DEAD/ALIVE Chapter Six

Joanie smiled so much, her face hurt. She watched as Kid's laughter lit up his face. His blue eyes sparkled. Joshua was as charming as ever and proved to be a worthy foil for Jane. Their banter had them all laughing. Kid ignored the pain when he laughed, and for a brief time they were free from the nightmare of the last six weeks.

"Jane, thank you for that wonderful meal," Joanie said. Heyes and Kid nodded their heads in agreement. "I didn't know you were such a good cook", she continued.

"Had to be when my fucking parents died. Left me with five whelps to raise being the oldest and all at fourteen. I've cooked, nursed, washed dishes and even whored myself out...You name...I've probably fucking done it...at least once. Here boys, I saved the best for last." She pulled cigars out of her deerskin jacket and passed them around.

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Joanie had returned to Deadwood two days later. Jane had been too drunk to accompany Joanie back and fearing for Kid's well being she insisted he not return to Deadwood. They sat side by side in the wagon, until they reached the outskirts of Deadwood. They tenderly hugged and kissed; neither wanting to be the first to break the embrace.

Kid finally relented.

"It's getting late."

He leaned over and gave her a final hard kiss, before reluctantly handing the reins to Joanie. Kid untied his horse from the wagon and watched until the wagon disappeared from view. He turned his horse and started to head back to the cabin, when he suddenly stopped and looked over his shoulder. He sat quietly for a moment then turned and rode off.

CHEZ AMI BROTHEL

Joanie was instantly alarmed. The brothel was dark except for a lamp flickering through the open door to one of the bedrooms. As she reached for the door she recoiled. There was something wet and stinky on the handle. Joanie wiped her hand quickly on her shawl. When she walked in, the odor was overpowering. She quickly pressed the back of her hand to her mouth. It smelled of death; the unforgettable smell seemed to permeate every pore of her body. Joanie felt as if she were going to pass out. Her hand instinctively reached for the small derringer tucked in her bag and slowly made her way towards the light and the soft drone of insects.

Carrie, lay on the blood soaked bed next to Doris. Lily was slumped on the ornate chair by the bed. Blood had pooled in her lap with the excess running down her bare legs to the floor. Her frilly camisole looked red rather than white. The girls hadn't just been killed, they had been slaughtered. Each of their throats looked like they were wearing a macabre red choker where the knife had sliced their throats open ear to ear. Lily's eyes were open; milky gray, dead, lifeless. As Joanie stepped closer, the insects buzzed angrily at her intrusion.

It was surreal. Her chest was so tight she was having trouble breathing. She heard the slightest sound of movement coming from her room. Trembling, she stepped through the doorway and made her way to her room. She stood in the doorway; her ears straining to hear the noise that had brought her to the room. She approached the cherry armoire and pressed her ear to the door. Joanie slowly opened the door. There was a strong smell of urine that burned her nose. Joanie could make out a bare bloody foot. Bravely, she started pulling back the clothes. Kate started screaming, while frantically trying to get the rest of the clothes off her so she could run. Startled, Joanie fell back, but quickly regained her balance, before she tucked her gun away and reached for the frantic whore. There was no comprehension in Kate's eyes; only a primal terror. Joanie managed to grab her by both arms and pulled her close, but she fought, her fingers tearing and scratching at Joanie.

"Kate! Kate! It's Joanie. It's Joanie".

She repeated it over and over until there was a light of comprehension in Kate's eyes. Joanie felt her go limp and started crying uncontrollably.

"What happened?" Joanie asked in a horrified whisper. She could barely push the words out of her mouth. "Cy?"

Kate shook her head.

"Who?"

There was fear in Kate's eyes that if she spoke his name he would return to finish her off.

Kate just shook her head.

"Who?" demanded Joanie. She had to know.

Kate's eyes stared at the open door, then back at Joanie.

"It was Wolcott. Francis Wolcott" she said so softly Joanie could barely make out the name. The man who had run into Jane two days ago?

Joanie pulled a blanket from her bed and wrapped it around Kate.

"I'm taking you to Doc's" Joanie said gently as she led her towards the door.

Kate planted her feet and refused to go through the door.

"He's out there!" She whispered. "He's out there." Her eyes were wide with terror. "Please!" She pleaded.

"Okay," Joanie said quickly, trying to calm her. "I'll bring Doc here"

Kate broke free from Joanie and crawled back into the armoire, covering herself with the urine soaked clothes.

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Doc stood staring at the butchered women. He was shaking his head slowly in disbelief and horror. Joanie took Doc's arm and led him into her room. She motioned Doc to wait while she slowly opened the door to the armoire and coaxed Kate out.

Kate was trembling so hard she could barely stand. Supporting her weight Joanie guided her to the edge of the bed. Slowly and carefully Doc approached the terrified girl.

"Wolcott?"

Kate's eyes widened in horror as tears spilled from her eyes.

"I have to know if it was Wolcott."

Kate looked to Joanie, who gave her a nod.

Kate shook her head yes.

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"Go to my office. I'll see if I can find Charlie. Take this girl with you. Wolcott is Hearst's man. There is nothing that can be done."

