Amnesty, But First Penance
The long-awaited telegram from Sheriff Lom Trevors brought some relief, some joy and much trepidation.
TJ and JS Meeting in Porterville my office on Thursday at 10:30AM STOP Required attendance STOP Deal YES Conditions YES STOP Sheriff Lom Trevors
Hannibal Heyes read the telegram and grimaced. Handing the telegram to his cousin and partner, he complained, "Conditions! Always conditions."
Jedidiah "Kid" Curry read the telegram, sighed and followed Heyes across the street unconsciously falling into step behind him. He was tired and weary. Chasing amnesty in secret with the condition of still being wanted meant they were always alert, never relaxed. They remained ready at any moment to flee from a sheriff, a bounty hunter or a stranger with a look of recognition in his eyes, real or imagined.
"Heyes, to be in Porterville by Thursday, we need to leave tonight, early tomorrow at the latest. "Kid said. "I was just getting to like this little town."
Strutting into the saloon with Curry following, Heyes walked to the bar, nodded to the bartender and held up two fingers. The partners took their drinks and in unison drank them down in one shot.
Heyes, saw frustration dripping from his cousin. They had been disappointed so many times trying to get this amnesty. They had done jobs and favors for each governor and their friends. Each time the amnesty was held out as a carrot. Each time, they were successful in their jobs but disappointed as the amnesty never came through.
Heyes hated to see Kid Curry disappointed. It was a protective feeling left over from their childhood. He would prefer to see Curry with a black eye rather than disappointed. A black eye would heal but it seemed each disappointment was etched into Curry's soul and stole something from him. Heyes remembered one time when they were young and hungry and the Kid's blue eyes teared up when an apple they had stolen was bad and Kid tossing it away saying, "Wasn't hungry anyway." Heyes saw that look, minus the tears, on Curry's face now. Heyes refused to meet his eyes, instead leading him over to a back table in the saloon.
"Governors, bankers and the railroads are getting what they want, we ain't robbing no more." said Curry. "Why can't they just give us what we want. What does it mean, conditions yes?"
Heyes was as frustrated with their life of fleeing, hiding and being poor as his partner but knew if he showed this Curry would sink more into his depression.
"It does say "deal yes" so that's a good thing. Won't know til we get there how good. How about we leave right after breakfast tomorrow?" Heyes tried to sound optimistic but knew Curry saw through him but knew breakfast might make him feel better.
"After breakfast?" asked Curry, seemingly a bit happier.
"Yes, after an early breakfast."
Rain had slowed their journey, but a wet and complaining Curry and Heyes rode into Porterville just before 10:00 on Thursday morning. Heyes went into the Sheriff's office through the front door, but as was his custom, Curry entered through the back door. It had been locked but it was a simple kind of lock that Heyes had taught him to pick when they were boys.
"Howdy, Lom." Heyes said. "Gentlemen." he caught himself and added as he nodded to the two unsmiling men in suits in the office. They were serious and looked uncomfortable in their suits, which made Heyes even more alert for a trap.
"Heyes," Lom nodded his greeting, "Where's Curry? I know that backdoor was locked."
"Ought to get a better lock, Lom, I opened that one." answered Curry from behind him.
Ignoring Curry's comment, Lom started with formal introductions. "Kid, Heyes, I want you to meet Mr. Maderas and Mr. Harris, US Marshals from the Governor's office."
"Gentlemen, Hannibal Heyes and Kid Curry."
Wary nods of acknowledgement were given all around as the men tried to outstare each other. The partners were on high alert as their real names had been used. "These men have brought your amnesty papers."
A seed of hope sprouted in Curry's blue eyes, but his partner's brown eyes showed only suspicion.
"What about the "conditions" you mentioned in the telegram?" Heyes questioned, He emphasized the word not taking his gaze off the two men.
"Yeah, about those." Lom started.
"Something we're not going like Lom?" Curry asked lowly, almost growling.
