8“I’m very disappointed at the news I’m hearing. The telegraph wires are positively humming.”
Sheriff Wayne Arkwright socked back the last of his whiskey and stretched out his arm for more. Gérard sloshed a generous slug into the waiting glass and slammed the bottle down on the table with a loud crack.
“Careful with that,” Arkwright hissed. “Or you’ll be buying another bottle.”
Gérard ignored the prickly irritation which was crawling up his neck and making him hot behind the ears. “What news?” he said, sharply. Too sharply.
Don’t act interested. He’s just baiting you.
“Apparently Sir John Russell has hired a fancy lawyer to bring proceedings against a certain French national who is unlawfully in California. Or so he believes. Seeking extradition, I understand, because of capital crime
