Chapter 184

.

Andy and his daughter Adilyn were allowed to share the same cell, even play cards together and have a little television. The point was to keep them from going back on another rescue mission, not neccessarily punishment. However, Chase Graves came to see them, let them know that Wanda had escaped.

.

Chase: Your friend Wanda, she escaped. Can't help but notice she left you two here.

Andy: She go alone?

Chase: No, she escaped with two cowboys.

Andy: Maybe she thought they would be better help than I could. She also knows that her kids are probably in the same place as mine. So, I wish her the best.

Chase: I take it then you have no interest in helping me.

Andy: Can't tell you what I don't know. I know they probably went to Hell, beyond that who knows.

.

While Andy was annoying Chase, Wanda brought Briscoe and Bowler to Hell. This seemed to be different territory than where she had just been. This kingdom seemed to resemble the old american west. There were posters of Briscoe's old enemy, John Bly, the leader of the gang that murdered Briscoe's father. Brisce had seen wanted posters of Bly before, but these posters proclaimed Bly as "Sheriff." His deputies were his old gang. Former pirate Blackbeard LaCutte, riverboat owner Brett Bones, daredevil Juno Dawkins, safecracker Pepe Bendix. Other deputies seemed to wear the uniforms of the "Black Lotus" the same people who'd murdered Briscoe's mother. Briscoe and Bowler knew they'd have to watch their back here, these guys would love nothing more than a little revenge against the people who sent them here to Hell. There were other posters, advertising Briscoe's beloved Dixie, the club where she was singing. It was risky, but Briscoe had to take the chance.

.

He snuck in, and watched her performance. Bowler and Wanda waited outside, hoping he would come out soon with Dixie. There was drinking, gambling, not unusual for these types of saloons. But this place seemed worse, and not just because Briscoe suspected that the games were all rigged. There were sex workers, who did not appear to be here by choice. He also heard the bartender telling customers about a slave auction the next day. In Briscoe's world slavery had ended after the civil war, but it seemed to be a functionig institution here in Hell. Dixie came out for her song. Briscoe knew Dixie's performances well, well enough to know she wasn't happy here, maybe she wasn't in this particular club by choice. He tried to remain incognito, but Dixie recognized him. She gestured for him to leave, fearing for his safety. Briscoe tried to grab Dixie and get them both out of here, but it was too late. Long before they made it out the two of them were surrounded by Bly's gang, the Black Lotus, and Bly himself. Bly had a woman on his arm, his latest gun moll. This was Lillian Coles, professor Coles' mother who claimed to be his daughter. She was young again, and clearly was back together with Bly.

.

Bly: Briscoe, so good to see you again. Here, in Hell.

Briscoe: Hello Bly. Lillian, why are you back together with Bly?

Lillian: He keeps me young.

Briscoe: You do remember how he betrayed you?

Lillian: See that waiter over there? Bly let him fall to his death for fun.

Bly: That was an honest mistake, I told him to stay to his right, or was it his left?

Lillian: And this pirate standing next to Blackeard, Blackbeard handed him an anchor and threw him into quicksand.

Briscoe: I remember that.

Lillian: My point is that, in Hell, you have to learn to set aside past grudges.

Briscoe: Yeah, I'm sure this twon is a real model on restorative justice.

Bly: I can forgive you for what you did, assuming you're willing to tell me who you came with.

Briscoe: Who said I came with anyone?

Bly: My sources say you came into town with two people.

Briscoe: That's right, two people I met here in Hell who offered to help me find Dixie.

Bly: Their names?

Briscoe: Damn, did I forget to ask their names? Just as well, I was never very good at remembering names.

Bly: Just as well, I'd like nothing more than to make you talk. And my men, they deserve the entertainment.