CHAPTER 4.
As soon as their dessert was finished and the bill taken care of, Colonel Richmond turned to his wife. "Elaine dearest would you mind terribly, returning to the hotel by yourself? I want to go back to the train with West and Gordon to go over some business for tomorrow."
"Of course not dear. Try not to be too awfully late, alright?" She smiled indulgently.
He kissed her cheek, "As you wish my dear."
Elaine Richmond bid the three gentlemen a good evening and left in a hired carriage.
Colonel Richmond, West and Gordon acquired another cab for the return to the train. Richmond studied his two men as they continued their bickering while the cab made it's way along the cobblestone streets. They were his two best men, intelligent, talented, dedicated and deadly. They were as halves of an almost flawless mechanism in their work, perfectly in tune with one another. He could depend on them to launch a successful counter to almost anything the criminal elements could throw at them. They were the President's number one team. But when it came to competing over women, they could, without reason or warning, become puerile adolescents. They often competed ferociously with juvenile antics. At least they were off duty, but sometimes they played just as fiercely as they worked. It wasn't the first time he'd witnessed this, but he sincerely wished they wouldn't engage each other in this insipid behavior on the eve of such an important assignment.
"Gentlemen, as you well know, this gold shipment is the largest of it's kind to ever be transported through the territory." Richmond tried to keep their attention. "We have got to be prepared for all contingencies. I want to discuss some items with both of you this evening. Tomorrow, at my office, we will solidify the primary and back up plans with General Kierlan."
"Maybe Sabina would have been more to your liking Artie. It's hardly my fault that I seemed to catch Helena's eye. Of course she did strike me as a woman of discerning taste!" Jim took another playful poke at Artie.
Arties' dark eyes burned back at James and just as he was about to fling back a witty response, the Colonel barked at both of them. "Are you two even listening to me?! As you are aware gentlemen, we've already lost two agents previously assigned to escort this shipment. Agent Callery's dead body was found in a ravine some distance south of Sacramento. We've no clue as of yet regarding Hughes' fate. He could be dead as well or being held captive. He had access to the majority of the information on the transfer plans. If he is still alive, his time is running short. Whoever is behind this must know we will alter our plan of action."
The cab rolled to a stop along side of the train and the three disembarked. The Colonel asked the driver to wait. They entered the train. Artemis poured sherry for the three of them, glaring at James the whole time. Finally he spoke.
"James, could you have been more of a boor this evening? What the devil's gotten into you anyway? I don't mind a little friendly competition and even though it's your birthday, don't you think it was a bit much?"
"What I think Artie, is that when a woman finds me attractive and not you…that you should face it. The better man always wins." He smiled wickedly.
"The better man??…That's it James!…Ever since you rode in today, you've been grumpy, surly, querulous and now you are downright rude!! I'm willing to let this pass, only because it's your birthday and you've had a long hard day. So…I'm giving you some slack pal."
"Face it Artie, you're willing to let it pass because you benefit from my good fortune with the ladies. Beautiful women, who wouldn't have given you the time of day if I hadn't introduced them to you."
"Of all the pompous, arrogant,…!!"
"Gentlemen! That is enough!!" Colonel Richmond's eyes had nearly rolled up over his hairline twice in the last ten minutes. Obviously there would be no serious discussions this evening. The authoritative tone of his voice stopped the argument in an instant. "West! It is apparent that you are overly fatigued from the days ride back in the heat. You could definitely use a good nights rest!"
"Gordon! Get a hold of yourself and simmer down! For pity's sake…it's not like you knew the woman for very long. She was playing with the both of you!"
"Yeah Artie, settle down!" James remarked agreeably.
"You know James, the Colonel is right. You could use a good nights rest. And just so you won't have to suffer any disturbance of said rest,"….he turned away… "Colonel?" I think I'll just ride back to the hotel with you and take a room for the evening. Jim and I can sort this out in the morning."
"You can if you want to Artie, but I doubt she'll come back for you tonight." Jim gave a little smirk.
That was the final straw…the remark that raked across Artie's last nerve. What James West needed was an enormous helping of humble pie and Artemus Gordon was just the man to serve it up. James was standing in front of the sideboard, sipping his sherry, still smiling.
The Colonel's eyes rolled for the umpteenth time. He had an overwhelming desire to drag the two of them to the nearest school yard so they could roll about pummeling each other in the dust and maybe, finally, they would get this out of their systems. Artie strode toward the rear door of the varnish car. The Colonel drained the last of his sherry and was about to set the glass down when Artemus yanked open the rear door.
"Come on Colonel," he called and then quickly stepping to the side, he bent low and opened the small bureau door. He grabbed the silver foiled gift and turning abruptly, he called belligerently across the length of the room.
"Happy Birthday James! I hope you enjoy my gift as much as you enjoyed my date!"
He deftly tossed the package into the air.
Colonel Richmond stopped…starring…sherry glass suspended in his fingers. He watched the silvery package take flight across the parlor. It glittered in it's graceful arch toward it's destination. Artemus' aim as always, was flawless and true. The package's trajectory would land it smack in the middle of the small table in front of James. For one brief second, the Colonel had a premonition of a silvery carrier pigeon descending on the final leg of it's flight.
The package landed….THUD…..BANG!!Artie had already begun to step through the door when the crack of the gun shot ripped him back around, eyes wide, mouth agape!
"JIM/JAMES!!"Artemus and the Colonel yelled in unison.
Artie bolted across the parlor, knocking the empty sherry glass from the Colonel's hand. The sound of the shattering glass was lost.
Jim was thrown back against the sideboard, utter shock frozen in the finely chiseled features of his face. A burgeoning field of crimson spread across his ivory brocaded chest. His eyes met Arties in the breath of a second and then closed as his body went limp and slid toward the floor.
Artie caught him just as he went down. Cradling his partner in his arms he screamed "Colonel, get a doctor! Get a doctor NOW…GO!"
"JIM!…no…oh God no! …no Jim, hang on…no! …no!….please…"
He screamed at Richmond again, "Go get the doctor Colonel!!….Go!!"
But Colonel James D. Richmond was a veteran of that great and terrible war of the states. As had been James and Artemus. He had seen more than his share of soldiers shot and laid low. Fateful, fatal wounds of which there could be no mistaking. He slowly knelt down next to Artemus and gently placed his hand on the man's shoulder.
"Artemus." he said quietly.
Artie turned his eyes to the Colonel. "Please get the doctor Colonel…" His voice a hoarse whisper now. "Please…"
Richmond's voice wavered, then held. "Artemus. He's gone. The bullet struck his heart."
The coffee dark eyes, now stricken and glazed in horror turned back toward his dead partner …friend…brother. His head began to tremble and his neck bobbled as his pain clenched face drifted downward. His forehead came finally to rest, among the tussled locks of chestnut hair. His shoulders trembled and shook with the rendering of his anguish. He was as a man who's lungs could find no oxygen and who's heart would find no hope.
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