Trace was looking up the stairs to the third floor, one foot on the bottom step. Nathan could hear Jennie saying something about having warned him and he saw the gunman's hand hovering near his holster.

"We have a problem here?"

"None of your concern, Sheriff, just a business dispute." He stared up at Jennie then stepped away from the staircase.

"That right, Miss Christie, just a business dispute?"

"He's been told he's not welcome here, Sheriff and I'd appreciate you asking him to leave."

Nathan felt the perspiration gathering under his arms; this was not on his calendar for the day. Trace unhooked his gun's hammer and spread his feet slightly.

"Yeah, ask me to leave, Sheriff."

"We don't need to have any trouble here, Banner. Just do as the lady asks and everybody carry on."

"It'll be a hot day I let some whore tell me what to do."

"It'll be a hotter day for you if you don't, son." The voice startled Nathan and he turned to see Bates and Cutter on the stairs behind him. Trace's hand had moved well away from his gun and he was gritting his teeth, watching the new pair that just arrived.

"I suggest you do as the Sheriff asks . . . and right now would be a good time." Trace, grunted and started toward the stairs to leave.

"I think an apology to the lady is in order." Dora moved to block his path.

"Think again." He started to move but the carbine swung off her back like lightening and he heard a shell being levered into the chamber.

"I have and it's still the same." Dora poked the barrel into his stomach. The group stood frozen as if sculpted, only the slight sound of breathing and the tic at the corner of Trace's eye said different.

He stared up at Jennie and feeling another poke, made an apology. She turned her back and walked away.

They watched the gunman stomp down the stairs and up to the bar, remaining silent while Dora ejected the round and re-loaded.

"That one of our bad guys?" Bates asked.

"Trace Banner, the baddest." He turned to Dora, "You poked the bear there, ma'am; he won't take that lightly." With a lip curl he assumed was a smile; she left them and went to her room. "That was actually very fast." Nathan remarked.

"Dora's not one to mess with, Sheriff. One reason I asked her along."

"One reason . . .?" Bates smiled, winked and went off to his own room. Damn, never asked him about Morley. Nathan went carefully down to the saloon.

Maggie was talking with Wren and Ryan when Nathan came through the lobby and he told her she could go upstairs, everything was cleared up. Maggie watched from the entry then caught Nathan as he was going out the door.

"A Deputy Marshal Bates told me to tell you he would like you to join him for dinner ."

"I just spoke with him; he didn't say anything to me about it."

"I expect he knew that I was someone he could rely on."

"I didn't say-"

"Unlike someone I know, the Marshal can say what he means."

"I didn't mean-"

"You should bring Allison as well; he'll probably have questions for her."

"How do you know what he wants?"

"And for heaven's sake don't come looking like you spent the day busting broncs." She swirled her skirt, stepped around him and swished to the kitchen.

He faced Ryan. "How does she do that?" Ryan just hunched his shoulders, raised his hands, and walked away.

**********

Allison stopped and waited for him to catch up. "Are you always waiting for me when I leave work?" They stepped back to let a family pass, the little boy looked wide-eyed at Nathan's badge.

"Seems like it. I came by to ask you to lunch but got called away." He explained about what happened at the hotel and that the Deputy Marshal asked him to join him for dinner. "I wanted to ask you come with me, he probably wants to ask you some questions . . ." Maggie's words rang in his ear.

"Me, why?"

"Uh- just anything you might- anything about Blake- you uh . . ." A wagon load of lumber rattled past drowning out the last of his words. She watched him squirm and rested a hand on his arm.

"I'd be happy to help, Nathan. When?"

"When what?"

"When dinner? What time?"

". . . oh, I don't- I'll find out and let you know."

"I'll need time to get ready."

"I'll find out right now." He did a stutter step, half leaning toward he then touched his hat, turned and jogged up the street to the hotel.

Maggie's long suffering look didn't help as she ran through a litany of prerequisites for Nathan to observe when dining formally with another couple. He slumped against the wall and waited her out, finally getting the time.

"Don't you forget what I said now, Nathan."

"Impossible!" He called back, skipping out the door and back down to Allison's.

**********

Bates stood as Allison and Nathan came up to the table, his moustache twitching with pleasure.

"What a delightful surprise, Sheriff, Margaret said you would be bringing company." He extended a hand and canted his head.

Margaret! "Allison, this is Deputy Marshall Bates and this is his Deputy, Miss Dora Cutter. Allison shook hands and let Nathan seat her beside Bates.

"Please, call me Winston." He fluffed the moustache with one finger. Dora coughed.

"I appreciate the invite . . . Winston . . . but is there a special reason?" Nathan covered Allison's fingers and smiled politely at Dora.

"There is. Your banker friend folded like a bad hand a few questions in." He slipped Dora a glance. "I think Miss Cutter's carbine caught his attention."

"And what did he say?"

"What didn't he."

An hour later and a bountiful meal, thanks to Margaret, Bates had laid out the whole scheme to control river traffic and possibly the potential rail traffic as well where it had to pass through Wellman's property water rights. Morley was to prepare the contracts for the steamship company outlining the tolls that would be required and provide the banking services for the new company Playford was going to create. For his contribution he was to receive ten percent of the entire operation.

"Why do you think he gave up so easily- really, I mean." Nathan caught Dora's head movement and he made a- not quite understanding gesture.

"I think he was happy to get caught. Playford must have scared the pants off him and he caved."

"So now what? Arrest Playford? He's staying right here on the same floor as you."

"We're going to put our heads together- Dora and I- and write up a report for the governor with everything we just told you and send it off so they can get things rolling at the judicial end. It's all political, Sheriff; you have no idea how much easier your job is. Just catch 'em, jail 'em or shoot 'em." Winston cracked a big smile and downed his glass of beer.

"So then . . .?"

"We'll send it off in the morning by telegraph, have a good breakfast, arrest our baddies and catch the noon stage back to county."

Nathan sat back and shook his head- a little nonplussed. This experience with Deputy Marshals was an eye opener for him. "You think it will be just that easy?"

Winston set his glass down, wiped his moustache, studied Nathan for a moment and said, "Yep."

"What about this Johnson fella and whatshisname- Iwai?"

"Well they aren't here and they haven't done anything yet so that'd be your bailywick, Sheriff." Winston pushed his chair back and stood up, bowing slightly to Allison and saying good night with a smooth compliment, taking Dora's arm they headed for the second floor.

"Can he just leave like that?" Allison asked, nibbling at some crumbs on her dinner plate.

"Seems like he has." Nathan sat back and considered how quickly everything seemed to be moving suddenly. He tilted his glass on the table, idly swirling the beer dregs and decided to see how the morning played out - nothing much he could do anyway.

"But shouldn't he be helping? They are part of the same gang."

"He's right though, those boys aren't even here so what could he do. After he arrests Playford there won't be anything for them to do; they may just turn around and head home." He took her fingers in his. "Speaking of home, is it too early to walk you there?"

"Well let me think on that . . . no!" They both held a beat and then laughed happily together.

In the shadows on the second floor landing, Trace watched the couple leave, his fingers fiddling with the strap on his gun. He waited until they left the room then he moved silently down the stairs. Behind him, down the hall, a door slowly closed with a soft click.