Chapter
Big City Problems
The bustling of the city grew as they got into the heart of it. Bars filled with drunk men spilling out onto the streets. They drove past the main bustle towards the docks and shipping houses and the noise died away into the distance.
The horses stopped in front of a large building. Larger to Joe, than the International Hotel, but dreary. It was a warehouse of some type. So close to the water's edge, judging by the smell that he thought it might have something to do with their catches.
Teddy met them on the first floor. It was an open floor plan filled with barrels and crates stacked up against support beams. Currently dark and empty of workers. Water filmed the concrete floor.
"You secured the wagon?"
"It's all secured in the livery."
"Where's Danny?"
"Upstairs. 3rd floor."
"Is anybody with him?"
"Squirrelly's up there."
"Good. We'll take this one up there to join him." Looking around for the missing man and coming up short he asked his companions.
"Where's Junior?" Joe who had been distant since the shooting occurred, looked over at Bogs to see what yarn he would spin. What story he could come up with that would explain the death of Ted's brother. That morning, at Squirrelly's request, Squirrely and Will had switched places. It was Will's job to ride behind to see if anyone had been following.
According to Bog's the posse had caught up with them and there had been a shootout. Junior caught a bullet. He caught a bullet alright. Only the bullet didn't come from the gun of a posse. It was Bogs who pulled the trigger. There had been no posse. No shootout. No near escape as he claimed. That hadn't been what killed Will. This was the excuse he used, but this wasn't what killed him. Challenging Bogs the night before, pulling a gun on him; this was what had killed him. Bogs had sentenced him to die at that very moment. Junior knew it too. He may not have known it then, but when Bogs drew the gun on him this morning, it all became apparent. This was going to be Junior's last day on earth. Junior knew it and Joe knew it. Even Chapman knew it. It was hard to know where Chapman stood. He had the look of regret, but if he was opposed to this, he sure didn't voice his opposition to Bog's. He knew Bog's intention's and let Bog's take him away, up over the hill and out into open country. It took a while for Bog's to return. Not as long as Joe imagined it should take once someone had made the decision that another man should die. Not unless they were playing with the other man first, which was something Bog's liked to do. He liked to play. Cruel sadistic games. It turns out Danny may not have been the only victim in his sick games. Who knew he was capable of doing this to the very men who were on his side. Then again, Junior did pull a gun on him. Maybe that moment proving they would forever be on opposite sides.
Joe could see the doubt in Teddy as Bog's spun his yarn. For half a glance, Teddy looked to Joe to see the truth in his eyes but quickly averted as if he'd rather not know. At least, not here. Not now. Not when his desire to avenge his brother would overpower his sensibility. He saw that even Chapman protected Bog's dirty little secret. Bog's was protected. For whatever reason, he was protected. If he was going to take him on, he would have to take them all on.
They've all spent time in prison. Save his little brother. That was how Teddy met Chapman. He didn't meet Bog's until after the plans to go after the Cartwright's had been made. Chapman came to he and his brother looking for a place to keep the boy they would kidnap. Said he owed him one which was true. Chapman protected his hide in prison. He did owe him. He also guaranteed that he and his brother would have a share each. That sounded like a pretty good deal to him. If this was going to go down though, Ted wanted a much bigger say. He wanted to make sure it went off without a hitch and his involvement didn't get him caught.
William chose to stay in the shadows. But that's how it always was with him. Ted would be the one taking all the risk trying to support the two of them and Will came off looking as clean as a swan. A small part of him was left bitter and jealous. But the larger part, the part that won out, was grateful for his little brother choosing to stay clean. He was like a beacon for him sometimes. In this cruel, dark world; he would always be there to offer him light. This was how he preferred it. When his ma told him on her deathbed that it was his job to protect his brother, he took her words to heart. There's no sense in that naïve, green behind the ears boy; to ever end up in a place like Arizona State Prison. It was hardly something Teddy survived himself. He wouldn't have if it weren't for Chapman. Bogs was somebody Chapman knew before Teddy got in. He had been released months before he was sentenced. Long history of public drunkenness and disorderly conduct. That's not what ended him in Arizona State though. Apparently he has a history of assault too. Gets his kicks from public brawls. Ended up putting some young'un in the infirmary. Broke his jaw and fractured his spine and the kid is living out a life in hospice.
