Only took how many chapters for us to get some of Micah's perspective? Ugh, I hate writing him so much! But it felt necessary to dive into his head a bit, so apologies in advance!

Chapter 56: Rat

Micah couldn't stand the party. He didn't want to celebrate the return of a toddler when all he'd been working towards had gone sour because the Pinkertons' gamble with Morgan paid off.

It wasn't supposed to go that way. Not at all.

It started with Morgan's horse. He should have shot the damn thing and left her on the road, but he'd been worried about, well, exactly what happened. That someone would find Morgan's horse and leg too early, and timing was everything with this plan. Morgan would be gone for a while. Micah would start raising doubts about whether Morgan was coming back. And just as Dutch started believing Micah about Morgan abandoning the gang, Micah would arrive with the horse and Colm's note, dripping with concern, apologizing for misjudging the situation, and offering his full support in finding their missing gang members.

Of course Morgan's fucking boyfriend had to ruin it.

He knew about Colm's plan to turn the gang over to the law, another reason why timing was crucial. It had to be long enough for Colm to kill Morgan and the brat.

When they got to Lone Mule Stead and found it abandoned, Micah figured Colm had killed both of them. Only Colm didn't. He turned Morgan over to the law, leaving the kid for Dutch to find at the ranch. Not the exact result he wanted, but one he could work with, certainly. Micah would present himself as strong and trustworthy during the troubled times, ready and willing to help any way he could.

But Dutch disappointed him.

Dutch was soft.

Dutch just let the camp wallow in grief and sadness for weeks, searching endlessly for Morgan even when all the evidence pointed to him being gone for good. It went on so long that Micah decided to offer up information to the Pinkertons, figuring a good scare from the law and the implication of Morgan's betrayal would be enough to shock Dutch into action.

He should have kept his fucking mouth shut.

Dutch destroyed both his plan and his respect as soon as he dropped his guns and let those Pinkerton bastards arrest him. Now Micah was stuck in this swamp house with everyone fussing over the kid and Morgan sick upstairs. Now, they were having a fucking party instead of going after Dutch, though Micah had to admit he didn't see Dutch as worth it anymore. He was almost tempted to see what the Pinkertons would give him for the rest when he picked up his reward money.

But no reward would make up for the fortune sitting in Blackwater.

Only Dutch and Annabelle knew where it was. He may have been able to get the location out of Dutch, given enough time, but Annabelle had always been suspicious of him.

Still, there were other ways to get her to talk. He wasn't going to let things get out of his control this time.

Arthur had nightmares during the night. Of the questions and the beatings. Sometimes Ross and Milton merged with Colm and shoved him into that coffin.

Charles was at his side each time he jolted awake. Charles wrapped his arms around Arthur and held him close, whispering again and again in his ear that he was safe.

At least Arthur didn't wake up his son. His tired, mildly hungover son who didn't seem bothered by Arthur shifting around.

He woke up naturally in the morning, his head on Charles' shoulder.

"Just a minute, okay? He's real tired," said Charles.

"Alright."

"What?" Arthur groaned.

"It's just John," Charles said, as a few people entered the room.

"Now, you gotta be quiet, okay? He's very sleepy," John said. Arthur opened his eyes and saw Jack, perfectly safe in John's arms.

"Uncle Arthur!" Jack shouted.

"Hey! Quiet, remember?" Abigail said.

"Sorry."

"Hey, Jackie," Arthur said. "Good to see you."

"Hi," Jack said, a little more shy than usual. "Mama said you had to go away and you might not come back. But now you're here!"

"Oh, I'm sorry, Jack," Arthur said. "I guess I… didn't know if I could get back. But I made it."

"That's so great!" said Jack. "Have you ever had spaghetti?"

"Uh, no?"

"It tastes so good but it looks like worms!"

"Alright, I think we should go get some breakfast," Abigail said. "You can see Arthur later."

"Okay!"

Abigail took Jack out of the room, but John stayed. "I, uh, I'm glad you're alive, Arthur."

"Me, too."

"I'm sorry I haven't been around much, it's just… uh…"

John looked to Charles, and Charles said, "He knows."

"You had to help your son. I get it," Arthur said. "I'm glad you're here now."

"Me, too," John said. "I missed you, Arthur. I thought-"

"I know. But I'm here, thanks to Dutch."

It was tearing him apart. Arthur was so thankful to be back home with his son in his arms, but the cost was Dutch. The idea of Dutch standing up there on the gallows, surrounded by lawmen, waiting with a rope around his neck as a faceless official read him his execution order scared Arthur to his core.

"We'll get him back. I swear," John said, recognizing the look on Arthur's face. "We ain't losing Dutch ever. A bunch of folk are going into town today to see what they can dig up. I'd go, but…"

But John wanted to spend the day with Jack. Arthur understood.

"I think I'd like to go, too, if you're alright," Charles said to Arthur. "Annabelle and Susan should be around to stay with you."

"Sure," Arthur said. He appreciated the gesture.

"Just watch out for the kids in town. They won't think twice about robbing you," John warned.

Arthur yawned. "Speaking from experience, Marston?"

"Uh… go to sleep, Arthur."

