JD kept his head bent down as he tried to look around the room, taking note of everything he could that might help him figure out where the hell he was. His first thought was that he wanted to be able to tell the cops, or more likely Buck and Chris, every detail. His second thought was that he probably wasn't going to live long enough to tell anyone anything. For some reason, that made him laugh, which for a lot of reasons, was a bad idea.
"You find something funny about this kid?" The smaller of the two thugs - JD was mentally calling him Salt because of the white hair - made his way back to the chair. "Something amuses you?"
JD went to shake his head but the last time he had tried that the resulting nausea had almost been too much to control. He really didn't want to push his luck on that front. "Just thinking about what my friends are going to do to you two. It'll make this seem like a picnic."
"Yeah - you want a picnic? How 'bout a knuckle sandwich." JD braced himself for another punch, and cautiously opened his eyes when it didn't happen. The second thug - obviously Pepper - was pulling Salt away.
"Ya hit him enough for now. Boss said we were only supposed to be talking to him for now. Wants to be here for when we really question him."
"Well, the little - is bugging me. He deserves another whack."
"Fine, but you have to explain why he can't answer any questions. And if you kill him without getting the order to first, well you're on your own."
JD really hoped that was enough to convince Salt to back off. He'd been the one doing most of the hitting since JD first woke up, tied to a chair in the basically empty room. It had taken him several minutes to remember being grabbed and gagged just a few yards away from his apartment building. It was late enough, or early enough depending on your perspective, that no one had been on the street to see anything. Not that he figured anyone would have interfered. The two guys who grabbed him were big - Josiah kind of big - and that didn't encourage others to get involved. One solid punch to the jaw and the next thing he knew getting water thrown in his face. The only way he could figure this was that he'd pissed off someone at the track, but when they started asking about a bible, he was lost. And a dozen punches to the ribs, a black eye and what he hoped was not a broken nose, didn't change anything. The surprising thing in all of this, other than what they were asking him, was the fact they hadn't beat him worse. He'd seen pictures around the newspaper of the victims of other deals like this, and they all looked dead. A lot of them were.
Salt paced the floor for a minute, calming himself down. "Come on kid," he finally turned back to JD. "Save everybody some time, and yourself some trouble, and just tell us where the damned bible is." It was the only question they'd been asking him.
"I look like a preacher to you? I don't know anything about a Bible." JD mentally kicked himself as soon as the words were out of his mouth. He should be trying to find out more, not give them information .
"Your friends got it - don't they? Those private dicks have it. Just tell us where they hid it, and this can be over."
And I'll be dead you mean, he thought. "What's so important about this bible of yours?"
Pepper gawked openly at him. "You're kidding - right? Person who gets that is gonna be the most powerful man in this town, and our boss it planning on being that man. So you might as well spill you guts."
"Yeah" Salt laughed. "Before we spill them for you."
A city full of thugs, and I get the one who thinks he's a comedian. "Not telling anything to a couple of stooges, so you're wasting your time."
Salt's response, which looked like it was going to involve a fist despite the warnings, was stopped by the ringing of a phone. Pepper glared a threat at his partner before picking it up. He grunted a few times in response to whatever he was being told, and hung up.
"Boss says we're done here." JD felt a surge of panic. 'We're done.' They didn't need him anymore. "Said to dump him where those private dicks will be sure to find him."
"Sounds good - we can get some lunch when we're done." JD looked up just in time to see the fist coming at his face. Then he saw nothing.
7-7-7-7-7-7-7
It didn't take the men long to come to the conclusion that something was seriously wrong. No one from any of JDs usual haunts could recall seeing him that day. Buck had tried the race track as well, and while a few people there remembered seeing him the day before, no one could say why he'd been there or when he'd left. Nathan promised to ask the lunch time regulars at the shelter to watch for him, and Josiah went out patrolling the area, but neither had reported back any encouraging news. Or any news for that matter.
Now they had regrouped at the office. It was mid-afternoon and with no news, every minute that passed was making Buck harder to deal with.
"We can't just sit here. Somebody has to know something."
"I don't disagree Buck, but I'm out of ideas –" Chris stopped to answer the phone.
"Larabee speaking. Josiah – what have you… You sure? Who told you? Yeah, it matters. OK fine. Any idea where he is then? But you figure… yeah, OK. See if you can find out any more." He hung up and found himself staring at two confused faces.
"According to Josiah, JD was grabbed by thugs to be questioned. He should have been released by now, but nobody seems to know where. And before you ask, all he'd say was it was someone he trusts."
"Must have been from one of the regulars at the shelter." Vin guessed.
"Guys?" A cracked voice came from the doorway. "Could use a bit of help here."
JD was leaning against the door frame, barely staying vertical.
"Shit!" Buck leapt to his feet, grabbing him before the young man could fall. He carried him to the cot in the back. Once he was settled Buck turned back. "Vin - go get..."