The day went on placidly, in a daze. Joe was wrought with guilt. He blamed himself for pushing this kid to act out of character. To go against a slew of armed men. To fight against his own brother. All because he saw something in him he couldn't see in the others. A conscience. He saw a future. A possibility to make it out of this and to become a better man. If he could get him to save Danny, he could get him to save himself to. But that didn't happen. Danny's only hope was dead.
He was taken on up the steps. The second floor had a hallway lined with doors. He could guess were used as offices or storage room's maybe. He was taken to the third floor which was much like the second. He was guided down a dark dreary hallway. As he walked down the hallway, he could see there were other offices and corridors that led off of this one. They stop in front of one door about half way down the main hallway.
"Is he in there?" Bogs unlocked the door and guided Joe in. There was someone in here alright. A figure that laid pitifully in a heap against a support beam in the center of the room. Though it appeared that his hands were bound, they were not attached to the beam. He could assume it was Danny but couldn't see him well enough yet to be sure.
Little Joe watched him keenly for movement. Bogs and Chapman sat Joe against the wall just beyond the door. They made threats to Little Joe. Oh the usual.
"Do as you're told."
"Don't cause no trouble."
Yadda yadda yadda. Joe heard none of it. He kept his eye on the still form who reacted none to the people that came in, or the voices. The threats and warnings. The conversations happening around him. About him. He was plain out. A plate of food lied next to him seemingly untouched. Is seemed to Joe as if he'd been out for a while. The men walk out leaving Joe alone with the still form.
Joe crawled to him, looking him over, afraid to touch him. He was shoeless. His feet bloodied. His knees tucked in. His hands were bound behind him. What for? He was helpless. He could do nothing to save himself at this point. He wasn't even conscious.
"Danny." He said softly afraid that if he spoke too loud his mere volume might be enough to turn this boy to dust. Of course the form didn't react. He placed a tender hand on his shoulder and gave him a gentle jostle. "Danny." He had to wake him. He had to know if he was still alive. If he even could be woken. Furthermore, he had to let Danny know he was with him. That he was no longer alone. "Danny."
"Simon." The boy stirred. Simon? Joe withdrew his hand.
"No, Danny. It's Joe." Danny let out a groan. That was enough for Joe. "It's ok. I'll get you out of here. He reached over him and began to work on his binds. Danny flinched at the touch. As if fully coming to wake he instantly cowered and balled up tight. "It's ok Danny, it's me." He realized the blindfold was still over his eyes. He probably should have taken that off first but he just couldn't wait to free his hands. He stopped what he was doing and took hold of the blindfold, even to this, Danny flinched and pressed his face into the dirty floor doing his best to protect himself. He was so frightened. Frightened of being hurt. Frightened of waking up just to be hurt again. Afraid of more pain. Every touch terrified him. Joe continued, pulling the blindfold up and over his face, talking to him all the while. Letting Danny hear his voice. Offering him assurances. "Danny, it's me. It's Little Joe. I'm not going to hurt you. You're going to be okay." It took a moment for Danny to register his words, or believe them. He kept his face hidden and waited to be struck. Joe kept talking to him. "It's okay Danny. I'm not going to hurt you. It's Joe. You're safe now." Danny turned his face in the slightest motion, peeking up at the figure at his side. All he could make out was knees and a torso. He turned a little more, prepared to cower back at the slightest indication that it was a ruse. He saw a little bit more now. He wasn't sure what. He saw a blurred face and the outline of curly hair.
Danny was trying to see the young man before him. The figure was still and patient with him. He looked up a bit more until he could make out the features of his face.
Joe had seen for the first time the extent of the injuries that marred Danny's face. It made him ill just looking at him. He was unrecognizable. Through the swollen and discolored form his features were masked.
Joe saw in him, the moment of recognition. It did not however go as he imagined. Danny let out a disheartened breath and buried his face again. Not from fear, but from despondency. "Danny, it's okay." He tried to assure.
"Danny, look at me." His eyes slid over him then down again.
"I tried, Joe. I really did. I tried to keep them away from you. I'm sorry." His voice was weak and pathetic.
"I know you did. You did real good."
"I failed. I'm so sorry."
"No it's okay. You did good. I came to get you out." He got his attention.
