The Story Of Red Dead Redemption

Chapter 73: The Meeting

For the rest of the night, Arthur and Strauss discussed the specifics of the plan and how to proceed. It wasn't until Sean walked in that the two realized it was already morning. 

Sean exchanged a quick greeting with Strauss before turning to Arthur. 

"I've been hiding at the meeting spot all night. Milton only brought one man, and they've been waiting there. Arthur, I can swear on my life there's no ambush, but are you really sure about this?" 

Arthur rubbed his face, trying to shake off his fatigue, and smiled at Sean. 

"Thanks for the hard work. Get some rest here. I'll handle this alone." 

Hearing that Arthur didn't plan to take him along, Sean panicked. 

"No way! You've got to take me with you. I'm one of the best shots in the gang, a quick draw. If things go south, I can back you up. Besides, if you go alone and something happens, who's going to know? No, no, you've got to take me," Sean argued. 

Arthur nodded, acknowledging Sean's points, but he still firmly refused. He explained patiently.

"You were only recently rescued, and don't forget, that was a huge slap in the face for them. If you come with me, it'll only push the Pinkertons to act. So, stay put. I've got this under control. Don't worry." 

In Arthur's mind, since Sean had confirmed there were only two Pinkertons, he wasn't worried about his safety. Call it confidence or arrogance, but Arthur knew two men couldn't take him down. 

Arthur didn't want to keep the Pinkertons waiting too long. After all, they were already there. He left Strauss and Sean behind and rode off to the meeting spot. 

It wasn't far, just in front of the woods near Cattail Pond. 

When Arthur arrived, Milton and his companion had been waiting for a while—not because Arthur was late, but because Milton had arrived early. 

"Good morning, Mr. Morgan. Honestly, I didn't expect you to reach out to me," Milton said, looking at Arthur, who remained on his horse. 

Milton had only brought one assistant. This meeting wasn't meant to be an ambush. It was just a conversation. 

The incident with the carriage driver had been Milton's way of trying to get Arthur to talk. Now that Arthur had come to him, it was a mutual agreement. 

Arthur didn't dismount. Instead, he leaned down from his horse.

"Good morning, Mr. Milton. To be honest, I didn't expect I'd ever willingly meet with a Pinkerton agent either." 

"So? I'm here, all ears. What do you want to say?" Milton asked, spreading his hands. 

"I know that cracking down on gangs and outlaws is your main mission. You've been granted law enforcement powers by the Department of Justice. I also know the Van der Linde gang has been a key target for you over the years…" 

Milton interrupted Arthur. 

"You're well-informed, and so am I. So, let me guess—you're here to bargain for your life? Are you ready to turn traitor? If so, let's get straight to the point. Hand over Dutch van der Linde, and I can guarantee your safety, as well as the others." 

Arthur's expression turned serious. 

"Is that your proposal, Agent Milton? I…" 

Milton cut him off again, his tone sharp and impatient. 

"Listen to me, you're just a criminal. This isn't a store, so don't try to haggle with me. You should be grateful you're in this chaotic environment. Arthur Morgan, right? I've seen your file. A classic story, isn't it? A poor orphan boy, seduced by a smooth-talking madman, turned into the degenerate killer you are today." 

"Yes, we know a lot about you—more than you think. So, as a wanted man, I suggest you drop any unrealistic fantasies and do as I say. That's your only chance to survive." 

Arthur laughed. Milton knew a lot about the old Arthur, but he clearly didn't understand the man Arthur had become. 

"I'm flattered by the attention, Officer. But I think we're the same kind of people, aren't we? The only difference is I'm still adapting to your new rules, while you've already mastered them." 

Clearly, Milton had misjudged Arthur's intentions and was still viewing him through the lens of the past. Oh, and he'd also underestimated Arthur's sharp tongue. 

Milton laughed along with Arthur, but it wasn't out of amusement. He was laughing out of anger. 

"You know, Mac Callander didn't get this kind of chance. I saw him…" 

"Mac? Is he alive?" 

Mac Callander was Davey's brother. They were known as the Callander brothers. 

"Oh, by the time I saw him, he was already full of holes. Honestly, it was a very lucky way to die—slow, but lucky…" 

Arthur realized Milton was using his friend's death to taunt him. Arthur's smile vanished, replaced by a cold, murderous glare. This bastard. 

At that moment, Ross, the agent who had come with Milton, noticed the shift in atmosphere. He gripped his gun tightly, watching Arthur's every move. 

Arthur managed to suppress the urge to kill them right then and there. Killing them now would only bring more trouble, and it wouldn't benefit him. Arthur had come with a plan. 

"So? We're all just toys for the rich, aren't we? The difference is, I don't like it, but you seem to enjoy it?" Arthur fired back, using Milton's own tactics against him. Though Arthur held back from acting on his anger, he wasn't about to let Milton off the hook verbally. 

Milton's pride was clearly stung by the accusation. 

"Listen, I love this civilized society… including its flaws! But you savages? You'll all die miserable, savage deaths. If you're not here to accept my offer, then I promise you, all of you will die," Milton delivered his ultimatum. 

Arthur couldn't help but think that if Milton's prediction came true, he'd at least outlive the agent. But Arthur decided not to push Milton further. This was enough. He spoke calmly.

"Alright, Agent Milton, we've strayed from the topic long enough. How about you hear my answer now?" 

*****

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