Jim sat reading the paper waiting to see if any more news about Loveless would come. None came. Finally, having read every paper in the room, he rose and started to head out of the parlor car to check and see if his partner's mood had cooled off any when the door to the car opened and his partner stepped through. Artie froze and stared at his partner for a long moment before speaking.
"Jim."
"Artie," Jim acknowledged with a nod.
"I need to apologize for my actions earlier. It's not you I'm mad at…I should save my anger for Loveless."
"It's okay, pal. I understand. But what makes you so sure you'll get a chance to turn that anger loose on Loveless?"
"I don't know…I guess it's like you said…we just know Loveless."
The telegraph clicked to life startling them both. Jim bowed to his partner and waved him to the desk. Artie quickly sent the acknowledgement as he sat down at the desk. He grabbed the paper and pencil and quickly jotted down the information, his smile growing with each word. When he finished, he typed the quick reply and returned the telegraph key to its customary position, leaned back in his chair and tossed the pencil onto the desk.
"What did we tell them, Jim? They wouldn't listen and now Dr. Demento is making his demands known. Morons, Jim…they're all morons!" Artie smiled.
"Maybe next time they'll listen, pal."
"It's the government, somehow I doubt it."
"What do we do now?" Artie asked, "You heard that message and you know what he wants."
"I would suggest you get that for starters," Jim said to his partner, as the telegraph demanded their attention yet again.
Artie tapped out the acknowledgement and began writing down the incoming message. His eyes bulged as he realized who the sender was. He took the message and paused before sending the reply. When he finished he looked at his partner and shook his head slowly.
"Well, that tears it. You caught that message didn't you?" Artie asked him.
"Most of it, yeah. Do you really think they'll let us meet with him to discuss what you and I both know are NOT the terms of his surrender but more probably our own?"
"That's why we probably won't be here," Artie replied cryptically as he quickly wrote out a message for Jeremy along with his transcribed telegram from Loveless and he made some notes of his own.
"We won't be here…?"
"Like I said if we get information over the wire that causes us to leave…"
"I love the way you think, partner. What should we take?"
"We're breaking the rules so we might as well go for broke…I'm going to grab some things from my lab and I'm thinking warm clothes. Loveless is liable to have us tromping all over the countryside before he actually leads us where he wants us to be in the first place."
"Good idea, Artie. I think I'll go get some things too. Meet you in the stable car?"
"Give me about ten minutes," Artie replied as they left to get the things they would need.
"Are the traps set, Voltaire?"
"Yes, boss. They are set as you ordered. But don't you want them hidden better? They'll see them for sure."
"As I intend them to see them. They will expect traps. They'll be looking for them. So I'll let them find them. When they reach the inner sanctum their guard will be down."
"Ahhh…"
"And when they think I'm going to spring my hidden trap…that's when the fun begins."
"The room then?" Voltaire said expectantly.
"Oh no, that I am saving for later…much later. No, this meeting will be just that. A meeting and nothing more, then they will be free to leave," Loveless took in Voltaire's confused expression.
"Think about it, Voltaire. What would it do to the psyche of the great James West and Artemus Gordon when they leave here after an encounter that is nothing more than just a cursory meeting? Oh, the looks on their faces when they leave will be worth it. They won't know what to make of Dr. Miguelito Loveless being hospitable," Loveless grinned and rubbed his hand together in glee.
Jim pulled the bag from his closet and tossed some clothes into it. He grabbed his heavy coat from the closet and stuffed several items into the pockets. He left his room and stopped in the weapons room. He outfitted himself with a boot knife, a knife for the back of his bolero jacket and a gun for each sleeve. He put his bolero jacket back on, grabbed his outer jacket and bag and headed out of his room. He stopped at the lab door, thought quickly and went in.
Artie was just finishing putting his clothes into his bag and he was reaching for his journal when he heard his partner pass. He grinned when he heard the footsteps pause then enter the lab. He finished packing, grabbed his bag and the 'toys' he had already taken from the lab and headed toward the stable car.
Jim entered the stable car to find Artie saddling Mesa. He finished and went over to fill Mesa's oat bag and hung it on her.
"Eat up, girl, it may be a while before you'll get oats again," Artie patted her neck and watched as his partner put something in his saddlebag. Artie raised an eyebrow but said nothing.
"I brought us some food, Jim. It will take us a while to get where we're going and back again. And there's no telling how long Loveless will want to occupy our time."
"Oh, that's great, Artie, I forgot about food. Artie? What about your ribs…I can go meet Loveless alone. I can tell him the truth…that you can't make it."
"No, he wants us both and we can take our time getting there. If he's in that big a hurry he can come find us."
"Shall we head out? I left the telegram and a note for Jeremy and I made a copy of the directions for us. I would really rather not be here when Jeremy gets back," Artie said determinedly as he avoided his partner's eyes.
"Sure, Artie. We can walk the horses, Loveless will wait for us I'm sure."
They pulled the ramp down, brought the horses out and replaced the ramp. Jim mounted Black Jack and sat patiently waiting for his partner. Maybe I should insist Artie stay here again. Give him an option, Jim thought, his ribs aren't nearly healed enough for all this riding we have to do and it won't be very pleasant.
"Hey, pal, you sure you don't want to stay here and wait for Jeremy? Loveless would have to…" Jim began only to be cut off.
