As the Kid rode in the pleasant, rain freshened air, he caught himself looking over to his side several times, surprised by the silence, about to say something.
It was difficult to keep his mind away from his friend,and grief started to creep back through his calm determination not to feel anything, until he'd done what he needed to do. The weather was just the kind that Heyes loved, just warm enough, without being unpleasantly hot.
The Kid sighed heavily, and inadvertently pulled hard on his mount's reins, causing him to snort and pull up slightly. The Kid quickly loosened his hold and gently stroked the placid animal's mane as he said softly. "Sorry 'bout that." The horse snickered at him and went back to his steady pace.
XXX
Heyes arrived in Brindle late afternoon, feeling wearier than his normal, but not as bad as he'd feared after the pain of the previous day.
He hesitated a few moments then tied up his mount outside the saloon and entered the building, thinking it was as good a place as any to ask after the Kid. The barman looked up from cleaning a glass and gave him a friendly nod. "What'll it be stranger?"
"A beer please and some information."
The barman smiled "Beer is fifty cents, information is free with a drink."
Heyes smiled and removed his hat, handing over 50 cents. When the barman handed him a glass, he took a long drink, before asking."Just wondering if you seen a stranger around. 'Bout my height, fair, curly hair, probably glowering and growling like a bear with a sore paw."
The barman laughed and nodded. "We had someone in like that last night, got caught here by the rain. My brother over at the hotel says he rode out early hours of this morning, heading towards Gilbert." He stopped and after looking intently at Heyes,nodded and added. "My Uncle mentioned he was asking 'bout a friend of his."
Heyes finished his drink and asked. "You get the name of the man he was inquiring about?"
"Sure did. He calls himself Bo Rickman, but most of us here, is sure that's not his real name." He paused, then added seriously. "I hope you catch up with him, before he tracks Rickman down, because from what Uncle Will said, I'd lay good odds that they ain't friends. And despite his manner, I'm pretty certain your pal ain't a real bad sort. I wouldn't like to think of him finding trouble."
Heyes snorted briefly, if anyone was better at finding trouble than his parter, he'd yet to meet them, but he only smiled and said evenly. "I sure hope so too, it'll be better for us all if I do." He wasn't sure if Lowell would agree, but then whatever happened, the ass-hat was going to regret his poor decision making skills, only the price he paid would differ.
The barman laughed slightly and added. "Good luck son, because Laura wouldn't like him hurt, she was a bit impressed, and that takes a lot."
Heyes put his empty glass down, wondering briefly who Laura was, before deciding it wasn't real important, so he simply patted the bar, before picking up his hat and walking out towards the door. That made the plan he'd formed during the first part of his trip here, even more of a good one. If Lowell was using an alias, he was likely just as wanted as him and the Kid were.
XXX
As the sun set Kid's horse stopped and despite gentle then slightly frustrated firmer persuasion, simply refused to go any further.
The Kid briefly considered leaving the stubborn animal, to head into Gilbert on foot, but abandoned the idea quickly, not fancying the blisters or the chance of getting lost in the dark. He figured they were about two hours away by horse, but it'd take far longer on foot. He dismounted reluctantly and glared up at his horse. "What's got into you? You ain't usually this annoyin'."
The horse looked down at him, as if to say, well you ain't usually this dumb, and Kid shook his head saying softly to himself. "Next, you'll be expecting him to talk back to ya!"
XXX
Heyes despite the worry tugging at him, some weariness and a lingering headache, still found himself almost enjoying the ride. The weather was just perfect and the ground easy to travel on.
He made good time and not too long after the moon rose, he caught sight of a small camp. He squinted in the gathering gloom and realised with a jolt of relief that he recognised the horse placidly eating some scrub grass.
Devilment tugged at him, as he thought of the merry dance that his partner had led them on and he stealthily dismounted, making his quiet way towards the figure sat by a briskly burning fire.
He carefully positioned himself so the moon was directly behind him before deliberately snapping a twig. The Kid looked up, his gun already in his hand. With the sky clearly lit by the bright fire and even brighter moon, Heyes could see quite easily, the colour drain from his partner's face, his gun dip down to the ground, as he muttered dazedly and rubbed a hand over his forehead as he stood shakily. "Heyes."
Taking advantage of this distraction, Heyes pounced and landed a punch on his partner's jaw, pushing him back to stumble and land onto his ass, looking blearily up at him as he said forcibly. "I ain't a ghost! Which you'd have known if you'd have stuck around, instead of forcing me to chase you halfway 'cross Arizona."
Kid opened his mouth but no words came out and Heyes suddenly felt some sympathy for his shocked partner. With a sigh, he flopped down next to him with a heavy release of breath, nudging him with his shoulder as he added. "You ain't dreaming, Kid, I'm here."
The Kid turned to look at him, his face still pale and Heyes endured a sharp poke from a jabbing finger as he obviously attempted to reassure himself that he definitely wasn't seeing a ghost.