Success. Arrive Cheyenne by train on 25th. Soapy

A few weeks earlier

Heyes sat staring out at the passing countryside, lost in memory. He pulled his gaze away from the window and looked over to his right. The image in his mind of his partner fast asleep against him was so vivid that he not only saw him, but could also hear his breathing and feel the weight of his head on his shoulder. Heyes blinked and the vision faded, leaving him with a sense of loss that despite the months that had passed was still needle sharp.

When the train finally arrived in San Francisco, Heyes went straight to Soapy's house where he was greeted with less friendliness than on his previous visit and with a suspicious gaze. He was only reluctantly invited in and not allowed any further than the hallway.

"I can guess why you're here and as I've told you before, Heyes, I'm retired..."

Heyes had been half fearing this reaction, so had prepared for it on his lonely trip West. He took a deep breath and gave Soapy his best trust me expression as he said. "The plan I've come up with ain't even anything exactly illegal. You just have to pretend you're interested in investing in a business opportunity. It'll be real simple for someone as good as you. I'd do it myself, except they know me pretty well by now and they'd be suspicious." Heyes looked hopefully up at the old man who was staring at him, with his face almost impossible to read, except for the small muscle that was twitching in his cheek.

Heyes recognised it as a sign of annoyance, which told him very clearly that his words were landing on stony ground. The beginnings of desperation crept into his thoughts as he had nothing else in his head that was even close to being useful. He might be able to come up with another workable plan in a few days, but he honestly doubted that there was any other realistic option. Besides which even if he came up with something, it'd take far too much time to set it in motion. Time was something he really wasn't sure Kid had.

"Where exactly is this opportunity I'm meant to be interested in, Heyes? I'm thinking it starts in Laramie and involves some shady people."

Heyes' already low spirits flagged even more and he sat heavily into one of the chairs by the door as he nodded. "The owners live in Laramie, but the business is in Colorado Springs. If they're doing what I think they are, it's definitely more than a bit shady."

He studied his hands as he felt Saunders still watching him and bit back at a sigh as his words confirmed his worst fears. "It's a long trip. I'm meant to be retired and these old bones of mine sure aren't as strong as they were, so I'm going to have to decline."

Heyes decided there wasn't much point trying to convince Soapy tonight. He'd have to come back tomorrow and hope for better luck then. That was all supposing Soapy was even willing to listen to him again. He stood up and walked to the door. It wasn't until his hand was resting on the handle that Soapy stopped him with a tight grip to his shoulder drawing his gaze back. "I really don't appreciate you trying to spin me a line, Heyes. I thought we were friends." He paused and fixed Heyes with a glare. "I may be old, but I'm not stupid. I think you forgot who you were talking to." Heyes sighed, knowing he should have known better than to try and con one of the best. It had only been desperation that had made him try.

He smiled in genuine apology and said with some embarrassment, vaguely hoping that he might be able to salvage something. "I'm sorry, Soapy. I wouldn't have, if it wasn't the only plan I got and if I wasn't getting desperate." He paused and added softly, not able to hide the crack in his voice. "I seen him a few weeks ago and he was in trouble then. They moved him and I've only just found out where he is. I don't know how bad off he is now." Heyes swallowed hard. "You know Kid, he don't always think real careful, especially if he don't see a way out. I'm afraid he's going to do something to get himself killed. And if he doesn't do something fatal, I'm just as worried that there won't be much left of him to get out of there, if it don't happen sooner rather than later."

Heyes sighed heavily and rubbed his itchy eyes, before meeting his one time mentor's now concerned gaze. "I know it's a big ask, but you're the only person I trust enough to do the job as good or better than I could."

Soapy his anger gone, smiled at him. "Now that's better, Heyes. I will have to think about it. But there's no need for you to leave, you're welcome to use one of guest rooms. I can give you my answer nice and early tomorrow."

Heyes felt a flare of hope and nodded wearily. "Thank-you, Soapy."

"Come on in, lets get you comfortable. You can rest up a bit, then lay out your plan over some good brandy, so I can make an informed decision."

A couple of hours later, after Heyes had explained his plan and answered all the questions Soapy had, he was finding it hard to stay awake. A sense of growing hope, the warmth and comfort of the room, plus the brandy had sapped a lot of the nervous energy that had been about the only thing keeping him going. A gentle pat on his shoulder, brought him bolt upright with his eyes wide open and he glared round the room. He was annoyed at himself for nearly nodding off, when he should've been paying attention. "I think I've enough to make a decision."

