Midnight Visitors 2

Heyes looked wide-eyed in disbelief. "What? Why? What have you done?"

"Nothin' Heyes. Honest." Kyle shook his head furiously.

"Then why have they accused you of murder? And who's they?"

Wheat looked uncomfortable. "Medicine Bow," he mumbled.

"Excuse me?" Heyes said, thinking he'd heard right but hoping he hadn't.

Wheat cleared his throat. "Medicine Bow," he said, louder.

"Medicine Bow? They know you in Medicine Bow," Heyes spluttered in disbelief. "Why would you go there?"

"Well it was like this Heyes … ," Wheat began, with reluctance. He puffed and cleared his throat, glancing at Kyle for help. "See Kyle … ." The smaller of the two looked up in alarm that he was about to be dropped in it.

"Wheat wanted to visit his … ." Kyle grinned triumphantly, having successfully headed off the blame. Now his face dropped as he wondered how to complete the sentence.

"Sick aunt," Wheat supplied. "We's went to visit m'sick aunt," Wheat chewed his lips, holding Heyes' incredulous look.

"What. Sick. Aunt?" Heyes asked, through gritted teeth. "This sick aunt wouldn't just so happen to go by the name of Lively Layla, would she?" he snapped.

Wheat's disgruntled face told him the answer. Heyes rocked back and groaned loudly.

"Wheat, how can you be so … ." An appropriate word to describe what Wheat had been escaped him and he gave up with another groan. He held his head in his hands and shook it.

Wheat and Kyle sat in uncomfortable silence while they waited for Heyes to compose himself.

"Alright," he sighed, finally. "You went to Medicine Bow. You went to visit your … sick aunt … so what happened?"

"Well while I's was with m'aunt … y'know taking care of her like … Kyle was in the saloon. He gets word that Sherriff Abbot is on his way round town an' he's looking for two dangerous owlhoots. Kyle figgers it's time we oughta skedaddle so he comes and gets me. We's sneak round the edge of town and nobody sees us getting to the livery so we's gets our horses an' rides out." Wheat shrugged and pulled a face. "Didn't think nothin' of it until a few days later when we're back in the Hole. Lobo went into Burton Wells for supplies, usual like but he comes tearing back on a horse. He left the buckboard there in the middle of the street. Hope Clara and Rosie were okay … ." Wheat drifted off into sentimentality over the two draught horses.

"Wheat, why did Lobo come back in such a hurry?" Heyes asked, mastering his patience, bringing Wheat out of his reverie.

"Oh yeah," Wheat started. "He ran into Sticky, hoping someone from the Hole would come into town." Wheat hesitated and went to his inside jacket pocket. "He gave Lobo this." He held out a folded newspaper page.

Heyes unfolded it carefully, wondering what he was going to see. His eyes widened when he read the headline:

WANTED FOR MURDER: CARLSON AND MURTRY

He frowned as he read the detail.

The Medicine Bow Banner regrets to inform its readers that until further notice, Mersham's livery will remain unopen for business. This is due to the conflagration of last Tuesday night. Two men, subsequently identified as Wheat Carlson and Kyle Murtry, members of the notorious Devil's Hole Gang, were seen riding away from the premises in some hurry moments before the blaze started. Thanks to the quick thinking of a passer-by, who raised the alarm, all livestock were safety led away and damage kept to a minimum.

Sadly when the clear up commenced, the body of Stephen Mercer, was found amongst the debris. Mr Mercer was a prominent lawyer in the State and known to have made a number of enemies during his distinguished career. None more so than in his judicious pursuit of the Devil's Hole Gang and their undertakings.

Reliable witnesses have put Carlson and Murtry in Medicine Bow that night. All local and federal authorities are on high alert for the apprehension of these two men for the murder of Stephen Mercer. Information that leads to their capture may result in an award of $10,000. The warrants for their arrest have now increased to dead or alive.

Heyes opened his hands and let the newspaper drop from his hands. His raised his eyes first to Wheat and then to Kyle.

