***
Mid-morning, Clementine made her way down main street to the office of Adam Barlow, Attorney at Law. Dressed in a light blue dress, feathered hat and sporting a lace trimmed parasol, she was the image of a refined young woman of good family. No one needed to know the dress was Amy's, the hat Dottie's and the parasol offered by Opal. The two hundred-dollar gold pieces in her reticule had been earned in the world's oldest profession, and that was another bit of information she had no intention of divulging. If and when she deemed Mr. Barlow trustworthy, she would reveal her true identity; until then, she was Crystal from The Red Petticoat Saloon acquiring information for a friend.
"Mr. Barlow, how kind of you to see me on such short notice," she said, smiling sweetly as she was led into an office dominated by a large desk covered with mounds of books and papers.
"Think nothing of it, Miss…" he replied as he assisted her into a chair.
"It's Crystal," she answered, adjusting the wide sweep of her dress as she sat.
"And your last name?" he inquired, pushing his spectacles up on his nose as he placed a clean piece of paper in front of him and took up a quill.
"That's not important," she insisted pleasantly. "I'm looking for some information on gold mine claims."
"How can I help you?" he asked, obviously taken aback at her directness.
"Well," she drawled. "I'm wondering if there is a specific place where I can look up any recent claims that have been filed."
"Is this about a particular mine, Miss… Crystal?" he asked shrewdly.
"Yes, yes it is. You see I have a friend, a young man who was working a mine with his father. His father was murdered and the boy driven off the claim and I'm wondering what I can do to help him prove ownership," she explained.
"Has the young man returned to working the mine?"
"No, he hasn't. You see he is in fear for his own life."
"Has this crime been reported to the sheriff?"
"Yes it has, but nothing's been done. You see there were no witnesses, but for the young man and he didn't actually see the murder."
"I see. So he left the mine and someone else has taken it over?"
"No one seems to be working it, but it is guarded," Crystal said, leaning forward and laying her gloved hand on his desk. "What can I advise my friend, Mr. Barlow? Can you help him?"
"Was the mine marked in any way?" the young lawyer asked, rising and walking across the office to take a sheaf of papers from a shelf.
"Yes, there was a cairn over three feet high as required. I believe a formal claim was also filed with the Bureau of Land Management, but I… I mean my friend can find no record of it," she stated, battling to keep her composure after her costly slip.
"I see. Well, there are more than enough issues here to bear further investigation. One is that we have to prove your friend's father did not abandon the mine, but was murdered. Two, the fact that the son left the mine and is no longer working it makes it appear as though he too has abandoned it, thus making it fair game for another prospector to stake his claim. If an official claim was indeed filed, what name would it be in, Crystal?" he asked.
"Clyde and Clementine McKay," she said softly. "The mine's name is Eliza's Dream."
"And herein lays the third problem." Walking around the desk, he leaned against the front and crossed his legs. His dark brown eyes bore into hers sternly. "When a lawyer takes on a new client he must be assured he is receiving accurate and honest information, Miss McKay. Unless you're willing to be truthful with me, I'm afraid I can't help you."
"How did you know? Was it that one slip up?" she asked, meeting his gaze squarely.
"That didn't help your 'this is about my friend story', but not entirely. A good attorney has a sixth sense that kicks in when they are being lied to. Now, why don't we begin again and you'll tell me everything?"
Crystal nodded, dropped her grand lady persona and poured out all the gory details, as well as what was in her heart. She even revealed her employment status at The Red Petticoat as well as Jasper Montgomery's offer of marriage. It seemed to be the piece of information that shocked Adam Barlow the most.
"My, my, that is surprising," he remarked with a laugh.
"Why? Because Mr. Montgomery would consider marrying a whore?" she demanded, quite insulted and angry she'd revealed far more than she intended. He was just so easy to talk to.
"No not at all. The idea Jasper would propose marriage to anyone is what's startling. Your occupation has nothing to do with it. You see he and I are very well acquainted and I must say you're the first woman to inspire that commitment in him. And you say you refused him?"
"Yes."
"Even more shocking," he teased. "I can't imagine he took that well." His eyes were alight with curiosity.
"Not exactly," she admitted. Her face colored quickly as she wiggled in her chair.