THE BEGUILEMENT OF KID CURRY - Chapter Eight

Martha hadn't missed the paper that fell from Kid's pocket as he withdrew the shotgun shells. She almost called his attention to it, but instead quickly placed her shoe over it. She waited until he mounted, spoke briefly to Joshua before riding away. She bent and picked up the paper prepared to read it when she saw Joshua motion her towards the porch. She smiled and pushed it into her apron with the shells and the money, It would have to wait.

At the end of the day, after Martha had readied for bed, she withdrew the paper and smoothed it out on the vanity. She immediately recognized her sister's handwriting. She struggled to understand why Thaddeus would have this in his possession. Her breath began to quicken; she could hear her heart pounding in her ears as she continued reading. A low moan turned into a long scream. Her fingers clawed at the letter until it was torn to pieces strewn on the floor. She frantically pushed away from the vanity, standing on unsteady legs. Martha heard footsteps coming quickly down the hallway before her vision faded and she collapsed unconscious onto the floor just as Amie burst through the door.

"Miss Martha! Miss Martha!" Amie cried out.

Behind her several of the older girls stopped in the doorway, too afraid to enter the room. Amie angrily turned to them, "Don't just stand there! Help me get her to her bed! Marie, get clean rags and fresh warm water!"

Marie's eyes were wide with fear.

"Now!" Amie screamed.

Marie blinked and hurried away.

Grace pulled back the covers, before helping Amie and Charlotte lay Miss Martha on her bed.

"Is she dead? She looks dead." Grace asked. Her face was ashen.

Amie ignored her as she quickly examined Miss Martha for any external injuries. She pushed Martha's hair back from her brow and found a small gash on the side of her forehead. She looked quickly up as Marie entered, holding the bowl of water in both hands and several clean rags draped over her wrists. She set the water on the nightstand by the bed. Amie dipped a rag in the water and dabbed at the gash on Miss Martha's head. Once she had the head wound cleaned, she soaked the other rag in the water, rung it out and carefully folded it across Miss Martha's forehead. Miss Martha still lay unconscious.

"Is she going to be okay?" Marie asked in a hushed whisper.

Amie nodded as she pulled the covers over Miss Martha's prone body.

"She must have fallen and hit her head."

"You sure?" Marie questioned. "She doesn't look…"

Amie quickly turned, her eyes flicking towards the door as the other girls started to gather. Their eyes were wide and frightened. She locked eyes with Marie and firmly said, "She is going to be fine."

Marie nodded and quickly ushered the other girls away from the doorway and back to their rooms.

"Go back to bed. I'll sit with her."

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Amie looked around the room. Tiny bits of paper littered the floor. When she was confident Miss Martha was okay and resting comfortably, she would retrieve a broom and clean up the debris.

Amie studied Miss Martha' s face. She had aged...the war...the loss of her husband...the burden of the school that had become both financially and emotionally draining...and the ghosts that haunted her.

Amie had come to the school at the age of five and this had been her only home for fifteen years. No matter how hard she had tried, memories of her real family had long faded and could not be retrieved. Although not related through blood, she considered Miss Martha her mother. Maybe not always the best, but the only one she had.

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When Kid arrived at his destination, he was dirty, tired and hungry. His first instinct was to find somewhere to eat and get something cold to quench the dryness that burned his throat and help wash down the dirt, but instead he looked for the office that was written on the package.

Mister Perriman's office had not been hard to find. The man was as Kid had imagined, a prissy little man with a washed out complexion, balding and a handshake that caused Kid to immediately wipe his hand on his pants.

"Thought Big Mac said there would be two of you-." The man said as he eagerly reached for the package and took a seat behind the large ornate desk.

"We ran into some trouble...why I need to complete this deal and get back to my partner as soon as possible."

The man motioned Kid to sit down, as he dug a jeweler's glass from his vest pocket.

He could barely contain his excitement as he tore the brown wrapping away and opened the box; taking out a half a dozen velvet bags. He carefully withdrew the contents from the bags and laid them on the desk.

