CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Deke Simon's disbelief in no way exceeded that of a stunned Ned Kingsley. Jarred by the recoil from his pistol, he stared, astounded, from its smoking barrel to the injured man, still gasping in pain.
Seeing Simons was truly going to draw on him, he had flinched, squeezed shut his eyes and almost involuntarily tightened his finger on the trigger.
Oliver Carleton, after a moment of incredulity, exploded in fury. Glowering at the open mouthed young boy, weapon now dangling loosely by his side, he levelled his own gun, purposefully.
"You stupid, interfering …"
His hand smashed back against the wall, the wrist hitting the edge of the door frame with a force that shook pain through his entire body. Carleton's released gun was scooped up by Kid, so swiftly, it seemed a single smooth movement. Kid stepped forward, roughly shoving Carleton aside, then dragged the gag from his mouth with his free hand.
Levelling his purloined weapon at Caleb Williams, he snapped, "Let 'em go!"
Wide-eyed in fear, Caleb complied, then kept his hands high.
Kid turned squarely, to face Pat Galloway. He was still out of range, but running forward, full of confusion as to what had happened. Unseen by the young gunslinger, wholly diverted by the sudden shot, two figures - also drawn by the sound of gunfire - had rounded the turn behind him, into the far end of the alley.
Suddenly a voice rang out from above their heads.
"Hold it there, son. Gotta shotgun pointed right at ya! Don't wanna hafta use it!"
Galloway halted and scanned the upper windows of the building. Kid looked up too. Zeb Daly, promised shotgun in his hands, was positioned almost directly opposite the now abandoned wagon. With unmingled relief Kid saw the weapon was trained firmly on Pat Galloway, who now threw down his gun and kicked it away. With more mixed feelings, he saw that the two figures fast approaching behind Galloway were now recognisable as the Sheriff and Deputy Baker.
"Ned," called Kid, turning to cover the still armed, though seemingly thoroughly cowed, Caleb Williams. "Come untie him." He nodded at Heyes, then walked over to confiscate Caleb's gun. .
As Ned, rather shakily, freed the gag around Heyes mouth, the ex-outlaw informed him quietly, "You'll find a knife in my boot - cut the cords."
By now, the two lawmen had arrived on the scene.
Deputy Baker motioned Williams and Galloway together, by the wall and covered them. Heyes, after rubbing his bruised wrists, began to free Ellen's hands. With a small, wry smile, he motioned Ned to do the same for Kate. The smile widened a fraction, as he noticed a short, familiar, capped figure slinking up toward them from the direction of the narrow back alleys, the same way as young Ned had come.
The Sheriff ruminatively surveyed the scene, looking from darting-eyed, furious Oliver Carleton, to injured Deke Simons, to the women, to still trembling Ned Kingsley.
He tilted back his head and called up to his man overlooking the alley.
"Zeb - you see what happened here?"
"Not all of it - but was in time to see the shot," his deputy answered, "From here - looked, more or less like the boy, was lowerin' his gun, when Simons drew. If I hafta make a call - I'd say it was fair self-defence - let alone any other provocation." There was a pause. Deputy Daly added, admiringly, "That was some shot, son! Can hardly believe it."
"Neither can I," breathed the Sheriff under his breath. He raised his voice, "An' you folks - anyone care to tell me what's happenin'?"
Oliver Carleton, opened his mouth, but was silenced by a sharp barking command, "NOT you!" The Sheriff turned to Kate and in a much gentler voice, invited, "Mrs. Connor, ma-am?"
As soon as she was freed, Kate had run to help Deke Simons. Setting an upturned crate for him to sit upon and tearing strips from her petticoat, she had finished a makeshift bandage. Now she was pinning his jacket to hold the injured hand and issuing low voiced, instructions to "Keep it raised."
Hearing her name, she turned.
"This man needs a Doctor, Sheriff."
He gave a tiny nod, "I'll see he gets one, ma-am. But first I'd like to know what happened."
Kate pushed back a stray curl and took a breath.
