Dutch couldn't figure it out.
He was only after money. There were no other conflicts of interest between him and Bronte.
So why had Bronte suddenly decided to go after him?
Why send the police to arrest him?
"What did we ever do to him?"
"What did I do to him?"
Arthur thought for a moment before answering, "I think he's just used to being king around here."
"He doesn't like people like you."
Dutch's face darkened. "We just need money. One big score, then we disappear."
Arthur didn't understand the rules of the city, but after causing such a massive uproar, it was obvious nothing good would come of it.
"Even now?"
Dutch replied firmly, "Especially now."
Hosea nodded in agreement. "They won't expect us to strike again at a time like this."
"Most people will assume we're lying low."
"Which makes this the perfect opportunity."
With Hosea backing him up, Arthur had no reason to argue further.
After tidying up briefly, Dutch mounted his horse, preparing to head out again.
Arthur asked, "What are you going to do, Dutch?"
Swinging into the saddle, Dutch replied, "Scout around. Pick up some information."
"I won't be long. I'll be back soon. Wait for me at camp."
Neither Hosea nor Arthur thought much of it.
What they didn't know was that the fury inside Dutch was already close to spilling out of his eyes.
Especially after hearing Arthur's words.
He had always seen himself as a major figure. The Van der Linde Gang had built a real reputation out in the West.
To be looked down on like this—humiliated—
Dutch couldn't accept it.
He would have his revenge.
…
Pinkerton moved with astonishing speed.
It proved that at this stage of the United States—and across the West in particular—Pinkerton still wielded unmatched authority.
They remained the largest armed force and intelligence agency around.
Less than ten hours after Davey signed the contract, Pinkerton had already tracked down the stolen cargo.
This time, Milton showed none of the restraint he had when dealing with the Van der Linde Gang.
Pinkerton's senior leadership took this cooperation very seriously. They had made it clear that Land Security Company needed to see what Pinkerton was truly capable of.
As a result, the small, unknown gang that had robbed Davey's equipment was completely wiped out.
Once again, Pinkerton's name thundered across the West.
At the Land Mansion, Milton paid another visit.
"Welcome, Mr. Milton. Mr. Ross."
Ross looked noticeably uncomfortable this time.
Milton didn't dwell on it. With Davey hosting, they sat in the living room and discussed the next phase of their cooperation.
"Mr. Land, my apologies for the intrusion."
"Our senior executive, Mr. Samuel Grayson, is very interested in the cooperation proposal you've put forward."
"If possible, Mr. Grayson would like to come to Saint Denis personally to meet with you and discuss the details."
This was also a test. After displaying their strength, they wanted to see whether Davey was truly willing to expand cooperation with Pinkerton.
Davey smiled. "Mr. Milton, I would be honored to welcome Mr. Grayson."
"I'll host a dinner at the Saint Denis Grand Hotel and look forward to his arrival."
It was an unexpected gain. Davey had already intended to use this partnership to connect with more of Pinkerton's senior leadership.
At this time, Pinkerton's upper ranks held tremendous influence across the United States, especially in the East.
Many high-ranking federal officials employed Pinkerton for security.
They were professionals who had even provided protection for the President.
Pinkerton was a large corporation with a tightly structured organization.
Internally, it was divided into management, senior leadership, and department heads.
Below them were operational divisions: Detective and Investigation, Security, Crisis Management, and Intelligence.
Milton was merely a senior agent within the Detective and Investigation Division.
Above him stood the department head, and above that, senior leadership.
As long as he remained with Pinkerton, Milton had no choice but to follow orders from above.
"If possible, please set aside time the day after tomorrow."
It was clear Milton had come with specific instructions.
Davey nodded. "Of course."
With the matter settled, the two men took their leave.
Outside the Land Mansion, Ross couldn't hide his confusion.
"Why would Mr. Grayson take an interest in him—and even come in person?"
Samuel Grayson was a major figure throughout the East, hardly comparable to a small-time player like Land.
