to transport women.”
“Ah, a bid of $2,000 from our first bidder. You are a gentleman, sir, and know the true worth of a lady’s innocence,” purred Duval.
Awed murmurs came from the room at Dutch’s back.
He shivered. He’d heard that purr before, when he was young and desperate. He pitied the poor fool who’d fallen victim to Duval’s schemes.
“Sold to the tall man standing at the table near the bar. Turn around, sir, so we can see who won tonight’s peerless prize.”
Dutch pinned his iciest glare on his parent.
Beneath his tan, the judge paled. “I’m risking my life to tell you anything. ’Sides you won’t believe me.”
“Stop stalling.”
“Fine, have it your way. Trey’s the one letting the Chinaman use your ships to transport shanghaied women. He’s also helping to transport women to the active gold fields around Sacramento.”
“Liar.” Dutch sliced the air with the envelope the way he wished he could slice Jeremiah Trahern’s throat for spewing such filth about his own son. “Trey helped rescue a shipload of women just a few nights ago. He’d never involve himself with forcing women into prostitution.”
“Mebbe he didn’t have much choice.”
“What do you mean?”
The judge lowered his gaze. “Could be the Chinaman’s got a hold over Trey and is forcing him to cooperate. Could be Trey needs money and didn’t want to ask you for it.”
Dutch felt the words like a blow to his chest. “Then why rescue … ?”
The judge studied his nails. “You sure those women made it to the mission? Who drove the wagon? Did you or Smiley travel all the way to the mission, or did Trey drop Smiley off at his house? I hear your partner and his new wife left town to visit her people for a few weeks.”
Dutch didn’t bother asking where the judge got his information. In the human gutter where the elder Trahern lived information and rumor swirled like raw sewage. Dutch didn’t entirely believe the older man’s claims about Trey, but doubt and worry began to gnaw. Trey alone had driven the wagon that supposedly took the women to the mission. Since then Dutch had been too busy to confirm that the women arrived safely. However, to put those niggling doubts to rest, he’d check at the first opportunity. Surely Father Lucas would contact him if any problems arose. One thing was certain. The judge would never know he’d caused a moment’s worry.
“Trey wouldn’t do it. He’d come to me first if he had trouble with the Chinaman.”
“Suit yourself.” The judge shrugged. “But I done my part. I want that money.” He made a half-hearted grab for the envelope.
Dutch lifted his arm high once more. “You aren’t getting a single penny until you give me enough details to convince me that this cockamamie story about Trey is true.”
“That’s just plain mean, denying your father money when he needs it. ‘Sides Trey’s problems are your fault. You’re the one who took him with you to get those girls that the Chinaman was shipping. You gave Trey the opportunity he needed to get the women back and keep the Chinaman happy. Now gimme the money. I promise I’ll leave San Francisco and stay away as long as I can.”
“Not until I have proof that your story is true.”
The judge smiled, and instead of grabbing once more for the envelope and the money, he simply picked up his hat and placed it on his head. “You’re digging your own grave, son. You’re gonna wish you paid me when you had the chance.”
“What in Hades do you mean?”
Against the noise of chairs scraping the auction parlor floor and feet tramping into the saloon, Dutch lowered his arm a bit, bringing the envelope to rest against his shoulder. If the judge was so desperate for cash, why wasn’t he trying to wrestle the envelope away? The older man was up to something, and ten to one Duval was in it neck deep.
In Dutch’s head alarm bells clanged. “I need more than your empty promises, old man. Tell me what you
“Ah, a bid of $2,000 from our first bidder. You are a gentleman, sir, and know the true worth of a lady’s innocence,” purred Duval.
Awed murmurs came from the room at Dutch’s back.
He shivered. He’d heard that purr before, when he was young and desperate. He pitied the poor fool who’d fallen victim to Duval’s schemes.
“Sold to the tall man standing at the table near the bar. Turn around, sir, so we can see who won tonight’s peerless prize.”
Dutch pinned his iciest glare on his parent.
Beneath his tan, the judge paled. “I’m risking my life to tell you anything. ’Sides you won’t believe me.”
“Stop stalling.”
“Fine, have it your way. Trey’s the one letting the Chinaman use your ships to transport shanghaied women. He’s also helping to transport women to the active gold fields around Sacramento.”
“Liar.” Dutch sliced the air with the envelope the way he wished he could slice Jeremiah Trahern’s throat for spewing such filth about his own son. “Trey helped rescue a shipload of women just a few nights ago. He’d never involve himself with forcing women into prostitution.”
“Mebbe he didn’t have much choice.”
“What do you mean?”
The judge lowered his gaze. “Could be the Chinaman’s got a hold over Trey and is forcing him to cooperate. Could be Trey needs money and didn’t want to ask you for it.”
Dutch felt the words like a blow to his chest. “Then why rescue … ?”
The judge studied his nails. “You sure those women made it to the mission? Who drove the wagon? Did you or Smiley travel all the way to the mission, or did Trey drop Smiley off at his house? I hear your partner and his new wife left town to visit her people for a few weeks.”
Dutch didn’t bother asking where the judge got his information. In the human gutter where the elder Trahern lived information and rumor swirled like raw sewage. Dutch didn’t entirely believe the older man’s claims about Trey, but doubt and worry began to gnaw. Trey alone had driven the wagon that supposedly took the women to the mission. Since then Dutch had been too busy to confirm that the women arrived safely. However, to put those niggling doubts to rest, he’d check at the first opportunity. Surely Father Lucas would contact him if any problems arose. One thing was certain. The judge would never know he’d caused a moment’s worry.
“Trey wouldn’t do it. He’d come to me first if he had trouble with the Chinaman.”
“Suit yourself.” The judge shrugged. “But I done my part. I want that money.” He made a half-hearted grab for the envelope.
Dutch lifted his arm high once more. “You aren’t getting a single penny until you give me enough details to convince me that this cockamamie story about Trey is true.”
“That’s just plain mean, denying your father money when he needs it. ‘Sides Trey’s problems are your fault. You’re the one who took him with you to get those girls that the Chinaman was shipping. You gave Trey the opportunity he needed to get the women back and keep the Chinaman happy. Now gimme the money. I promise I’ll leave San Francisco and stay away as long as I can.”
“Not until I have proof that your story is true.”
The judge smiled, and instead of grabbing once more for the envelope and the money, he simply picked up his hat and placed it on his head. “You’re digging your own grave, son. You’re gonna wish you paid me when you had the chance.”
“What in Hades do you mean?”
Against the noise of chairs scraping the auction parlor floor and feet tramping into the saloon, Dutch lowered his arm a bit, bringing the envelope to rest against his shoulder. If the judge was so desperate for cash, why wasn’t he trying to wrestle the envelope away? The older man was up to something, and ten to one Duval was in it neck deep.
In Dutch’s head alarm bells clanged. “I need more than your empty promises, old man. Tell me what you
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