Disclaimer: Alias Smith and Jones does not belong to me. This is fan fiction, not for profit.
Any references to people, places, businesses, etc. are entirely fictitious.
A/N – story presumes the details on the wanted posters are not entirely accurate. Story exists in the same No Amnesty - Smith and Jones story verse as previous stories.
Chapter 4: A Prince About Town
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"Thank you."
Kid's soft words were followed by the sound of the door shutting. Heyes blinked his eyes. The book slipped from his hands and landed on the plush carpet with a barely audible thump in the quiet hotel room. Heyes yawned. He'd fallen asleep on the fainting couch outside of Kid's room. The dark haired Kansan wriggled upright.
"Who were you speaking to?" asked Heyes.
His partner turned away from the door to the corridor and grinned at Heyes. Kid was dressed in a clean white Henley and blue jeans similar to the ones he'd worn earlier. The familiar gun belt was securely fastened around Kid's waist.
"Diego, he brought our luggage earlier," answered Kid.
The battle to separate Kid from his precious Colt had been hard fought. While Silky had conceded to Kid on the issue of the ferry boat, the wily old conman had been adamant that Prince Wilhelm wouldn't be carrying a revolver. Kid's holstered weapon had been packed away for the duration of their journey.
"Earlier?" repeated Heyes in a questioning tone. "Didn't you take a bath? Don't tell me you opened up the door wrapped in a towel!"
"Nah, the hotel has robes in the bathroom," replied Kid. The sturdy blond waved a crisp sheet of folded paper in one hand, his blue eyes shining. "You wouldn't believe what else the hotel provides."
"What?" grinned Heyes in response to Kid's infectious excitement.
The younger Kansan gestured to the round table. A gleaming silver tray stood in front of the flower arrangement. Kid strode over to the table, laid the paper down and lifted the cover off a steaming plate. The aroma filling the air reminded Heyes that he hadn't eaten since the biscuits they purchased from a vendor on the wharf before boarding the ferry this morning. Heyes' stomach grumbled.
"Two steaks, potatoes, green beans, carrots…," Kid beamed as he listed the food.
"Two steaks?" interrupted Heyes. "Seriously? Are you really that hungry?"
Kid's eyes widened in surprise.
"I wasn't planning on eating both of them," replied Kid. "One of these dinners is for you."
Heyes rose to stand in one fluid motion, stretching his arms high overhead. With three long steps he joined his partner at the table. There were only two place settings. A crystal salt shaker stood sentinel with a matching pepper shaker guarding a small bowl filled with pats of butter shaped into little circular balls much like tiny cannonballs. A larger white and gold trimmed platter was draped with a green brocade cloth. Condensation dripped down the side of two crystal goblets filled with chipped ice and water.
"I can't believe you ordered room service," declared Heyes. Glancing at the menu on the table, Heyes gave a low whistle. "Especially at these prices! Two bits for a steak and another two bits for three vegetable sides! Each!"
"Silky did say to spare no expense," reminded Kid as Heyes sat down.
Kid unwound his white linen napkin to reveal an embossed silver fork, knife and spoon. The older outlaw pulled out a straight back chair and sat down next to his partner.
"Did you order anything for George and Harry?" he asked.
"George said she didn't want anything except her valise," responded Kid. "And I haven't heard anything from Harry since I went to get cleaned up. If he wants supper, he'll have to rustle up his own. The kitchen closes at midnight."
Heyes glanced at the clock on the fireplace mantle. Ornate brass curlicues pointed upwards, indicating eleven fifty-five. His long dark hair flopped to either side as he shook his head with a rueful grin.
"Guess Harry's not getting dinner tonight," surmised Heyes.
"More likely Harry already ate before we arrived at the hotel," hazarded Kid. "I got the feeling he knows how to take care of himself."
Heyes lifted the folded green cloth to reveal brown and white dinner rolls. Kid reached for a roll and stabbed a creamy yellow ball of butter with his knife.
"According to Silky's plan," reminded Heyes, "you're not supposed to speak much English."
"There are some things about Silky's plan that I don't like, and that's one of 'em," murmured Kid as he spread the melting butter across the hot roll. "It just seems like there are too many loose ends. I think you could have planned it better."
"Maybe, maybe not," replied Heyes diplomatically. "We really don't know enough details of Silky's plan yet."