XXX

Heyes lay down on the comfortable bed, feeling strangely guilty as his thoughts drifted to Kid. Despite his restless thoughts, exhaustion finally got the better of him and fell asleep. He only woke when the light streaming through the only half drawn curtains disturbed him. He glanced at the clock in the corner and leapt out of bed, irritated at himself for sleeping so late, but he knew there was nothing to be done about it now.

After dressing quickly, he walked out of his room and smelling coffee towards the front of the house, headed in that direction. He found Soapy in his impressive looking dining room with an empty plate in front of him and a full coffee at his right arm. He nodded over at Heyes, before waving over to the heavy sideboard by the window. "Help yourself to coffee, Heyes."

Heyes did so before taking the seat next to his friend who smiled at him. "Well, I won't keep you in suspense. I'm going to book myself on the next train to Laramie. I thought about what you said for most of last night and from whatever angle I looked at it I came to the same conclusion. This is indeed your only hope for a quick resolution. So it wouldn't be right not to agree to what you proposed. I can't let you and the Kid down."

Heyes felt a wave of relief sweep over him and he grinned widely, before his face fell again quickly. "I can't tell you just how much this means to me, Soapy."

"Well, retirement can be pretty boring at times, Heyes! You going to come with me? Be just like the old days."

Heyes smiled in reminiscence at the good times they'd had together. But his smile quickly faded as the memory brought another sharp reminder of his incarcerated partner. "No, as soon as you leave for Laramie, I'm going to Colorado Springs, where Kid is, via Porterville to send a letter. It just don't seem right for me to be anywhere else."

Soapy looked a little disappointed, before nodding. "I'll telegraph you when it's done. Don't see me running into many problems. They sound smarter than some marks I've come across, but they're nothing I can't handle."

Heyes took a sip of his coffee, already making plans for his own trip with a new sense of hope that maybe Kid would be back where he belonged sooner rather than later.

XXX

Heyes was sat in one of the smaller cafes that served breakfast and watched out the window as a wagon that was literally just a metal box on four horses rode past. He knew somehow, that it must be from the prison. The lack of windows and it's stark appearance, making it unlikely to be from anywhere else. He wondered if Kid was in there, and felt his stomach flip in both anger and frustration at the fact he had no way of knowing. His curious gaze caught the interest of the waitress bringing his order, just as he hoped it would.

"That's some of them inmates going to the Makin ranch to dig ditches for him."

"Guess it's a good cheap way to get work done. Ain't like they're going to complain if they aren't happy either." Heyes kept his tone and face neutral, despite the sharp dismayed anger that shot through him. He must have been successful in his attempt as the woman smiled at him as she placed his order on the table, showing no suspicion towards him at all.

"Yeah, some folk aren't too happy for that reason. They say using them is keeping wages low. But they get them to working on the real hard jobs, which I can't imagine many men in this area would be lining up to do whatever the pay. So to my mind, they might as well be of some use while we're paying for 'em. Can I get you anything else?"

"No, thanks Ma'am, this looks mighty fine."

He stared at the food in front of him, took a couple of mouthfuls before pushing it away. He rarely worked up an appetite lately for anything except coffee. His mind seemed forever twisted in a swirling mixture of worry and frustration, leaving him with a huge knot in his stomach most of the time. He hoped Soapy was making good progress and wondered briefly whether he really should have gone with him, but then shook his head.

He was far too distracted to be of much use and he knew he was in the best place right here. He decided despite the slight nausea that he should probably eat a little more and was actually a little surprised that he managed well over half of the meal before he was full. He pushed the plate away again and sipped his coffee. When the waitress came back to take his plate, he asked carefully. "So this Makin ranch. Do I have to worry about those convicts escaping and hiding out in town?" He shuddered a little to convey some distaste at the idea as he added. "I don't want to get robbed in the night."

"Oh bless you! It's a good two miles away, high up in the hills. Besides they're always well chained and guarded. We ain't never had an escapee get this far, and them that's seen them say they look too exhausted to think of running anyways, thank the lord!"

Heyes burying his anger at the casual lack of concern in her voice, smiled, picked up his hat and headed towards the door. "Thank you, Ma'am, that's a real reassuring thing to know."

Once out in the street, Heyes started to work towards the livery to rent a horse. He was going to ride up to Makin ranch in the hope of seeing his partner, even if it was just a glimpse it'd be worth it.