For the first time, Mr. Maderas spoke, his voice stong, unyielding and commanding sounding like a fire and brimstone preacher, "You must first do penance. Apologize sincerely. Make peace."
"Penance?" returned Heyes, his eyes turning dark, challenging the man. "After the hell we have been living through turning our lives straight knowing anyone out there anytime could legally kill us and bring us in for money?" His bitterness was so strong that it filled the room. Mr. Maderas held his eyes and stood up as if to respond to the words physically, then broke eye contact.
"You explain it to them, Trevors. We are going to get something to eat. Be back in about an hour. Our deadline for the papers is noon." The two men rose, threw some papers on the desk, turned and left without a look back. The bitter tension remained as Curry and Heyes turned to their friend and go between with the Governor.
"They Marshalls?" Heyes asked watching them leave.
"One marshal, one preacher." Lom answered. "His idea that they call this penance."
"What is this penance, Lom?" growled Curry, his arms crossed, his stance belligerent. I ain't going do time in prison."
"No, no prison time Kid." Lom started. "Maybe it's best if you read what they plan as the announcement for the newspapers. It seems like a publicity stunt from the Governor for the next election. This way he can grant your amnesty with public opinion on his side."
Heyes picked up one of the papers Mr. Harris had thrown on Lom's desk and started reading out loud.
"The Governor is announcing that he is granting Hannibal Heyes and Jedidiah "Kid" Curry full amnesty effective today at noon. The railroads and banks have removed all rewards for their capture. Heyes and Curry have been working with the Leaders of Our Great State of Wyoming on this for the last three years and have successfully convinced the Governor that they have gone straight and have become and will stay honest and law-abiding citizens. The Governors of Colorado, Arizona Texas, New Mexico, Nebraska and Kansas have also granted them full amnesty in their states and territories."
"Soundsgood so far," interrupted Curry.
"Let's hear about this penance condition before we start celebrating, "added Heyes and continued,
"There is one last condition to their amnesty that they will work on as free men and the Governor is inviting input and participation from residents of Wyoming, Colorado, Arizona, Texas, New Mexico, Nebraska and Kansas. Mr. Heyes and Mr. Curry will be available to do penance to set right some of the wrongs they have done. This can be on a personal level or a business level. If you have been wronged and would like to participate please send your proposal by the end of this month care of:
Marshall Lom Trevors
Porterville, Wy0mimg
A committee of Lawmen, Government Representatives, Church Groups and private citizens will review each proposal and decide which these ex-outlaws will complete. Their first penance assignment has been decided. They will be working with the Porterville Bank and its branches reviewing their bank security and the strength of their safe."
The following rules apply to every proposal. No exceptions will be made:
You must explain clearly when and where your life crossed with Hannibal Heyes and/or Jedidiah "Kid" Curry.
No physical harm is allowed to come to them at any time.
No monetary recompense will be available.
You must provide a clear description of how you propose that they serve their penance.
Jedidiah Curry will not serve as your "hired gun" nor will he teach anyone to fast draw.
Estimate duration of penance. This can range from one day to fourteen days.
Accounts and summaries after completion of each assignment may be posted in local newspapers only with prior approval of the requester and the Supervisory Committee. A Federal Marshall will accompany Heyes and Curry at the start of each penance and review that it has been completed at the end of the estimated duration. Any questions can be directed by letter or telegram to the address above.
Let's congratulate Mr. Heyes and Mr. Curry on their reformation from a life of crime and their amnesty."
Heyes and Curry remained quiet digesting the content of the article.
"Marshal Lom Trevors?" Heyes asked.
"Yeah, they figured since I had been the go between, I should be the one that accompanies you, at least to start. That came with the Marshall title. Other reasons too. Not sure how I feel about it" Lom answered.
"Either we agree to this or the amnesty is gone? asked Curry.
"That's it, boys."
