Fritz headed back downstairs, passing by Hank at the bar. Hank had poured a shot of the good stuff, and pushed it towards him.
“Looks like you need one,” he said.
“I do,” Fritz replied, “but I think I’ll wait until I want one. Besides, I don’t want the Marshal accusing me of being drunk on duty.”
“Did Scarlet press the collars on your shirt before she left?” Hank replied with a wink.
“Why Hank,” Fritz grinned, “what EXACTLY are you asking?”
They shared a laugh. “Unfortunately, there was no time for love. Marshal Phillips has a date with the press, thus the clean white shirt.”
“Well, smile pretty for the camera,” Hank nodded, tossing back the shot.
Fritz returned to the office, where Eddie, Lily and Jimmy had just finished eating lunch with Lawyer Raymond Morgan. Fritz liked lawyers even less than he liked reporters, but this one was as honest as the breed came.
“Mr. King,” Morgan said, standing and extending his hand. Fritz shook the offered hand.
“Mr. Morgan,” Fritz replied. “We keep doing this and we’ll never get to business. Please, call me Fritz.”
Morgan was taken aback by the familiarity. “Okay…Fritz. Ben Pole is afraid he will be killed by agents of the Kingdom to prevent him from telling what he knows about its activities. If the new marshal was in Pleasanton two months ago, he may be one of those agents. Can Pole be moved someplace safer?"
“Okay,” Fritz replied. “I must have missed the staff meeting. Tell me about the Kingdom.”
Morgan didn’t understand the reference, but continued. "The Kingdom is a criminal organization involved in bank robberies and gun running. There may be other activities that Pole doesn't know about."
“Well, the only place that Phillips doesn’t have access to is the Southern Starr,” Fritz said. “There are cells attached to the office at the Starr. We could stash Pole there I suppose…as long as Johnny doesn’t mind having a wanted criminal on his property."
Morgan thought about Johnny Longknife allowing a Yankee on his property, which was tantamount to the same thing. He didn’t mention it.
“Jimmy,” Fritz said, “go home and clean up, then get some rest. You’ll be on duty from midnight to morning. Take a message to the telegraph office. Call Scarlet back to town, and tell her to bring her brothers.”
“Got it, Jefe.”
Fritz smiled as Jimmy left the office.
“Excuse me Mr. Fritz,” Lily said. “I assume you don’t want us to say anything about this conversation to the Marshal?”
Fritz nodded. “You assume right.” He liked this young lady.
Lily smiled.