know of banking? And how’d you get the money?”
“Honestly … in New York. And in the process, I learned about banking.”
I enjoyed the puzzled look on his face. He was feverishly trying to figure out the implications of this turn of events. I was a Washburn enemy; he was a Washburn victim. At least, I’m sure he saw it that way. Others, including myself, might more appropriately view Jenny as the real victim. I desperately wanted to start a conversation with Mrs. Bolton, but as an aspiring banker, I kept my eye contact with Mr. Bolton.
With so many ramifications flying around inside his head, he finally went to the issue closest to his heart. “My money may not be safe with you.”
“My concern as well. After examining the books, I found that Crown had loaned an excessive amount of customer deposits to Washburn.”
Bolton sputtered and spewed for a few seconds before he bellowed, “Let me in! I shall not discuss my private affairs in front of the whole town!”
I made a point of gazing around the empty anteroom. “Of course, sir.” I stepped over to the door and opened it with a welcoming arm flourish. “Please, step over to my desk.” I was disappointed to see Bolton signal Jenny to stay outside, but I was pleased to receive an abbreviated curtsy from her before I closed the door.
Without preamble, Bolton nearly screamed, “Washburn has my money?”
I leaned in close, as if conveying a secret. “I suspect Crown was in cahoots with Washburn. I must admit, I’m concerned about collections. Now I know why Crown dumped the bank and skedaddled out of town.”
“You’re responsible now. I expect you to make good on my deposits.”
I feigned nervousness. “Yes, yes, of course, but I need help. Washburn’s not an easy man to deal with.” I wiped my brow with the back of my hand. “Perhaps you can help … or call on some of your powerful friends.”
“It’s your bank.”
“Yes, regrettably.” I pulled down the huge ledger and opened it as if looking for something. “Crown assured me the bank was sound.” I shook my head and put on what I hoped looked like a pleading expression. “He left town with all my money.”
“What kind of man buys a business without examining the books?”
“Evidently a foolish one. The top numbers looked good. But laying blame doesn’t help us out of our predicament.”
“ Your predicament.”
“It’s your money that Crown loaned to Washburn.”
Bolton fumed. Between clenched teeth, he said, “What do you expect me to do?”
“As governor, you could bring the power of the state down on Washburn … clean up the judiciary, appoint an honest marshal, prosecute these atrocities.”
Bolton slapped the table with his hand. “Goddamn it, I’ve decided not to run.”
“Mr. Bolton, you must run. If Washburn’s candidate wins, I might as well close up.”
“Damn it, man, it would be dangerous for me.”
I collapsed into my chair. “Then we both lose.”
Bolton sat, contemplative. After a moment, he said, “Some obstacles have been removed. Perhaps I can make a run.”
I suppressed a smile at this first reference to the Cutlers. “You can win. I know it. And I can help. If you run, I’ll contribute five hundred dollars to your campaign.”
“I thought you were broke.”
“I have some money left, and this is the only way I can recover my investment in the bank.” I leaned forward. “Like it or not, we’re in bed together.”
“I’m not one to share my bed freely.”
I refrained from making a sharp retort. “I can write the check now.” He continued to hesitate, so I added, “I’ve hired Pinkertons. They should arrive any day, and I’ll assign several as your personal bodyguards.” Still no answer. “Jeff Sharp has also promised support, both financial and security. And Mrs. Bolton can remain at your ranch under the protection of your ranch hands.”
I waited. Bolton was a proud man and surely wanted
“Honestly … in New York. And in the process, I learned about banking.”
I enjoyed the puzzled look on his face. He was feverishly trying to figure out the implications of this turn of events. I was a Washburn enemy; he was a Washburn victim. At least, I’m sure he saw it that way. Others, including myself, might more appropriately view Jenny as the real victim. I desperately wanted to start a conversation with Mrs. Bolton, but as an aspiring banker, I kept my eye contact with Mr. Bolton.
With so many ramifications flying around inside his head, he finally went to the issue closest to his heart. “My money may not be safe with you.”
“My concern as well. After examining the books, I found that Crown had loaned an excessive amount of customer deposits to Washburn.”
Bolton sputtered and spewed for a few seconds before he bellowed, “Let me in! I shall not discuss my private affairs in front of the whole town!”
I made a point of gazing around the empty anteroom. “Of course, sir.” I stepped over to the door and opened it with a welcoming arm flourish. “Please, step over to my desk.” I was disappointed to see Bolton signal Jenny to stay outside, but I was pleased to receive an abbreviated curtsy from her before I closed the door.
Without preamble, Bolton nearly screamed, “Washburn has my money?”
I leaned in close, as if conveying a secret. “I suspect Crown was in cahoots with Washburn. I must admit, I’m concerned about collections. Now I know why Crown dumped the bank and skedaddled out of town.”
“You’re responsible now. I expect you to make good on my deposits.”
I feigned nervousness. “Yes, yes, of course, but I need help. Washburn’s not an easy man to deal with.” I wiped my brow with the back of my hand. “Perhaps you can help … or call on some of your powerful friends.”
“It’s your bank.”
“Yes, regrettably.” I pulled down the huge ledger and opened it as if looking for something. “Crown assured me the bank was sound.” I shook my head and put on what I hoped looked like a pleading expression. “He left town with all my money.”
“What kind of man buys a business without examining the books?”
“Evidently a foolish one. The top numbers looked good. But laying blame doesn’t help us out of our predicament.”
“ Your predicament.”
“It’s your money that Crown loaned to Washburn.”
Bolton fumed. Between clenched teeth, he said, “What do you expect me to do?”
“As governor, you could bring the power of the state down on Washburn … clean up the judiciary, appoint an honest marshal, prosecute these atrocities.”
Bolton slapped the table with his hand. “Goddamn it, I’ve decided not to run.”
“Mr. Bolton, you must run. If Washburn’s candidate wins, I might as well close up.”
“Damn it, man, it would be dangerous for me.”
I collapsed into my chair. “Then we both lose.”
Bolton sat, contemplative. After a moment, he said, “Some obstacles have been removed. Perhaps I can make a run.”
I suppressed a smile at this first reference to the Cutlers. “You can win. I know it. And I can help. If you run, I’ll contribute five hundred dollars to your campaign.”
“I thought you were broke.”
“I have some money left, and this is the only way I can recover my investment in the bank.” I leaned forward. “Like it or not, we’re in bed together.”
“I’m not one to share my bed freely.”
I refrained from making a sharp retort. “I can write the check now.” He continued to hesitate, so I added, “I’ve hired Pinkertons. They should arrive any day, and I’ll assign several as your personal bodyguards.” Still no answer. “Jeff Sharp has also promised support, both financial and security. And Mrs. Bolton can remain at your ranch under the protection of your ranch hands.”
I waited. Bolton was a proud man and surely wanted
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