"You did?"
"That's right." Joe smiled. "I'm going to untie your wrist." He said as more of a question. Realizing that with the abuse Danny had suffered he would need the forewarning of being touched. Danny let Joe reach back over him as he reflected trying to absorb what Little Joe had just told him. Joe struggled with the rope for a bit. They had been bound so tight for so long, his hands were cold and blue. It took several minutes of pulling and tugging before they loosened enough so that he can pull one end away unraveling the whole length. The ropes had made deep impressions in his skin. Danny was too busy scanning the room and the situation they were in, to worry about his wrist.
"How'd you know where I was?"
"The men brought me to you." He looked around again.
"What men? Who'd you come with?"
"It's just me."
"What do you mean, it's just you? What men? What men brought you?"
"The men. The men that took you."
"Did you follow them?"
"Not exactly."
"Not exactly?" Danny tried to make sense of what Joe was saying. "Joseph answer me this. Did you walk in here on your own?" He didn't answer. "What did you do?" Joe was bewildered.
"I came to get you out." He sat upright against all pain in his abdomen, supporting himself with one arm and wrapping the other around his waist. His anger stifling the pain.
"God, Joseph. What did you do?" His tone was accusing.
"I had to find you. I had to know where you were."
"Oh, Joseph. Why would you do that?"
"I told you. I have to save you."
Fear coursed through him. He tried to push himself upwards. Joe tried to keep him still. "It's okay though because I'm going to get you out."
"How? If it's just you, how?"
"I'll think of something."
"You'll think?" He clenched his eyes holding his anger in check. "How, Joseph? How do you plan on doing that? Joseph, don't you understand how dangerous these men are?"
"Of course I do. That's why I'm here. I had to get you out."
"Joe, you're a fool. You're a darn right fool!" He snapped and pushed himself to one knee. "Everything I did to keep you safe and you just toss it away as if it were nothing. What was all this for? Everything I went through. It was all for nothing. You walk in here on your own. Why? You fool, why?"
"For you." He lurched forward and grabbed Joe's collar putting his face inches from Joes.
"Look at me Joseph. Take a good look. Look at what they did to me." His face was all shades of purple and swollen and blood dried between cracks and crevasses. He was a ghastly figure before him. "They'll do the same thing to you." He let him go and turned away. "They'll do it just because they can. Don't you understand? That's how dangerous these men are." His look, his actions, it scared him. Though he couldn't admit it. Danny released his grip and sat back against the beam. This was why he was here. Because of what they had done. To make sure they couldn't do it anymore. He was Danny's only hope now. He had to be strong for him. Even though Danny pushed him away.
"I know. I know and I don't care." Joe stated obstinately. At this he lost it.
"Well you gotta care!" He shouted, sitting up again. "Don't you get it? You've got a family." His voice was desperate. He'd never heard him like this. "Don't you know how important that is? Your people are depending on you. They're depending on you to come home. Every day, Joseph, Every day they're depending on you. You can't be doing stuff like this. Don't you understand?" His voice faltered. "They're depending on you. You can't be risking yourself?" He collapsed back.
"What about you?"
"What about me? I've got no family Little Joe. There's no one waiting on me."
"What about Clancy?"
"Clancy? Clancy's not my family. We've only known each other for like, six weeks."
"Clancy might have other words to say about it." He grew sullen.
"It don't matter, Joe. It don't matter. He's not family. You have a family. A family you need to go home to."
"Not without you. We both need to go home."
"There's nowhere for me to go. I don't have a home, Joseph! Is that what you want to hear? Fine I said it."
"You have a home. Your home is with us." What a sweet thing to say. An offer he couldn't take. The boy was just offering for what he did. They didn't really mean it. "You mean something to Clancy and you mean something to me."
"You didn't even know my name Joe. You kept calling me Davy. I'm nothing to you. I'm not mad about it, it's just the way it is."
"You're right. I didn't know your name, but that didn't matter to you. You saved me all the same. You didn't have to do it, but you did."
"Because you have a family. Because you're important to people. I didn't do it for you to end up right back here."
"I know why you did it."
"Then you know, you gotta go. You can't stay."
"I do know, but I also know that you gotta come with me."
"Look at me. I'm too far gone. I'll just slow you down. Listen, you can go and I can stall them."
