34

Kennedy was smoothing the hair rumpled by the aviator’s helmet when Charmian snatched open the door. She hadn’t given him the chance to knock.

“Come in, Mr. Kennedy, and join your accomplices.”

He smiled tentatively. The shotgun she was cradling inside her elbow appeared not to concern him.

“Have I the honor of addressing Mrs. London or Mrs. Shepard?”

“Mrs. London. I sent my sister-in-law away hours ago. I wanted to cut down on the casualties should things go badly.”

“I’m pleased to make your acquaintance, although I won’t accept the remark about accomplices. I am a law-abiding man.”

“That you are a partner to murder and assault we shall discuss; but you are certainly a smuggler of illegal merchandise. Every bootlegger in California knows your name.”

“I doubt every one. But thank you for giving me the benefit of the doubt as to the other.”

She closed the door behind him and led him into the main room. Kennedy’s smile crystalized when he saw the men standing with their weary arms raised inside a half-circle of men dressed as laborers. He looked from the assembly to the pile of confiscated weapons on the floor.

“You gentlemen have been busy, though I’ll not say you worked. Where nothing has been accomplished, no work has been done.”

“Will you tell these damn—” Dillard began.

“There are ladies present, Sheriff. I assume you are the local exemplar of the law?”

“I am; and who the he—heck are you?” Something in the quiet Irishman’s demeanor seemed to quell his natural truculence.

“My name is Kennedy. Perhaps Mr. Clanahan mentioned me in passing.”

“Oh.” The big man seemed to shrink. “I’d be obliged if you’d ask these ladies to take away all this artillery and let us put down our hands. I can’t feel mine no more.”

Siringo spoke up. “You’ll find two more rifles outside. Mr. Hammett dropped one belonging to London and another belonging to a man named Lanyard.”

“Dropped them?” Kennedy looked at the young man seated in a rocking chair, a bamboo cane leaning nonchalantly against one knee and a stockinged foot resting on an ottoman. The smoke from his cigarette seemed to hang motionless in the air.

“I’m careless that way,” Hammett said. “I also neglected to bring Lanyard down from the roof.”

“I take it from your phrasing the man is dead.”

Siringo said, “He was born dead. He just didn’t acknowledge it till now.”

“I hardly expect you to believe me, but I never heard the name until just now. I assume he’s one of those unfortunate people Clanahan feels he needs to have around him in order to do business.”

“I believe you,” Siringo said. “You said you only bet when you hold the cards. That means you don’t bluff.”

Kennedy smiled at Becky. “Which daughter have I the privilege of meeting?”

“Becky. His youngest.”

“Thank you, Mrs. London. Is the child mute?”

“I’m neither mute nor a child,” Becky said. “My father taught me not to speak to strangers. Based on your performance here today, I find you stranger than most.”

“Spoken like your father. I never met him, but I’ve studied his speeches in the Socialist cause. I think the Democratic Party would do well to adopt some of his better ideas, such as old-age pensions and medical assistance. I recognized you by the eyes and the frontal development.”

“She’s got a bump of intelligence for a fact,” Siringo said. “Also one of obstinacy, which I don’t regard as a failing, except in the case of Dillard. A man who don’t know when he’s beat can’t ever expect to win.”

“Mr. Siringo. I wish I’d known who you were when we met in the Shamrock Club; Mr. Hammett too. Since then I’ve had ample opportunity to study your careers. Would you agree with me that these men are now quite harmless, and may be excused?”

Charmian said, “The decision’s mine, as the mistress of this house. If you’re too impatient to wait for my decision—”

“I am not, and I apologize. I assumed these men of action were in command upon your approval. It’s always a mistake to assume something just because it seems obvious. Certainly it’s bad politics. I defer to your authority; although may I point out that these men may be relied upon never to return to this ranch without your invitation, and to take no further action in regard to this affair on pain of humiliation at the least?” The predator’s eyes behind the mild spectacles were trained on Dillard throughout this speech. The sheriff fidgeted.

“And at the most?” she asked.

“Incarceration, and possibly although not probably the rope. I have some influence in this regard—should I feel to exercise it.”

She looked to Siringo, then Hammett. They offered nothing in return.

“Very well,” she said after a moment. “But their weapons remain here until I see fit to return them.”

“Hold on,” said Dillard.

Kennedy’s eyes were on Charmian. “Agreed. You know where to find them should you need to,” he added.

She looked from one face to the other, as if burning the features into her memory.

“It’s a small village,” she said. “And Jack has many friends.”

“Sheriff, you may go. Take your dead with you.”

Dillard lowered his arms and shook circulation back into his hands. “Clanahan won’t like it.”

