Old Friends, New Enemies

CHAPTER ONE

Approaching dusk sent long shadows crawling across the silent yard. Debris, stirred by the breeze, scudded into the shadows. The door to the cabin opened, and a man stood framed in the entrance, the last beams of the setting sun highlighting the badge on his chest proclaiming him to be a U.S. marshal. He examined the dusty yard, then, satisfied, strode through the deepening shadows towards the shed. He froze as he heard a click; his hand moved stealthily towards his hip.

"That's far enough, Sawyer. Down on your knees and put your hands behind your head."

Marshal Wade Sawyer let out his breath, slowly lowered himself to the ground, and clasped his hands at the back of his neck. "Kid. I figured you had to be somewhere close by. Surprised it took you this long."

Curry stepped out of the shadows, his gun pointed steadily at the kneeling man, and moved so he was confronting Sawyer. He nodded to his companion, who silently slipped over to the marshal and removed the man's weapon from its holster before stepping back into the shadows.

Sawyer's eyebrows rose as he caught sight of the youth. "Little young isn't he, Kid. Never knew Devil's Hole took little boys."

Curry's grim visage lightened briefly as he took a quick glance towards his youthful companion. "Yeah, well Mel there ain't as young as you might think." His gaze returned to his captive, the cold fury in his eyes causing the man to recoil. "That jail's a joke, only I'm not laughin'. You better hope nothin' happens to Heyes. If he dies, or goes missin' like others have, you are goin' to be wishin' I'd kill you quick, because I won't. It'll be long and slow. I've learned a few tricks over the years, and you are goin' to a livin' Hell."

He looked at his companion. "Tie him good then get goin'. Go get Heyes."

His companion frowned, then shrugged and pulled out some thongs to tie Sawyer's hands behind his back. When done, Mel walked over to the Kid, held a brief whispered conversation that, try as he might, Sawyer could not hear, and slipped into the shadows. The two remaining were motionless until they heard the sound of a horse gathering speed as its rider headed to town.

~~~oOo~~~

Sawyer shifted to get more comfortable, to the extent that was possible for a man sitting with his hands tied behind his back and his torso and legs firmly lashed to a chair. "Can you loosen the thongs on my hands? They're beginning to get numb."

"No."

Sawyer grimaced. He cranked his head to look at his captor as best he could. "What are you doing over there?"

"Makin' coffee."

"Can I have some?"

"No."

"So you going to pay me for that coffee you're drinking and food you're eating?"

"No."

"Well, I guess that's consistent with your thieving ways."

"Code of the west. I'm acceptin' your hospitality."

The two lapsed into silence.

Later. "Are you always this talkative, Kid?"

"Heyes talks enough for the two of us."

Sawyer sighed and shifted again. "So how long do I get the dubious pleasure of your company?"

"Until Heyes gets here." The Kid allowed the corner of his mouth to lift slightly. "Or until I kill you."

The only sound thereafter was the sound of Curry sipping his coffee and eating the beans he'd heated up.

~~~oOo~~~

Sawyer startled awake from an uneasy slumber as the bindings on his hands were roughly jerked back. Curry finished untying the captive's hands then pulled his gun and stepped back. Blinking, Sawyer realized from the slant of the sun that it was late morning. He looked at the cup of coffee sitting before him then at his captor in confusion.

"You have company comin'. Finish untyin' yourself and throw me the ropes. Just remember, I can kill both you and your company before either of you draw, so behave yourself." He holstered his gun with a flourish then drew fast as lightning before replacing it back in its holster and standing to the side of the room.

A frantic knock sounded just as the Kid finished stowing Sawyer's bindings. He nodded, and Sawyer called out, "Come in."

The door flew open, and a balding man burst in, a sheriff's badge pinned to a vest that strained over his paunch. He paused to wipe his streaming forehead with a grimy kerchief and catch his breath. "Marshal!" he cried. "What're you trying to do to me, claiming that man is Hannibal Heyes? His fiancée, the daughter of the mayor of San Francisco no less, was in my office not one hour ago, demanding that he be released." He moaned and wrung his hands.

"Mayor of San Francisco? What are you blathering about, man?"

The Kid choked on a laugh. At the sound, the sheriff turned to him then back to Sawyer. "See you brought in some protection." His eyes hardened. "You'll probably need it the way you're sticking your nose into other folks' business. Folks who stick their nose in where it don't belong have a way of disappearing around here."

Sawyer glared. "Don't threaten me. The Governor brought me in to clean up the area, and I intend to do just that. So don't you be getting in my way."

