Ch 17
Edison walked across town to the bank. He saw many people come and go through town. He noticed a man watching him. This man looked dangerous and made him uneasy. He did his business at the bank and walked hurriedly back to his office. Jimmy was coming out the front door. Edison grabbed his arm and pulled him back inside.
"What's going on?"
"Jimmy, there is a man in town watching me. He doesn't look to be friendly."
"What does he look like?"
"Tall fella. Long shaggy hair. He wears two guns like you with a long duster."
Jimmy knew he was talking about.
"He's looking for me."
Edison figured as much given what Jimmy had told him.
"What are you going to do?"
"Ain't sure. He ain't gonna take me in town and cause a scene. I'm going to make that delivery for you. Lead him out of town."
"Just lay low here if he won't bother you in town. If you head out, he could kill you."
"He won't. And I need to get him away from you. He tried to kill my other family and I can't let him kill you. You are innocent in all this."
"How do you know that he won't kill you?"
"I'm wanted alive."
Jimmy shook Edison's hand as he thanked him for everything. The time had come for him to move on. Jimmy went and saddled his horse. He knew Mick was watching and waiting. He saddled his horse as if he were unsuspecting and rode south out of town.
Mick looked to the man beside him.
"It's time."
"Let's get this done."
The duo mounted and rode off a little behind Jimmy.
Jimmy rode a few miles out of town before kicking his horse into a full run. If he was lucky, he might make it to the next town before they caught him. He knew that he would catch him eventually. He managed to make it to the river. He slowed his horse and walked him downstream to hide his tracks. He walked for quite a few when he heard a noise to the side of him.
Mick knew this area well. He knew men being tracked usually tried to find water. He took a short cut to get one step ahead. He watched Hickok taking his time going downstream. Now was a good a time as any as he pulled his horse out into the open. He trained his gun on Jimmy.
Jimmy knew it was Mick before he even saw him. It would be useless to pull his gun. He sighed and pulled his horse to a stop.
"Howdy. Walk on out of there and put yer hands up."
Jimmy guided his horse to the side. He knew he should have just turned himself in and ended this.
"Get off yer horse."
Jimmy dismounted and stood with his hands up.
"Get his guns."
Jimmy looked at Mick in wonder as someone came up behind him. He looked over to face Garth.
"Hickok."
"Garth."
"It's time for you to get what's coming to ya."
"What's that?"
"First we are gonna take you in, get us some money. Then we are gonna stick around and watch you hang for Rhett."
"I didn't kill Rhett."
"I know. Clay tried to double cross us. Had Mick kill them all. All but me. I was smart enough to run. You see, it ain't Mick's fault either. This is his job. None of this would have happened if we hadn't met you."
Jimmy shook his head. He wanted his life to end just a few weeks ago but after talking with Edison, he had actually started wanting to live. Yet he seemed destined to die young though. He had said his life was damned and so it was. He had no one to help him this time and it was as it should be. It was time for him to leave this place before he hurt anymore people. He knew this was supposed to happen. He was supposed to suffer and die for what he had done.
Mick walked over to Hickok smiling. Jimmy didn't move. Mick hit him with his gun sending him to the dirt. Jimmy rolled to his side. Garth stood over him.
"Sheriff in Willow Springs wants you alive. Doesn't matter how alive." Garth said as he kicked him several times.
After an hour, Jimmy lay on his side gripping his midsection. He spit blood from his mouth into the dirt. Mick came over and tied his hands in the front of him. Garth gathered the horses and led them over.
"Time to go." He said standing over Jimmy.
Jimmy just stared back at him. He had already decided his own fate, he just hated for these two assholes to cash in on it. Mick stood over him now also.
"Get on the fuckin horse."
"Can't." Said Jimmy when in all honesty he couldn't move from his spot on the ground.
"Sure ya can." Said Garth as he pointed to Mick.
Mick grabbed the collar of his jacket and hauled him to his feet. Jimmy swayed back and forth. He knew he could move if he had to but he wanted to put on a good show for now. He got into the saddle with a shove from Mick and Garth. Once they were all mounted, they began the daunting ride toward Willow Springs.
Teaspoon sat in his office thinking after he saw Emma, Lou, and Cody off. If he couldn't get through to the judge maybe Sam could help. He had the power. He went to find Kid.