Even for cooperation, a phone call would normally suffice.
Making the trip personally showed tremendous sincerity. It meant they took this very seriously.
Milton shook his head slightly. "There's a struggle inside the company. Mr. Grayson wants to open things up quickly."
"The East isn't easy right now. If he wants broader support, he needs results."
"Davey's cooperation may not look large in scale, but it suits Mr. Grayson perfectly."
Milton spoke in fragments, but Ross understood.
Pinkerton was facing a crisis, and internally there were two camps.
The conservatives wanted to spend more money building ties with the federal government to regain law enforcement authority.
The reformists wanted to expand cooperation channels, restructure the company, and reduce dependence on law enforcement power.
Samuel Grayson belonged to the reformist camp. By partnering with Davey, he hoped to show the rest of Pinkerton's leadership a new source of revenue—then use that to push broader reform across the company.
On Davey's side, once the equipment was returned, large-scale hiring began.
He no longer needed to visit Mrs. Berry personally.
After hearing that Davey had opened additional factories, Mrs. Berry came to him instead.
The last three hundred jobs for women had significantly boosted her standing within the Women's Rights Association and earned her more support.
Naturally, she wanted more opportunities to secure employment for women.
This time, Davey did not host Mrs. Berry at his estate.
Instead, he chose the upscale café where the Women's Rights Association often gathered.
The café belonged to him.
When Davey arrived alongside Mrs. Berry, it immediately caused a stir.
News of the Land factories' hiring expansion had already spread.
Everyone knew that a large number of women's positions would likely be allocated to Mrs. Berry through Davey.
The Women's Rights Association championed the slogan that women could live well without relying on men—they demanded equal rights to work.
But in reality, most factories hired men, not women.
Factory owners weren't fools.
Pregnancy concerns, additional leave, and generally lower physical strength made hiring men the more cost-effective choice.
On top of that, most industrial work was physically demanding, and many women had no prior job experience, requiring additional training.
That was why the relatively lighter, more suitable positions in Davey's factories were so highly sought after.
Inside the café, Mrs. Berry reveled in the atmosphere.
Her impression of Davey improved even further.
After making her request, Davey agreed without hesitation.
He was willing to provide another three hundred positions for women.
Mrs. Berry beamed.
"Mrs. Berry, have you heard about yesterday's station robbery?"
Davey steered the conversation there naturally.
"Of course I have, Mr. Land," she replied.
"The Saint Denis Police Department is utterly incompetent. Over two hundred officers, and they couldn't catch three criminals—while suffering so many casualties. Perhaps it's time women were allowed to serve as police officers."
"They might do a better job."
No matter the topic, she always brought it back to women's rights.
Davey didn't mind.
"Have you heard what the eastern newspapers are saying?"
Mrs. Berry nodded. "Yes. Reporters in the East are very capable. They've uncovered inside information before we even knew what was happening here."
"Mr. Benjamin is hardly a competent police chief. I've heard the Committee is already discussing removing him if he fails to handle this properly."
Saint Denis was politically complicated. As a gateway city to the East, its police chief held considerable authority and armed power.
Though nominally under the city government, the mayor did not have the authority to appoint or dismiss the chief.
That decision required a vote by the Committee.
Mrs. Berry's husband was one of its members.
"I've heard there's an officer in the Saint Denis Police Department named Trappett. Quite capable."
"If he became chief, things certainly wouldn't be as bad as they are under Mr. Benjamin."
Davey took a sip of coffee and smiled.
Mrs. Berry understood perfectly well that nothing from Davey came without conditions.
She had no reason to refuse.
"Since Mr. Land is recommending him, I'm sure Mr. Trappett is a fine candidate."
"I'll speak to my husband and have him nominate Mr. Trappett at the meeting."
"Of course, whether Mr. Trappett can actually be elected will depend on support from other quarters."
...
(40 Chapters Ahead)
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