The remainder of the ride to Denver was easy and without incident, just as Butch Cassidy had promised. Avery and Warner had also commented on the resemblance of Thaddeus to Butch, but Kid just didn't see it and continued to just brush them all off.
"Blue eyes ain't much of a resemblance.," Kid protested. "Besides, he don't look like near the ladies man that I am," Kid boasted.
"I wouldn't put any money down on that bet Kid," Heyes teased.
"It's funny," Avery said. "Them outlaws an you two...Both of you have a partner you call Kid."
"Yeah," Heyes said with a grin. "Another little resemblance."
When they reached their destination in Denver, Heyes and Curry were eager to get paid and be done with Avery and Warner. They quickly helped the two unload the crates and haul them into the First Bank of Denver where employees moved the crates into the vault and carefully secured the vault door when they were finished.
Warner then followed the Bank president to his office, signed the necessary papers handing over the merchandise and was given the money he was due. As soon as he walked out of the office, Heyes and Curry approached and collected their ten thousand dollars each.
"You both did a good job on this trip. I'd be more that willing to hire you again for for our next delivery.
"Ah, well, no thank you Mr. Avery," Kid replied.
""He's right, Mr. Avery. A little too much danger and excitement for our liking," Heyes added.
Both men pocketed their money and walked out onto the boardwalk.
"We off to see Clem?' Kid asked
"A couple of beers and a little poker, Kid. Then we'll go see Clem."
"I like your thinking, Heyes. You understand priorities," Kid replied.
"Kid, do you realize just how close we were to that picture Clem has locked in that vault?"
"It did occur to me, Heyes. Having that picture would sure make life a little easier."
"Destroying that picture would make life a little easier," Heyes corrected.
"But no way to know which lock box belonged to Clem."
"Yeah," Heyes agreed with a sigh of disappointment. Come on, Kid. We need that beer."
0-0-0-0-0-
It was well after midnight when they knocked on Clementine Hale's door and waited for the light of an oil lamp to appear through the window. Moments later the front door opened and Clem threw herself into their arms.
"I've been so looking forward to seeing you both, ever since you told me you would be coming to Denver. Come in, come in," she said and hastily ushered them both into the cabin.
"So what kind of job brought you to Denver,?" she asked and put a pot of coffee on the stove to warm.
Heyes and Curry sat down at the table while Clem was busy getting them coffee cups.
"Just helped a couple of men transport some things here."
"What kind of things?" Clem asked.
"Rocks," Kid replied.
Clem frowned, not knowing what they were talking about. Then she shrugged as she decided she didn't really care what they were talking about. She sat down at the table between them and looked first at one and then the other.
"Since you're here, I have a job for you, too," Clem said eagerly.
"Oh no, Clem. We've been a part of your jobs before. All they do is get us into trouble."
"This won't be any trouble boys, and I'll pay you very well."
"Clem," Heyes said, glancing at Kid. "There's only one thing you could give us that's worth doing any, and I mean any, job for you."
"The picture?" Clem asked.
"The picture," they said in unison.
Clem sighed and pouted."Well, then, just forget it, boys. I guess I'll just have to find somebody else."
"Well I guess you will," Kid replied.
Clem looked aghast. "Are you serious?" she asked.
"We're dead serious Clem," Heyes replied.
"Well, alright then, but this could have brought you boys a lot of money," she teased.
"We got a lot of money, Clem. Enough to last us a while anyways," Kid replied.
Clem leaned back in her chair. "Then I guess we're at a standstill."
"Yep."
"So this is...just a visit, then, uh?"
"Right again."
"And I can't talk you into the job?"
"Only if you agree to that one little condition."
Clem got up and brought the coffee to the table and poured them each a cup before sitting down again between them. She wrapped one arm across each of their backs.
"Well, it's still good to see the both of you. How long are you staying?"
Heyes smiled. "Leaving in the morning, Clem. Want to get back to Wyoming."
"Then we're going to have to stay up most of the night for a visit. Tell me about your trip here. Did you run into any trouble?"
"Trouble?" Kid asked with a shrug.
"Not unless you call riding the rapids in a thunderstorm trouble?' Heyes replied.
Clem's jaw dropped. "What?" she asked.
"Or passing through a mountain pass just inches from a thousand foot drop," Kid added.
"Oh my," Clem exclaimed.
"Or coming face to face with Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid," Heyes added.
"You didn't!"
They both nodded. "We did," they replied.
"Well, the good thing is, you obviously survived."
Heyes and Kid looked at each other and smiled.
"Yep, we survived," Heyes said. "Once again, we survived."