STACKED DECK
An outlaw's scheme draws Slim and Jess into a web of danger and deceit.
It is an early spring night in Laramie. There is a tang of woodsmoke in the frosty air and a full moon in the cloudless sky. Inside the Cattlemen's Saloon the regulars – trail hands, small ranchers, and men from town- play noisy, low-stakes poker or jostle for places at the crowded bar.
At a table in the back of the bar, telling fortunes with cards, sits Marguerite, a dark-haired Creole saloon girl from New Orleans. Tonight she is reading the fortune of Wilbur Gibbs, a young cowhand who is engaged to Betsy, the pretty young daughter of a local rancher, Andrew Cameron. Some of his fellow cowhands have convinced Wilbur to let Marguerite read his cards in advance of his marriage.
He sits opposite her, the cards spread in a pattern on the pitted table, a bottle of whiskey and a glass beside him. Marguerite's smoky eyes are intent on the pattern of cards in front of her. The Ace of Spades lies on the top of the spread.
"Well, what is it?" asks Wilbur impatiently. "You see somethin in them cards?" He pours himself another drink.
Wilbur's friends lean in closer, enjoying his apprehension.
Sheriff Mort Corey, Slim Sherman and Jess Harper, standing at the bar, are also watching the fortune telling session as they sip their whisky shots.
Marguerite looks into Wilbur's cow-like brown eyes. "I see death," she says.
"You sayin I'm gonna git kilt?" says Wilbur, alarmed.
"You are not going to die," says Marguerite.. "But a man will die by yow 'and," she says in soft, Creole -accented English.
"Who?" says Wilbur, visibly alarmed.
Marguerite shrugs. "The cards do not say who, or where, or when."
"But I cain't kill nobody…I'm gittin hitched in a few days…" protests Wilbur.
"Easy son," says Sheriff Corey, stepping over to Wilbur's chair and putting a reassuring hand on his shoulder.
"Ain't nuthin to killin a man, Wilbur," smirks Cole James, a loud mouthed cowhand who is standing beside Jess at the bar. " Harper here kills least 3 men a week…."
Jess, who has put away several shots of whisky on an empty stomach, swiftly draws his gun and sticks it under Cole's chin. "That's right…and I'm runnin one short this week…."
"Jess!" snaps Slim, stepping between Cole and Jess and pushing Jess's gun away from Cole's throat.
Mort looks at Marguerite sternly. "Missy, I think we've had enough o ' this parlor game for tonight. Why don't you pack up those cards fore they cause any more trouble."
Marguerite slips the deck into a pocket of her dress and returns to her job of serving drinks.
"Your steaks are ready Sheriff," says the bartender. He points to an empty table. "You all go sit down 'n I'll bring 'em out."
Mort, Jess and Slim sit down at the table as their dinner is delivered.
Mort watches Marguerite charming a table of Bar D cowhands as she delivers drinks. "She's a young lady of many talents."
"She sure is!" agrees Jess. "….I mean, me 'n Slim had our fortunes read by her last week. She told Slim he was gonna meet up with a beautiful blonde."
"I'm still waitin," says Slim skeptically.
"They tell people what they want to hear," opines Mort.
They look up from dinner to see Wilbur Gibbs standing at the table, twisting his Stetson in his hands.
"Somethin on your mind, Wilbur?" asks Slim.
Wilbur slides into the empty chair at the table. "It's about me havin to kill somebody," says Wilbur in obvious distress. "You recall Betsy was married to Billy Gower last year?"
"Thought they hanged him," says Jess, vaguely recalling the name.
"That's right," says Wilbur. "Hanged him fer killin two miners in Rock Springs. Betsy says she ain't bein married to no more killers."
"Understandable," says Slim.
Wilbur leans closer to the others and speaks quietly . "So I bin givin this some thought. Way I figure it –if I gotta kill a man it's gotta git done fore the weddin."
"Why?" asks Slim.
"Cause Betsy told me whatever wrongdoin I might o' done fore the wedding is forgotten .But after I'm her husband I gotta keep to the straight 'n narrow, " says Wilbur. "So Sheriff, I was hopin you could help me."
"Help you!" says Mort. "How?"
"I figured you'd be able to put me onto somebody wanted killin. We could go through them wanted posters in your desk…," suggests Wilbur. " But I don't want to take on no gunfighters or such like … "
Wilbur turns to Jess. "Jess, you was a outlaw before. I figure you kin tell me which fellers on them posters're kinda old or ain't too good with a gun…"
Jess gives Wilbur a cold, blue stare. "Sure Wilbur, I can do that," he says, already thinking of a few WANTED fast draws to suggest to Wilbur as repayment for the insult.
"Stop it, both of you," says Mort.
Jess gets up angrily and goes back to the bar.
"This is the lamest thing I ever heard of, "says Mort. "Wilbur, you go home and forget about this nonsense."
"But Marguerite said…" protests Wilbur.
"Never mind what Marguerite said," says Mort sharply. "Next thing she'll be tellin you there's a curse on you and you have to pay her to remove it…"
"She did say if I wanted to do the cards a couple more times it might come out different.." says Wilbur.
"There's nuthin in what she says, Wilbur," Slim assures him.
Still not fully convinced, Wilbur picks up his hat and leaves.
Mort takes a sip of coffee. "So what'd Marguerite tell Jess was in store for him?"
"He wouldn't say," says Slim, watching Jess order yet another drink at the crowded bar.
The next day several of the Laramie church ladies, led by Mrs Flossie Edmonds and Miss Melanie Wilkinson, are trudging up the hill to the graveyard. The church yard and graveyard have not been kept up as well as they should be and the ladies are determined to remove weeds around the church and tidy up the graves before Betsy's wedding. Betsy's father has been very generous to the church ladies in the past and they are keen to stay in his good books.
Wilbur Gibbs has promised to help them to do any lifting or digging that might be required. When the ladies arrive at the top of the hill they look around impatiently amid the gravestones. But there is no Wilbur.
"I knew we couldn't rely on him," says Flossie judgmentally. She has a low opinion of Wilbur, and has concluded he is not nearly good enough for Betsy.
"I'm sure he'll be along," says Melanie, a sweet faced spinster. "We must remember that Wilbur is somewhat simple minded and easily distracted…." Melanie notices Flossie staring at something, transfixed in horror. "Flossie! What is it?!"
Flossie points at a grave a short distance away. Her mouth opens and closes but no words emerge. Finally she emits an ear-piercing shriek
A few moments later Flossie, Melanie and the other church ladies are seen running and stumbling down the hill from the cemetery, their shawls flying in the wind. They are screaming and crying. Finally some storekeepers & townsfolk intercept them and settle them down enough to find out what has led to the hysteria.
In response to the information imparted by the women, some men on the street check that their guns are loaded and set off hastily toward the cemetery. The church ladies continue noisily recounting their ordeal to those gathered around them.
Slim and Mort are sitting in Mort's office when the noise becomes impossible to ignore.
"What the devil is that?" says Mort. He and Slim get up and go outside to where a crowd has gathered.
The men are returning from the cemetery, holstering their six guns.
"What's goin on?" Mort asks Pete Springer, a trailhand who had led the charge up the cemetery hill.
"That drunken halfwit Morg Pickett was up there. Scairt them women half to death." says Springer. "They thought he was a hant."
"What was he doin in the cemetery?" asks Slim.
"Layin in a grave," says Pete. "Women saw him climbin outa the ground- that's what set 'em off."
"Why was he layin in a grave?" asks Mort.
"' Marguerite told him he was gonna die soon so he bummed some money 'n bought a grave plot," explained Pete. "Dug it his self. Said he was tryin the grave out for size."
"You should lock him up Sheriff!" says Flossie.
"On what charge?" says Mort, annoyed.