Arthur smiled. John definitely got robbed.

Hosea was just telling everyone what to expect in the city when Isaac stumbled downstairs for breakfast, squinting at everything and trying to fix his awful bed head.

"Alright, be careful, watch out for Pinkertons, and don't cause problems! Meet back here this evening." Hosea watched as Charles, Sean, Lenny, Javier, and Sadie grabbed their horses and made their way out of camp. All four had good heads on their shoulders and knew how to be discrete. Well, maybe not Sean, but Hosea technically sent him into town for that eye appointment he'd been promising him. And Lenny was sticking with him.

He meant to go, too, but the soupy swamp air combined with the city smog had hurt his lungs. Besides, he needed to talk to Arthur.

If the poor boy was awake.

Pneumonia left Arthur with an awful fatigue. He just looked exhausted and unfocused whenever Hosea saw him awake, and it took effort for him to carry any conversation. But besides the illness, it would take a while for all the bruises to heal, not to mention the cracked ribs and broken bones in his hand. Hosea worried about damage to his shoulder muscles, too, from being tied up all the time.

And he should try to get Arthur to eat a little more, too. The broth seemed to sit okay, so maybe they could risk some oatmeal or whatever Pearson had on hand.

"Good morning, Mr. Matthews," Kieran said to him as he grabbed a bowl. "How's Arthur?"

"Awake at least," Hosea replied. "Everything alright?"

"The horses seem fine after the move. Boadicea is still pretty upset."

"If we were at the other camp, we could have led her over to see Arthur," Hosea said. "Unfortunately, I don't think we're getting her up the stairs without Miss Grimshaw noticing."

"I'll just keep sneaking her some extra peppermints," Kieran said with a smile. "Oh, I thought you should know, Mr. Bell has been saying things to folk. About Arthur."

Hosea frowned. "Has he."

Micah was over at the campfire with Bill, and Hosea listened in as Micah said, "You know, Dutch wouldn't have done it for anyone else. He would have called them a traitor. All these exceptions for Morgan."

Hosea cleared his throat. "Who is on watch?"

Micah spun around, surprised, but Bill answered, "Uh, Karen. I think."

"Just Karen?"

"I think?"

"We have a few open areas here. I suggest one of you watch that field," Hosea said pointedly at Micah.

"So, Dutch is gone and you're in charge, huh?" Micah said.

"If you are unhappy with the current arrangement, then no one is keeping you here."

Leave, Hosea thought. Just get out.

Soon they'd be ready to move. They just needed some information from town and for Arthur to be well enough for travel. And if Micah kicked up a fuss then, Hosea wouldn't mind the excuse to put a bullet in him.

"I ain't leaving until I get my share. In Blackwater."

"Then I suggest you do your share, Mr. Bell, so we don't kick you out before we get a chance to collect."

If they got a chance to collect.

Micah grumbled, but grabbed the rifle to stand watch.

"You need me to do anything?" Bill asked.

"Not right now," Hosea said. "Rest up and take over for Karen later. Do you need anything from me?"

Bill thought for a moment. "Did Morgan… how do you think they found us?"

Hosea sighed. Micah knew who to speak to first. Bill tended not to think for himself, choosing to follow Dutch's opinion on almost everything. With Dutch gone, Micah was hoping to take that position of influence. At this point, though, honesty might be the best way to get through to Bill, and maybe it was time to try. "I'm not sure," he said. "It could have been the Braithwaites who alerted them. And I know we made a lot of noise burning that manor. But I won't pretend like Arthur being with them isn't a damn big coincidence."

"He told them, didn't he?"

"I don't know, and I don't think Arthur really remembers much of what happened," Hosea said. "My guess is they tricked him into thinking they had Isaac."

"Why would Dutch give himself up like that?" Bill asked. "We could have fought them off."

"Yes, I'm sure. But not without casualties, and I don't just mean Arthur. There were ten we could see, possibly more waiting in the woods. Someone would have gotten shot or maybe killed. Dutch saved all of us when he gave himself up."

"You think we'll get him back?" Bill asked.

"We are going to try our damn hardest to do so. Now, we've never busted someone from federal prison before, but I suppose there's a first time for everything." Hosea patted Bill on the shoulder. He wanted to get the oatmeal to Arthur before it got cold. "Rest up, Bill. We need you."

Hosea tip-toed up the creaky stairs, trying to keep from waking Arthur even though his intention was to get some food into him. His heart leapt when he entered Arthur's bedroom, as did every time. Arthur was sprawled out on the bed, blankets pulled up to his chin and supported by half the pillows in camp, relaxed and peaceful in sleep despite the yellow and purple bruising on his face. He'd never get over seeing Arthur alive and safe after the horrid weeks of assuming he was gone.

Annabelle was sitting with him. "How are you, Hosea?" she asked in a whisper.

"Oh, I'm fine," he said. "How are you holding up?"

She sighed. "Same as before. But Arthur seems to be resting better, so that's something."

"Good. He needs it."

"I think we might be over the worst of it," Annabelle said. "He was talking to me earlier."

"Did you tell him about… you know," Hosea said.

