximize the business opportunities that they have been exploring. With rail and water travel growing, no one wants to be left behind." Edward smiled and then busied himself writing in a large notepad.

Darcy shook his head. "You're saying they've joined as one company?"

"Hnn? No, no. They're still separate companies, but now they're under the umbrella of the RRC - the Railroad Riverboat Consortium. And a big umbrella it is, sir. Shipping, trading, mining - biggest thing to hit this county ever."

"Shipping and trading? That's my business."

"Oh, I'm talking shipping and trading, sir. Nationwide!" Edward beamed.

"Darcy blinked. "What's this about a hotel?"

The RRC is going to build a prestige hotel right here on the Barrow Falls river. My colleague and I are here to determine the best site."

"You mean here - on the boardwalk?"

"At some point , yes." Edward did some more writing, and gazing about the area.

"Wait, excuse me. I happen to own this property, from the end there right back to that building on the corner. Those storage sheds belong to my company."

"Yes, we're aware, sir. RRC has already made an offer to Mr. Duggan for his carpentry shop, the one bit you don't own." Edward tucked his notepad under his arm and stuck his hands in his pockets, taking Huber's measure. "We've had correspondence with Mr. Duggan, and he has expressed great interest in our offer."

"You- you've made Duggan an offer! Why has nobody spoken to me?" Darcy's tone was hardening.

"Because, we're looking at this end of the dock, sir. RRC calculates the cost in time and money to tear down your building, had there been that option, to be unacceptable. Here," Edward waved a hand, "we have virgin land and just a few structures to remove."

Henry gathered his equipment and called to Edward that he was going to take elevations over by the carpentry shop. Edward nodded and waved. "Yes, Mr. Huber, contingent upon our final choice of location of course. Mr. Duggan would receive a pr-e-t-t-y lucrative deal, including space on the hotel grounds for his business to continue." Edward smiled with glee.

Huber's hand went to his forehead and he turned a half circle. Down the dock, Galen watched the pantomime beyond the debarking passengers and the wagoners, grinning. He felt satisfied that Edward had Darcy Huber exactly where they wanted him, and he led Stanley back up into town.

Darcy faced Edward again. "So if I was willing to sell, I would be afforded the same deal?"

"I can't promise that, sir. That would depend on what you're selling."

"This!" Darcy waved his hands. "I own all these sheds and the large office building at the far end there." He pointed with impatience.

"Well, let's walk down and have a look." Edward opened his notepad again and began jotting as they passed the various storage sheds.

Several people waved and greeted Darcy, and he beamed, returning the acknowledgement with gusto.

"I'm quite well known by the riverboat crowd," he boasted, "been serving them well for a long time now." He stopped suddenly and looking at Edward. "Something wrong?"

Edward walked back and forth in front of the office, shaking his head and making notes.

"I'm afraid this would not be a good move for RRC."

"What? Why not?" Darcy came and stood beside him, staring at his office, confused.

"The sheds wouldn't be a problem, but as I said before, for us to have to tear down a brick building this size," Edward was wagging his head negatively, "the cost and time it would take would be prohibitive I'm afraid." He gave Darcy an apologetic look.

"Time? What time?"

"RRC wants to start as soon as my colleague and I have established a site. Tearing down your building would be just too long a delay and too expensive."

"When- how long will you be doing that? Choosing a site?"

Edward turned and began a slow walk back down the dock.

"Please, how long?" Darcy scampered after him.

"Well . . . terrain. Soil samples. Water assessment--"

"What! Water assessment?"

"Yes. The boarding ramp will have to be moved to the front of the new hotel, so we need to assess the river bed for new dock footings. You can see why your building would add far too much to the construction costs."

"Move the ramp! You can't move the ramp . . . I- it's my business!"

"I believe, sir, it is RRC's business. To answer your original question, we'll probably need two, maybe three days. Now, if you'll excuse me."