"What's he doin in Laramie in the first place?" asks Slim.
"Says the sheriff o' Cheyenne run him out o' town," says Pete." Told him tramps like him take the polish off the place."
Two townsmen are dragging Morg Pickett down the hill from the cemetery. They stop in front of Slim and Mort. Morg's greying red hair is long and unkempt. He has a scraggly grey beard. His clothes are mismatched, threadbare and now filthy, with clods of wet earth from the grave clinging to his coat.
Mort looks him over distastefully. "Mr Pickett, you gave these ladies quite a scare."
Pickett looks up at Mort through his tangled mop of hair. "I'm right sorry sheriff. Ain't meant no harm… just wanted to be sure my grave was dug proper…" Morg looks around angrily at the crowd and the men who had manhandled him down the hill. "Figured you people'd plant me so shallow wolves'd dig me up fore I was cold. "
Mort considers the situation. He hands the two cowboys holding Morg some money. "Get him some used clothing from the General Store, then take him over to the bathhouse and clean him up. He can't go round town like that. When I get a chance I'll have a word with the sheriff of Cheyenne about him."
Later that day Slim has finished loading supplies onto the buckboard and is about to drive out of town when the telegraph operator runs up to the wagon. "Hey Slim! This just come in for you…from the Governor's office."
Slim takes the telegram and quickly reads the brief message from Tom Buchanan, Governor Campbell's Chief of Staff. "Two As arriving SR today 6 PM. Check credentials. Open sealed orders. Thanks. Tom."
"Any reply, Slim?"
"Nope," says Slim, slapping the reins on the team.
Buchanan had been a Secret Service operative in the Civil War, and still adhered to cryptic communications with code words even for mundane instructions. What the message amounted to was that two government agents would be arriving at Sherman Ranch at 6 o'clock that evening. They were to show Slim their credentials and open a sealed packet which would disclose their assignment to Slim.
It is about 5:30 when Slim pulls up to the ranch. Jonesy and Andy help unload the buckboard and Andy puts away the team.
"Maybe we oughta wait supper," says Jonesy. "Mose said there's a special run comin through bout 6 o'clock."
"That'd be the agents from the Governor's office .Got a wire from Tom Buchanan …"
says Slim.
"What's he gettin you mixed up in now?!" asks Jonesy , annoyed.
"No idea," says Slim. "We'll know soon enough. Andy, go clear off a couple o' bunks in the bunkhouse and sweep it out…"
"Aw Slimmm," protests Andy. "Mose said he saw a snake in there last week. "
"There's no snakes," says Slim."…maybe some mice… and spiders…it just needs a good sweepin out. Go on now.".
Andy goes reluctantly into the house to find a broom.
The stage appears at the top of the hill and barrels at full speed down the lane.
"Dang fool!" says Jonesy. "Don't he know how to drive?!"
"Boss said we've takin on some new drivers- they can pay 'em less while they're in trainin," says Slim.
The stage pulls up dangerously close to Slim and Jonesy.
"You one o' them new drivers?" asks Jonesy when the coach finally stops moving.
A blonde kid who looks about 18 years old climbs down from the driver's seat. "Yes sir!" says the young man enthusiastically. "I'm gittin the hang of it now. Name's Homer."
Slim begins to unhitch the team. "No shotgun?" he asks the young driver.
"No sir, they figured as this weren't a regular run, they save 'emselves a few dollars. Ain't carryin no box or valuables…"
Jonesy opens the stage door for the passengers, then takes the team from Slim so he can greet the visitors.
.A tall man dressed in a grey striped business suit, vest and bowler hat steps down. Slim notes he is wearing an expensive black gun belt and is packing a very impressive six shooter.
"You must be Slim Sherman," he says offering his hand. "Federal Marshal Ty Wheeler. Got some paperwork for you to look at inside."
Wheeler holds out a hand for the other passenger. A pretty young woman in an elegant travelling suit and hat, carrying a hatbox steps down and smiles warmly at Slim.
"And this Agent Bond…" says Wheeler. "Belle Bond."
"Miss Bond," says Slim, admiring Agent Bond's luminous blue eyes and porcelain complexion.
Andy has finally found the broom and dust pan and is heading for the bunk house to sweep up.
"Andy!" says Slim, looking Belle over appreciatively "…never mind."
Meanwhile Homer has retrieved his coat and hat off the stage. "I'll be leavin now, Mr Sherman. Got some friends waitin up yonder- we're goin into town … company'll be sendin drivers tomorrow mornin to take this stage onto Cheyenne for paintin."
"Where are your friends?" asks Slim about to offer him a horse.
"Oh, they ain't far. I'll just be walkin,." says Homer.
"Good idea," mutters Jonesy. He turns to the marshal and the lady. "Bet you folks're ready for dinner. Come on inside."
Wheeler follows Jonesy and Andy into the house. Slim walks along beside Agent Bond, who has just removed her hat. Sure enough, her hair is blonde.
Inside, Andy adds two more places at the table for dinner.
Slim pulls out a chair for Belle who smiles her thanks and sits down.
Jonesy and Andy serve the dinner. "It's nuthin fancy," Jonesy apologizes . "Weren't expectin company."
"Why it looks just heavenly," says Belle in a honeyed southern accent, daintily picking up her fork.
The dinner, though plain, is hot and tasty, followed by Jonesy's famous apple pie and lots of good coffee.
"Hope we're not puttin you out by stayin here," says Wheeler, looking around the smallish cabin. "Governor's office figured wrong people might take notice of us stayin in town. Out here we'd just look like passengers waitin for another stage."
" We'll manage fine," Slim assures him. "There's a room for each of you…Andy, Jonesy 'n I'll use the room with the bunks. Jess won't be home tonight…"
"Jess?' asks Belle.
"Jess Harper," says Slim, "helps us run the place. He had to ride shotgun on the afternoon stage to Laramie 'n he's stayin in town. "
At the mention of Jess's name Wheeler looks up from his plate. There is a flash of recognition in his eyes but he says nothing. The moment is not lost on Slim, or Jonesy.
After dessert and coffee are finished, Jonesy and Andy clear the table. Jonesy goes to the kitchen to wash up and Andy goes out to the barn to feed and settle the stock.
Wheeler, Slim, and Belle sit at the cleared table to go over their assignment.. Wheeler and Belle show Slim their government ID documents and pictures. Then Wheeler produces a sealed envelope from his pocket and hands it to Slim.
Slim opens the envelope and reads:
Plummer gang harrying Laramie/Cheyenne area. Expect attacks on Overland stages, Union Pacific trains, and Cheyenne and Laramie banks. Agent Belle Bond and Marshal Ty Wheeler investigating. Agents to be based at SR. Please provide all required assistance. " T Buchanan.
The Governor's office has learned that Matt Plummer, the criminal mastermind of the gang, has been recruiting gunslingers, safecrackers, cattle rustlers, highwaymen, and other n'er do wells and the gang's presence is growing in the Laramie-Cheyenne area. Government agents planted in saloons, brothels, on cattle drives and in backcountry campsites have picked up fragments of information leading to the conclusion that the gang is planning major attacks on the railway, now carrying railway executives and wealthy businessmen, on banks in Laramie and Cheyenne, their safes filled with cash and double eagles, and on stages carrying fat mine payrolls.
Slim looks up at Belle and Wheeler after he reads Buchanan's terse instructions. "There was a stage holdup outside Cheyenne last week. Got clean away with the express money. You figure that was Plummer's bunch?"
"Probably," says Wheeler.
"Mind me askin how're you two're s'posed to investigate?" says Slim. "Don't expect Plummer's gang'd have much to say to a federal marshal."
