The Tale of Two Kid Currys
Chapter Four Final
In Lom's cabin, Kerry stopped talking and went to put more hot water on for tea to busy herself. She didn't like to remember the bad parts of her life. She preferred to concentrate on the blessings she had been given.
Heyes had been pacing through the last part of the story and now opened the door and stood on the porch, no thought of the cold breaking his thoughts. Curry followed him.
"Kid." Heyes turned to look into the familiar blue eyes of his cousin. A cousin who he thought he knew everything about. "I never knew...never knew what it was like for you at your home. That it was that bad."
"S'okay, Heyes, you weren't meant to. It was a secret between Ma and Maggie, Sarah, Connie and me. Weren't supposed to tell no one. Aunt Kerry and Grandpa Curry knew, too, but we never talked of it."
"But I thought we shared everything when we were growing up."
"You knew everything important." Curry slapped Heyes on the shoulder. It was as close to affection as the cousins shared.
Heyes stayed on the porch, thinking of the beatings he had taken at Valparaiso. How would it have felt if the person doing the beating was your own pa? He searched his memory but could not remember his Uncle Johnny's face. Overwhelming sadness overcame Heyes, and he sat down in the rocker on the porch as his knees felt weak. Was this the helplessness that his own pa had felt? And Jed keeping quiet about his father's beatings and temper… Why had Heyes not seen that Jed was hiding something from him? Why did he not see that Kid had been hiding this all these years? He had not taken the good care of Jed that Aunt Elizabeth had asked. And then he led him into the life of a wanted man, an outlaw.
Not knowing if God ever listened to someone who had broken as many commandments as he had, Heyes asked God to bless his parents who sheltered him and his sisters from the abuse in the Curry home while doing what they could to help. And to bless his cousin, Jed, and help take care of him.
"Heyes?" Curry was standing beside him. He nudged him on the shoulder.
"Come on, Heyes, let's go in and see what else this woman has to say.
As they walked in they saw Aunt Kerry seep her tea. Taking a sip, she continued her story.
"With Johnny gone again with his friends, I was relieved to sleep alone. But during this time, my worst fear was coming true. I was pregnant. I wanted my Ma, but she was gone. Not being able to tell Elizabeth about her husband, I ran to Siobhan.
"'Siobhan, I've a problem, one you will not like.' I looked at my older sister's eyes to try and gauge her reaction.
"Siobhan's expression was curious but didn't think any problem her quiet sister had could be too bad.
"'Siobhan, this is serious. Please sit down and pay attention.'
"Siobhan heard a desperate tone in my voice. She sat down and waited for me to speak.
"'I'm pregnant.'
"'Kerry, who? How?' Siobhan's hands went to her mouth. 'Oh dear, Kerry, how could you; you're only sixteen.'
"I knew the harder part of the conversation was coming. I closed my eyes to steady my nerves and settle the churning of my stomach. 'Johnny,' I choked his name out. 'Johnny is the father.'
"Siobhan had no words. Her world stopped spinning. 'Our brother, Johnny?'
"I nodded, looking down at leg of the table. I could not look her in the eyes. Her blue eyes were the same color as Johnny's but then so were Pa's and Robert's and Jeddie's. Slowly the blue came to mean family love again in my mind and not Johnny's violence.
"'You need to know, there's more. Johnny has been coming to my bed for a while now and I didn't turn him away,' I started to explain.
"'You and Johnny?' Siobhan was horrified.
"'NO! Johnny forced me. He raped me. But he knows that you hide runaway slaves here. He saw you with them. He knows where you hid them. If I didn't allow him in my bed, he said he would kill you and Arthur and your children. I believed him.'
"Siobhan's heart fell. She picked up Mary and held her close. 'I believe he's capable of that, too.'
"'I don't know what to do, Siobhan.'
"Siobhan was horrified; we held each other tight, we cried together. Siobhan and Arthur had no secrets between them, and she convinced me Arthur had to know. Siobhan called him to the table. We talked, and we cried, and Arthur came up with an Arthur Heyes plan.
"'But Arthur, if I leave, Johnny will kill your family. I can't let that happen,' I said through tears. Having talked about it, made it so real.
"'I'll be alert. We'll keep the children close. If he comes, we will hide in the hidden barn cellar. Even if he knows it exists, he won't find the entrance.' Arthur looked at the two sweet sisters and wondered how their brother could be so evil.
"'Does Elizabeth know what Johnny has been doing?' Arthur asked the question we were all thinking.
"I was thoughtful. 'I don't know. She mainly sleeps in the room with the girls and Jeddie. Tells us it is so she can listen to Jeddie's breathing while he sleeps. His breathing is still erratic some nights.'
"Siobhan spoke without looking at either of us. 'Still, if Johnny's leaving her alone, she must suspect something.'
"Arthur reached out across the table and took a hand of each of the sisters. He felt it his job to unite the family, not see it torn further apart. 'Maybe it is a relief. Oft times people see what they want to see. Ignore what they cannot bear.' Decisively, he stood up and tried to look confident. 'Well, I must send a telegram to Alexander and set your escape in motion.'