"That's botherin' me too. It just ain't safe, not knowing the details," stated Kid. "Helping Silky seemed like a good idea, he seemed so upset about Billy…"
"But we don't know Billy and Silky hasn't exactly been forthcoming about what he wants us to do," finished Heyes.
Kid nodded. Heyes picked up his silverware. The two men attacked their meal, slicing meat, spearing vegetables. It wasn't until Kid popped the last bite of buttered roll into his mouth and that Heyes spoke again.
"How did you order supper?" asked Heyes. "Did you point to the menu? Or what?"
Kid shook his blond head.
"One part of Silky's plan works really well. Money talks," replied Kid. "I told Diego we needed two of the best dinner's in the place."
"In English?" demanded Heyes, his eyebrows rising upwards.
"Yeah," nodded Kid. "I don't think starving was part of Silky's plan, and it sure isn't part of my plan."
"Your plan?" Heyes' dark eyes narrowed and he looked sharply at his partner. "What kind of plan do you have?"
"The same one I always have," shrugged Kid. Big hands rolled up the napkin and placed it on the plate. "My plan is to keep us both alive as long as possible."
"That's a plan?" questioned Heyes, his voice rising in disbelief.
"Well it ain't a fancy plan like one of yours, or Silky's, but it's worked so far," answered Kid. "I just have to tweak it every now and then for ex-ten-u-at-ing circumstances."
Heyes' stared at Kid as his partner carefully pronounced the unfamiliar word. Heyes loved words. Books, ideas, long rambling conversations about anything and everything, were a joy to Heyes. Not so for his cousin. Jedidiah Curry had been an inquisitive little boy, just as sharp and talkative as his older cousin, but six years in Valparaiso had taught Kid the value of silence. It was a sign of trust that the young fast draw tried out new words on Heyes.
"What kind of extenuating circumstances?" asked Heyes speaking the words smoothly.
Heyes pretended not to notice Kid's fleeting smile at the affirmation of hearing the words pronounced back, letting Kid know that he'd used the words correctly.
"This time, we're in San Francisco and the rest of the boys are in Colorado," answered Kid, "so I gotta have a plan to make sure we all get back to Wyoming in one piece."
"Don't you think we might oughta stick with Silky's plan for the time we're here in San Francisco?" nudged Heyes. "The plan where you're supposed to be a German Prince that doesn't speak English."
"Heyes, I figure a little misinformation can be a good thing," answered Kid. "Especially if Silky's plan blows up in our faces."
"What do you mean?"
"I told Diego you were the prince," answered Kid.
"What?!"
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"No," insisted Harry the next morning. "We're not going anywhere with you looking like that."
"What's wrong with the way I look?" demanded Kid. His jaw clenched in defiance. "It's clean!"
"Blue jeans, red shirt," sniffed Harry. He waved his hand dismissively. "You look like you should be pounding nails on the building going up down the street, not staying in the Palace and parading about town."
Kid pushed back from the round table full of breakfast plates and glared at Harry. The suave city slicker wore an off white double breasted suitcoat over a yellow shirt. The debonair rascal continued eating his eggs unaware of Kid's frown.
"I ain't hidin' underneath that cloak again," objected Kid. "And I ain't staying cooped up inside all day."
"Silky wanted Kid to be out and about in the town," reminded Heyes. His suit with its white button down shirt was topped by a basic black string tie. "Kid can't go acting like a spendthrift if he stays cooped up in this room."
George put down her fork, eggs forgotten as she looked at Kid's reddened face. The low cut scoop neck of her pale blue dress showed off the small amethyst pendant dangling from around her neck.
"We could always say Prince Wilhelm wanted to dress like the local folks, blend in," suggested the pretty brunette.
"No, he's supposed to stand out, not blend in," argued Harry. "First we'll send for the tailor, the haberdasher..."
"I ain't getting all gussied up," argued Kid. The muscular blond stood up. "Silky said I'm supposed to go out and attract attention…"
"By being seen as Prince Wilhelm," interrupted Harry. "You've got to look the part!"
"We'll go to the tailor's, the haberdasher's, and any other shops you want," stated Kid, "but there's only two things I want to see in San Francisco."
"What's that?" demanded Harry.
"The Pierce and Hamilton exposition," answered Kid, "and Freddy."
George picked up a china teacup and waved her hand over the steaming beverage.
