Free Red Jacket by Joseph Heywood Page A

confided as they entered the arena.
    â€œDolly does,” Gipp said. “There’s a new man here tonight. Thought I’d watch before I place any bets.”
    More cautious and calculating than he shows, Bapcat thought. Interesting.
    â€œThis Roscopla good?” Bapcat asked.
    â€œHeavyweight, and the hill king here. Strong, big, tough, relentless,” Gipp said. “And cocky.”
    â€œHell, nobody’s cockier than you,” Chaput told his friend.
    â€œI can back up the talk,” Gipp said.
    â€œSo far,” Chaput countered with a laugh.
    The arena was about half full when the matches began. Unknown newcomer Harry Jacka took Kilty Roscopla apart like an overcooked chicken. Chaput and Gray were morose about their lost wagers. Gipp watched the match quietly, studying, and afterward whispered to Bapcat, “Jacka’s tough, but his balance to his right side is poor. He wrestles one-sided. Not a strength issue to beat him. It’s all about speed and leverage.”
    Gipp sounded pretty sure of his analysis.
    During the final match Bapcat spied Captain Madog Hedyn in the stands with a retinue of people, including Cornelius Nayback.
    â€œWho’s the potentate across the way?” Bapcat asked Gipp.
    â€œCap’n Madog Hedyn. A little man physically, but one of the Copper Country’s most important and feared men. Works his people like slaves and cuts miner contracts to his benefit.”
    â€œCheats them?” Bapcat asked.
    â€œNothing that obvious. He just measures the day’s digs close, cuts no slack for the miners, not even his own kind. Rumor is he hauls in a hundred thousand dollars a year, same as MacNaughton at C and H, but Hedyn’s is all underground, just like the copper he and his men chase.”
    â€œHe takes a cut from the wrestling promoters,” Chaput chimed in.
    â€œWhy?” Bapcat asked.
    â€œNo cut, no wrestlers,” Gipp said. “Hedyn controls everything the Cornish and Cousin Jacks do, and he always makes sure he profits off the top.”
    â€œI’m surprised everyone goes along,” Bapcat said.
    Chaput said, “Word is that a local minister wanted new music for Sunday services, but Hedyn’s wife didn’t. The minister ended up with two broken arms, resigned the church for medical reasons, and promptly left town. A new minister came in. The old music stayed. The new minister was kin.”
    As they left the stadium Gipp asked, “What’s with your interest in Cap’n Hedyn?”
    Gipp was remarkably observant for a young man. “We once had an awkward meeting.”
    â€œI’m just a kid, but I know there ain’t no odds in stirring up poisonous snakes.”
    Bapcat took note that Cornelius Nayback was close to Hedyn and had whispered frantically at him throughout the matches. All the while Hedyn stared malevolently across at him. The house across the street won’t do , he told himself.
    The three boys headed for a pool hall in Laurium and Bapcat went back to the boardinghouse to find Zakov still on the bed, a pair of revolvers in his lap. “I have no plan to abandon this bed,” the Russian announced.
    Bapcat put up his hands and smiled a conciliatory smile. “For now,” he said.
    The house in Ahmeek village won’t suffice, Bapcat thought. Hedyn and Nayback had both seen him, and would be asking around. We need more space, some elevation, something to provide early warning, good high ground, like we had in Cuba.

16
    Bumbletown Hill, Keweenaw County
    MONDAY, JUNE 9, 1913
    Vairo seemed unsurprised to see his friend the following morning. “I figure maybe that place, she won’t do,” the tavern owner greeted him. “What exactly you want?”
    â€œNo neighbors, nearby firewood, a good well.”
    â€œHow many rooms—five?”
    â€œOne large one is enough if we’re on a hill and there’s woods and a good