Micah hadn’t expected to receive an invitation from Arthur Morgan, much less to have it delivered at the warehouse.
“It would seem I’ve been summoned,” he told Patrick. “Arthur Morgan has asked me to come to his hotel. Perhaps he intends to challenge me to a duel.” Micah couldn’t help but smile. “See for yourself.”
Patrick looked at the invitation. “For sure that would be his kind of game. Are ye going to go?”
“I suppose I will. I was going to go to Caleb’s house with you, but maybe I’ll go speak my piece with Mr. Morgan and then come over. It’ll depend on how long of a chat we need to have.”
Patrick laughed. “I’m thinkin’ my evening will be much more pleasurable than yers.”
Micah figured as much too, but there was no denying he was curious as to what Arthur wanted.
The hotel seemed quite the gathering place that evening. Men and women dressed in their finery appeared to be trying to move on with their lives and forget that just beyond the doors, the city was still in disarray.
Micah stopped at the front desk. “I’m Dr. Fisher. I’m supposed to meet Arthur Morgan. Can you tell me his room number?”
“Of course, Dr. Fisher. Mr. Morgan said to send you up straightaway.” He gave Micah directions and sent him upstairs.
When Micah reached the room, he wondered for a moment if it had been a mistake to come. The last thing he wanted was to get in a fist fight with Morgan. Perhaps he should suggest they go downstairs. There was a dining area off the lobby.
The door opened, and Arthur Morgan nodded at him. “Thank you for coming. I wasn’t sure you would be willing.”
“I must say it was a surprise.”
“I’ve arranged a supper for us here. Won’t you come in?”
“I didn’t come for supper.”
Morgan paused and gave a slight shrug. “It’s of no concern to me, but I thought perhaps you’d enjoy it.” He continued toward the table. “The normal fare in San Francisco hasn’t been very appealing, according to what I’ve heard. You’ll find that I have only the very best.”
Micah followed him into the large suite, wondering at Morgan’s game. He acted congenial enough, but Micah wasn’t about to let down his guard. Not while he was in Morgan’s hotel room—alone.
“The food arrived only a moment before you did, so it should still be hot.” Morgan moved to his place at the table and motioned Micah to do the same. Morgan lifted the silver domes off each plate to reveal a thick steak, creamed peas with tiny pearl onions, and fried potatoes. In the middle of the table were rolls and butter. Micah couldn’t remember the last time he’d had butter or anything quite this grand.
Micah took a seat and had to admit the aroma of the steak on his plate was mouth-watering. Morgan offered no prayer or even comment, but simply dug into the meal with great gusto. Micah prayed silently and picked up his fork and knife. What harm could come from enjoying a steak?
The filet was tender and cut so easily that Micah almost didn’t need the knife. The piece melted in his mouth, and the flavor left him with a smile.
“I pay extra to have food brought in daily. I had the most marvelous rack of lamb last evening,” Arthur said, smiling.
Micah decided to enjoy a few more mouthfuls before pressing Morgan for the reason he’d invited him here. No sense in letting a perfectly good meal go uneaten.
A man appeared moments later to pour additional wine into Morgan’s goblet. He glanced at Micah’s untouched glass, then left as quickly as he’d come.
“You don’t drink?”
“No. Alcohol has never been to my liking, and besides, I never know when I’ll be called to help a patient.”
“I see. That must put a damper on parties.”
Micah shook his head. “I don’t attend many of those. As a doctor, I’m often busy with patients or exhausted from my day of work.”
“I can imagine. It must be quite difficult right now. I heard that many of the hospitals were destroyed.”
“They were, but we’re getting by. Good men managed to put ideas into action, and we’ve arranged new hospitals. Things aren’t quite back to normal, nor will they be for a while, but we’ve overcome the worst of it. In fact, I’m setting up a small hospital for the poor at Mr. Coulter’s warehouse where you first saw Kenzie.”
“New hospitals. That must take a great deal of money.”
“Yes. No doubt. New equipment must be purchased, and some of it is quite specialized.” Micah wiped his mouth on a fine linen napkin and placed it on the table. “But you didn’t ask me here to talk about hospitals. What is it you want from me, Mr. Morgan?”