"It all happened so fast," she began, "-it's hard to be exact." She met the Sheriff's eye squarely, "But I would agree, absolutely, with Deputy Daly - I truly believe Ned would have lowered his gun and never fired, if he hadn't seen Mr. Simons about to shoot."
"That's kinda half a tale, ma-am," he replied, "What started it?" He looked at the rent in her clothing, then averted his gaze. Gesturing at the tear, whilst keeping his eyes on her face, he asked, "Did Simons - threaten you - some way?"
Kate, glanced down. Newly discomfited, she flushed and tried to tuck the ripped material back into place.
"Well…" she hesitated.
"Yes," said Heyes, firmly.
The Sheriff looked at him and nodded to indicate he accepted the truth of this.
"Reckon I'd say he had it comin' then ma-am!" he decided.
Seeing Kate still holding the top of her bodice in place, Kid had stepped toward her and made a move to take off his coat. Then, remembering the pocketed gun, he hesitated. Ned Kingsley saw the beginning of the gesture and darted to Kate's side, tangling his arms in his haste to strip off his own jacket.
"W-would you like this, ma-am," he said, holding it out.
He was rewarded with an eager, grateful nod. She waited while he pulled the sleeves back the right way out, then rather than take it from his outstretched hand, turned so he could hold it up and help her. As his hands went over her shoulders and released the collar into her grasp, she glanced back at him.
"Thank you, Mr. Kingsley," she smiled, "- and not just for the jacket."
Scarlet, he shuffled his feet.
"Was nuthin'" he grunted.
The Sheriff watched Ned, with unmixed fatherly approval, Then, he again scanned the company.
"So - before young Ned made this amazin' shot - what was goin' on?"
The partners exchanged a glance.
At a tiny nod from Heyes, Kid moved back toward Ellen Fraser and began, "This lady," he indicated her, "- she has something to …"
Oliver Carleton took one pace nearer, a calculating look beginning to creep over his face.
"Sheriff," he exclaimed loudly, "Do not listen to this man! In fact I demand you arrest him at once." He advanced another pace, "He is a known criminal - this is Kid Curry!"
A beat.
The Sheriff's eyes moved from one man to the other. Heyes believed he could guess at the mental process going on. 'Never really was convinced by plain - 'Smith 'n' Jones'! An' do know he's real fast. But - wouldn't believe grass was green on that skunk's say so!'
"THAT ain't Kid Curry!" exploded Ned Kingsley. He pointed, firmly, at young Pat Galloway, still standing, covered by Deputy Baker. "THAT - that's the one I was told to tell ya was Kid Curry!"
This was a fresh twist for the real Kid Curry. He blinked and risked a quick glance at his partner.
A diminutive, but supremely confident, addition to the cast stepped out from behind the stacked crates.
"YES!" it declared ringingly, "THAT," also pointing at an astounded Pat Galloway, "- is Kid Curry." She dropped the dramatic tones. "Isn't it, Deputy Baker?" she asked with an appealing smile.
Deputy Baker hesitated.
"This is certainly the man you had Ned describe to us, earlier, ma-am," he said carefully.
"I ain't Kid Curry!" exploded Galloway.
"Well - obviously he's going to deny it!" exclaimed Meg, reasonably, "But look at him - he matches the description! He's blonde, he's tall, he's young-looking - and he's hiring out as a gunslinger!" She drew breath, "I mean, Thaddeus isn't even really fair-haired - he's more - mousy. And - no offence Thaddeus - he's a bit on the heavy side!" Again, she switched on a charming smile and peeped up from under the brim of her cap, "Isn't that right, Deputy Baker?"
"Well, ma-am, you're the one been studyin' the wanted posters. Daresay you know better'n me," he ventured.
"I AIN'T Kid Curry!" repeated Galloway, desperately.
"You'll just have to hold him, until someone from Wyoming comes to confirm it, won't you?" persisted Meg.
Carleton moved an inch or two closer to Ellen.