"They won't be talkin to a federal marshal," says Wheeler. "They'll be talkin to Dan McCreedy, an outlaw from Missouri. Buchanan got up WANTED posters on McCreedy, and made sure they got sent around the area so Plummer'd see them. Governor's got a spy watchin Plummer's gang , tellin it around that he knows Dan McCreedy. One of Plummer's men found the spy 'n told him that Plummer'd like to meet McCreedy…I… that is McCreedy's set up to meet Plummer 'n his men…gonna find out about this big job he's plannin… then we'll get word to Buchanan. The Governor wants this territory shed of Plummmer and his kind."
"Sounds kinda dangerous, 'specially for Miss bond here," says Slim, always chivalrous.
"Don't you worry bout me sugar," says Belle. " I can take care o' myself."
"Belle has proved her worth to her nation in the theatre of war," says Wheeler with approval.
"Nursing?" asks Slim.
"Oh mercy, no. I was a spy," says Belle proudly.
"For the Confederacy?" Slim assumes.
"For the North," says Belle. "They paid better."
Slim looks back at the note from the Governor's office. "What is it Tom Buchanan wants me to do? He just said render assistance…"
"We'll let you know," says Wheeler. "Gettin late. We best turn in. " Wheeler and Belle retire to their rooms.
Jonesy and Slim go out on the porch for evening coffee. They sit quietly for a few moments, then Jonesy says," You notice anything bout that Wheeler fella at dinner?"
Slim takes a sip of coffee. "You mean when Jess's name came up?"
"Seemed like he knew him, or heard of him," says Jonesy.
"Jess spent some years on the wrong side of the law, Jonesy," says Slim. "He would've crossed paths with lawmen-maybe Wheeler was one of 'em . When Jess gets back they'll meet up –one of em's bound to remember."
"That's what I'm afraid of," says Jonesy. "So what're they doin here?" asks Jonesy. "Or ain't you allowed to say?"
Slim gives Jonesy a brief summary of what Wheeler has told him, and of Buchanan's request that the Sherman Ranch render assistance.
"Lord almighty!" says Jonesy. "We ain't got enough work 'n trouble here already- now we gotta get mixed up with government agents and outlaws and spies!"
Slim looks thoughtfully out in the darkness. "Yeah…but she is awful pretty!"
The next morning Slim is up extra early, before anyone else is stirring. He walks into the kitchen, barefoot, shirtless, wearing his jeans. He lights the stove and gets the coffee started. He decides to shave at the mirror in the kitchen rather than go back in and disturb Jonesy and Andy. He has his face lathered and is about to begin when he hears footsteps behind him. He turns to see Belle standing behind him, looking him over appreciatively.
He grabs a small towel from the kitchen table and wraps it around his bare shoulders. "Miss Bond! I'm so sorry… I didn't think anyone else was awake…"
Belle drops her eyes demurely. "Don't fret, Mr Sherman. I would of course be scandalized under normal circumstances, however in this line o' work the proprieties just don't seem all that important." Taking another look over Slim's robust physique she smiles and retreats to her room.
Jonesy emerges from the room just as Belle disappears.
Slim gestures to the kitchen. "Could use some help Jonesy."
Jonesy gives him a sly look. "Looked like you was doin just fine on your own…"
Jonesy finishes preparing breakfast – bacon, flapjacks, biscuits and coffee. Slim, Jonesy, Andy, Wheeler and Belle sit down at the table, making small talk about the stage service and how many passengers Jonesy would have to prepare food for in a week.
After breakfast Wheeler turns to Belle. "We best get to work."
Belle gets up from the table. "I'll just be a few minutes." She goes back to her room.
"We're s'posed to meet up with the Governor's man at 9 o'clock. There's a place called Baxter's Ridge on our map…'
"I can take you there," Slim offers.
"We can find it," Wheeler assures him as Belle comes out of the room.
"Ready," she says, as she loads two derringers and slips them into the embroidered pockets of her riding frock.
Belle and Wheeler mount up on horses provided by Slim. They kick the horses to a gallop, disappearing quickly up the lane and over the hill, following the road to Baxter's Ridge.
Jess arrives back to the ranch about mid-morning after spending the night in Laramie.
Slim, wearing his blacksmith apron, is at the forge blacksmithing. He smiles at Jess. "See you managed to miss the mornin chores at least. "
Jess dismounts ."Fine thanks I get for riskin my neck with them green drivers! I'll feed and water Trav, have some breakfast, then I'll work that bay we're sellin to the Bar D.
Some time later Emma Morgan, whose family lives nearby, drives a buckboard up to the Sherman ranch.
Jess has just put the newly broke horse through its paces in the corral and is removing the saddle. He places the saddle on the corral fence.
"Mr Sherman!" says Emma, in obvious distress. "Have you seen my Billy or Tommy?"
Slim puts down his blacksmith tools and walks over to Emma, "No, haven't seen either of 'em. You seen 'em Jess? "
"No," says Jess. "They supposed to be here?"
"They was drivin the stage," says Emma. "Got 'emselves hired on as trainin drivers. They was s'posed to be drivin last night. They ain't come home. "
"Company's takin on a lot o'new drivers," says Slim. "Not bein very organized bout it. . When I'm in town I'll go by the office and see what runs they were on…"
"Thank you Slim…and you'll let me know ..." she pleads.
"Sure," says Slim. "Try not to worry- it's likely just some mixup with paper work."
As Emma drives away Jess closes the gate of the corral and walks over to Slim. "What do you make o' that?"
"Company's cuttin corners Bound to be trouble with these green drivers. There's a new part time schedule maker in the office too. Could've sent Billy and Tommy the other direction to Cheyenne."
"I'll look around when I'm there…," says Jess, who is meeting a cattle buyer in Cheyenne the next day. "Might as well ride into Laramie and leave from there first thing in the mornin," says Jess. "Might play a little poker tonight," he says, smiling at the thought of relieving unlucky cowboys of their money.
"You just missed meetin couple o' agents from Governor Campbell's office" says Slim.
"Jonesy told me," says Jess. "Said the gal's right pretty. What're they doin here- besides puttin us outa our beds?"
"Investigatin the Plummer gang," says Slim. "But keep it under your hat if you're in town. Governor has 'em stayin here so they don't get noticed."
"Last I heard o' Plummer he was workin Oklahoma and Colorado," says Jess.
"Governor's office says he's movin in here, quick and in big way," says Slim. "Tom Buchanan sent these two agents to investigate. They're meetin up with another agent who's keepin an eye on the gang." Slim is about to go back to his blacksmithing when he stops to ask "Jess, you ever run across a Federal Marshal Ty Wheeler?"
Jess thinks for a moment. "No. Why?"
Slim smiles and takes up his hammer. "It's nuthin…forget it. Oh…when you see Marguerite, tell her the beautiful blonde has appeared."
"I'll tell her," Jess says curtly, walking past Slim into the house.
That evening Jess has had a successful evening of poker in the Laramie saloon and is having a drink at the bar. Mort comes in, walks over beside him and orders a drink.
"Stayin in town tonight,Jess?" asks Mort.
"Yeah. Headin to Cheyenne first thing in the mornin," says Jess.
"Cheyenne? You could look into somethin for me while you're there," says Mort. "It's about this Morg Pickett…"
"One sleeps in the graveyard?" says Jess.
"That's the one," says Mort. "Says the Sheriff in Cheyenne run him outa town. Boone Carson's a good lawman, and fair. Ain't like him to pick on somebody's down 'n out less he was dangerous…. Stop by Boone's office while you're there 'n try to find out more about it."
Jess orders another drink. "Sure Mort, I can do that."
"You all right, Jess?" asks Mort. He has seen Jess drinking more than usual since the night Wilbur Gibbs had his fortune told by Marguerite. Tonight Marguerite is sitting at a back table, spreading the cards for a cowboy who appears too drunk to even listen to what she is saying.
"Why wouldn't I be?" says Jess, taking a drink.
