Free Blood Duel by David Robbins, Ralph Compton Page B

to get them,” Win commented. Adolphina had a list of complaints about Chester as long as Win’s arm. Why Chester stayed married to her, Win never could figure out.
    “My eyes are fine, I tell you,” Chester said, galled that Adolphina had trampled on his trust.
    “Maybe it is the mayor of Dodge, come to pay his respects,” Win teased.
    “Go to hell.”
    “What was it you called him the last time you and him locked horns?” Win snapped his fingers. “Now I remember. You accused him of stealing the railroad out from under you. Which was some feat, seeing as how the railroad never showed any interest in laying tracks here.”
    Chester swore. He knew that. Knew damn well that the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe railroad had been laying track in a beeline for Fort Dodge, and the post commander, the post quartermaster, and the post sutler pooled their finances and bought a plot of land directly in the track’s path. Two saloons and a general store were up and ready to cater to the work crews when the tracks got there. Dodge City was born, spelling Coffin Varnish’s eventual doom. “Do me a favor and quit bringing up old history.”
    Win did not help Chester’s mood by chuckling.
    Fortunately, the carriage arrived in a cloud of dust and the thud of hooves. The driver was a black man in expensive livery. He expertly brought the team to a halt and quickly climbed down to open the near door, announcing, “We have arrived, sir.”
    From the carriage stepped a man of middle years dressed in a sartorial splendor that put Chester, and most everyone else in Kansas, to shame. His tailored jacket, vest, and pants were a light shade of gray, his bowler slightly darker. He carried a cane with the gold likeness of a hound for a knob, and his boots practically gleamed. He looked about him with an air of amusement and spotted Chester and Win.
    “Might I impose on you gentlemen for information?”
    “Only after you introduce yourself,” Chester said. “This may not be Dodge, but we have manners here.”
    “My apologies, sir. I daresay that was remiss of me. I am Charles Nelek. Perhaps you have heard of me? I own several establishments in Dodge.”
    Win’s interest perked up. “I have heard of you. You own the Kitten Club, among others.” He had long wanted to pay the establishment a visit, but it would cost more than he earned in a year. Hell, two years. “Your girls are supposed to be the loveliest in Dodge.”
    “I thank you, sir. They thank you, too. Those I brought with me, at any rate.”
    From within the carriage came giggles and titters.
    Chester came out of his chair. He, too, had heard all about the Kitten Club. The women were exquisite, the food excellent. An experience to remember forever, as one friend put it. “Permit me to formally welcome you, sir. I am the mayor of Coffin Varnish, Chester Luce.”
    “You don’t say?” Charles Nelek said while turning to the carriage. “You may come out now, ladies. Watch your step. And be advised the sun is a furnace.”
    Out they came, three of them, a blonde, a redhead, and a black-haired beauty, all three perfection, from their pale complexions to their china-smooth skin to their ample busts and pencil-thin waists. Their dresses were marvels of color and fit. Each wore a style of hat currently fashionable back East, with flared brimsand a lot of lace. They also had parasols, which they immediately opened to protect their face and neck.
    “Oh my,” Winifred breathed.
    “May I introduce Sugarplum, Sasha, and Leah?” Charles Nelek said, with dips of his chin. “Ladies, we have the honor of addressing the mayor, so be on your best behavior.”
    Chester sensed that Nelek was poking fun at him, but he didn’t care. Doffing his hat, he went up to the ladies to shake their hands. “Pleased as can be to make your acquaintance, ladies. Anything you want during your visit, anything at all, you need only say the word.”
    Win was a step behind him. “That’s right. We