CHAPTER III
TUMBLEWEED, NEW AUSTIN, JUNE 2ND 1900
Vic sat comfortably, his legs and boots propped upon his boss, Sheriff Freeman's desk. The U.S Lawman had been aware of this coming meeting since he returned from Armadillo with Tanner's lifeless corpse on the back of April. As far as Vic was concerned, the job was done. But this wasn't the first time he'd came back to Tumbleweed with the fugitive's body rather than a live capture, and Freeman's patience was starting to get tested.
Tumbleweed was a small community far out west in New Austin in the region of Gaptooth Ridge. It was a thriving little town, with everything a settlement needed. Saloon, General Store, Gunsmith, a Butcher and a stable. It's most iconic landmark was probably the mansion up on the hill that seemed to watch of the town. Tumbleweed even had a large graveyard nearby which some said was haunted. A couple of older settlers had told stories of whispers and voices coming from among tombstones at night. These tails were often ignored, especially by the Sheriff and his men. They had bigger things than ghosts to worry about.
Vic had lived there most of his life and was very protective of his home and the people that lived there. That was the philosophy he took when it came to hunting down criminals and was usually how he justified taking the killing route. The Lawman didn't have any living family, but had many close friends in town and would do anything to protect them.
After waiting in the Sheriff's humid office for almost ten minutes, Vic decided to light up a smoke. He took the pack of cigarettes and matches out of his waistcoat pocket and was about to strike the match when Freeman finally stormed into his own office.
"Not in here, Noble!" Freeman said sternly, his voice raised.
Sheriff Freeman was a black, middle aged man who'd been doing his job for longer than anyone else in town. Thanks to that, he'd earned everyone's respect. Vic always admired him to a certain extent, because in those parts of the world, a black Sheriff was a big rarity and took some balls to be.
"And get your fucking boots off of my desk, now!" The sheriff ordered, pointing at Vic's dusty shoes.
Freeman's voice was a majestic one. Although he would talk, he always sounded like he was slightly singing. Just the way the man formed words, Vic would know his voice anywhere.
Vic did exactly as he was told. He was in hot water right now and didn't wanna scald himself any more than he already had.
"Now I'd like a full report on what happened in Armadillo with Tanner." Told the Sheriff, slamming his palm slightly on his desk.
"I've already said, sir. I found him in the saloon, gave him the chance to come quietly, but they drew their guns first." Vic replied, only slightly bending the truth.
"Their guns first?" Asked Freeman.
"Oh yeah, he was with a friend. Didn't catch his name."
"I'm guessing he didn't survive the encounter neither?"
"Nah he didn't. In fact I had to take him down first. I'll give the fella his due, he was damn loyal to Tanner. Might've been queers the two of 'em." Vic replied with a slight laugh.
Freeman just stared back at Vic, not shifting a muscle and not blinking once.
"I'm not in the mood for jokes right now, Noble. This is the..." Freeman stopped and then quickly skimmed through the pile of papers on his desk, "...Ninth criminal that we've wanted brought back alive that you've just shot down instead."
"We're hunting thieves, bandits and general assholes, Sheriff. They do have the tendency to resist arrest."
"What even Old Jim Lavette? Elderly guy wanted for petty theft?" Freeman then asked, wincing.
Vic's mouth bent and he slightly shrugged his shoulders. Freeman had got him with that one. Lavette never made it far out of town with Ellie's pocket watch, but Vic shot the old man down anyways because he would never see his young friend be crossed.
"Alright then I guess I'm just ridding this land of pesky vermin, sir. Ain't that our job, to a fucking degree?" Vic returned a question, glaring at his superior.
"Absolutely, but we're supposed to uphold the law! We're keeper's of peace, Vic. We're not fucking murderers." Freeman replied loudly, that good old majestic voice that Vic loved.
"Eye for an eye, sir. I don't think I've got anything to explain or apologise for." Bluntly stated the lawman, shaking his head.
"I'd suggest altering that tune, Vic. You've given me no damn choice but to rethink your job here. I'm starting to think you might like the feeling of the trigger a little too much." Freeman said, his voice low and almost regretful.
That hit Vic hard. In his mind, what he did was justified. Criminals going around and terrorising innocents deserve to be six feet under, not locked in a cage and being brought food and water. Most of them were gonna fucking swing anyways, so he was a little shocked to hear what Freeman was saying.
"So... You're fucking firing me, sir?" Vic questioned, his face stunned.
"No. But I'm gonna ask you to hand over your gun and badge while I make a decision here. Consider it an indefinite suspension." Freeman replied sternly, his hand out.