"This is ridiculous, Sheriff!" he said, "Can't you see, she's trying to draw attention away from the fact that Thaddeus Jones and Kid Curry are one and the same!"
"Oh Yes!" intoned Meg, in a voice heavy with sarcasm, "Of course they are! Notorious outlaws, like Kid Curry, are always being hired to escort payrolls of $80,000 and not stealing a nickel! And violent criminals, are often found, risking their own lives, to pull people out of burning buildings, with no hope of reward. And rather than actually offer to work for you, - Kid Curry would be bound to forego the money and expose you, - purely in the interests of justice." She stared, wide-eyed at the Sheriff and shook her head, "Makes perfect sense doesn't it? It's not as if Mr. Carleton might be the one trying to divert your attention! Oh No!"
The Sheriff stared at Oliver Carleton, as he deliberated over what Meg had said.
Seeing she was making headway, Meg launched again into the fray.
With a tiny - and definitely rancorous glance - at Heyes, she stepped toward him and went on.
"I suppose if Thaddeus is Kid Curry, you think THIS - this is Hannibal Heyes?" She gave a scornful laugh.
"It is!" exclaimed Carleton, a little thrown by this tactic.
"Hannibal Heyes! Hannibal Heyes!" sneered Meg, "- And he gets himself trussed up like a turkey and has to be cut free, by a fifteen year old boy, after the danger had passed! I thought he was supposed to be master of clever escapes! And if he was Hannibal Heyes - wouldn't he be talking his way out of this! Not just standing there! Useless! Like a spare part! Gaping like a cod fish!"
Heyes eyes began to take on a purposeful glitter. She glowered back at him.
Kate decided to earn her keep as Meg's backup.
"I seem to remember, from the background material, ONE description of Hannibal Heyes mentioned a scar - two inches long - under the chin. Very noticeable. And a gold tooth."
"And a squint," declared Meg, "Makes him look shifty."
The Sheriff blinked.
"Thought he was supposed to have charm?"
"CHARM!" sniffed Meg, "Pfffttt! You must have been reading Dime Novels! Kate and I have researched the REAL man - furtive, rodenty fellow! Puts people in mind of a rat!" She cast Heyes another glance, under her breath she added, "A lying rat!" Her eyes challenged him, "Isn't that so, Joshua?"
However, he had realised Meg's performance, impressive as it was, before her final swerve into abuse, never caught the attention of at least one member of her audience.
Oliver Carleton's gaze constantly flicked in the direction of Ellen Fraser. As the Sheriff listened, partially swayed, to Meg – Carleton continued to edge inch by inch toward Ellen. His face wore a beseeching smile, belied by a cunning gleam in the eyes. She, when he caught her notice, displayed the same involuntary fascination with which a rabbit responds to a snake.
With another covert step, Carleton, drew closer. He half held out his hand, as if in a pleading, gesture. Heyes saw a slight distortion in the set of the sleeve, – familiar from years facing professional gamblers, - as the arm raised and twitched.
Both men sprang in an instant; Carleton toward the flinching Ellen, Heyes to strike up, then grab his hand.
A second gunshot echoed through the alleyway. Then Carleton snarled in fury as his arm was cruelly twisted behind his back. The object in his grasp clattered to the floor. Still gripping Carleton, Heyes swept it up and displayed it to the Sheriff.
"Derringer," he stated, adding bluntly, "Reckon he meant to try and get away using a hostage."
Something dark trickled down Heyes face.
"Joshua," squealed Meg, "– you are hit!"
She scampered over. Kid, equally – thought not as noisily – concerned, beat her to it.
"Nothin' but a graze," dismissed Heyes, twitching away from his partner's hand, but not for a moment relaxing his grip on Carleton.
Meg hopped in anxiety at Kid's side, as he checked the wound.
"You're right," said Kid, his gruff tone, covering his relief. He bent down and picked up his partner's hat, "Won't even be a scar!"
A fluttering breath escaped from Meg. Then snapping her brows together, she once again glowered at Heyes.
"Pity!"
He blinked. Without exactly expecting to receive a 'My Hero!' – those ten seconds back in her good books did seem at little on the short side.
