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Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters of the Magnificent Seven. I'm merely borrowing them. They belong to the wonderful creators of the show, brought to life by some wonderful writers. Josephine is my own creation, one I thought of after watching Gone With The Wind (I mirrored her a little after Scarlett O'Hara) but feel free to borrow her if you so wish.
The song she Josephine in Chapter Two is a song Dixie Cousins and her sister, Dolly, sing on The Adventure of Brisco County Jr. (another wonderful and understated television show)
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CHAPTER ONE
San Francisco, California
April 16th
She slipped down the hallway quietly, careful not to disturb anyone who could potentially get in her way. The lock was almost too easy to pick; "Child's play" she muttered under her breath. She closed the door softly behind her and easily made her way to the reason she was up at such a ridiculous hour; she had trained herself to memorize her surroundings, and even though she had only been in this office once, the layout was etched into her mind perfectly.
She knelt down in front of the massive safe in the corner and pulled the tools of her trade from the well worn leather satchel she had slung across her back. The safe was a little harder to crack then she had expected, but she still had it open in less than a minute. A wicked smile spread across her face as she paused to take in the sight of the piles of money and jewelry stashed inside.
She quickly stuffed the satchel full with the contents of the safe, quietly closed the door, and stood as she slung the heavy bag over her shoulder. She turned back the way she came, her footsteps falling softly on the bare floor. When she reached the door, her hand paused inches from the doorknob as she heard the distinctive sound of footfalls in the hallway.
"Damn" she whispered, realizing the footsteps were heading her way. She ducked behind the velour settee a few feet from the door mere seconds before the door swung open and four shadowy figures stepped inside. Her heart began to pound in her chest so loudly, she was almost certain the noise would give her hiding place away.
"Git the light" she heard a gruff voice order. She heard the a match strike and shadows began to dance across the room from the flicker of light from the oil lamp. "Have a seat, Mr. McCormick." Curiosity got the best of her, and she cautiously peeked around the side of the sofa to get a better look at the figures keeping her from a smooth getaway. She silently prayed Mutt would not come looking for her and stay by the horses. She had a feeling they would need to ride out as speedily as possible.
She recognized the men crowded in the small room. It was her boss and his two idiot bodyguards, just the people she didn't want to see. The fourth man, a wiry sweaty fellow, she didn't know, but she had seen him in the audience for several of her shows.
"So, you said you had something you wanted to share with me, Mr. McCormick."
"I have information, Mr. Wills." the wiry fellow said as he took a seat across from the glossy mahogany desk her boss now sat behind. "Information that, I assume, would be very valuable to you."
"That is why we are here." McCormick's eyes fluttered to each of the men before settling back on Wills.
"Well, Mr. Wills, when I say valuable, I mean I would expect some sort of monetary 'thanks'." Wills ran a hand over the weeks worth of growth on his chin as a smile spread across his face.
"Of course, Orville. I can assure you that if the information you have is as valuable as you say, there will be a substantial 'thanks' in it for you." McCormick smiled, and slumped a little in his chair, obviously relieved his suggestion wasn't answered with a bullet behind the ear.
"Well, Mr. Wills, my brother's a judge and he told me somethin' 'bout a murder in Chicago." McCormick paused, occasionally peeking over his shoulder to make sure either of the other two men hadn't any ill will in mind for him.
"Murder is not exactly uncommon." Wills said as he lit a cigar he produced from a pocket inside his suit. "Especially in this day in age."
"Well, Mr. Wills, what if I told you a few lawmen suspected you in this murder and have generated a warrant for your arrest."
"Is that so?" Wills took a slow drag off his cigar and raised an eyebrow. "And, your brother told you this?" He asked after letting the smoke slip slowly from his lungs.
"Yes sir. But he said he'd be willing to make that warrant disappear. For a fee." McCormick added quickly. Wills began to chuckle softly and took another drag form the cigar. She glanced down at the satchel she had clutched tightly against her chest and bit her lip. She hoped he wasn't planning on getting into that safe any time soon.
"'For a fee'." Wills repeated. "And if I supply this fee, this warrant will 'disappear'?" McCormick nodded vigorously.
