My Calamity Jane by Cynthia Hand

Author:Cynthia Hand
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: 2020-04-03T16:00:00+00:00

TWENTY-SIX

Frank

Frank’s first impression of Deadwood was that it was dusty and crowded. The streets were lined with tents, with people selling everything from whiskey to mining tools to baths. Frank saw hordes of prospectors sifting through mud and rocks in metal trays, no doubt looking for gold. New construction was going up everywhere.

One merchant pushed a live chicken right in front of Frank’s face. “Chicken, mister?”

“No, thanks,” Frank answered.

By far, most stores and tents were selling prospecting supplies like picks, pans, and shovels. It was a street full of commotion, and Frank and Bill had to work hard to weave through the crowds without being accidentally struck by a pickaxe. There was obviously gold on the brain here. One man was even carrying a chamber pot, which Frank didn’t know what to make of. A second man came by with a chamber pot.

“What’s with the commodes?” Frank asked.

The man tilted his head back. “New hardware store running a special,” he said. “You need a new commode?”

“No,” Frank said. “But I need information. You know a fellow by the name Swearengen?”

“Everyone knows Swearengen, but she ain’t no fellow. That’s the lady who runs the Gem.”

“A lady? The Gem?”

“Yep. It’s right smack in the middle of town. You can’t miss it. Just look for the painted ladies out front.”

Unfortunately, there were painted ladies out in front of most of the buildings in town.

“Thanks,” Frank said. He and Bill walked some more and sure enough, there was the Gem. And sure enough, there were the ladies, advertising their wares on a balcony out front.

And sure enough, someone was trying to shimmy up a post on the side of the building and sneak in through a window.

And sure enough, Frank would know that tailored dress and long brown hair anywhere. Even from behind.

“That. Is. Annie,” Frank said. His heart leapt.

George snapped his head. Where’s Annie?

“She’s climbing up that wall. What in carnation is she trying to do?”

“Do you mean tarnation?” Bill asked.

“I always thought it was carnation,” Frank said. “Anyway, it doesn’t matter, because that. Is. Annie.”

Bill tipped his hat up and squinted. “It can’t be. What would a girl like Annie be doing in a place like this?” he said.

“I don’t know. And how did she get here so fast?”

“Can’t be her,” Bill said, but we’ve established that his eyesight wasn’t what it used to be.

The two men crossed the street and went around to the side of the building to get a closer look, where the girl was still shimmying up the post. She was most definitely Annie.

She hadn’t made it very far. She sure as heck would never reach the window, at least not by nightfall.

“Annie?” Frank called out.

“Hang on, I’m almost—” She froze and then turned her head slowly to see Frank and Bill. “Frank!” she exclaimed. “Mr. Hickok! When did you get here?”

“Just now.”

“Me too,” Annie said.

“And you’re already breaking and entering?” Frank couldn’t help but smile.

“Not yet, but if all goes well, I soon will be,” Annie said cheerfully.

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