Chapter 227: Davey’s Intelligence
“Oh, Arthur. Your old flame has left.”
Arthur kept staring in the direction where the tram had disappeared. Even after it was long gone, his eyes remained fixed there.
At that moment, an ill-timed voice broke the silence.
It was Mac.
After receiving Davey’s instructions, Mac had come to wait for Arthur. It wasn’t difficult—Saint Denis was large, but Davey’s eyes and ears were everywhere. It didn’t take long to learn that Arthur had gone to the theater.
Mac didn’t interrupt his old friend’s moment. He waited until Mary boarded the tram before stepping out.
“Mac? What are you doing here? Were you following me?”
Arthur was clearly displeased. This was his private matter, and he didn’t want anyone watching.
“Don’t get the wrong idea, Arthur. I don’t have a habit of tailing people. Davey sent me to find you.”
“He wants to talk.”
Mac walked up beside him and shrugged.
He had no interest in Arthur and Mary’s relationship, nor did he understand why Arthur was still so devoted to her. After experiencing the enthusiasm of so many beautiful women in Saint Denis, Mac’s standards had risen. He wasn’t about to drink just any cup of hot coffee anymore.
“Alright. I don’t know why Davey wants to see me, but I’ll go with you.”
Arthur nodded. To him, the Land brothers were still family.
Even if Davey seemed to be doing exceptionally well now.
...
Land Manor.
Davey wasn’t surprised by Arthur’s arrival. He understood the bond Arthur shared with the two brothers. Even now, if they needed help, Arthur would step in without hesitation.
“Arthur, come try this. It’s the finest brandy.”
“And this—you should give it a go. Cigars from Cuba.”
“Just one stick is worth dozens of dollars. Ridiculous, isn’t it? Who knows how much those middlemen are pocketing.”
“If you were in Cuba, a whole box wouldn’t even cost a dollar. Bloodsuckers.”
Cuba wasn’t far from Saint Denis. Ships could sail there directly.
Arthur didn’t stand on ceremony. He knew Davey was a big shot now—this kind of money meant nothing to him.
He picked up the premium brandy and took a deep gulp, then lit the already-prepared cigar.
“Alright. It really is good.”
“So, why did you ask me here?”
“Davey, you’re a big boss now. I don’t think there’s much I can help you with.”
Arthur nodded, then took another long drink.
After just going through heartbreak, he needed alcohol and cigars to steady himself.
“Do I really need a reason to invite you over for a chat, Arthur?” Davey asked with a smile.
“Of course not. I just don’t see much point.”
Davey was the same as ever, but this luxurious manor—and these high-end goods, the kind usually obtained through robbery—had created an unspoken distance in Arthur’s heart.
The gap between him and the Land brothers now felt as wide as an ocean.
In Arthur’s eyes, Davey could already enjoy life, while he himself still had nothing.
Maybe after one last job with Dutch, he could live something close to Davey’s life.
Maybe not as comfortable, but at least free.
And Mary.
Arthur had already decided—once this job was over and he had enough money, he would go find her.
“I’ve heard Dutch has been helping Bronte lately. Is that right?”
“On the surface, Bronte seems to have reconciled with me, but everyone knows there’s no real chance of that.”
“Saint Denis is big, but it’s also small. There’s no room for two powers here.”
“So in the end, either he leaves, or he dies. And naturally, I’m not the one leaving—or dying.”
Davey even slipped in a light joke at the end.
But the confidence in his tone was unmistakable. He never believed Bronte could truly stand in his way. The only reason he hadn’t acted yet was to follow the city’s rules on the surface.
Even dealing with Bronte had to be done in a “civilized” way.
Too much violence would be simpler, but it would also make others fearful and wary, pushing them away from Davey.
At least for now, Bronte hadn’t crossed the line where Davey would throw everything away to eliminate him.
“Yes, Dutch does have contact with Bronte. I know that.”
“But Davey, you know Dutch. He won’t submit to anyone. If he really worked for Bronte, he wouldn’t be Dutch anymore, right?”
“They’ve only cooperated on some business.”
“Oh, that old lady Catherine. The Braithwaite family—you know her.”
“Bronte wanted Dutch to take her out, but Dutch refused. Later, she tried to kill us, so Dutch led us in wiping her out.”
“That’s all there was to it. Dutch just took the commission that came with it.”
Arthur spoke up for Dutch. He didn’t want a misunderstanding to form between Davey and Dutch because of this.
Dutch might not care. Davey might not care.
But Arthur did.
“Alright. Seems I misunderstood Dutch.”
Davey spread his hands, then continued, “In a few days, the mayor is hosting a banquet. I hear Bronte invited Dutch, so you’ll be there too, right?”
Arthur nodded. “Yes. Dutch thinks it’s an opportunity—to see which rich people are around. Maybe find a target.”
There was a hint of self-mockery in his voice.
“You know us. We’re still doing things the old way. That’s how we make money.”
In the end, it was still robbery. Making money like this wasn’t exactly respectable.
At least, not in front of Davey.
Davey didn’t seem to mind.
“Bootlegging isn’t respectable either, Arthur. It’s still against the law. But what does that matter?”
“Alright. I was thinking about getting you a suit for the banquet, but Hosea will probably take care of that.”
“The real reason I called you here is to pass along some information. According to my intel, Pinkerton has arrived in Saint Denis.”
“This place is different from everywhere else. Saint Denis—the most civilized city in the West. Pinkerton doesn’t want you causing trouble here. It would hurt their reputation.”
“If Dutch has any plans, he should be especially careful.”
At the mention of Pinkerton, Arthur’s expression grew serious.
“Thanks, Davey. I’ll pass the message to Dutch and Hosea.”
Author's Note
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