Mort looks over at Marguerite. "What was it Marguerite told you? You never would say."
"She said I was gonna gun down my best friend," says Jess, draining the shot glass and turning it over on the bar. "' 'Night, Mort." Jess walks out of the saloon.
Some time later Mort goes back to his office. As he is walking up the steps he sees through the door window the shadow of someone inside. Mort draws his gun and opens the office door slowly. When he steps inside he sees Wilbur Gibbs sitting at his desk, sorting through a stack of wanted posters.
Mort holsters his gun. " Gibbs ! What the devil do you think your doin?" says Mort, annoyed.
Wilbur stands up. "Just lookin through these here WANTED posters Sheriff. Found one might do." Wilbur shows Mort a poster of a man wearing a black hat pulled low, dark, piercing eyes and a short grey beard. He was wanted for robbery, kidnapping, and a number of other crimes. The name was Matt Plummer. "Thought he looked kinda old…" suggests Wilbur.
"Matt Plummer's one of the most dangerous outlaws west of the Missouri." Says Mort. He steps over to the desk and takes the poster from Wilbur. Then he walks back to the door and opens it. "Wilbur, you've gotta forget about that nonsense that Creole girl told you was in the cards."
"But Sheriff . how'm I gonna find a man to kill fore the weddin less'n you help me…" grumbles Wilbur as he goes out the door.
Mort goes over to his desk and straightens up the scattered posters. He looks for a moment at Plummer's picture – there was something vaguely familiar about him….
Meanwhile back at the Sherman ranch, Slim, Andy, Jonesy, Belle and Wheeler sit down to dinner. Jonesy has fancied things up for his guests, using the good china and taking extra care with the chicken and dumplings. He has made two kinds of pie for dessert.
"Jess is sure gonna be sorry- missin out on this pie," says Andy. "Too bad he had to go to Cheyenne."
"Won't he be home for supper?" asks Belle. "I was lookin forward to meetin him."
"Maybe he's avoiding us," suggests Wheeler, accepting a refill of coffee from Jonesy.
Slim puts down his fork and looks directly at Wheeler. "Marshal, you got somethin to say bout Jess Harper why don't you just come out with it?"
"All right," says Wheeler. "He's an outlaw…a gunslick…"
"WAS," corrects Slim. " We know he's been in prison. We know he was wanted for murder and was cleared - he's got the papers to prove it As for bein a gunslick – I owe my life to Jess's skill with a gun. We all do. Didn't Tom Buchanan tell you about him?"
Wheeler seems to have been caught off guard. 'Oh… sure. Just hard to believe a man could change that much."
"Everyone deserves the chance to better themselves, even outlaws," says Belle sweetly.
Slim gives her an admiring glance, seeing she is kind as well as beautiful. "It's a fine evening, Miss Bond," says Slim. "Would you like to take your coffee out onto the porch?"
"I'd like that very much," says Belle. "And please Slim- call me Belle."
Belle and Slim take their cups outside and sit down on the porch.
Wheeler finishes the last of his pie and drains his coffee cup. "Think I'll stretch my legs fore I turn in." He smiles in the direction of the porch. "I'll use the back door. Wouldn't want to interrupt anything."
Wheeler closes the back door behind him and walks out beyond the corral. He takes out a cigarette he has already rolled and lights it, holding the lit match until it almost burns his fingers. Then he walks further away from the house toward a clump of trees well beyond the ranch yard, where it appears someone else has lit a cigarette too.
The next day Jess arrives in Cheyenne. He has some time before his meeting with the cattle buyer so he goes into Sheriff Boone Carson's office.
The sheriff is a heavy set man about Mort's age. He is about to pour himself a coffee from the pot on the stove. "Mornin," he says as Jess enters. "Coffee's hot- help yourself."
"Thanks," says Jess, taking a cup. "Jess Harper from Laramie. Sheriff Mort Corey asked me to stop by."
"Mort Corey! That old son of a gun. How's he doin?" says Carson warmly.
"Same as ever I reckon," says Jess. "Wanted me to find out about a fella's bin hangin round Laramie since you run him outa Cheyenne a few weeks ago.. Name's Morg Pickett."
Carson looks puzzled. " Morg Pickett? Don't recall anybody by that name…"
"Old fella… kinda strange lookin… says you run him out for being down on his luck," says Jess.
"Fella's down on his luck I gener'lly try to help him out if I can, less'n he's breakin the law. Ain't seen or heard of any Morg Pickett in Cheyenne. Could be he got run outa town somewheres else..…"
Jess finishes his coffee. "Thanks Sheriff…I'll tell Mort." He goes out, and begins walking toward the hotel to meet his cattle buyer.
As he is about to step up the stairs of the hotel Jess sees Billy and Tommy Morgan on the boardwalk on the other side of the street. He crosses the street quickly and waves to them. "Billy! Tommy!"
The Morgan brothers stop walking when they hear their name. They turn around and see Jess approaching. They walk more quickly, then begin to run into an alley between the general store and the gunsmith shop.
Jess knows they saw and recognized him and are now running from him. He follows after them into the alley- there is no exit. Jess draws his gun and corners them beside a stack of crates. They are not armed. They raise they hands.
"What's the idea of runnin from me?" demands Jess.
When Billy and Tommy don't answer, Jess puts his gun away, steps up to Billy and grabs him by the collar. "Why were you runnin from me Billy?"
Billy looks at Tommy fearfully.
"We cain't say," says Tommy.
"That's right, Jess," says Billy, twisting in Jess's iron grip on his coat collar. "We cain't say.."
"Well, you're gonna say," says Jess. "Your Ma's half crazy with worry… I just met Sheriff Carson- he's a friend o' Mort Corey's. If I was to go tell him that Mort sent me here to fetch you two for somethin you'd done, I wouldn't have no trouble draggin you back to Laramie. Now…what're you doin here?"
Bill and Tommy exchange another glance. Tommy nods to Billy.
"We was drivin the stage, night fore last. There was two passengers – dude and a lady…"says Billy.
"She was right pretty!" adds Tommy.
"Three or four fellers rode up, wearin masks …told us to git down. They had guns… talkin bout killin us , then one feller –reckon he was the boss -said somebody might hear the shot 'n they ain't got time to get rid o' our bodies nohow. He give us money 'n a couple o' horses 'n told us to git away 'n not to tell nobody bout what happened."
"Why didn't you go to the law?" demands Jess, furious.
"They said they knowed who we was 'n where we lived 'n if'n we told the law they'd go burn down our home with our folks in it.," says Billy, tears now running down his cheeks.
Jess releases his hold on Billy and looks past him for a long moment, recalling the similar horror Bannister had visited upon his home and family in Texas.
"What'll we do, Jess?" pleads Billy.
"Reckon for now, you'll have to stay where you are," says Jess, walking out of the alley.
Jess concludes the cattle deal and goes back to the livery stable to saddle Traveller. He takes some coins for the fee out of his pocket and looks around in the dimly lit stable for the owner. "Taylor? Just want to settle up…"
At that moment Jess hears footsteps behind him, but before he can turn to see who it is he is knocked unconscious, tied ankles and wrists and wrapped in feed sacks. Two men carry him out of the stable and load him on the back of a buckboard driven by another man. The others tie 3 horses behind the wagon and climb onto the buckboard. The buckboard is driven slowly out of town.
Billy and Tommy Morgan have followed Jess to the stable and watched through a small window as he is knocked out, tied up and loaded onto the wagon. They watch the buckboard heading out of town. They look at each other and wordlessly agree what needs to be done. They saddle their horses and follow, at a distance, keeping out of site.
Meanwhile back at the Sherman ranch, Slim has gone to the Bard D ranch to deliver the bay Jess has broken.
Andy is out feeding the chickens when he hears rapid fire revolver shots behind the house. The chickens scatter at the noise and Andy runs to the sound of the gunfire.