"What did you do?" he asked quietly but with a hard overtone.

"Nothin' Heyes. Honest," Kyle shook his head, furiously.

"There was no one but us in the livery Heyes," Wheat said.

"How can you be so certain? Liveries are dark places and there's lots of places to hide."

Kyle and Wheat swopped glances. Both gulped.

"Well why should there? It was two o'clock in the morning. Most decent folks like Mercer woulda been in bed," Wheat wheedled.

"Obviously not."

"'Sides … ." Wheat continued. "We's had to break in."

Heyes continued to look hard at Wheat. The uncomfortable silence was broken when Mary pushed open the kitchen door.

"Would someone help me with the tray please? It's heavy."

Heyes started to get up.

"I'll help ya ma'am," said the little man, jumping up. He was glad to get away from the tense atmosphere between Wheat and Heyes.

Heyes sighed, and with a warning glance at Wheat which said their conversation was on hold for a short while, sat back down again.

Mary blinked in surprise. She had hoped to have a private word with Heyes in the kitchen but it wasn't to be. She smiled politely at the strange little man.

"Thank you."

In the kitchen, she indicated the tray piled high with sandwiches and cups. A coffee pot stood waiting next to it.

"It's Kyle isn't it?" she asked, as Kyle went to pick up the tray.

"Yes ma'am."

Kyle picked up the tray and turned, intending to make his way back with it. Instead, his way blocked by a determined pregnant lady, with her arms folded.

"I take you've known my husband for some while."

"Yes ma'am." Kyle gulped.

"How long exactly?"

"Waal, I cen't exactly tell ya how long that is ma'am. All I remember is that Heyes came to Devil's Hole in high summer. I don't recollect the year."

Mary nodded. He'd told her what she wanted to know so she stepped aside. Kyle glanced at the coffee pot and wondered how he was going to pick it up with his hands full as they were. He started to let go of the tray with one hand so he could grab it. Mary saw there was about to be some inexpert juggling which would no doubt result in her china in pieces on the floor.

"I'll bring the coffee pot, Kyle," she said, snatching it up quickly before Kyle could move.

"Thank you ma'am." Kyle gave her a grateful grin.

Back in the main room, Heyes had picked up the newspaper to read again.

"Still say the same?" Wheat queried, with a smirk.

"Yes. 'Fraid so Wheat," Heyes sighed and gnawed at his thumbnail. "I remember Stephen Mercer. He was a good guy," he mused, frowning.

"He made lotta enemies amongst the outlaw fraternity."

"He did." Heyes continued to study the newspaper. "Still no reason for him to die like he did. Horrible way to go." He looked thoughtful and frowned. "It says there was enough time to get all the animals out and damage to the building was minimal."

He looked up. "Don't that strike you as odd?"

Wheat could tell Heyes' mind was working.

"How so?" the big man asked, reaching for a sandwich before Kyle had set the tray down.

"Well if there was enough time to do that and if Stephen was in the livery while you were there or shortly afterwards, then why didn't he come out when the fire started?"

"Mebbe 'cos he couldn't," mumbled Kyle, around a sandwich.

Heyes looked at him, quickly picked up a plate and thrust it at him. Kyle stopped chewing, wondering what he supposed to do with a plate but then nodded in acknowledgement when Heyes insisted he take it.

"Yeah I was thinking along those lines." Heyes threw his hands in the air. "I dunno fellas." He saw the disappointment in their eyes and sighed, knowing they had wanted more from him. "I do think … ," He licked his lips carefully, not wanting to get involved. "There is more to it than this." He handed the newspaper back to Wheat.

He looked at Mary, who was very much awake, unlike him, who would dearly like to go back to bed.

"You look tired Mary. Why don't you go back to bed?" he said, softly.

"Oh I'm not in the least bit tired!" she said, her eyes alight, expectant at solving a mystery.

