Murder at Thumb Butte (10 page)

The way Castle leaned forward told me this was news—the first real news that interested him. “How do I know you didn’t just hear about these certificates he’s been selling all over the territory?”

“
Our information came from New York, not Arizona. Campbell got the shares from a consortium led by Commodore Vanderbilt’s son. It’s certain he had them at one time but uncertain if he still has them. We came to Prescott to find out.”

“
How valuable would they be?”

“
Not certain. But with further engineering, Edison’s lighting system could change mining. That’s our interest.”

Castle looked puzzled. “I’m confused. Or I should say, I suspect you’re lying somewhere. If Sharp wanted these shares, why would he open negotiations with a punch to the jaw?”

“
I told you, Campbell had stolen Sharp’s fortune and ruined his reputation. He thought he could put that aside until after we got hold of the shares, but when he saw him for the first time, he lost his temper.” I decided I might as well tell Castle everything. “By the way, I already own those shares. Campbell ran away from New York before paying a credit line extended by Corny Vanderbilt. ” I reached into my inside coat pocket and pulled out my legal documents. “We weren’t here to buy them; we came to collect my property.”

I handed the documents to Castle. He read them quickly, then looked up with a quizzical expression. I explained that my attorneys in New York had recommended that I collect the certificates if possible to avoid someone contesting ownership.

“
Yes, an innocent buyer, or holder in due course, could cause you untold difficulties, especially if they pursued their claim outside New York courts—someplace like the territory of Arizona perhaps.”

He leaned forward to hand them back to me.

“
No. I’d like you to retain them. If the occasion arises, I’d like you to represent my interests.”

“
Is a retainer of twenty dollars acceptable?”

“
Yes.”

“
Very well. But as your attorney in this matter, I must advise you not to grab the certificate if you happen upon it.” He held up my documents. “With these, I’ll have no difficulty handling the matter in a way that will never be contested. Understood?”

“
Yes.” I withdrew my wallet and handed Castle twenty dollars.

After putting the money in his pocket, he interlaced his fingers again and remained silent for a long moment. Eventually, he stood up. “Have you eaten your noonday meal?”

“
No.”

“
Try Mrs. Potter’s on the other side of the courthouse. Food’s good and all the government people eat there. Try to eavesdrop on their conversations. My bet is they’re talking about the murder.”

“
I’ll try.” He was obviously shooing me away. Before we separated company, I had to mention one more thing. “By the way, I have a detective on the way.”

“
What? Who?”

“
I wired Captain McAllen of the Pinkertons. He was with us in Nevada and Colorado.”

“
I don’t like this. Who will he work for?”

“
Me … but I’ll instruct him to share everything with you.”

“
I’ll need to think about that.”

“
Think about it all you want, but McAllen is going to be neck deep in this. He’s a friend of ours, and we trust him.”

“
I’ll ask Mr. Sharp about him. In fact, I’m going over to the courthouse now.”

“
I’ll come with you.”

“
Not if you want me to defend Sharp. I talk to him alone. You go over to Mrs. Potter’s.”

Castle was a smart lawyer. He wanted to verify what I had told him without my presence to influence Sharp. I bet he could spot a single lie in a one-hour conversation. I suddenly realized that I had revealed far more than I had intended. I had started the meeting by saying I was going to interview him, but in the end he had been measuring me, and I had not emerged from this initial encounter with his full confidence.

“
May I write Jeff a note?” He looked hesitant, so I added, “You may read it.”

“
I’ll give him your note. But I’ll decide whether to give it to him at the beginning or end of our talk.”

“
Very well.” Without asking permission, I went to Castle’s rolltop desk and wrote a short message. It read, “Jeff, I strongly recommend you accept Mac Castle as your lawyer.”

I folded the piece of paper in half and handed it to Castle. He read it, then gave me a hard look he had not yet used with me. It was cold and calculating.

“
Mr. Dancy, make no mistake, if I accept this case, Mr. Sharp will be my sole client in this matter. To be clear, our arrangement involves an entirely different matter. If the evidence in this case leads to you, I will use it unmercifully to defend my client. Do not get in my way or use your damn Pinkerton to misdirect this investigation. Are we clear?”

“
Yes. You may also tell Jeff I believe we’ve found the right lawyer.”

_{Chapter 15}

As soon as I opened the door to Mrs. Potter’s Café, the enticing smell of good food reminded me that it had been a long time since breakfast. The décor was more refined than I expected in a town on the frontier. I saw crocheted white tablecloths, blue willow china, and red flocked wallpaper. An American flag adorned one wall, bracketed by photographs of
president
s 
Rutherford Hayes
and George Washington. I assumed the patriotic flair meant that the owner wanted statehood for Arizona.

The place was busy and all the tables occupied. I spotted an open seat next to the young man I had encountered outside the governor’s office. I hesitated because his companions may have been closer to my age, but they were no less expensively dressed than he. I had not brought a suit from Carson City, and although I had put on fresh clothing that morning, I looked like a well-groomed trail hand. Despite my appearance, I approached their table.

“
Excuse me. I was wondering if I might join you.”

One of the men responded, “I’m sorry; we’re doing some personal business. Seating should free up in just a few minutes.”

I started to leave when another gentleman stood. “Are you associated with the man that was arrested this morning?”

“
I am.”

“
Then why don’t you take this seat? We should get to know each other.”

“
Thank you.” I extended my hand. “Steve Dancy.”

“
George Blanchet. I understand the governor recommended that I represent your friend. This is Jonathon Winslow, the governor’s assistant, and Herb Locklear, a councilman in the territorial assembly. Please, take a seat.”

“
We’ve met,” Winslow said with extreme disinterest.

