Born to the Badge by Mark Warren

Author:Mark Warren
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Gale, Cengage Learning
Published: 2018-06-14T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 14

Spring, summer 1877: Dodge City, Kansas

When they rode into Dodge at mid-morning, Wyatt and Morgan stopped at the Long Branch saloon and found the room almost empty. Chalkley Beeson, the owner, was pulling down spider webs from a corner of the ceiling with a long-handled broom in one hand and a billiards cue in the other.

“Chalk,” Morgan greeted, “break out the band. I’m back!”

They shook hands all around. Morgan stepped behind the bar and began checking the kegs on tap. Beeson leaned on his billiards stick and shook his head at the younger Earp.

“I haven’t forgot what you like, Morg.” He prodded Morgan with the stick. “Coffee, Wyatt?” When Wyatt nodded, the saloon man crossed to the stove and returned with a pot. “Let me catch you boys up on what’s happened.” He poured two coffees and a beer, and they sat at a table near the bar.

The only other customer sat in a back corner slumped over a table, the flattened crown of his hat serving as a pillow as he snored through his open mouth. An empty bottle stood at his elbow, an empty shot glass still cupped loosely in one hand.

“Well,” Chalk began, his smile like that of a man trying to hold back the punch line of a joke, “Kelley beat out Hoover for the mayor’s office, but he kept Deger as marshal.” Beeson looked from one Earp brother to the other, smiling, waiting for a reaction.

“Kelley is thinkin’ about the next election,” Wyatt said. “Tryin’ to lock up the German vote.”

Beeson pointed at Wyatt and winked. “That’s the way I read it, too.” The saloon keeper spewed a stream of air through pursed lips. “Why else would he keep the big elephant? Deger can’t hardly get out of his bed in the morning as I hear it.”

Morgan wiped his upper lip with the sleeve of his blouse. “Aw, don’t be too hard on the old German,” Morg said straight-faced. “Not many men could hold down that office as well as he does.” When Beeson took on a bewildered look, Morg laughed. “Three hundred fifty pounds worth o’ holdin’ down!”

Chalk gave Morgan a sidewise glance but couldn’t keep from smiling. He turned his focus on Wyatt.

“Ed Masterson, Bat’s older brother, has got your old job as assistant marshal. Bat is undersheriff working for the county.” Beeson shifted in his chair and leaned forward excitedly. “And get this . . . a month ago Deger arrested Bat for interfering with an arrest. Then, when Deger arrested one of the top cattlemen, Kelley butted in and fired him.” Chalk laughed. “Fired him without a town council meeting, mind you.” Chalk waited for Wyatt to smile but gave up on that. “But you know Deger. He ignored the dismissal and arrested Kelley, his boss. The court is still trying to untangle the mess.”

Wyatt sipped his coffee and watched Beeson’s smile broaden.

“Now here’s the best part,” Chalk said. “Sheriff Bassett took on Deger as a deputy—Deger probably figuring on a short career on the city’s payroll.

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