Denver had certainly changed since Elias and I had first come here. Growing, my mercy, and some say it’s progress, but I have to wonder. We arrived a couple of days early so Molly could take in the town and do some shopping. It had been over a decade since she had last been in Denver.
I didn’t go immediately to see Marshal Blasco, but took time with Molly to wander the town, walk down Larimer and Market streets. We even took a carriage ride up around Capitol Hill. I shook my head upon seeing the many mansions, and Molly uttered that the money could have gone to better use. A person doesn’t need such a gaudy structure to have a home. Nobody seems to be satisfied.
The second night in Denver we ate supper with Marshal Blasco and Dave Cook, both of whom were now widowers. They really enjoyed the company, well, I should say they enjoyed the company of Molly. Dave had been out of law enforcement for a little over a year, and when I looked at Jens he seemed haggard. His jowls sagged, one eye-lid quivered, and he had put on weight. It was his physical weight along with the weight of the job that was taking a toll on him.
“Miles, have you ever thought of becoming marshal?” asked Jens at supper.
Both Dave and I looked at Jens at the same time. Molly sat and stared, listening to the conversation.
“You think of quitting?” cut in Cook. “You’re not that old.”
“Not old–just worn out. The work has changed. Now not only do you have to find the scum of the earth that roam this state, you have to fight the lawyers and politicians who are supposed to be helping you. Bah, they work only for their own aggrandizement.”
I didn’t reply, just glanced over at Molly. We were seeing the same things beginning to happen way out in Durango. Not to the extent that they would be occurring in the state’s capital, but enough to be an aggravation.
“Lawyers! Sorry I brought up the term. Makes my steak go sour in my stomach,” Jens muttered, then took a sip of water. “What about you Dave. Why are you sitting on your hind-side doing nothing?”
Cook just smiled. His eyes looked distant as if he was remembering the days of old. He reached over to pat Blasco on the shoulder. “I’m working on something,” he said with a smile. “But I fully understand where you’re coming from.”
Jens turned his attention to me. “I don’t want to talk business at the table, especially with your delightful wife present. Not that I mind her hearing, but I don’t want to bore her. However, I assume you plan to leave tomorrow for Central City. I want you there a couple of days prior to the arrival of the President. You need to reacquaint yourself with the city; it has changed drastically since you worked there. I’ll be up with the President’s entourage.”
“We board the train in the morning,” I paused to look at Blasco. “You did get us a reservation at the hotel?”
A smile appeared on his face. “Sorry, I couldn’t book you at the Teller House. It’s all taken by the President and his staff.” I started to interrupt, when he raised his hand. “Don’t be fretting Marshal Forrest. I booked you at Ma Jones’ boarding house. Food’s better there anyhow.”
He gave me directions to the boarding house and we parted company with the marshal’s service picking up the tab. I wondered as I followed Blasco and Cook out of the establishment if the likes of these men would ever be seen again. Men of their type are always needed, but has time begun to pass them by not caring about justice?
The next morning Molly and I boarded the train for Central City. Right after we sat down, we took each other’s hands and prayed that the Lord would be with us. Neither of us had ever met a president before, and we might not actually meet him this time, but we would at least see him. On the way to Central City, I told Molly of the strike, and just imagined how much gold and silver had come down from that site. It was called the “richest square mile on earth.” I told her what I knew of Elias and the Chinese in the City and some of what he had done as a lawdog there. Of course, with her background she knew some of the history of the place, but this was a new and exciting trip for her.
We talked most of the way. I pointed out landmarks and other sites that I could remember. The ride was similar to that from Durango to Silverton, just a little longer. We stepped off the train to the platform…