"Arthur's brother, Alexander and his sweet wife Jeanette, were stopping in Kansas to visit on their way to California from Connecticut. They had arrived in Lawrence, the last stop of the Union Pacific Eastern Division Railroad. Planning a grand adventure, they were joining a wagon train through Utah, Idaho, and Nevada into California, eventually planning to start a horse ranch there. Jeanette was four months pregnant but healthy and strong and looking forward to their adventure. They were going to overstock their large wagon and start a small mercantile store wherever they landed as they looked for land for the horse ranch.
"Quietly, Arthur spoke to his brother and explained the situation. They were happy to take me with them. Arthur paid my way although Alexander said the help for Jeanette was pay enough. Siobhan gave me 'put away' money that she said she had saved but I knew it was from them both.
"Alexander was as good at making masterful plans as Arthur and soon it was agreed that I was a young widow, Alexander's sister-in-law, who was traveling with them to help Jeanette during her pregnancy and leave my own sad memories behind. Arthur reminded me the best stories are the ones with as much truth as possible.
"As the oldest daughter, Siobhan had been given our mother's wedding ring which she gave to me to wear. I would be far away when my own pregnancy began to show. The story would evolve that my dead husband had left me pregnant with a child he would never see.
"My departure was kept secret, even from the family, but I hugged each member so tightly to me when last I saw each of them, trying to memorize them in my mind. I hugged Jed and told him to obey his ma. He nodded solemnly then announced, 'I'm gonna be four next week!' proudly holding up four fingers as Han had taught him. I turned away in tears thinking of the family milestones I would miss. An unknown future awaited me.
"Seven-year-old Han tolerated my hug. 'Now, you take care of your ma and Jed, Han.' I told him
"'I always take care of Jed. It's my important job.' he was proud to say. 'He's my partner, too.'
"Alexander, Jeanette and I left for Missouri quietly in the early morning hours where we would join the wagon train. In Missouri, we bought a wagon, oxen and supplies and started our trip West."
Kerry Heyes stopped talking and closed her eyes. Although she was trying to keep her voice even and factual, this was turning out to be harder than she thought. Her heart was happy to be in the same room as her precious nephews. How like his father and her husband Hannibal looked. Same dark brown hair, falling in his eyes no matter how it was cut; same brown eyes that had flashed with memories and anger as she told her story. He was hard to read unless you know the secrets of those eyes and Kerry had learned those secrets from her Alexander.
Heyes brought her a glass of water, but no one broke the silence. As she thanked him, she saw in those eyes how learning their dark secrets had unnerved him. Kerry watched how Hannibal was watching Jed. How he sat next to Jed, neither speaking. Inwardly, she smiled that he was still watching over his younger cousin.
Jed was wary of her, so she was wary of him knowing that the story she was telling was harder for him to hear opening up secrets he had buried, kept even from Han, and adding new depths to those secrets. He avoided looking at her, held his emotions behind a wall of pain, refusing to let them out. His defense was trying to figure out this Kerry Heyes, if that was her name. What she wanted. What she thought she would get out of this con.
"I've never told anyone my story before except Alexander. My children know some of it, but not all. I have some letters to show you, too."
Curry had not said a word while she spoke. His eyes were an ice blue and Kerry saw him curbing his temper at times. Remembering that he was known as the fastest gun in the west, she wondered how he had earned that title. Did he have a violent temper inherited from Johnny?
Kerry took a deep breath and continued.
"We were told it would take about five months to get to California. Jeannette and Alexander were hoping that their baby would be born there, but we were traveling through Utah into the Nevada Territory when Jeanette started to have contractions."
***ASJ****ASJ*****
Kerry stopped talking and looked at the men she was speaking to, noting their discomfort. "I'm sorry to talk so freely about childbirth in front of you men, but it is an important part of the story. Please don't be embarrassed; it's a part of life." Then she continued recounting her story.
****ASJ*****ASJ******
"We left the wagon train the next day; Jeannette needed rest and the constant jostling was too much for her. We couldn't keep up, so Arthur's plan was to head us slowly southwest. We stopped at the first civilization just outside Golconda, NV. It wasn't even a town yet. Alexander took the horse to find a doctor and I tended to Jeanette. I know some about childbirth; I helped the doctor when Elizabeth and Siobhan had their children. I knew something was wrong. Jeanette was not even six months into her term and that was too early. I tried to get her to rest but she started to push the baby out just as Alexander arrived with the doctor. The doctor examined her and shook his head, turning to me he said, 'Well, young lady, let's see if we can save 'em.'
"We didn't. He couldn't. She was bleeding badly, and the precious baby boy only took one breath. That doctor worked with Jeanette all night, but she died just before dawn.
"Never saw a man as broke up as Alexander. He dropped to his knees rocking that poor baby and cried silent tears. His heart had been torn apart. Doctor left soon after, wouldn't take no pay. He said each one he loses is one too many.