"You really believe this is a good deal? That private citizens are going to write in a proposal? We never robbed passengers or bank customers." Heyes was thinking deeply and loudly. "Although we did finally realize that they were hurt in the fallout."
"Governor seems to think so," answered Lom feeling the partners starting to come around to the idea. "Of course, he expects the Railroads, banks and safe companies to demand most of the penance time, probably so they can say Kid Curry says our rail line is safe or Hannibal Heyes approved our safe as unopenable. Committee was formed to give regular people a chance too."
"Would be nice not to be wanted anymore with no bounty hunters to look for over our shoulder" said Curry with a hopeful smile just touching his face. Heyes knew how bone-weary Curry was feeling, the constant vigilance was what Curry took on himself. The partners exchanged a silent look. Heyes knew Curry would follow his lead.
Heyes stood up and looked Lom in the eyes, "Would we have any input into what we accept to do as our penance?"
Lom kept his eyes locked on Heyes watching for a reaction," Not officially but I am a part of the screening committee, as is Reverend Spencer and the rules were set up in part to protect you."
"Yeah, I ain't a hired gun."
Heyes just said, "Reverend Spencer huh? Okay I can live with that. But I have one thing that must be added to our part of the agreement." Heyes said forcefully. "This is a deal breaker for us."
Lom took a deep breath thinking of the long hours of negotiation that had gone into every word of the amnesty agreements and newspaper announcement. "What's that, Heyes?"
"An end date. A defined definite end date."
Lom let out his breath and smiled. "There is in the amnesty agreement itself. This is for a period of two years starting the day you start with the Porterville bank. For these two years you will be very low paid employees of the state of Wyoming. Mainly just enough for traveling money. It also lays out travel time between assignments and some time off for you two."
Heyes had picked up the amnesty agreement and was reading it silently.
"No way the Governors can revoke our amnesty?" he demanded.
"Only if you break the law again and then it would be by a 2/3 vote of the Supervisory Committee."
"Hmmm" from Heyes.
"Any way to get more than $10 per week each? That's not much." He asked.
"No, that is non-negotiable. Took a lot of convincing to get that, started at $5. They seem to believe that the people you are working for should provide room and board to you most of the time."
"Hmmm" then silence from Heyes. "Can we take other work in between assignments or on our time off? Big Mac always has something for us to do." He spoke softly, almost sounding distracted, thinking while he spoke. "And there is nothing to stop us from playing poker is there?"
Lom answered quickly, "I'm pretty sure those things are okay as long as they don't interfere with the schedule established but I will check before you sign. Anything else?'
"Can I discuss this with my partner alone before we decide?" asked Heyes.
Lom waved them out the now open back door. "Be quick about it."
Heyes stood shoulder to shoulder with his cousin both standing with arms crossed in front of them, staring at the mountains surrounding Porterville. "What do you think?"
"Better than what we got now." simplified Curry, "But two years is a long time and Heyes..."
"Yeah, Kid?"
"I know it will be awfully hard for you to apologize." Curry said starting to get a twinkle in his eye.
"If it means our amnesty, Kid, you will hear the sincerest apologies you have ever heard coming from me." Heyes grinned at his cousin. "But you're right that's going to be hard for me."
Decision made the cousins went back in to see Mr. Maderas and Mr. Harris had returned.
Papers were signed, hands were shaken all around but neither Maderas nor Harris changed expression. "The announcement will run in Saturday's papers in Wyoming and a few days later in the other states. Now, all we need is for the two of you to step over to the photography shop and have your picture taken for the papers." said Mr. Harris with no expression in his voice.
"Lom, what's this about a picture?" Kid snarled.
"Part of the process, Boys." he answered. "You have your amnesty and aren't wanted anymore for anything and people are curious. Governor and the Committee thought it would be a nice goodwill gesture on your part."
Curry looked at Heyes who did not seem as troubled with the idea of their picture being taken as Curry did. "Okay, Lom, we will go along with that, but we want some kind of a written agreement that our picture will be used only for the newspaper announcement. We don't want it sold for anybody to make money off of it unless we say so." Heyes mused. "Unless we say so in writing." he added.