The two men glared at each other, before the sheriff broke eye contact and looked sideways at the Kid who was listening to the exchange with interest, his hand caressing the butt of his sidearm. "Whatever. I'm telling you, Sawyer, if there are any repercussions, I'll have your badge for this." He strode back and forth, muttering, "Last thing I need right now, more trouble."

"The man's Hannibal Heyes, I tell you."

"And how would you know that?"

"I've caught him before," Sawyer declared and glanced sideways at his captor. "Him and that partner of his."

"You caught them before? So how come they're still loose? And if that's Hannibal Heyes, where's his partner?"

As Sawyer opened his mouth, the Kid shot him a warning glance and stepped forward. "Sorry to interrupt, but I'm Thaddeus Jones. I had business with the marshal here. You mentioned the fiancé of the mayor's daughter. Would that be Joshua Smith?"

"What's it to you?"

"I'm an old friend. Just heard about the upcomin' weddin'. So I figured if he's in the area, I'd stop by to pay my respects."

Sawyer stood up. "Sheriff, start over again. How do you know that this woman is who she says she is?"

"How do I… How do I know? She handed me a letter, from the mayor hisself, or at least from his secretary. Described the man to a tee, right down to the little scar on his neck, and that scar don't match Heyes' wanted poster – I checked." He reached into his vest and withdrew a rumpled sheet of paper, stained where it had once been closed with a wax seal. "Here. See for yourself." He thrust the paper at Sawyer.

Sawyer opened the missive and began to read. The Kid moved behind him and read over his shoulder, one hand pushing the marshal back into his seat.

Sawyer looked up at the Sheriff. "Who's this S. O'Sullivan that signed the letter?"

"It says right there, the mayor's secretary."

"And I'm telling you that's Hannibal Heyes."

"Yeah, you told me and you told me. But if that's Hannibal Heyes, I'll ask you again, where is Kid Curry? They say one's never around without the other. But I don't see anyone blasting into my jailhouse to free this man. Not that they could for all the guards I've had there." He resumed pacing.

"If it is Joshua Smith, I'll be able to confirm that. Just bring him here," the Kid offered. 'If he's none the worse for his stay in your jailhouse, I'm sure he'll forgive the mistaken identity."

The sheriff stopped pacing and stared at him, stricken.

"He is the worse. Does he need a doctor?" the Kid growled.

"What did you do, Sheriff? I told you to lock him up and leave him alone," demanded Sawyer.

"Well … but …" the sheriff sputtered. "You said it was Hannibal Heyes. You should've let me shoot him on sight. But no, you wouldn't allow that. So we had to make sure he didn't escape, didn't we? We shackled him to a corner in the back cell, so he couldn't get out and his partner couldn't reach him to help him."

The Kid shut his eyes briefly. "Is that all?" he asked quietly.

The sheriff glanced at him and shuddered. "Pretty much. Might have a couple of sore ribs." He looked at the two men glaring at him. "Well, he didn't take kindly to the shackling. It took three men to subdue him," he whispered. "This is all your fault, anyway, marshal. You're the one insisting he's Hannibal Heyes. He's been saying he's Joshua Smith all along."

He reached for the door. As he opened it, he looked back. "You deal with this mess now. His fiancée is driving him out here. I'm done." He stomped out of the cabin, mounted his horse, and galloped away.

The two men remaining stared at each other. Sawyer tried not to show the fear he felt as he looked at the Kid's clenched jaw and fixed stare.

"On your knees; hands behind your back towards me," Curry growled.

Sawyer did as instructed, closing his eyes briefly. He opened them wide as he felt the tug of the thongs going back around his wrists. He turned to stare at the outlaw. "That's it? You're just going to tie me up again?"

"Yeah. For now." He grabbed Sawyer's elbow, hauling him to his feet and plunking him into a chair. "I'm waitin' for Heyes and Mel. Want to see how bad he's hurt. I heard the sheriff, heard him say you stopped him from killin' Heyes." He chuckled. "Besides, I had to promise Mel I wouldn't hurt you before she'd agree to help."

The marshal let out a deep breath, then frowned. "Who's this fiancée? I thought Mel was the boy that was with you last night."

The Kid chuckled. "She was. She just wasn't a boy. That's Mel. She owed me, and I called in the debt."

"Heard you had a way with the ladies – and other women. Guess some of those um, other women'd do anything for you."

The Kid smirked. "You call Mel one of those other women to her face, and I won't be responsible for the result."

