Flash powder exploded nearby as a newspaper man managed to get a picture of Jake and Lloyd confronting Prosecutor Wicks. Jake kept his eyes on Wicks as he raised his voice for the others. “Any of you cattlemen here disagree with what I did?” he asked.
There came a few “hell nos” and “certainly nots,” most of the replies quietly mumbled.
“There’s your answer, Wicks.” He looked at Arlis. “Ma’am, I’m sorry about your son, but I don’t know for sure whose bullet hit him, and I don’t understand why he went out there in the first place. And to this day, I don’t even know which one he was. What happened is something I couldn’t have controlled. Life hands us some pretty bad things sometimes. Believe me, I know that better than most. What happened to your son is no one’s fault but his own.”
Arlis stiffened, her eyes tearing. “Somehow, some way, I’ll see you hang, Jake Harkner!” She turned and stormed out.
Jake turned his gaze to Harley Wicks. “What was your real reason for creating a scene?” he asked the man.
Wicks put his thumbs into his vest pockets. “I simply wanted to meet you, Mr. Harkner. All the other times you’ve been to Denver, we’ve never met, but then I didn’t have reason to care. But after what happened to my nephew, I thought it was time we got acquainted, since someday I might have the privilege and pleasure of prosecuting you and sending you back to prison—maybe not for what happened with my nephew, but I’m sure something else will come up. After all, you’re Jake Harkner, and no man can truly escape his past, can he?”
A few quiet gasps could be heard.
“What are you after, Wicks?” Jake kept his voice steady.
“I can break you, Harkner. And I can keep you from getting that extra land you want south of your ranch.”
“Too late! I already bought it,” Lloyd answered for Jake. “Signed the papers this morning.”
Wicks looked taken aback. His face reddened with repressed fury and with embarrassment at having been beaten to the punch. “I told—”
“You told that government representative not to sell it?” Lloyd interrupted. “Isn’t that underhanded and illegal, Wicks? Is that how you use your power? To screw people out of their rights?”
Wicks’s chest heaved with deep breaths as the man stood there speechless. “You Harkner men think—”
“Now, now, folks, let’s not spoil the fun here,” Gretta quickly spoke up, sauntering toward Jake and the prosecutor. “Mr. Harkner here and his beautiful family are a real bonus to our first Cattlemen’s Ball, don’t you think? We’ve got somebody famous here.” She shimmied between Jake and Harley Wicks. “Harley, why don’t you go rejoin your wife?” she suggested. “You’re one of Denver’s finest, so trying to start trouble with Jake doesn’t suit you. And you’re surely embarrassing the missus.” Gretta raised her hand and signaled the orchestra leader, who got the band of several violins, a flute, drums, and a bass playing another waltz. She glared at Wicks. “Everybody is here to have a good time, Harley. Save your prosecutor’s threats for the courtroom.”
Wicks backed away as couples began dancing again. “What are you doing at a dance for decent people?” he asked Gretta.
Gretta put out her arms, showing off a lovely blue form-fitting dress that actually had a high neckline. “I’m dressed like a proper lady, and I’m a business owner in this town, and so far that business is still legal.”
Wicks gave her a dark glare. “I can always change that.”
Gretta sobered. “And I can destroy you, and you know it!”
Wicks looked as though he’d just been slapped. He turned his gaze to Jake. “You’re walking a thin line, Jake Harkner.”
“I always have,” Jake answered.
Wicks turned and walked away, and Gretta turned to Jake, lowering her voice. “Harley and I have kind of an understanding,” she told him. “He doesn’t kick me out of Denver, and I don’t tell his wife on him, if you know what I mean.”
Jake grinned. “You’re a clever woman, Gretta.”
“Pa, you know this woman?” Lloyd asked.
“Lloyd, this is Gretta MacBain. She runs—”
“Don’t tell me.” Lloyd nodded to Gretta. “I’ve heard of you, ma’am.”
“I’ll just bet you have.” Gretta looked Lloyd over. “My God, are there more Harkner men like you and your father back at the ranch?”
“Just ones who are too young,” Lloyd answered, giving her a wink. “Thanks for stepping in when you did. I’m not going to ask how you know my father. Let’s just say I’m not surprised.” He turned to Jake. “Right now the ranch is sounding real good.”