Part One:
The Hanging
It was a good day for a hanging.
At least it was in Chris Larabee's opinion. The rain hammered down on the parched and dusty earth, turning fine particles of dirt into a quick forming quagmire of mud. A thick cover of grey cumulus, pregnant with rain blanketed the sky overhead. It was almost noon but the sun was nowhere in sight. The pallor of town was decidedly lacking in any colour, befitting the grim event about to take place. Rain kept most people indoors and only a few diehard spectators were present to watch the proceedings. They stood around the wooden scaffold making up the gallows, shielded from the rain under umbrellas and hats, waiting in morbid anticipation for the dark duty of the day to begin.
Chris was grateful for the sparse gathering. The less people there were, the less chance of trouble. Despite the dismal weather and the equally gloomy atmosphere, the days leading to the hanging was peaceful but Chris knew this could change at a drop of a hat. Even now, the players most responsible for this change in status quo had taken their places, their eyes watchful for anything out of the ordinary.
From where he stood on the boardwalk in front of the saloon, Chris was difficult to miss and the warning in his eyes equally impossible to ignore.
On the other side of the street, Stuart James stood beneath the awning of the hotel, wearing a mask almost as stormy as the weather. Glaring at Chris who was the most visible member of the seven at the present, he conveyed his rage without saying a word. James was accompanied by an entourage of hired guns whose loyalty to their master was evident by their scowls and hostile expressions. Four of them flanked James and eyed Chris with clear dislike. Chris didn't react because he was convinced they were alone, there were more of them around, lurking in unseen corners, waiting for James to give them the word.
Chris knew this as surely as he knew the sun would set tonight.
He expected James to make his move long before today but some unfathomable reason the attempt to liberate his nephew from the hangman's noose was yet to come. This bothered Chris more than he'd like to admit. Men like James didn't waste time when they wanted something. They simply reached out and took it. Ever since Lucas James was convicted of the first-degree murder of Four Corner's resident, Mr Potter, Chris had expected some kind of rescue attempt.
Lucas had shot Mr Potter, the owner of the mercantile store and husband to Gloria Potter, in full view of everyone on the street and unfortunately for him, newly arrived Judge Orin Travis. Prior to Travis' arrival, James and his kin believed they were above the reach of the law. Judge Travis had different ideas on that point.
Judge Orin Travis was one the Territorial Judges appointed by newly installed Governor Lew Wallace. Wallace was determined to bring an end to the lawlessness and violence in the Territory so eagerly reported in most eastern newspapers. Determined to see justice done, alone if necessary, Travis was more than willing to face an amused Lucas and all his cohorts.
Chris wondered how things would have ended up if the seven had not chosen that exact moment to return to Four Corners after their adventure in the Seminole village. Chris would like to think the crusty old Judge would have prevailed but somehow he didn't think so. Nevertheless, it was a moot point since the arrival of the seven ensured Lucas was taken into custody and remained as such, despite one failed escape resulting in the seven entering James' property to bring him back.
Their willingness to risk their lives in returning the prisoner gave the townsfolk backbone enough to participate in the judicial proceedings. Travis, ever the shrewd old lawyer, moved quickly to install the seven men as the town's peacekeepers and though the title was not official, it served well enough for Lucas to be tried and convicted of murder. Since the sentence was delivered, the town was gripped with tension. Stuart James would surely not stand for his kin hanging and the seven were still too new to the town for them to be entirely sure of their protectors.
It wasn't all that long ago, Chris Larabee was the quintessential bad element and while the seven had a few supporters in the community, they were still viewed with some measure of caution.
His gaze shifted when he saw Mary Travis stepping onto the boardwalk from the offices of the Clarion News with the Judge at her arm. She was clad in dark clothes, with a white lace collar framing her neck, looking ever the respectable newspaper editor. His eyes held hers for a few seconds before he averted his gaze, a sliver of guilt surfacing at the stolen moment.
Forbidden territory Christopher, forbidden territory.
Shaking his head of the thought, he settled his high powered gaze on a safer subject; the Judge. If James' glare at Chris had been hateful, the look he gave the Judge was positively excoriating. James held the Judge entirely responsible for Lucas' situation, even more than the seven. The tension between them was so thick, Chris considered crossing the street and join the Judge and Mary, just in case.
The opening door of the jailhouse put an end to the thought and Chris saw Buck Wilmington step out of the building. His old friend's expression was one of complete seriousness, a far cry from his usual good humour. Nothing good about a day like this Chris supposed. Buck had one finger hooked on his belt, a gesture that on its face seemed harmless enough, but kept his hand within easy reach of his gun if needed.
Buck stepped onto the boardwalk and behind him was Lucas James, whose cocky arrogance vanished from his face the instant he caught his first glimpse of the gallows. A visible gulp made his Adam's apple bob before his eyes began to fill with panic as the reality of the situation finally sunk in. Desperate, Lucas began searching the boardwalk, laying his hopes of salvation at his uncle's feet.