He sees that Marshall Wheeler has set up some cans on the corral fence. Wheeler draws his revolver and fires five times, knocking all the cans to the ground. He twirls the gun expertly several times before returning it to the fine black leather holster.
Wheeler senses someone behind him and turns. "Andy! Didn't see you there."
Andy looks at the Marshal with admiration. "You're real good with a gun, Marshal!"
"Have to be, son," says Wheeler. "Gotta stay ahead o' the badmen."
On hearing the racket Jonesy has stepped outside the back door holding the potato he was peeling. He sees Wheeler and Andy talking as Wheeler holsters the revolver.
"Andy! Need some help in here," he says sharply.
Andy reluctantly goes back to the kitchen. "You see that Jonesy? I ain't seen nobody handle a gun like that- 'cept maybe Jess."
"Yeah," says Jonesy, looking at Marshal Wheeler setting up the cans again before he closes the kitchen door.
Jess remains unconscious as the buckboard bounces along the road, then turns off the road into a wooded area, following a rough trail to a rundown line shack. He begins to awaken as he is roughly pulled off the buckboard and lifted up by ankles and shoulders. Wade Prentice, one of the men carrying Jess kicks the door. "Open up Williams! We got Harper. "
The door opens a crack and a man holding a revolver checks who is outside. "Bring him in," says Williams, a weasel-faced man wearing black, as he steps out of the way. "Drop him over there against the wall, away from the other two. "
Jess is roughly deposited on the floor of the cabin. He squints in the dim light and sees three figures in the room standing, and a man and woman sitting on the floor, their backs up against the rough boards of the cabin, their wrists tied.
"You folks oughta git to know each other," says Williams to the couple that are sitting on the floor. "This here's Jess Harper. " He turns to Jess. "Them two're government agents lookin into all the crooked dealins goin on round here."
"What're you planning to do- kill us?" says Jess angrily.
"Boss don't hold with killin," says Williams. "Me, I ain't so particular, so you best not give me cause to shoot you."
"We gotta git back," says one of the men who had transported Jess to the cabin. "We'll tell the boss Harper's took care of. " He and another man from the kidnap detail mount up and ride away. Wade Prentice, the man who had driven the buckboard, stays inside with Williams and the captives.
Some time later Prentice takes out the makings for a cigarette, shakes some tobacco into the paper, rolls the cigarette and prepares to light up.
"You ain't smokin in here. I cain't hardly breathe in here as it is," complains Williams. "And where's that jug? Ain't you brung it in off the wagon?"
"Git it yerself," says Prentice, yanking the door open angrily and going outside.
Williams swears and follows Prentice outside to get the jug of moonshine.
"Mr Harper," says the captive man in a horse whisper, " I'm Federal Marshal Wheeler and this is agent Belle Bond from the Governor's office. We were on our way to the Sherman ranch stage stop when we were taken off the stage and brought here."
"Then who're those two at the ranch, sayin they're you?" asks Jess.
"Imposters. They're part of the Plummer gang- …." says Wheeler.
He is about to go into more detail when there is a commotion outside, men shouting and scuffling, and then silence.
The door opens and Billy Morgan steps in. "Jess! You all right?"
"Billy Morgan! " says Jess.
"You were driving the stage!" says Belle, recognizing Billy.
"Yes Ma'am,' says Billy. He moves quickly to untie Jess and the others.
Tommy Morgan steps inside and seeing agent Bond, tips his hat. "Ma'am. We sure are glad you ain't kilt."
"Jess, what you want we should do with them two outside- we just got 'em knocked out 'n hog tied."
"Drag 'em inside," says Jess. "Other two ain't likely to be back anytime soon."
Billy and Tommy drag Prentice and Williams back into the cabin and leave them hog tied on the floor.
When Williams begins to come around Jess kneels beside him, and grabs him by the collar, drawing his gun and holding it in front of Williams face. "Why'd you come after me? Who sent you.?"
Williams smirks and doesn't answer.
Jess fires into the side wall of the cabin, the bullet whizzing by Williams' ear.
.
Prentice has also regained consciousness and sees Jess dealing with Williams. "Tell him! He'll kill us both if you don't. We got our money. We don't care bout the rest of it."
Jess returns the gun to Williams' face. "Who're you workin for? he demands.
"Vern Calhoun" Williams spits out the name.
"Vern Calhoun!" says Jess, shocked. He slowly holsters the gun.
"You know him?" asks Wheeler.
"I know him," Jess confirms. "Hired gun outa Abilene." Jess grabs Williams by the collar again. "Where is he?"
"Sherman Ranch," says Williams, smirking again.
"You're lyin! What would Calhoun be doin there?" says Jess angrily.
"Playactin bein him," says Williams, pointing to Wheeler.
"Why?!" demands Jess.
"Don't know," says Williams.
Jess backhands Williams across the face. "You know! And you're gonna tell me!"
Wheeler moves over to Jess and Williams and puts a hand on Jess's arm. 'Take it easy, Jess. He probably doesn't know."
Jess looks at Wheeler, confused.
"Matt Plummer's runnin the operation. He hires saddle trash like these two to do part of the job. He has others doin another part. Nobody but Plummer has the whole picture. I recognized the woman who's taking Belle's place when they switched us at the stage. She's Kate Ellison- a grifter. Among her many talents is a knack for forgery. She's likely doctored our government papers well enough to pass Calhoun and herself off as Belle and me."
Jess thinks quickly what has to be done. " Billy, Tommy, you stay here and watch these two. Anybody you don't know comes near this shack, shoot 'em." He turns to Wheeler. "You 'n Belle need to get to Sheriff Corey in Laramie 'n tell him what you know."
"The Sheriff doesn't know us…what if he thinks it's a trick?" asks Wheeler.
"Tell him Jess Harper says Boone Carson ain't never heard of Morg Pickett. He'll know it's from me," says Jess.
"What about you?" asks Wheeler.
"Goin the ranch," says Jess. "Need to tell Slim what's goin on."
Meanwhile, back at Sherman ranch, Slim is hitching up the team to take the buckboard into town.
Belle, dressed in her travelling frock and hat, carrying a lacy purse over her arm, steps out the door. "Slim, would you mind if I rode into town with you? I just need to do a little shoppin. No one'll take notice 'o me. "
"I wouldn't count on that," says Slim, looking her over appreciatively. "Be glad to drive you to town." He helps Belle up onto the wagon seat, then climbs up beside her.
Belle can tell Slim is "interested" and senses he is about to ask her more about herself.
Belle shifts closer to Slim on the bench. "Slim, I would just love to hear bout how your folks come to this country…you said your Daddy come here fore the war…that must have been frightenin for your Mama, with the Indians 'n all…"
Slim obliges her with the history of the Sherman Stage Stop and before they know it they've arrived in town. Slim pulls up the buckboard at a parking spot a short distance from the General Store. He offers Belle a hand down.
"When you finish your purchases, we can have coffee in the café across the street," says Slim, glad that he and Belle are having some time together.
'I'd like that," says Belle, giving Slim her sweetest smile.
Belle and Slim walk along the boardwalk toward the General Store. Lying in their path, face down on the boardwalk, is a ragged man, either asleep or passed out from drink. He half raises his head as they approach and holds up a hand, appealing for a handout.
Rather than being repulsed by the panhandler and walking around him, Belle takes some paper money out of her purse. "You poor man!" she says kindly, bending over and putting the money in his hand. "Now promise me you'll use this for food, not for drink or gamblin," she says firmly.
"I promise Ma'am- bless your good Christian heart!" says the panhandler Slim recognizes as Morg Pickett.
Slim opens the door of the General Store for Belle. "I just have a couple o' errands myself. I'll meet you in the café in a few minutes"
.