"He's already on his way to pick up Nathan. Do you think the kid needs the hospital?"
JD answered. "Nah. Just need to catch my breath."
"Don't try too hard." Buck was already checking him over. "I'm betting a few of these ribs are cracked."
Chris grabbed a towel and soaked it, hurrying back to JD's side. "Take it easy kid. Buck's gonna try to clean some of this up. I'll go call Nathan to let him know Vin's on his way."
"Where does it hurt?"
"Everywhere."
"Who did this?"
JD winced as Buck pressed the cloth on his face. "Couple of big guys. They didn't introduce themselves. Grabbed me outside our place when I got home early this morning."
Buck kept prodding for details. "Where were you coming from at that hour?"
"Been asking some questions out at the track. Didn't get much of a story though."
Could a story about fixed races be what was behind all of this? "What did you get yourself into out there?"
"No, that wasn't it. They wanted to know about some book. Called it a Bible. Why would anybody beat the crap out of me for a Bible, Buck? That's just screwy."
"Son of a bitch."
JD tried to sit up, ignoring the pain, but Buck could see the reaction, and forced him back. "You could be hurt inside kid. Stop moving."
"I ain't hurt. What's going on? There's a story here – isn't there."
"Stop thinking like a reporter for a minute."
"I am a reporter!"
"Keep pushing your luck and you're gonna be a dead reporter. Now lie back and shut up."
"What's the matter with you Buck?"
Buck stood and stared. "What's the matter with ME? You disappear without a trace, show up looking like death warmed over and asking about some damn story, and you ask what's the matter with ME?"
"You disappeared too. Haven't been home for three nights. Don't see me going loco."
"Yeah, well. I got more experience than you do kid. You obviously don't know how to stay out of trouble."
JD laughed, regretting it when his ribs reminded him of what he'd been through. "And you do? In the month I've known you you've had a grenade thrown at you, had the office machine gunned, been in two gunfights – and that's just the stuff I know about. And you say I get into trouble." He laughed more softly this time. "That's rich."
"I ain't the one covered in bruises."
"Maybe, but you sure look like hell."
Buck was saved the trouble of answering when Chris came back. "Vin's already on his way back with Nathan. Do you know who did this to you?"
"Buck and me were just talking about that." He decided to try asking his question again. "Why would anyone beat me up over a Bible Chris?"
Chris growled. "Son of a bitch."
"Funny – that's the same answer he gave."
"I better call - I need to make another call."
Buck thought he had it figured out. "Travis?" he asked quietly.
"Yeah, better call him too." Chris mumbled as he headed back to his desk.
"Buck –."
"Later JD. Just hold off till we can sort this out."
"Think I deserve to know."
Buck watched Chris speaking on the phone in a voice that was barely a whisper. "We all do."
Nathan's arrival put an end to any further debate. He kicked Buck out of small room, closing the door. Chris was hanging up when Buck parked himself on the corner of the desk.
"Him too? Who else would you be calling about this?"
"Not now Buck."
"Yes, now. What the hell is going on Chris?"
There was no way to avoid talking about this, and when he'd pointed that fact out to Judge Travis in his first phone call, he'd gotten no valid argument, only some advice on how to proceed. Now, unable to reach Standish, he was stalled.
"Buck, I promise you, you'll have your answers. Right now, there may be a bigger problem. I just need to figure out if I'm gonna make it worse by doing what I have to do."
"You know I haven't got a clue what you're talking about."
"Pretty sure you do, if you stop and think about it."
Chris watched as Buck sat and started to talk it out. "OK, it had to be thugs for one of the big shots that went after JD if they are looking for that load of papers we found. But why? Travis has got them, so–". He paused. "Travis has got them – right?" When Chris didn't answer, Buck swore again. "Don't tell me you kept them? Good God Chris, those are a death sentence. What that hell were you thinking?"
"I don't have them."
They stopped talking when the door opened, and relaxed a bit when Vin entered. "We figure out who did this?"
"Working on it." Buck snarled. "If you don't have the papers, and Travis doesn't, then where are they? You wouldn't have tossed them away."
Vin stared in disbelief. "Travis doesn't have them? And you don't?" It fell into place for him quickly, not being quite as distracted as Buck was. "Oh, you didn't? Seriously?"
"Safest spot I could think of." Chris acknowledged.
Buck watched them both, getting angrier with each tick of the clock. "What spot? What was safe? Damn it Chris, who else did you bring into this mess? The only other guy there was… Oh Sweet Christ! Tell me you didn't give all that over to Standish."
"Not over to him Buck. Back to him."
"What?" Both men asked at the same time.
"He'd had them all along. The judge told me Ezra was there when Steven was killed. Tried to save him but was too late. Think that eats at him."