Chris wondered if he felt that much when he gunned down an innocent man. Probably not.
Potter's widow was standing by the doorway to the store she inherited from her husband. Gloria Potter was still clad in the dark clothes of mourning and her children were noticeably absent. Chris assumed the lady felt no need to have her children see the hanging. Knowing their father was avenged should be enough. Her eyes were hard like granite and her jaw set. She was a proud one, Chris surmised. She wasn't going to give Lucas the satisfaction of seeing her grief.
Mary was leaning over Orin's ear, whispering something before she stepped away from the Judge and made her way across the street to Gloria's side. Lifting her skirt above her laced boots, she ran gracefully through the rain to join the new widow at her side. Chris followed her progress all the way to store and only broke away when she squeezed the woman's shoulder in support.
Damn woman, Chris snorted silently, she just can't help herself.
Trailing Lucas out was Josiah Sanchez, the tall burly preacher stood almost the same height as Lucas and Buck, his face a statue as he played escort. The preacher made some effort to offer Lucas absolution which the arrogant fuck spat back in his face. Not to be dissuaded especially when it was a lost cause, Josiah nevertheless offered a few words so that Lucas would not be entirely devoid of the Lord's favour when it came time to meet him in person.
Only three of the seven were present. The others were posted strategically across town unseen. Their absence was a reminder to James, Chris was anticipating trouble and was keeping him guessing as to where they were. Perhaps the lack of knowledge would keep the man from doing anything stupid. He doubted it would work.
Buck and Josiah led the prisoner from the jailhouse into the rain. Lucas, having found his uncle, pleaded for rescue but the older man remained impassive. It was clear James was anguished about the impending end of his nephew but unwilling or unable to do anything about it. James had a reputation for keeping his hands cleans. Even though he threw his weight about town, he was always careful to ensure he was never implicated.
Even when he engineered the assassination attempt on the Judge's life during the first attempt to try Lucas, he ensured none of the assassins were traced back to him. As pained as he was to allow the execution to take place, nothing could be done without risking his own freedom.
"Uncle Stuart! You can't let them do this!" Lucas cried out as he walked past James and saw neither his uncle nor his companions were making any effort to secure his freedom.
"It ain't up to me. You killed a man in front of an entire town and you've been judged." The strain in his voice was clear and shot another glare at Travis, hate smouldering during that brief contact. "I can't help you."
"NO! YOU CAN'T LET THEM DO THIS!"
Lucas' panic was complete and he began to struggle as he caught his first glimpse of the executioner. Even from where he was, Chris could see the man's cries were affecting his uncle and the Man in Black stepped forward, his fingers moving to his peacemaker in warning. James face was filled with impotent fury, his jaw ticking as he stepped off the boardwalk and started towards the gallows.
Chris raised his eyes to the roof of the hotel, resting briefly on a faint shape behind the false front of the building. The brim of the hat was barely visible through the sheets of rain but it lifted in concert with Chris' gaze before a set of cobalt coloured eyes met his own, acknowledging the situation was about to escalate. The brief contact was all that was required before Vin Tanner withdrew into the grey once again. Chris breathed a little easier knowing Vin was there and puzzled briefly the sense of assurance he felt at knowing the tracker was watching his back.
A flutter of curtains from inside a closed window signalled to Chris, Ezra Standish was also in place. JD and Nathan were also lying in wait, pieces on a chess board set prior to this event. Even though Chris could not see them, he knew they were keeping a close eye of the situation, remaining hidden until their presence was required.
The rain showed no signs of abating with sheets of water continuing to hammer the town. He saw Buck and Josiah forced into the downpour, keeping Lucas between them so he would keep his appointment with the hangman's noose. It was customary for these things to be conducted in good weather but Chris hadn't wanted to wait until the day was better. Good weather would bring more people and the situation was explosive enough.
"Uncle Stuart!" Lucas continued to holler, his eyes fixed on James as he moved up the street. Ahead of them, the foot of the steps leading to the gallows platform waited. "You can't let them do this! I'm your kin!"
"Shut up," Buck finally growled, his patience exhausted. This was a bad business as it was without Lucas carrying on like some whimpering sissy, who was not even man enough to answer for what he had done. As far as Buck was concerned, Lucas was getting exactly what was coming to him. Not just for killing Mr Potter, but for God only knew how many other poor souls he'd put into the ground because of his uncle's power. "Try and go out with some dignity would you, boy?"
"Go to hell!"
Lucas' spat the words so vehemently, Chris saw James flinching at the words. The rancher wasn't going to be able to take much more of this this, Chris thought, seeing the restraint in James' face beginning to crumble. James shot his men a look and though he said nothing, Chris knew a signal was nonetheless delivered. Prepared for this, Chris stepped to the edge of the boardwalk, feeling the rain pelt down against the felt of his hat. Looking up, he thumbed the brim of black felt, appearing as if he was adjusting it on his head.