The Sheriff turned to the trembling Ellen Fraser. Noting her bruises, he cast a contemptuous look at the thwarted man in Heyes grasp.
"Did you have something you wanted to tell me, Mrs. Carleton?" he asked.
She nodded. In a small voice, she began, "That's not who I am – ".
---oooOOOOOOOooo---
Less than an hour later, back in his office, the Sheriff surveyed the group before him.
Carleton and his men were in the cells. Carleton still – at intervals – loudly insisting on the immediate arrest of Heyes and Curry. The Doctor had left, after tending to Simons' shattered hand. Despite protests from Heyes, firmly vetoed by Meg, he had also painfully cleaned up Heyes scratch with antiseptic. Doctor Bell insisted on taking Ellen – who had begun to shake with delayed shock – back to the surgery with him. She had the Sheriff's assurance her baby, left in the care of the maids at West Hill, would be brought to her at first light.
The Sheriff looked from one face to the next. He paused at Ned Kingsley.
"You son," he barked. "Go home!" Ned opened his mouth to protest. "Now!" insisted the Sheriff, adding more mildly, "If your Pa wants to talk to me – tell him I'll call round tomorrow."
Kate stood up, "May I call tomorrow too?" she asked, "To return your jacket."
Gulping, he nodded.
"Please, NEVER do anything like that again!" she smiled, "But, oh Ned, you are a hero!" Leaning forward, she kissed him gently on the cheek, "Thank you."
As the scarlet-faced youth somehow found his hat, the door, the handle and the step into the street, Heyes caught his partner's eye and gave him a quizzical look.
"It WAS some shot, wasn't it, Thaddeus?" he smiled.
"Now," said the Sheriff, gazing thoughtfully at the two ex-outlaws, "You two!"
"You cannot possibly be taking Mr. Carleton's accusations seriously?" protested Kate.
"Must agree, ma-am, can't say I like where the information's comin' from."
"Quite!" declared Kate, "We KNOW he's a liar. As Meg pointed out – if Joshua and Thaddeus were outlaws – why not steal the payroll last week? Nothing could have been easier for them."
"That is true," mused the Sheriff, still scanning the two poker faces in front of him, "Come to think of it – ain't heard of Heyes an' Curry pullin' a job for –" he pursed his lips, "– for more'n two years!"
"I expect they're down in Mexico! That's why there's been no news of them," exclaimed Meg, confidently, "Or even – Bolivia! Isn't that where outlaws go when they're running from the law?"
The Sheriff shrugged, eyes still on the partners.
"Sometimes happens, ma-am," he acknowledged. He stared hard at Heyes, "Might be another explanation."
A beat.
Heyes, eyes innocent, finally managed, "Uh huh?"
The Sheriff shifted in his seat.
"'Fore I came here, I was in Wyoming. Sheriff down in Powell – Park County. Knew a fella called – Billy Brewster. You boys ever hear of him?"
Heyes was about to shake his head, then stopped. He creased his brow as he tried to remember where he had heard the name before.
The Sheriff smiled.
"Rings a bell, huh? The governor granted this Billy Brewster amnesty – after he managed to keep outta trouble for a year or two. I was just wonderin' – mebbe Heyes an' Curry have a similar kinda deal. Mebbe they're tryin' to play it straight? Whaddya think?"
A beat.
Heyes crossed his legs and raised his eyebrows as if considering it.
"Anything's possible."
Kid risked a sideways glance at Kate. The look he received back was so expressive of glowing approval, he dropped his eyes, hoping the warmth in his cheeks was not too obvious.
"Hmm," said the Sheriff. Walking over to his desk he grunted, "Well - Monday'll do fine to look into that. Ain't plannin' to waste a day o' rest on it! NOT that I ever get a day o' rest to waste anyhow."
The partners exchanged a mute conversation. The Sheriff was well aware they were leaving soon after dawn on Monday, escorting a shipment to Duluth.
