The Kid startled awake as the stage slowed. He looked out through the barred window blinking in the bright sun. They were approaching a heavy metal gate and as the coach went through, it slammed shut behind them. The horses were slowed to a stop on a dusty courtyard. Kid gazed round him, they were surrounded by high looming walls and faced a stone built, stark looking building. The Kid assumed it was his new 'home' such as it was. He and his three companions were hustled out to line up alongside six others already waiting.
The Kid's eyes were drawn by a heavily cleared throat. He risked a glance up and towards the sound. He saw a heavy-set, well-muscled man with eyes and hair almost black, his skin was leathery and tanned as if he'd spent a lot of time outdoors. His suit was expensive and cut to both fit and highlight his imposing frame. Before looking away, the Kid caught the expression of contempt on his face as his eyes swept down the assembled men.
"My word is law here. My name don't matter, because ya'll call me sir. My rules are simple. It ain't right we get next to nothin' for feeding and clothing you, so you work, and you work hard. No talkin' amongst yourselves, unless it's related to what work ya doing and there ain't no other way. But you get asked a direct question by anyone in authority, you answer it politely with a Sir on the end. Clear?" When he was met with silence he repeated himself. "Clear?" The man's voice held the strong hint of a southern accent and was dripping with disgust. It was a disquieting reminder of the dean at the orphanage which sent a slight trickle of apprehension through the Kid as he would forever remember just how harsh he had been when he perceived any of his young charges had stepped out of line.
When the man didn't move and his gaze swept down the line, the Kid along with the other prisoners, realised they were expected to make some reply and answered almost in unison."Clear, Sir!"
"Good, now you're getting it!" With a final glance full of contempt the man stalked away without looking back. The man's attitude couldn't mean anything good for those he was in control of and the Kid sighed. So far so bad!
The guards indicated the new intake should start walking towards the building in front of them and they were led in a long line, one hand on the shoulder of the man in front through into the prison gloom. They were soon in a large damp smelling room, where they were all pushed against the far wall as the guards eyed them in some amusement. "You prisoners all stink."
The Kid flushed at the comment, but knew it was true, the long trip had left him sweaty, sticky and uncomfortable and as he glanced round, the expressions on the other men's faces showed that they felt the same.
"Now all of you. Get out of those filthy uniforms. We're gonna wash that smell right off ya." The faces of at least half the guards present, held some malicious amusement and the Kid knew exactly what was coming, though he guessed it'd be hoses rather than buckets this time. He stripped and stood shivering as the sweat dried on his skin leaving it clammy. He watched with some apprehension as the first prisoner was hosed down and thrown a towel to dry with, before they were given a clean uniform and ordered to dress. He was the second last in line and was determined that when it was his turn, he'd not to react as fiercely or impulsively as he had the first time.
Heyes so often teased him about his lack of imagination, and he had most times been unable to disagree. He was the realist of their partnership and the times he did imagine, his thoughts usually involved possible problems they'd face, rather than the leaps of fancy that Heyes enjoyed.
But with his eyes tightly shut and his feet braced, when the cold water slammed into his chest leaving him breathless with it's impact, he found it surprisingly simple to imagine he was standing under a waterfall out on the trail. Even when the guards threw a wash cloth at his face, no doubt in an attempt to get some reaction from him, the illusion wasn't broken as he refused to open his eyes, desperate to keep hold of his fantasy of being miles away from this hell, for as long as he could manage.
The familiar voice and face of his partner were so clear that it was as if he was standing right in front of him. The Kid under the force of the streaming water easily brought the vision of eyes gleaming in amusement and a tone heavy with barely suppressed laughter to his mind. "You know, Kid, you look like you're doing more than just getting clean." He could even think of what would likely have been his reply "Bet it ain't as bad as that look you get when you're crackin' a safe." "Good thing there ain't no women around, Kid, they might get to wondering about us." "Think they already wonder 'bout you Heyes...ain't natural that look you get, when it ain't directed at a woman." "You'd be less sure about yourself Kid, if you could see your expression just now, not to mention that smile you have on your face when you're soaking in some bath."