Instead of four men next to James, there were now three men. It was done so subtly James believed Chris hadn't noticed, assuming the gunslinger's attention would be focussed on his hysterical nephew but he had. He noticed everything.
By now, Josiah was nudging Lucas up the wooden steps leading the platform on the top of the scaffold. Not an easy thing to do when the man was so reluctant to go. Eventually, Josiah got him there at the point of gun and Chris could tell the preacher loathed taking the action. The condemned was whimpering like a baby, continuing to plead his case to his uncle as he stepped onto the top. Making sure he didn't tumble down the steps slippery from the rain, Buck gripped him by the shoulder to steady his ascent.
Chris remained where he was, meeting the Judge's gaze and conveying wordlessly, the possibility of danger. Travis nodded imperceptibly and then crossed the street, braving the rain as he joined Mary and Gloria. Leaning over to Mary, Chris saw him whisper quietly to the blond woman.
Mary tensed, her dove coloured eyes shifted in his direction for a moment before that determined mask fell over her face, the one he knew to mean she was not about to let anything frighten her off. Why couldn't she be sensible enough to leave? Instead Mary stood her ground next to Gloria Potter, leaving Travis to frown unhappily when his efforts to tell Mary to withdraw fell on deaf ears.
Chris almost swore audibly. Goddamn she was stubborn. Stephen Travis must have been a fucking saint.
Lucas, Buck and Josiah were finally on top of the platform, sharing its space with the executioner who wore a dark mask over his face. Whatever remained of Lucas' composure crumbled entirely at the sight of the man.
"GET AWAY FROM ME!" He shrieked and made a dash towards to get past Buck and Josiah.
With both hands tied behind his back, Lucas was hardly in the position to offer any resistance when Josiah grabbed him and shoved him towards Buck who caught him and hauled him into position under the noose. Even then, he was not about to go quietly into the night, struggling and twisting when the executioner attempted to slide the rope around his neck.
Chris paid little attention to this because he was confident Josiah and Buck would keep things under control. He was more interested in what was happening elsewhere. Vin stepped out from his hiding place behind the false front, the brief visibility indicating something was coming. In reflex, unbuttoned the flap on his gun holster, a gesture that did not go unnoticed by James or the seven.
This time, Orin Travis was taking no for an answer and he ushered Mary and Gloria into the store, pausing long enough to give Chris a nod of permission before he disappeared into the building. Now that Lucas was secured with a rope around his neck, Buck and Josiah were similarly on guard, having seen Chris' signal.
Vin Tanner had a better vantage point than anyone present so Chris kept his eyes fixed on him. As James' men began spreading out, Chris inched along the boardwalk to the entrance of the saloon was to his back, in case the opening act in the hostilities was blazing guns.
The wet, squelching sounds of hoof beats penetrated the hiss of rain as horses galloped into the town, splattering mud in all directions as they approached. Chris remained where he was, awaiting their arrival because he knew where they would be going once James made his bid to rescue his wayward nephew. There were five of them, galloping towards the centre of town.
Chris exchanged another brief look with Vin and the tracker nodded, returning to his sweet spot behind the wooden front of the building. As Ezra would say, Vin was his ace and Chris did not wish to play his hand until he knew precisely what James had in mind.
Of course, it was not that difficult to figure out but Chris was never one to underestimate an opponent, no matter how predictable they might appear to be. He always felt it was wise to hold a little something back which in this case, just happened to be a sharpshooter who could nail a moving target at five hundred yards. At night.
The horses and their riders came to in front of the scaffold, prompting to Luas to begin struggling out of his bonds in anticipation of his rescue. Stuart James stepped out from under the awning and was crossing the street towards his nephew, flanked by his men who had their guns drawn, ready to kill anyone who tried to stop them.
"Don't do it James." Chris stepped into the rain almost casually. "He was tried fair and square. Let the law be carried out."
"You son of a bitch!" James glared at him sharply, hardly pausing in his advance towards Lucas. "You think I'm going to let you lynch my kin?"
"He murdered a man." Chris returned as he placed himself between James and the scaffold "We're going to see to it that he hangs for the crime."
"You forget yourself. Look around you," James laughed gesturing to the men on horseback and those flanking him, whose guns were drawn and more than prepared to turn this into a shooting match at a moment's notice. "You don't have a choice in the matter. And right now, you'd be advised to worry more about your own life rather than Lucas'."
"That's right Uncle Stuart!" Lucas gloated now that the moment of his freedom was at hand. "You tell him!"
"I wouldn't be so sure about that if I were you," Chris responded and glanced past James' shoulder to make contact with the tracker whose rifle was primed and ready to fire.
James followed Chris gaze and saw Vin Tanner's rifle aimed at directly at him from his vantage point. Vin's face was an expression in skilled confidence as he kept his target in his sight, not wavering in the slightest despite the rain was battering down on him relentlessly.