Belle goes into the store and Slim continues down the street to the Stage office.
Morg Pickett, revived from his stupor, sits on the edge of the boardwalk, fanning the money Belle has given him. In amongst the bills there is a little scrap of paper, with something written on it –"got Harper", signed V Calhoun. Pickett reads the note and smiles, then puts the money and note into one of his ragged pockets.
Slim goes into the stage office to check on Tommy and Billy Morgan, as he promised their mother. He is relieved that Clem Kershaw, the regular schedule maker is on duty today.
"What can I do for you Slim?" says Clem, looking up from his paperwork as Slim comes into the office.
"Just checkin on a couple o' drivers – Billy 'n Tommy Morgan. Their Ma said they hired on as trainees," says Slim.
"That's right," says Clem. "Did that run couple' nights ago."
"Where to?" asks Slim.
Clem puts down his pen, surprised by Slim's answer. "Your place- the Stage Stop."
"You sure?" asks Slim. "Thought the new scheduler might of got the runs and drivers mixed up."
"I set it up myself. Knew the boys lived close by 'n they could walk home when they finished," says Clem. "Stage got there allright. We picked it up for paintin next day."
"Stage got there," Slim confirms. "But the Morgan boys didn't." He goes out the door, back to the café to meet Belle, wondering why she hadn't mentioned the switch of drivers.
Belle is seated in the café.
Slim walks over to her table and sits down.
Mr Wu, the café owner brings two cups of coffee on a tray along with a pot of milk and sugar.
Belle smiles as Slim sits down. She senses immediately his change of mood.
"Everythin all right?" asks Belle.
"Oh, sure,' says Slim, taking a sip of coffee. "You get all your shoppin?" he says, forcing a smile.
"Yes. The folks in the store are real helpful," says Belle agreeably.
"Then we best get back," says Slim. They don't linger over the coffee. Slim pays Mr Wu and escorts Belle back to the buckboard.
They drive in silence for a short distance.
"A penny for your thoughts," teases Belle, finding Slim's suddenly cooled interest disconcerting.
"Belle, when you were on the stage comin to the ranch, you recall the stage changin drivers along the route? " asks Slim.
Belle thinks for several long moments, as though trying to recall . "Well, now that you mention it, I believe they may have done just that. The young drivers weren't doin a very good job of it…it was a much smoother ride after they made the change..""
"Did you see anything of the boys that were driving in the first place after they changed?" asks Slim.
"No… you think somethin's wrong?" asks Belle, appearing concerned.
"Their Ma's worried. They haven't come home yet," says Slim. "But those two 're always gettin themselves into hot water… maybe they figured they'd lost the new driver jobs and they were afraid to go right home," says Slim, as though trying to convince himself of it.
"Ill bet that's it," Belle agrees quickly. "But I'm awful sorry I wasn't payin more attention."
Slim pulls up the buckboard in front of the ranch house, helps Belle down, then hands her the purchases from the General Store. "You go on in. I'll put the team away."
Slim leads the horses into the barn where Andy is doing the afternoon chores and cleaning stalls.
"Slim! You oughta see Marshal Wheeler handle a gun…I reckon he's as fast as Jess….maybe even faster," says Andy. .
"That so?" says Slim, still wondering what happened to the Morgan boys. Slim settles the buckboard horses. "Don't be long, Andy. Dinner oughta be ready soon."
"Almost done," says Andy, walking to the back of the barn to finish cleaning out the stalls there.
Belle goes into the kitchen where Jonesy is stirring a pot on the stove
.
"Jonesy, that smells just heavenly! What're you makin tonight?" asks Belle.
"Chicken, dumplins, biscuits," says Jonesy.
"My favourites !" says Belle.
Belle takes her parcels down to her room, then walks back out to the kitchen, removing her hat. "Jonesy, have you seen Marshal Wheeler?"
"He rode out couple o' hours ago, said he'd be back for supper," says Jonesy.
"Maybe I'll go outside and wait for him," says Belle. She meets Slim on his way in.
"Forget something on the wagon?" asks Slim.
"No, I'm just goin out to wait for Ty…. See if he's found out anything...our reports aren't exactly supper conversation," says Belle, smiling.
"I understand," says Slim agreeably.
Belle goes outside just as Wheeler rides up. He dismounts and is leading his horse to the barn. "Marshal Wheeler, good thing you're back. Jonesy is preparing a delicious supper for us!' says Belle loud enough for those in the house to hear. She walks alongside Wheeler as he leads his horse into the barn.
Wheeler unsaddles the horse and puts it in a stall. He is about to brush down the horse when she takes the brush out of his hand. "Never mind that," she snaps, with no trace of a southern accent. "I gave Plummer your note about Harper. If Harper'd ever showed up here the game would've been up. Everything else ready?"
"Yeah. Others'll be here anytime. Plummer 'n the Barker boys 're bringin the explosives. Train's due at noon tomorrow. Henderson's bunch is doin the bank job in Cheyenne- says there ain't a safe made he can't crack. Mine payroll's on the stage- the Barrow bunch are lookin after that. They're all just waitin for Plummer to give the word."
"Then we better get in to dinner, sugar – it's chicken 'n dumplins tonight," says Belle this time in her sweet southern drawl.
Meanwhile Andy has been crouching low in a stall a short distance away from them, and has heard every word.
Wheeler and Belle go inside and sit down to dinner.
"See anything of Andy out there?" Jonesy asks, putting the plate of chicken and dumplings on the table.
"No," says Belle, helping herself and passing the plate to Slim.
"He was just finishing up in the barn," says Slim, taking a fat piece of chicken from the plate.
Belle and Wheeler freeze, and exchanging a furtive look.
Andy comes in and sits down. "Sorry, I was just feedin my raccoon," he lies.
"Get all the horses fed? "asks Slim.
"Sure. Slim, Cyclone's really favouring his right leg. Can you come out 'n look at it with me?" says Andy with some urgency.
"I didn't notice anything wrong with him," says Slim. "But sure, I'll have a look after supper."
'He's really actin up!" says Andy. "I'm scared he's gonna hurt himself worse if we don't get right out there."
"All right ,Andy. That horse is nothin but trouble,' says Slim, reluctantly putting down his fork and standing up.
"Horse can wait," says Wheeler, drawing his gun, pointing it at Slim, his expression one of cold menace.
Belle pulls a derringer out of her sleeve and holds it on Jonesy.
Slim sits down slowly, his eyes on the gun.
"They ain't who they say they are Slim!' says Andy. "I heard 'em talkin bout Plummer 'n robbin banks…"
"Shut up kid!" snaps Wheeler, hitting Andy so hard he falls off his chair onto the floor.
"Takes a big man to hit a kid like that," says Jonesy angrily.
"You shut up too grandpa," says Wheeler.
There is the sound of riders outside and men's voices.
"Sounds like company's comin," says Wheeler.
The door opens and three scruffy, well armed men walk in.
"Bout time you showed up," says Wheeler. "Reckon we'd all like some o' that apple pie now," he says, pointing the gun at Jonesy.
Meanwhile, the REAL Marshal Wheeler and Belle Bond gallop into Laramie, pull up in front of the Sheriff's office, and .rush inside.
Mort is at his desk doing paperwork. He looks up, startled. "Can I help you folks?"
"Sheriff, I'm Federal Marshal Wheeler and this is Special Agent Belle Bond, from Governor Campbell's office. We were sent to Laramie by Tom Buchanan to investigate the Plummer gang. …" says Wheeler, still breathing heavily from the ride.
"Now hold on just a minute," says Mort. " I've never seen either of you before. If you're government agents let's see some papers…."
"Our documents were stolen," says Belle. 'Taken by outlaws with the Plummer gang who are pretending to be us "
Mort sits back in his chair and looks dubiously at Wheeler and Belle. "This is the best story I've heard all day. …If the Governor was sendin agents here how come I wasn't told?"