Before he could imagine a reply to that, a hard slap on his shoulder and a heavy shove forced him back to reality. But even as he quickly dried himself with the rough unpleasant looking towel thrown his way and redressed in the clean but still uncomfortable uniform, the smallest of smiles still lingered. He heard one of the guards mutter "Loco." at him, but the warmth in his mind didn't fade completely, not even when he was led towards his cell block.
It was only when the heavy metal of the door slammed shut and left him in almost total darkness, that his thoughts turned completely towards his current situation. His careful by touch exploration told him his new home was little different to one he'd just left. The main differences being the single bunk and the fact there was even less light.
XXX
Heyes paced his hotel room restlessly, trying to decide who would be the best option to follow. Of course if he chose wrong, he'd have another chance, but he hoped he wouldn't need it . Not knowing the men, he didn't know who'd be the most likely to keep records he could use. After an hour of pointless figuring, without the information he really needed, he came to the conclusion the only sensible way to make a decision, was to flip a coin. Heads, Manley, tails Masters.
Heyes would have liked to have asked around town, to find out more about both Masters and Manley, to possibly even recon their homes. But the men were important and high profile, so it was more than likely that showing any interest in them, would draw him some unwanted attention from the law and that he wanted to avoid at all costs.
Jacks came over to him as he sat counting their takings, two nights before he had decided to implement his plan. Heyes looked up and smiled. "Well it's another good night, Mr Jacks."
His boss looking unimpressed glared at him, his eyes suspicious. "Bill told me you were showing some interest in two of my richest customers. I hope you ain't planning on causing a ruckus Rembacker. You ain't so good I can't afford to let you go."
Heyes grinned at him, innocence personified and said. "I promise I ain't planning on causing no trouble." Least probably not for you, he added silently, still keeping his expression mild, hoping his eyes weren't giving too much away. Jacks eyed him still not quite convinced for a few more minutes, before shrugging and returning to his office.
XXX
Manley must have won big when he eventually came down the stairs with his two bodyguards because he was whistling some upbeat tune and had a lift in his step. He even bought the remaining customers a drink each before exiting the saloon with the other men on his heels. Heyes waited until he figured the three men would be further enough ahead for him to follow at a safe distance before slipping out onto the street.
The night was cloudy and it was easy enough for Heyes to dip into shadow whenever he thought one of the men looked back.
Manley's house was about a mile out of town, large and well appointed, surrounded by a tall fence. It seemed rather impressive even for a man in his position and only hardened Heyes' suspicion that he was involved in something fishy. Manley and his men entered the grounds and disappeared into the house and the gate was locked behind them.
Heyes waited grateful that despite the cloud, it was a dry and relatively warm night. It was about forty minutes later, when the lights in the house dimmed. Heyes waited another ten minutes before clambering over the fence, unwilling to take the time to pick the complicated looking lock. He had some difficulty making the leap over, struggling without a boost up, which was yet another reminder, as if he needed one, of just how well he and Kid worked together. He landed sprawled and a little breathless on the other side, far more heavily then he was entirely comfortable with. But after a steadying breath and a quick mental check for injuries and finding none, he brushed himself down, got carefully to feet and continued towards the house.
The safe in Manley's study was an old one and Heyes cracked it in under two minutes. There was still the familiar thrill as the door opened to his twist, but it was muted and quickly faded. He lit a match to peer at the contents of the safe. Jewels, money and some documentation, but damn it all, there was nothing useful. Busted. Heyes couldn't believe the man was honest, but he was obviously smart enough not to keep anything incriminating for folk to find. Great, thought Heyes in some disgust, someone with brains. Hopefully Masters would prove to be less careful. He did have a back up plan if it was needed, but it would mean more delay and that was something he wasn't sure Kid could afford.