It took James but a second to realise if he made one move against Larabee, Tanner would take the top of his head off. Elsewhere, a window creaked open and curtains parted just enough to reveal Ezra Standish at a second storey window, poised to fire at the first man on horseback to fire on his associates. His present location ensured he had the advantages since it was easier for him to shoot them down then it was for them to get a clear shot of him.
Meanwhile the weather beaten piece of calico strewn across a number of crates less than a five feet away from James and his flanks suddenly shifted to reveal the form of JD Dunne. The barrel of both his guns was aimed squarely at the men protecting the rancher. His youthful features dissolved in the mask of fierce warning to anyone making a move towards his friends. Meanwhile, on the scaffold, Buck was smiling at the kid like a proud father.
"Nathan," Chris called out without taking his eyes off James, just in case the man needed a little more convincing.
The executioner removed his mask and dropped it against the platform, the pooling rain on the floor soaking into the dark fabric. Nathan Jackson, the last member of their seat stepped up from behind Lucas and produced a gun he held pressed against the condemned man's throat.
"I had a feeling you weren't going to be reasonable about this but I'm chalking this up to hard situation for you and not take this personally. If you and your boys ride out now, that's where it will end."
"And if I don't?" James hissed, his face reddening with rage because the tables had suddenly turned and he was faced with the question of whether or not he was willing to die to save Lucas.
"If you don't," Chris' eyes narrowed and the world seemed to be swallowed into the singularity of that icy gaze. "Then you die with him."
James returned the glare with one that was almost as scalding but the truth was, Larabee had him and he knew it. He was not willing to die for the boy and the tracker would almost certainly make it a reality if he attempted to push this situation any further.
"I'm sorry Lucas," James spoke after a long pause, his voice strained. "You're on your own. Boys, stand down."
"NO!" Lucas James screamed in anguish as the last hopes for his continued existence died with those words.
"Boss?" One of them looked at James in astonishment.
"You heard me!" James bellowed, not happy to repeat himself when he knew what standing down would mean. "Stand down!"
Their weapons lowered eventually but the seven were unwilling to assume the danger had passed. As far as Chris was concerned, only James' swift departure out of town would satisfy.
"I think you'd best ride out of here," Chris warned. "While you still can."
"Uncle Stuart! You can't leave me here!" Lucas continued to scream.
"Now." Chris' voice reeked of menace.
"This isn't over." Stuart James retorted but his tone conveyed surrender in every sense of the word. He was trying not to look at Lucas, trying not to let his nephew's cries for help provoke him into a making a fatal mistake. He knew he could not win. Perhaps he had always known it but he had to try and his failure turned anguish into hatred, hatred at the seven men and the Judge who forced him into this position. "You're going to pay for what you made me do today. You, your men and the Judge!"
"Get going James," Chris returned sharply. "Get going before the Judge finds something to charge you with."
James sucked in his breath as Chris' words had the desired effect. He turned on his heels, his duster spraying water as he started towards his horse. His men threw furious stares at Chris for wounding their employer but could do little more than follow.
"You men." Chris stared up at the men on horseback. "Get going. I ain't gonna tell you again."
With as much hostility as that felt by their master, they dug their heels into their mounts and the group trotted out of town, taking with them their hatred and vengeance to fester another day.
"UNCLE STUART!" James screamed once more.
His uncle did not turn back and had he been able to see, he would have understood why. James was crying but he would not let the men who caused those tears see his anguish but by God, he would make them pay.
He would make them all pay.
When James and his men had well and truly left town, the execution resumed. For the second act, Lucas James was a great deal more sedate and there was every indication by his dazed expression he had not truly believed he would die, not even after he had been tried and sentenced. After his uncle's departure, Lucas' struggles or cries for aid ceased entirely. Instead, he seemed to withdraw, his mind trying to distance itself from his body in order to spare himself the dying to come.
Nathan was more than happy to relinquish his temporary role as executioner to the real practitioner who had come from Eagle Bend a day ago to perform the duty.
The rain continued its relentless downpour, which continued to keep people away from the spectacle, even with the departure of Stuart James and his men. Nevertheless, Chris wanted to make sure James didn't change his mind and double back to make some half assed rescue attempt. Vin volunteered to keep an eye out on things, with Ezra joining him.
Chris suspected watching a hanging was too close to the tracker's own troubles in in Tascosa. Still, Vin had a keen eye for trouble and Chris could have asked for no better to maintain a vigil. And he supposed Ezra would be of some use too, that is if Vin didn't shoot him first for talking too much.
Mary and Gloria had appeared on the street again and this time, Gloria's tough mask had wavered a little to show the sadness she felt at the whole proceedings, as if the appearance at the hanging of her husband's killer was obligatory, not intended to provide her with any sense of justice. He was after all, still gone. Hanging his murderer would change nothing.
Chris watched Mary at her side, supposing the golden haired newspaper editor could appreciate what Gloria was going through. Mary herself was widowed through violence and her compassion, though rather misplaced when directed at him, would serve well to aid someone else.