Heyes rubbed his eyes. Even if she wasn't tired, he was. Delivery day in The Hardware Store was always exhausting. The monthly delivery required a lot of unpacking and putting away, some customers wanted their deliveries on the same day and there was always a steady stream of customers in the store eager to pick through any new stock. He, Ted and Russ, his two assistants had been on the go since early morning.

"Thank you for bringing the boys food and coffee but I think you oughta go to bed now," he said, firmly.

Mary recognised a dismissal when she heard one and got up disgruntled.

"Very well. Good night gentleman."

"'Night ma'am and thank you."

Mary smiled at the little man and acknowledged Wheat's nod before retreating to the bedroom and closing the door firmly.

"Well I think the safest place for you fellas right now is to go back to the Hole," Heyes said. He rubbed his forehead wearily.

"We cen't do that Heyes."

Heyes looked round at Kyle and then across at Wheat. The big man looked embarrassed. He wouldn't meet his eye. For a moment, Heyes wondered and then he gave a short, husky chuckle.

"The boys staged a coup!" he said, with a laugh. "They kicked you out!"

"Said we was giving the Gang a bad name," said Kyle.

"Naw! They didn't kick us out," Wheat denied, vehemently. "Me 'n' Kyle decided to leave on our own account." Heyes looked doubtful. "To preserve harmony in the Gang. That's a good leadership quality. Ya ought to know that Heyes. Might come in handy for ya one day."

Heyes scowled.

"It's jus' 'till ya clear our names, Heyes. Then we cen go back."

"Clear your names? Me!" Heyes looked from one to the other in disbelief. "What are you expecting me to do?"

Kyle shrugged. "That's why we come Heyes. Thought ya might have an idea. If anyone cen do it, you cen … ," he tailed off.

Heyes groaned loudly and held his head in his hands.

"Fellas," he started when he emerged. "I'm not in a position to help you right now. You can see my wife's about to have a baby any day." He tossed his hand at the bedroom door. "Not to mention I've got a business to run."

"If you cen't help us, who can?"

"Where's the Kid? Mebbe … ."

Heyes shook his head. "The Kid isn't here."

"Then where is he? Get him back pronto. This is more urgent than anything he can be doing," Wheat insisted.

Heyes shook his head. "I can't. He's in Boston." He hesitated to admit this was something he'd let slip. "I dunno where exactly," he mumbled.

Kyle's eyes widened. "You two fallen out?"

"Not exactly," Heyes swallowed.

Wheat huffed, not believing a word.

"How long's he been gone, Heyes?"

Heyes licked his lips. "Since … ." He sighed. "Since Mary and me been married." He wrung his hands, feeling uncomfortable.

Wheat and Kyle looked at each other.

"But she's a nice lady Heyes. How can the Kid not like her?"

"That's not why he left Kyle," Heyes snapped.

"Then why? You two were so tight I thought mebbe─"

"It was nothing like that!" Heyes said, before Wheat could put into words the direction he was going. He wrung his hands. "I think … the Kid wanted … sometime alone … and … to give me and Mary a chance. That's all." He looked at Wheat. "I don't wanna say no more about it. He's not here and that's an end to it."

He sighed again. "Look why don't you two go over to Salt River. Check into the Astoria Hotel there for a few days. I'll … scout around here and see what more I can find out." He winced. "Best I can do for now. Sorry fellas."

ASJASJASJASJ

Heyes winced as he slid his legs slowly under the bed covers. Mary appeared to be asleep on her back beside him. He lay down slowly and mirrored her position, one hand under his head. He stared up at the dark ceiling and sighed. No doubt, sleep was going to elude him for the rest of the night.

"Who's Sticky?" Mary asked.

"Mary? I thought you were asleep."

"Baby's been kicking for a while." She fumbled for his hand and pressed it to her bump.

Heyes beamed into the darkness when he felt his baby moving and looked in Mary's direction.

"Wriggly little thing."

"Yes she is."

Heyes laughed. "Oh you're so sure it's a girl!"

"Janet Trevors says so. So does Mrs Beavis, Mrs Stanton and Mrs Longridge. They all had girls so they should know."

