Free The Great West Detective Agency by Jackson Lowry Page B

power of whoever wore it. It wasn’t clothing, since some of those he saw wore threadbare coats and scuffed shoes as a badge of distinction. They told their voters they had not been consumed by the trappings of power, yet Lucas recognized two of those men as regulars in the Emerald City, where Lefty made sure they received royal treatment.
    Clothes did not make the man—or his power. It was something more and always came down to the men wielding the power wanting to be recognized as being in command no matter what they wore.
    He stopped on the steps of the Capitol Building, judging everyone going inside and finding most wanting. Realizing he had never seen Jubal Dunbar and had no idea what he looked like prompted him to enter the rotunda. Workers labored everywhere he looked, hammering, plastering, trying to fix up a building that fell down faster than they could repair it. For a new state, this was only a start. In a few years a larger, more impressive building would be constructed to hold the corridors of power. But now? Vast emptiness, unadorned by even portraits of the territorial governors. The sense of space and power did not impress him. The sight of two men flanking a short, well-dressed man did.
    He stepped away to let the bodyguards who had roughed him up in the alley continue on their way, moving this way and that as they tracked their employer. Lucas had not seen Dunbar before. He had now.
    After Dunbar and his guards left, Lucas went to a guard standing with arms crossed and looking as if he wanted to be somewhere—anywhere—else.
    â€œAs I live and breathe, it’s . . . Samuels, isn’t it?” Lucas thrust out his hand. The guard stared at him, confused. Lucas grabbed the guard’s hand and pumped it. “I haven’t seen you in the Emerald City in a long time. Lost your taste for poker?”
    Lucas had no idea if the guard ever went into the saloon, but chances were good that he had at some time. Lefty often boasted how many of the rich and powerful came incognito into the dance hall, not always coming for either the lavish shows or the liquor. Lefty ran the best string of soiled doves in town, and the reputation for pretty waiter girls was unparalleled.
    â€œThat’s not my name, and I ain’t been there in a while. Do I know you?”
    â€œOf course you do. I’ll buy you a drink. Come by for Carmela Thompson’s show. It’s even more exciting than the last time she graced the stage there.”
    â€œA free drink?”
    â€œOn me. Guaranteed.” Lucas hesitated, then asked, “Have you seen Mr. Dunbar? I was supposed to meet him but got here a bit late for the appointment.”
    â€œYou just missed him. I heard him say he was headin’ on home.”
    â€œHis house on Humboldt? I’d better see if I can catch him there. This is important.” Lucas gave a broad wink. He watched the man’s face screw up in thought.
    â€œHe lives on York. Big white house, fancy garden with flowers in it along the street. Ain’t never been in, but I escorted his missus home more ’n once.”
    â€œYork, of course. I was thinking of something else. Remember, that drink’s on me.”
    Lucas left quickly, intent on crossing York Street without actually going down it. He was glad for his caution. Not twenty paces to his right as he hurried along stood one of Dunbar’s guards, arms crossed and chin down on his chest as he leaned against a fence post. The white house gleamed in the sunlight and contrasted vividly with the pure blue sky. If it had lifted off its foundations, it might have been mistaken for a cloud. The house had an airy, light appearance to it from the fine Italianate woodwork along the eaves. Hints of faces showed at the cornices, but Lucas allowed as to how that might only be his imagination and noonday shadows. He walked past to the next block, down it, and circled to come back at the far end of