"He was there? He was involved?"
"Keep your voice down Buck. No, he wasn't involved. Not the way you mean."
Vin sat back, barely able to be heard as the last piece of the puzzle fell into place. "He was the source. He's the one who was giving Steven the information in the first place. I figured he was playing both sides to his advantage, but this is a hell of a lot more."
Buck couldn't believe all of this. "Well that's a damned sneaky way to get rid of the competition."
"Think that was what it was about Wilmington? You stop and think about the last few weeks and tell me you still think that's what he was doing."
"Shit Josiah, don't be sneaking up on a body like that."
"Next time you folks want to risk Ezra's life by talking like this, you might try locking the doors. How's the kid?"
"Nathan's with him. You knew?" Chris asked, wondering if anyone else was in on the real story.
Josiah shook his head. "Knew? No. Suspected. Yeah. Like I told you, like I told Nathan; Ezra's got more layers to him than an onion. Don't think anyone will ever get to the core either."
They stopped talking as Nathan entered the room. He looked at them, knowing something was going on. After seeing the mixed emotions in front of him, he decided he didn't want to know.
"Much as I can tell, he's fine. Gonna be sore for a few days, but nothing's busted up too bad. Bruised pretty much everywhere, but nothing broken. He's resting, and I'd leave him be if you can. Keep an eye on things. Make sure he doesn't start coughing up or pissing out blood. Doubt it will happen but watch just in case."
"OK – thanks for coming over."
"No problem. But if you need me again, don't send that one." He pointed a Vin, who looked wide-eyed and innocent. "Drives that bike of his like he's being chased by the devil. Don't need another ride like that in this lifetime."
7-7-7-7-7-7-7
Buck sat with JD, despite the younger man's repeated objections. "I do not need you to sit here and babysit me. I'm not some little kid."
"I know."
"Then why are you doing it?"
The only answer was a shrug. Buck didn't want to talk about how bad he felt for not having been any help when this happened. Not having been home much at all since the kid had moved in. He decided to change the subject.
"How did you manage to get away from them?"
JD had been debating this moment almost since he woke up in that alley behind the diner. He created an heroic saga of slipping free of the ropes, sneaking up behind his tormentors and knocking them out before making good his escape. Then he realized how ridiculous that sounded. When he couldn't come up with a more plausible story, he opted for the truth.
"They let me go. No idea why, since I hadn't told them anything. Just knocked me out again, and dumped me behind Cora's."
"You should have just gone there when you came too. Rain would have called a meat wagon for you, or at least called Nathan."
"Didn't want that. Wanted to find you guys. Figured from what they were saying, you'd know what this was about."
There was a soft knock at the back door, and it went almost unheard. Buck was on his feet in no time, gun drawn as he cautiously approached.
JD chuckled. "Don't imagine anyone aiming to kill us would have knocked first."
"You really want to take that chance?"
A southern drawl came through the door. "I can assure you, my intentions are non-violent."
Buck tucked his weapon away as he opened the door. "You could have come around front Ezra. We aren't that ashamed to have you dropping by."
"Given your recent avoidance of my establishment Mr. Wilmington, I wasn't certain of that." Buck didn't meet his gaze. "However, in this case, it was in my own desire to remain invisible that inspired my covert actions."
"Well, if you're aiming to go unnoticed, it's a good look." Gone was the trademark red jacket and brimmed hat. Ezra in a plain, worn looking duster with a workman's cap gave off a totally different image. No one would look twice at him, which was the point. "If you're here to talk to Chris, he and Vin are still out getting dinner." he noted as he returned to the seat near JD.
"I came to check on your young associate. Mr. Sanchez confirmed that he was still in your care."
"How'd you know I was hurt?"
Ezra looked guiltily at the bruises and swelling that were testimony to the events of that morning. "Because I know who was responsible, and the role I played. I am sorry I could not have intervened earlier Mr. Dunne."
Buck was back on his feet. "Who?"
"Not yet, Mr. Wilmington. The satisfaction you gain from repaying the abuse will not outweigh the risk of exposing any number of people to further harm."
"WHO?"
"Leave it be Buck. Mr. Standish wouldn't have said this much if he didn't have a plan in mind," JD looked at the man. "Right?"
"I have some possibilities that are being developed."
Buck wasn't satisfied. "Just what role did you play in all this?"
"He didn't know Buck. He wouldn't have let this happen."
"Your faith in me is touching, if somewhat misplaced. While I did not know in advance, it did take me some amount of time between learning of the action and arranging for it to stop."
"You stopped it?" JD was equally puzzled and grateful.
"How many hours went by?" Ezra shook his head and Buck stopped his advance. "Well it can't have been days, so that leaves minutes?" His tone reflected the disbelief.
"I would estimate at least 10 and possibly as much as 15 minutes went by between my awareness of the action, and the order to terminate further abuse. It is difficult to judge."
