Chapter 35

The group sat around the table in the small kitchen staring at the doll in the box that was laying on top. They had been staring quietly for a few minutes. Buck was gathering some things for the hard ride that he would have ahead of him. Jimmy was lying in the far corner growling at them through the rag that they had tied in his mouth.

"We got a place picked for her." Kid said quietly. "It's ready."

"Take her out the front and take care of it. I'll stay inside with him." Teaspoon whispered.

Kid nodded. He left with Cody and Lou. Teaspoon sat down in the chair. He sighed as he watched Jimmy try to free himself in the corner. He grunted and struggled until he was washed down in sweat. Teaspoon waited for an hour when they all piled back inside.

"Buck, you got everything that she needs?" Teaspoon asked.

"All but one thing." Buck said as he laid the book, doll, and a rag with Kat's blood on it.

They all looked over at Jimmy who had decided to sit quietly in the corner for the time being. Teaspoon nodded as he pulled a bandana out his pocket. Buck pulled his knife. Kid looked at Cody then at Lou.

"You want to wait outside?" He asked her.

"Not on your life. I will be right here." She said.

The four stood and started making their way over to Jimmy. Buck knelt down in front of him.

"Jimmy, I have to get some blood from you then this will all be over. I want to help you. This is the only way. Please don't fight us."

All Jimmy did was growl in response. They watched him narrow his eyes. Cody shook his head as he went to grab his legs. Kid went to push him down. He started trying to get free. Teaspoon went over to help as well. Buck took his knife and slid it down his forearm. He took the bandana and wiped the blood on it. They backed away.

"It should take about a week to get to her. The man said that she would be waiting." Buck said.

"I'll go with you." Said Cody.

"Cody, you can't. You got to head into town and get that hand looked at it. It ain't looking the best." Said Teaspoon.

"Then I will." Said Kid.

"No, I will." Said Lou walking out the other room with her bedroll.

"Lou, I don't know about this." Said Kid.

"I'm going. Your head is still a mess and so is Cody's hand. Buck will need help along the way. I'm the best pick to go. Don't argue with me." Lou said as she grabbed the doll off the table and walked outside.

"She will be fine, Kid. We need two on this to make sure that it all gets there. You know how important this is." Teaspoon said.

The three walked outside as Lou and Buck got up on their horses. Buck looked down at their anxious faces.

"I'll send word as soon as it is done."

"Ride safe." Said Teaspoon.

"Y'all watch him." Said Louise.

"You know we will."

Buck and Lou kicked their horses out the yard. The three stood and watched until they could not see the dust from their horses anymore. The group walked back inside to find Jimmy staring at them from the floor.

"Let's get him up and in the chair." Said Teaspoon.

Kid and Cody each got an arm to pull him to his feet. He shoved his shoulder into Kid causing him to stumble into the wall. He went to shove Cody when Cody grabbed him and forced him into a chair. Cody shook his head as Jimmy screamed in the rag.

"Son, we need you to calm down." Teaspoon said.

Jimmy tried to speak. Teaspoon reached down and removed the cloth from his mouth.

"I just need to see her."

"You can't."

"Where is she, Kid? What did you do with her?"

Kid looked at Teaspoon. Cody went to stand in front of Jimmy. Teaspoon shook his head, but Cody started talking any way.

"I told you what happened. You can't see her cause you killed her. You have got to realize that."

"You are lying."

"No, I'm not. You killed her. I just buried her body in the back yard."

"No, no, no." Jimmy said as he sat back quietly staring into nothing.

"Cody, I didn't want to tell him." Said Teaspoon eyeing Cody.

"I already did, Teaspoon. I told him earlier when he busted in on us. He knows and it's high time that he shuts up about seeing her. Maybe he will sit quietly now." Cody said as he turned to walk outside.

"Liars. All of you."

"He is telling the truth, son. Come on."

Teaspoon and Kid pulled Jimmy up to his feet. They pulled him outside to the fresh grave. He stood staring. No one said anything. They stood just looking down at the fresh earth. Kid looked back to the house. Cody was watching from the porch. Jimmy suddenly fell to his knees. He took his hands which were still tied but began digging the dirt away. Teaspoon grabbed one arm while Kid got the other. He yelled out and struggled free. He started digging again. Cody ran over to see if he could help. He went to get Jimmy again when Teaspoon motioned for them to stop. Jimmy kept digging until he finally started crying. He dug some more before he fell down on his chest across the fresh grave.