The two sat quietly. Finally, Sawyer again shifted, trying to find a comfortable position. "So tell me, where were you when I caught Heyes? I looked for you."

The Kid stared out the window then turned to Sawyer. "I was in the livery stable. Heyes was gettin' us a room, and I was seein' to the horses. When you caught him, nothin' I could do, so I lit out for the next town to figure out how to free him."

"Well, that makes me feel better. I was going crazy trying to figure out where you were."

"Yeah. That was my goal – to make you feel better." The Kid shook his head and turned back to the window, staring out towards town.

~~~oOo~~~

At the whinny of horses, Curry looked up from his game of solitaire and walked swiftly to the window, pulling his gun. A broad smile illuminated his face, and he holstered his pistol as he pulled the door open and waved in greeting to the new arrivals. Heyes climbed carefully down from the buggy and grimaced putting a hand to his side. He looked up, saw the Kid, his dimples flashed, and he limped quickly to the cabin. Mel walked the horses to the shade at the side of the cabin.

The Kid put a hand lightly on his partner's shoulder and scrutinized him, taking in the bruises on his face that were slowly turning to green and yellow. "Those ribs of yours, they broken? You need a doctor?"

"I'm fine, ma." Heyes shrugged off the scrutiny. "Sorry we took so long getting here; I wanted to clean up some." He turned towards Sawyer, but stopped as Mel entered the cabin.

"Now we're even," she announced to the Kid. "And just remember what I told you, I don't care what the Governor …"

"Mel," Heyes interrupted. "Let's get through the introductions before you spill all our secrets. Miss Melanie Duster, allow me to introduce Marshal Wade Sawyer. We go back a long way. Sawyer, Mel."

Mel glanced at the tied man and, furious, turned on the Kid. "Release him, immediately! I told you, I wouldn't have anything to do with restraining him a second longer than necessary. He's out; now keep your word."

The Kid glanced at his partner leaning against the wall. Heyes hid a smile and turned to Sawyer. "You're not going to try anything, right?"

Sawyer glared. "One against three; I know when I'm outnumbered."

"Good. You can untie him, Kid." He chuckled. "Engaged to the daughter of the Mayor of San Francisco, huh?" He shook his head still chuckling. "Now, is there anything to eat around here? The pickings were a little scarce in that place."

Heyes wandered over to look at the shelves and, with a grunt, set about making a meal, while the Kid untied Sawyer.

Sawyer watched them sourly. "So, Miss Duster, how much did these two promise you? And what betting house they find you in? Hope you got your money up front."

Mel's face turned red. "Betting house! You think I'm … that I'd … How dare you!" she sputtered and lunged for Sawyer.

Laughing, the Kid grabbed her and swung her away, shielding Sawyer with his body. "I warned you. You should've listened to me. Mel's respectable. Well, as respectable as a bounty hunter can be."

"Sorry, ma'am. I'm sure you can understand my confusion given the company you're keeping."

Mel narrowed her eyes and sniffed.

Sawyer examined the three. "I don't get it. What's your lay here? Your gang's not around, hasn't been active for a while. Heard you two left Devil's Hole."

Heyes glanced over his shoulder before grabbing the skillet from the stove. "Later. Food's ready. Let's eat."

~~~oOo~~~

The four pushed back from a table littered with the remains of a ham and biscuits.

"I don't mean to be inhospitable, but do you mind moving along? All this togetherness with a pair of outlaws is beginning to grate."

Heyes chuckled and considered Sawyer over the top of his coffee cup. "Tell me, when did you become a U.S. marshal? Last time we saw you, you were a deputy sheriff in Bramberg."

"About a year ago." Sawyer's eyes narrowed. "Bramberg? I don't recall seeing you there."

"We saw you first."

Mel choked. She waved away offers of assistance as she looked from man to man. "Now what, boys?"

"In a little bit, Mel." The dark eyes returned to scrutinizing Sawyer. "What are you doing in Pantano Station? Arizona's a long way from Wyoming."

"I could say the same thing about you two."

Ignoring the comment, Heyes continued, "This doesn't seem like your type of set up. We may have our differences, but you've always played straight. The locals here don't. That sheriff for instance, told me that if I'd give him five thousand now he'd let me go rather than wait around for the full ten. Of course, when I said I didn't have five thousand, he roughed me up to be sure. Offered to remove the shackles for a fee, too." Heyes grimaced. "And I hear I'm one of the lucky ones. Some never make it into that jail, or out of it once they get in. I hear folks have been known to disappear around here, never seen again."