Vic sat still, the sun burning his back as it's beams came in through the door. He was sweating already, but now a colder sweat was being added to the layer. The Lawman thought for a moment, maybe even hesitated. Then the respect Vic knew he had for his superior kicked in. Freeman was a good man and Vic wasn't gonna disrespect him in any way, so he complied with orders. Smoothly and quickly, Vic placed both LeMat revolvers on the desk and then unpinned the star-shaped badge from his waistcoat and dropped it into Freeman's hand.
"Thank you, Vic. This shouldn't take more than a day or two. I'm sorry to do this, but I think you've gone a little too far, pal." Freeman explained, his eyes closed most of the time.
Vic sat quietly, wiping the moist and sweat from his black goatee and moustache. The maverick lawman was about to respond to the Sheriff when suddenly another man quickly rushed into the office.
"Sheriff!" The man shouted out.
Both Vic and Freeman turned and looked at Barnes, a younger and less experienced Lawman. Vic could see he was sweating, covered in sand and dirt from the knees down and standing slumped, panting heavily, out of breath.
"Calm yourself, Barnes! What is it?" Freeman disciplined his subordinate before standing up from his desk.
"Apologies, sir. Bad news, we've got two-"
"I'll stop you there, Barnes." Sheriff Freeman interrupted the young lawman.
Freeman then turned to Vic, "Would you mind, Vic?"
"You want me to leave? I wanna know what's going on, Sheriff." Vic said, sternly even against his boss.
"I know you do, son. But you're on indefinite leave now. This is business of the law. I'm sorry, but you have to leave the office now. I'll be out to see you in a few days, hopefully." Freeman told Vic, with a hint of regret once again.
Vic might've respected Freeman, but even he thought that was ridiculous. He knew pleading further would be futile, so instead Vic just shook his head, stood up, gave two nods to each man and then left the premises of the Sheriff's Office.
About an hour after Vic's reprimand and suspension, he found himself sitting outside on the wooden steps of the saloon in town. It was still early in the morning, so he'd been the bar's only customer. The suspended lawman sat alone, smoke in one hand and bottle of beer in the other, watching the townsfolk go about their daily routines. After being stripped of his badge and guns, Vic wanted to just drink and ponder what might happen. He sat thinking to himself, what would happen if he did get fired? Where would he go? What would he do? But at the same time, he thought about how he might change up his tactics if he was given his badge and guns back. That was the outcome he'd hoped for, but for now he had to wait a few days. A few days that he knew were gonna feel too damn long.
Vic drank the last of the beer in the bottle and found no answers at the bottom, so he decided to go buy another, but found himself stopped again when he felt something fly past his left ear. It was going so fast that it felt like the air itself smashed against his head. Vic didn't even flinch, but when he turned he saw an arrow planted right into the wooden wall of the saloon. It had missed his head by maybe a foot. Knowing right away who fired it, he yanked the arrow out of the hole.
"Sorry, I missed ya!" Shouted the approaching girl.
"I'd hope so." Vic replied, sarcastically.
It was Ellie Kennedy, Vic's sort of surrogate niece. She was a fiery young woman, 16-years old. Tougher and wilder than most wolves out in the plains. Vic had known her since she was a toddler, back when he was good friends with her late father. Ellie had grown up in Tumbleweed, but never seen much else of the world. Probably a reason she had such big ambitions of exploring and treasure hunting.
"Well you looked like a misery sitting right there. Thought I'd try and put you out of it." Ellie smirked and laughed.
Vic chuckled, "Show off your bow skills, you mean?"
"Maybe. They're coming on good though, right?"
"Yeah they sure are." Vic smiled, handing her back the arrow before turning back to the saloon.
Vic strolled back into the cooler shade of the empty saloon and pointed at the beer bottles, telling the barman what he wanted without even speaking a word. The maverick lawman heard the shutters open again behind him. Ellie was following, like she often did.
"One for me?" Ellie asked.
The youngster strolled up to the bar. She was petite for her age, long brown hair, freckly face. Pale skin that was slightly red from the sun. Wearing her usual tomboyish jeans and shirt, she'd put the bow over her back, thankfully.
"Nope." Vic smiled sarcastically again, taking a drink.
"Ah come on, after that shot? Don't I deserve a little something?"
"Well yeah, I guess so... Barman!" Vic turned to the man behind the counter, "Miss Kennedy would like a water, please."
"Fuck you, Vic. I'm sixteen!" Ellie frowned. For a tough 16-year old, there was still some childish tendencies there.
"And that ain't the drinking age, Ellie. Anyways don't start with me now. Really not in the mood." Vic told her, like the uncle he pretty much was.
