- 10 - Emmett Miller

Emmett and his crew rode farther south, taking the longer route to Jamestown to avoid pursuit.

Even with the telegraph line out, a pigeon could still beat us there.

The country got more populated the closer to the island city they got. The last ten years had seen many people leaving the coasts to move west. The cities had become as inhospitable to the poor folk as the west could be. If a man didn’t throw in with a corporation and work in their sweatshops underground then you were poor and unemployed. The lucky ones got picked up by a criminal organization. Many folks chose to just up and leave.

A farmer can scratch out a decent living, pay off the bank and own their land and be left pretty much alone. That’s what we fought for.

Wheat and beans and corn grew on all sides and the group drove their wagon east for three days before turning north.

Johnathan passed the time in relative silence which Emmett was grateful for. He read his pamphlet in the saddle and practiced his martial forms before dinner.

Things were tense with the group. They knew to give Emmett his time to think things through after a shoot out.

Hawk had shot several carrier pigeons that were heading north. They could not decipher the messages they carried but they had been good eating.

-

Their path up from the southern side of town took them past the military cemetery. Emmett and the group stopped to pay their respects.

“Do you think this will help his mood or ruin it further?” Johnathan asked.

“Does it matter?” Mari asked.

The group had stayed outside the cemetery, knowing their captain would want to be alone.

He knelt for a minute in silence at another headstone.

“Rest in Peace, your service and sacrifice will never be forgotten.” He said then got up and walked two rows over and knelt at another familiar name.

After half an hour, Lottie moved to join him but Mari held her back.

“He’s all alone.” Lottie said. “ We should help him.”

“Just give him time. He carries their names and faces in his heart. That is a heavy burden he cannot share yet.” She said.

When he returned, his eyes were dry.

“Well? Let’s get moving. We have a long ride if we want to arrive before midnight.” Emmett said gruffly.

“Good to have you back captain.” Johnathan said.

Emmett smacked the hat off Johnathan’s head as he rode by.

-

They rolled into Jamestown at night. The red light district was going full swing. Their group broke up into 2’s to slip into town.

Each pair merged in and out of the crowd of revelers that crowded the streets.

Jamestown was one of the few cities where being inebriated wasn’t illegal, just carrying booze would get you locked up for the night.

There wasn’t even a fine, and it was more of a public service to help you sober up than a criminal procedure.

Hawk had gone ahead to make contact with a friend, Pete, an enforcer for a warehouse near the river that has a reputation for dealing in contraband goods, and bribery.

The group sold their horses and rented a stable for the cart and mule.

Hawk returned with Pete then disappeared. The man was big and broad. Good old fashioned American farmer stock. More than once Emmett and Johnathan and Pete had gotten out of a tight spot or dodged a raid.

“Long time Pete.” Emmett said.

Never liked the guy much, but I never knew him much either. But I’d rather be behind his fists than in front of them.

“Aye.” Pete agreed. “I got a wife and kid now.”

A family will soften you up. But that’s good for a city guy like Pete. He was able to put the past behind him.

“Congratulations Pete!” Johnathan shouted. “I didn’t get you anything, apologies.”

“What brings you to town? Hawk said you caught some heat.” Pete said, ignoring Johnathan. “You aren’t bringing any trouble to our quiet town are you?”

Some fireworks went off and some of the rabble cheered in the street.

“Oh it’s quite exciting.” Lottie said. ”An academic discovery to report.”

“Once we report it I expect an expedition will be sent out.” Emmett said quickly. “You interested in another tour out west? We could use a strong back.”

“No no. I’m staying on the coast. If I go off and get killed in a shaft then who will teach my little girl to throw a punch?” Pete said.

“Isn’t she a little young?” Jonathan asked.

“She’s three next month.” Pete said proudly. “Bloodied a kid’s lip just the other day for spitting.”

Mari punched Johnathan in the shoulder.

“Girl’s gotta learn to hit back out here in the west.” She said with a laugh.

“Hey!” Johnathan whined. “What’s that for?”

“I’m sure you deserved it.” Lottie said in passing.

“That’s true.” Johnathan mused. “We are even then? Right Mari?”

Mari didn’t respond, just took her saddlebags and crossed the street with Lottie to a hotel.

“You think she and I are even right?” he asked Emmett and Pete.

“I don’t know Johnathan, I haven’t been keeping track.” Emmett said and he and Pete laughed.

-

Revelers cheered and a couple loud retorts startled Emmett. He reached for his guns, but stopped.

Wasn’t gunfire, just more fireworks. We can’t leave soon enough.