"You can't see the Pierce and Hamilton exposition until they arrive in June," reminded George. "But if you really want to see Frederick Houseman, you can always go to one of his legitimate businesses."
"What?" Heyes snapped his head around to look at the woman. George took a sip of her tea. "What legitimate businesses?"
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"We still ain't seen this Freddy fella," grumbled Kid. "It's been over a week!"
"Ten days with Harry jabbering on and on and on," stated Heyes in a glum tone.
Kid, Heyes, George and Harry had been out every day. Harry guided the little group, clinging to Kid's arm, introducing him to people occasionally, but mostly listening in on their conversations, interrupting and providing his own spin on things. They'd gone to the stores that Harry insisted upon, and a few places that George had suggested. A jewelry shop three streets from the hotel boasted Be Dazzled, San Francisco's Finest Imported Jewels, Diamonds, Rubies, Pearls and more. Frederick Houseman Esq. in gilded letters on the glass window, but the owner wasn't in.
"It's worse than searching for a needle in a haystack," groused Kid. Broad shoulders clad in a light brown leather jacket shrugged. "How are we ever gonna find one man?"
"We found Giovanni, didn't we?" grinned Heyes.
"He found us," corrected Kid. "And a good thing too, or we'd never got away from that newspaper lady!"
George's insistence that they take a side trip Tuesday to a chocolate shop on the corner of Washington and Kearny Streets had resulted in chaos. The Chronicle's society columnist had spotted them. Harry was left standing in the street with her as Kid, Heyes and George ran. In the ensuing attempt to avoid the obnoxious woman, the partners found themselves reunited with their former travelling companions.
"What's that woman from the Chronicle want with you anyway?" asked Heyes.
"I don't know why she's following us!" protested Kid.
Giovanni and his wife worked in a small restaurant nearby. Their quick thinking friend hadn't reacted to Kid's assumed identity as Prince Wilhelm, but merely ushered the out of breath runners into the restaurant. Kid, Heyes and George ducked into the cool stone building, away from the prying eyes of the nosy newswoman. They stayed until Veronique Adler disappeared down the street. As the three friends departed the safety of the dark restaurant, Giovanni held Heyes back for a hurried whisper. Addressing Heyes by the alias he'd used on the train, Giovanni offered help. "Timothy, if you and Orville are in trouble and need a place to stay, you come here."
"You sure you didn't lead her on?" chuckled Heyes. "Miss Adler's written some pretty interesting articles…"
"I ain't never even talked to the woman!" huffed Kid. "All that stuff she writes is nothin' but a pack of lies!"
"It's called a gossip column," smirked Heyes.
"Is there a difference?" demanded Kid.
The redwood paneled elevator slowly descended towards the ground floor. Heyes looked at the clipboard he carried. In his guise of social secretary, he had Kid's itinerary listed. George and Harry had already gone down to the lobby. It was the first chance the partner's had to talk in private since Heyes received Wheat's latest telegram yesterday. Dear Ma, three more weeks work in Pueblo, then we're moving south towards Fort Garland.
"What are you gonna tell Wheat?" asked Kid.
Heyes looked up from the clipboard and smiled at his partner.
"Sent an answering telegram last night," responded Heyes with an uncomfortable shrug. "Told him we'd be here at least another two months, and to let us know when he gets to Fort Garland."
Kid frowned.
"Wasn't Fort Garland where Preacher got arrested a couple years back?" asked Kid.
"I told Wheat to make sure he and his friends stay out of trouble too," added Heyes. "Even signed the telegram Love MA. Thank goodness George delivered the message to the telegraph operator."
Kid rolled his blue eyes, but they both knew there was nothing more to be done as long as they were staying in San Francisco. The elevator slowed as it reached the bottom of the shaft.
"Where are we going today?" asked Kid. "Please no more shopping!"
"Look on the bright side Kid," grinned Heyes, "At least you've got a new suit, and Harry's got a new jacket."
"Ugliest jacket I ever did see," snorted Kid.
"Now wasn't that what you said about that new suit of yours?" smirked Heyes.
"No, I said scratchiest, most uncomfortable…," Kid continued extolling the disadvantages of his new gray suit.
The elevator door opened. Harry's new jacket, with corduroy patches on the elbows, made him readily identifiable even with his back turned to the elevator. Across the lobby, George stood talking to the persistent reporter from the Chronicle. Heyes looked back down at his list as he stepped out of the elevator.