"The days that followed were a blur of sadness, despair, confusion and dreamless sleep. We buried Jeanette with the baby Alexander named Adam in her arms. We drove the wagon into town. There was one building in the town, a saloon which also served as the town meeting place, the bank, the church and whatever else was needed.
"Alexander came up with a plan. Given time, Alexander always had a plan. Sometimes it needed a few tweaks to be workable, but like his brother, he always had a plan."
~* ~ * ~ * ~ASJ ***ASJ
Heyes looked at his aunt, trying to read her face. "Is Uncle Alexander with you?" He had distant memories of a man younger but looking so like his pa that at seven he had mistaken him for his father.
"He was killed many years ago," Kerry's eyes clouded, she stopped speaking and she sighed deeply. "But I will get to that. You need to know what he was doing when he was murdered."
~ * ASJ~ * ~ ASJ * ~
"Alexander's plan was simple. We drove the wagon in next to the saloon and set it up as a mercantile shop. We were going to set up shop when we got to California, so we had supplies with us. It was a grand success. There was nothing else like it around. Before long, Alexander built a one room store with a small living space in the back. He named it 'Adam's Mercantile' after the son he had lost. Working in the store every waking hour was his way of dealing with the deaths of his wife and baby and their dreams.
"There were no supply stores for over a hundred and fifty miles and a lot of local settlers. Alexander was an excellent salesman and manager, so we prospered. When our supplies would run low, Alexander would hire two teenagers from a nearby ranch and they would drive three wagons and bring back more merchandise. Alexander knew what things the settlers needed and what they wanted. And he knew the difference between need and want and how to balance both for our customers.
"We stayed brother and sister-in-law, and we never tested the boundaries. As my time grew nearer, Alexander got anxious, jumpy, and refused to let me be alone. His pacing made me nervous. He ate little and slept less.
"I was confused. I loved the baby growing inside me but abhorred its father. Yet how could an innocent baby be held accountable for their father's sins? Alexander gradually convinced my heart that this baby was innocent, loved, a gift from God.
"Alexander and I never wavered from our story. My child would carry my "dead" husband's name and be baptized a Curry.
"I had labor pains about a month too early. Frantically, Alexander rode to the doctor's ranch and brought him. We had seen his skill and compassion with Jeanette, and I wanted him there with me. After losing her, though, Alexander was worried, convinced my early labor would lead to the same result.
"Alexander closed the store for the day and in the late afternoon I gave birth to two healthy baby boys. I named them Colin Thaddeus Curry and Kyle Thomas Curry. Alexander celebrated their birth, but I could see the sadness of his loss like a wraith on his shoulder.
"Colin and Kyle were such happy babies. Twin brothers got into four times as much trouble, but they were close, always together even as toddlers. Only two I ever saw that close like that were you, Hannibal with Jedediah. We said where one is, you'll find the other.
"About the time the twins turned one, I could see Alexander was coming to look at me differently. He kept his distance more, but his eyes told another story. I, too, had come to have deep feelings for him. Finally, he stated his intentions and I think he was startled when I just kissed him then and there, right in the store. We were married in a simple ceremony and started on our happily ever after.
"A month later, Alexander and I sold the mercantile and finished the trek to California, settling in a valley south of the city of Los Angeles. There was a booming, though small town there that needed a mercantile. We opened the second 'Adam's Mercantile' and Alexander made it successful. These were the joyous years. We got letters from Siobhan, Elizabeth, Arthur and even from Robert and Grandpa Curry. Each was read around our dinner table at night. The boys learned to know the family they had so far away.
"There were parts we did not read in front of the boys. Arthur's fears of the raiders discovering their waystation for escaped slaves always came through in his letters. For almost two years, Johnny had taken no revenge on the Heyes for my departure, and they became gradually less wary. Elizabeth wrote of Johnny's rantings about the raids he went on with his Missouri friends. They took up more and more of his time. Siobhan's and Elizabeth's letters usually ended with some story that Grandpa Curry had told. Maggie and Teresa sent us pictures they drew. Grandpa Curry's stories always made the boys laugh and smile, introducing them to a grandfather they had never hugged.
"In California, Alexander and I had a beautiful daughter, Mary Susan Heyes, her father's daughter, in temperament and looks, with the straight brown hair and eyes of the matching hue. The boys doted on their little sister, always protective of her yet quick to make her laugh and giggle. When she giggled, her dimples appeared, and her eyes radiated her joy.
"To our delight, about that time, Arthur made a trip to California from Kansas to see us, bringing three of the most beautiful horses we had ever seen. He and Alexander had always discussed the future horse ranch, but Arthur, always the planner, had seen the horses at a neighboring ranch and decided the time was now. And he was curious to see this California. I think, given time, if things had been different, he would have moved his family out there.