Joanie started to protest.

Doc grabbed her roughly by the arm, "You need to get it in your fucking head that NOTHING can be done. With no law, who in the hell do you think runs this town? They are talking about making Bullock sheriff, but it ain't happened yet. And even if he were, you think by some fucking miracle, lawlessness would be washed out of this town just like that? he said snapping his fingers. "GO...or those bloodied girls will be your future. Where do you keep your lamp oil?"

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Doc poured the lamp oil over the bodies, curtains and rugs before he lit the match.

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DOC'S OFFICE

Joanie wrapped another blanket over Kate and left her cowering in the corner, She quickly looked around the cluttered office for something to write on.

Twenty minutes passed before Doc returned, breathless.

"Charlie is coming. Most of the town is headed towards the fire."

Doc quickly opened the back door when he heard the team of horses pull up. The wagon was full of supplies, a dingy white canvas covered the back.

"Don't ever come back, Joanie. Don't fucking ever come back."

"Here", Joanie pressed a letter into Doc's hand. "Thaddeus." She took Doc's other hand and squeezed it tight, "Please" There was deep sorrow in her eyes.

Doc scooped Kate up and carried her to the wagon, still swathed in the blanket. Charlie Utter pulled back the canvas and rearranged the straw.

"Get down deep in the straw. I'll cover you with blankets. It's going to be a cold one tonight."

Joanie closed her eyes and drew in a ragged breath before she climbed into the wagon. She took one last look at Deadwood before Charlie pulled the canvas over their heads.

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Heyes woke, surprised to see Kid awake sitting at the table. He rose and joined his partner.

"What's the matter...not used to sleeping by yourself? " Heyes said with a smile

Kid smiled, remembering holding Joanie close, the touch of her skin and her wonderful smell. But his smile quickly disappeared.

"I don't know Hey.." he caught himself. He looked towards Jane, who still lay passed out on the floor " ...I just feel unsettled. I can't seem to shake it."

"Unfinished business…"

"Maybe...feels like something more. You know of all people, I'm not a religious man…"

"Me neither."

Kid leaned across the table, and stared into Heyes' eyes, "Have you ever been in such an...evil place?"

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A week had passed before Jane ventured back into town. Heyes caught Kid looking in the direction of the road...Waiting? Hoping? He saw him straighten; his shoulders sagged slightly when he realized it was Jane.

There was something different. Jane was riding with urgency. Her horse was at a full gallop when she reached the cabin. Heyes and Kid looked at each other and hurried over to Jane. Kid reached up and grabbed her horse as Jane quickly dismounted. There was something in her eyes that told them bad news was to follow.

Her face was flush. Jane looked directly at Kid.

"She's gone. She's fucking gone!"

She? Joanie?!

"I got to get a fucking drink." Jane pushed past Kid and Heyes and stomped into the cabin. Kid quickly tied her horse, then followed behind Heyes.

Heyes and Kid, shoulder to shoulder, stared at Jane as she fumbled for a bottle.

"JANE!" Kid said exasperated.

She stopped and looked both in the eyes.

"It ain't fucking good."

"Jane please." Kid pleaded.

"Joanie's gone."

"Dead?" Kid and Heyes said in unison.

"They burnt her fucking place down…found bodies…"

"JANE! IS JOANIE DEAD?" There was horror on Kid's face.

Heyes instinctively placed a hand on his partner's shoulder. There was grief on his face.

"No, she ain't, but she's gone." Jane sat down heavily in the chair. She took a long drink and slammed the bottle down in anger. She pulled the letter out of her pocket and held it out for Kid.

"Don't worry. I didn't fucking read it because I can't."

He quickly snatched it out of her hand and slowly sank into a chair. Heyes watched as a range of emotions played across Kid's face as he quietly read the letter. Kid closed his eyes and with a heavy sigh, tucked it into his pocket. Grief was replaced with a burning rage.

"Kid...you can't…" Heyes said. Heyes knew that look.

Giving Heyes a hard stare, he quickly ran his hand across his gun belt and pulled his .45 from the holster. He flipped open the cylinder, then closed it before he pushed angrily away from the table and stormed outside towards the horses. Heyes was on Kid's heels. He caught up to him and roughly grabbed him by the shoulder, spinning him around.

Kid's eyes blazed.

"Kid...You can't…"

"THE HELL I CAN'T!"

"THE HELL HE CAN'T!" Jane yelled from the porch.

Heyes spun around and glared at Jane. "JANE, SHUT UP! Kid, stop and think this through…"

Jane threw her bottle aside as she quickly hurried to catch up. Kid had continued to the corral with Heyes following closely behind. Kid bridled his horse and led him out of the corral. He looped the reins over the rail and reached for his saddle blanket and saddle.

"Look at yourself! Heyes said angrily, "You can barely saddle your horse! You going to take on Deadwood...one-handed and alone?"

"He won't be fucking alone," said Jane.

"Jane", Heyes said through clenched teeth. "SHUT UP!"

Kid clumsily gathered up his reins with his bad hand and swung a leg over his horse before looking down at Heyes.

"You coming?"

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