An Eventful Journey
Chapter 2
It was a Colt, single action, clean and well-oiled from the looks of the barrel Johnny was staring down. He spread his hands wider, away from his gun. No sense in making her as nervous as he was. In this confined space there was no chance she would miss, and it wouldn't do his reputation a hell of a lot of good if he was shot by a woman. "You'd best be careful with that," he warned. "Wouldn't want it to go off accidentally."
"Trust me, if I shoot you it won't be an accident."
Johnny saw no reason to doubt her. The revolver was heavy, at least four pounds, but she held it steady and had her finger hooked firmly around the trigger, ready to squeeze. He tipped his head back to look into her eyes. She held his stare, reminding him of a mountain cat intent upon its prey. Her lack of expression sent a chill down his spine that he hadn't felt for a long time.
Rick crowded closer, his gun drawn and his body pinning Johnny against the wall. There was nothing to do except sit still, watch and wait. He hadn't heard any noise from the other passengers which meant that they hadn't noticed anything wrong yet. That wouldn't last much longer.
"What's this about?"
Scott's voice was low and steady and, if he was surprised or worried, he was giving nothing away.
Johnny glanced quickly at Art. The older man was standing in the passageway, his gun held on Scott and his left hand resting on the back of the seat to steady himself. Scott was sitting very still and not making any threatening moves. Johnny returned his attention to the woman. It looked like she was in charge and the others would follow her lead.
"I asked you a question," Scott persisted.
Johnny saw some of the coldness leave her face as she turned her head to look at Scott. If she had been about to answer, the moment was lost when a piercing shriek sounded. Johnny winced and craned his neck to get a better look at the young female passenger, who had fortunately lapsed into silence again. She was cowering in the shelter of her companion's arms. The man, looking equally terrified, was trying to calm her down.
Johnny couldn't see the older woman who was sitting behind his seat. He started to rise to his feet, concerned for her welfare, only to be brought up short by Rick's gun digging painfully into his ribs. He hated when people did that, especially when he was penned in so tight that he couldn't move.
"Your guns, please," the dark haired woman said.
Johnny exchanged a quick look with his brother, who shook his head before turning his attention to the buckle of his gun belt. Johnny hesitated to follow Scott's example even though it was clear he had no real choice. He delayed until Rick started to twitch and the gun pressed even harder against his side.
"Damn," he muttered under his breath. He kept his anger hidden as he complied, handing his gun belt to the blonde girl. She looked completely at ease as her fingers brushed against his. He watched, frustrated and helpless, as she packed both his and Scott's weapons away in a large bag.
"You want to tell us what this is about, Miss…?" Scott asked.
"You can call me Cherry."
"Under any other circumstances I'd be pleased to make your acquaintance. My name is Scott Lancer."
Johnny ducked his head to hide a smile. Charm could be as deadly as a gun, and he'd watched his brother working his magic on a number of women during the few months they'd been at Lancer. Not that Scott seemed to be in any hurry to commit to anyone in particular, much to the disappointment of some of the girls' mamas.
He sobered quickly. He'd never raised his hand to a woman. This woman, though, had changed the rules by pulling a gun on him and if the chance came to disarm her he'd take it. There were too many lives at stake for him to treat her as anything other than an armed and deadly opponent. He studied her profile. Her mouth was set in a hard line and there was no longer anything attractive or feminine about her. In all his years skirting the edges of the law he'd occasionally come across female outlaws. Most of them were content to do the planning and stayed in the background. He suspected this woman could be ruthless and cruel and that it would be a fatal mistake to underestimate her.
Rick was chuckling to himself as he stood up and stretched. "That was easy." He smirked at Johnny before sauntering down the carriage toward the young couple.
Johnny eased himself away from his cramped position up against the side of the train and watched him.
"Hand over your gun, Mister," Rick demanded.
Rick was blocking Johnny's view of the passengers and, if there was a reply, he didn't hear it. He leaned forward to get a better look.
Rick bent his head. "D'you think I'm stupid? Hand it over."
This time the response was loud enough to carry over the noise of the train, although the words came out hesitantly and with a noticeable tremor. "I've already told you. I don't carry a gun."
"Don't lie to me."