He pondered their reluctant host. "So, I repeat, what are you doing in Pantano Station?"

"Not that it's any of your business, but that's why I'm here."

The partners looked at each other. The Kid grimaced; Heyes rolled his eyes. "Of course it is."

Sawyer looked back and forth at the two and furrowed his brow. Shaking his head, he continued, "Governor Zulick asked me to come in to try to clean up the place and especially to solve the most recent disappearance." He sipped his coffee and mused. "Told the Governor I needed backup, and he said he was sending a couple of men. They'll be here soon so you two should get going."

When he mentioned the Governor's men, Heyes and the Kid began laughing.

"What are you two …?" Sawyer's eyes opened wide. "Oh, no. No, no, no. You're the men Zulick sent?"

"Yup."

Sawyer groaned and put his head in his hands.

Mel began to laugh. The partners grinned at her then turned their attention back to Sawyer.

He looked up. "Does he know who you are?"

"He has a pretty good idea," Curry answered.

Sawyer raised his eyes upward. "What the hell was that man… Oh, sorry ma'am, miss, uh, pardon my language."

Mel gave a lopsided smile. "As they said, I'm a bounty-hunter. I can assure you, I've heard worse. Why don't you call me Mel, like they do?" She turned her attention to the other two. "The Marshal has a point, Heyes; I, too, am interested in hearing why the Governor of Arizona Territory would ask you two for help, too."

"Let's just say we helped him out of a tight spot in Mexico a while back and let it go at that."

Mel digested this and turned back to Sawyer. "I was skeptical when I first met them, too, but I've found that if they give you their word, they'll keep it. Just make sure you read the fine print beneath their word."

"Ah, hell. Sorry. Looks like I don't have much choice. You two swear you'll behave, and maybe we can work together this one time."

Heyes regarded him, measuring him. "We'll swear we won't be robbing any banks or trains while we're here, and we'll do our best to get to the bottom of this mess."

"But, in return, you have to swear you won't be tellin' anyone who we are, or arrest us while we work together," Curry said.

"Agreed," Sawyer replied sourly.

Mel beamed at the three of them. "Now that we have that resolved, tell me what this disappearance is about. I assume there's a reward?"

The Kid frowned. "Mel, who said anythin' about you bein' involved? This is too dangerous."

She bristled. "You asked me to come here. Now that there's money involved you want me to leave. I don't think so. I can handle myself." She stood hands on her hips, foot tapping, and glared at the men.

Curry, who had moved to the stove to get more coffee, turned and glared back. "No."

Heyes started laughing again. "Calm down, you two. She's right, Kid. We don't control her. She wants to get herself killed, that's her business."

Sawyer cut in. "Miss, I mean, Mel, there's a six-thousand dollar reward being offered for the capture of Brunen's killers or kidnappers, but I came here with the understanding that that was my money. I do not intend to split it four ways."

"Fine, I'll work this case on my own," Mel stormed. "And I'll just claim the full reward." She began to gather her things.

Heyes stood up and walked over to bar the door. He held up his hands placatingly. "Hold on, don't go flying off in a fury; you'll get yourself killed that way."

She narrowed her eyes. "Move."

They stood glaring at each other. Finally, he sighed. "Mel, look all this isn't necessary. You should know by now that the Kid and I can't claim rewards."

"Even if we were willin' to take money for sellin' men to the law," the Kid muttered.

