A New Beginning by Amelia C. Adams

his shoulder before walking into a back room. Adam looked at the glass without picking it up. For all the polishing it was getting, it didn’t look very clean.
    A portly gentleman in a striped vest came from the back room and held out his hand toward Adam. “Mr. Brody, it’s a pleasure to meet you. I’ve heard nothing but fine things about you since you arrived in town . . . when was that, again?”
    “I’ve been in Topeka about six months, sir. The pleasure is all mine.” Adam shook the offered hand, noting how fleshy it felt.
    “I’ve been meaning to pay you a visit.” Mr. Barton gestured toward a table near the bar, and Adam took a seat. Mr. Barton lowered himself into a chair just opposite him and unbuttoned his vest. “Tell me a little bit about your hotel.”
    “Our aim is to serve the travelers on the railroad. We’ll have hot meals ready for them when the train pulls into the station, and if they need a place to spend the night, why, we’ll have those ready for them as well. We realize we aren’t the only hotel in town, but we hope to serve the railroad specifically, and the town too, if they have a need.”
    Mr. Barton nodded. “And . . . entertainment?”
    Adam understood the concern. “We aren’t in the entertainment industry, Mr. Barton. A hot meal and a clean bed are all we aim to provide. If any of our guests are in the mood for a card game or some other diversion, we’ll send them down your way.”
    Mr. Barton nodded. “And likewise, I imagine I could send some of my customers up for a meal from time to time.” He leaned back in his chair and wove his fingers together across his stomach. “What brings you by today, Mr. Brody? Can I offer you a drink? On the house, of course.”
    “No, thank you. I’m here on somewhat urgent business, not pleasure, I’m afraid. One of my female employees has been targeted by two men who have been hanging around town, most often near your saloon. One is tall and dark, with a drooping mustache, and wears a gun holster slung low around his hips. The other is shorter, also dark, with a fairly large nose. Both men wear shabby clothes, and their boots are nearly worn through the toes.”
    “That’s quite a detailed description,” Mr. Barton commented.
    “My employee takes notice of things.”
    Mr. Barton looked thoughtful. “I think I might have seen those two men. I did spot a couple of fellows like that out front several times over the last week. I tend to pay more attention to the looks of the ladies, myself.” He chortled. “I haven’t seen the men today, though.”
    “Would you please let Colonel Gordon know if you do see them? They’re wanted men—they killed someone in Wichita. In fact, it was a saloon keeper.” Adam didn’t know if this last bit of information would make Mr. Barton more or less likely to help him, but it couldn’t hurt.
    Mr. Barton laughed. “I’d best be on my toes, then. Yes, Mr. Brody, I’ll be sure to let the colonel know. I’m not any more eager than the next man to see our town get overrun by outlaws.”
    Adam rose and shook Mr. Barton’s hand again. “I appreciate it, and I’m glad we had a chance to meet. Maybe one of these days, when I have a little more time, I’ll come back and have that drink.”
    “Any time. You’re always welcome.”
    As Adam left the establishment, he caught sight of one of the saloon girls as she came downstairs from an upper level. She waggled her fingers at him, but he did nothing more than tip his hat and walk back out through the swinging doors. He couldn’t help but wonder what had brought her to such a life—had she been orphaned? Left penniless by the death of a husband? He felt compassion for her, even though he had no desire to spend time with her.
    Then his thoughts went to Elizabeth—er, Miss Caldwell, rather. How those men could even insinuate that she would ever take a job at the saloon? His anger boiled up inside him again, and he made a decision. He would visit