Yankton

Chapter 11

Chapter 11 The Arc of Time

We retired to Dora's with madam DuFran chasing her girls upstairs, and offering her office for our meeting. She excused herself, claiming business to attend to, closing the door on her way out. "I think you were about to show me that pistol were you not Mr. Yankton," said Bullock. I looked at him, then at Mark, then reached into my pants pocket and removed the pistol retracted the slid, then removed the magazine, placing both components on the desk. "Maybe you'd like to see this one as well sheriff, mine's a genuine Colt, Mark's is a Remington." With that, I removed my Cold from it's holster, slid back the slide, and popped the magazine out placing them on the desk as well.

Both men just stood there and looked at the two handguns, saying nothing. I took the initiative and said, "Sheriff Bullock, doc Cochran, I will explain only once and once only, miss Montana will verify everything I say, I will entertain no more questions after that, you men draw your own conclusions." I didn't allow them to speak. But started right in, pointing to my .45 first. "That sir is a Colt model 1911 US Government model .45 automatic, meaning it will fire as fast as you can pull the trigger. The handgun Mark shot that man with is a Remington .45 auto, their version of the Colt version of mine, the operation is the same. You were correct when you said you thought your heard three shots fired, these weapons actually fire that fast. The .45 has incredible stopping power, and because a different type of powder is used, a much higher bullet velocity, these babies will definitely put a man down for the long count." The sheriff cautiously picked up my gun and looked it over, "It's definitely a real Colt sir, made in Hartford Connecticut," I added.

He then set it down and picked up Marks, examined it for a bit, hefted it, and laid it back down, giving Mark and I very strange looks, as I said, "Allow me to demonstrate sir." With that, I picked up my pistol, thumbing the slide release allowing it to slide home, then placing the magazine into the bottom of the handgrip. I then slid the slide back and allowed it to return carrying a round into the chamber. I then allowed the magazine to drop placing it on the desk, then retracting the slide again, collecting the round, and placing it back into the magazine. Bullock then looked at Montana who merely replied, "They're telling the truth sheriff, I've seen it with my own eyes, but beyond this I wouldn't ask them anymore."

Bullock sighed, not knowing what to do, then looking at me asked. "Are you a military man Mr. Yankton?" Nodding, I replied, eight years in the marine corps, recon scout and designated sniper I can kill a man over half a mile away , Mark here is an ex navy corpsman best damn medic I've ever had the occasion to work with." Sheriff Bullock seemed lost in thought, then said, "I fear that if I continue this path of questioning, I will travel a course I'm not prepared for…No Mr. Yankton, I intend to let "sleeping dogs" lie, I will take your word that you and Mr. Sedgwick are here on honest business." "That we are sheriff," I replied, "And that reminds me, One of the things I wish to inquire about is the feasibility of working as security guards transporting gold from the mining camps to the bank. We realize it's dangerous work, but I assure you we are well equipped for the challenge. Would you know of anyone we could contact about this line of work?" Bullock thought a moment then said, "I have not been here long enough to acquaint myself with such people, the best I can offer is to simply go into the gold camps and make inquiries."

"However I will tell you this Mr. Yankton, if your looking to make some quick money, I've been hearing heart-wrenching stories of miners close to starvation as they have no easy access to food. All of them are afraid to go into town for supplies, fearing that upon their return, someone will have jumped their claim. It is my understanding that these men all have plenty of gold, yet no way to spend it."

"Well thank you for your time sheriff, but let me offer you this one last thing. If you ever get really curious, stop by my place, I'll pop the cap on a couple beers, or some good hot coffee if you prefer, and reveal things to you that will simply astound." "That goes for you too doc," added Mark. "Climb the hill, I guarantee you won't regret it. Right now I'm teaching a young lady everything I know in the way of medicine, stop by, I'll show you a few things as well."

Before he and the doctor left, sheriff Bullock advised, "Might be a good idea for you two gentlemen to stay off the streets for a day or two, someone might have got a good look at that fancy gun of yours and decide they'd like to have it."

After the sheriff and the doctor left, Montana sat there and looked at us shaking her head, "The sheriff's right, best stay off the streets for awhile." "Originally I was hoping you would introduce us to Calamity Jane, I really wanted to meet her." Montana patted me on the arm, "If I see her I'll let her know, Martha can be a bit feisty at times, I'll try and catch her when she's sober." Montana then stood up and smiled at Mark taking his hand and shaking it. "I'm very glad to meet you Mark," she then gave me a look , then turned back to Mark, touching his nose with her finger. "Your friend here being the perfect gentleman that he is, seems to feel that our partnership rests on some exalted plane, and as a result has left me feeling like I'm beneath him, I certainly hope you don't feel that way Mr. Sedgwick, you look like a man who knows how to make a lady happy, now that you know where I am, stop by, I'll certainly make it worth your while." With that she lightly kissed him on his cheek.