"But Heyes" Curry started.
"It's okay, Kid. I think this part will work out just fine."
Picture taken, again handshakes were exchanged all around.
"Thank you, gentlemen, and may God be with you on this journey." Maderas said with a finality in his voice. They turned and left leaving the two ex-outlaws and the newly minted Marshal to stare as the office door was slammed.
"Not our biggest fans, Lom? I take it Mr. Maderas is the reverend?" Heyes started.
"Actually, Heyes, Preacher Maderas was one of the biggest proponents of the plan. He believes firmly in second chances, albeit with penance and apologies. He was on a train you robbed once and said that the humanity and care that Kid Curry exhibited toward the passengers, especially the woman and children, was exceptional. He is convinced that you both must be pretty good bad men."
"Hmmm" again from Heyes starring at the closed door.
"Lom, when does this start with the Porterville Bank? asked Curry. "The sooner we get started the sooner the two years are up."
"We can start a week from Monday, Kid. We will be meeting with Miss Potter and her father at the bank. He's out of town until then. Remember, this meeting should start with a sincere apology from you two for deceiving her as to your names and who you were." Lom answered.
"Yeah, Heyes, a sincere apology." teased Curry.
"Until then you two have a week off to celebrate your amnesty. Try not to get into too much trouble. And be careful, not every bounty hunter and sheriff will have seen that announcement... or believed it" Said Lom seriously then added with a smile. "Come on over to the saloon and the first drink of this celebration is on me."
"You wanted to see us, Lom?" Heyes said as they entered the Sheriff's office only three days later. "We are enjoying our first taste of freedom in a long while."
Lom smiling at the clean, rested, smiling ex-outlaws in front of him. The change was more than a bath and bed to sleep in each night: it was a palpable feeling of a weight starting to lift off them.
"The Committee has found a penance that you could start tomorrow. It would only be three days including our travel time. As Kid said, the sooner you start the sooner you finish. If not, we will schedule it later this month."
"What will we be doing?"
"Can't tell you that yet, Kid. Sorry."
"I get it, "Curry grumbled. "Don't like it but I get it. Harder on Heyes though, not having control over this thing." he grinned at his cousin, who was shifting his feet to relieve nervous energy.
Partners eyes meet, blue eyes met brown, and a silent decision was made.
"Okay, when do we start?" Heyes spoke for them.
"Tomorrow morning at eight. should take us less than a day there, a day or less there and a day back. Your horses up to it?"
"Yeah, we have two very special horses right now. Kid's got a big black that is an exceptional horse. Real beauty."
"Okay pack accordingly. Two nights sleeping on the road. No suits needed but look clean and neat." Lom continued.
"And we know," Kid started, "Start with an apology." teasing his proud partner.
"Well, maybe not in this case." Lom surprised them. "I'll tell you more out the road tomorrow."
The cousins packed the few things they would need in their saddle bags and were waiting for Lom at the livery.
Sitting tall in the saddle with his Marshal's badge prominent, Lom rode up exactly on time. He handed each man a long envelope.
"Copies of your signed amnesty agreements." He explained." You each have your own and a copy of your partners, just in case. I don't have to warn you not everyone will have seen that announcement."
They took them and tucked them away, one is his pocket the other in his saddlebag. "And" added Heyes with a resigned tone, "Like you said before not everyone is going to believe what they read."
Riding in silence, the partners kept glancing at each other enjoying the first ride together since they had their freedom. Still vigilant, Curry rode behind the others and scanned the landscape in front of them, to the sides and behind. This time though he took a few seconds to enjoy the beauty of Wyoming. He was also the first to comment on the direction.
"Looks like we are heading towards Devil's Hole, Lom." Curry said when they stopped for a quick lunch and to water the horses. "About time you told us where we are going?"