“What Clanahan likes and doesn’t like has never been part of the matter. He’s shortsighted. He can’t see beyond the end of this man Lanyard’s rifle. My vision goes much farther, to places where even the threat of murder carries no weight. Do you understand?”

It was clear from the look on Vernon Dillard’s face that he didn’t and never would. It was just as clear that he feared the things he didn’t know more than the things he did. He looked at his men, jerked his head toward the door, and led the way out. Hammett smirked, started to say something; but Siringo caught his eye and shook his head. A man stripped of all his authority was as dangerous as a yellow coyote trapped in a corner.

*   *   *

“I’ve heard wonderful things about your wine,” Kennedy told Charmian, when the last motor had throbbed out of hearing, taking the eel’s body with it. “I wonder if you might take pity on a man who’s survived his first ride on an aeroplane. The year I was born, Boston was still celebrating the miracle of the horse-drawn trolley.”

“You’ll pardon me if I don’t join you. Jack wouldn’t approve of my drinking with a potential murderer.”

“I hope to dissuade you of that opinion before this conversation is through.”

“Can I get you gentlemen anything?” she asked the others.

“I wouldn’t mind having some of that beer,” Siringo said. “Shooting’s thirsty work.”

Hammett said, “Beer for me, too. And a ham sandwich, if it isn’t too much trouble. Surviving’s hungry work.”

“What would you like, Becky? We have fresh buttermilk.”

“Could I have a beer?”

Charmian frowned.

“Really, Charmian. It’s illegal for us all; and I think I’ve earned it.”

She nodded and left.

*   *   *

“Well, sir, what shall we talk about?” Kennedy sat in a rocker with his legs crossed, the crease in his trousers perfect, the aviator’s helmet on the table at his elbow and a glass of Jack London Vineyards in his hand.

Siringo, to whom the question was addressed, looked at Charmian, a woman who asked no superfluous questions. She unlocked the drawer of one of the display cabinets, drew out Hammett’s notes, and brought them to Siringo, who tilted his head toward Kennedy. She frowned, but did as directed.

Kennedy glanced at the top sheet and dropped the notes in his lap. “You know, I could prosecute you for theft.”

“Seems you started something along them lines.”

“Clanahan’s a fool, and shortsighted besides. The first affliction is universal. The second is congenital. He’ll finish out his political career in the penitentiary.”

“Dead, more like,” said Hammett. “It’s a brave new world.”

“I assumed he’d go through the proper channels. If he’d come here with a warrant, it would have saved everyone a world of trouble.” He sipped at his cabernet, directed an appreciative expression at Charmian, who sat stone-faced in the rocker facing him. “I blame myself, of course. I’d be a poor politician if I did not. I expected too much of my associates when I should have dealt with the business directly.

“I knew nothing of this man Lanyard. I don’t expect you to accept that, but it’s the truth nonetheless. What are you asking for the original?”

“That’s up to Mrs. and Miss London,” Siringo said. “It’s this spread we’re sitting on that’s at stake.”

“They have nothing more to be concerned about in that regard. As of this moment, Beauty Ranch and The Valley of the Moon are immune to a transaction that should never have been undertaken in the first place.”

“Becky?” Charmian looked at her stepdaughter, who hadn’t yet touched her glass of beer. Siringo was certain she’d never held one before in her life.

“I don’t know what to say.”

“Not an admission confined to youth,” Charmian said. “Mr. Siringo? Mr. Hammett?”

Hammett sipped beer. “I want to know what all this has to do with Teapot Dome; and with a ten-year-old kid in San Francisco who wants to be president.”

Kennedy smiled at Siringo. “Well, sir?”

Siringo wrapped his hands around his glass of beer. The cold felt good. Not too long ago he hadn’t counted on ever feeling anything again. “I want what Mr. Hammett wants. You can take the man out of Pinkerton, but you can’t take the Pinkerton out of the man.”

“Well put. I’m curious, also: Aren’t we all? These amounts don’t constitute evidence in any court. They could as well be suggested wagers, which although illegal in most states are hardly worth justice’s time, had it any to squander. What I say from here on in must be regarded as confidential to these premises. Yes?” He looked to Charmian.

Siringo said, “I’ll do the negotiating. I’ve had to deal with criminal enterprise in the past. So has Mr. Hammett, but he’s less experienced. I’ll let you know when we’re wandering into dangerous territory for you.”

“Fair enough. My people have done enough homework to assure me you’re a man of your word, as am I, whatever else you may think of me. Ask your questions, and I’ll let you know when we’re wandering into dangerous territory: Your phrase, and I’d be a shanty-Irish idiot if I thought I could come up with a better one.”

“Were you hoping to buy into this oil business?”

“Quite the contrary. It was—it’s still—my hope that I can squash this scandal involving my political enemies before it reaches the press. It would be disastrous to my plans.”