Lucas became a little more animated when he heard Orin Travis reciting his crimes one last time and Josiah saying a little prayer for his soul. When heavy Hessian rope was placed around his neck again, he resumed struggling and soon he was begging forgiveness and pleading for another chance. Gloria burst into tears at that, prompting Mary to try and lead her away but the widow would not go. She merely dried her tears once she had composed herself and forced herself to watch. The lawmen stepped away as Lucas found himself alone on the trap door beneath his feet, his ankles weighted down with heavy sacks to make the end come quick and clean.
It came with a sudden sound of wooden doors dropping and a loud crack of sound that could have wood creaking or something far more insidious. No one wanted to make the distinction but everyone knew exactly what it was. Lucas' neck snapped like kindling. The weights had done precisely what it was intended to do, ending his life as quickly and painlessly as possible.
Gloria left first and Mary went with her. The Judge crossed the street to join Chris in front of the saloon. His eyes seemed a little older and Chris wondered if this was what sentencing men to die did to a person.
JD seemed a little pale and confirmed Buck and Chris' suspicion that it was probably the first time the young man had ever seen anyone hang. The big man who had taken the boy under his wing since his arrival in Four Corners, promptly steered JD in the direction of the saloon. The best cure for the young man's state of mind was a good stiff drink. Nathan and Josiah who were grateful to be done with this particular duty joined them at the saloon.
"This isn't over you know," Judge Travis sighed.
"No, it ain't." Chris agreed. "We saw justice done but as far as James is concerned, we murdered him."
"Unfortunately, he'll want his own justice. It could get dangerous around here." Travis pointed out.
"It's dangerous everywhere," Chris shrugged. "We'll handle it."
Travis stared at the younger man for a few seconds, wondering how it was possible for Chris to feel so little because he felt too much for the death of his wife and child. When his son Stephen had died, Travis still had the comfort of a wife, a daughter in law and a grandson. If he had lost them the way Chris had lost his family, he would probably feel as hollowed out as the man himself.
"I have to get back to Eagle Bend tomorrow," Travis volunteered. "Are you boys going to be alright?"
Chris stared at Travis because the crusty Judge's voice had a trace of something that could almost be called affection. "We growing on you Judge?"
Travis chuckled slightly before answering. "Folks around here are just getting used to there being law and order in this town. It'd be a shame for all that to end if you boys were to get yourselves killed. It would be taking a step back and I kind of like the progress."
Suddenly, Mary Travis stepped out of the Potter store and searched the street for her father in law. Chris noticed her eyes brushed his first before she shifted it towards the Judge. Seeing her eminent approach made Chris feel the sudden urge to have that stiff drink with JD. He thought of leaving before she reached them but Chris had no wish to let the old man think he was slighting his daughter in law.
Sucking in his breath, Chris told himself he could endure the meddlesome Mrs Travis for just a few seconds before excusing himself politely.
"How is Mrs Potter?" The Judge asked once Mary joined them.
"Trying to be strong and failing. She's putting a brave face for her children which wasn't helped with that whole scene with James."
"Unfortunately, I don't think that will the last we'll hear from Mr James." Travis remarked.
"You think he'll want revenge Mr Larabee?" Mary asked, directing her question at Chris.
Chris had been avoiding meeting her gaze since she arrived but could not avoid looking at her now that a question was asked of him.
"I'd say so. The only reason Lucas is dead is because of us. He's mad enough to do something about it."
"You think he'll come after you?"
"I think he'll come after us all." Chris stated without thinking.
He saw her shudder slightly and swore inwardly at being so blunt. Then again, maybe it wasn't a bad idea for her to be aware of the danger. The woman was too brave enough for her own good. It was time she understood the dangers she so blithely took for granted when she stuck her nose in where it was not wanted.
"I don't think you'll have to worry Mary," Travis remarked, casting a frown in Chris' direction for frightening her. "James' anger was mostly at me."
"Yeah," Chris muttered, keeping his eyes averted from her. "I'm sure you don't have anything to worry about. Judge, Mrs Travis," he said stiffly before tipping his hat slightly and putting as much distance as he could between himself and them.
At the moment, a drink sounded a lot less complicated than dealing with why Mrs Travis made him so damned uncomfortable.
Within the confines of the saloon, things seemed much simpler and Chris was happy to forget his conversation with Mrs. Travis for a time, especially with the assistance of a bottle of whiskey. He doubted James would be back until he was ready to collect Lucas body for burial. As far as Chris understood it, the rancher had left instructions to the undertaker that Lucas was to be interred on the James' spread.
Chris suspected James never thought those instructions would be carried out since he planned to rescue Lucas long before his appointment with the hangman's noose. In some ways, Chris felt a little sorry for the rancher at having to face the death of his kin and be helpless to prevent it. Unfortunately, Lucas did not engender much sympathy from anyone. Still, Chris knew how hot the blood could run when it came to the matter of vengeance and he had a premonition it wouldn't take long for Stuart James to plot his own.