"That won't work."
"Sure it will. You can go get help." He offered enthusiastically.
"They'd kill you before help ever came."
He sat back as he swallowed. "It's the only way." He said resolutely.
"No, it's not. There's got to be another way."
"There's not, Joe. This is it." At his grief he soothed. "It's okay. Don't worry about me. I'm ready to die."
"Yeah, I know." He furrowed his brow. What did he mean by that? "I heard about you. You're not just ready. You're all too eager." He stated brusquely. "I know everything. That's why I'm worried."
"You know everything, huh?"
"That's right."
"Then you should know I aint worth a thing."
"You're wrong."
"No I'm not. I ain't worth saving."
"You're not your father. It's time you stop paying for his mistakes."
"Dang it Joe, you are so thick headed. No wonder why your brothers carry on with you like they do. I can't get through to you. I don't have anything to go back to.
"You have us. I know your name now, Danny. I know who you are and you are important to me."
"Little Joe, stop it!"
"I know you now. I know you are worth saving. You are a beautiful soul." He clasped his ears as if the words themselves hurt his soul.
"Stop."
"You're important to people. You matter to me and you matter to my family and you matter to Clancy."
"STOP SAYING THAT!" He remonstrated. "It ain't the same Joe! Just stop it. It ain't the same." He broke down. All his defenses were in shattered pieces among the floor.
"You're worth it." Still he fought. As a broken man, he fought.
He collapsed down. "It ain't the same." Joe fell with him and held him. It's the first he'd been held by anybody in a long time. He'd forgotten what it felt like.
"Geez Joe, It ain't the same."
~.~
The men gathered around the warm fire. Clancy stood off, staring into the distance.
"Is he going to be okay?" Jeb asked.
"I'm guessing that body today really shook him." Adam adduced. "He's been quiet since then."
"I'll go have a talk with him." Ben offered. Adam handed his pa a second cup of black coffee with a knowing smile. Ben said thank you with his eyes.
"Clancy, you doing alright?" He asked as he walked over. He halfheartedly glanced at the aging pater. Ben handed over the second cup. Clancy took it and lowered his head. "What's on your mind? You want to talk about it?"
"I'm heartbroken for your boy, Ben. It shouldn't have happened that way. It ain't right. I'm so grateful for what you've done for us so far and what you were willing to do." His brows furrowed as he fought back the threatening tears. "I just can't help, but my heart is squeezing in my chest. Not knowing. Did they kill him? Is it time to stop looking for him?"
"We will never stop looking for him."
"When I saw that body today." He turned to him. "I want to help you Ben, find your boy. Like you helped me. I can't…" His voice was tremulous. "I prayed to God that it wasn't Danny. I wanted it to be anybody but Danny."
"I know."
"Don't get me wrong, Ben. I didn't want it to be Joe."
"I know."
"but…" He said everything in that but.
"I know." Ben had his own guilt for having similar thoughts in regards to Joe.
"I really didn't want it to be Danny. I don't want him to be dead. After all he's been through. What was it all for? All that pain he suffered right up until the end. What was it all for? I thought I could help him." Ben placed a hand on the back of the weeping man. "Why, Ben? Why all this? That boy didn't experience an ounce of joy. What was the point of life if not for joy? God, Ben we have to find him. We have to bring him home."
"We will."
"I don't want him to be dead Ben. I don't want him to be dead."
~.~
Danny was talking in his sleep. The whole night, mumbling incoherent words. Joe rested the night next to him, sitting against the beam, , stroking his arm, when Danny's dreams turned restless, to let him know he was there. Joe drifted in and out of sleep the entire night. He guessed by the far distant sounds of voices that it was morning now and the employees had returned to work. He wondered if he tried shouting now, could he be heard? Would the men downstairs come to his rescue, or would he be ignored? However close the men downstairs were, Joe imagined his abductors would be closer. Close enough to stop his insurrect before any help ever came. Regardless, it was time to wake Danny. He nudged and stroked him and called in his ear. "Danny, Danny wake up. Can you wake up for me? Are you doing okay?" Danny grimaced and groaned at his touch.
"Pete?"
"No Danny. It's me."
