AN: You all know the usual junk I don't own any of it except a couple of characters.
Thanks yet again to Cal Gal you're a saint for reading this one! Cap thanks for the push :D
THE NIGHT OF THE DECEPTION
James West, Secret Service Agent for the United States Government, really hated these kinds of assignments. Sitting here just watching the comings and goings of some of this town's citizens was not his idea of a successful mission. He would much rather just dive in head first and beat the information out of the men they were watching. He risked a glance across the street toward his partner.
Now there was a man more suited for this kind of intelligence work. Artemus Gordon, actor, soldier, spy extraordinaire didn't seem to mind sitting idly by, in the snow no less, just watching. Jim thought assignments like these gave his partner some weird sense of satisfaction. Guess it comes from knowing he could best the bad guy without having to break a sweat, Jim thought as he chuckled, watching his friend.
Artemus was intently listening to the conversation of two gentlemen approaching him on the sidewalk. It's a good thing Artie is a master of disguise, no way could I pull that off. Jim watched as his partner went into action. Artie limped from the alley and barreled head long into the gentlemen.
"Cuse me, kind sirs," Artie slurred, "I did…didn't see ya there," he drawled.
"No harm done, here go get yourself a bottle and forget it," one of the men handed him a bill and they continued on.
Artie pocketed the bill and limped his way across the street toward his partner's hiding place. He slid down beside his partner and pulled the bill out of his pocket and looked at it. Fellow agent Jeremy Pike had come through yet again, Artie smiled.
"Yep, Jim that's our man. Jeremy says he's the one behind all the money counterfeiting. But he still doesn't know who's behind the bearer bonds counterfeiting," Artie said as he passed the note to his partner.
"Guess we're back to square one on that account, then," Jim sighed.
"Not necessarily, Jim. When I was waiting for Jeremy I overheard a nice little conversation in that alley. Seems someone wants to liberate the mint of some of its paper stock tonight," Artie grinned, knowing what that information would do to his friend's spirits.
"Really now? Looks like I just might get some exercise on this mission after all."
"Sure looks that way, James. How does round about midnight sound to you?"
"Fine, Artie, just fine," Jim smiled.
The two men slowly made their way over toward the Mint building and took up their positions. They didn't want to alert the thieves to their presence until after they had the paper and they could trail them back to their boss and eventually to the ringleader. Jim gently rested his hand on his gun, hoping he wouldn't have to use it. Artie crouched down and kept his eye on the door.
They didn't have long to wait. The door cautiously opened and two men carrying large bundles of what Jim and Artie could only assume was the bearer bond paper emerged and hauled their loads to a waiting buckboard. They looked around nervously, this had all been too easy and they were waiting for the trap to be sprung. They climbed into the buckboard and quietly made their way through the streets not noticing their shadows close behind.
Jim and Artie followed closely, careful to keep to the shadows. Interesting, Artie thought as they pulled up near what appeared to be their destination. Artie knew he would have to defuse his partner before he skipped the frying pan and ran straight into the fire. Oh well, if this is heading where I think it is James will still have plenty of opportunity to bash a few heads in, Artie thought as he slowed his horse and pulled over to the cover of the trees on the side of the road and waited for his partner to do the same.
"Jim," Artie whispered, "you recognize that place?"
"No, should I?"
"Yeah, it belongs to Senator Alvah Crocker. He uses it when he's in Denver on senatorial business."
"Crocker? Isn't he a little old to be involved in something like this?"
"Guess you're never too old to think about getting as much money as you can before you die."
"How do you propose we go about getting in there, Artie?" Jim asked with a gleam in his eye and a grin plastered from ear to ear as he wriggled his eyebrows.
"Not THAT way, James," Artie rolled his eyes and grinned at his partner knowing Jim's way of getting into places.
"It's too early to tip our hand I suggest we use my way."
"Oh and D & D is better than a head on attack?" Jim smirked.
"D & D? What's that?" Artie questioned.
"Disguises and Deceit, pal. And I must say you seem to be awfully deceitful lately and if I didn't know you better I'd think I'd have something to really worry about," Jim laughed at his partner's glare.
"Oh very funny, Jim. But this case calls for something much more sinister than mere disguises and deceit…just plain old Artemus Gordon and James West being their usual debonair secret agent selves," Artie smiled back.
"Huh? Even our badges won't give us any reason to get in there at this time of night."
"We don't need them. We wait until morning and the "theft" is discovered. Then we have every right to come here to talk to Crocker. After all, he IS the Chairman of the Appropriations Committee isn't he? And as such we will of course have to consult him in our investigation," Artie smiled quite pleased with himself.
"Oh but of course. But do you think that's wise putting all our cards on the table like that right at the beginning of the game?"
"Who said that's all our cards, Jim?" Artie winked at him.
"What have you got up your sleeve, Artie?"
"Nothing…yet. Just a hunch I'm playing…go with me on this one, Jim. If I'm right we may find out who's behind the good Senator Crocker."
"So you don't think the Senator is behind all this?"
