Davey knew very well that Mrs. Berry, much like Bronte, didn't really think highly of him or these so-called "country folk."
After all, the café in Rhodes Town meant a great deal to Mrs. Calhoon, while the march itself wasn't actually that significant. Demonstrations for women's rights had become increasingly frequent, and no longer carried the same weight they once did.
Simply put, Davey's influence still wasn't enough.
Although Davey had come out on top in his confrontation with Bronte, those matters didn't draw much attention beyond certain circles. Gang affairs, after all, were usually only taken seriously by other gangs.
In the eyes of the country's elite, gangs were anything but respectable.
That said, once Davey had enough property and business interests established in Saint Denis, those same people would likely change their attitude.
...
Meanwhile, at Clemens Point Camp.
Arthur had successfully brought Bill back together with Charles.
"Oh, Bill," Dutch said with a mocking tone, "maybe I shouldn't have sent you out at all. Didn't find anyone, and instead you got yourself caught."
"Arthur, nice work."
After taking a jab at Bill, Dutch praised Arthur.
At this stage, Dutch still relied heavily on him.
Arthur shrugged. "Dutch, he got caught because he was looking for me. I should've gone to rescue him. Though I do think Bill's a complete idiot."
When it came to sarcasm, Arthur never lost to anyone.
Bill let out a laugh. As long as he wasn't embarrassed, the awkwardness belonged to everyone else.
Dutch continued, "Arthur, there's something else. About Mr. Trelawny—he knows something. It sounded like he wanted to tell me, but then he disappeared."
"Maybe you should go pay him a visit and see what he knows."
"Take Charles with you. Hell, when you two stand together, even a statue would start singing its secrets."
Arthur nodded. "Alright."
After Arthur and Charles left, Hosea walked over.
"Dutch, maybe we shouldn't work with Bronte," Hosea said worriedly. "He's no good. There has to be some kind of scheme behind this."
"Our situation is already dangerous. The Pinkertons have gone quiet lately, but I don't believe for a second they've given up on us."
"Bronte is a major figure in Saint Denis. He reached out to us through Trelawny—there's no way he doesn't have another agenda."
While Arthur had been away, the gang hadn't exactly stopped operating. Robberies and killings still went on as usual.
Earlier, Trelawny had returned briefly and brought word that Bronte wanted to cooperate.
In Dutch's eyes, it was "cooperation."
In Hosea's, it felt far more like a demand—or an order.
Dutch replied calmly, "Hosea, I know what's been happening. Especially with Davey lately—he's working with Bronte too, isn't he?"
"If Davey can work with him, why can't we?"
"That Italian's got money, and he's got serious influence in Saint Denis. If we become friends with him, a lot of things will get much easier, won't they?"
"You've been telling me to change the way I think. Now that I am, why are you suddenly against it?"
"Hosea, times are changing. Civilization's everywhere now. Maybe we need partners who think the same way we do. From what I hear, Bronte isn't exactly a legitimate businessman either."
Hosea tried again, still uneasy. "You know what kind of man he is, Dutch. He's not good. I don't think his intentions are that simple."
"Maybe he wants to use us to deal with some of his enemies."
Dutch waved it off. "So what, Hosea? We're not losing anything, are we?"
"Right now, we need money. Those two families alone won't be enough to set us up properly. We need more preparation."
"Bronte is a good option. And if he really is trying to use us, then maybe we'll remind him exactly who he's dealing with."
Hearing this, Hosea wanted to keep arguing, but Dutch had clearly lost interest in the discussion.
Hosea's expression turned heavy. To him, the gang wasn't supposed to be like others—doing anything for money. He still clung to his old ideals of honor and righteousness, even at his age.
Dutch had once been the same.
But now, he was becoming more and more unhinged.
...
Elsewhere.
Arthur and Charles were on their way to find Trelawny.
After leaving Saint Denis, Trelawny had bought a covered wagon and started living out of it—a far more comfortable life than staying with the gang.
The wagon even had a bathtub.
"So where are we headed?" Charles asked as he rode alongside Arthur.
Arthur replied, "Dutch wants us to talk to Trelawny about those bounty hunters tracking us."
"Hopefully he can tell us who they are, or where they're coming from."
Charles nodded. "Heard you're a deputy sheriff now."
Within the gang, Dutch's arrangements and detailed plans weren't shared openly. Charles had probably heard about it from Bill.
Arthur didn't avoid the topic, laughing as he answered, "Looks like it. The first time we came to this town and met that idiot sheriff in charge, I knew right away Dutch would run circles around him."
Charles said, "Dodging one group of lawmen while working for another. That's something."
Arthur replied, "Dutch says the most dangerous place is actually the safest. Everyone at the new camp seems in good spirits. That mess from before feels like it happened ages ago. Haven't seen the Pinkertons in quite a while."
"Even with all those bounty hunters after us… Dutch doesn't seem worried."
Charles shook his head. "Hard to believe they're still chasing us. We didn't even take the money."
Arthur chuckled. "They don't know that."
...
(40 Chapters Ahead)
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