That voice. It cut through the pain and he sucked in air. It hurt Joe to see how much Danny had suffered. How much pain he was in on a constant basis. Mainly when he was awake. It seemed when he slept he was far away from the pain of reality. His dreams weren't entirely peaceful though. He mumbled things. Mostly things Joe couldn't understand. But did manage to pick out a name or two. The ones he spoke as he was waking up were the most clear.
"You were talking in your sleep." Danny scrunched his features. "Saying names. Who were you talking to? Are these the names of the men here? The ones that have us." If they were using aliases like he figured Junior and Squirrely were, maybe Danny was able to pick up the other names.
"No." To be honest Joe was a bit disappointed.
"Who are they?" He asked.
"They're my family."
"Your family? You're seeing your family? They come to visit you?"
"I visit them. I go home."
"You go home?"
"To the farm. My family, we had a barley farm. Other things too. Rotate the crops."
"Tell me about your home. Where do you go?"
"I'm outside my home, lying in the tall grasses by the river. On the other side of the river are the crops, blowing in the wind. Nice strong stalks. My family, they come and visit me in the grass. Not all at once. Just one or two at a time. They belong to the house. The house is there's. They never let me come inside. The fields. I have to work the fields. They call to me. Pull me in. But I can't. I wake up before I can get to them. I always wake up."
"You like it there?"
"It's peaceful."
"You don't feel pain?"
"A little, but not like here. My body isn't hurt like it is here."
"Danny, Listen to me. My pa's coming for us. He'll find us."
"What do we have here?" Bogs comes in with a plate of food. "Move back to the wall." He ordered Joe. Joe bit his emotions and did as ordered moving back to his spot beyond the door. Bogs dropped one plate of food before him then walked over to Danny. He looked down at the prone form before setting the food down, then looked back at Joe and gave a sickening smirk.
"You know what my mamma used to say?" He asked Joe. Joe was stumped not knowing where he was going with this. "Idol hands are the plaything of the devil." He said and stomped down, crunching his foot into something like a bug next to Danny's face. Danny cried out gravelly and tried pulling whatever it was from the big man's heel. It was his hand that was being crushed. Joseph could see Danny retreat when Bogs lifted his leg. The big man laughed at what he had done as Danny held his crippled fingers close to his chest and buried his face in the dirt to stave off the pain. Little Joe flared up and charged at the man landing fist upon fist into his midsection. Bogs laughed at Joe's meager attempts, grabbed him by the collar, then by the chin and pushed him against the wall. He gut punches him and Joe reeled forward. He turned his back making his way back over to Danny. This wasn't enough to stop Joe. He went right back in for more jumping on his back and getting him to turn around again. The men hearing the raucous, came in to see Joe's attack on the big man. They pulled him away and held him in place.
"What's going on?" Chapman demands.
"They tried to escape."
"THAT'S A LIE!" Joe shouted violently.
"See for yourself." He directed them to the loose binds on the floor. Joe's heart fell. He did this. He took Danny's ropes off without even thinking about how he might be punished for it. His disquiet turned to guilt than transitioned back to anger. He wriggled trying to get out of their hold. He wanted at the man. Just one more crack at him. "Now, now, Little Joe. I don't want to have to hurt you too, but I will if you make me."
"Call your men off. We'll just see who hurts who."
"This is the real Little Joe. The one we've heard so much about." He laughed fiendishly again. "I had to do it. You see this wasn't the first time this boy has tried to escape." Joe looked at Danny. Was what he was saying true? "We kept him bound to prevent it, but if he's going to go on with his hands free, well let's just say we've got to make sure he can't use them to try and escape again.
"You enjoy this."
"I'm not going to deny that. It'll be sad to see him go, but then again, we still have you." Joe's nostril's flared. The fear he felt at these words he masked well.