"Oh, they were like a couple of little boys making plans. Alexander had seen land further inland he thought perfect for the ranch and the brothers went and bought it. Oh, such joyous dinners we had with Arthur telling us all about everyone at home, including two little boys who always seemed to get into trouble even when they were not trying. His eyes sparkled when he told stories about you two. His son, Hannibal, with huge plans and his head in the sky and his nephew, Jed, who brought Hannibal's plans down to earth and, even at his young age, found a practical way to make the plans happen. Arthur played with the twins and admired Mary Susan who he declared the image of his sister, Arlayne. He was a taste of home that brought a new life for us with the horses. He promised that Johnny would never know where I went or about his sons.
"Mary Susan was not yet two when the first letters arrived from Kansas from our neighbors and friends. The terrible, terrible letters describing the events of that day. You were young, but you need to know. Know the truth of that day."
Hannibal stopped her. "We know what happened that day. We were there. Don't need to relive that day."
Teary blue eyes filled with sorrow and sympathy, Kerry continued. "No, I don't think you do know. At least not all of it." Here's a letter from Mrs. Wilbert Duhamel. Her husband owned the apple orchard near our homes. She and Siobhan were fast friends and we were often the topic of conversation." Kerry started to cry. "Hannibal, would you read it out loud. I can't. It's so hard to hear."
Hannibal unfolded the letter and began to read, his voice strong at first, getting emotional as he continued.
My Dear Kerry and Alexander,
It is with heavy heart that I am writing to tell you of the death of your families in border raids. You may have heard this from others, but I am writing so that you may know the complete truth.
Kerry, your brother, Johnny, was behind the raids. He discovered that Siobhan and Arthur were a stop on the slaves' trail to freedom. Arthur had even designed his barn with hidden living quarters under the floor and multiple exits. Wilbert and I knew this as we, too, help in this way.
Johnny was overhead in the saloon that the time had come for the Heyes to pay. They were Jayhawkers and that was not in the interest of Kansas. He wants Kansas to be a slave state. Johnny's hate was vicious and the only two people he cared about seemed to be his father, John Sr, and his son Robert. His beautiful, long-suffering wife, Elizabeth, and their children seemed to fuel his hate and be a burden to him, not a source of joy. He did sometimes have a good word to say about his youngest son, Runt, he calls him. Brags he taught Runt to shoot a gun when he was only seven and he was really good at it. But said his mother was ruining him with her coddling and insistence on education and manners and respect to ladies.
Anyway, Wilbert and I have tried to piece together what happened that day. Johnny picked a Saturday when Arthur Heyes would be home to plan the raid. He arranged for Robert to drive John Sr. into town that morning to see the doctor about his bursitis so they would be away from the farm and safe. But that's not what happened.
Johnny arranged for the first attack to be on the Curry homestead, then the Heyes' home. We can't imagine the hate that man must have within him to murder his family. When his ma was alive, she said fighting in the war changed him, stole his heart and replaced it with devil's fire. Whatever the reason, Johnny is evil. I am sorry to say that, Kerry, I know he is your brother, but I believe he is wicked.
Anyway, Johnny spent the night before drinking in the saloon. At least he did not participate in the raid on his own home. I don't think he feels any guilt. Still believes what he did was right for him and his country. His father and son set out for town as scheduled, but never got there. Mr. Jenkins told us he had to wait to get by while Robert was turning their wagon around on the road Rob told him his grandfather changed his mind and did not feel up to going into town that day and they were going back home.
Kerry, your family was murdered that day. Elizabeth had a shotgun in her hand when she was shot in the head, her daughter, Maggie, died by her side. John Sr. and Robert must have entered the yard just as the attack started. They both died in the wagon seat, side by side. The house was set on fire and the two other girls died in the fire.
Then, the raiders headed to the Heyes' farm, meeting up with Johnny on the way. It looked like Arthur was trying to hide his family under the barn, but they never got there. The raiders murdered them, one by one, and Johnny himself shot Arthur Heyes, ran forward, and cut his throat. Johnny bragged in the saloon how he killed the abolitionist Heyes.
So much horror from one wicked man. I believe his fellow raiders are just as sick. Johnny was distraught over the deaths of his father and Robert, though. He left soon after and has not been seen since. We believe he went to Missouri and joined the raiders there.
There is some good news, those two precious boys, Hannibal and Jedidiah\, were not at home when this happened. They skipped their chores and went fishing. Thank goodness for small disobediences. God does his work in ways we do not understand. They are alive although traumatized. They found the bodies and buried those that were not burned in the fires. They are strong and they have each other.
I just got your address from Father Fogherty yesterday even though this happened almost eight months ago. It has taken us that long to find all the pieces. Father took the boys to the Valparaiso Home for Wayward Boys as there was no one to take care of them.
My tears stain this letter as I hesitated to write it but not sure if others told you the whole truth. Wilbert found out bits and pieces over these last months and we put it together.
Our prayers are with you and your family and with those two beautiful, orphaned boys.
Sincerely,
Susan Duhamel
Heyes voice was almost lost in tears as he finished reading. He carefully folded the letter the way it had been folded for so many years and returned it to its envelope.
