Outlaw With A Badge (The Frank Palmer series Book 3) by Stephen Wilson

Author:Stephen Wilson
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Publisher: Pioneering Press
Published: 2016-11-27T06:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

Outside the train station, the size of the city startled Palmer. Until now, the biggest cities Palmer had seen were Joplin and Fort Smith. He signaled for a Hansom cab and the driver pulled the buggy to the curb.

“Where to, sir?”

“Do you know where the U.S. Marshal’s office is located?”

“Yes, sir. Right by the state capitol.”

“Well, that’s where I’m going.”

“First time in Sacramento?” his driver asked.

Palmer nodded.

“It’s quite a place. Over 20,000 people in the city limits. I hope we hold off on the growing for a bit. It’s taking longer and longer to get from one side of the city to the other.”

They stopped and started repeatedly as traffic clogged the streets due to road constructions on almost every street. Huge dray horses pulled big wagons full of rock and dirt.

“What’s going on?”

The driver’s mouth turned downward. “Foolishness. They think that raising the streets is going to stop the Sacramento River from flooding the city. Pity the poor business man. If your business is near the river, they’ll raise the street so high, the new entrance to your operation will be on the second floor, while your original first floor becomes your basement. I don’t think it’ll stop the river, nothing ever has. But, you know politicians, if there’s money to line someone’s pocket, they’ll pass a new law.”

Palmer nodded.

“Look over there,” the driver continued. “See that shiny new building? Well, the First National Bank wasn’t going to stand by and let their grand lobby become their basement. They had money enough to move and build a new bank on one of them newly raised streets.” The driver pointed down the avenue. “There, you see in the distance? It’s that white marble building in the distance. It’s six stories tall.”

“Impressive.”

“Can’t wait to see inside. It should be a beauty! It won’t open for another three weeks.”

Palmer nodded. He took a deep breath, trying to rein in his nerves.

After another few minutes, the state capitol came into view. It was an imposing sight, stretching out for blocks and climbing to the sky.

The driver stopped in front of a two story granite structure across the street from the Capitol building. A sign over the big double doors read, United States Marshal’s Headquarters, California. Palmer’s heart began to pound in his chest. He began to doubt the wisdom of the bluff he was about to run.

“How much?” Palmer asked.

“Two bits, sir.”

Palmer handed him a coin. He hesitated, taking in a deep breath.

“Are you all right, sir? You look like you took a turn for the worst.”

Palmer tried to smile. “I guess the next few minutes will tell the tale.”

“Having trouble with the Marshals?”

“Remains to be seen.”

The driver looked down at the badge on Palmer’s vest. “Aw heck, you’re one of their own — a lawman.”

“Yeah …Where is the Sacramento Arms Hotel?”

“Ah, you go first class for a lawman. It’s about two blocks east of here.”

“Okay. How much to drop off my bags there? I have a reservation in the name of Mark Cross.

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