Ch 12
Mick made his way into Sweetwater and went toward the saloon. People moved out of his way as he walked along. People were scared of him and he liked it. He went inside to get a drink. Barnett saw him and went to tell Teaspoon. Teaspoon eased his way outside and walked along. He saw the man Barnett had seen. He was definitely a bounty hunter. Teaspoon had sent word to the Territorial Judge with the letter from the old doctor in Mills Junction. He also had a signed statement from Doc Barnes. He was holding out hope for good news. He knew this man could be the first of many.
Rhett and his men made camp outside of Sweetwater. They would start looking also. He had already sent men to the express station but found it empty. They thought they were clever but he would find him. It was time to tie up this loose end. Then they could start doing what they did best again.
Cody made his way into town the next day. Teaspoon was happy to see him. He told him of everything that had happened since his attack and what he thought was gonna happen. He told him that he couldn't chance sending him out to the old place where he had stashed Jimmy. Men were in town looking so Cody stayed at the jail with Teaspoon.
Jimmy started talking more and sort of acting like a subdued version of his old self. Emma wouldn't let him out of the house and he was going stir crazy. He paced from room to room.
"Might as well sit down. Ya ain't goin outside." Said Emma as she peeled potatoes.
"I can't."
"Well play some checkers with Lou."
"I feel like a sittin duck out here. I feel uneasy. You should just let me go. Let me handle this and keep y'all out of it. Please Emma."
"Can't do that. We will hog tie you if we have to Jimmy. Don't make us."
Jimmy ran his fingers through his hair and groaned. They had hidden his guns from him and so far he had been unsuccessful in finding them. They had to see that he had to keep them safe. He had already caused them so much pain and more was on the way. He went back upstairs and slammed the door. Noah walked in and looked up.
"He still in a fit?"
"You know it. All y'all keep eyes on him. He still thinks he should give himself up and save us from this fight. He ain't over all this Noah."
"Don't worry Emma. One of us is always watchin."
Mick had been watching the town for two weeks. He saw a wagon leave with supplies. An older couple was on it. Something told him to follow and they led him straight to an old homestead. He watched them unload the wagon. The woman shook their hands smiling. He watched as they pulled away. He sat overlooking. He saw riders walking around. He saw movement inside the house. He knew this had to be where Hickok was being hid. Now he just had to come up with a plan.
Garth rode through the town of Sweetwater. He watched the station but all he saw were unknown riders. They had to be covering for them so he had went back to town. He walked in the store to look around and listen. He heard a man's voice coming from the back room.
"They make it ok?"
"Yeah we delivered them just fine. They should be good for another week or so."
"Thanks Carl."
He watched as a man came out and got into a wagon with a woman. They drove off. Garth went to the counter to pay for his jerky and candy. Thompkins looked him over.
"Must be new in town. Thought I knew everyone."
Garth smiled.
"Oh yes sir. Just passin through."
"Passin through eh? Where ya headin?"
"Nowhere in particular."
"I see."
"Thank ya. Reckon I'll be on my way."
Garth mounted his horse and headed in the opposite direction of the wagon. Once out of town, he looked for tracks off the trail. He found them leading to the northwest. He carefully followed them along until he came within distance of a house. He recognized the men in the yard right away. Hickok was here. He turned his horse and ran back to let Rhett know what he had found.