"Uncle John's alive?" he asked trembling, looking at Curry.
"Lies," Curry yelled. "Lies! My pa didn't kill his family and he ain't alive!" Standing up, he grabbed his hat and left.
"Johnny's alive," Kerry said through tears and Heyes went to comfort her. He hugged her and let her cry on his shoulder, while thinking he should go after the Kid.
"I'm sorry. I never planned to tell you all this but then… then all this killing started again."
Lom became the voice of reason. "It's late. Mrs. Heyes, please stay here tonight. You take my room, and the boys have the guest room. I'll be fine on the couch." His voice was firm. He wasn't going to be refused. "I believe there is a lot more to this story to hear."
Heyes found Curry sitting near the stream, watching the water, not moving.
"Kid?" Heyes sat next to him. Offering silent comfort with his presence.
"Think it's true?" Curry asked softly. "My pa was always either 'working' or 'away'. Remember your pa better except for learning to shoot. Pa never did seem happy about anything. Don't really remember this Aunt Kerry much at all."
"I think we should hear her out." Heyes' tone was soft as if lost in his thoughts. "A lot of the things are true. She's wearing Grandma Curry's ring. We just assumed that your pa died in the house fire. Worried about working with those Pinkertons like Lom said, although he seemed to think we were okay with that."
"Don't believe it myself. Trying to figure out what she gets out of this. A con, a good one, but a con. Or maybe a trap," Curry insisted, not hearing the truth in her story.
"I believe her, Kid," was all Heyes said. Now was not the time to try and change his cousin's mind. The two men sat in silence for another ten minutes, then stood together and went inside.
The next morning, after breakfast, Kerry and the men gathered in the main room. She and Lom took the chairs and the cousins the couch.
Kerry went back to her recollections.
"When Alexander and I received that letter, our hearts broke, but the fact that you two were alive started him on a plan. We wrote a letter to the Valparaiso Home for Wayward Boys while we prepared. Alexander was going to go find you two and bring you to live with us. I was about five months pregnant again so he needed to leave quickly to be back before the birth, but again things don't always go as planned.
"He journeyed directly to Valparaiso, but you weren't there. You'd been indentured to a farmer about sixty miles west. Alexander's money was running low as he hadn't planned on the trip to the farm, so he took a job as an accountant in a bank. It was only temporary, he figured three weeks, and he would have more than sufficient funds to find you and bring you home.
"By the time he got there, you had run away, and no one knew where you were headed."
Heyes interrupted her. "Johnston's farm," he recalled. "Remember, Kid, we figured at least we would eat better on a farm, but we didn't. Had all orphans working the farm, locked us in the bunkhouse every night. Just barely fed us enough to stay alive. We stayed about two months then ran away."
Curry remembered. "Always hungry and cold just like at the Home. Run away, got caught and sent back to Valparaiso."
"Beat bad for that one. Real bad," Heyes added; Curry nodded his assent.
Kerry's heart was heavy as they filled in the part of the story she did not know.
Then she continued, "Alexander came home defeated and arrived two days after Matthew Arthur was born. He has the dark Heyes hair, but it curls like yours, Jed. And his eyes are as blue as the lakes of Killarney, as your Grandma Curry used to say. Alexander worried himself sick trying to get home to me before the baby came. Jeanette's death was always in his memory when I was with child.
"We sent letters and telegrams to all the towns we could identify for almost a hundred miles around that farm, but few were answered and the ones that were answered had not seen you.
"Then a year later we got a letter from Valparaiso. They had remembered Alexander asking about you and let us know that you had returned. I was with child again and this time Alexander waited until Mark Alexander was two months old before leaving. This time I did not hear from him for a while and then with only a few brief letters I heard you had run away, and he was trailing you. But he found he wasn't the only one."
Kerry started to cry but tried to continue. Then she handed Heyes another letter. "Last one I got from him," she said. "Please, can you read it?"
Heyes took it with trepidation. What did she mean last one I got? He read aloud.
My Dearest Kerry,
As always, I miss you and the children. You are in my heart and are my guiding star. Hug and kiss Colin and Kyle for me and tell them to be good and help you watch the little ones; they are high spirited but such good boys. Kiss Mary Susan, Matthew and Markie for me. I will be home as soon as I can, hopefully bringing Hannibal and Jedediah with me.
As I said in my last letter, they ran away a couple of months before I got here. This time they have left a trail for me to follow. I was joyous that I was close to the boys until I stopped for the night here and went to the saloon for a drink. I was not really paying attention when I entered, and Johnny Curry saw me before I saw him. Yes, Johnny Curry. I believe we had met once at Arthur's house. You'd have thought he had seen a ghost because he went pale. He came over to the table where I had ordered a drink and a sandwich.
"Arthur Heyes?"
"No, Alexander," I corrected him as I was looking up. Then I realized who it was and it was my turn to go pale. Darling, your brother is now a gunfighter, no doubt about it from his stance to the gun secured low on his leg. If I had recognized him earlier, not sure I would have let him know who I was.
