February 6, 1902, New Hanover State Current, Issue 83:
headline News
Three days ago, a fire broke out at Fort Brennand, located southwest of Van Horn Trading Port, killing twenty people. Due to the excessive fire intensity and severe damage to the scene, the cause of the fire could not be confirmed. It was reported that twenty people were missing in the town of Van Horn on the same day. Based on this, the police believed that the residents of Van Horn who made a fire and camped here accidentally knocked over the wine barrel, causing the tragedy.
"John, look, the police classified this incident as an accident." Miller held up the newspaper he had just bought from the newsboy.
"Well..." John replied perfunctorily, with a very ugly look on his face.
"John, why are you so depressed? Sheriff Malloy said you did a good job and Mr. Fowler doesn't have to hide around anymore."
"I feel that this matter is not simple. The people of the Van Horn Gang should not be burned alive."
"It's not your fault. I'm sure Mr. Fowler will know how to enlighten you."
In the afternoon, Malloy took John and Miller to meet Mr. Fowler at the town tavern. Pushing open the door and crossing the threshold, John looked at the familiar yet unfamiliar figures in front of the table for four. Mr. Fowler had shaved his beard cleanly, and kept his hair in a shorter length. He put on hair oil and neatly pulled his hair back. Combing.
Mr. Fowler also noticed John approaching. He grabbed John's right hand and asked him to sit down with the look of an elder caring for a junior.
"You're back again." Mr. Fowler said, his voice hoarse a lot, "Look, it's been two years since I lost you last time. I'm so irresponsible. I don't take your father's instructions to heart at all. superior."
"You were doing it for my safety, Mr. Fowler." John said that although he had encountered many threats since leaving the police force, he did not mean to blame Mr. Fowler at all. "At least we are together again."
Mr. Fowler looked at Sheriff Malloy. The whole tavern was very reserved because of his presence.
"I would like to thank Mr. Sheriff here. He has always been the patron saint of the town, my patron saint, and my brother." Mr. Fowler raised his glass.
Sheriff Malloy smiled honestly, exuding the heroic aura of the Valentine people, poured himself a full glass of wine, and drank it down in one gulp.
"And Miller, this kid hasn't even seen me in five years. He has forgotten me in the Great Valley. You only remember your partner." Fowler smiled.
"Mr. Fowler, John and I are going through similar experiences. How can we forget about our brothers? We just can't get away from him." Miller looked at Mr. Fowler and said with a smile.
"In any case, our period of ups and downs has come to an end, and we will continue to welcome the new life with optimism."
The four of them got drunk in the pub while chatting about past events until the sun set. Chief Malloy returned to the police station to handle police duties, and Miller returned to the hotel to rest, leaving John and Mr. Fowler to walk under the stars. There were only John and Fowler in the empty suburbs of Valentine, and John knew that this was the time to mention the thing that was bothering him.
"Mr. Fowler, what happened at Fort Brennand?"
Liam Fowler did not answer, but asked John instead.
"Did you take the gold?"
John was so surprised that he couldn't help but cover his satchel.
"how do you know?"
"Of course I know that the gold nugget has been the trigger of the whole thing." Mr. Fowler smiled mysteriously, "The gold nugget is not the property of the Van Horn Gang, it has another origin."
Seeing John nodding in understanding, Fowler continued to explain: "The enemy has taken action, John. Detective Pinkerton keenly sniffed the Valentine Police Station and learned my identity as a police officer, so he decided to attack me. "
"A month ago, the gold nugget was supposed to be exchanged for the New Austin State Railroad Bonds by the state government. Pinkerton detectives manipulated it and caused it to be transferred on the exchange. They hid the gold nugget in Brennand's Fort and used cloth The character of the Van Horn Gang, who had Fort Lennand as a strategic stronghold, would certainly not hand over the ill-gotten wealth. What was damning was that Detective Pinkerton left clues to the police and pressured the police to take action in the press. , and the Annesburg General Police Department handed over the matter to the Valentine Police Department."
"Miller and I can see from the file that Sheriff Malloy is having a lot of trouble with this."
"Yes. At that time, Malloy was busy with government affairs and it was a period of frequent robberies. This matter fell into the hands of the deputy chief of police."
"It's such a coincidence, it's like Detective Pinkerton calculated it." John couldn't help but sigh.
"Not only that, my name started to appear in newspapers, and someone sent me anonymous threatening letters. The police station was in panic all day long, so I went out to seek refuge for a while." Mr. Fowler said with a hint of sadness, "But I Not wanting my departure to implicate Sheriff Malloy, I made a trip to Fort Brennand incognito to see if I could resolve the matter peacefully. Apparently those guys at Van Horn were nothing. They couldn't listen, so I finally escaped after revealing my identity as a police officer."
"It's obvious that Detective Pinkerton wants to use the power of the Van Horn Gang to get you killed."
"Well, the Van Horn Gang has caused a lot of trouble for Detective Pinkerton before. Maybe Detective Pinkerton planned to hurt both of us and was unwilling to pay to bribe one party, so he thought of this despicable method."
"So, this piece of gold is indeed a complete trap."
"John, I really didn't expect you to be involved in this matter and put you in such a dangerous situation. Maybe I should have risked my life long ago."
"Isn't that just playing into Detective Pinkerton's hands? This kind of thing should be left to me and Miller. Besides, I didn't get nothing. I got this." John patted the gold nugget in his satchel, "And...I It seems that I have discovered an ability, I can stay focused... It is that kind of very focused state, and now I can't master it well."
"Oh, is it so?"
"I will continue to observe. If there is a doctor, I will go see it. After all, I still can't figure out whether it is a talent or a disease."
"John, what are you going to do next?" Mr. Fowler suddenly asked.
"I think we have to start revenge against Owen Smith. I don't want to see our will and determination swallowed up by comfort and enjoyment." John stated his purpose of looking for Mr. Fowler, and it was also his inner voice.
"I can't do this police job anymore. I'm joining you. It's time to regain my original creed. I heard you have a gang, right?" Mr. Fowler said.
"The Van der Linde Gang, a group of suffering people, their boss turned his back on them, and I choose to take up this responsibility."
"I saw you right, John. You have had a strong sense of responsibility for flowers, cats and dogs since you were a child. Now you are responsible for your family, your gang, and even your father. You always don't care about the reward. John, no matter I will be responsible for whatever decision you make in the future."
John looked at Mr. Fowler in front of him with gratitude. He was really a respectable elder. He understood and helped John like a companion in John's life. It can be said that Mr. Fowler filled the position of father and confidant in John's heart. Now such people join his gang.