"Alright Bogs, you've made your point." Chapman said. Go on now. Bogs left the room in a satisfied gait. The others threw Joe back down before making their escape. Joe had half a mind to charge at them even as the door closed between them, but a closed door was all he'd get. He scrambled to Danny who held his hand close to his chest and still had his face buried in the dirty floor still trying to stave off the pain. "I'm sorry Danny. I didn't know they'd do that. Let me see it." Danny was guarded. He only raised his hand a few inches. By the way he held his fingers like a hawks claw, Joe could guess that his bones had been crushed. Probably broken in a few places. He ripped at his pants and balled it up and put the ball in the cup of Danny's hand. He tore off his sleeve in strips and used that to bind the ball to Danny's palm. He felt bad for doing it. It almost felt as if he was using the rope to tie Danny's hands again. Just one hand but he was incapacitating it all the same. Same as putting a rope around it. He thought that it was very possible that if they couldn't get Danny to a doctor soon there'd be a good chance that his hand could be crippled for the rest of his life. Like having a rope on it for the rest of his life. He should have just left the ropes on him. Why didn't he just leave his ropes on? They said they were going to get him to a doctor once they were in the city. Well there in the city so where was that doctor. He knew all along that it wasn't true. So what would their excuse be now? He picked up on something Bog's had said. It'll be sad to see him go, but we'll still have you. What did he mean by that? Are they planning on getting him to a doctor, or not?
"Danny, can I ask you something? The men keep talking about letting you go. They told me they were going to take you to see a doctor."
"They're going to sell me, Joseph."
"So their talking about selling you to my pa?" At separate times? It wasn't making sense to Joe. Unless his pa could only come up with part of the money. Hoss took his words to heart. Get Danny first. Danny was worse off. He needed to get to a doctor first.
"No, not to your pa."
"Yes. My pa. He's going to pay for you."
"No. They already made other plans for me."
"What do you mean? What plans?"
"They're putting me on a boat. They're going to make me a seaman."
"They're going to shanghai you? How do you know this?"
"They told me. They said they didn't think they'd get a penny for me from your pa. Now that they know the truth about me, they're going to sell me."
"They told me they were taking you to a doctor." He said through gritted teeth.
"The boat." Danny explained. "They said there'd be a doctor on the boat." Joe fought back his anger.
"Danny, my pa is going to pay." He tried to console. "He'll pay for you. He tried already. He followed every instruction to go get you back. He had the money in hand and went to go meet with the men but they never came. Danny, they never came."
"It's because they found out the truth."
"Oh Danny, if only they knew my father was going to pay."
"That doesn't matter now. Now they have you. You were who they really wanted. They know they'll get their money now and they'll even manage to make a little off of me as well. They said they can't let me go because I'd seen their faces. They told me, I did it to myself."
"Danny, listen to me. My father is going to get us out of this."
"I'm scared Joseph. I've never been more scared in all my life."
"I know. I'm scared too."
"I'm not afraid of dying. I'm ready for that, but my family, they won't let me. I'm scared of being lost and I'm scared of the pain, Joseph. The pain just keeps going. It never stops. Why can't I die, Joe? Why won't they let me die? I just want to go home. Why won't they let me go home?"
"Shh, shh. Just rest Danny. Just rest. It'll all be over soon. My pa is coming. He'll get us both out. You'll see. He'll be here."
He wanted so bad to call out to let people know they were there but if that fight he had with Bogs told him anything it was that no one would come for them except the bad guys and that Danny would be punished for Joe's insolence. If he was going to try something, he had to be sure it would work. Dig out? Distract and run? Fight?
"What do we do?" For Danny's sake it had to work. But what? What could he do? He racked his brain to come up with a plan. All he could come up with was wait for his pa and brother's. Just wait it out. They'll come. Be patient. They'll come. The hours went by and the distant voices he thought he heard dissipated. Was he wrong for not trying? Did he let his only chance die away? Evening was approaching and they were alone. Danny had been dreaming the same restless dreams. All Joe could do was be there for him. This time Danny was using Joe's lap as a pillow. He was Danny's protector now. As weak as Danny was, something about having him near gave him comfort as well.
His head was against the beam and he'd been dozing off when he heard the key in the lock. The door opens and four men come through. One was different. He hadn't seen him before. He was shorter than the others. Chinese or Japanese. "There he is? In the corner." Chapman pointed out to the two of them. Joe was holding Danny in his lap as the men approach and stood over him.
"Get out of the way boy!" Chapman ordered. Joe was hesitant to obey. He was his protector now. What could he do? Squirrely and Teddy grab for Joe and lift him upwards, letting Danny fall away. His fight was fruitless. They pull Joe to the side wall and hold him against it.
"What about this other one?" The Chinese man asked of the feisty one.
"We've got plans for that one."
