Chapter 164: The Goal of Becoming a Major Taxpayer
The bonds were finally sold. Hosea looked down at the cashier’s check in his hand, feeling a wave of emotion wash over him.
“You were right, Davey. Sometimes I don’t even know who we’re really working for. We risk our necks to steal these bonds, and yet the ones who profit the most are always somebody else.”
“If it weren’t for you, these things might be worth even less. That would’ve been a real tragedy.”
Hosea understood perfectly well—Nathan would be making far more from these bonds, at least tens of thousands of dollars. Compared to that, it felt like even gangs were just working for those damned capitalists.
“That’s how the world works, Hosea. Robbery isn’t always the fastest way to make money. Many capitalists run businesses that bring in cash faster than robbing banks ever could. Even if we robbed every bank in sight, we still wouldn’t keep up with them.”
“But this? This is already a good outcome. At least we finally moved those bonds. Otherwise they’d just be useless scraps of paper in our hands—we can’t collect interest on something we can’t cash.”
Davey signaled the maid to bring over a freshly roasted cigar for Hosea, smiling as he spoke.
Hosea accepted it and said,
“That’s true enough. But Dutch did say that these bonds should include a share for you Callander brothers. I suppose commission should count too.”
Davey shook his head.
“No need. You know I’m not short on money. This cash might help the gang live better. Besides, Nathan will give me a commission anyway.”
“There’s no reason for me to take a cut from both sides, even if it’d be fair.”
“Give the money to Dutch. And if you can, try convincing him to get into some business himself. Even if we end up leaving for somewhere else to live free, you can’t live off stored-up money forever.”
“As for Tahiti mangoes, Hosea—you know they’re not exactly a gold mine.”
After Nathan sold the bonds, both Davey and Carritt naturally received their shares. It was simply industry practice.
But what Davey valued most wasn’t the money—it was Nathan. Talent, especially financial talent, was rare and precious.
Of course, at the moment Nathan wouldn’t work for Davey. But years down the line, when Nathan became a wanted man, he would surely welcome Davey’s protection—and repay him with his expertise.
Nathan and Carritt had already left the farm, but Davey had invited them to join him and the police for dinner at Wells Restaurant that evening.
Even now, Nathan was valuable.
For example, he could help purchase a distillery and build an official liquor brand.
Running a bootlegging operation that was too large was dangerous—especially if he didn’t pay taxes. That was practically begging for trouble from the US federal government.
If Davey relied solely on moonshine as the backbone of his wealth, the federal government would eventually come down on him.
It had to be acknowledged that major taxpayers in the United States enjoyed countless hidden privileges. These privileges could help Davey expand his business even further—turning laws originally meant to restrain him into tools that protected him instead.
There was a saying in later generations of the US:
“Nothing is certain except death and taxes.”
If Davey paid enough in taxes, he could even hire top-tier lawyers to argue a not-guilty verdict for Callander’s identity.
It sounded absurd, but reality was often more outrageous.
In truth, the wealthy in the US really could do whatever they wanted. In later years, there was even a case where a privileged heir assassinated a president and was acquitted. Compared to that, Davey’s crimes were nothing.
Even the crimes of the Van der Linde Gang could be argued away one by one.
This was the United States—a capitalist United States, a paradise for the wealthy.
...
While Davey and Hosea were hosting the Valentine Police Department and the Kirk brothers for dinner,
over in Clemens Point, Dutch and Colm had already agreed on a place to meet.
Not in the state of Lemoyne, but in central New Hanover—near their former gang base, Horseshoe Overlook.
When Davey left Rhodes Town, he had already instructed Emin to keep a close eye on the O’Driscoll Gang around Mattock Pond.
If they made any major moves, Davey was to be notified immediately by telegram.
...
The next day, after Hosea exchanged the cashier’s check for US dollars with Davey’s help, he prepared to return to Camp Clemens.
Given the size of the sum, Davey had specifically asked John to escort him, which greatly eased Hosea’s worries.
If someone stole it now, it would be a catastrophic loss.
Eight thousand US dollars—enough to send many cowboys into a frenzy. Hosea also feared that staying in town too long might leak the news.
Davey, too, received a telegram from Emin.
Judging from the timing, whatever happened must have occurred within the last day or two.
Even so, Davey didn’t plan to intervene directly. He was simply waiting for the right moment—
to rescue Arthur.
Author's Note
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