Saw stood on the porch of his ranch house watching the riders in the distance. In another world, it might have made a nice painting with the mountains and a late sun coating the landscape behind them. He hoped this might have been avoided but desperate times called for those other measures.

His coffee turned bitter in his mouth waiting, as they arrived at an arrogant pace; nothing came before their own pleasing.

They dismounted, tied up their horses and stood looking up at Saw.

"C'mon inside." Saw turned and went in. When they followed, he indicated seats and offered coffee or a drink.

"Grub might be better," the smaller man said.

"We can do that after we talk." The tone had the two trading looks.

"Captain Bernard Gerrard. You know of him?"

"Big time cattleman and land owner."

"Yes, in his mind anyway. He's also the head of a human trafficking operation in Frisco." The revelation had little effect on the bland faces.

Saw poured himself more coffee and thought about how to proceed. He pulled out a chair and sat facing the pair.

"There is an organization interested in seeing Gerrard replaced in that enterprise . . . permanently. There are several elements involved in this task. Gerrard and his small army of gunmen and there is also another opposing faction; two customs agents that have become troublesome."

"You want us to take them all down."

The statement was emotionless, almost careless and Saw felt the reputation of danger emanating from both men. He nodded, watching for what - he wasn't sure but it never came.

"When?"

"Word is the two agents are headed for River Flats right now with a wagon load of Chinese women they rescued from a Tong brothel.

"Are they involved in this?"

"Enough that they need to be removed as well." Saw set his coffee down. "I would concentrate on the girls first; we can ship them right back to Frisco if they pose too large a number to uh- uh- terminate."

"How many people total?" The uglier of the two asked.

"Seven principles plus however many men Gerrard uses - that's unknown. But It might be good to know that he sent five men to Frisco and the two agents took them all."

"Sure you don't want to do this yourself." The statement reeked of sarcasm. "Grub and we'll be on our way."

Saw sent them both to the bunkhouse where the ranch cook would look after them. He felt a little better knowing they would be gone soon. He wondered who spawned men like that. It was one thing having the contacts; it was another dealing with them.

******

"Do you always get what you want?" Link rescued his towel and soap from the dresser top where Harlan was washing.

"If I did I wouldn't have to listen to your complaining all the time."

Link tossed the towel on the chair walked to the window lifting it open, he bent down and leaned out. Harlan sneaked the discarded towel and dried himself quickly.

"Well I gotta hand it to you, Harlan, the girls have worked out just the way you figured. Arthur even mentioned to me he never had it so good what with them doing all the room cleaning."

"Folks just need to loosen up some sometimes. I think Charlie might share Arthur's newfound joy too. Myrna says they do everything and anything they're asked and never a peep; even stuff they aren't asked to do."

"Just grateful, I s'pose."

"Yeah, considerin' what they had."

Link pulled back into the room. "Take a look at this, Harlan."

They stood silently together and watched the two riders free walk their mounts into town and tie up at the saloon. They took a moment to scan the street then climbed the steps and pushed through the saloon doors.

"Professionals."

"Yeah. Why here I wonder."

"Passing through?"

"Guess we'll see soon enough." Link pulled on his shirt and gun then grabbed his hat. "I'm goin' to send a telegraph report off to Lantern, see if there's anything else he needs us for."

"I thought you did that already."

"Nah, the one from Frisco was to tell him what happened. About Gerrard's men and the girls."

"You told him we brought them back?"

"Yeah, no skin of his nose. See you in the saloon for something to eat." Harlan watched his friend leave and remained staring at the closed door.

******

Sheriff Tubbs intercepted Harlan at the hotel door and eased him back inside.

"What's up?

"You headin' for the saloon?"

"Yeah . . . I'm meeting Link, why?"

"There's a couple of rough hombres in there that came through here a while back and the fact that they're here again don't bode well."

"Did they do anything?"

"Nope but they both have mean streaks what show up in their speech."

Harlan patted his arm and smiled. "Okay, Sheriff, I won't talk to them." He stepped past the worried man and crossed the street.

"Hey, Charlie." Harlan greeted the bartender but his attention was on the two men. "Link been in yet?"

"Nope, he comin'?" The question sounded like a plea and Harlan stayed by the bar.

"I'll have a beer 'til he comes, Charlie."

"You boys gonna be around?' Another hopeful sounding question from the nervous bartender.

"Well we're gonna eat." Harlan grinned and gave the strangers a friendly gesture with his mug before drinking.

"Oh good, I'll uh- I'll get Da- uh, I'll get the kitchen to whip somethin' up for you."

Harlan caught the slip and was surprised that Dawn was working in the saloon kitchen. He nodded at Charlie and pointed to where he was going to sit. Link arrived a few minutes later and walked straight to the table, tossed his hat on an empty chair and stretched out his legs.

"Get your wire sent?"

"Yep. Just have to wait and see if there's a reply."

"Kitchen is makin' us some breakfast."

"Kitchen?"

Harlan mouthed 'Dawn' and flicked his eyes toward the bar.

"Well if it isn't my favourite customs men." Myrna waltzed down the stairs and crossed to their table.

The two men turned slowly and stared at Harlan and Link.

"Ah- Myrna . . . too late," he muttered as she sat and gave him a querying look. "Kinda wish you hadn't used that term," he whispered.

Her eyes suddenly showed fright and she stood casually, wandering to the bar on trembling legs as the men watched her. Charlie put down his bar rag and dropped his hands below the counter, his fingers resting on the stock of his shotgun.

"You boys interested in any enter-t- tainment?" Myrna asked but her voice gave in to her nerves.

They stepped apart, backs still to the bar and faced Link and Harlan.

"One of you named Trench?" The words were in a soft, cold monotone.

"That'd be me, do I know you?"

"Not yet."

"Okay then." Harlan drank some of beer and turned to Link. "So, as I was sayin'−"

"I asked you a question, mister."

"And I answered."

At that moment, one of the Chinese girls came out from the kitchen with two breakfasts and delivered them with a bright smile and a small bow. Harlan saw the taller of the two stare her all the way back then he pushed off the bar and moved a few feet closer.

"You got Chinks workin' here?"

"I'm just a customer, friend. Can't help you there."

The man turned and glared Charlie back into the liquor shelves. "How many?"

Charlie's pale face bobbed toward Harlan, sweat appearing across his pate.

"I said, how many?"

"S'pose you just leave the man alone, stranger and let us have our meal in piece." Link's gun came out too fast for the second man to react and he smiled as they both traded glances before performing the mandatory macho extrication from an awkward situation.

"What was that all about, Harlan?" Myrna sat again, fanning her chest.

"I think those boys are after the girls so either they work for somebody in Frisco or Captain Bernard Gerrard. Whichever it is it means somebody knew we brought them here to River Flats." He set his eyes on Link and raised his eyebrows.