"Kid, I've been thinking a lot lately. I think maybe we should ride hell bent for Sam. He is now a Territorial Marshal. He has the power to help us get this price off Hickok."
"Why didn't we think of this before?"
"Just been so much going on. Can you go?"
"Yeah, I'll leave now."
"Ride as fast as you can. Switch out at the relay stations. I'll explain everything when asked about it."
Kid nodded and ran to get his things. He was galloping out of the station yard in less than thirty minutes. Teaspoon watched him go. If he rode straight through, he should be back in three days. Lord please let this work.
Emma and Lou bid Cody farewell about three miles outside of town. They made their way in and Lou parked their wagon at the livery. She held her skirts up as she stepped down. Emma sat and waited. Once the horse and wagon was properly taken care of, they went to the hotel. Once they placed their things inside, they took a stroll around town. Lou didn't see that bounty hunter or anyone near fitting his description. Emma decided to ask in the general store. She walked in and up to the clerk.
"Excuse me, sir?"
"Yes ma'am. How can I be of assistance?"
"I'm in town looking for my son."
"What's he look like?"
"He is a little taller than me. Long straight brown hair. Dark eyes. More than likely he had on a tan coat and a black hat. Wore two pistols."
"I may have seen someone like that but I see a lot of people. Maybe someone else in town might could be of help."
"Thank you."
Emma walked back outside. Lou was waiting out by the door.
"Well?"
"He was about as much help as a polecat caught in a net."
"If he was here, someone would have to remember him?"
"Let's think about this Louise. It ain't been a couple weeks since he was shot. Maybe he went and saw the doctor."
"Good idea. Let's go see."
Emma and Lou made their way over to the doctor's office. Lou knocked on the door but no one came. She knocked again when a voice rang out behind them. They spun around.
"You startled us." Smiled Emma
"I'm sorry. I had to step out for a minute. Can I help you ladies?"
"I hope that you can."
"Come on inside and we'll talk."
He went and opened the door for them. Emma and Lou sat on the sofa in his parlor.
"Now, how can I help you ladies?"
"I'm in town looking for my son. Maybe you seen him. He was shot just a few weeks ago. I thought he might use some sense and come here."
Edison looked surprised. Jimmy hadn't mentioned a mother. He became wary of why they wanted him.
"I'm not sure."
"He has long straight brown hair. Dark eyes. He usually wears a tan coat and black hat. He would have had on two ivory pistols." Said Lou.
Edison felt very nervous. He looked at his hands shaking.
"I'm not sure, I do see a lot of people."
Emma noticed his change in demeanor. She knew that he knew something.
"Please I can see how nervous we are making you. I ain't his mother. I run the pony Express station and this here is another one of our riders. Jimmy forgot who he was due to a blow to the head. He did things that he feels is unforgivable. He ran out on us before we could help him. Please tell us what you know."
Edison looked at his hands again. She told him the same story. Maybe she was ok but he felt so unsure. Lou looked at him.
"Please. He is one of my best friends. There is a bounty hunter out there trying to take him in. We have to get to him first."
Edison looked in Lou's eyes. She was telling the truth. He took a deep breath.
"He has been here with me for the last few weeks. He came to me one day in need of care. He had no money to speak of. I felt like I should help him. I don't know why. His back was getting infected so I offered him a room in exchange for him picking up my supplies from the neighboring towns and for protection against the outlaws that tend to pass through here."
Emma and Lou both looked like they were bout to cry when Edison spoke again.
"I'm afraid you are a little late. That bounty hunter was here in town. Jimmy left out day before yesterday. He said he knew he wouldn't take him in town. He also didn't want anyone else hurt so he left knowing that he would follow."
"Which direction did he go?"
"South."
Emma and Lou stood ready to head out to grab Cody when Edison spoke again.
"I hope you find him in time. We spoke a good bit the last week. He seems to be defeated in his life. I was trying to talk him out of it but I'm not sure if I was succeeding. He says his life is damned and he feels like it is only right to end things. I just wanted you to know how troubled he truly is."
"We know. He left knowing that we would do anything in this world for him. We will find our boy and we will save him." Said Emma
"I pray that you are right. Please I hate to ask but, let me know."
"We will. Thanks for being his friend."
"Your welcome. Now ride fast and safe."
Emma and Lou rushed to get their things and their wagon to go grab Cody.