"I spoke to Wayne at the bank and he told me this RRC had discussed the economic potential for the town and what kind of service they could get when they established business with the bank. Ellis was all eager to share the potential this would mean for Barrow Falls Savings. This is happening - and if I don't move, we'll be sitting where we are now with all the business going to the new hotel down there."

"You really want to do this, boss? Can you trust these guys?"

"They're railroad people. Look at them out there. You think they'd be doing all this measuring and taking samples for fun?" Darcy ran a hand through his hair.

"What do you want us to do?"

"Wait until I have another talk with that pair down there and that lawyer fella."

Edward looked up from his pail of soil from the river bottom when Henry gave a whispered hiss. Darcy Huber was striding down the dock, arms swinging and coattails flapping. He stood up and wiped his hands on the towel over his shoulder.

"Good morning, Mr. Huber, lovely day."

Huber stopped abruptly, noisy breaths from his exertion. "I want you to tell me again about a deal with this RRC if the hotel is built where my office is now." He waited, arms folded, and panting.

"Oh, well that could only be possible if we were able to use your site, but as I explained--"

"What I want explained is, would I get the same deal you offered Duggan? A place in the hotel for my business and an opportunity of shares in the company?"

Henry showed a doubtful expression, "Edward, uh, these soil samples are perfect for secure boarding ramp footings . . ."

"Yes, I know." Edward tugged his ear. "You see, Mr. Huber, it's our task to ensure the very best possible location--"

"Good grief, man! The ramp back there has been serving the riverboat for years! What could be more secure?" Arms waving, face flushing.

"That is a point, Henry." Edward bit the inside of his cheek to prevent his insistent grin from appearing.

"But the building!" Henry protested. "You know our employers would never--"

"I'll tear it down! It won't cost you anything." Huber blurted, his forehead vein throbbing.

The two men looked at one another, eyes laughing, but faces set in concern. "Thing is, we've done all this preliminary work and sent in reports. And there's our timeline." Edward shook his head, and adopted a thoughtful pose.

"What timeline? Tell me your timeline." The desperation was almost palpable.

"We're supposed to be finished here by tomorrow, then after the company reads our final report - which recommends this site here, Mr. Huber," he said with a sympathetic smile, "they'll want to start construction within three weeks."

"Three weeks!" Huber turned an anxious circle. "I can do it. You give me the deal in writing and I'll give you an empty piece of ground for your hotel."

"That's all very well, sir, but Henry and I can't make that deal. I'm afraid we'll just have to continue here."

"No! Wait! I can get the same lawyer Duggan used to write up a contract. Your company have already dealt with him. We can do this right here - now!"

"But the building . . .?" Henry pleaded.

"Forget the damn building! I told you, I'll tear it down myself. Just let me get the lawyer and we can talk."

"We do have until tomorrow, Henry, maybe it would only be fair to listen to this lawyer fella and make our decision then."

"Yes! Yes, I'll go and find him now. You won't regret this, gentlemen." Huber spun around and raced down the dock.

Edward dropped to his knees, gripping the soil pail and shaking uncontrollably.

"Stop it, Edward, or I'll be rolling on the ground in fits."

"I can't- I can't help it . . . did you see his fa-c-e . . ." He slapped a hand over his mouth to muffle the laugh.

******

Jake looked up at the man barrelling toward him from the saloon door, and he swivelled in his chair, greeting him.

"Howdy. Mr. Huber wasn't it? You lookin' for me?"

Huber sat with a thump. "I've been all over town looking for you."

"I've been right here." Jake smiled and turned back to his drink.

"You know the people at this RRC consortium, right? You just made a deal for Duggan?"

"As soon as they choose the new site - I reckon where the study is being done now - he's a rich man." Jake lifted his glass in a toast.

"I want you to do a deal for me, for my place."

"Mr. Huber, I told you, they aren't interested in a property with--"

"I'm tearing it down. I mean, I'll tear it down, at my expense, then they can have the site - and it's even better because they won't have to move the boarding ramp." Huber's eyes were wild as he sputtered out his request.

Jake eased back in his chair, a serious face as he contemplated Huber. "That's a rather drastic action, don't you think?"

"No. Why? I'm willing to take it down, that means they don't have the expense of changing the dock and the ramp. Look what they'll save. I sell them the deed to the property, and you get me that deal you suggested."

"Well I did say top dollar, didn't I." Jake pulled at his ear.

Huber leaned forward eagerly. "Can you do it right away before those RRC representatives send in their report? I spoke to them, they said I had until tomorrow."

"Tomorrow! Mr. Huber, I have to be in touch with them, negotiate. That takes time. Papers need to be drawn up and signed."

"Draw up a deal, I'll sign them and you can submit the offer for their signatures. You get me the same deal for a place in the hotel and shares and I'll sign it."

"What about a price for the deed?"

"Give me a figure. You said top dollar."

"This is most unorthodox--"

"I don't give a damn about orthodox. I only have until tomorrow!"

Jake rubbed his chin, exchanging eye contact with the eager Huber. He dragged the moment out until he felt Huber might get violent, and then let out a huge sigh.

"Tell you what I'm willing to do. I'll draw up a sale for the deed for an amount you agree to, and I'll prepare a set of papers for RRC, and I'll speak to the two representatives on your behalf. I think they might just go for it, particularly if it means they don't have to do the Duggan deal."

"Wait. You said he had a deal."

"He does - did. If they choose your location, they don't need to deal with him. I told him it all depended on when the RRC agreed on a site. But they are itchin' to get goin' with building the hotel."

"No problem, you give me a price, top dollar remember, get the papers ready, and I'll start tomorrow."

Jake took out his pencil and notepad, and wrote down a price for Huber's deed, passing it across to him. Huber's eyes lit up, and he stared at Jake. "You can get this from the company?"

"I might even get more if there's enough time."

"No time. This will do nicely. You just hurry up with the papers."

"You got yourself a deal, Mr. Huber." They grasped hands and, Darcy fairly pranced from the saloon, racing down the street to his office.

"I want all this stuff cleaned out of here. Set it up in one of the other sheds, then I want a team of men here ready to start taking this building down." Then men just gawked at their boss. "Now!"