"Ooh sorry! What sticks up your ass? And who put it there?" Ellie asked, waving her arms around, trying to annoy, and succeeding.
Vic would tell Ellie anything. She might've been more than half his age, but they always seemed to confide in one another. Ellie was the closest friend in town that Vic had and the closest thing he had to family. Once her Dad had died when she was only 8-years old, he'd swore an oath to himself to look out for her.
"Sheriff Freeman put it there. I've been suspended from my job." Vic admitted.
Ellie scowled, she didn't expect that, "What the fuck for?"
"I killed another man. You remember that piece of shit that tried to kidnap little Darcie?"
Ellie nodded. The sick bastard had even looked her up and down at the time.
"Yeah well, he's not with us anymore. Thank god, right? But since I've killed every cocksucker I've hunted down, Freeman thinks I've become a little... Crazy?" Vic told Ellie slowly, with an even stronger wave of sarcasm.
Ellie then watched as the barman put down a jug of water for her. She winced and shook her head. The idiot had actually thought Vic was serious. Now she felt almost bad for firing an arrow near her would-be uncle and then trying irritate him.
"Not the way I see it, for what it's worth." Ellie said, trying to make him feel better.
"It's not the way I fucking see it. But now I gotta wait a few days to find out whether I'm back on the job or off it forever."
"You're the best fucker there and the Sheriff knows that. He's gotta do what he knows is right." Ellie said, naively.
Vic just smiled, Ellie could always make him do that.
"We can hope huh?" Vic asked, raising his bottle of beer to her.
Ellie reluctantly picked up the jug of water, "We can hope."
The pair then connected jug and bottle, toasting Vic's hopeful reinstatement. Just as they did, the saloon doors creaked open yet again. Both the lawman and the young woman turned and saw the young lawman. It was young Barnes again.
"Vic." The young man of the law bluntly stated.
"Nothing I can do, Barnes. Suspended, remember?" Vic replied, turning back to the bar and taking a drink.
"No it's not that. Sheriff Freeman wants to see you." Barnes then revealed.
Vic's face then twisted up, "Already?"
"It's serious. No word is supposed to leave his office, so you should go see him. He needs you." Barnes said quietly across the empty tables and chairs.
Vic sighed, thinking it was all getting pretty fucking stupid. He finished his beer and turned from the bar. Ellie was quiet and just watched. Vic gave her a smirk and roughed her hair up with his hand before heading back out into the sun with his colleague.
Not even ten minutes after leaving the saloon, Vic found himself planted back in the same seat he had already been in most of that morning. However this time, Freeman wasn't sitting across from him. Instead he was standing at his office window, looking out at the town. Glass of whiskey in one hand.
"That was fast, sir. I was only into my second bottle." Vic muttered. Sarcasm rife again.
"It's not about that, Vic. It's something else. The news Barnes brought back earlier." Freeman revealed, turning to his suspended maverick enforcer.
"So you're finally gonna tell me what it was about? Suspended or not?" Asked Noble.
"You remember I sent Robson and Quinn on a little recruitment drive? Out east to New Hanover, couple of weeks back?"
"Yup. I remember." Vic replied.
Robson and Quinn were the only other Lawman of Tumbleweed. The two of them, Vic, Barnes and Freeman were the only law that town had. Which is why Freeman had sent them on such a far away job just to see if anyone wanted the work. They were good friends of Vic's, he'd wished they were here now to maybe give him some defence.
"They're dead." Freeman dropped the penny as he sat down.
Vic's eyes widened and his mouth gaped. His little wish was put down rather quickly. His friends and fellow lawmen were gone.
"Fucking dead? Well... Do we know how?" Vic asked in a slight panic.
"They were gunned down in Strawberry by two known outlaws. A few Marshall's from New Hanover managed to get the message to Barnes." The Sheriff told his best man.
"Is it the two outlaws we hear a lot about? The old motherfucker and some kid?" Vic asked.
"Yeah. It's 'Roland Payne' and his little pal, we didn't get his name. Rumour has it he doesn't have one." Replied Freeman, taking a sip of the golden drink.
"What the fuck happened?"
"They were still on the job trying to recruit some people. They got to Strawberry and apparently these two men ploughed through town, killed quite a few people." Freeman said, his voice low. "Robson and Quinn tried to help, reports say. Both got shot in the back and the head."
Vic couldn't reply, he didn't have the words. The two outlaws in New Hanover were news even this far west in New Austin. They'd robbed and killed so many times that news of them had spread like the plague. Vic was not a happy man. He was already a little angry from being suspended, but now it had turned into something a little more powerful.