He looked around and sat down like we were old friends but the black clouds behind his blue eyes told me this man does not have friends.
"Johnny. Johnny Curry," he said low so no one could hear. "But I go by Liam now instead."
I just nodded. I figured he must be looking for the same two that I was.
"You looking for the runaways?" he demanded, suddenly taking control of the conversation.
I will admit to you, Kerry, that he scares me. Knowing what he did to you and what he did to our families, I was terrified. I was not sure if he wants to find the boys to raise them or to finish killing the family.
So, all I could manage was to shake my head yes. That seemed to please him.
"Good!" he said, patting my shoulder as if we were good friends. "We can work together. I don't care about the Heyes whelp, but I would like to see how Runt turned out. Maybe have him come live with our gang. You can take your kin."
"You get any information you let me know," Johnny said. "I'll do the same. Let's meet here tomorrow night and we'll talk." He stood up, gave me a smile that was not in the least pleasant, and went to join his gang at the bar.
I was watching for my chance to leave quietly and think. He did not mention you, my dear, so I doubt he knows we are together. That is the blessing in all of this, you and the children are safe from him.
Before I could leave, one of the saloon girls, Jennifer Anne, came over and sat down and asked me to buy her a drink. I told her I was a happily married man and that seemed to please her. She said, "Tonight you aren't buying me, you are buying information." She leaned closer and laughed.
I poured her a drink and inquired what she meant. She had overheard Liam (Johnny) bragging about how he was getting someone to do the hard work and find two boys for him and then he planned to kill that man and one of the boys. Said he might get rid of both boys if he don't like what he sees. Liam called this man a gullible fool for agreeing to work together. She figured correctly he was speaking of me.
I thanked her with a large tip, and she showed me discreetly out the back door. I am in a quandary now, Kerry. I believe that the boys are working at a ranch about ten miles south of town and I had planned to go there tomorrow; I do not want to lead Johnny to them. If he finds them first, he will kill one or maybe both. He has proven he will do it.
I am back in the hotel, my love, and came up with a plan. I have arranged to have a message delivered to the boys first thing in the morning. I am afraid to say too much but I will tell them they have been discovered as runaways, are in danger and must leave within the hour. I shall suggest they go toward Wyoming. I will go back to the saloon tomorrow and tell Johnny that it was a dead end and I found nothing.
After Johnny leaves, I will head away from Wyoming until I am sure he is not following me then go find our boys. I do so worry about them alone fending for themselves. I will send money with the message to help them. Pray for their safety, my dear, as I know you do every night. I will write you within the week and let you know where I am. Hopefully, I will be back on the trail of the boys by then. Until them I remain
Yours forever,
Alexander
Heyes looked at Curry. "That message scared us, and we ran. Never saw Uncle Johnny or Uncle Alexander, though."
"Alexander would have been glad you got away from Johnny. You can tell from the letter he would have killed you, Hannibal." Kerry handed Heyes another letter on scented stationary.
Mrs. Heyes,
Alexander, your husband, asked me to write to ya if anything happened to him. He gave me your address. I helped Alexander get a message to his nephews and I sure hope they got away from Liam Curry. He is an angry man.
When Alexander came back to meet him, Liam started yelling about him hiding the boys and keeping his son away from him. That man is sure plum crazy. He was a talking about killing both those boys just the night before.
Liam came right up to your husband right there at the bar and told him to draw. I could tell that he weren't no gunfighter and alls around here know Liam is the fastest there is. Alexander did not want to fight and put his hands in the air and said he weren't gonna fight him. Alexander called Liam, 'Johnny', so I don't rightly know his right name.
Liam got real mad when Alexander wouldn't fight and he took out his gun and killed him right there. When the sheriff come, Liam's gang swore Alexander drew and drew first and it were a fair fight. That sheriff don't want no trouble from that gang and he saw how Alexander ended up so the sheriff just called it a fair fight and left.
Liam and them left town that night and we ain't seen them since.
Wanted you to know why your husband ain't coming home. He seemed a decent man. I sure am sorry over what happened.
Jennifer Anne Marie
Heyes, Curry and Lom sat in shocked silence. Kerry had gotten up and left the cabin, unable to listen to the heartbreaking words in the last letter.
Curry tried to deny parts of her story, but these letters tore at his heart. Someone had wanted them. Someone had come looking for them. Still, he could not accept this version of his pa, a gunslinger. He refused to accept this version of his pa.
When Kerry came in, it was obvious she had been crying.
Heyes had been thinking while she was gone. "What did you do; you were alone and had five kids?"
Kerry answered slowly, this part of her story was not pretty, but she had done what she needed to survive. She looked down as she talked, unwilling to see the judgement in the men's eyes.
**********ASJ**********ASJ**********
"According to his plan, Alexander had taken most of our cash with him this time to find you two. The mercantile income was steady, and we had money in the bank to supplement it. I wrote Alexander's brother in Connecticut to see if we could come live with them as Alexander had suggested if anything happened to him.