Johnny could tell by the way Rick was standing that the outlaw had managed to work himself up into a temper. He knew the type all too well – young, cocky and desperate to prove that they held the upper hand. It was an explosive mixture, and he reckoned that Rick just might get himself killed before he got much older. In fact, if he'd still had his gun he'd have been happy to oblige.
Scott had half turned in his seat to watch. As Rick raised his gun, Scott launched himself to his feet, pushing Art to one side and then racing down the carriage. The outlaw fell back with a startled oath, knocking against Cherry and sending her crashing to the floor.
Johnny didn't hesitate. He leaped out of his seat, his fist swinging toward Art's face. The motion of the train threw him off balance and he stumbled. He caught Art's cheek with a glancing blow, too weak to do any damage. Turning his attention to the gun, he closed both hands around the outlaw's right wrist. He squeezed as hard as he could, forcing Art's arm down and trying to get him to loosen his grip on the weapon. When that had no effect he brought his right knee up and drove it into Art's groin. He was just starting to believe he had the upper hand when he felt a gun barrel against his spine.
"Back off, cowboy."
He released his hold, breathing heavily. Cherry had recovered far quicker than he'd expected and she wasn't looking real impressed with him. For a split second he thought she might shoot him, but the moment passed.
"You can't blame me for tryin'," he muttered as he sat down again, taking some pleasure from the fact that Art's face was pale with a patchwork of red blotches.
It didn't look like Scott had done any better as he was facing the business end of Rick's gun. The look of eager anticipation on Rick's face displayed a disturbing blood lust. Johnny was beginning to think that the young outlaw wasn't right in the head.
"Rick!" Cherry shouted.
Scott raised his hands to show that he was no longer a threat. Johnny tensed as he waited to see how Rick would react. Despite the guns pointed at him, he'd be damned before he sat back and watched his brother being shot down in cold blood.
"Just take it easy, friend," Scott said.
"Mr. Lancer," Cherry continued calmly. "Come back over here and bring those two with you."
It was easy to see Rick wasn't happy. "You just gonna let him get away with that?"
Rick sounded so much like a whiny child that Johnny began to wonder what the real connection was between him and Cherry. He wouldn't have figured Rick for the type to let himself be bossed around by a woman.
"I think Mr. Lancer's learned his lesson. If he tries anything else you can shoot his brother." Her cold green stare swept over Scott before she turned an equally unfriendly look on Johnny. "The same applies to you. You might like to consider the consequences before making any more stupid moves."
"Yes, ma'am." Johnny laced his words with a heavy dose of sarcasm.
Rick backed away and Scott held out his hand to the young female passenger.
"What's your name?"
"Susan," she stammered. The blue of her eyes now stood out starkly against her pale skin.
"You and your young man need to come and sit with me and my brother. Everything will be fine if we all keep calm."
"Bobby?" She was staring at her companion, almost rigid with terror.
A slight nod seemed to give her the confidence she needed to trust Scott. Johnny stood slowly to let the young couple sit, taking the opportunity to look back at the older woman who was watching the scene bleakly.
"Ma'am," he called over the noise of the train. "Come and sit here." He looked enquiringly at Cherry as the woman stayed in her seat.
"Go and fetch her, but no more tricks."
He walked down the carriage, well aware that there would be at least one gun pointed at his back. "It'll be alright, ma'am. You've just gotta trust me."
Although she was looking at him, she didn't move. He sat down opposite her, coldly furious that she had been caught up in this situation. He gave her a reassuring smile, pitching his voice low and level. "My name's Johnny."
Some life came back into her eyes. "You're Murdoch Lancer's boy. I thought you looked familiar. I'm Martha Wells."
"Pleased to meet you, Mrs. Wells. Me and my brother there'll make sure nothing happens to you. Now, that young couple are scared out of their wits and I reckon they could use someone to reassure 'em."
A slight smile flitted across her face. "Someone older you mean."
Johnny decided he liked this lady. "Someone kind," he amended.
Mrs. Wells gathered up her knitting, putting it carefully back in a small bag which she took with her. Johnny looked at her thoughtfully. They'd been deprived of their guns, but if it came to it, the sharp knitting needles would make deadly weapons.
Once all the passengers were gathered in one place under the watchful eyes of Art and Rick, Cherry laid her gun out of reach of the prisoners and began to undo the buttons at the side of her skirt. Johnny watched in shocked amusement as the material slid to the ground to reveal long shapely legs clothed in tight black trousers. With an impudent grin he turned his attention to the blonde who had also shed her skirt, giving a low appreciative whistle at the sight of her enticing curves.