Heyes shot him a look. "The Kid and I made other arrangements with the Governor." He turned to Sawyer. "As far as we're concerned the reward is for you and Mel to split, when it comes. Even assuming we manage to find the men responsible, we can't be sticking around waiting for the trial to finish." He glared at all in the room. "Now, everyone sit down, and we'll do some planning."

~~~oOo~~~

After coffee had been refilled, all four settled back around the table.

"So," said Mel, "who's Brunen, and why is the Governor involved?"

Sawyer hesitated, looked at the ill-assorted group around his table, and shook his head. "He was the lawyer for the Southern Arizona Stock Growers' Association and a member, a free mason, a former territorial senator, a colonel in the territorial militia, hero in the Indian wars, and leader in the statehood movement. He runs a spread over in Mesillo maybe ten miles from here. He was coming back from delivering evidence to a grand jury in Douglas, traveling with his youngest son, Henry, when he disappeared just a few hours from home – outside of town here on February second. Neither he nor his son has been seen since, and the evidence he was carrying went missing, too. Supposedly it would have led to the arrest and conviction of over twenty rustlers and other outlaws in the area."

Mel nodded. "That would make him important." She frowned. "And a target."

The four sat silently until Heyes shifted in his chair. "So, we know that Brunen went missing and that there are some signs that he was murdered, but not much more than that. Kid, did you learn anything else from Doc while I was talking to the Governor?"

"Well …"

"Wait a minute," Sawyer interrupted. "Doc. Do you mean Doc Donovan?"

"Yeah."

"The Deputy Territorial Marshal?"

"Is there more than one Doc Donovan?"

"Does he know who you two are?"

Heyes and the Kid exchanged glances. "Sure. Turned down the reward on us once."

Sawyer stared. Mel just shook her head, muttering, "For a pair of notorious outlaws, you two have the strangest assortment of friends I've ever seen."

The Kid cleared his throat. "To continue, they found the burned remains of the wagon about a hundred yards from the trail, a pool of blood near where the wagon turned off, and a number of foot and hoof prints. The searchers found three distinct sets of prints that all seemed to be made around the same time but couldn't follow them to anywhere. That's about all I know."

Heyes looked at Sawyer, "What can you add to that?"

"Not much. There're rumors that the sheriff and his deputies are involved, and maybe another troublemaker – an independent rancher as well. The Stock Growers' Association thinks he's in league with the rustlers."

"Wait a minute," Mel spoke. "If you think the sheriff's involved, why haven't you removed him?"

"I can't. It's an elected position, and the Mayor and Sheriff don't recognize my authority. The two are cronies." Sawyer smiled grimly. "But, that may change. As I understand it, the sheriff only won this last election because a missing ballot box suddenly turned up – all the ballots in it were marked for him. There's a panel of judges in Douglas reviewing the matter, and they may throw him out. If so, the new sheriff would be one of Brunen's people."

He paused. "Of course, that man – Huvel is his name – was accused of shooting Dutchy Schmidt in the back, in cold blood. Grand jury refused to indict; tried to indict the ones bringing the charges instead."

He glanced out the window. "It's getting dark; I guess we can all camp here tonight. Miss… Mel, you can have the bed, we'll doss down on the floor out here."

Heyes stood. "No, we need to get into town. Why are you this far out of town, anyway?"

"It's not far, only a mile or so, and it gives me some freedom of movement. The folks I'm investigating won't see who all comes here."

The dark head nodded. "Makes sense. In fact, we shouldn't be seen with you either. It won't help to have folks think we're friendly. We'll just have to figure out how to get word to each other." He sighed and placed his hand briefly on his ribs then pinched the bridge of his nose. "Well, we'll figure that out tomorrow."

After a searching glance at Heyes, the Kid stood. "Can you draw us a map of where the wagon was found? We'll go take a look at the place tomorrow."

"Won't see much. It's been too long." Nevertheless, Sawyer dug out a piece of paper and began to draw. The Kid watched over his shoulder, occasionally seeking clarification. Finally, the Kid took the sheet, folding it and placing it carefully inside his vest. Nodding at his partner, he left to put the horses to."

Heyes turned to Mel. "You coming, Mel? After all you are my fiancée, and we need you to drive the buggy back. I'll ride with the Kid." He headed towards the door a grin on his face as she grunted, then turned back to Sawyer. "By the way, don't feel the need to say you were wrong about who I am. I think it might help if folks aren't exactly sure."

~~~oOo~~~

The partners allowed the buggy Mel was driving to pull ahead of them.

"How are you really feelin', Heyes?"

"I'm fine, Kid. Stop worrying. I'll be fine once I have a drink or two and get some sleep." He grimaced. "It's a little hard to sleep when you're shackled hand and foot in the corner of a hot cell."

"What'll we do about Mel?"

"I'm thinking. Why'd you involve her, anyway?"

"Best idea I could come up with. I needed someone to swear that you weren't you. Lom would take too long and probably wouldn't do it anyway. Besides she owed me from the last time."

Heyes laughed. "It worked, so I'm not complaining." He sobered. "You know, I think the deputies might be in on the disappearance."

The Kid swiveled on his horse to look directly at him, eyebrows raised.

He held up a hand. "No, no actual confessions. But I could overhear them talking sometime. They're definitely crooked and didn't love Brunen." He started to speak, looked at the Kid, and closed his mouth resolutely.

"What?"

"Nothing."

"Sure it's nothin'. Just tell me what it is before it becomes somethin', okay?" The Kid spurred his horse and caught up to the buggy, riding beside it the rest of the way to town.