"So they're gone, huh? And what of the two scumbags?" Vic asked, his teeth on show like an angry wolf.
"Still on the run. Haven't been seen in West Elizabeth since. Reports claim they headed further east into The Heartlands." Freeman said quietly, looking out the door into the sun scorched street.
"So I guess the only thing I have left to wonder, Sheriff... Is why you called me back here?" Vic asked, his tone shifting lower.
"'Cause you might be going out there and enforcing the law in a less than ideal way... But I'll admit, you're the best we have. Especially now. I had to perform my due diligence as a Sheriff, you understand. But now I'm left with just you and Barnes. And he ain't nearly experienced enough." Freeman said, not making eye contact.
"That doesn't answer my question, sir." Vic said, very sternly.
Freeman stared at Vic for a moment, "You want this suspension lifted, Vic? You want a clean slate, right?"
Vic listened closely and then slowly nodded in agreement.
"You go out there, to New Hanover, and find these bastards. Do that for me and you're in the clear. The badge will be yours to keep." Freeman said quietly again, almost a whisper.
Vic continued to nod, but then he frowned, "Thing is, Sheriff... It's a long way from New Hanover to get back here... A long way to carry two hogtied criminals..."
Freeman made a slight smirk and then a little laugh, "I guess this time you can deal with them however you see fit, Mr. Noble. Just make sure we didn't lose Robson and Quinn in vein, huh?"
"My way?" Vic asked, almost ordering.
"Your way." Freeman agreed.
Vic felt a strange feeling of relief. A weight coming off his shoulders. Not only was he given a new job, but an opportunity to avenge his dead friends and bring two almost famous outlaws to justice. Justice in death, no less.
Vic then held his hand out across the desk. Freeman knew straight away what he was asking for. The older sheriff then reached into his drawer and brought out the two LeMat Revolvers and the shiny badge. He slid everything over the desk towards Vic who quite happily took them back.
"New Hanover, right?" Vic asked to make sure just as he pinned the badge back onto his vest.
"Right. Probably best to take the train from Benedict Point to Blackwater. From there you can catch another one into New Hanover." Freeman suggested, knowing the land like the back of his hand.
"Okay, I'll do that. I'll keep in touch as much as I can by mail, but I could be gone a little while." Vic told his boss, holstering both LeMat's on either side of the his belt.
"Take as much time as you need. Just bring those fuckers down." Freeman ordered, pouring another drink.
Vic nodded, "Sheriff."
"Noble." Freeman nodded back.
"Good day." Vic smiled, walking out of the office once again.
Vic didn't need to prep much for the journey. He spent the following half hour filling his satchel with canned food, water and cigarettes. The maverick lawman made sure he had plenty ammo for both his LeMat's and then started to lead April out of town. People were watching as he went by with his horse, wondering where he was going this time. Vic didn't really want to tell anyone, but then he found himself forced to.
"Vic! Hey Vic!" Ellie shouted a few yards behind.
Oh shit, he thought to himself.
Ellie jogged up to Vic and April, "Where ya going?"
"It's official business for the Sheriff, Ellie. Can't say much more." Vic said, continuing to lead the horse.
Ellie kept following, "Oh come the fuck on, an hour ago you were suspended! What the fuck's going on?"
Vic sighed again and stopped the horse, turning to his close young friend.
"I'm going to hunt down some bad folk, alright? Far away from here in New Hanover. It's a different state." Vic admitted to her, feeling he had to.
"Well, can't I go with you? For once? You're gonna need some company." Ellie both asked and stated at once.
Vic began leading the horse again, "No you can't. It's too dangerous, probably gonna get messy. You're not getting involved."
"Like fuck I'm not! You know me, I'm quick and quiet! You could use my help, right?!" Ellie asked, her voice breaking.
"People here could use your help, Ellie!" Vic yelled, climbing into the saddle, "Barnes is the only lawman left here now and he's gonna need a hand!"
"We're in the middle of fucking nowhere, what am I supposed to do here?!" Ellie asked, her arms wide.
"Go hunt for one of your treasures! Bring some money into town, we could use it!" Vic told her looking back, trying to make her feel better as she always did for him.
Ellie didn't reply, instead she put on a slight pet lip and her eyes went a little watery. Vic turned away at that point. Her crying was something he didn't need to see at that time.
"I'll be back, Ellie! Trust me! I always come back!" Vic reassured his would-be niece before giving April a nudge with his foot.
The horse took off fast on the dirt road out of town, leaving a cloud of sand and dust in the air in front of Ellie. Vic didn't want to leave her like that, but he had a job to do now. Hunt down two pieces of scum. And he was gonna see it through.