"Can't say as I enjoy bein' held up but at least the scenery's pretty."
Dimples appeared in her cheeks as she smiled at him.
"Don't you let him sweet talk you, Livvie," Cherry warned. "We have a job to do and it's time we got on with it."
Livvie twirled a lock of her blonde hair between her fingers, her gaze fixed on Johnny's face. Then, with a sigh, she looked away. "I know. He is kinda cute, though."
"Hey," Johnny protested. "D'you mind not talkin' about me as if I wasn't here."
"Sorry, handsome."
Livvie certainly didn't look sorry. In fact, her gaze had strayed to the area below his belt. Johnny shifted uncomfortably. He didn't know which was worse – Cherry threatening to shoot him, or Livvie eyeing him up like some prize stallion.
Art cleared his throat and scowled at Johnny. "We're running out of time, so if you ladies could get your minds back on the job."
"Time for what?" Scott asked.
Cherry ignored the questions as she studied each of the passengers in turn. "Take her." She pointed at Susan who gave a little shriek and shrank even closer to Bobby.
"Wait a minute…" Scott began to protest as Art reached over to take hold of her. He shut his mouth when Cherry picked up her gun and pointed it at Johnny.
Bobby clung tightly to her until Art yanked her out of his arms. "You're coming with me."
"You don't need her," Johnny said, even though he knew that it was hopeless. He had a pretty good idea what was going to happen and it only made sense for them to choose the hostage who was least likely to fight back. Meantime he and Scott were helpless to intervene without risking one of them getting shot.
Susan had gone limp in Art's hands and was shaking uncontrollably. With Rick's gun almost in his face, there was nothing Bobby could do to help her. Art backed up, dragging the unresisting girl with him.
"Everyone just sit tight," Cherry ordered. "There's no reason for this to get ugly."
"Wouldn't it have been easier to stop the train?" Scott had settled back into his seat. "You'll break your necks if you try to get off while it's still moving."
"Don't you worry none about us," Rick replied. "It ain't as if this is the first job we've pulled."
"It's your first in these parts, though." Johnny was sure he'd have heard if anyone had tried this before on any of the lines around the San Joaquin. "I'm guessin' things got a mite too hot for you further east."
"Now don't you be getting too nosey, Sugar." Livvie's hand brushed against his sleeve. "Be a good boy and keep your mouth shut."
Silence returned as they waited for Art to return. Johnny knew that the outlaw would be using Susan to persuade the mail clerk to open up the baggage car. Would the undercover agent sacrifice an innocent woman and the rest of the passengers to try and prevent the robbery? He doubted it, but it depended upon what was being carried in the safe. Things just weren't adding up. It was like the railroad company had expected this robbery, but what could one man do to prevent it? He had to be missing something.
One of his questions was answered soon after when Susan stumbled back into the carriage. Physically she looked unhurt although her eyes were red and puffy. She was followed more slowly by the mail clerk, who was bleeding from a cut on the side of his head. He seemed confused as he looked at Johnny. He'd probably made his own assessment back at the station, and was surprised to find that the young gunfighter wasn't part of the gang.
"He says that he doesn't know the combination for the safe," Art growled.
"Is that right?" Cherry didn't look convinced. "Perhaps you didn't try hard enough to persuade him."
"You think I'd lie when he had a gun to that girl's head?" the man replied sullenly. "It's company policy now. The only man who can open the safe is the railroad agent who meets the train in Sacramento."
Johnny didn't know if the man was telling the truth or not, but he sure sounded convincing.
"What do we do now?" Livvie asked.
"That's easy." Rick pointed his gun in the direction of Susan and Bobby. "We shoot one of them and see if he still says the same thing."
"You're a real stupid bastard," Johnny said, hoping to draw Rick's attention away from the young couple. "He can't tell you something he doesn't know."
"Only one way to find out." Rick pulled the trigger.
Johnny leapt to his feet as the force of the bullet threw Bobby away from the girl. Her scream went on and on as Bobby slid from the seat, leaving a smear of blood on the wooden paneling.
Rick swung round to face Johnny. "You're next, cowboy."
Tbc
Caroline
Feb 08