"Marc Antony Heyes had married into society, but he and his wife had no children. They walked into our store two months later pretending to be all sunshine and light and a welcoming family. What they really wanted was my children with Alexander. They did not want me or all of us, turns out they only wanted Mary Susan. She had the dark straight hair and brown Heyes eyes. She looked like a Heyes. Matthew has blue eyes and curly brown hair, and Markie was just a baby; he still looked like his eyes might be blue. Turns out, he looks as much a Heyes as Mary Susan does, he was just too young to tell.
"I must have been still in shock and Antony looked so much like Alexander, and your father too, Hannibal, that I finally agreed that they could adopt Mary Susan. He was very persuasive. She would be well taken care of, want for nothing and be loved and spoiled. She would go to the best schools, move in the best circles. What could I offer her? A struggling widow with four other young children to raise alone.
"He wore me down, I let him take my daughter. Maybe it is for the best. At first, they wrote me and then she did... does. They give and are still giving her everything they promised. But I think if I had not been so grieving and overwhelmed, I would never have let them take her. I just had no strength to fight them then.
"I still had four boys, all under nine, and a store to run. At first, I hired local kids to help me after school and on the weekends and we were doing okay, taking a little from our bank savings each week. But then, then the bank was robbed, and all our savings were gone. It never reopened, didn't have insurance. And I became a widow with four children and little money."
**********ASJ************ASJ
Heyes looked at the floor, unable to look at Kerry or Lom, thinking about all the banks they had robbed. How had they changed people's lives for the worse with their robberies. They thought they were robbing the bank but did not think about the people whose money made up the bank's funds.
Kerry sighed before she told them the next part.
"A lot of things in my life I am ashamed of and this part is one of them. Still, I would do it again. I couldn't see any other way. My kids know because they lived through it. I did what I did for them. My friend, Starlight, ran a saloon in Arizona. Sweet lady with a long memory that Alexander and I had helped her long ago. She said we could go there. I could serve drinks in the saloon, maybe deal a little blackjack but I did not have to do anything else. She had a one room house we could rent from her. Twins could go to school.
"Took me six months to take her up on her offer, to understand that I couldn't run the store, the ranch and raise four boys where we were. Acquaintances we had, strong, good friends we had never had the time to make there. I sold the ranch and the store. Boarded the horses with a neighbor, no pay but he could keep any offspring they produced. He was happy with that.
"And we moved to Arizona. Everything worked out at first. I served drinks, dealt a fair game of blackjack and watched the children of the other girls while they worked.
"Then, Markie got hurt, wagon crushed his legs bad. They were fixable with time and money and the doctor was an expense I didn't have in my budget. Don't even notice his limp now unless he's tired. Wagon also hit his head and he was unconscious for days. When he woke up, he suffered bad headaches and had trouble seeing. The local Doctor Chern had a doc friend of his from Denver stop on a trip through there. Took almost a year, but he was able to help Markie see with some doctoring and glasses.
"But my bills multiplied. I needed money, more than I had and more than I was earning. I had high doctor bills and was working less to take care of Markie. I started to work the "upstairs" on weeknights. Locals mostly. I guess Johnny had stolen my innocence and my modesty long before that, so it was not a big step for me. It was my body and a fake smile they paid for. My mind was my own; I had learned that from Johnny. You can probably guess the next steps, but I kept telling myself my kids were happy, fed, had a place to live and we had more friends here than we had ever had in California."
Kerry looked at the floor, her hands, the fireplace, anywhere but at the men with her. She knew what she was, knew why she had done it, but it still made her feel dirty.
Heyes felt her pain and tried to ease it. "Ma'am...er Auntie Kerry…er some of the nicest ladies we know are..."
"Soiled doves," finished Curry. He still was looking to see what she was getting out of this and hoped it wasn't the twenty-thousand-dollar bounty on their heads.
Kerry raised her head briefly catching his eyes flash before feeling embarrassed, looking down and continuing.
"Went on for almost four years. I was trying but just couldn't save enough for us to move on. Then one day, he came into the saloon.
"I recognized Johnny's laugh when I came out to serve the drinks. It was a Wednesday, and it was just the cook, the bartender and me. I hoped Johnny wouldn't recognize me, but he did.
"Grabbing my wrist, he turned to his friends. 'Forget my sandwich, give me a bottle. This gal and me going upstairs. Been a long time, unfinished business.' His laugh was a hiss as he pulled me up the stairs.
"I don't remember much what happened then. First thing he did was hit me over the head with the water bowl. Beat me up, raped me, probably multiple times the doctor said. Broke my jaw, my ribs, my arm and my leg. Stabbed me in the middle of my chest, nearly got my heart; left me bleeding for dead.
"But that was not the worst of it because then, oh then, he went to my house. Colin was home sick from school. He wasn't too sick but he got bored easily and had a book report to do and so I let him stay home. He was always a good boy.
