SOMETHING TO GET HUNG ABOUT
(While it didn't happen very often, this is a story wrought with holes. In spite of that, it is also a story I like, probably because I always liked Monte Markham and I enjoy his interactions with Kid. But there is no scene where Heyes and Curry discuss their theory with the Sheriff, yet the Sheriff knows to be at the cabin where the boys tell Foster they hid the rifle. So, this is that missing conversation).).
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"You really think this plan is going to work, Heyes?" Kid asked as the two men walked down the boardwalk toward the Sheriff's Office.
"We won't know till we try, Kid. I think we'll be able to convince the sheriff of our suspicions and if we can, he might just go along with our idea on how to prove it."
"If he don't, Heyes, we're right back when we started."
"Uh-uh."
When they reached the Sheriff's Office, Heyes put his hand on the door knob and turned to Kid. "You ready?"
"Ready as I'll ever be," Kid replied.
With that, Heyes opened the door and the two men walked in.
"Mr. Smith, Mr. Jones, something I can do for you?"Sheriff Lindstrom asked.
"Well, Sheriff, Mr. Jones and I think there's something we can do for you," Heyes replied.
"And just exactly what is that?" the Sheriff asked.
"Before we get into that, Sheriff, would mind locking the front door? I wouldn't want nobody to just come walking in on us."
Sheriff Linstrom studied the two men. "You boys lay your guns on my desk, and I'll lock the door, but not before."
Heyes and Curry exchanged glances and quickly agreed to comply. Once the guns were on the desk, Sheriff Lindstrom got up and locked the door.
"Now, what can you do to help me?" the Sheriff asked as he sat in the chair behind his desk.
"We can help you solve the murder of Hank Henderson," Kid replied.
"You two think you know who killed Hank?"
"Yes, Sir. We just can't prove it without your help," Heyes replied.
"And a little cooperation," Kid added.
Sheriff Lindstrom sat back in his chair. "Well, start explaining."
"Sheriff, you've got the sawed-off shotgun that killed Henderson, right?"
"I do. Why?"
"Have you ever read the book "Life on the Mississippi" by Mark Twain?"
"I have. He's a fine writer."
"Do you remember where Mr. Twain explains about...fingerprints?"
"I found that to be quite intriguing when I read it. But fingerprints won't hold up in court. That science isn't perfected."
"So it can't be submitted as actual evidence, but what about...circumstantial?" Heyes asked.
"You think the killer's fingerprints are on that shotgun?"
"Heyes smiled. "And I think I might know who actually owns that shotgun."
"Who?"
"Well that's where we start to move into muddy waters, Sheriff."
"What kind of muddy waters?"
"That shotgun has got to get stolen, Sheriff," Kid replied.
"Stolen? Why?"
"To make the killer nervous, after we explain the finger prints theory to him, of course."
"You think it's some one local, not Stokley?"
"Willing to bet our lives on it," Kid said.
"You sound pretty sure. How exactly does this shotgun get stolen?"
"Well, Sheriff," Heyes began. "You know these parts pretty well. We figure you could hide it somewhere, maybe an old abandoned shack or cabin, not too far away, but far enough that nobody will find it. Of course, you'll have to trust me and Mr. Jones to know the whereabouts."
"And then what?"
"Then you let it be known that the shotgun's been stolen."
'And what will the two of you be doing?"
"Mr. Jones and I go plant the seeds of doubt in the killer's mind. Make him think there's a way to connect him to the shotgun. Make sure he knows that we know where the shotgun is hidden. We figure, he'll try to make us lead him to it. When we do, you'll be there waiting."
"Just exactly who do you think owns that shotgun?" the Sheriff asked.
Heyes looked at Kid who gave him an approving nod.
"R.M. Foster."
"The attorney?"
"That's right," Kid replied.
"You see, we think he's been stealing money from Hank Henderson all along. When Hank finally discovered that, well Foster didn't see any other way out but to kill Henderson."
"What about Stokley? He was found sneaking around on the property."
"We both know Stokley, Sheriff. He's a lot of things, but he ain't no killer."
"But he's Mrs. Henderson's lover."
"Now, we ain't so sure about that, Sheriff. It's true he's been Mrs. Stokley's escort since the day she left her husband, but from everything we've seen, it's been a platonic relationship."
"Yeah, and they ain't been sharing a bed, either," Kid replied, not knowing the meaning of the word platonic."
"I don't want to see the wrong man get hung for murder," Sheriff Lindstrom said. "And I know Hank thought very highly of the two of you... So, I'm going to go along with this plan of yours.
"Well talk to Mr. Foster in the morning. Then we'll pretend to be riding out to the Henderson ranch. If I read Mr. Foster correctly, he'll start following us, make us lead him to where the shotgun is."
"There's an old abandoned shack about five miles due west of the Stokley ranch. That's where you lead him to. I'll be there, waiting."
Heyes and Curry stood and collected their guns while Lindstrom unlocked the front door.
"You boys better be right," Henderson said as Heyes and Curry left.