Ch 11

Cody and Ike made their way over to the saloon that afternoon while Emma and Teaspoon went over to the restaurant for supper. As Teaspoon pushed Emma's chair under the table, he saw the man described as Josiah come in along with another taller man. Teaspoon sat across from Emma and nudged her with his foot. She looked up as well. Teaspoon face turned a deep shade of red as he watched them sit at a table. Emma leaned across.

"Teaspoon, you look like you are going to blow your top."

"Emma, I'm trying not to show it but that son of a bitch is wearing Jimmy's colts."

Emma just about fell out of her chair. She looked down and covered her face with her hands to hide her tears.

"Oh my God." She whispered.

"He definitely is our man."

"Calm yourself, he can't see you staring. Men like him know when something's off."

"I know. Just give me a minute."

Teaspoon stood and walked outside trying to calm himself. After he felt he had it under control, he walked back in.

"Time to let the boys know. We know he is our guy along with the fella that met Buck. They should hopefully make a move on Cody or Ike soon. Let's keep our eyes and ears open."

Josiah and Trevor talked for quite a while. Finally both men stood and shook hands. Josiah was smiling as they left the establishment. Teaspoon and Emma sat for a while longer before they made their exit. They left and walked toward the mercantile as the day was coming to an end. They passed Josiah and Trevor on the boardwalk.

"That indian is back in town. The one that y'all missed. He came back with another fellow." Said Josiah

"He's just looking for his friends. He ain't gonna find them. He is too suspicious to even try to take him so I say we leave him be. Just avoid him Joe."

"Not a problem. Let's head over to the saloon. I got some picked out for ya." Josiah said as they walked along.

Teaspoon and Emma didn't stop, they went straight on to the boarding house. Teaspoon now knew these were the men. Now to follow them and find his boys.

Cody and Ike saw Josiah and the other man come in along with three more behind them. The group again went to a table in the back. Ike was listening to Cody jabber on when he looked their way and saw Josiah nod in their direction. He hit Cody's arm making him spill his drink.

"Dang it Ike!"

'Pay attention!' Ike signed.

The bartender came over and wiped up Cody's mess. He saw Ike looking at Trevor. He started to leave when Cody spoke.

"Excuse me, that man back there. He has been here for the last two nights. He some kind of rancher around here or something?" Asked Cody.

"You could say that."

"What's his name?"

"Sorry I can't talk about him." He said as he walked away.

'Why did you ask him?!' signed Ike

"I reckon I should have kept my mouth shut but thought maybe I could get a name at least. Let's head over and talk to Teaspoon."

Ike grabbed Cody's arm signing wildly.

"Slow down, I can't keep up."

'He has Jimmy's guns!' signed Ike

Cody looked at the man as he stood to leave.

"Well I'll be damned."

Cody and Ike left the saloon to head back over to the boarding house to find Teaspoon.

The barkeep nodded to Trevor as he was leaving for the night. Trevor stepped over.

"The blonde feller at the bar tonight was asking questions about ya. Thought it was odd."

Trevor nodded. He didn't need to say anything. He walked outside. He would talk with Joe later about those two.

Cody and Ike were already back inside Teaspoon's room when Trevor left.

"Teaspoon, that big man has on Jimmy's guns." Said Cody.

"I know son. Emma and I saw them on him today whilst we were eatin."

'That can't be a good sign.' Ike signed

"Where ever they are, they are in it deep. At least we know that those two are our men. Anyone hear from Buck or Kid lately?"

"Saw them next to the store today. That's it."

"Let's try to get em over here."

'I'll go see where they are.' Signed Ike

"Go leave a note at the hotel. Then head right back."

Ike nodded and left. He came back just a few minutes later. The night wore on with Teaspoon and his boys talking. Someone knocked on the door. Teaspoon opened to let Buck and Kid in.

"Anyone see you come here?"

"No, I went around behind several buildings. Kid went a different way."

"Good what did you find out?"

"I overheard two men talking about how it was almost time to get them and head back to camp. I couldn't hear everything but it just sounded off. Then I later saw those same two head into the saloon with a big man."

"Well that big man is wearing our boy's twin pistols."

"What?!" Exclaimed Buck.

"Teaspoon that can't be good." Said Kid.

"Sure enough boys. We saw them today too." Said Cody.

"Teaspoon, Jimmy wouldn't just give up his guns." Said Kid.

"Hold on, I just think that the three of them are just in one hell of a bind. Let's not jump to things. We know they are our guys. We just have to find a way to follow them now."

"I tell you Teaspoon, they are getting ready to make a move soon." Said Buck.

"We think they got Cody and Ike on that list. If they take em, we can follow em."

"How?"

"Tomorrow, Cody and Ike are gonna split up and wander around alone. Cody will head to the saloon. We will wait and see if they take the bait. Ike is our next play if'n they don't grab Cody."

"Sounds like a plan. I'll be close." Said Buck.

"We'll all be." Emma said as they all nodded.

Trevor saw the indian come out the alley and head back to the hotel. He then saw the man he was traveling with come from a different direction. He knew those two strangers that Joe had picked were staying at the boarding house. Something was off. He couldn't chance it. They had to leave and come back later.

Cody wandered the street the next day. He went to the saloon several times but neither man was seen. He waited around almost all day. He returned later that night but again neither man showed. He gave up and went back to meet Teaspoon.

"They ain't here."

"We ain't seen them either."

'Looks like they left.' signed Ike.

"Maybe Buck can track them. They had to leave last night or early today."

"I'm tired of waitin, let's go talk with him." Said Teaspoon.

"I'll go." Said Emma "Just in case."

She stood and left to go find Buck and Kid. Teaspoon looked at his other boys.

"There has got to be someone here that knows something."

'The barkeep!' signed Ike.

"Ike's right, I might have made the mistake of asking who the big man was. He had to say something."

'Maybe we should go pay him a visit.' Signed Ike

"Let's wait on Buck and Kid. If they can't turn anything up, he will be our next stop. Let's not give ourselves away just yet."