When he arrived at the table occupied by the other men, Chris noted Buck was already plying his young companion with liquor. JD seemed to need it as he downed the contents of his glass with a sharp tilt of his head. The alcohol seeping into his system did very little to return the sparkle to those youthful eyes and Chris knew from experience liquor could only make the pain go away for a little while, not remove it completely.
The mood around the table was sombre despite the sounds of people chattering enthusiastically, glasses clinking against each other and the trickle of fluid from various bottles. Saloon girls working the room sauntered through the crowd in brightly coloured clothes hiding worn and dour looks, attempting to catch the eye of those seated at the table. Only Buck offered something of a response as he made promises of an interlude at another time.
Chris sat down heavily and reached for one of the empty shot glasses in the centre of the table. Helping himself to the bottle of Red Eye, he filled the shot glass to the brim and drank the fluid quickly, before moving to replenish it again.
"That was a chore I could do without," Chris remarked when he finished his second glass and began working to a third.
A rumble of agreement followed his statement as the others showed their own discomfort at the day's events.
"I ain't ever seen a man hang before." JD swallowed, starting on his second glass. "It's different to shooting him."
"It sure is," Buck agreed. "You don't have to think when you're defending your life but to watch it done slowly, that takes something out of you."
"He was so scared." JD replied, looking to his older companions, hoping to see if there was something in their experience that would allow this feeling in his gut to go away. He did not feel anything for Lucas James and in his heart, he truly felt the man deserved to die but watching it happened made him feel hollow and he could not comprehend the reason for the feeling. "You could see it in his eyes how terrified he was. You don't see that when you're fighting."
"No," Josiah muttered reverently as he sipped his own glass and stared into its contents as if the swirls might provide some revelation. It didn't.
"You don't." He answered after a moment.
"Mr. James was pretty torn up," Nathan remarked. "When he calms down, he is gonna start wanting to take it out on someone." The healer pointed out and put on the table something that had concerned them all since James' outburst.
"He might take it out on us," Buck suggested.
"He might," Chris tilted his head forward in the spirit of a nod. "I don't think so."
Outside, the pelting of rain against the muddy ground was temporarily interrupted by the creak of hinges when the batwing doors swung open. The five men at the table shifted their gazes to the entrance to see the arrival of the last two members of their set. Ezra was removing his duster and shaking the water from it while Vin just shook his himself of the excess moisture that clung to his buckskin coat. Both men looked as waterlogged as the duty of surveillance would have left them and Buck raised his hand instinctively to one of the barmaids in a silent request to bring them another two glasses and a fresh bottle.
"He go straight out?" Chris asked as Vin settled into his chair.
"Yeah," Vin responded in his usual quiet voice. "Just rode on out and didn't look back."
"I honestly do not think he could bring himself to watch the event," Ezra offered.
"Like I said, he's gonna be mad when he finally calms down," Nathan repeated. "He'll be back."
"I'm not sure if it will be us that bears the brunt of his anger Mr. Jackson," Ezra remarked offhandedly as he poured himself a glass of whiskey.
"What do you mean?" Nathan stared at Ezra sceptically, still of the belief that there was very little about human nature that Ezra could accurately guess unless of course it was for the purpose of a con. "Some people feel take a lot of exception to kin being killed. Mr. James looks to me like he'd feel it his duty or something to take revenge."
"A wasteful expenditure of time," Ezra retorted sipping his drink.
"For you maybe," Nathan muttered under his breath with just enough derision for Ezra to notice it.
The gambler's expression did not show the insult had registered but it was clear he heard it. "I mean to say that the Judge would most likely bear the brunt of Mr. James' anger since it was the Judge who precipitated the entire matter of a trial."
Vin Tanner threw Nathan a brief look of disapproval and the healer was somewhat taken back at its intensity before realising Vin was not entirely impressed at the remark he made at Ezra's expense. Nathan wondered why Vin would feel so strongly for Ezra when they barely spent any time in each other's company and were as different as two men could be. Nathan was almost prepared to question it when Vin's gaze moved away from him and rested on the gunslinger.
"Ezra's right," Vin remarked in a clear show of solidarity for the gambler which reflected in a flicker of surprise in Ezra's eyes. Vin made no reaction to noticing it and continued speaking. "We're just hired guns, we're getting paid for doing what we done but the Judge, the Judge he pushed this. He's the one who went after Lucas in the first place, who insisted on there being a trial and it's the Judge who sentenced him to hang. If James is gonna go after anyone, it will be the Judge."
"When's he leaving town?" Buck inquired now that this possibility was tabled.
"Tomorrow." Chris replied. "I'm thinking we might give him an escort as far as we can, just to make sure he gets off okay."
"Good idea," Josiah agreed. "What about Mrs. Travis?"
Chris' sudden gulp did not escape those at the table and he raised his eyes abruptly to the preacher. "What about Mrs. Travis?"