"Now wait a minute Montana," I demanded. "I do not look down on you, because we are a partnership, I'm trying to maintain a neutral position all the way around. How do you think Melonie would feel if the two of us were carrying on some steamy love affair? She would begin to wonder if the two of us had some sort of "special" arrangement going, and that she was being left out of things, eventually it would break up the partnership. I'm just trying to maintain a neutral position, favoring neither of you treating you both as equals, I'm sorry if you have the impression that I'm slighting you, because I'm not. A boss doesn't take advantage of his employees, and by the same token, I can't afford to do that with you and Melonie." She then looked at Mark, "How about you? I'm offering you an opportunity here, are you going to pass me up as well?" Mark made a face, then looked at me, then back at her, "I'm sorry Montana, I'm trying to teach Melonie medical skills…" "Look Montana," I said, "Try and see it from my point of view, I'm trying to be totally fair and honest here, looking at Mark, I think it's safe to say we'd both love to get you in the sack, but we also know about "A woman scorned," as well. If you and Melonie were women of the 21st century, we'd all just all climb naked into a hot tub enjoy our favorite adult beverages and work it all out, but please! You're a very attractive woman both of us notice that very much, but I will play no favorites."

Montana sighed, "Oh I suppose, it's just that I find you two so…Irresistible, I-I have these …Fantasies." Mark snickered, "Believe me Montana, we do too, but Brian's right, we have to maintain a certain decorum here." Montana's face brightened with a wicked smile, "Would either of you mind if I spoke with Melonie?"

"About what?" I inquired. Montana grinned, "That need not concern you, but let's just call it a little "woman to woman" chat, and leave it at that." I had had no illusions as to what she was up to, so I replied, "I've got a few things to get back in my time so Mark and I will be heading back in a few days, I'll let you know, perhaps you could pay Melonie a visit." Montana laughed, "Oh I think that would work out just fine, oh and don't forget bring us back plenty of those delightful condoms or whatever you call them." "I'll be sure to do that Montana," I replied, "Howe ever this time I'm going to have to charge you, they're not cheap." She kissed us both on the cheek as we were leaving, and once we were outside heading home, we looked at each other, and said, "Women!" followed by laughing.

We returned home only to find Melonie diligently taking notes, as she read one of Marks medical guides, "First Aid for Soldiers." When we entered, she peppered him with all sorts of questions. He immediately sat down next to her and started to explain things in greater detail. As I watched them working together, I knew my response to Montana's desire to sleep with Mark and I was the correct one, given a situation like that, it wouldn't take long for anxiety and jealousness to quickly set in. A situation like that could get very ugly in a real short time, something I wanted desperately to avoid.

Melonie was horrified when we told her what had gone down in town and Mark was forced to kill a man, and at one point coming to tears. It was very apparent that she had become very dependent on me and was frightened that something might happen to both Mark and I. After supper, Mark fixed her a rum and coke and insisted she drink it. This seemed to have a relaxing effect on her as we all talked until around midnight. One of the things we discussed was hauling food up to the mining camps in exchange for gold. "We could bring back a lot of fruit," observed Mark. "Oranges, apples, maybe dried fruit, if we are careful where we buy it we can get stuff fairly cheep." I suggested selling high protein foods things such as granola bars. "Instead of buying them," I said, "How 'bout we bake them ourselves? You know like cookies, only they'll have lots of vitamins in them, you know, stuff guys can stick in a pocket or a small bag and eat them while they're out working their claim. Then in the process, we can make friends get our faces known, then make it easier to start getting contract work transporting gold." It didn't take long to work up a list of foods we could sell, as well as the "cookie" idea, which morphed into high energy and protein "brownies". Either way, this was going to mean a trip back "home" to gather the food and ingredients and a modern kitchen to prepare and bake the "brownies" in.

Before we all went to bed, Melonie held up the history book she had been reading and said, "I'm 21 now, just starting my adult life, and after reading this book, I truly hope I live to a ripe old age, so much is ahead for me, all the exciting, and yes, even terrible things that are coming, to think that man will learn how to fly truly stirs my heart. I can scarcely believe the changes described in this book, but I am eager to witness them for myself." I grinned at her and said, "Put your money in stocks, Rockefeller, Ford, and anything to do with aviation. Just sell everything before 1929, the crash will hurt everyone. You're a smart young woman Melonie," I said, pay close attention to things and you'll come out on top, you just got a peak at the race results use that information wisely."