"Riding today, up to Telegraph Hill…," read Heyes.
"Hey…!"
Heyes felt his partner's big hand grab him by the collar and spin him around.
"Wha…!"
Kid's fist connected with Heyes' jaw. Heyes' arms flew up and back. The clipboard went flying. Heyes staggered backwards and collided with a box camera mounted on a tripod. A bright, white flash went off. Heyes, the photographer, and all the equipment crashed to the floor. A cacophony of voices rose as everyone in the lobby squawked in alarm. Heyes felt himself yanked upright. He wobbled, staring into Kid's blue eyes.
"No photographs!" announced Kid in a tone of royal outrage. "We ride!"
A hurried about face. Kid half dragged, half shoved Heyes across the open courtyard and out onto the street outside. Kid strong armed his partner into a brisk march. It wasn't until they turned the corner and made it another block away that Heyes jerked loose. He leaned back against the wall of the building and rubbed his aching jaw.
"What did you do that for?" demanded Heyes.
"It's always the little details that make or break a scam," reminded Kid with a hint of a smirk. "That man had a camera and was gonna take a picture. Couldn't chance having it printed in the paper and someone recognize us."
"You don't know that the photographer was there to take pictures of you!" exploded Heyes. Dark brown eyes winced as he touched a particularly sensitive spot. "It takes time to make a photograph. That man could have been there setting up some sort of advertisement campaign for the hotel."
"I couldn't take that risk, that fella mighta got you or me or both of us in his picture," stated Kid. "I had to ensure your safety."
Something in Kid's voice jogged a memory.
"Don't tell me," remembered Heyes, "hitting me was a safety precaution."
"Okay," agreed Kid. The smirk spread across Kid's face. "I won't tell you."
The muscular blond took another long stride down the alley, away from the palatial hotel. He beckoned for Heyes to follow.
"It's the first time since we got to the Palace that we're out on our own, no Harry and no George," urged Kid. "We've been to Freddy's jewelry shop, both his restaurants, and the Chinese laundry place he owns. The only place we haven't been yet is the Roaring Tiger. Let's go."
Heyes pushed off the wall and started after Kid.
"You know I didn't hit you that hard!" protested Heyes.
"It's not my fault you've got a glass jaw!"
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George hurried away from the reporter. Harry was busy with damage control. She only heard a snatch of his outraged retort to the hotelier as she passed them.
"If you can't ensure your guests privacy," huffed Harry, "Prince Wilhelm will find other accommodations!"
The fashionable con woman reached the white faced photographer in time to put her foot firmly on Heyes' clipboard. Most of the papers were still attached. Sharp eyes noted two pages loosened. One was face down next to the broken camera. The other tilted upwards at an odd angle against the wall.
"Oh, look at this mess," commiserated George in a friendly tone. She knelt down at eye level to the camera man and snatched the paper from his reaching hand. "What were you doing? Do you work for Veronique?"
The photographer glanced across the room at the reporter. George took the opportunity to reach for the second loose paper.
"Not anymore," grumbled the man, "my camera's broken."
George gathered the papers and the clipboard beneath her foot. The slender woman rose to stand, casting a baleful glance at the reporter.
"Why?" asked George.
"Miss Adler wants a picture of Prince Wilhelm for the society column," answered the man. "She's got some story cooking about him finding romance in San Francisco."
"Oh, I'm sure that's not true," replied George with a throaty chuckle. "Prince Wilhelm only arrived just over a week ago. I don't think he's had a chance to meet anyone, certainly not romance anyone."
"Truth never stopped Veronique Adler from writing a story," grumbled the man as he began to gather up the bits and pieces of his equipment.
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Heyes caught up to his cousin's long strides quickly. The pair stopped at the large ornate fountain they'd seen from the carriage window upon their arrival to the Palace. The cast iron fountain spewed water from a spout inside the lion's mouth. Kid leaned in and scooped water into his hands, drinking deeply and then rubbing cool water along the back of his neck. Even this early in the morning, the heat was starting to pick up.
"You know partner," began Heyes, "I like your idea about going to see Freddy, but there's someone else we oughta see first."
Kid straightened upright. Water dripping from his neck, he beamed.
"You've got a plan," grinned Kid.
Kid's words were a statement of fact, not a guess. Heyes nodded.
"We need to talk to Silky."
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