"Well Chris," Nathan looked at him. "It stands to reason since she's his kin, she'd be in trouble too. If he wants to get revenge on what the Judge did to Lucas, Miss Mary might be the closest thing he can get to it."
"I suppose," Chris shifted uncomfortably in his chair. "You know her best," he said to Nathan. "You and JD can keep an eye on her for a few days."
"I don't know about that," Nathan straightened up in his chair. "She's awful independent. She ain't gonna like us keeping an eye out on her, less she knows why. Maybe you ought to talk to her first."
"Look we're doing this for her own good," Chris snapped. "If she don't like it she can come talk to me and the only thing I'll be telling her is to either put up with it or take her chances with James alone."
The six men at the table exchanged short glances all around, most saying the same thing although JD was not quite adept at catching on entirely but Chris' behaviour was somewhat volatile when it came to the subject of the newspaper woman.
"I'll say something to her," Vin volunteered, always quick to diffuse a tense situation. "She don't bother me much."
"I didn't say she bothered me," Chris stared at the tracker sharply.
"I didn't say she did," Vin returned coolly, more amused by Chris' reaction than anything else. Of course, he had noted the way Chris seemed to avoid Mrs. Travis. He noticed everything that came into his presence. He had a suspicion of why Chris felt so strongly in the company of the woman but did not mention it to the gunslinger himself, mostly because he had no desire to be shot full of lead by a man he was starting to call his best friend.
"Alright," Chris remarked pushing himself back into his seat. "As long as we got that clear."
"Oh I think we all got it clear Chris," Buck retorted, no small measure of sarcasm in his voice as he made that statement.
Chris shot a venomous look in Buck's direction but his old friend seemed to shake it off. However, Chris noticed a cooling in their friendship of late and could not deny feeling some guilt as to having been the cause of it. In truth, he had treated Buck badly considering how much the man had put up with him following Sarah and Adam's death.
Buck had refused to give up on him even though a lesser man might have moved on. Following the death of his family, Chris had moved through his life in a stupor with Buck taking care of most things afterwards. He remembered Buck helping him to bury them but after that, things got a little vague. This had much to do with the fact he had spent the first six months in a drunken haze. He could not even count how many times he tried to end his life and knew Buck was the reason he was still here.
After he had started to come out of it, he was embarrassed at having Buck see him so vulnerable and it was from there the rift between them began to form. Buck, sensing that he needed to give Chris space, finally departed and though Chris knew he should have said something in that parting, he did not and Buck left without Chris even saying a word of thanks.
Buck pulled him through the most difficult period of his life but the truth was their friendship had been damaged irreparably in the process.
He certainly knew Buck did not deserve having a razor held to his throat for the sin of telling Mary Travis something of his past and still, Chris had not apologized even though Buck had done it innocently with no intention of malice.
Since then their relationship had been distant. Buck made no further comment about the episode but Chris sensed his hurt. The aloofness in the way he addressed Chris was apparent and it appeared Buck was consoling his wounded feelings by pouring his attention into JD, someone who could be helped who would not end up turning on him.
The funny thing was, there was a time when Chris would have welcomed Buck's indifference. Until recently, he wasn't even sure he wanted Buck to get into his business again but now that it was a reality, Chris could not help but miss the meddling good intentions of his best friend just a little. If that alone did not constitute a serious rift in their friendship, Chris' relationship with Vin Tanner added another deep groove as well. After all, Buck could not be blind to how close Vin and Chris were despite the fact that they had known each other for a very short time.
The sad truth was, they had crossed a line with their friendship the day he had taken Buck into account over the whole affair with Mrs. Travis and they both knew it. Perhaps in that instant, Buck realized the Chris he knew was gone.
Chris looked across the room and saw Buck making some comment about that ugly hat that JD insisted on wearing and hoped Buck fared better with JD than he had with him.
"How long do you think it will be before James make his move?" Nathan asked. "He might be inclined to do it sooner than later."
"I wouldn't expect him tonight or tomorrow," Vin responded. "He'll be more interested in burying his dead. Once that's done, he'll turn his attention to the Judge."
"Good thing the Judge will be leaving then," Josiah responded.
"But Eagle Bend isn't that far away," JD spoke up. After traveling to the West all the way from New York, he measured distance in far more miles than the space it took to get from one town to another. "If he's mad enough, can't he follow the Judge there?"
"Possibly," Buck entertained the notion. "He might not be so eager to go after the Judge in a large town with witnesses. After all, taking out a Judge would bring down the Union Army."
"Gentlemen if I might interject?" The syrupy voice of Ezra Standish entered the equation again. "Mr. James is a man of means. If he chooses to take revenge on Judge Travis, he may not soil his hand or that of his men, he has to means to pay very well for it to be done by someone who is accustomed to moving covertly."
"So basically we're not going to be able to do very much for Travis," Vin muttered, unhappy that there was nothing to do but wait and see what Stuart James was planning.
