Jake took one look at Maisie and Cheney could see the hook was in deep. She could do that to a certain kind of man and it looked like McCloskey was that kind, the kind who let himself be led around by his pecker. Hugh made the introductions. “Jake, this here little filly is my business partner. Maisie, this is Jake McCloskey. Used to be the best light-heavyweight in the Rocky Mountains, maybe in the whole country. I saw Jake knock out Lionel Kane back in ’thirty-one. Won some good money on that fight too.”

She gave Jake her best helpless waif smile. Cheney saw his opening and gave Maisie her cue. He always said Maisie was so quick she could turn the light off and be in bed before it got dark. She didn’t let him down.

“Maisie, I was just about to tell Jake here about Nevada.”

She turned on him, suddenly fierce. “You didn’t offer to sell any more shares in our mine, did you? Tell me the truth! If you did, I’m goin back to Sacramento right this minute!”

Cheney looked around. “Keep your voice down, Maisie. You want them fellas at the bar to hear? Then everybody will want in. Don’t you worry, I didn’t offer our shares to nobody.”

Jake perked up. “What shares are these?”

“I can’t say, Jake. Maisie won’t let me say a word.”

She looked at Jake and pursed her lips as though she was sizing him up to see if he could be trusted. “I don’t care if you tell this fella, Hugh. He seems okay. Just don’t go sellin any shares. You promised me we’d keep all the rest for ourselves.”