Chapter 158: Davey’s Influence
Valentine Train Station.
Hosea had known Davey’s moonshine business was profitable, and he knew Davey had become someone important—wealthy, influential.
But he had never truly grasped the scale of Davey’s rise.
It was like hearing someone had a million dollars versus seeing a million dollars laid out in front of you—two entirely different shocks.
When Davey and Hosea stepped off the train, two rows of ten Land Security Company employees stood waiting in black uniforms.
Unlike cowboy gear, these uniforms—though made from similar nylon—resembled the combat uniforms of modern armies more than anything seen in the West.
On the left chest was the word lander, with a spread-winged eagle emblazoned above it.
Davey had chosen the eagle as his company’s emblem as a quiet tribute to the one circling Arthur’s grave in the ending of his previous life’s game.
Back then, once he learned Arthur had tuberculosis, how honor affected the ending, and after being spoiled that in the Wolf ending Micah shot Arthur dead, Davey made a different decision:
He ended up playing Arthur as a do-gooder in Saint Denis, raising his Honor as much as possible, just so Arthur could die watching the sunset.
It was his own way of honoring the past.
...
Inside the luxury carriage, Hosea still seemed dazed from the scene at the station.
Like true men of status, the employees had parted the crowd for them, escorting them straight into the carriage.
The entire display was enough to shake anyone.
“Oh, Davey… you really… are something. I never imagined… anything like this. It’s just… unbelievable.”
Hosea could barely string his amazement together.
Davey only smiled and introduced the man driving the carriage.
“Kerry Laval. You might’ve heard of him. Used to be a formidable bounty hunter—well-known across the West.”
“Mr. Laval is now a senior employee of my company. He handles my security and operations here in Valentine.”
“Laval, this is Mr. Hosea Matthews—my teacher, my brother, and the man I respect the most.”
Hosea reacted instantly.
“Laval—that Laval? Oh, I know who you are. The famous bounty hunter!”
“You probably won’t remember, but ten years ago, in a saloon in Roswell, New Mexico, we crossed paths.”
“Of course, you were already a big name then, and I was just a nobody drinking in the corner.”
Laval didn’t seem surprised. He’d gained recognition in the later years of the cowboy era, already known in his twenties; ten years ago, in his thirties, his reputation was at its peak.
The West wasn’t too big or too small—news of a skilled gunfighter spread easily.
“Pleasure to meet you, Mr. Matthews. I’m working for Mr. Callander now, and I’m grateful for the opportunity.”
“Boss,” Laval continued, turning to Davey, “Mr. Carritt said Mr. Kirk will arrive on tomorrow morning’s train. Should we head to the ranch now?”
“Also, seven Germans arrived yesterday—Dewar sent for them. They may need your personal interview.”
After a polite exchange with Hosea, Laval gave his report.
Davey nodded. “Of course. We should get some rest. I didn’t expect Emin to move so quickly. I only told him a few days ago, and he already gathered people.”
Davey had asked Emin earlier to help recruit some workers. Now the recruits had arrived.
Clearly, they needed the job badly. A monthly wage of one hundred dollars was nearly unheard of, even in the East.
Given a chance like this, rushing over at once was perfectly understandable.
...
Land Ranch.
Though Davey hadn’t been around for a while, everything ran smoothly and neatly.
Everyone worked hard—Davey’s generous wages were the greatest motivation of all.
At this time, a monthly wage of thirty dollars was already decent. Most people in the West earned even less and often had no stable work.
Davey’s pay was easily the highest in its class.
Nobody wanted to lose such a rare opportunity—anyone who slacked off risked being replaced.
Miss this job at Davey’s ranch, and finding another would be far harder.
On the ranch, construction of the second apartment building was already underway.
Work diligently for Mr. Callander, and you might earn the chance to move into one of those apartments.
A free, fully furnished room—that was the dream of many. And even if the chances were slim, employees still enjoyed benefits that were impossible to give up.
Davey’s moonshine cost $1.80 per bottle when bought in bulk, but employees could buy two bottles every week for just one dollar each.
That alone was enough to keep almost everyone loyal.
Author's Note
Comments (0)
Please login or sign up to post a comment.