Curry looked at his partner who had been uncharacteristically quiet so far. Not knowing or having control over what was happening was driving him crazy.
"We are going to meet a lady named Mary Harrington, a Mrs. Jamison Harrington. She just wants some questions answered."
"I don't recognize her name. She at one of our robberies?" Curry asked after waiting for Heyes to ask the question first.
"Not that I know of." was all Lom would say. "we better get going so we can find a place to stop before dark."
The silent Heyes starting to get on Curry's nerves, he started singing, loud and repetitively knowing that was a sure way to get Heyes out of himself.
Finally, it worked. "Enough, enough." Heyes held up a hand to stop the same verse he had now heard twenty times.
"Lom, do we know Mrs. Harrington?" Asked Heyes. The others knew he had been combing through his excellent memory for the name now that he knew he was not just someone who witnessed a robbery.
"Heyes, I don't want you to tell you too much because I want this to be a sincere honest visit and not one that you have prepared that silver tongue and wit of yours beforehand." stated Lom firmly.
"Ahh, a test for me, to see if I can be sincere.?" Asked Heyes, thinking he had figured something out finally.
"Yeah, Heyes. and not just sound sincere but truly be honest and sincere. Not just a sincere con job without your heart in it."
Lom went on. "Kid is here to let me know if it is real sincerity, he's about the only one I know that can tell the difference."
"Only you and I, Heyes, have met Mrs. Harrington. It was a long time ago."
Heyes fell quiet again now that he had pieces of the puzzle, he could set his mind to work on it, he could relax a bit. "Must be when Lom ran with the gang and before Kid joined." he thought but narrowing the time period did not help him solve anything.
He was still musing the next morning when Lom called a stop near a stream. "Let's get cleaned up, Boys, we are getting close."
"Only thing we are close to is Devil's Hole, sure we ain't going there?" Curry asked again.
"I'm sure." Lom answered and in truth he was nervous too. He needed Heyes to be honest and truthful here and wondered if the conman in him would allow that. Trevors wondered if he should remind him again but stopped that thought. Heyes had been warned, if he could not do this then it was doubtful he would be able to get through the next two years successfully.
As they rounded a long curving bend in the road, Lom lead them off to a neatly kept farmhouse on the right.
"I know this house," Heyes said aloud breaking the silence. A cloud of sadness passed his eyes, that his cousin caught but not Trevors.
"Harry's house." Heyes said softly, "This is where we brought his body. Harry's name was Jamison Harrington? I only knew him as Harry."
Curry waited quietly knowing that once Heyes started talking, he would keep going.
"First member of the Devil's Hole Gang, I ever saw die."
Lom stopped in front of the freshly painted yellow house, noting the cheery porch swing cushions and flowers in bloom in pots on the rails.
"Nice place she has here. Let's go Boys."
The woman who answered the door was older than Heyes remembered. "I have been expecting you." she said and Heyes was surprised at the strong confidence in her voice and manner.
"Ma'am, I am Marshal Lom Trevors and this is Hannibal Heyes and Jed Curry." He said pointing to each of them as they removed their hats and nodded their greetings.
"Come in. Sit down. I am not one for a lot of chit chat. Mr. Heyes, I want to know exactly how my husband, Harry, was killed."
Heyes took a step back at her directness but brushed his hair off his face and as he put on a smile, took a seat in one of the awaiting chairs in the living room. The chairs were well built and sturdy, well maintained like the rest of the room and centered around a nice warm fireplace.
Mary Harrington sat down directly across from Heyes, looked into his eyes with a scrutiny that made him uncomfortable and repeated. "Exactly how he was killed. I want all the detail, Mr. Heyes."
Heyes fought being uncomfortable, he liked being in control. He remembered this being a test and vowed to himself to be honest and as sincere as he could be. He started to talk about those two days he still saw clear in his memory.
