Chapter 37-A lead and A meeting
It was the night after Sadie had met up with Milton. When Sadie and Alicia had woken up that morning, they left Saint-Denis as fast as possible. They had met up with the man that Colt had told them about, and they had gone up and found John. It was late morning when they got a boat and started for the prison.
Mcfarlane
Colt was down at Mcfarlane ranch as they needed some help fixing fences, and he had nothing better to do. Colt was hammering in a fence post when Drew came over. "I appreciate the help Colt," Drew says.
"No problem. You gave those three a job that they enjoy. I should be the one thanking you," Colt says as he stops for a moment to set in the fence.
"Those three are great workers. Kieran is great with those horses. Sean is a little wild, but he gets his work done with no argument, and Tilly is a sweet girl and is a great help all around," Drew says.
"Yeah, well, let's hope it stays that way," Colt says.
"You think somethings gonna happen?" Drew asks.
"I think when Dutch and Micah get back we're gonna have some problems," Colt says. Before Drew can say anything, Sean runs over to them out of breath. They both turn to look at him.
"What is it, son?" Drew asks. Sean holds a letter out to Colt, who grabs it.
"It's from Sheriff Freeman," Sean says. Colt sets his tools down. He opens the letter. Colt, I have got some good news for you. I may have a lead on that bastard Colm. I have heard news of his gang planning a robbery in Rhodes in three days. They may be your chance, son. You may just be able to catch this son of a bitch. Colt reads the letter.
"Drew, I hate to do this, but I may need Sean and Kieran," Colt says.
"Take 'em this had to be important," Drew says.
"Good, grab Kieran and meet me back at camp," Colt tells Sean, who nods. Colt gets on Thea and rides back to camp.
Colt rides into camp and gets off of his horse. He walks into his tent and grabs a letter he had written a few nights before. Hosea looks at him. "What is it?" Hosea asks.
"Everybody gather up!" Colt yells. The gang gathers around the tent. "I got a letter from Sheriff Freeman. He's got a lead on Colm. His gang plans to rob Rhodes bang in three days. That's where we get him," Colt says.
"One problem. We're down three men and the law there, and Pinkertons may be there. We'll be outnumbered," Charles says.
"That is what this letter is for. I wrote this for Milton. I'm setting up a meeting for us in Valentine. I hope that he will want Colm instead of me," Colt says as he hands the letter to Karen. "Mail this to Milton," Colt tells the woman, who nods as she leaves camp.
"When do we leave?" Charles asks.
"Nightfall. Uncle will stay here and guard the camp with the woman and Jack. I'm hoping Sadie is back soon with Alicia and John. When they get here, Hosea, Charles, Sean, Karen, Sadie, Alicia, and I will head for Valentine. Meet Milton and hope this all goes as planned," Colt says. The gang nods, and the people that are leaving sleep till Nightfall.
The sun was about to go down when Sadie, Alicia, and John rode into camp. John jumps off his horse and is hugged by Abigail. "You guys look like you're about to leave," John says.
"Get dressed, Martson. We got a lead on Colm. We're heading to meet with Mr. Milton," Colt says. Sadie looks at Colt.
"Are you insane? Milton will betray us," Sadie says.
"I don't think he will. It's all we got. Get ready. We leave in ten minutes," Colt says. The gang nods as they grab whatever else they need. John gets his guns and his hats. The men and women that are leaving camp get on their horses. "Okay. This is the chance we have been waiting for. Let's not screw it up. Let's ride!" Colt says as they ride out of camp and head for Valentine.
Valentine
It was late morning when the gang had reached Valentine. Colt had set everybody up around the saloon beside Him and Hosea. They were sitting in the bar when the door opened, and Milton walked in. Colt and Hosea get up and look at the man who stares back at him. "Mr. Morgan, Mr. Matthews. Got to be honest with you, Mr. Morgan, I was surprised to get your letter. Said you had something for me. I should arrest you, but I'm gonna give you a chance to talk. I came here alone just as you asked," Milton says. Colt nods.
"Well, then let's sit down and have a civilized conversation," Hosea says. Milton nods, and the three buy a whiskey and sit down at a table. Not many people were in the bar right now.
"So, what is it you want, Colt?" Milton asks. "You just broke Martson out of prison. So what could you possibly want?" Milton asks.
"Look, it's pretty clear Dutch isn't still here. Nothing bad has happened from us since the bank and John. I get that you don't like me right now. I betrayed you-" Colt was saying.
"Why did you do that? It's been itching at me. I was trying to figure out why. I thought maybe it was because of your love for Mrs. Adler. But then I thought about how you could have just taken her and left. So why, Colt?" Milton asks.
"You remember the first day we met. How you asked if I had any siblings?" Colt asks Milton.
"Yes, you said you were an only child," Milton says.
"I lied. I do have a brother. That brother is Arthur," Colt says. Milton nods.
"You stayed because of your brother and Mrs. Adler. How long after we talked?" Milton asks.