"No. I figure we shouldn't worry him," she said with a smile, gently touching her stomach.

"You're right," Hosea said with a chuckle. "He would just worry. Now, how about you help me get this lazy pile of bones up and eating?"

Annabelle laughed, and got ready to adjust the pillows while Hosea slid and arm under Arthur's back and hoisted him up. Arthur groaned, but he didn't open his eyes.

"Come on, my boy, time for some breakfast."

"Mmmh, Hosea?"

"No complaining. Eat, and then you can go back to sleep." Hosea put a hand on Arthur's forehead. Still a little warm, but not as bad as before.

Arthur squinted at him while Hosea held up the bowl.

"Now, it's a just a bit of oatmeal, but we want to see if that sits well," he said. "You thirsty?"

Arthur nodded. Hosea grabbed the water off the table and helped him take a drink. He was pleased to see Arthur trying to help hold the cup. It was a small gesture, but more than he tried before. The same happened when Hosea placed the bowl on Arthur's lap.

"What happened to Bo?" Arthur asked suddenly.

"Bo? She's fine. Missing you, but Kieran is spoiling her."

Arthur looked away with a frown. "I thought… when you didn't show up… something happened to her."

"I'm sorry," said Hosea. "We think someone tried to trap her to keep us from finding out. But she's safe now! And she still had your leg with her, so we were able to track the O'Driscolls and find Isaac." He thought this would reassure Arthur, but instead Arthur paled. "Hey, you're okay!"

"There's a rat!"

"What?" Annabelle said.

"Colm said someone in the gang told them how to find me!"

Hosea shuddered. He knew there were many suspicious things that happened since Arthur disappeared, but it all leading back to someone in the gang? His first thought went to Micah. Micah, who kept trying to get Dutch to move on. Micah, who was offering up information about the O'Driscolls at one moment and denying all knowledge the next.

He didn't know what would motivate Micah to betray the gang, but there was no one else he suspected. And didn't Micah keep disappearing at convenient times?

"Hosea?" Arthur said, looking so lost and worried.

"It's going to be okay," said Hosea. "We'll figure out what happened."

"I don't know who did it. Colm didn't tell me."

"If Colm is telling the truth, we'll find out who did it," Hosea reassured him again.

"I'll go talk to Susan," Annabelle offered.

"Thank you," he said. He was sure that they both suspected the same person. "Now, you are going to eat breakfast."

But in the second he was turned around, Arthur heaved himself to the edge of the bed. Hosea had no idea where he got the strength to do it. "Hold on, what are you doing?"

Arthur managed to get his legs over the side of the mattress, then thankfully he paused. "Where's my leg?"

"Arthur-"

"I gotta get up," Arthur insisted. "I gotta help. Please."

Hosea pushed Arthur back into the pillows. It was too easy. "You don't need to get up. Anna and I can handle this."

"No, you gotta-"

"There are plenty of folk we trust in camp to help keep guard," Hosea said.

But Arthur was still upset, so Hosea added, "If it makes you feel better, we'll put your leg by your bed. In fact, it's right in that chest. But please, please! Don't get up unless it's an emergency! You still have a lot of healing to do."

Arthur blinked at him. Hosea held up another spoonful of oatmeal.

Annabelle returned after Hosea managed to get a few bites of oatmeal into Arthur. "Susan will keep an eye out," she said.

"Good," Hosea said.

"I'm going to kill him."

"I agree, but we need to be careful."

"Wait, who?" Arthur asked.

Hosea sighed. "Micah. He's the only one I suspect, though we need to interrogate him to be sure he didn't let anything else slip. I knew we should have never let him into the gang."

"Once we have Dutch back, we can remind him of that," Annabelle said.

"Micah, he… he got my son hurt?" Arthur said.

"He ain't getting away with it," Hosea said. "I promise."

He wanted to kill Morgan. He should have killed Morgan from the beginning instead of getting involved with the O'Driscoll gang's plan. But he did owe Colm after the gang busted him out of jail, and he never liked Morgan to begin with.

Now he was on guard duty. Shoved out of the way by Matthews. At least he didn't have to deal with those idiots back in camp.

Micah knew the weak stragglers in this so-called family were holding Dutch back from his true potential. If he had the chance to get rid of them, whittle the gang down and convince Dutch to abandon the rest, he'd have a perfect crew of five or six. Micah and Dutch, of course. Bill and Javier would be good, too. But not the rest. John spent half his time being a father, and Dutch looked on him too fondly. Sean was loud and a bad shot. Lenny and Charles were out of the question.

Still, all that was gone now. Only the Blackwater money remained, and it was the only reason he hadn't left yet. But how to get close to Annabelle? And how to convince her to give up the money?

Micah noticed how protective Matthews had become. Grimshaw as well. Whether it had to do with her illness or not, he didn't know. He needed a distraction, something to get her alone and put a gun to her head.

Or maybe Morgan's head. After all, Dutch gave himself up for that.

Micah shouldered the rifle they used for watch and whistled for Baylock. It was time to see those Pinkertons. See what they'd give him for the rest of the gang.

And if it went wrong, he could take all the time he needed as a free man to hunt for the money in Blackwater.