"Yes, sir. My word is true. I swear on the soul of my dearly departed mother." Wills grinned, exposing a mouthful of yellowing teeth. The heaviest of the two men behind McCormick stepped forward, wrapping a thick arm around McCormick's neck, cutting the smaller man's air supply. McCormick struggled wildly in his chair, his thin hands clawing at the bigger man's arm. She watched in horror as the other bodyguard held McCormick in his chair. Wills stood and made his way around the desk, the cigar planted firmly between his teeth.
"Did you really think you could just come in here and threaten me?" Wills hissed through clenched teeth, leaning forward so he was just inches from McCormick's face. "I don't think you truly understand just who you are messing with!" Wills straightened his body and nodded slightly to the man who's arm was still wrapped tightly around McCormick's neck. The bodyguard reached into his back pocket and produced a small knife. McCormick began to kick his legs, trying to call out when he caught the glint of the metal in the corner of his eye.
"No, please, Mr. Wills." McCormick pleaded, his voice barley audible. The bodyguard moved his arm from McCormick's neck to his forehead, and with a quick flick of the wrist, sliced the wiry man's throat. She jumped back in shock, covering her mouth to muffle her gasp. She wildly looked around, raking her brain for a way to escape. If he found her now, especially with his money, she wouldn't be any better off than McCormick.
"Git him outta here." Wills ordered. "And find that brother of his, and take care of him, too."
"Yes, sir, Mr. Wills." the smaller bodyguard said, making his way toward the sofa. Her eyes widened when she heard his footsteps head her way. She scanned the floor around her and felt her heart sink when her dark eyes landed on the rolled up carpet at her feet. Lord, you have got to be kidding, she thought, piecing together what was sure to happen next.
"And, Olaf," the footsteps stopped. "make sure you don't take him out front this time. We have a back door for a reason."
"Yes, Mr. Wills." the footstep started again and stopped next to the sofa. God, if you get me out of this, I swear to you I will attend services twice every Sunday, she pleaded silently.
Olaf bent at his waist, and lifted the corner of the sofa before he began to move it aside. His gaze fluttered downward, connecting with hers. "What the hell?"
"Damn it." she hissed, quickly standing up and making her way toward the door.
"Josephine?" Wills cried out in confusion as she bolted past him. "Well, damn it, get her!" he called out, snapping Olaf and the other bodyguard out of their puzzlement. The satchel bounced against her thigh as she ran as fast as she could down the hallway. She didn't dare glance behind her, but she could hear Wills' bodyguards behind her, calling her name.
She ran through the saloon, still packed with patrons, pushing aside a few who couldn't step aside quick enough.
"Josephine, come back!" she heard Olaf call out. "Mr. Wills just wants to explain things to you." Bullshit she thought as she slipped out the back door, relieved to see Mutt standing faithfully by the horses.
"Get on the horse!" she yelled as she blasted through the doorway.
"What's goin' on, Josie?" Mutt asked, a look of confusion on his face.
"Goddamn it, Mutt, get on your damn horse!" Josephine expertly swung into the saddle of her awaiting horse, pausing just long enough to make sure her cousin made it on his horse before coaxing the steed to breakneck speeds.
"What the hell happened in there, Josie?" Mutt asked, persuading the painted horse to keep up with Josephine. She took a deep breath and tossed a wide grin over her shoulder.
"A slight deviation from procedure, my dear Mutt."
"Where the hell is she?" Wills snarled as his bodyguards slinked back inside the crowded saloon.
"She got away, Mr. Wills. She was with that guard of hers." Olaf answered sheepishly.
"You idiots!" Wills ran a thick hand through his graying hair. "You let her get away!"
"She already had horses waiting outside. There was no way we was going to catch up with her." Olaf pleaded. Wills angrily waved his hand and took a deep breath.
"What do you mean she already had horses waiting outside?" Wills asked quietly after a few moments.
"Well, that guard of hers was already outside with a couple horses." Wills clenched his fists as realization dawned on him.
"Already had horses outside." Wills repeated softly as he turned to make his way back up the stairs toward his office, his pace quickening as he reached the end of the hallway. As his gaze drifted to the safe by his desk, his blood began to boil. She couldn't have he thought as he knelt down in front of the safe, spinning the dial to the numbers he was certain only he knew. The lock clicked and he pulled the door open. "That bitch!" he yelled as he peered into the empty space.
"What is it, boss?" Olaf asked from the doorway. Wills took a deep breath and slowly stood.
"I want you to find Josephine Devereaux and bring her back to me." he hissed without turning around. "I'm going to make her realize just what kind of mistake she made."