"Mrs. Connor," called the Sheriff, shuffling a document or two, "- can I just settle one or two final details with you?"
Kate joined him, at the desk.
In a low voice Meg said, "It's hard to believe they've gone straight! Well – not so much Kid Curry. But Hannibal Heyes! Never!"
Deputy Baker overheard this.
"Why him in particular, ma-am?"
She opened her eyes very wide.
"Have you never heard the rumours about him? His moral sense was blunted, years ago, by an addiction to opium. And he drinks – like a fish. And –"
Heyes stood up.
"Why don't we wait for Kate outside, ma-am? Get you a breath of fresh air."
Ignoring her squeak of protest, he gripped her arm and dragged her out onto the boardwalk. Releasing her, he placed his hands on his hips, pushed back his hat and glared down at the fuming figure in front of him.
"Meg," he declared, "- assumin' it was you cut Thaddeus free and slipped him a gun – you have been – amazing! And the way you talked up a storm, for the Sheriff – back in the alley – superb. NOT that I'd expect anything less! But do you think you can stop elaboratin' on the Heyes detail now? Haven't you heard – when it comes to description – less is more? What else are you planning for him? A wart? A hump? A peg-leg?"
"NO!" she scowled, "That would conflict too obviously with the posters. I thought – halitosis!" Her eyes narrowed, musingly, "AND – a report that he's inadequate!"
"Why? Has he spent time with you? Looking like a boiled lobster, sweatin' like a navvy – and dressed like a scarecrow, in those stupid breeches! That'd be enough to make any man inadequate! Sure works for me!"
For a second she looked furious.
Then, "Rubbish!" She held up her chin and stared at him defiantly, "Deputy Baker thinks I look cute as a button dressed like this! And I agree!"
He glared back. His face became suddenly serious.
"So do I!" The deep brown eyes searched hers, "What have I done, Meg? Why are you so angry?"
"Because – because –" she clenched her fists, determined not to let him see she was hurt, as well as enraged, "- because it was all a lie! The very first words you said to me, on the train – were a lie!"
"Meg," he said quietly, "– if worse comes to worst and you get dragged into court, asked – 'Who did you believe this man to be?' – what can you say?"
She stared at him for a moment, then understood.
"I can say, 'He always told me, his name was Joshua Smith.'" she answered, quietly, "And I cannot be accused of knowingly allowing a criminal to escape arrest."
Heyes smiled. His Meg was never slow on the uptake. He took her hand.
"Last night in the woods," he looked down at her, "- I told you I couldn't stay. I said I wasn't near good enough for you."
"You were right!" she shot back. Her face softened a little. "Yes, you did," she acknowledged. Her expression wavered. "But that's not it!" she exploded, snatching her hand away, "I thought – I was special. I thought – if only you had a steady job – you would stay." Her face twisted, "Alright - that wasn't your fault. That was just me being so – STUPID. But you let me carry on – working on my book. You encouraged me to let you hear it!" Her voice wobbled, as she asked, "Have you enjoyed it – laughing at me? Making fun? Good joke was it?"
She turned away.
"I'm going back in," she said dully, "Don't worry, I won't say another word about Heyes or Curry."
He caught her wrist and pulled her back to him.
"Listen you," he said gruffly, "– don't think for a moment I fell for any of that! You know perfectly well – you ARE special. Don't you?"
Nose buried in his shirtfront, she shrugged.
"Don't you?" he repeated.
A nod.
"As for enjoying laughing at you. I thought I was laughing with you. And yes – I enjoyed that. I love – I love laughing with you. Do you really think I'd be leaving tomorrow, if I had a choice?"
A shrug.
"For someone knowing such a lot of big words – you've gone awful quiet."
A beat.
"Are you gonna make me talk to the top of that stupid cap all night?"
Silence.
"C'mon, Meg," he said, "It's sounds like being back in school, but can't we be friends again. Before we have to go back in."
After a moment, he felt the small hands pressed flat against his chest, slip round to hug him close. She tilted up her chin to give him a shaky little smile.
---oooOOOOOOOooo---