"We go with what we've already decided." Chris retorted. "No point twisting ourselves up when we have no idea what James is planning if he is planning anything at all. Man says a lot of things when he's angry. He might decide to do nothing and if that's how it goes, good. If not, we'll handle it."
An awkward silence followed because nobody liked the prospect of doing nothing but Chris was right. Until they could be certain that there was anything to do, they had no choice but to wait.
Unfortunately, waiting was something none of them were very good at,
A short time late when the rain had abated somewhat and the others had scattered, Vin and Ezra found themselves facing each other in a game of cards.
Buck had run off to make a date with one of the saloon girls and JD went to sleep off the effects of too much alcohol. Nathan had returned to his infirmary, while Josiah decided to spend some time working on that dilapidated structure he was so determined to turn into a church. Chris who preferred to drink alone, had disappeared with a bottle of whiskey to his room and though Vin had only known the gunslinger a short time, he had no wish to be around the man when he went on that binge.
The rest of the seven had learnt early on that it was unwise to remain in Chris Larabee's proximity when he was particularly broody.
Thus he and Ezra found themselves alone together in the saloon for a time. The present assortment of patrons did not appear to be worth Ezra's attention and the instead the gambler took the moment alone in the company of the tracker to satisfy his curiosity.
It was difficult to know Vin Tanner, Ezra had decided early on. He was the most enigmatic member of the seven next to Ezra himself. He did not say much but Ezra was certain little got past him. His manner was affable and he was difficult to provoke, unlike his darker clad companion who'd revived the lost art of glaring as a method of articulation.
"That's it," Vin tossed his cards on the table. "I'm done playing with you.
The last four games had seen Ezra winning and if Vin continued to play with the gambler, he was going to be broke and he could not afford to be, on a dollar a day.
"I assure you its skill," Ezra defended himself before the tracker had a chance to accuse him of cheating as no doubt Mr. Jackson would do if he were present.
"I'm sure it is," Vin retorted, thinking he was protesting too much for it to be true. "I just ain't no match for you when it comes to cards that's all."
"May I ask you a question?" Ezra asked after a moment of silence.
"Sure," Vin shrugged, hoping it was nothing personal because he did not like those kinds of inquiries.
"You stood up for me earlier. Why?"
"You act as if it's such a big thing." Vin retorted.
"In my case, it usually is." Ezra volunteered after another pause. "People do not often stand up for me. I would like to know why."
"You had a point to make and you were right," the tracker raised his half-filled mug of beer to his lips.
"That is not what I was talking about Mr. Jackson was clearly making a remark regarding my character."
"I noticed," Vin nodded. It was not hard to see that the rest of the seven viewed Ezra a little more distantly then they did each other. Nathan's feelings bordered on disdain contempt even though Ezra's initial prejudice towards the man had not surfaced since returning from the Seminole village. Chris always seemed to pay more attention when it was Ezra he sent out to do something and JD's feelings were made clear when he had locked Ezra up in jail.
"So answer the question," the gambler asked. "Am I suddenly your favourite charity?"
Vin could see the outrage at someone feeling pity for him in Ezra's eyes. Ezra was proud but Vin was not blind to how damn hard he was trying to be better. The others didn't notice it but Vin did. Vin knew what it was like to be outside looking in and in some way, he still felt like that here in Four Corners.
This was the first time in his life Vin felt a part of anything and he appreciated why Ezra might want that too. If he could make it a little easier for the gambler by being in his corner now and then, why not? Certainly no one had done it for him when he was in Ezra's position and he always wondered how things would have been if someone had extended him that kindness.
"I don't believe in charity Ez," Vin met his eyes. "You came back and you didn't have too. If you had kept riding on, no one would have blamed you. We would have been as good as dead back there and no one would have said you were a fool for saving your neck. As it was, if you hadn't have come back and distracted them long enough for Chris to think of something, we wouldn't be here today."
Ezra dropped his eyes to the floor because he did not wish to show Vin the emotion pooling within them at the words the tracker had just spoken. He rarely was touched by anything but Vin's sentiments at giving him some credit for what was the hardest choice he had ever made in his life, did penetrate that mask of cool deliberation he always wore around himself. "You seem to be the only one who feels that way."
"Nathan is a good man but you gotta remember where he came from. He'll come around once he gets to know you a little better and once he gets past the fact everything Southern isn't to blame for his being a slave."
"I behaved poorly towards him during our initial encounter," Ezra confessed, still a little ashamed.
"And you've also saved his life and fought at his side a couple of times since then. He'll come around, just like the others. They just don't know you."
"And you do?" Ezra looked at him with a raised brow.
"Not really but I know I trust you," the tracker returned. "That's enough for me right now, we'll work out the rest later."
"You surprise me Mr. Tanner," Ezra said with a little smile. "I did not think that was possible any longer."
"Anything is possible Ezra. Like you buying me a drink for instance."
"I suppose I can manage since I have most of your money," the gambler chuckled.
"That's what I get for being nice to you," Vin muttered before he raised his glass and clinked it against Ezra's.