"Johnny found him. He put together why I had left so suddenly. Colin and Kyle both look like Currys, no doubt about it. They look like their father and Grandpa Curry and like you, Jedidiah.
"Johnny took Colin. He wasn't even thirteen years old, and he took him. Johnny left a note saying it was his turn to raise the boy and don't try and find them.
"I was unconscious for three days and spent another three in such pain I was wishing I would die. Doctor Chern and his wife are good people and they set us up in the servants' quarters in the back of their house, never asked me for a penny. Nicest place we had had in a long time. Kyle watched the younger boys, kept them close and worried about Colin.
"Took months of healing to get well and the doctor had a good library. Started reading those periodicals he got for his waiting room. I read them out loud to the boys and we laughed at the Eastern version of what the West looked like. And for fun, I started to write a few stories about the West as I knew it from my perspective. It entertained my boys and Doc Chern and his wife.
"Little did I know the doctor sent a few of my stories to one of those fancy Eastern magazines. A friend of his from college was the editor. They bought those stories, and I was amazed when Doc handed me a check made out to K. C. Keane.
"'Whose K.C. Keane?' I asked the doctor, not understanding.
"'That's you, Mrs. Heyes. That's you.' Doc was so proud of himself. "Only men write articles for these magazines, so I invented a pen name for you. Your son said those are your initials and Keane was a family name."
"Everybody's got an alias." Curry shook his head.
Kerry looked at him sharply, not meaning to. "Keane was my mother's mother's name. A fine Irish name."
Heyes suppressed a smile. "You're K.C. Keane? I've read your articles and stories. And your book too. I read everything I can find that you write."
Smiling, Kerry accepted the compliment. "Glad you enjoy them."
Lom walked over to his rather sparse bookshelf. "Have two of your books right here. Good stuff. Written like it happens here in the West. Sometimes too much romance though." He handed the books to Heyes.
Kerry was pleased he had the books, "I'll sign them for you if you'd like."
"When I healed enough to leave the doctor's house, I had enough saved to rent a small house just outside of town while I recovered. The magazines kept buying my stories, one of them even gave me a regular space in each issue, so I had an income. And I started to write books.
"Anyway, I needed someplace for us to live then because I couldn't go back to work in the saloon. Johnny had tried to leave me dead. Instead, he left me pregnant. Where I settled, Kyle, Matt and Mark could walk to school. They are good boys and did chores to help around the house. Kyle stepped up and took care of the others. I have come to rely on him so much. The doctor found me a lawyer he trusted, Mr. Kolstad in Center City to handle what he called my 'literary transactions.' I never needed to leave our house and my small garden. My confinement was easy this time and the doctor and his wife were with me when Elizabeth was born."
She looked at Jedidiah sadly. "Just about this time I started to read some articles about a young gunman in Texas called "Kid" Curry. I'm so sorry we never found you boys. Your lives could have been so different."
Curry felt the need to be defensive. "We did fine. We're the best at what we do."
Heyes corrected him, "We were the best; we went straight over three years ago."
Kerry smiled at them. "Yes, I know about your amnesty agreement with the Governor of Wyoming. How it started out as for one year."
Curry's wariness came back, how could she know about that. Any trust that had been building was shattered.
Heyes answered for them. "Governors keep changing, term keeps resetting. Meanwhile we have gotten used to this honest thing." Not sure why, but he needed this lady to see them as they were now, honest not as the criminals they had been. "How did you know about all this?"
"Well, let me finish my story," Kerry answered. "I started to write books. Books that described the Western scenery with all the rawness and beauty I saw. Characters, good and shady, that were based on the real people, real men and women, I had met in Nevada, California and Arizona, not the way Eastern writers talk about cowboys and Indians."
Heyes glanced down at the book in his hands. "This says this book is a winner of a Presidents Favorite Award?"
Kerry smiled softly. "Yes, even the President and the First Lady enjoy my writing. But that's jumping ahead."
"As soon as I had saved enough money, we moved back to California, further north this time. I bought a beautiful, protected ranch on a cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Where the ranch house is located, I have mountains on two sides of the cliff. The area is terraced with our foreman Juan Flores' family house on the lowest level, along with our orchard. The second level has our cattle and grapevines, the main level our house and that is where we have our barns, stables, and horse pastures. It is very secure. You can see someone coming for a mile. We needed that security after Colin was kidnapped in order to sleep.
"My writing brings in a nice income and the ranch does well.
"Well, anyway, as you see, I won a President's Favorite Award for my second book. That was an unforeseen complication. President Cleveland looks forward to giving the awards in person and having discussions with the authors. And his wife wanted to meet me, too. Of course, I couldn't do that. K.C. Keane was assumed to be a man. It would be scandalous for him to turn out to be a woman meeting the President.
"There was another reason I could not go. I try so hard to lead a good life but often I just end up trying to survive. Trouble and grief seem to follow me.
"Just before we moved to California, I killed a man."