Kid's eyes widened when he saw the gems. Big Mac hadn't told them what they were carrying and neither had asked, hoping the least they knew the simpler the job would be. They should have known better...Big Mac and simple were two words that never went together. But Kid was confident, this would be their last job for Big Mac. He was sure he would get no argument from Heyes.

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Kid shifted in his chair as he watched the man examine the contents of the package. Kid's foot tapped impatiently on the floor.

"I expected you weeks ago…" The man said as he adjusted his jeweler's glass.

"And I explained what the delay was." Kid said coolly. If he was waiting for him to apologize, he would be in for a long wait. Kid was getting more and more irritated. It seemed like the man was intentionally taking his time. Kid didn't like being away from Heyes and there was a nagging feeling that continued to grow that he needed to get back as soon as possible.

"If everything is in order...I'd appreciate our money and I'll be on my way."

"I'm afraid that won't be possible. At least not today. Bank is closed."

Kid clenched his teeth as his jaw tightened. "Well then…" He quickly stood up and reached across the table to grab the box of precious gems. "We'll…" He nodded his head towards the box, "See you first thing in the morning."

"I can't let you do that Mr. Jones. Judging by your expression...you had no idea what you were carrying and it's value. Obviously Big Mac didn't tell you or he lied. What we're paying you and your partner is a fraction of it's worth. If I let you walk out of this office, who's to say I'll ever see these gems again or you?

The man thought he was being discreet as he slowly worked the drawer to his desk open. Kid quietly slipped the glove off his right hand and tucked it into his gun belt. He pretended that he hadn't noticed and allowed the man to pull his weapon. By the time he had it leveled at Kid, Kid's pistol was already in his hand. The man swallowed hard and laid his gun carefully on the desk.

"Mr. Perriman, I don't know you and you don't know me, so I can appreciate your concern regarding my honesty but I'd never cross Uncle Mac."

"Uncle?"

"Didn't Mac tell you I'm kin?"

"No he failed to mention that."

"Well I'm mentioning it...and you're just gonna have to trust me. Now where can I get some food and a bed?"

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After making sure his horse was taken care of at the livery and getting dinner, Kid found a suitable hotel and checked in. He knew it would be wasted money. He could tell there would be no sleep for him tonight. Even though he was bone-tired, now that he knew the contents of the package and his increasing anxiety about leaving an injured Heyes, rest felt elusive.

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Kid had surprised himself. He had fallen asleep stretched out on the bed with one hand on the package and the other on his gun laying on his body. He pulled out his watch. He had a good two hours before the bank opened which allowed him to get cleaned up and some breakfast.

As he headed down the stairs, he passed a man asleep in a chair in the lobby. It appeared as if the man had slept there all night. Since the hotel management hadn't chased him away or forced him to get a room, Kid was pretty sure he knew who he worked for and whose investment he was hired to keep track of. He shifted the package into his other hand, and started to reach a hand out to shake the man awake, but instead delivered a hard kick to the man's boot. The man woke, complaining and cussing as he scrambled to get out of the chair. He stopped when he saw Kid. He stared sheepishly at Kid.

"So as not to get you into trouble with your employer. I'm heading for a bite to eat and then to Mr. Perriman's office. You can thank me later for my generosity."

The man stared at Kid's back as he walked away.

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Mister Perriman withdrew the gems individually, as he reevaluated the stones.

"Ya did all this yesterday." Kid said not trying to hide his irritation.

"I have to check my investment. It would be a shame, if I were short a stone or the quality was…" The man cleared his throat "...lacking"

Kid pulled his gun out in frustration and laid it on the desk, the barrel pointed at Perriman.

"Maybe I could help you speed the process along...As I recall, I did tell you Mac and I are kin."

"Another reason…" He stopped when Kid laid his hand on the gun.

"You're absolutely right Mr. Jones." He said quickly, "No need to keep you here longer than needed." He reached for the drawer but stopped when Kid's hand tightened on his gun. Perriman slowly proceeded and withdrew the money. He pushed it cautiously across the desk to Kid. Kid placed his gun back in his holster, then picked up the money.

"While I'm checking on your adding….I'd like a written receipt...signed and dated."

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