Heyes chuckled. "Hardly scientific, Mary. It's a coincidence."

"And then there's Ted."

Heyes frowned. Ted was the younger of the two boys who helped in The Hardware Store. "Ted? What does he know about babies?"

"He's the eldest of seven. He told me whenever his mother was expecting and she complained about the baby wriggling so much in the third trimester, she had a girl."

"Ah! Proof indeed," Heyes said.

"Yes, you'll eat your words you'll see."

"Mary don't get your heart set on a girl. Babies have a way of surprising everyone."

"Yes, I know but I'll be glad to get rid of this lump whoever it is." She paused. "Good job by the way."

"For what?"

"Distracting me. So now who's Sticky?"

"You were listening?"

"Of course. Until the coffee started to bubble and I couldn't hear anymore."

Heyes hesitated. "Sticky was someone I paid for his eyes and ears. Think Wheat musta kept that up."

"Why is he called Sticky?"

"He had sticky fingers."

"And what does that mean?"

Heyes took a deep breath. He found it difficult to talk to Mary about his criminal past and he tried to avoid it. For the most part, he was successful but not tonight.

"He's a pickpocket. He's the kinda guy you don't notice in the background. He's unobtrusive but observant and he can get close enough to folks to overhear conversations without anyone noticing. Useful guy to know. So I paid him to bring me anything he heard about the Devil's Hole Gang, its members, or … ."

"Or?"

Heyes smacked his lips.

"Or anything that might be a potential job," he said, quietly.

He heard Mary grunt and looked in her direction. "You did ask, Mary."

"I did," she sighed. "So the two men who came tonight? They're members of the Devil's Hole Gang I take it?"

"Yes."

"And they're in trouble?"

"Yes."

"Not just your kind of trouble. More serious than that?"

"Yes. They're wanted for murder."

"What happened?"

Heyes related a brief summary.

"Did they do it?"

"No."

"How can you be so sure?"

"It's Wheat and Kyle!"

"So? People change."

"Not that much. 'Sides they had no reason to murder the man who died. The evidence is circumstantial at best."

"So why did they come here? To find you?"

Heyes licked his lips. "They need help." He paused. "They can't go to the law now can they?"

"Not even Lom?"

"No Lom'd lock 'em up and they'd be on their way to Cheyenne before they knew it."

"He didn't do that to you and Thaddeus when you came to ask him about amnesty."

"That's 'cos me 'n' the Kid are smart. I came in the front door the Kid went through the side door."

"The jail doesn't have a side door."

"Not now. Lom had it bricked up last year, fed up with the Kid keep asking if he had a lock for it." He shook his head. "Don't ask!"

Heyes could almost hear Mary thinking beside him. He wasn't surprised when she spoke again.

"So what do Wheat and Kyle think you can do?"

Heyes took a deep breath. "I don't know exactly but they asked for my help."

"Are you going to help them? Can you help them?"

"I don't know Mary. Under the terms of my amnesty I shouldn't even had spoken to them."

"You didn't get much choice did you? Turning up the way they did."

"No I guess not."

"How did they get in anyway?"

Heyes sighed. "I … musta forgotten to lock the back door," he admitted. "I won't make that mistake again!"

"They are wanted outlaws, Josh," Mary said, slowly.

"I know. But they're not wanted for murder, Mary." He paused. "I think they're being framed and that isn't right."

"Who would frame them?"

"The real murderer of Stephen Mercer might."

"You really think he was murdered? Not died by accident in the fire."

Heyes gave out a shuddering breath. "Awh, the more I think 'bout it yeah I do. A lot of things don't make sense." He hesitated. "I'm gonna have to find out more, Mary."

"Can't you leave it to the law?"

It was a while before Heyes answered. "No, I can't," he admitted, finally.

Mary looked at him in the dark. She didn't need to see his face to know he was concerned. "What will you do?"

"I'll speak to Craig and Lom tomorrow. See if they know more than what's in the newspaper. Depends on what they say if I do anything more."