A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

Johnathan had run off after the two women and left Emmett and Pete to break down the horses.

Emmett lifted the Grundys off the horses and stored the in a stall. The two men brushed and fed the horses while they talked.

“Hawk said you guys were rolling in discretely.” Pete said. “So you did you catch some heat.”

“Don’t worry about it, nothing we can’t handle.” Emmett said. “Just need a place to lay low until the train arrives tomorrow.”

“Alright, if you say so.” Pete said. “You better get Johnathan to lay real low, the Dixie Pigs are still talking about him.”

Might as well try to catch rainwater in your hat.

“I’ll keep that in mind.” Emmett said.

Pete pointed across the street to the hotel. It wasn’t much to look at but it was better protection against the weather than a tent.

“I know the family that runs the kitchen there, the food is decent and you’ll have their discretion.”

“Good.” Emmett said. “We are going to meet with some scholar from Pandect. Has one been seen around town?”

“I haven’t noticed.” Pete said. “I can ask around.”

There’s a lot to do before we leave again.

“Let me know what you hear. We telegraphed ahead and they have had plenty of time to meet us here.”

“You’ll swing by the telegraph office tomorrow, I’m sure.” Pete said. “Try the one by the docks. Ask for Bill.”

“He’s discrete.” Emmett said and Pete made a cash gesture by rubbing his fingers and thumb together.

For the right price.

With the horse work done, Emmett gave Pete a jug of wine.

“Congrats on getting married Pete.” Emmett said solemnly.

Emmett pointed to the jug. “It’s one of Johnathan’s so you know it’s good.”

“It was good for me, but didn’t make live any easier.” Pete said as he pulled the stopper and looked into the jug.

“I appreciate your help Pete.” Emmett said tapping two fingers against his heart twice for good luck. “Get home to your family safe tonight.”

“See you around Emmett.” Pete said and returned the gesture.

-

Bright and early the next day Emmett and Mari were down by the docks.

They met up with Bill who was working the telegraph office and discrete for a price. As promised.

They had three messages waiting.

The first was from The Auction house. An Auctioneer was due to arrive that week. Emmett’s group was to call on him at the Grand hotel,

He might already be here.

The second was from the Pandect Scholars. They were intrigued to hear about the discovery but there were some concerns about the validity of the facts. A first rate Scholar was being sent out to the site to validate the find.

The usual politics. Lottie won’t be happy about that. We will have to leave town today.

The third message was for Hawk and Emmett kept it sealed.

I don’t know who writes him. Could be one of those mail order brides.

“Well lets stop by the Grand on our way back.” Emmett said.

“I hear they have a nice breakfast.” Mari said.

-

Emmett waited out front of the grand hotel while Mari shouldered her way through the batwing doors.

She was back a minute later.

“He’s in there. Been here two days already. Thank the stars he stuck around.” Mari said.

“You want to wine and dine him or should I?” Emmett said.

“Ha. I doubt he eats leather and bullets for breakfast.” She replied.

“So invite him to breakfast and talk business. I’ll meet up with the two Westchesters. Once she hears about that scholar on the way to the shaft I’m sure Lottie will want to visit the church to document her discovery.”

“Aye Captain.” Mari said and her stomach rumbled.

-

The Church in Jamestown was near the beach. The sound of the waves flew in with the salty air. It was built of stone and wood and whitewashed from the base of it’s foundations up to its steeple.

It was not a small church. It sported a bell tower on the inland peak, and a small light house on the ocean side peak. It had a couple out buildings as well. One was crawling with children.

Some kind of school or orphanage.

Emmett followed the two siblings up the steps of the church. Johnathan made to go and play with the children but Lottie caught him.

“Come along brother dear. They won’t burn you at the stake.” She said, pulling him by the sleeve and practically dragged him into the building.

Lottie wore a traditional white linen shawl over her head and shoulders. Johnathan wore his best white pants and blue vest, but they seemed constricting this time and he walked stiffly.

Same clothes he wore in that barfight in Skuduggery. Funny how much more at ease he is when there is booze and brawling around.

Lottie dipped her fingers in a bowl of water by the door as she entered. Jonathan and Emmett kept their hands to themselves.

“I’ll be a moment.” Lottie said spotting the confession booth was available.

The church was a small affair, built to seat less than fifty worshipers. It demonstrated the arched vaulted ceilings traditional of the faith. The room’s acoustics were set up so that someone speaking at the front could be heard all the way in the back.

Lottie walked quickly. She stopped once to nod respectfully to a priest as she passed him before entering the confessional.