"No, Jim. While I appreciate what you're trying to do; Loveless was pretty specific in his request. I'll be fine," Artie retorted as he climbed into the saddle and pulled Mesa's reins.
Jeremy rode up to the train and dismounted. He handed his reins to a crewman who happened to be out clearing away snow and went inside. That's odd, there are no lights on in here, Jeremy thought was he made his way to the desk and lit the lamp. The first thing he saw was the note from Artemus. Jeremy opened the note and quickly read it, his face becoming redder with each passing second.
Jeremy
Enclosed you will find a telegram we took while you were out. As you can see it left no room for interpretation. Jim and I HAD to go. If he keeps his word we'll be back by tomorrow night. If not then you have a general direction in which to start your search. You should in no way be held responsible for our departure as you were on company business when we left and we didn't consult you. See you in a day or so.
Artemus and James
Jeremy looked at the telegram Artie had taken and cursed under his breath. Damn those two! I'll take this to the Colonel, but I'd hate to be those two when he gets a hold of them. Why they think for one minute that Loveless will keep his word is beyond me. Jeremy shook his head as she shrugged back into his coat.
As they neared the meeting site with Loveless, Jim and Artie dismounted and scouted the area looking for booby traps. Several were quickly discovered and disabled. After they had cleared the way to the old abandoned farmhouse, they carefully checked the perimeter before cautiously approaching the porch.
They opened the door to an almost inviting scene. If it had been anyone but Loveless they were here to see Artie would have felt right at home. There was a roaring fire in the fireplace, comfortable chairs grouped around it and a small table off to one side with fresh coffee. Jim and Artie glanced at each other as they took in the room.
"Come in, gentlemen, come in!" Loveless called to them.
"Join me by the fire, I'm sure you had a cold ride," Loveless gestured toward the two empty chairs.
Jim and Artie cautiously entered the room and gave the chairs a visual inspection before sitting down. Loveless motioned to Voltaire, who poured them each a steaming cup of coffee. Artie used his to warm his hands while Jim chose to set his on the table.
"Why don't we get to the point of this little meeting, Dr. Loveless," Artie said eager to get this over with.
"Hospitality is quickly becoming a lost art, Mr. Gordon. I would think you of all people would appreciate fine hospitality."
"Artie's not had the best of weeks, Dr. Loveless, but then you'd know that. Why don't we quit playing games and just get right down to business," Jim intoned.
"How droll…but as you wish. I called you here to discuss the terms under which I will surrender."
"What's to stop the Army from just storming the place and taking you by force?" Artie asked.
"As I told you this place is well fortified. In case you doubt me a small demonstration is in order," Loveless looked at Voltaire, "Voltaire please detonate one of my little surprises on the outermost perimeter." Voltaire flipped a switch on a board and Jim and Artie felt the ground shake.
"That, gentlemen, was about half a mile away. There are similar such explosives at varying intervals between there and this house. Not to mention that this house itself sits on a powder keg."
"Really, gentlemen, you can't think me so stupid as to leave my lair totally unprotected."
"Oh, no, Dr. Loveless…in fact we fully expected something like this," Artie retorted, "Which is why we left detailed instructions on how to find us should you forget to keep your word," Artie said to their host.
"And yet you came."
"Anything to nail your sorry hide to the wall once and for all."
"Mr. Gordon, where is your usual tongue in cheek humor? This surly side of you I do not think I am fond of one bit."
"Being beaten, poisoned and left to die can make one tend to lose his sense of humor," Artie shrugged.
"Very well then, gentlemen. I will outline my terms and you may take them back to your superiors."
"Oh, this ought to be interesting, James. Ya think he's gonna ask for the White house as he private cell?" Artie said as he leaned forward.
"Now there is that famous Artemus Gordon wit I have been waiting for," Loveless smiled.
As Loveless laid out his terms it was all Jim and Artie could do to keep from laughing. If Loveless thinks for one second that Richmond will go for even one of his demands he's off his rocker, Artie thought was he listened. A PRIVATE cell in his OWN cell block? Who is he trying to kid? He's got to have some sort of ulterior motive with all these outlandish demands. Artie looked at his partner and saw that he felt the same way.
"Doctor, surely you can't expect any of these demands to be met," Jim said dryly.
"Why not? They are not as outlandish as they seem, Mr. West. I am willing to give your government what it wants in exchange for a few common courtesies."
"Loveless you're insane! There is no way Colonel Richmond will concede to these demands. What we will do is take them to him and see if he wants to give you a list of counter terms," Jim stated.
"Fair enough, Mr. West. Gentlemen, I have several spare rooms available if you'd like to rest here overnight and head back to your train in the morning. It is getting dark and my woods are not the safest place to travel in the dark."
"Stay the night with Dr. Loveless on purpose? I don't know about you, Jim, but my will's not up to date so I think I'll pass," Artie shook his head.
"Artie's right. Sorry, to have to decline your invitation, doctor, but we'll take our chances out there. We have enough daylight to get past your perimeter…we can camp out."
"Suit yourselves, gentlemen," Loveless said as he showed them out.
"Now just what do you think that was all about?" Artie asked as they mounted their horses.
"I'm not sure, do you have any ideas?"
"Not a one. The usual heartless, ruthless Loveless I can figure out and I can deal with…this version I don't think I could handle on a regular basis. He was so damned nice it gave me the willies!"