"Two days," Colt says.
"Were you, the man that Colm had?" Milton asks. Colt nods. "I'm assuming you have come to care for everybody in that gang," Milton says.
"No, I don't care about what happens to Micah and Dutch sometimes," Colt says.
"Why did my men have to die for Mr. Bell to escape? That was your plan, right?" Milton asks.
"If they broke Micah out in Strawberry, there would have been a massacre. I saved lives," Colt says before he takes a drink of his whiskey.
Milton nods. "Makes sense and is true. What is this offer you have brought me?" Milton asks.
"I got a lead on Colm. A job he is doing you could take down the whole or most of the gang at once. You get Colm to end his gang. They are nothing without him," Colt says.
"What do you want in return for this info?" Milton asks.
"One, to help Colm almost killed me and hurt people I love. The gang is around here hidden just in case. The people that shoot. Second, I want our bounties remove mine, Hosea, Lenny, Arthur, Bill, John, Javier, Sean, Kieran, and Alicia Carter. Everybody in the gang that is not Dutch or Micah," Colt says. Milton stares at him.
"Why not those two?" Milton asks. Hosea nods.
"Because you won't give up Dutch and Micah won't stop neither will Dutch. Bill and Javier are longshots, but I have got to hope," Colt says.
"And if I disagree?" Milton asks.
"Then you don't get the lead, and Colm gets away forever. You see, Mr. Milton, You have a choice: you can pick the lion, or you can pick the deer. We're trying to get out of this life. Colm ain't we're done. We know our time is coming. You can get rid of two gangs in one day. They won't follow Dutch. Sean, Kieran, and Tilly already have jobs," Colt says.
"You said at Clemont's point you don't want to kill us all. I believed you then, and I want to believe that now. I'm old, Mr. Milton. I want to leave this earth knowing that my family is okay. This is your chance to save everybody that can be saved," Hosea says. Milton stares at them for a moment.
"Okay, I'll take this deal. You help us get Colm dead or alive. I would prefer alive, but I don't care. You all walk free. You're not allowed to rob anything or $1000, but I don't think you'll rob anything. No banks, and you stay off our radars. Last thing if we need help you will help us. We'll pay you, of course. These are my terms you gave me yours," Milton says.
"Okay, I won't tell you where we are," Colt says.
"I don't really care after this. As a sign of good faith, I'll tell you who my informant was in your gang," Milton says.
"We have a rat?" Colt asks.
"Not anymore. Micah Bell. He's the reason why everything has gone wrong since Clemont's point. He told me where you guys were. He never told me about you. I'm gonna guess that it would make it too obvious that you guys had a rat. That's how we knew about the job. He also tipped us off about the bank robbery in Blackwater and your location at Horseshoe overlook. Didn't tell me about the exact location but where it was. That is why he was always wearing white," Milton says.
"I believe most of that. Micah told you about me. How long have you known?" Colt asks.
"Since after you got away from the O'driscoll's," Milton says.
"Why didn't you arrest me?" Colt asks.
"Because I knew at some point this all was gonna go bad. I knew you weren't killing anybody that you had a reason. I considered you a friend and hoped that you could tell me why when all this was over. You have saved lives today, Colt. That's why I didn't arrest cause I knew when the time came, you would lead this gang in the right direction. I was the only one who knew up till the bank," Milton says. Colt nods as he stands up.
"Thank you, Mr. Milton. Let's hope all this works out," Colt says. Milton stands up and shakes Colt's hand, and then he shakes Hosea's hand.
"I hope so too, Mr. Morgan," Milton says. "Let's go see your gang," Milton says. Colt nods. Milton follows Colt and Hosea out of the saloon, and they climb on their horses and ride out of town a little. They get in the woods and sees the gang sitting around. "Just wondering. How would they have known if I took you?" Milton asks.
"I would have shot my gun," Colt says. Milton nods. They get off their horses as the gang stares at Milton.
"This is the first time besides Clemont's point that I have seen you guys with guns not shooting anybody. I also now understand why you said, Alicia Carter. You are all lucky that Colm's bounty is worth more than all of yours together. I will get the paperwork done in Blackwater and get the news out to Saint-Denis. Stay close to here. I'll meet you guys back here tomorrow. We'll plan on how we'll stop Colm with other agents, and in two days we'll head to Rhodes and get this son of a bitch," Milton says. The gang nods as Milton climbs onto his horse and leaves. Hosea smiles.
"We did it. Something Dutch couldn't do for years you did in a week. We got one more job to do. We have sleeping bags. We'll sleep here tonight. We have food in our bags. Let's chill out today. Go into town and buy some things. Have some fun," Hosea says. The gang nods as they sit down and get ready for the next two days.
Thanks for reading. I hope my reason for Milton made sense. I have always liked Milton and thought he had a heart and wasn't lying to Arthur by the river; if you have a problem with it, good for you. I always thought that Micah was a rat way before chapter six. That is my personal option. As always, suggestions are welcomed. Until next time.
