I’d been traipsing around Idaho Springs and went up to Georgetown for a week. Molly and Dave said that I shouldn’t even go; there wasn’t anything I could do and I shouldn’t provoke any trouble with Wray. He was pardoned, and it would be best for me to just stay away.
They were right. What would I do if we made contact? The court had pardoned him. The main thing I wanted was to see if there would be any contact with Henderson and Iverson. Iverson should not be set free; he had other counts against him.
Before I left, Dave and I had a conversation over the state of things and how they were changing. “The old ways maybe weren’t always the best, but what things like letting these crooks free just ain’t right,” I remarked to him.
“Lawyers and politicians care very little for the common man. Look at the ones you’ve known. What have they promised to do, and then compared that to what they did? Mostly they are selfish, money-seeking vermin who thrive on power.” Dave was getting philosophic on me. “Just look at what happened to me here in Denver. Moved from the marshal due to the police force whose chief hasn’t a clue as to what is happening. That’s one reason for forming the Agency.”
Now sitting here at an eatery in Idaho Spring, I wondered if it was time for me to move and get away from the farce of politics. Maybe it was time for the Pale Rider to collect his dues on me. But here I was pitying myself; at least the meal was good and the coffee was soothing the gizzard. I wondered if there was any pie.
I ordered a pie of chocolate pie and was mulling it in my mouth, savoring the flavor and had just reached for my cup when in through the door walked Wray and Henderson. I loosened the tie on my pistol and made sure it would side in my holster then put the Greener on the table. Sitting back against the far wall they didn’t see me when they sat down.
Prison didn’t seem to hurt him much, for he was well-dressed as was Henderson. The waitress brought me another cup of coffee and Henderson’s eyes followed her and then he nudged the one-time judge. They both then glared at me. I raised my cup in a salute to them and I guess that action made Wray get up and come over to my table.
“I am quite surprised to see you here Forrest,” he said. “Any particular reason for you to be here or is it just a coincidence?”
“To tell the truth,” I spoke, “I was checking up on you. Heard you were released.”
“Stalking is against the law. I might have to get an injunction against you; maybe even bring harassment charges brought as well.”
“What’s your beef with me?” I asked.
“It’s not you in particular, or at least it wasn’t, it’s your kind. People who hang on to the past, who refuse to progress with the times. Now, it seems that maybe I do have a particular hatred of you.”
“In other words, people that get in the way of your agenda,” I replied sharply.
“Because of you, I can’t practice law any more. I was pardoned, but they wouldn’t let me back on the bar. No, Forrest, I’m not through with you yet.”
He got up and took a step back to his table. “Oh, have you and your wife noticed many strangers around your place? Too bad those bounties were sent out on you.” He tipped his hat and joined Henderson.
I saw them talking and laughing. Funny, how when things like that happen you think they are talking and laughing about you. His words kind of gnawed at my stomach, but I saw the rest of the pie and figured that I wasn’t going to let a low-life like him upset my dinner. I motioned the waitress over and had her pour me another cup of coffee.
Molly warned me about getting into trouble. She has a habit of doing that, but when I left I just had to walk by their table. “You’re wrong. No matter what you and others say truth is still truth. You can’t bend the law to meet your desires,” and I paused and looked at Henderson. “And you can paint a skunk white, but that doesn’t mean he’s not a skunk.”
Henderson flinched and put his hand on his gun. I jerked the Schofield and placed it in his ear. Looking at Wray, “See, he smells the same, no matter what.”
Now I was hoping that I had thrown some bile in their gizzard. “Enjoy your meal. Reckon there’s a chance I’ll be seein’ you.”
Wish I had a horse so I could leave town. I had seen him, and I didn’t get a good feeling from him. I decided to check on the train schedule instead of going back to Denver on the stage. That’s when I saw him trailing me… .