"You sure? I pay good money."
"Shinmoto, I respect your offer, but he's worth a heck of a lot more than you can give us."
"It's a shame. Boy look like he have stwong back. Would do well. But if that's how you feel." It made him feel sick, being talked about like he was no more than property, to be bargained for.
"I'll tell you what, if this other thing don't pan out than we'll come back." He nods in acceptance. "So how 'bout this one? You still want him?" Now they were ready to bargain for Danny.
"Let me take look. Bwing him to light."
"Bogs, get him up." Danny grunted as he was forced to stand. This can't be happening. How can he stop them? God he's already been through so much. Shinmoto looked over his battered body. Covered in purples and reds.
"He's beaten." Joe perked up with hope. Could this be enough to scrub the deal? God let this be enough to scrub the deal. Let him go home to my pa.
"Not much more than he'll get on the ship, I reckon."
Danny stood with his head up but eyes lowered, trying to be brave; though little Joe could see he was in pain. He was trying not to let the reality of what was happening to him show. Doing his darndest to mask his fear.
"But can he move? Can he do job?"
"He can still move."
"Heung Lee no need lame horse."
"We didn't do anything to him that won't heal." He slid his eyes down to Danny's feet. He lifted them one at a time examining his soles.
"He look good. I take dis one."
"Come out. We'll settle the money." The men left Danny standing alone as they walked out. The moment they were out of sight he slumped forward.
"Danny. My father's coming for us." He encouraged. "You have to hold out."
"It's too late for me." He said despondently. He was giving up.
"No. It's not too late. He'll be here. He'll make it."
"I'm not going to be here when they find you, Little Joe."
"No. It's not too late. He's coming for us both." They barge back in.
"Get him. Take the boy." Chapman pointed to Danny.
"No!" Joe charges at them and gets knocked down. "You can't do this!"
"Shut up, you."
He's got to stop them. Stall them somehow. He rushes between them trying to pull them apart. A struggle ensues. The drunk backhands him. He falls to the floor but instantly goes in for more and is again knocked down. Danny recognizes the danger Joe was in. This time it was he that got in between.
"Stop. Please, stop. I'm going."
"No." He gets up to charge again. Chapman and Teddy grab Joe to hold him and pull him to the center beam.
"I think we've let you go hands free long enough. You're beginning to be quite a hassle." Chapman says as they tie the struggling Joe to the pole. This time it was Danny who watched helplessly as they abused Joe just to keep him still. "Joe." He had to stop him from fighting. "It's okay. You got to let me go."
"No." Joe let out a defeated breath. Bogs and Squirrely drag him out of the room.
"No!" He watched helplessly. "Where are you taking him?" He can't help him. "Danny!" He shouted desperately. "I know you may not think you're worth it, but he's coming! Don't give up Danny! He'll find you! He ain't gonna rest until he does! Just hold out, Danny! Just hold out! He's coming! Don't let these men break you!" He disappeared into the night.
"Are you done?" Chapman asked. Joe turned his hatred to them.
"You're a fool. You're a darn right fool. Do you realize what you've done?" He ardently bellowed. "You could have had triple if you asked for it. My father would have paid for him. He would have paid. You're fools. The whole lot of you, fools."
"You're done." Chapman grabbed a fistful of hair and slammed Joe's head into the pole behind him. Joe saw white and the headache that had been threatening him for days came back in full force. He clenched his eyes. His fight was gone. He felt the men get up from his side and leave the room. When the door closed between them he let go of the contents of his stomach.
~.~
The sun was setting as the group of men hit the city's outskirts. A young urchin about the age of nine went out to meet the group of men outside the city. He handed the oldest man a note. The grey haired man opened the note and read.
"Where did you get this?"
"Just follow the instructions." Was his response. The boy turned away to leave but Ben grabbed at his jacket.
"Where did you get this?" He asked again. Hoss stopped him.
"Pa. He's just an urchin. Look at him. He doesn't know nothing." Ben regretfully released his hold and the boy squirmed away running off into the direction he came.
"What's it say?" Adam asked.
"Maple Bridge. 7 sharp. Leave your weapons at the east end of the bridge and cross it. We'll be watching you. Come alone." Jeb pulled out his pocket watch.
"I know that bridge." Clancy offered.