JD sat up. "Mr. Standish," under the circumstance, he decided the formality could be dropped for minute, "Ezra - you can't be mad at yourself for 10 minutes when you stopped this from happening."
"He's right Standish. That's nuts."
"He could have been killed in that time. I simply could not find a way to address the matter any faster without endangering others."
Despite still being a bit unsteady, JD stood and walked carefully over to where Ezra was. "I'll be fine, and doubt I could say that if you hadn't butted in. Wondered why they stopped so suddenly." He got a mischievous look to his face, and Ezra knew a deal was about to be offered. "Tell you what. You promise not to tell Casey anything other than my version of this, and I'll forgive you that 15 minutes."
"A valiant effort at negotiation, especially given I am certain it is your first. However, as I now know you would foolishly forgive me anyway, your position is weak. And to ask me to lie to Miss Wells does not reflect well on you, young man."
"I just don't want her to think I had to be rescued is all. I wouldn't lie about anything important to her - ever."
Ezra's eyes were smiling. "I am aware of that. And given that, according to Mr. Sanchez, you resisted providing them any information -"
"Didn't have any." JD corrected.
"- the fact that you resisted, I shall ensure she sees your actions as heroic. That will not require any falsehoods."
"OK kid, now lie down before you fall over. Ezra and me will be out front if you need something."
The two men left JD to get more rest, and settled into seats in the darkened front room, with Ezra staying back from any street view.
After a few moments of awkward silence, Buck caved in. "You should know. Vin and I know what's been going on. Josiah too, but I think he had an idea anyway."
"I'm glad someone has an idea of what you are talking about."
"The papers. The Judge. Travis. All of it."
Ezra didn't move. He didn't so much as blink. He knew from the moment he started dealing with Steven Travis that he was risking this moment, and once Larabee was added, the risk magnified. Secrets never remained that way.
"I suppose denying any of it would be futile."
"Nobody is going to find out from us."
"Yes, that is what young Travis assured me mere days before he brought his father into the arrangement. And the Judge did the same with Mr. Larabee, as he has now done with you. Given the fact Mary Travis no longer looks at me with daggers in her eyes when she meets with Miss Rocios, I daresay she is aware of the situation as well. A few more people and I might as well take out an advertisement in the paper. Assuming that has not already been done."
"The more of us that know, the more of us can help keep you safe."
"I was having no difficulty with that such a short time ago. It is my own fault for going against my natural instincts."
Buck disagreed and didn't hesitate to say so. "I've seen your natural instincts Ezra. They're why JD's safe back there. Why your pretty senorita is free of that bastard." Buck cursed silently at himself. Why had he brought her into the conversation?
Ezra didn't need to be told anything. "I can assume that she is the reason you have taken to drinking at some of the less savory establishments in town?"
"Got no intention of stepping into your dance Standish."
"No matter how strong the temptation?"
"Ain't gonna deny she is that."
"I am neither offended nor surprised by the fact you find her desirable Mr. Wilmington. My only concern is what your intentions might be. You do not have the reputation for being a particularly traditional gentleman caller."
Buck eyed him carefully. "I'm pretty sure you just insulted me."
"Not at all. Your Lothario-like reputation is a badge of honour in many circles. But that approach, that lady-killer style, is not in her best interest at this time, in my opinion."
"Don't worry Ezra. Like I said, I'm no weasel. I'm not the kind of guy to make a move on someone else's woman."
Ezra sighed. "I will tell you the same truth I have repeatedly tried to instill in her; I do not own Miss Rocios. She is her own woman."
"Maybe, but you have yourself set on her."
"Any decisions regarding her social activities are hers alone to make. Perhaps having someone else show her some attention would assist in convincing her of that point. So, by all means Mr. Wilmington, make your request of her."
"What if she says yes?"
He shrugged but didn't look too concerned. "Then I will have to accept the consequences."
"Ezra - "
"But I can promise you, I would not let this go quietly. I will say only one thing further on the matter. In the unlikely event you triumph, be forewarned. If she is not treated as she should be, with the reverence and respect she is due, the consequences will be most unpleasant."
"Didn't need you to point that that out."
"No, but I did anyway. That should tell you all you need to know."
There was no way to respond to that, so Buck didn't bother to try.
"Now," Ezra resumed in a much more conversational tone, "I believe I have overstayed my time here. I need to return to my car, change in to more standard attire and return to The Ace. These extended absences are drawing too much attention to my movements."
"You figure anyone is suspicious about you?"
"My associates are always suspicious. Of everything. It is the nature of what we do. At this point, I do not think I have incurred any particular attention and would like to take steps to ensure that doesn't change. I shall endeavour to not disturb Mr. Dunne when I leave. Good night."
M7-M7-M7-M7-M7-M7-M7
tbc
