EPILOGUE

The morning sun illuminated the empty yard, throwing the shadows of each object into strong contrast. A roadrunner darted around the compound seeking sustenance among the tumbleweeds rolling in the breeze. Through the window of the cabin, opened to catch the random zephyrs, could be heard gusts of laughter. The four had gathered once more at Sawyer's cabin. This time though, a fifth had joined them – Tex Hollister.

"Still, we didn't find Brunen," Mel commented.

"No, but I've spoken with the prosecutors; they'll try Gallagher, and Montoya for the murder anyway based on the evidence we gathered." Sawyer looked around the room a slight frown marring his smiling face.

"That means we're done here. Let's get moving, Kid, we have places to go." Heyes stood. "Tex, good seeing you again." He nodded at the man who was talking quietly with Curry. Tex nodded back.

As the partners bent to gather their things, Sawyer grimaced and pulled his gun. "Hands up you two. Hannibal Heyes, Kid Curry, you are under arrest."

"Wade!" Startled, Mel turned to him, her features contorted in confusion and dismay.

"Sorry, but you two are still wanted, and I'm the law. Our deal was that I wouldn't arrest you while we were working together. We're no longer working together." He paused. "I really am sorry."

Heyes and the Kid, their arms raised, looked at each other and shook their heads.

"Sawyer, do you mind? I just need to show you something; I'm not pulling a weapon." Heyes lowered his arms, reached into his vest pocket, and extracted a piece of paper. "Mel, can you pass this to the sheriff there?"

She took it, opened it, and read it; chuckling she handed it to Sawyer.

Tex read over Sawyer's shoulder: "To whom it may concern: For services rendered to the territory, I hereby grant Hannibal Heyes and Jedidiah "Kid" Curry, a temporary amnesty in this territory for all prior actions. During this time, no warrant for their arrest will be honored within the boundaries of this territory. This amnesty shall remain in effect for one year from the date of this notice as long as they commit no new crimes. Signed, C. Meyer Zulick, Governor of the Territory of Arizona."

Tex began laughing.

Heyes and the Kid grinned.

"Told you my partner could read a man better than anyone. We figured you'd try something like this, so we got ourselves some insurance," Heyes explained.

Sawyer glared; then he too grinned. "Can't say I'm sorry to read this." His glare returned. "But I still want you out of my town."

"We're leaving."

Curry turned to Mel. "Mel, if you want, we'll ride with you to the border. You shouldn't travel alone if you don't have to."

"I'm staying here." Mel looked at Sawyer, a slight smile on her face; a smile he returned as he glanced down at her. "I have unfinished business." Seeing the partners exchange amused glances, she blushed. "Through the trial, I mean."

"Uh huh." The Kid turned back to Tex. "Good to see you, maybe we'll meet again."

"Not so fast. Ride back with me to my place. I have business to attend to there; it seems I need to find a new foreman."

The three left the cabin, leaving Sawyer and Mel together.

Author's notes: Mel Duster was first encountered in "The Toadsuck Ransom," and her further adventures with the boys can be read in "Buffalo Hunter." Tex Hollister was first encountered in "The Goodnight Trail." As with the boys, Sawyer is not mine, just borrowed, but can be seen in the first season episode, "The Wrong Train to Brimstone."

Certain historical persons were referenced in this story. Conrad Meyer Zulick was Governor of the Territory of Arizona from November 2, 1885 to April 8, 1889. At the time of his appointment he was being held hostage in Mexico. M. T. "Doc" Donovan freed him and was appointed the Deputy Territorial Marshal. The story of how the boys came to know Zulick and Donovan (and their involvement in his rescue) was told in the third season episode, "The Strange Fate of Conrad Meyer Zulick." Washington Bartlett was the 20th mayor of San Francisco, serving from 1883 to 1887, when he became Governor of California. He was a lifelong bachelor.

This story was inspired by the real life disappearance of Albert Fountain and his son, Henry, in New Mexico Territory in 1896. Their bodies have never been recovered, although there was forensic evidence indicating they'd been murdered. Marshal Pat Garrett was persuaded to investigate the disappearance with the promise of a reward. By coincidence, Fountain had been Billy-the-Kid's attorney when the outlaw was tried and convicted of murder. After Billy-the-Kid escaped from prison, it was Pat Garrett who tracked and killed him. Rancher and land developer Oliver M. Lee (and part-time Deputy U.S. Marshal) and his employees, Jim Gililland and William McNew, were suspects in the disappearance. Lee and Gililland were tried and acquitted. To this day, the case of Fountain and his son remains unsolved (several books have been written about the mystery, most recently, "Murder on the White Sands: The Disappearance of Albert and Henry Fountain" by Corey Recko).Nevertheless, any resemblance between characters in this story and real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

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