DEAD/ALIVE Chapter Thirteen

PORTERVILLE, WYOMING

Hannibal and Kid waited patiently for dusk before riding into town. Tying their horses behind the sheriff's office they moved around the familiar building to the front. They walked nonchalantly by the office window, casually glancing in. The lamps were lit, Lom's head bent over his desk as he worked on some paperwork. He paused from his work to stretch, trying to loosen stiff muscles in his lower back that were telling him he had sat too long on the hard wooden chair. He dropped his head to resume writing when the door opened and two familiar figures walked through the door. Lom quickly looked up; surprise and relief quickly crossed his face.

"I wondered what happened to you boys."

"Lom" Heyes said with a slight nod of his head in a greeting.

"Heyes...Kid".

Heyes started to take a seat when two wanted posters pinned on the board caught his eye. Heyes caught his partner's attention and nodded his head in the direction of the board.

Their eyes met.

"Appears that the information we heard wasn't true...seeing our wanted posters are still prominently displayed."

"Damn Harker! I take them down and he..." Lom stopped and looked from Heyes' face to Kid's with a puzzled look on his face.

"You didn't get my second telegraph? I sent it months and months ago."

Heyes shook his head no.

"That's why I never heard back from you." Lom reasoned out loud. "I'm sorry."

Lom wiped a tired hand across his face. "Politicians…" He shook his head sadly.

"I sent that first telegram in good faith. Governor Thayer granted your amnesty to you. How was I to know his replacement would rescind it? I'm still trying, but I'm on Governor number four and he ain't too receptive. Guess he is afraid from the history of his two predecessors, each serving one month a piece, that granting you two amnesty might make his stay as Governor equally brief. I haven't given up. Still trying to sell him-"

Heyes quickly cut him off as he stood up. "Ain't nothing to sell Lom. We're not for sale anymore. Ready Kid?"

Kid nodded his head as he pushed out of his chair.

"Now Boys…" Lom said as he raised out of the chair and planted his palms on the desk. He leaned forward with a serious look on his face. Heyes had paused with his hand on the door. He turned to face Lom.

"Didn't we fulfill our part of the bargain? And more?" questioned Heyes.

"You did." Lom said nodding his head in agreement.

"And didn't our one year become three?"

Lom dropped his head.

"Ironic, that we as outlaws are more honest than politicians. This world is upside down. Bye Lom. By the way, save your breath. We're done being played."

"Boys, I understand your frustration but you're going to throw all those law-abiding years away?!"

Heyes' eyes met Kid's. "Yep," they said and nodded in unison as they walked out the door.

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Back on the trail, the area began to have a very familiar feel to it.

"You know we're not far from-" Heyes said.

"I know." Kid said.

"You think we should stop by…"

"And what? Like a social call? Why?"

"Ain't you a bit curious why they left Kyle?"

"Heyes there were times I wanted to leave Kyle...and Wheat...and. You don't know what really happened. I'm sure they looked for him."

"I'd like to think so. We were once a gang and had each other's backs."

"If Wheat is still in charge...Might not like a visit from us, especially you Heyes."

"Me? What did I ever do to him?" Heyes said trying to muster an innocent look.

"Lead the gang."

Heyes smiled a small smile, "Guess he always did take some extra persuading."

"Just a little. My vote is we keep riding…" Kid paused and looked at Heyes. "...but judging by your face, that ain't gonna happen. Appears as if I've been outvoted again. How does that work, iffing I have one vote and you have one vote?"

Heyes just smiled.

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DEVIL'S HOLE

As they rode into Devil's Hole and passed the checkpoints, a small entourage followed. Excited whispers rippled through the men.

"Kid Curry" whispered one of the new men in awe. "Wonder if he is as fast as they say he is."

"Go ahead Bill why don't you find out" the man said with a laugh.

"I'm fast, but not that fast," Bill boasted, "Might be able to take Heyes though...heard he is better with his talking than shooting."