"Wait before you start." demanded Mrs. Harrington interrupted. "I do not want the sugar-coated version, or a version meant to make me think the best of the Devil's Hole Gang or Harry. I want the plain, clear truth with no bias. Do you understand?" Again, she looked into Heyes and he felt his heart jump as he remembered exactly how her husband had been killed.
Taking a deep breathe, Heyes started remembering and weaving the story from his memory's eye wondering if she really wanted the whole truth. He watched her carefully as he spoke. Lom was also studying them both intently, but Curry was leaning forward, never having heard this incident in Heyes' life.
Heyes voice dropped into his "story" voice and cadence as he began,
"I was new with the Santana Gang then, only been with them less than two months and that was the first job that Jim had let me plan and I planned to rob a at night. That was a new concept for the gang. They were critical, especially Wheat, that it could be done. But I was young and cocky and full of the confidence that Big Jim had trusted me with the planning for a job. I knew it could be done at night.
Harry drifted in and out of Devil's Hole. I never really knew he had a wife and son until after. He would usually drift in drunk, sober up, stay around for a job and disappear."
Heyes stopped to take a drink of water and study Mary Harrington. Her expression remained unreadable and unchanged.
"He did speak of his Mary Jo now and then but I did not think much of it. Most of the guys had a sweetheart, real or imagined somewhere. He was close with Wheat and Kyle and some of the others that had been around awhile, I never really talked to him much. He was part of the gang that thought I was too young and too green to warrant the attention Big Jim was giving me. When I planned a robbery, I planned every detail and contingency I could possibly dream of happening. Every man had his place and his job, and I was positive if they did that job all would go successfully. Since this was my first job, not everyone appreciated that I was telling them where to be when and exactly what to do. They had successfully robbed banks just by instinct previously and thought they could keep on doing that."
"For this job, the gang rode into town in three groups during the day, each not paying attention to the others. They were allowed to go to one of the saloons, different saloons for each group, with a strong warning not to get drunk, a one drink limit applied to every gang member. Harry did not listen. Big Jim and I were the last to arrive, just at sunset. We sat on the chairs outside of the mercantile and smoked our cigars. When he stood up, an hour after dark, that was the signal for everyone to get to their assigned places and wait. Harry did that. He went to his place at the front of the alley and waited. Lom, here was further down in the alley watching the alley and the back door of the bank. Harry had had too many drinks and the noise of the saloon enticed him back in, thinking he could run out quickly when he was needed.
It did not work that way. Wheat and I went into the bank through the alley door I had picked, and I had taken only 20 minutes to open the safe. That was 17 minutes less than the plan."
Heyes stopped and looked at his audience, Lom was right there with him remembering the painful events of that night. Curry was on the edge of his seat, having been the one backing Heyes up in the bank for so many years, he was interested that Wheat had been the backup prior to him and he was waiting how the well-planned robbery went wrong. Mary Harrington face was interested and intense but displayed no emotion. She glanced at the fireplace mantel and Heyes noticed a picture of Harry pushed to the back. Not the Harry he knew but the Harry Mary knew. Dressed in a dark suit, bowler hat in his right hand, he stood straight, chin raised, unsmiling. He could have been a banker or a mayor, certainly he was a respected member of a community not a drunken bank robber. Did Mary know the other side of him? Heyes hesitated to decide how much of that night to tell.
As if sensing his thoughts, Mary spoke up, "The whole story, Mr. Heyes. I am well aware of what my husband did when he was not with us although my son did not. Please continue."
Heyes drifted into his story telling cadence again. "Like I said, Harry left his place and drifted back into the saloon next door, confident he had time for a drink and still pop out and watch the street from the alley for the gang's retreat. When I finished, 17 minutes early, Wheat and I left the bank, Lom gave the signal to retreat but saw Harry was not there to pass it down the street to the rest of the gang. Lom motioned to Wheat and me to head towards Kyle and the horses, then Lom ran to the front of the alley and not seeing Harry gave the signal to Big Jim and, guessing right, he looked into the saloon to see Harry, drinking and singing."