"We were going to report to you the day we arrived but we were taken off the stage and replaced by Plummer's people…" says Belle.
Mort appears unconvinced. "That's a pretty fancy game to set up. How'd Plummer know you were comin here?"
"Somebody in the Governor's office tipped him off," says Wheeler.
"How'd you get away from Plummer's men?" asks Mort.
"We were being held in a shack outside town. The two boys that were replaced driving the stage must have known where they took us and surprised the guards. They were holding Jess Harper too…" says Wheeler.
"Jess?!" says Mort.
"Yes!" says Wheeler, seeing the sheriff is finally giving them some credence. "Jess said to tell you that Boone Carson's never heard of Morg Pickett. He said you'd know what that meant."
Before Mort can answer Wilbur Gibbs bursts into Mort's office. "Sheriff, you gotta do somethin bout this!"
"Not now Wilbur!" says Mort angrily, opening the desk drawer and taking out his gun belt.
Wilbur will not be deterred. "I still ain't kilt nobody 'n I'm gittin hitched tomorrow. I went to the saloon to see that Marguerite 'n ask if them cards was still sayin the same thing but I couldn't git near her. She's settin there doin cards for a bunch o' fellers I ain't seen in town before…'n she won't talk to none o' the regulars…it ain't fair!"
Mort is about to tell Wilbur to go away however Belle and Wheeler appear very interested in what he is saying.
"Where is this fortune teller now?" Belle asks, urgency in her voice.
"Over to the Cattleman's Saloon", says Wilbur. "She's only talking to fellers ain't from town…it ain't fair!"
"It's Plummer," says Belle. "He's used this before. Sets this fortuneteller up a week or so before the jobs… the gang keep in touch with Plummer through her … they come to her for card readings and she uses the cover to give them Plummer's orders. "
"She's part of Plummer's gang?" asks Mort.
"She's his daughter," says Belle.
"And if she's in town, so's he," says Wheeler. "Sheriff, do you have a poster of Plummer?"
Mort goes through the posters on his desk. Plummer's is near the top. He hands it to Wheeler who shows it to Wilbur.
"Have you seen this man in the saloon, or anywhere else in town?" asks Wheeler.
"No. That's the feller I was gonna kill but the Sheriff said I ought not try to kill him on accounta him bein a big outlaw'n I ain't never kilt nobody before," says Wilbur.
Mort is staring at the poster intently. "There's something about him …"
Suddenly he takes the poster from Wheeler and puts in on his desk, taking a pencil and drawing shaggy hair and long beard on the picture of Plummer. "It's Morg Pickett!" says Mort.
"The name Jess gave us!" says Wheeler.
"That's right," says Mort. "Looks like Plummer's bin hangin round town pretendin to be this Pickett. We all thought he was loco… dug himself a grave plot and was lyin in it, makin sure it fit…"
"The dynamite!" exclaim Wheeler and Belle at the same time.
Wheeler explains. "About a week ago a shipment of dynamite on its way to a mine near Cheyenne was stolen…mine police couldn't find a trace of it… my guess is that shipment is what's lying in Mr Pickett's grave."
"Cemetery's just up over the hill," says Mort. He goes to the rifle lock up, takes out rifles for Wheeler and Wilbur. He offers one to Belle.
"I'll take a six gun, Sheriff," says Belle. "then I'll go over to the saloon and have my fortune told. "
Mort takes a revolver out of his desk drawer and loads it, then hands it to Belle. "Tell Joe at the bar what's goin on," says Mort.." He'll tell the Bar D boys in the saloon to lend you a hand with any o' Plummer's gang still in there.. Be glad to see that fortune teller locked up. She's got Wilbur here thinkin he's gotta kill a man…"
Belle spins the chamber of the gun, then slips it into the pocket of her cloak. "Actually, when she's telling fortunes for real her predictions have been surprisingly accurate," says Belle. "She does appear to have some kind of gift."
The door of the office opens and Jimmy Halliday, Mort's young deputy steps in. "Just finished doin the rounds in town, Sheriff. It's real quiet tonight."
"Won't be for long," says Mort, handing Jimmy a rifle.
"What's goin on Sheriff?" asks Jiim..
"We're goin after Matt Plummer," says Mort. "Come on."
They go out of the office. Belle heads across the street to the saloon.
The men trudge quickly up cemetery hill to the graveyard. The grave Plummer dug is on the other side of the hill.
Mort and the others don't yet see that two men and Matt Plummer, are working at the gravesite. As they excavate the site, they retrieve small wooden crates, walk to a wagon hidden in trees some distance away and load on the crates.
As Mort and the others near the crest of the hill they hear the sound of shovels and men talking.
Mort waves at the others to hit the ground and stay quiet. They crawl the rest of the way up until they are able to see three men, standing by a heap of soil from the grave.
"We got it all now," says Plummer. "Let's git goin. Gotta git the dynamite to Baxter's Ridge 'n meet up with Calhoun 'n the rest of 'em."
Mort, Wheeler, and Jimmy all stand up, rifles aimed. "Not so fast Plummer!" says Mort. "All of you stay where you are and drop your guns!"
Plummer and another gang member slowly unbuckle their gun belts and let them drop. At the same time Plummer looks over at the third man at the gravesite, a hot headed young gunslinger working his first job with the gang.
The third man places a hand on his gun belt buckle, then moves his hand quickly in the direction of his gun. He is about to draw and fire when Wilbur runs forward, tripping over a gravestone, discharging his rifle. The gunslinger falls to the ground.
Wheeler quickly steps forward, picking up the dropped guns and searching Plummer and the other gang member for any concealed weapons.
Mort kneels by the fallen gunslinger and turns him over..
"Sheriff, you want I should get the Doc?" asks the deputy.
Mort shakes his head. "No need. He's dead, Jimmy,"
Mort, Wheeler, Jimmy and Wilbur escort Plummer and the other gang member from the cemetery to the cells and Mort locks them up. Belle has already locked up Marguerite, aka Plummer's daughter, and two other gang members, who had been in the saloon on the pretext of waiting for Marguerite's readings.
"Wilbur, I'm deputizin you 'n a couple of the Bar D boys to guard the prisoners, " says Mort.
"Sure Sheriff ," says Wilbur enthusiastically.
"Try not to shoot any more of 'em," says Mort.
"Rest of us best get to Baxter's Ridge," says Mort to Jimmy, Wheeler and a number of the Bard D ranch hands who have volunteered for a posse. "Don't want to keep Mr Plummer's gang waiting."
"I know a shortcut to the Ridge, Sheriff," says Jimmy. "We can git ahead of 'em and wait for 'em in cover by the roadside. ''
"Then you lead out the posse, Jimmy," says Mort.
As they go out the door of the office Mort asks Wheeler, "When did you last see Jess?"
"At the line shack. Said he was headin for Sherman's ranch," says Wheeler.
Meanwhile, back at Sherman ranch, Jess rides up to the ranch house and sees three strange horses tied out front. He guesses they are with Plummer's gang, working with Calhoun and the woman impersonating Belle Bond.
Jess knocks on the door. It opens a crack and a man holding a gun appears in the space. "What do you want?" he demands.
"I live here," says Jess, "Didn't know we had company".
Jess hears a husky voice say ,"let him in."
When he steps inside he sees Jonesy and Slim sitting stiffly in chairs at the table, and Andy sitting on the floor, propped against the wall. Wheeler/ Calhoun is sitting in the chair by the fire, holding a gun on Slim and Jonesy. Three other gang members are consuming any food in view while they also watch Slim and Jonesy. All are wearing guns.
"Bin a long time Jess," says Calhoun.
"Four years, Vern," says Jess.
