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April 14, 2026

The King of Santa Fe Session Eleven

The investigation into the death of Howard Ross continues. Given a last minute switch meant that Pinkie and Silas went to meet Ross and that these boys work for Ellis Rockcliffe, then the majority of the posse head to Ellis’ ranch.

Meanwhile Winston, keeping a low profile due to previous fall outs with Ross, heads to The Homestead Inn to talk business with his partner William Moyer.

An abandoned house stands in a grassy field.
Photo by Donald Merrill on Unsplash

Dutch, Daan, Cody and Diago

Cody and his posse, minus Winston, arrive at Rockcliffe’s ranch. A crowd gathers as Rockcliffe steps down from the porch. Cody shifts his hat and looks up at the business man, “Need to speak with a couple of your boys, Mr Rockcliffe. It's this business with Howard Ross.”

Rockcliffe smiles, asks Cody how Ross is doing, clearly pretending he knows nothing. He informs Cody that Silas has gone to Salt Lake City and “Pinkie” Peyton is off hunting in the Bar Mountains.

Cody knows Rockcliffe is holding something back, there’s a sixth sense that Rockcliffe is dangerous, but surrounded by all of Ross’ mean, there is little they can do. Cody nods and the posse head on up the trail to find Pinkie.

Winston

Back at The Homestead Inn, William Moyer confides in Winston he’s seen a Pinkerton agent in town and that he may be after him on account of a stage coach he robbed, so he’s leaving town.

Winston argues with William, he mentions Daan and that the Pinkerton wants him, rather than William. William suggests they hand Daan over to the Pinkerton.

a man riding on the back of a white horse
Photo by Don Starkey on Unsplash

Winston refuses this, Daan is a friend. As the argument continues, Winston gets the feeling William may be about to do something stupid. He stays to keep an eye on him.

Dutch, Daan, Cody and Diago

The others head into the hills, following the tracks of a horse and rider, they arrived at a shack with a horse tied up outside.

Dutch tries to sneak up to look inside, a twig breaks. Dutch pauses, calls out, demanding Pinkie show himself. His voice breaks with nerves, he looks back at the others for encouragement.

They all surround the shack, a dog growls behind Diago and a voice calls from the hills overlooking the shack to “leave or get a bullet”. They argue with the voice, it’s Peyton aka Pinkie. Cody asks about Ross, Peyton says he’s not seen him but he’s clearly lying.

Diago says to Peyton they’ll talk, Peyton says only if all the others clear out, they do.

man riding on horse
Photo by Diego Vitali on Unsplash

Peyton and Diago talk about Ross. Peyton states again that Ross wasn't there when they got to the mine. Diago seems satisfied, prepares to leave and then pauses, points out a bullet wound that Peyton has, blood slowly seeping through Peyton’s shirt. Peyton draws and fires. Diago is hit and rolls for cover, the others come charging and whooping. Peyton jumps on his horse and escapes, the dog attacks Diago who shoots it dead.

Winston

Winston looks up and notices William missing, Sally the barmaid says he went into town. Winston rushes after him, stopping him in the street, they scuffle. William knocks Winston to the ground and goes into the Grand Hotel. Voices are raised, a shot is heard, Friar comes out, showing his Pinkerton badge and informing the Sheriff of a body to be removed, “the man pulled a gun, but no matter, he was a no good criminal.”

Friar takes Winston’s name and writes it into a small brown ledger.

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