Kid looked at Heyes, trying hard to stifle a laugh. Heyes turned in his saddle and eyed the men.

Both men looked around nervously, not realizing they were talking loud enough to be heard.

"No offense" the younger man said, dropping his head. The man next to him nodded his head in agreement.

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Heyes and Kid locked eyes for a brief moment as they rode into camp. There was sadness in Heyes' eyes. The camp had fallen on hard times. Most of the buildings were in serious disrepair. The main house's roof was repaired in an haphazard way with boards nailed here and there, with no apparent care.

As they dismounted in front of the house, Wheat stood in the doorway, his arms crossed in front of his chest. If they were expecting a warm welcome...Kid gave Heyes a quick I-told-you-so look.

"Well look what the wind blew in. If it ain't Hannibal Heyes and Kid Curry." There was no warmness in his voice.

From inside, the house, the clatter of chairs hitting the floor and the excited shouts of men as they scrambled to get outside.

"Hannibal Heyes!"

"Kid Curry!"

They pushed through the door, knocking Wheat to one side as they rushed out. The men pulled their hats off and clutched them in their hands as they stared at Heyes and Kid in awe.

Wheat was furious as he righted himself.

Heyes and Kid dismounted and stepped up to the porch, the men parted leaving a clear path.

Heyes stopped in front of Wheat.

"Ain't you gonna invite us in for old time sakes?"

Wheat and Heyes stared at each other before Wheat relented.

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Kid positioned himself with his back to the wall directly behind Heyes who was seated at the table. Wheat sat directly across from Heyes'.

"We heard you got your amnesty?" Wheat said, starting the conversation.

"Well you heard wrong" Heyes said.

*So you didn't…" Wheat said slowly, as his eyes narrowed in suspicion. "So that's why you come back Heyes... to take the gang back?"

The other gang members' eyes widened, smiles crossed their faces at the thought of a new leader….and a notorious and successful one at that.

"This is my gang Heyes! You even think about trying to take over...these boys here have my back! Loyalty! That's what they got loyalty!"

As Kid's hand rested on his gun, he looked around the room at the other men, who were shaking their heads no and mumbling amongst themselves. There were a lot of new faces...No Preacher….No Charlie and of course no Kyle.

Heyes shook his head, "Wheat I ain't taking your gang over. That was never my intent."

Kid saw the other men's shoulders sag in disappointment.

"We was just in the area and thought we'd come by for a social call."

"I don't believe you Heyes!"

Heyes shrugged his shoulders as his eyes wandered around the room.

"We're missing someone...Kyle. Where's Kyle?"

Caught off guard Wheat began stuttering, "He's...ah….He's up...on the ridge... guarding."

The other men started to look nervously around.

"Well if you wouldn't mind,...Kid and I would sure like to sit around until he gets back so we can give him our regards.."

"Could be awhile…"

"I don't mind waiting...Do you Kid?"

"Nope. Can't visit without saying hello to Kyle...Why that would be damn rude." Kid said as he fought to hide his smile.

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Heyes pulled his watch out and checked the time.

"Ain't you worried about Kyle? Might want to send some boys out to check on him."

"Sam...Pete... mount up and go check on Kyle."

Sam and Pete looked confused. Sam leaned forward and whispered in Wheat's ear,

"Where?"

Wheat jumped up. "Out there!" He yelled motioning with an arm. The two men started out the door when Heyes stopped them.

"No need Boys...We know Kyle ain't here."

Wheat slowly sank back into his chair, "And how do you know that? You calling me a liar Heyes?"

"Because we know where he is."

"Where is he?" Wheat said quickly. "Dead or alive?"

"Oh he is alive…" Although he might be wishing otherwise after living with Jane thought Heyes with a smile.

"You got to believe me Heyes...Kid...we tried to find him. Found his horse. It was like the ground just sucked him up. We looked for days."

"We believe you Wheat and if someone wants to rustle us up some grub we'll tell you the long story of how we come across Kyle and his new life with Miss Calamity Jane."

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