Chapter 2

“What did Early do for a living? Did he work at the mine?”

“Not at the mine, but he did work for Mr. Hightower.”

“Doing what?”

“Back in those days the bank in Knoxville handled the money for the mine. Coal buyers deposited the money there, but the miners had to be paid here in the holler. One day, as I watched Early replaced some planks here on the porch, a fancy buggy stopped in front of the house. A man in a suit and Bowler hat asked if Jim Scott lived here. Early said he was Jim Scott and this fancy dude got out of the buggy and introduced himself. He was Francis Hightower, the owner of Hightower Coal Company! Early invited him up on the porch and he sat right where you are sitting. I made us all coffee and sat right here, listening to him talk to Early.

“Jim, I heard you were with the Texas Rangers. I want you to know I had you checked out. The Pinkerton Detective Agency talked to your old boss down in Laredo and he speaks highly of you. He thought you and your wife moved to California. He was surprised to find out you were living here in Tennessee.”

“Plans changed. Becky wanted to come home and live near her family. So here we are. What brings you to my door? Hopefully not to talk about my time in the Rangers...”