DEAD/ALIVE Chapter Eighteen
***Warning strong language***
Dan Dority had finally found them. It had taken months and months of searching, but he had finally found them. There was no mistake as he watched the two men say their farewells to a small petite woman, who seemed overly emotional. Perhaps a relative...sister? The Denver train was headed west with its final destination San Francisco. He wondered if the two men would be riding the train all the way to California. It really didn't matter. There was no way Dan was going to disappoint Al again. Al had said to bring the pair back alive. Dan would make sure they were breathing, but nothing more. He bought his ticket and slipped into the crowd of people waiting to board the train. It looked like it was going to be full, making it easier for him to remain undetected.
DEADWOOD, SOUTH DAKOTA
Five months earlier…
Al Swearengen's right hand man Dan Dority should have known better. Al seemed to have taken the destruction of his substantial empire amazingly well. Or calmer than he ever would have thought…
Months later, there was already significant progress on the new Gem -"Bigger and Better" is what Al proclaimed it to be. Al called Dan into his new makeshift office. He rose from behind his desk and stood next to Dan. Dan couldn't even remember what Al had said to get him to lean across the desk with both hands flat on the wood surface. Like a snake, Al struck as he drove the knife into Dan's hand. Before Dan could scream Al had another knife to his throat.
"If you scream I will fucking cut your tongue out and if you cry your fucking eyes. The only reason you were still alive is that you will make this fucking right. I will never be fucking whole. You cocksucker, if I tell you to do something I fucking expect you to do it. Not Johnny but you, you gutless piece of shit. Did I say 'Dan ask Johnny to fucking feed those two cocksucking cowboys to Wu's pigs?' NO!" Al said enraged, "I said, 'Dan feed those two cocksucking cowboys to Wu's pigs.' As I fucking remember your name is Dan. I thought I made myself pretty damn fucking clear."
The more he talked the madder he got until spit flew from his mouth. Al drove the blade of the knife deeper into Dan's hand as his rage built.
Dan was staring straight ahead, his head was shaking with pain. He felt his knees start to buckle.
"This is what you will do. You...not fucking Johnny, but you. You will find those mother fucking outlaws - Hannibal Heyes and Kid Curry - and you will bring them to me...Alive. I do not want to see your fucking face again until then. Get out of my sight you dumb cocksucker!" Al said as he stormed towards the door. He paused with his hand on the door knob, without turning he hissed, "And if you are unable or incompetent to complete this task, the punishment you will have in store will not end until you are dead." With those final words, Al jerked the door open and disappeared.
Once Al had left, Dan drew in a shuddering breath and reached out a trembling hand to the hilt of the knife. With one quick motion he pulled the knife from his hand and with a whimper, cradled his bleeding hand to his chest.
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA
It broke Soapy's heart to lie to Joanie, but he had promised Kid. Kid had wanted it to be a surprise and Soapy was a man of his word. When Joanie would return from working at the dress shop, she would meet Soapy's eyes anxious for any news from Thaddeus. He would merely shake his head, causing her to sigh with disappointment. On rare occasions, there would be a brief telegram waiting for her, letting her know he and Joshua were okay. Thaddeus was certainly a man of few words. She would read and reread the brief telegram and hold it tightly in her hand at night, pressed to her breast as she closed her eyes and imagined Thaddeus' hands moving slowly and expertly over her bare body.
xxxxxxxxxx
"Who is Jane?" Soapy asked innocently.
"Jane? How do you know about Jane?" Joanie said with a startled look on her face.
"I don't...that's why I was asking. You were talking in your sleep." Soapy said with a kind smile.
Joanie smiled, as memories of Jane flooded back. Joanie laughed as she recalled, when she had once asked Jane what her preference in drink was and she had responded "That it hasn't been previously swallowed."
"Jane's a friend. A good friend who…"Joanie suddenly got emotional as tears welled in her eyes. "I hope she is okay," Joanie thought out loud. Soapy laid his hand over Joanie's and looked concerned. Joanie sighed. "I've never met a person so intent on killing themselves through drink. I helped her as much as she would allow. You have to...well...everything is on Jane's terms...always. More often than not, those terms are ever changing, depending on any given day and her mood. I was her only friend that she hadn't pushed away. " She looked up wistfully, and quietly said, "But you will never have a more loyal friend. I felt like I deserted her when I left Deadwood."
Soapy was shaking his head no, "I know how you left…" Soapy drew in a deep breath, "Joshua told me. You can't bear the guilt. You're lucky you escaped with your life. And for that I'm eternally grateful. You are a gift child. A gift." Soapy said, "I can't imagine my life without you." Soapy took her hand and lightly squeezed it. "I hope I don't sound like a selfish old man.
"Never," Joanie said with a loving smile. She leaned close and wrapped her arms around him. "I can't imagine my life without you either."
xxxxxxxxxx
DENVER, COLORADO
"You know we are going to have to take the train to San Francisco, Heyes." Kid said as he batted a hand at the large snowflakes fluttering down from the sky. The wet snow coated their jackets and hats, as they stood outside the shop waiting for Clem to finalize her shopping.
"Yeah…," Heyes agreed."Too risky now with the weather."
"Be honest...suits me fine."
"Really?" A teasing smile curled the corner of Heyes' mouth. "Looking to get plenty of rest before…"
Kid snorted, but there was no hiding the smile on his face.