"Crocker? Nah…he might have had aspirations to be President in the past but I don't think he's capable of pulling this off by himself. He's got to be getting help from someone, and I'm rather curious as to whom."
"Just be careful, pal, you know what they say about curiosity and the cat."
"Last time I checked, James, I was not a cat," Artie grinned.
Artie and Jim slowly crept up toward the one window that was lit. They eased up against the house and listened in on the conversation that was taking place inside.
"We got the paper just like you said, Mr. Crocker. It's all unloaded down in the basement. You got any more orders for us?" Slim Bannister asked the senator.
"No, not tonight. You and your men did well. Go now and wait until I contact you again. We mustn't be seen together and especially not here."
"Sure, boss. Uh…boss what about Jake? He ain't no good to us since he got shot up last time. We really need to replace him."
"Then by all means do so. Scouring the dregs of humanity for your ilk is a task I for one do not relish. Finding a replacement for Mr. Roberts I will leave up to you. Now leave me and do not contact me until I send for you," Bannister turned to leave the room and turned back when Crocker spoke again.
"And Mr. Bannister…"
"Yeah, Mr. Crocker?"
"See to it that Mr. Roberts doesn't talk…to ANYONE."
"Yes, sir," Bannister replied with a sinister smile as he left.
"Jim, you better go back to the train. I just thought of another way into that house."
"Artie, I don't like it when you get that look in your eyes."
"Not to worry, James my boy, we wanted to find a way in and it just so happens that two ways in found us. You can still conduct the investigation and if anyone asks any questions about me just tell him I'm off doing your leg work," Artie winked at his partner then disappeared into the shadows.
"Pal, one of these days your D & D will be your undoing," Jim muttered as he chuckled and headed for his horse.
The next morning Jim rose early and rode toward the Mint. He feigned surprise when he was informed of the previous night's occurrence. He quickly left to inform Senator Crocker and hoped his partner was making headway in whatever it was he had planned.
The man stood at the bar sipping on his beer. Most of the other patrons had been giving this man a wide berth. Whether it was from the ugly scar that ran from the corner of his right eye down his jaw line to his chin or from his all around grisly personality, and quite frankly, the man didn't care, he was just glad they left him alone. He raised his head when Slim Bannister entered the saloon and approached the bar. Time to go to work, the man thought.
"Barkeep, I thought you said this place would liven up. And you said they was people here what's lookin ta hire," the scarred man grumbled and tried not to grin as Bannister took in his appearance.
"It will liven up buddy it's still early yet…not all of my regulars are here yet," the barkeep replied as he shoved a fresh beer at him and slid one down the bar to Bannister.
"What's the matter, friend, " Bannister said, "this place not lively enough for you?"
"Who's askin?" the scarred man grumbled.
"Name's Bannister, Slim Bannister. Who might you be?"
"Why you need ta be knowin?" came the grizzled reply.
"Just trying to be neighborly, friend. Could be I know someone who's hiring but you have to have the right attitude."
"Well now, you show me someone who's hiring and I'll show you a change in my attitude," Bannister turned and extended his hand and smiled. Artie shook his hand.
"Friend, you sound like someone I could use. It just so happens I'm looking to replace one of my men who was wounded recently."
"Doin what?"
"A little of this a little of that. You do whatever you're told when you're told and without question and you'll be paid quite well."
"Does this little of this and little of that include legal or illegal work?"
"Does it make a difference to you?"
"Don't make no nevermind ta me. Long as I get paid at the end of the job. Although illegal is usually more fun," Artie grinned and chuckled evilly.
"That it is, friend, that it is. So do you want the job?"
"When do I start?"
"Five minutes ago. All I need from you is a name and place to contact you. You'll be paid five dollars a day, even when you don't work for me."
"Five whole dollars a day? Why you payin men that kind a money just fer sitting around doing nothin?" Artie feigned surprise.
"Let's just say I need my workers to be ready at a moments notice and it's worth the five dollars a day to make sure they don't look for work elsewhere."
"Sounds fair enough. I don't mind gettin paid just to sit around." Artie laughed a big hearty laugh as he extended his hand again to Bannister.
"Locke, Ben Locke's the name. I just got into town and I ain't got me a place to stay as yet…maybe you can recommend one?"
"Well, Mr. Locke, there's Fly's Boarding House over on Main Street. A lot of the men in my employ stay there."
"Ain't that place supposed to be haunted?"
"You aren't a superstitious man are you, Mr. Locke?"
"Nah…I'll sleep anywhere makes no nevermind ta me."
"Good just tell the clerk you work for me and he'll set you up with a room for a "special price" and you can take all your meals there too."
"Alright then, Mr. Bannister. Do I need ta stay there all the time?"
"No, just don't go more than a few minutes from there and let the clerk know where to find you in case I have an urgent need for your…uh…services."
Bannister nodded to him, set his beer down and left, smiling. He was happy with his new hire and he was sure he would work out…IF he passed the test Bannister had in store for him. What an ass, Artie thought as he watched Bannister leave. It's going to be a pleasure taking him out. Artie paid for his beer and left heading for the boarding house.