There were times when you knew without even having to think about it that trouble was headed your way. Sometimes, it was a storm headed towards you, and the best you could do was seek shelter and ride it out. Sometimes it was an affair of the heart. That usually meant some riding it out as well. Sometimes it was a turn in fortunes, and all you could do was pick up the pieces and start things over. And sometimes, it was a stranger riding into town, sizing folks up as he rode and focusing an icy glare at one particular establishment that told you hell on earth was likely headed your way.

Vin made his way over toward the livery, where the stranger had ended up. He stood casually at the door, pleased to see Chris had spotted the trouble as well and was making his way to the same spot and arriving at the same time the ragged looking newcomer stepped out. It was clear he'd been on the trail for some time to get here. Chris suspected he was going to wish the man had kept riding.

"Welcome to Four Corners."

He ignored Chris's greeting. "Hear tell you have a fella by the name of Standish in these parts."

Vin knew immediately it wasn't a friendly enquiry. "What's your interest?"

"Hear tell he's claiming to be a lawman." The stranger snorted when he spoke, and then spit tobacco juice dangerously close to Chris Larabee's boots. The action earned him a squint-eyed glare that he elected to disregard.

"You seem to hear a lot of things."

He nodded slightly. "Make it my business to listen, Larabee."

"Have we met?" There was no doubt in his mind that he would have remembered this specimen.

"Know your reputation which is why I can't figure why you haven't strung up this Standish bastard yet."

Although he wasn't there at the beginning, Buck had heard enough of the conversation as he and JD walked up to the scene to get involved now. "We tend to avoid hanging folks who ain't done nothing to deserve it."

"Keep talking 'bout Ezra that way and we might just make an exception in your case."

He spit again before responding to JD. "No way to talk to a fellow lawman there boy."

Chris dearly hoped he was lying. This was not the kind of character who should be wearing a badge. "Where do you work out of, and what brings you here?"

"Nowhere at the moment. Retired from my last job when the town got state protection. As for why I'm here – told you that."

"No you didn't. Just said you were interested in Ezra. We'd kinda like to know why."

"Cause the bastard can't be trusted, and I aim to make sure people know that."

Buck had heard enough. "Fine, you told us. So you best be moving along."

With a smirk they all would have loved to wipe off his face, he stared them down. "Nah. Think I'll stick around a bit. Long ride to get here. Horse can use some rest." He turned and walked toward the boarding house, stopping when Vin called out.

"You got a name friend?"

"Course I do. Jessop. Carl –with a 'c' Jessop. Make sure to spell it right when you start sending your telegraphs."

Chris silenced them before anyone could comment. "Don't think we need to have this discussion in public. Jailhouse will do."

Vin had another concern. "You guys can talk it out all you want. Ez is due back from morning patrol in about an hour and I don't intend for him to ride into trouble. Least not without a warning."

Since they had no clue what was going on, Chris had to agree. "Good idea. Tell him to stay back if he needs time to figure this out. He should be coming from the north given his territory today. We'll keep an eye out in case you miss him. Buck can keep watch on this Jessop character."

"Maybe Josiah or Nathan should. He hasn't seen them yet." JD suggested.

"I have the feeling he knows who we all are, but you might be right. Go get Nathan for this, for now at least. I'm gonna start sending those telegrams."

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It had been a long enough, and sufficiently boring ride, that Ezra was willing to believe the rider in the distance was nothing more than a mirage created by wishful thinking and the high noon sun. That notion faded when the illusion in question was close enough to be recognized. His relief at seeing a friendly face was quickly vanquished by the realization that Vin would not have come out here purely to provide company.

Ezra dismounted, giving Chaucer a quick treat as he waited for Vin. The look on the tracker's face confirmed his concerns and he prepared to mount up again.

"What sort of trouble has arisen, and which of our colleagues is at peril?"

"You know a fella by the name of Carl Jessop?" Vin nearly jumped off his horse at Ezra's reaction. The normally unflappable gambler went pale and his foot slipped from the stirrup. If Chaucer hadn't been there to lean on, he would have hit the ground. "Damn it Ezra. Didn't expect that. You ok?"

"My apologies Mr. Tanner. I was not expecting a ghost from my own past to be the cause of your concerns."

"So you know this guy?"

Denying it at this point would be futile. "Yes, I am sadly familiar with the man. From your question I can only assume he has arrived in Four Corners?"

"And asking after you – in a fashion. Doesn't seem to be a big fan of yours."

"The feeling is mutual, I assure you." Ezra finally mounted up, gathering the reins loosely and staring towards town. "He intends to stay?"

"Seems like." Vin gave him another minute, but when Ezra remained silent, he knew he would have to do the asking. "You want to share what this is all about?"

Forcing himself to meet Vin's gaze Ezra shook his head. "Honestly? No. I would prefer not to do that."

