“This guy said he was being cheated. Pulled a gun and threatened Sam, who happened to be dealing. Sam told him to put the gun away and leave. But he didn’t, so Sam started for the door and was nearly there, as you can see, when the man told him he wasn’t going to be cheated and shot him in the back.”
“He cheated me. I know how to play blackjack, and he cheated me. Dealt off the bottom for himself.”
Sam’s right-hand man, Bud, came to Addie. “Sure sorry about this, Mrs. Moerman. What do you need me to do?”
“Get Sam to the undertaker and have Joe clean up the mess.” She spoke with the calm of someone who had done this before, when in truth she had never had to deal with anyone’s death. Sam always managed the fights and killings. Dawson City was a dangerous town—especially when the Moerman Gold Palace was involved.
It was nearly eight in the morning before everything had been tended to. People were coming and going throughout the morning, but Addie remained to oversee the entire matter. Unfortunately, Addie’s brothers, Hiram and Shep, stuck to the place like glue. They kept their distance, seeming to understand that she was in no mood to deal with them, but nevertheless they stayed around.
“Everybody needs to go home. I need sleep,” she announced. But it wasn’t to be. Mr. Lundstrom walked through the doors. He was a middle-aged man who handled legal matters for Sam.
“Mrs. Moerman, I’m mighty sorry to hear about what happened.”
“Well, it’s the nature of the business, isn’t it?” She fixed him with a stern look. “Sam always said he’d probably die dealing cards.”
“Yes, well, I know it’s all just happened, but we will need to discuss Sam’s arrangements.”
Addie was more than a little aware of her brothers moving closer. It reminded her of wolves sneaking in for the kill. She ignored them. “The only thing I need to know right this minute is if he had arrangements for his funeral.”
The man considered the question for a moment. “Yes, I believe he did. If I recall, he has had a plot at the cemetery for some time. Thankfully, it’s June and the ground isn’t frozen.”
“Yes, that is good. Whatever arrangements he wanted, Mr. Lundstrom, would you please see to them and then let me know when the funeral will be?”
“Of course.” The man gave her a sympathetic nod. “You have my deepest condolences, Mrs. Moerman. If it’s of any comfort, Sam left everything to you.”
It wasn’t a comfort at all. The only thing Addie wanted was to be free of Sam and Dawson City. Now this man was telling her she was the owner of a gambling hall and brothel.
“Mr. Lundstrom, would you find me a buyer for the Gold Palace?” This brought Hiram to her side. Shep followed. Addie continued to ignore them. “I want to sell out.”
Mr. Lundstrom looked confused for a moment, then seemed to understand. “Yes, I suppose it would be difficult for a widow to run such a place.”
“She’s got me and Shep to help her. She don’t need to be selling. Besides, she’s our responsibility now. We’re her brothers.” Hiram put his hand on Addie.
She gave him a sharp elbow in the gut. “You are nothing to me, Hiram. I am the widow of the man you sold me to. Nothing more.”
Hiram growled and took hold of her. His hand tightened around her upper arm in a most painful grip. “You got no say in this. You’re our property.”
“I’m afraid you’re wrong,” Mr. Lundstrom interjected. “Mrs. Moerman is no one’s property. She is her own authority and her husband set her up to be well served. She’ll have plenty of money to see to her needs.”
Addie jerked away from her big brother. “You had your chance. You sold me once, but you’ll never do it again.” She gave Mr. Lundstrom a nod. “I’ll be waiting to hear from you regarding the funeral.”
She turned and swept past her brothers. She had nearly reached the stairs when Hiram’s voice boomed out. “This ain’t over, Addie. You owe us.”
“That’s right, Addie,” Shep chimed in. “You got more than enough, and we got nothing.”
Addie fought against making a scene and calling them both out on their lack of concern for her welfare. They sold her into slavery as sure as Joseph in the Bible was sold by his brothers. She just kept walking up the steps with Millie close behind.
The minute she reached her room, Addie hurried inside and motioned for Millie to follow. “Close the door and lock it,” Addie said, moving to open the drapes. “I can hardly believe those two. They think I’ll come back to them as if I have no ability to see to myself.”
“They’re very dangerous, Addie. They won’t stop until they have their way.”
Addie turned and met Millie’s worried expression. “That’s why you’re going to help me get out of Dawson City without them knowing.”
“How will we do that?”
“I’m not entirely sure, but I think we can figure out a plan.” Addie went to the small writing desk and drew out a key. “I’ve saved up gold and jewelry—gifts from Sam. With that, plus what I’ll inherit from him, I have more than enough to get out of here.”
Addie went to the armoire in the corner and unlocked the bottom drawer. She drew out a heavy lockbox and placed it on the bed. She took another key, which she’d hung on the back of the armoire, and unlocked the box.