“It’s good one of us still keeps the faith.” Johnathan said. “Our mother would roll in her grave if we both left the fold.”

“Bit sacrilegious to talk about folks rising from the dead in a church.” Emmett whispered.

“I did no such-“

“Gentlemen. Are you waiting for service?” The priest asked as he walked up to them.

“No sir, Padre. Just waiting on my sister.” Johnathan said awkwardly. “Not a Sister, just my sister. We have the same parents.”

Good god shut this idiot up.

“I mean, She is not a nun. Although she’s no fun at parties. She’s come for confession?” Johnathan rambled on until his train of thought ended in a question.

“None for me thank you father.” Emmett said tapping his heart twice.

“And yet you hold the faith.” The priest said ignoring what ever was going on with Johnathan.

Feels like a question.

“I have not had a confession in several years father.” Emmett said solemnly.

“And you won’t get me back in one of those faith boxes.” Johnathan said. “I’m following a different path now.”

“Jonathan. The Priest doesn't want to hear about your new faith.”

“Why wouldn’t I?” The priest asked. “I am an enlightened man. And all roads except heresy lead to our god.”

The head Priest appeared in the room, an older man with stark white hair erupting out fro under his conical hat. He moved smoothly, gliding about beneath his robes as if on wheels. He paused a moment to regard Emmett and Johnathan then quietly entered the confessional.

“It’s not faith per say.” Johnathan began and produced his paper pamphlet.

“It’s a rigorous way of life where personal fitness training, completing difficult endeavors, distance traveled, good deeds done without recompense, and…” Jonathan realized that Emmett was glaring at him.

“And what my child. So far this all sounds like a fine way to find God.” The priest said.

“Might as well tell him now, Johnny Boy.” Emmett huffed.

The light of the beacon atop the church turned and illuminated the confessional.

Good, Lottie is almost done.

“Well you see in addition to all those trials. I gave up weapons.”

Emmett turned to the Priest then and nearly shouted.

“He gave up weapons!”

The most obtuse thing to give up!

“Yes, I did. And what’s wrong with that?” Johnathan demanded.

“You could have gone without alcohol, gambling, philandering, stealing, lying. The list boggles my mind Jonathan.” Emmett whispered loudly.

“The path of the pacifist is not an easy one.” The Priest chimed in, placing a hand on Emmett’s shoulder to calm him.

“Well, truthfully father I’m not a pacifist.”

“No. He’s just a pair of fists now.” Emmett said accusatorially. “And he kicks sometimes too.”

Johnathan looked embarrassed and turned to a section of his pamphlet near the back. He turned it so the priest could see, hoping the man would agree with him.

“Kicks are hard to learn, that’s why they are at the back of the book!” He whined.

The head Priest coasted out of the confessional and slid smoothly over to the certificate desk. The church was the widest accepted Notary in the country. Their certificates were irrefutable. With this certificate proving she had discovered the secret passage Lottie was be able to stand up to any and all bureaucratic nonsense the Pendect Scholars might come up with.

“… and because of that my luck increases, and also my constitution. Why I’ve already noticed I get fewer minor injuries.” Johnathan was saying excitedly.

Lottie and the head priest leaned over the certificate and completed the ritual.

Emmett looked away as the lighthouse beacon swept through the room again, illuminating the certificate.

They need to tone that beacon down, it’s a miracle that they get anything done in here.

“Constitution is the measure of my body’ resilience, and Luck is well luck. It helps turn small moments of chance in my favor.” Jonathan said. “If you empty your mind you can feel the luck resonating with your actions. The trick is to let it guide you and not resist or guide it.”

“Bullshit” Emmit said. “My apologies, for the language.”

The priest began to pray for Emmett but he stopped him.

“Don’t waste your breath, I’ve got nothing good to pray for.” Emmett said.

“In god’s eyes, all your life experience is a step towards your holy purpose. You fought in the holy war, I can sense you made quite the impact.” The Priest said.

“It didn’t feel like holy war down in those shafts. And my experience, and the experiences of my men, those that died. Well that’s for them, I won’t claim any of it for myself. Not in a hundred years.”

Lottie walked up with her certificate in hand. And the head priest stopped by a cabinet to retrieve a cylindrical tube.

“Keep your certificate in here my child. It was quite a feat you accomplished. I’d say you have reached a new level. One step further down God’s path.” The head priest said.

Jonathan pantomimed the head priests’s monologue with his hand while the man spoke.

“Thank you father.” Lottie said and gave her brother a look.

Johnathan turned to Emmett for a laugh and only got a glare.

“Safe travels my child.” The head priest said and turned and left with a bow.