The Sons of Grady Rourke by Douglas Savage Page B

probably putting twenty-five dollars a month into your father’s account here at the bank. I’m pleased to tell you that the Lincoln County Bank is the only one in town. There are only two other banks in the whole territory. I’m an owner, but I’m carried on the charter as just the cashier. John Chisum is president and Mr. McSween is vice president.”
    â€œChisum’s in the banking business, too?”
    â€œYes, indeed. It’s the three of us against the House and their whore sheriff. John probably runs eighty-thousand head now. He might pay you to join his operation here in Lincoln. Can you handle that sidearm?” Tunstall nodded toward Patrick’s Peacemaker high on his right hip.
    â€œMy piece? I’m passable with it. But I was thinking of cow punching for Chisum, not using my Colt.”
    â€œYou don’t seem to understand yet.” There was no trace of impatience in Tunstall’s voice. “John Chisum has taken up with McSween and me. That puts him on our side of the fence. Dolan’s gang is on the other side.”
    â€œOver cattle, too?” Patrick had never seen anything like this, not even in the far western gold fields where men killed each other over a scrap of bread.
    â€œEspecially cattle. Dolan’s henchmen—the Jesse Evans Gang—have made a fine living stealing Chisum cattle and selling it back to the Indian Agency for the Apache reservation. They hide the cattle down around Seven Rivers. Remember: That bunch wasn’t above stealing my horses from my ranch down on the Rio Felix. And make no mistake,” Tunstall leaned forward, resting his elbow on the lawyer’s roll top desk, “Jimmy Dolan is at the bottom of that cesspool. He owns the House, and the Boys rustle and murder for him.”
    â€œMurder? I thought Dolan was just another shopkeeper.”
    â€œMurder, Patrick. Just last year, he shot and killed Geraldo Jaramillo. Sheriff said it was self defense. But he shot him three times. Dolan is a killer and a rustler. He just lets Jesse Evans do his dirty work so Dolan can keep his hands clean. That’s why Chisum could use one more gun here in Lincoln.”
    Patrick looked down toward his hat balanced on his right knee. He toyed with its faded crown. He had not come home to become a gunman.
    â€œMy brother’s still at the Wortley, you know.”
    â€œYes. And I’ve seen him—not in here, of course, but on the street—with some of Jesse’s men. Sean is in rough company, I’m afraid.”
    â€œAnd if I hire on with Chisum?”
    â€œThen you and Sean might very well end up on opposite sides of the street.”
    Patrick nodded.
    â€œThen I can’t do it. I can’take no job with Chisum.”
    Tunstall leaned back and folded his hands in his lap. His brow pursed with a moment’s deep thought. He seemed genuinely concerned.
    â€œWell, Patrick, even if you could hasten the probate process of your father’s estate, Mr. Shield has gone to Mesilla for a week, maybe longer. Perhaps Liam will be here by the time Mr. Shield and Alex get home. I’m just thinking: Chisum has his men based out of South Spring River. No one really works this end of his spread. You’re living on your father’s ranch anyway. Why not hire on just to watch the Chisum cattle grazing on Rourke land? I can just about guarantee he’ll pay two dollars a week for that. The Evans men shouldn’t bother you much—especially with Sean living at the Wortley in House territory. Besides, I could probably arrange an increase in the grazing rents if you need it.”
    â€œWhat authority do I have over the grazing rights?”
    â€œYou seem to be running the spread. Sean has elected not to participate. Even though Chisum’s lease was with Grady, you have certain rights as one of the heirs to the estate. After all, the lease will descend to you and Liam once the will is probated. I