More yelling echoed down the road, but at least there were no other gunshots. Lina peered around the building again, this time taking stock of what businesses looked as if they’d contain people who might have known Papa. If she could just find someone who’d spoken with him while he was here, they might remember something important he’d said.
And at this point,anyclue was better than nothing at all.
It was impossible to see the names of any of the businesses from this perspective. Gathering every ounce of bravery she possessed—and a good amount of hope that Hawk would remain occupied at the far end of town where the ruckus was occurring—Lina stepped away from her hiding place and began moving along the road.
She stayed close to the buildings, her eyes peeled for anyone who might be lurking nearby. A mere three buildings down, a door flung open and a man tottered out, clearly in his cups. Lina flattened herself against the wall, but the man was far too interested in what was happening down the road that he never looked her way.
Lina forced herself to leave the safety of the wall. She stepped just far enough away from the building to read the crudely-made sign that hung above the door.Saloon. No particular name—simplySaloon.
Well, a saloon was the most probable place she’d find information about Papa. Lina peered through one of the windows. A handful of other women were inside, among all the men who filled the chairs. She didn’t want to guess at their occupation, but at least she wouldn’t be the only female present in the establishment.
With a last glance down the road where the people still gathered, Lina eased the door open and slid inside. One man eyed her with undisguised curiosity from a nearby table, but not another soul seemed to notice she’d entered the place. The noise from conversations pressed against Lina’s ears. It was full inside, but not overly crowded, and she took a moment to look around and consider what to do next.
Stepping into the place required courage enough, but talking to the men who patronized such an establishment? All Lina wanted to do was turn and flee into the night, back to the safety of Red and Perseverance.
No, she told herself. She’d come all the way here—to Mad Dog Gulch, to the Colorado Territory, to Hawk—to find answers for Matthew. She couldn’t let him down. Shewouldn’t.
And with that, she took decisive steps toward the bar. The barkeep appeared friendly enough, wasn’t likely to be rude to her, and probably overheard every conversation that happened in his establishment. She reached the long wooden counter a few steps away from a man who appeared to be wearing the teeth of some wild animal on a length of cording around his neck. Lina tried not to stare, instead focusing her attention on the man behind the scarred counter.
When he saw her, he looked her up and down and furrowed his considerable eyebrows. “Don’t get many ladies in here,” he finally said, slinging a filthy cloth over his shoulder.
Lina hadn’t realized she looked so different from the other women in the saloon, but now that the barkeep had pointed it out, she felt more visible than ever. “Good evening,” she said, her voice shaking only a little.
“You want a drink?”
Lina hadn’t brought a penny with her, not even considering that money might come in useful on this venture. She did at least have her father’s revolver, hidden away in her pocket. “I apologize, I failed to bring any coins with me.”
The man made a sound between a scoff and groan. He began to turn away.
“No, wait. Please,” Lina called to him.
He paused, looked around, and then leaned against the bar counter. “Little lady, if you have a brain left in that head of yours, I suggest you use it to get on out of here. More than one fellow’s already taken notice of you, and not in a way I gather you’d like.”
Lina swallowed. Here she thought she was moving through the saloon almost invisible. But this man saw far more than she did, and that was exactly why she needed to speak with him. “I’ll be quick, then. I’m looking for some information—about Joseph Grayson and his men. He was killed around here a while back, you might remember.”
“I remember.” The barkeep’s tone was clipped, and he narrowed his eyes as he watched her.
“I’m specifically needing to know where he might have set up camp, or what specific areas he frequented. If you know—or if you know someone who does—I’d greatly appreciate you telling me. It’s very important.” Lina finished, the words rushing out of her mouth like an overflowing stream after a spring rain.
“Important, huh.” The barkeep shifted his gaze to somewhere off behind her, before coming back to land on Lina. His eyes were a watery sort of blue-green, and the rims were too pink as if he’d not gotten enough sleep. He leaned in closer, dropping his voice. “I’ll give you a useful bit of information, and I won’t repeat this, so listen up good.”
Lina leaned forward, so close she could smell his tobacco-scented breath. “Yes?”
“Don’t go around asking after folks, particularly men like that. You’ll attract a bad sort of trouble. I suggest you get right back where you came from. Now.” And with that, he stood up and backed away, moving to the next customer.
Lina rested her head in her hands. If the barkeep wouldn’t help her, who would? Someone in this pit of a town had to knowsomething. And she wasn’t asking for all that much—just a location or two. Someplace she could focus her search. Surely that wouldn’t get anyone into trouble.
She dropped her hands to the rough counter, sticky with spilled whiskey. Well, there had to be more than one saloon in this town. And if this barkeep was no help, perhaps the next one would be. She wished she’d brought some coins, something to persuade them to talk to her. Maybe if she batted her eyelashes and simpered a little more—as repugnant as that idea was—she’d find her answers.
She stepped back and turned—right into a man with a moth-eaten hat and several missing teeth. “I’m sorry, I . . .” Lina stepped back, right into the counter. But the man stayed put, and as Lina searched for a way around him, her eyes rose to find a ring of men gathered behind him, each one dirtier and fiercer-looking than the last.
The fellow with the missing teeth grinned at her. “I hear you’re asking after a dead man.”
Lina’s stomach fluttered and her heart beat faster than she thought possible. The barkeep had been right. She was naive and should never have come in this place.Don’t show fear. The words echoed in her mind. Dropping her hands to her sides, she stood as tall as possible. The feel of the pistol in her skirt pocket lent her confidence. “What I discuss is none of your concern, sir.”
“Sir.” One of the men, the tallest, biggest man with pockmarks dotting his face, elbowed his neighbor and guffawed.
But the man in front of Lina was unmoved. “What do you know about Grayson—and his money?”