I shook hands with everyone before I sat. Blanchet looked like the hail-fellow type who practiced law based on who he knew, not what he knew. The bearded Locklear, on the other hand, presented a solid appearance, both in physical stature and demeanor.

“
Thank you,” I said, looking around the café. “This appears to be a busy place this hour of the day.”

“
All the political busybodies eat here,” Locklear said.

“
If the food’s good, then I’ll make a habit of eating later in the day. After the crowds.”

“
Then adjust your habits my friend, because the food is as good as you’ll find in Prescott,” Locklear said, his voice loud enough for Mrs. Potter to hear wherever she was.

I turned to the young man. “Thank you for granting me access to the governor. We rekindled family ties.”

“
That’s not what I hear,” Winslow said. His tone was snobbish.

“
From whom?”

“
From the governor. He scolded me for letting you interrupt his breakfast. He has no recollection of your family. Besides, a supposed campaign contribution to his presidential run is ancient history.”

I bit my lip and signaled for a waitress. I wasn’t about to debate with an overblown underling. “Any recommendations?” I asked to change the subject.

Locklear answered. “If you’ve never experienced it, their Mexican tamales are fantastic. If you want to stick with standard fare, order the Stockman Special. It’s a great piece of beef, with potato and peas. But whatever you order, leave room for cake. Mrs. Potter bakes like no one else in the territory.”

I had never heard of tamales, nor experienced Mexican food. Not being adventurous with my diet, I ordered the Stockman Special.

“
Tragedy about your friend,” Blanchet said. “I’m sure he had good reason, but justice is swift and severe here in the territory. If he’ll engage me, I’m sure I can use his drunkenness to lighten his sentence—perhaps to just prison time.” Blanchet took on an expression meant to convey compassion. “We all make mistakes.”

“
I appreciate that,” I said. “I’ll mention your offer and the governor’s endorsement this afternoon.”

“
You’ve not seen him since you talked with the governor?” Blanchet asked.

“
No.”

All three men exchanged glances at my simple response.

“
Are you from New York or just related to people in New York?” Winslow asked, in his haughty tone.

“
I grew up in New York City. Yourself?”

“
Boston. I graduated from Harvard last year. I’m out here to build a curriculum vitae.” He snickered. “Also, I guess, to kill time until I’m twenty-five years old.” He lifted an eyebrow at me. “My family’s highly connected politically. In fact, we supported Frémont’s appointment to this post. Much more recent than your contribution to his presidential run twenty-five years ago. Politicians have such short memories. That’s why my family makes broad contributions to many politicians every year.”

“
It was my mistake to bring such a trivial matter to the governor’s attention. You’re right, it was ancient history.” I didn’t want to argue with Winslow, because he probably controlled the governor’s schedule, and I might need access to Frémont again. Better to butter up the narcissist. “In what district do you plan to run for Congress?”

“
The eighth … Daniel Webster’s old seat. A family friend is holding it for me until I come of age.” He tilted his head at me. “Perceptive of you.”

“
Not really. You mentioned politics and said you were building a curriculum vitae while you waited for your twenty-fifth birthday, which is the constitutional age requirement for the House of Representatives.”

“
That I did. I must learn to be more careful around strangers.”

“
Is your future candidacy a secret?”

“
No, not at all, but my father tells me to keep things to myself.” He laughed. “He says I talk too much.”

“
From what I’ve seen, not a handicap in Congress.”

“
You’ve been to Washington?”

“
I was just making conversation.” Actually, I had been to Washington many times, but I thought Winslow’s father had given him good advice. I turned slightly toward Blanchet and asked, “Did you work with Campbell?”

Blanchet stiffened. “Why do you ask?”

“
I understand Campbell fraudulently sold stock in a worthless company.”

Now Winslow and Locklear stiffened as well.

“
And you thought I was involved?”

What open wound had I stuck a stick in? Blanchet sounded as indignant as a woman whose profession had been misidentified. I found it informative that he hadn’t denied working for Campbell, and Locklear and Winslow’s reaction gave me information as well.

“
Excuse me, I didn’t mean to give that impression.” I tried to look embarrassed. “I just didn’t want to recommend you to my friend if you had represented the man he supposedly killed. I framed the question clumsily. Please forgive me.”

“
I still don’t understand. What would I have to do with stock sales?”

“
I thought he might have duped you into believing they were shares in Edison’s new company and unwittingly enlisted you into his scheme. I understand he has used reputable lawyers in the past to further his frauds.”

“
Where would you hear this?”

“
Pinkerton National Detective Agency. I spent my morning trading telegraphs with them. They should have an agent here shortly to assist with the case.”

Blanchet vehemently shook his head. “You’re going about this the wrong way. Once I represent Mr. Sharp, I’ll engage anyone necessary.” He regained his composure and patted me on the shoulder. “You must leave this to professionals. It’s easier than you think to prejudice a case.”

I acted chagrined. “I suppose, but I had to do something. My friend had been arrested for a hanging crime.”

“
Understood. As soon as I finish my meal, I’ll concentrate my considerable talents on helping your friend. Don’t worry … and cancel that Pinkerton. I already have resources right here in town.”

Castle had said he knew there were two other victims, but he never said they were his clients. I examined the other men at the table. I was almost certain they had hired Blanchet to recover money paid for shares in a shell business. My guess was that I had interrupted a meeting on the topic. With Campbell’s death, Blanchet had probably told them that any further legal effort was futile, and invited me to sit at their table to change the subject. Ever since Doc Holliday had described Blanchet as a shyster, I suspected that he and Campbell might have gotten together as naturally as a flea finds a dog. I was trying to confirm my suspicion with my question about his working with Campbell. I thought it also might sow a few doubts in Locklear’s mind. It had worked. Both Locklear and Winslow were looking at Blanchet with curiosity.