Buck was pacing angrily back and forth in front of a confused, and slightly frightened, JD.
"Explain to me kid, what ever inspired you to send a telegram to Maude Standish. We you hit on the head or something?" Buck made no effort to hide his anger at the young man.
"I'm perfectly fine Buck. And I figured, with Ezra getting shot and all, his ma should be told."
"That's his decision, not yours. How did you even know where she was?"
"I remembered from the last telegram he got from her. When he got so mad 'cause she asked him to send some money for something or another –" his voice faded off a little. "Oh, is he still mad at her about that?"
"No kid, he's not. He can't stay mad at her. That's kind of the problem."
"I don't get it Buck. Why are you mad then?"
"Because Ezra doesn't need her here right now." Or ever, he added to himself.
"Sure he does. He was hurt. Why wouldn't he want his ma here to help take care of him?" A sad look came to his eyes. "I sure would."
Buck toned down his anger. "I know you would kid. Most folks would. But Maude isn't exactly the chicken soup and lullaby type."
"But still, he was a hero. Saving Mrs. Travis like that. Don't you think she should know about that?"
"Yeah, she should. I just wish stuff like that mattered to her."
"I really screw up on this?" JD asked anxiously
"It's probably not as bad as I'm thinking. But do everybody a favour and don't do it again."
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"Why Mr. Sanchez, I must say I am impressed. In a town of this size, to have managed to raise the funds to create such an impressive edifice. And for such a noble cause." Maude's enthusiasm was decidedly excessive.
"Well ma'am," Josiah couldn't stop a slight blush, despite his better instinct. "I can't say this is all that impressive a church, next to some I've seen and heard tell of. But I imagine the good Lord isn't as particular about the building as he is about the souls inside."
"Well of course. I never for a moment intended to imply otherwise."
"Of course not. Now you know, Ezra deserves some of the credit here."
"He does?" Maude didn't have to pretend to be surprised.
"Yes ma'am. Donated half his share of some reward money to the building fund. Kind of inspired the rest of the men to do the same."
"Really? He did?" Damn fool. I taught him better than that. "It makes a mother – proud. Tell me Mr. Sanchez, how close to your goal are you?"
"Well, we're doing pretty good, but there's always more work that needs to be addressed.
"It occurs to me, and this is of course entirely at your discretion, that I have an opportunity that could greatly benefit your cause."
"Do tell."
"An investment. Now I can guess what you might be thinking, but this really is a golden opportunity. I certainly wouldn't call it a gamble. It is as sure an investment as I have ever encountered. A new business development in San Francisco, such a growing community. Builders there are selling offices as quickly as they can complete them, and making 10, 15, even 20 times their investment back. If I were to give you the names of some of the people involved – and I'm so sorry I can't – you would be completely impressed. I even have much of my own savings invested."
"Well now that does sound incredible." As in too good to be true. "You don't mind if I take a bit of time to contemplate the options. Perhaps pray on it for a bit."
"Of course, but I will say this particular option is time sensitive.
Don't doubt that for a minute. "I understand completely. I'll let you know ma'am. You'll have to excuse me now. Always more work to be done."
"Certainly." She turned and walked towards her meeting with Ezra. Josiah watched as she walked away, his eyes clouding over with anger and disappointment.
Good Lord! He thought. Does she think I'm that stupid, or does she simply assume we haven't figured out who she really is? That boy deserves so much better.
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"No! You will not, under any circumstance, accept so much as a single penny from Mr. Sanchez. Is that understood?" Ezra could feel the tension in his entire body as he clenched his jaw.
"You will not take that tone with me Ezra. Remember who I am."
"I know exactly who you are mother, to my everlasting shame and mortification."
"Your mortification? Can you even begin to understand how I feel? My God Ezra at you had $10,000, yours for the taking, and you not only failed in your effort to abscond with it, but you get caught and shot in the debacle. And then you give away the reward money! It's enough to make a mother weep."
"Interesting. Most mothers would be weeping over the fact their child was shot, rather than the loss of the funds."
"Oh, for heavens sake! You are not a child Ezra, so stop acting like one."
"Acting? You believe me to be acting. Tell me - is that how you look at the role of mother? A mere performance when the title is of use to you."
"Don't you try to turn this on me. Honestly! When did you become such a bore Ezra? A lawman? If it weren't so sad, it would be laughable. Do those so-called friends of yours know how far beyond ironic that title is for you?"
"They are aware that my past is less than honourable." he conceded, trying to keep his voice low in the hope she would do the same.
"Really? Do they know the list of aliases you are still wanted under? That you dare not show your face in New Orleans, or Baton Rouge. Or half a dozen other cities I could name. Do they know the scams you ran? The money you stole? Do they have any idea who you really are?"
"No. And you will not be sharing any of that with them." Maude took a step back at the ice-cold tone Ezra had taken. His eyes went dead as he stared at her. No, through her. But she was not about to concede to him.
"My God Ezra, you were on your way to becoming a legend. You had the potential. Everybody talks about taking money from widows and orphans, but you actually did it! And in a manner so brilliant they still don't know the money is gone, after all this time. And the insurance cons, and the bank scams. The fundraisers and, well nobody does a revival meeting…"
"That's enough! You have your own list of sins to atone for, and you have no more desire than I to bring all that to light. Leave mother. Leave now while there is still a chance. Don't talk to anyone. Don't deal with anyone, and in the name of all you hold dear, do not take a single cent from anyone in this town. Just leave."
"Or what?" She challenged
"Or we will both deeply regret your decision. I have never tried to bluff you mother. I am not starting now."
"You're an ungrateful bastard." She spat back.
"I am your son."
Maude spun on her heel and pulled open the door. She fell back a step when she saw Chris Larabee leaning against the far wall, staring at her.
"You heard him Maude. Leave now. I would advise against coming back."
She opened her mouth to reply, but found she had nothing suitable to say. She scooted past him as quickly as she could. Chris watched her leave, then turned his gaze back to the room. He thought he was going to need to call for Nathan, Ezra had gone so pale. This was too soon after the shooting for him to have this kind of stress.
"Ezra?"
"Please Mr. Larabee. Please. Just leave. I won't go anywhere, I assure you."
"Okay, as long as you stay put." At least that way Chris knew Ezra could get some rest. That was something. "We can talk about this later."
"Yes. No doubt." Ezra couldn't watch as the door was pulled shut. He dropped heavily onto the edge of his bed, gasping softly to catch his breath, forcing himself to calm down and think things through.
He stopped himself. There was nothing to think through. There was only one choice to be made. He stood and reached under his bed, retrieving the travel case stored there, and began slowly packing.
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tbc