"Harry, what are you doing? Come on!" Lom yelled frantically.
"Harry looked at him, startled but knew by the look on his face that it was time to leave. He ran out and followed Lom down the alley. Everyone had left but Kyle was waiting mounted, nervously holding the reigns of the horses for Lom and Harry. Drunk, Harry stumbled running down the alley, falling against the building just as two deputies turned the corner. Lom went back to help him and was grazed on his left shoulder. Still, he got Harry steadied and to the horses. "
Heyes was speaking faster as the action moved quickly. This account he had learned from Lom later at Devil's Hole.
"Hearing gunfire, I noticed that the three men were missing, and throwing the take to Wheat, I rode back to help. Kyle flew by me, waving at the two horses following closely. Lom was listing to one side on his horse but pushing it as fast as it would go. Then, I saw Harry following behind, having trouble sitting his horse, he was leaning forward, holding on to the mane. So, I turned my horse around and grabbed his reins as he rode by, watching Lom fade into the distance. I raced out of there with the two horses and took a second route I had scouted out for emergencies. The posse was formed in the next five minutes and followed the main group of our gang.
I slowed our horses and we stopped for the rest of the night at a planned safe line hut we had already supplied. I carried Harry in and laid him on the cot set up there. It was then I noticed he had been shot in the side and the bullet had gone through his arm into his chest, just below his heart. His breathing was labored, and I tried my best to stop the life's blood that was flowing. But there was too much. I could lie and say he had some loving last words for you, but he didn't. He died an hour after we got there without waking. I saw a lot of death in my life, and I hate wasted death. I buried my feelings refusing them to dredge up memories of death.
I will tell you at the time I was angry Harry had got himself killed. Furious. It was a blow to my belief in my perfect well thought out plans. I had not included the men's personalities in my plans."
Heyes looked down now, unable to meet anyone's eyes. They had asked for sincerity and honesty and he was going to give it to them.
"I am sorry now and I have changed but then my ego ruled. I was sorry he was dead but how dare Harry ruin my perfect plan. The next day I put him over his horse and went back to Devil's Hole. Everyone else had made it back. Big Jim was waiting on the porch of the Leader's Cabin for me.
Standing and leaning on the railing he said "Hannibal, I heard what happened. Kyle said you were his hero for going back to get Harry. That move probably saved Lom's life. The bank robbery was very successful, this death was not your fault. Harry choices killed him and got Lom shot too."
His words did not help, and I could tell he knew it. It made me feel like my plan had killed him. Ever since then I have taken the wounding or death of any member of the gang very personally and tried to include the men's personalities in my plans. Big Jim called me into his cabin.
"It was a good plan, Hannibal, do not take this death on yourself. But I do have a favor to ask of you. Return his body back to his widow and son with his share of the take. They live only a day's ride from here. Lom should be able to go with you if you wait two days. Do this for me and you will find you are doing it for yourself also."
So, two days later, Lom and I brought Harry's body to you here, in this house. I met you and your son. You didn't cry, you acted like you had expected this to happen. I could feel your grief even though you tried to be calm, but it was your son's eyes that haunted me. Still do if I were to tell you the truth.
"Well, that is the whole story. That's what you wanted, right?" Heyes knew his voice sounded defiant but he could not help it. Harry's death still made him feel guilty. Heyes stopped looking at the picture on the mantel and turned to Mary. "Does your son live nearby? Did you want me to explain to him also?"
Mary looked startled by the question, and answered slowly and softly, "My son learned that day who his father really was, and he was ashamed of him. It shattered a lot of dreams and his faith in people. Jamie was named after his father, but he changed his name to Harrison Jamison, went to school in New England as soon as he was old enough, became a successful lawyer and married into New York Society and hasn't seen or written to his mother in over five years. I don't even know if I am a grandmother.
Heyes eyes softened but his guilt deepened.