"I'm betting your eyesight will be restored in a matter of…"
Kid gave Heyes a stare before shaking his head. He made his way towards the store door, holding it open as Clem emerged trying to balance all her packages. She divided the packages between Heyes and Kid then slipped her arm under each man's, pulling them close for warmth.
xxxxxxxxxx
"Hope we haven't overstayed our visit." Heyes said, as he slowly sipped his hot coffee.
Clem pulled her apron off and draped it over the back of a chair, before going behind Heyes and wrapping her arms around him. She kissed the top of his head.
"Never," she said with a broad smile.
"Never?" Heyes said, giving her a playful smile.
"Well…," Clem said, correcting herself. "I could do without the pouting."
"Pounting?"
"You know exactly what I'm talking about Mr. Hannibal Heyes. So don't act like you don't. My word, is that all you men ever think of?!"
Heyes laughed. "Pretty much...and how to make money with the least amount of effort. I'm pretty sure Kid would add food to that list."
"That's for sure! You boys are going to eat me out of house and home!" Clem said as she took a seat opposite Heyes at the kitchen table. They both turned as the bedroom door opened and Kid emerged from the room carrying their saddlebags and bags.
"All packed," Kid said as he set them by the front door.
"I think he is kind of in a hurry to see someone," Heyes whispered to Clem and gave her a wink.
"I do intend to meet your lady friend…one of these days" Clem said, addressing Kid who had gotten a cup of coffee and took a seat between Clem and Heyes.
"The offer stands Clem. You say the word and I'll get a third ticket"
"I know and appreciate it, but I do have plans."
"So…we ready to go to dinner?" Kid asked.
Both Clem and Heyes stared at Kid, "We just ate…a few hours ago."
"But I'm…" Kid stopped when he saw Clem's expression. There was sadness in her eyes.
"I prefer staying here. It's our last night together." She said quietly.
Heyes gave Kid a quick look, before they both nodded in agreement.
xxxxxxxxxx
Kid found it impossible to sleep. He looked at Clem, pressed in between him and Heyes, sound asleep. He dared not move, afraid he would wake her or his partner.
He closed his eyes, and smiled. Soon, what he dreamed about every night would be a reality. Morning couldn't come fast enough.
xxxxxxxxxx
Clem stomped her foot in frustration. "I promised myself I wouldn't cry. Now look at me!" She said as she untangled herself from Kid's embrace.
Heyes and Kid laughed. "Clem, we can't thank you enough for your hospitality." Heyes said as he opened his arms for a hug. Clem wrapped herself tightly around him and whispered in his ear, "Please," she pleaded "Please be careful. Honestly I don't know what I would do if…if…" Her voice broke,"...if something were to happen to you two."
Heyes squeezed her tighter, "I've got Kid and Kid's got me. What could go wrong?"
Clem broke the embrace and pushed away from Heyes, "Are you serious? That is exactly what worries me."
Heyes laughed and grabbed Clem's arm pulling her close for a final kiss. He noticed Kid looking anxiously at the waiting train.
"Better hurry home Clem. This weather looks like it's not going to let up."
xxxxxxxxxx
"An early Christmas present...from Clem" Heyes said with a smile, as he opened his bag wide enough for Kid to peek inside. " It was the picture.
Kid's smile broadened, "I'm thinking Clem doesn't know…" Kid and Heyes continued to wave goodbye to Clem; innocent smiles concealing the theft as they waited in line to board.
Heyes shook his head, "Not a clue. Just be glad we'll be miles away when she discovers her loss...and our gain." He slapped Kid on the shoulder as they reached the steps to board the train.
"You ready to see that gal of yours?"
Kid could only smile and nod.
Behind them, at the end of the line, a clean shaven well dressed Dan Dority watched the two men board the train.
xxxxxxxxxx
DEADWOOD, SOUTH DAKOTA
Three days earlier…
"Hurry up Monkey!" Calamity Jane yelled from the hitched wagon. "Them damn cats will be fine until we get home. They're one fucking whisker away from being wild cougars...too mean and ornery to die. And if you don't fucking get some urgency in your step you'll find out what mean and ornery really is!"
Kyle hurried through the barn door and cast one final look at his cats gathered around the food he had put out for them. He had hoped he had put out enough. He wasn't even sure how long they were going to be gone.
Kyle sighed. Guess they could always hunt for their food. Plenty of vermin around to hunt. Kyle sighed again. He sure was going to miss his pussy cats.
xxxxxxxxxx
Jane insisted they not leave from Deadwood. She didn't want anyone knowing their business.
Jane struggled with the oversized bag as she maneuvered it closer to the wagon. There was the distinctive sound of glass against glass.
"Don't fucking say I didn't learnt nothing. Ain't going through that again on a train."
She swatted Kyle's hand away as he reached towards the bag to help her lift the heavy burden into the wagon bed. He shrugged his shoulders, not offended.
She set it as gently as she could into the thick straw lining the bed. She took her seat next to Kyle and gathered up the reins to the team of horses. She paused to look at Kyle, who was grinning from ear to ear, before she slapped the reins across the team's rumps.
Jane smiled too. "Yeah I know that fucking feeling. It will be good to see them boys again."
xxxxxxxxxx
Author's Notes: Small reference to my short story "Pussy Cats".