"You know him Jess?' asks Slim, surprised by Jess's easy manner with a man who is threatening all their lives.
"Yeah, Vern'n I go way back," says Jess .
"Where's the rest of 'em was in the line shack?" says Vern.
"You mean them two agents?" says Jess, beginning to play the only hand he has. "They're safe enough. I got 'em stashed where they ain't gonna be found anytime soon. Figured the Governor'll be willin to pay a pretty penny to git 'em back.'
Calhoun smirks .'Good old Jess! Heard you'd gone legal but I figured you was just bidin yer time till somethin good come along. Looks like you got your own game goin. You wanna throw in in with us? Can always use a extra gun."
"What's the plan?" asks Jess.
"We're meetin at place called Baxter's Ridge. That's all you need to know for now. We best git started," says Calhoun, holstering his gun and standing up .He checks his watch. Plummer had said to meet at 7 o'clock. .
"I know Baxter's Ridge. I can show you," says Jess.
Calhoun gives Jess a searching look. "You wouldn't be tryin to git rid o' us, would you Jess? Git us away from your friends here?"
As Calhoun is distracted talking to Jess, he is not paying close attention to Slim. The three others are stuffing themselves with pie and whatever else is left in the kitchen, not paying close attention to the living room. Slim eyes his gunbelt hanging on the chair at his desk, within reaching distance.
Slim lunges suddenly for the chair. Calhoun pivots, his hand moves to his hip for his gun. Jess pulls his gun before Calhoun can get to his, and shoots Slim, hitting him in the shoulder. Slim lurches to the left with the force of the bullet and falls heavily off the chair
Calhoun looks at Jess, still pointing his gun at Slim. "Reckon I can quit guessin what side you're on now, Jess."
"My side," says Jess coldly. "let's get outa here."
"We got three witnesses here." says Calhoun. "We can't just leave 'em."
"Plummer don't want killin," says Jess. "Come on, we're wastin time."
"All right, let's get movin," says Calhoun reluctantly, knowing better than to disobey a Plummer order. .
Andy and Jonesy stare at Jess in shock and incomprehension as he goes out the door with Calhoun and the outlaws.
After they leave Jonesy kneels beside Slim, who is bleeding and unconscious, to see how badly he has been wounded.
Calhoun, Jess, Kate Ellison (the grafter impersonating Belle) and the rest of the outlaws mount up and gallop to the fork in the road that leads to Baxter's Ridge.
Meanwhile, Mort, Jimmy, Wheeler and the Bar D ranch hands who have joined the posse are galloping out of town, taking Jimmy's shortcut, also on the road to Baxter's Ridge.
The posse follow a rise in the land that gives them a vantage point above the road. Mort takes a spy glass out of his saddle bag and focuses on the road behind them. In the distance he sees a cloud of dust being kicked up by several riders.
"They're comin!" Mort announces. "Cut some switches of brush 'n lay 'em in the road- just enough to bother the horses."
Wheeler, Jimmy and the Bar D men dismount, tie their horses to trees which provide cover. Some of the Bar D men have hunting knives and quickly cut long, thin branches off nearby trees. They toss the branches onto the narrow roadway, then take cover. Mort positions some of the posse at the roadside, others higher up the slope, hidden by outcrops of rock so they can fire down on the men taking the road.
'Fire over their heads to start with," says Mort calmly when all are in position and the riders draw nearer.
Calhoun and the outlaws are galloping recklessly toward what they think is a meeting with Plummer. It is getting onto dark and they don't notice the brush in the road until they are about 100 feet away from it. As they realize there is a barrier in the road they pull up their horses.
Mort, standing behind a large rock outcrop on the slope, fires a rifle shot in the air." This is Mort Corey. Sheriff o' Laramie. There's 15 guns on you boys. Best give it up. I got no interest in makin this a turkey shoot. "
Calhoun swears. The others look to him for a decision. He raises his hands and the other outlaws raise theirs.
Jess also puts up his hands .In the dark he could be mistaken for one of the outlaws if he tries to dismount or make a move to join the posse.
Jimmy and some of the Bard D men walk over to the outlaws, demanding their guns.
Cole James, the mouthy cowhand who loves taunting Jess, walks over to him. "Jess Harper!" he says with a nasty smile.
Calhoun looks at James, then at Jess, suspecting if Jess knows the posse men he might be in on the ambush.
"Goin back to your natural callin, Harper?" says James. "I always knowed you was no good!"
"See Jess, there ain't no second chances in this world," says Calhoun bitterly.
The posse secures the outlaws and Jess (on Mort's direction, for appearances) and escort them back to town. Once Calhoun and the outlaws are placed in cells, Jess is brought into Mort's office.
Mort hands Jess a coffee while he takes his statement. Jess quickly gives the details of his capture and rescue by the Morgan boys. He reluctantly tells Mort of the encounter with Calhoun and the outlaws at Sherman ranch, and of his wounding Slim. Mort sees Jess's obvious distress.
"It's late and dark and there's weather comin in. You best stay in town tonight. You're a good enough shot to make sure Slim won't be too badly hurt," says Mort gently. 'Strange business."
"What is?' asks Jess, lost in thought.
"What Marguerite told you - that you'd gun down your best friend."
"Yeah," says Jess, getting up and going out of the office.
Jess rides up to the ranch about mid day, dismounts, and ties Traveller. He opens the door slowly, taking off his hat.
Jonesy is in the kitchen, Andy is setting the table. Slim is sitting in his chair by the fire, his left arm held in a black sling.
Jess steps in, leaving the door open behind him. "How's the shoulder?" he says to Slim.
"Sore," says Slim.
"I couldn't count on beatin Calhoun, Slim," says Jess. "I couldn't get all of 'em. I took the only shot I had to get 'em away from here."
Slim looks thoughtful for a few moments. "So, you gonna come in 'n close that door or you tryin to finish me off by givin me pneumonia?"
"Lunch is ready," says Jonesy. " Made extra biscuits," he says, putting the biscuits down at Jess's place.
Jess closes the door, hangs up his hat and sits at the table.
Andy sits down beside Jess. "I cut some new fishin poles, Jess. We can go fishin later."
"But Andy, with Slim laid up 'n you and me fishin, who'll do all the work round here?" asks Jess.
There is a knock on the door Jonesy answers. It is Billy and Tommy Morgan.
"We washed up like you said," says Billy.
"Food sure smells good," says Tommy.
"Come in 'n sit down boys," says Slim. "As for all the work round here, Jess, the stage company had given the boys a contract for two weeks' work. Their Ma didn't want them drivin the stage so the boss said they could work their time here instead."
As they are finishing lunch, and having coffee they hear the noon stage arriving...
Andy goes outside with the Morgan boys to show them how to handle the teams.
The two passengers on the coach come inside –Marshal Ty Wheeler and Belle Bond.
"Slim, this is the REAL Marshal Wheeler," says Jess. "And this is the REAL Belle Bond."
"Mr Sherman, Tom Buchanan asked us to tell you how sorry he is for the trouble this investigation has caused you," says Wheeler. Wheeler takes an envelope out of his coat pocket and hands it to Slim. "We hope this will help compensate you."
"That's not necessary," says Slim modestly.
"It's the least we can do. If Plummer's plans had gone ahead it would have been a devastating attack on the territory," says Wheeler.
Belle, a lovely, classy looking blonde walks over to Slim and stands beside him at the table. "I am very pleased to meet you Mr Sherman. I do hope you have not been too seriously injured." she says, with an elegant southern drawl.
"I'll be fine in a couple o' days,' says Slim heroically.
"I'm very glad to it Perhaps we will meet again, in more pleasant circumstances," says Belle, offering her hand.
"I'm sure we will, Miss Bond," says Slim, taking her hand in his and smiling warmly at her. "Got a feelin it's in the cards."
THE END..