Mary stood, "There's one thing you left out though. You said you told me everything."
Heyes looked at her sharply, feeling he had told her so much more than he had planned at the start.
She walked to the mantel and picked up a package wrapped in brown paper., covered in dust. "Why did you leave this?'
Startled that it was still on the mantle where he left it all those years ago, Heyes looked at her. "You never opened it?"
"I opened it and now I want to know what was for."
"It was Harry's cut of the take from the robbery." he answered simply, still looking at the bundle of bills sticking out the end of the package.
"Awful big cut from that robbery." she answered. "Especially if it had been divided seven or eight ways. I am asking you again what this is?"
Heyes was surprised to hear Lom speak up for the first time. His experience that day started him thinking he might find a more law-abiding way to live. "It was Harry's cut and Jim's cut and Kyle's cut and Heyes' cut. Some of the other guys threw in some money too. To help you and the boy out, you know." Lom answered. "You never used it?"
"Never needed it, wouldn't have taken it if you offered it that day. One of Harry's problems was that he married a rich man's daughter. I never needed him to be the provider and that ate at him. And I probably reminded him of that too many times when he came home drunk apologizing for not making enough to take care of me the way my father provided. That's my guilt, Mr. Heyes, I drove him to drink and to outlawing to make quick money and prove he was the man in this house. In his mind he could not compete with my Dad's money. In my mind, he never needed to, he had my heart, but I never told him that in the right words."
The room was quiet, all thinking about what could have been.
Curry was the first to speak, "Why don't you use this money and move East near your son, Ma'am?'
"If he hasn't written in over five years, I doubt he would want me moving near him. And I don't need that money to do it. I have money and I write articles for some Eastern magazines about living in the West." She looked around and added, "Under the name Harry Harrington though, no one wants to read stories written by a woman."
"An alias." said Curry, "everyone's got an alias."
"It's your money." Heyes answered.
"I Do Not Want it," Mary Harrington took the package and flung it across the room. The old paper wrapping broker spilling bills on the table and floor. "Big money is what Harry wanted, why he kept leaving me, leaving his son to be an outlaw. I never cared about it, it's why he is dead."
"Thank you, gentlemen. You have done everything I asked in my proposal. I thank you Mr. Heyes for your explanation of Harry's death, not holding back the details. Do you remember what you told me when you brought his body here? You told us he died a hero. No one would ever describe Harry as a hero. I prefer the truth you gave me today." after her outburst she seemed remarkably calm. "Please leave and take THAT money with you."
Curry quietly had started to gather up all the bills.
"What about your son? We could send it to him in New York." asked Lom.
"He has enough money from his wife's family to last a lifetime," she answered thoughtfully. "But they don't depend on that. He is one of the top lawyers in New York city. He makes a good living."
Each of the men drew the parallel between father and son, marrying into rich families. Seemed to them like the son had overcome what the father could not and supported his family on his own.
"Ma'am, what should we do with the money?" Curry's gentle way had Mary looking at his innocent blue eyes and thinking, really thinking. "Maybe somewhere on this penance path you will find some woman that need the money. Give it to them or anyone else that needs it. Just don't tell them where it came from. I want no connection to it."
"Yes, Ma'am, I think that would be a fine use for it." Curry smiled at the Widow Harrington as they prepared to leave. "Hope our visit was everything you hoped it would be."
Three hours later Lom, Curry and Heyes made camp for the night not far from the main road cooking two rabbits Curry had shot for dinner.
"Not exactly what I was expecting when I read her proposal." said Lom.
"You knew who she was?" asked Heyes "I never even knew Harry was only his nickname. I really only remember him smiling and drinking. Lom, this "penance" ain't over yet. You got a way of finding her son, Harrison Jamison in New York City?"
"Yeah, I have some people I can telegraph. They might know him, especially if he's a lawyer. What do you have in mind, Heyes?"
"Gonna write me a letter."