the first place. You need to keep up, Archer. Hank doesn’t suffer fools gladly.”
“And get shot for my troubles?”
“Did my father answer the door with the Remington, then?”
“Does he usually?”
“My father’s not a trusting man.”
“Yeah, it was pointed at all parts of me that I find important and necessary.”
“Well, why would he point at the unnecessary ones? You say he had the money?”
“What he told me. Why?”
“Just wondering. What’s your plan now?”
“Why?”
“I’ll tell you this. Hank isn’t happy you already spent his money without getting his collateral.” She once more eyed his new clothes.
“Is that why you sought me out? You sort of his spy? I won’t hold it against you. A gal’s got to do what a gal’s got to do.”
“I have better things to do with my time, Archer, than spy on folks. I ‘sought’ you out because you’re new in town and I thought you might like some companionship.”
“Okay, sorry about that. As to the plan, I’ll think of something. Always do.”
“I like a man with confidence in himself. I just hope yours isn’t misplaced, because it won’t turn out well for you.”
“I know about the Remington now.”
“Not talking about that. I know for a fact that Hank was angry when the other men came back empty-handed. And he took it out on them, for sure.”
“You don’t think I can hold my own with Pittleman?”
“It’s not Hank you have to worry about. He employs a lot of men. And some of them are even bigger and stronger than you.” She added sweetly, “And I suspect that most of them aren’t nearly as nice as you are.”
“Thanks for the warning.”
“Don’t say I never gave you anything. Hey, where are you coming in from? You said seven hours from the east?”
“Just wandering. Have been for a while.”
“You mentioned you did two years of college?”
“That’s right.”
“Where?”
“Not anywhere near here.”
“Why didn’t you finish?”
“Little thing called a world war came calling and interrupted my studies.”
“Right, you said you fought.”
“Every man my age did unless they had bad eyes, bad feet, or a bum ticker.”
“I hear the sons of some rich or influential men didn’t have to suit up.”
“Well, my old man wasn’t rich or influential, and, anyway, I volunteered.”
“Why?”
“Do my part, why else?”
“Were you brave?”
“More lucky than brave, probably.”
“Why don’t I believe that?”
“Believe what you will.”
They ordered their food when the waitress came over.
“Steak and potatoes for you, too?” he said after Jackie finished her dinner request and the waitress had gone off.
She gave a surprised Archer a coy smile. “I like variety as much as the next person.”
“You left home right after your mom died?”
“Why do you care about that?” she said with a frown.
“I’m just a curious soul, always have been.”
“Well, it’s my business, not yours. So tell your curiosity to scram.”
Archer looked around the dining room, and his gaze alighted and held on Ernestine Crabtree, who was eating her dinner in a far corner of the restaurant. She had a book next to her and a pad of paper in front of her and was writing something down with a pen.
“What is it?” asked Jackie, glancing that way. “You know her?”
“Just looking around, seeing what’s what.”
“Eye for the ladies, Archer? Don’t be afraid to confess it.”
“Look, I’m no better or worse than other men on that score. You know her?”
Jackie sat back and ran a finger down her glass of gin. “Not really. Seen her around. She seems a little—”
“—wound like a clock? Yeah, seems that way to me, too.”
“It’s sad she’s all by herself with only a book to keep her company.”
“Books can be good for you.”
“You don’t strike me as a book reader, Archer, despite your two years in college,” she said skeptically.
“You’re wrong there. I been reading books a lot lately. Good friends to help pass the time.”
“Did you have time you wanted to pass?”
“Don’t we all?”
“What’d you study in college?”
“Mostly the co-eds.”
“You’re a laugh a minute until you’re not.”
Archer looked around once more and flinched when he saw three men sitting at a table in another corner of the restaurant. Two of them were hardened, uncouth types with greasy hats and slovenly chins. The other one was Dickie Dill. He was eating his steak blood-rare and cutting it not with the restaurant’s cutlery but with a switchblade. That was disturbing enough, but all three men were also snatching glances at Crabtree, and then talking and laughing. That all set Archer’s nerves on edge.
When one of the men rose and headed toward Crabtree’s table, Archer said