Sooner or later I knew it was going to happen. I had just finished pouring a cup of coffee and sat down at my table in the diner. Molly was going to bring me a piece of apple pie as soon as it cooled when Charlie Gold walked in. He was still a little weak and did not walk with his former brisk step, but he was glaring at me as he approached.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” he snapped.
“Tell you what?”
“You know good and well what I’m talking about–Billy Denton!”
“Sit down Charlie, and simmer down or you’re liable to bust that gut open. I’ll pour you a cup of coffee.” I was afraid that he was going to keep ranting, but he took a seat.
Setting his cup down next to him, I saw a different person than just walked through that door. He had just released a little bit of rage that he’d been keeping and figured I was the guy that could take it. Right now, looking at him, with him slumped over, I felt really sorry. He had the look of a man who had lost everything.
“I didn’t tell you Charlie, because first you had to get your strength back.”
“You didn’t think I could take it; is that it?” he came back rebuffing me.
“I wasn’t sure. You were in bad shape. I reckoned that one thing was to be taken at a time,” I paused and took a sip. “I’ve been talkin’ to Foster and he is tryin’ to get your job back to you. Denton is Billington’s man, and right now he has an edge on the council.”
“You know what Denton’s like,” said Charlie.
Nodding, “I tried to tell the city council that, and now Foster knows and Wilson is coming around, but until he does something wrong I reckon Durango is stuck with him.”
“What do I do about my bills? I went to get my things from my room at the hotel after I found out about Denton and they had given him my room and kept my goods for payment.”
Part of the marshal’s pay was free room and board at the hotel. Charlie had found out that as soon as Denton became marshal they started charging him for the room. Doc Jones was no problem and neither was Charlie, for I knew he was good for his debts.
“Let’s go get your things,” I said and downed the rest of my coffee.
We strolled over to the hotel and Limmler was at the desk. He was beady-eyed, but from all accounts an honest man. “Charlie’s come to pick up his things,” I said.
“Marshal Gold, glad to see you’re up and around. The townfolk have been praying for you,” he stopped and looked at me. “Sorry, but I can’t release his things as they are being held for payment of the room. I heard Mr. Billington tell Mr. Newsome to hold them.”
“Newsome in?” I asked and started walking toward his office.
“Yes, but…”
I walked in and found Newsome at his desk. Newsome was one of Billington’s “yes men” on the council. “Marshal Gold is here for his things.”
“Now just a minute, you can’t barge in here like this!” exclaimed Newsome.
“I just did.”
“Miles, let me handle this. It’s my stuff and my fight.”
I stepped aside. “Have at him Charlie. Want me to go get Doc or a court order?”
“Newsome don’t seem to remember the nights I’ve had to come in here and throw out some drunk.”
“By the way, how much does Charlie seem to owe you?” I asked.
Newsome was sweating some now. “Five dollars.”
“I’ll go get the Judge. Seems to me that you are being swindled Charlie. That nice holster alone is worth at least $7.” I turned to leave. “Sure hope you don’t trip and fall before I get back.”
Starting out the door, I heard Newsome call. “Okay, okay. I was only holding them because I was told by Billington. I’m beginning to wish Charlie was marshal again. I’ve had trouble the last few nights with some miners and the new marshal hasn’t done a thing.”
When Charlie had his clothes, gun and holster back we turned and left and started back to the diner. “I’ve got to make a trip to Silverton, Charlie. I’d like for you to stay close to the diner and keep and eye on things for me, ifn you don’t mind.”
I didn’t figure he’d mind with Marta being there, plus I received a telegram to check the mines and mills at Silverton since I wasn’t able to come to Denver.

Charles Gold!  You get back in that bed!” ordered Marta angrily.  “You’ll break all those stitches and start bleeding again!”
“I’ve been layin’ here for two weeks, I’ve got to get up,” Charlie responded.
“Let him up, Marta.  We can help him across the street to the diner and he can rest in there.  I’ve a feelin’ that he won’t want to walk much more than that.  Plus we can get some of my coffee in him system.  Build that blood right back up.”
“Miles, I think I’d rather lay back down than drink your coffee,” he moaned.
We got him out of bed and into his pants and boots.  It took us a mite ’cause he was so weak.  Standing him up we stepped aside to see if he could hold his balance.  He was a little woozy, but after several seconds he took a step.  From there we helped him across the street.  Just as we stepped on the boardwalk that led into the diner I could hear him huffing and puffing and sweat had broken out on his forehead.
There was only one table being used by a couple of miners and we helped Charlie back to the table by the stove.  He plunked himself down in the chair with a groan.
“You sit right there Charlie, I’ll go get you something,” said Marta.
He looked at me with a sick grin.  “Did she think I was goin’ to get up and run off somewhere?”
I reached for a couple of cups and went to the stove for coffee.  Molly kept a large pot going in the kitchen, while I usually kept this pot going on the stove where I could reach it easily.  “Here yuh go,” and put the cup in front of him.
“Ahhhh, that makes the innards feel better.”
Charlie took a sip and put the cup down.  “Just as terrible as I remembered.”
Marta came running out of the kitchen with a big piece of chocolate pie.  Molly followed her out, wiping her hands on her apron.  She sat it down in front of Charlie.
I looked at Marta, and then turned my attention to Molly.  Then I reached over.  “Marta, I’m ashamed on you.  Charlie can’t eat anything like this until the Doc says.  Might do something to that belly wound of his.”
Charlie grabbed his fork and held it toward me like a lethal weapon.  “Just you try.”
That got both girls giggling some and Molly went back to the kitchen and came out with a piece for me, though not near as big as Charlie’s.  The miners got up to leave and I noticed that one of them was staring at our table.  When I caught his eye, he quickly adverted it and walked on out.  Molly went over and cleaned off their table and then came back and set down.
“Need to be walkin’ some,” Charlie said.  “I need to be gettin’ back down to the office.”
“Don’t worry ’bout that none,” I said.
“Whose been doin’ my rounds?”
“Like I said, don’t worry ’bout that, I’ve been covernin’ for you.”  I wasn’t quite ready to tell him that the great men of Durango’s city council had hired another marshal.
“Miles, any word about those two owlhoots that robbed McClendon’s?” asked Charlie.
“I’ve not heard anything.  I’ve checked throughout the town, but haven’t had time to ride the countryside.”
“Doin’ my job,” he said frustrated.
“Let me tell you, as soon as you’re able you can have it right back.”  In the back of my mind I was thinking that I had to get Foster to someway get rid of Denton before Charlie was up and able to move about.
I could see that Charlie was getting tired.  “Think it’s ’bout time you went back to your nice cozy bed.  Doc’ll be glad you’re up and he’ll want you out.  You see if you can walk over here for breakfast tomorrow by yourself.”
Marta and I helped him up and walked him back to his bed.  By the time we pulled his boots off, he was tuckered out.  I left him, holding Marta’s hand and his eyes closing.
Doc Jones came in as I was walking out.  “We took Charlie over to the diner.”  He started to rush back.  “Nah, Doc, he’s in good hands.  You can check him later.”
Doc went over and peeked in the room.  I walked on out the door and started back for the diner.  About halfway across the street I decided to go down to the marshal’s office.