"You in danger?"

"Possibly. However, I can assure you there is no likelihood anyone else is, so there is no need to trouble yourself."

"When are you going to catch on that you being in danger is something we care about?"

"I suppose when I can determine why that would be the case." He has switched his focus back to the town, but Vin suspected that was embarrassment as much as concern.

"You don't need to ride back in today if you need some time to reckon on how to handle this."

"I am hardly geared up for roughing it tonight."

"I'll ride with you to Nettie's. She'll put you up."

"Unlikely. Regardless, it is ill befitting a town protector to run for cover behind a lady's skirt, wouldn't you agree?"

Vin smiled slightly. "Nettie doesn't wear skirts. And there is a mighty big difference between running and considering your options – wouldn't you agree?"

Ezra was appreciative for the proffered loophole. "Possibly, but I am not certain Mr. Larabee would see matters in the same light."

"Was his idea."

The look on Ezra's was would have had Vin laughing if the situation had been different.

"My, my, my. Will wonders never cease? As much as the offer is appreciated, I do not believe it is needed. Mr. Jessop is not a man who will decide to pack his bags and move on. Delaying the inevitable confrontation serves no purpose."

"That's your call, but we ain't letting you meet him alone. He's got a powerful dislike for you, and a law title that could excuse a lot of behavior."

Settling back into the saddle and urging Chaucer forward, Ezra dipped his head as acknowledgement. "Again, appreciated, but not needed. I doubt he would be foolish enough to be overt, as I am certain it has been made clear to him that, for reasons beyond my ability to fathom, you gentlemen would seek out retribution."

They rode back toward town in silence. Vin watched Ezra carefully for any hint of what must be going through his mind. An outside observer would have no inkling of trouble. Even Vin could barely spot the subtle shift in the gambler's demeanor. There was a faint squint that most people would attribute to the glare of the sun, and a rigidness to his posture Ezra didn't normally have when he rode. Chaucer gave more away, sensing the change in his companion and showing far more anxiety than his master. Ezra finally seemed to take notice, and spoke softly. "Steady friend. Remember your training. It is acceptable to be on alert, but you must never let them know what you are feeling."

Vin sighed. "You ever gonna let that rule slide around your friends Pard?"

"I am working on it."

"Work harder."

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The town was fairly quite when the duo arrived. Despite Ezra's comments, Vin insisted that they come up quietly from the back, leaving the horses behind the jail and quickly slipping inside. JD and Josiah were there, and smiled warmly to greet them.

"Chris and Buck have been watching for you. I'll let them know you're -"

The door opened before JD could finish and Chris stepped in. "Jessop is in having lunch and several beers. Don't think he saw you come in. I left Buck there, and stopped by the telegraph office to – what's that word of yours Ezra?"

"In the context I believe 'obfuscate' is le mot juste."

"Sure."

"Ready to share yet Ezra? Want to tell us who this guy is?"

"Not especially."

When he gave no further response to Vin, Chris took control. "What we do know is that he is – or was – a sheriff, like he said. Been in about half a dozen towns since the war ended. Was more stable before that."

"I am not certain that stable is a term that has ever applied to that man."

"We don't expect you to share every moment of you past Ezra. Most of it ain't our business or concern. But I get the feeling this is one of those times we need to know just what is going on. Who the hell is he Ezra, and why does he seem to want you dead?"

"He is a ghost Mr. Larabee. An curse. An albatross. A being that has, and shall continue to haunt me until one or both of us shuffles off this mortal coil."

Chris squeezed the bridge of his nose, hoping the act might somehow ward off the building headache, knowing it was a futile gesture. "Well that tells us fuck all."

Josiah stepped in to buffer the growing frustration. "We aren't trying to pry Ezra. Like Chris said, you have a right to your privacy. But this man clearly means you harm, and it is our intention to ensure that doesn't come to pass. We know your past was far from pure, but I can't believe – won't believe – that you have committed any crime or sin that could warrant his wrath."

"You would be wrong."

They all silenced at the admission, vague as it was. "This crime of yours real or imagined? I know how you've come to take more guilt on you than you deserve." Vin was with Josiah on this issue. Ezra saw his past as much worse than whatever the others had done – combined. It was an obstacle he would never overcome.

"Oh, it is very real. I stand before you as proof."

Enough was enough. There was no reason for Ezra to play these kinds of games anymore, and Chris was ready to lay that out in no uncertain terms when the meaning of the statement registered. He hoped to God he was wrong. "What do you mean you're the proof?"

"My sin, my crime to his interpretation, was in being born. The fact I elect not to bear his name does nothing to mitigate that in his eyes. Yes Mr. Larabee. Carl Jessop is my father, and he will not be satisfied until I am dead."

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TBC