As they entered the saloon, Heyes saw one of the girls walking down the stairs. He patted his partner on his back and said. "Just order me a beer and I'll be right over."

Curry looked at him questioningly then followed his gaze and a slow almost smug, but definitely amused grin crossed his face. Heyes refused to dignify that look with a comment and glared briefly at the Kid's back before walking over to meet the girl as she smiled tiredly at him. "Heyes."

"You're looking a bit worn out this morning."

"S'only from listening to old Judge Farnley snoring. He pays over the odds and as it doesn't take long, means I'm mostly free for the night. He asked about this evening too." She winked at him before adding with a smile. " So you might get the chance to win back some of those matchsticks tonight."

Heyes chuckled as he replied. "I'm hoping so. Don't know how you manage it. I'll figure it out one of these days. Maybe you hide cards or something." He wasn't serious and she knew it. He could always tell when someone was cheating and he had to admit even if only to himself, that sometimes much to his chagrin, she simply played a better game of poker.

She raised her eyebrows at him, "In that dress sweetheart? Now I got go eat before I pass out."

Heyes chuckled again "See you tonight, Victoria." She waved at him as she walked away and he watched her with a smile, before joining his partner at the bar. Heyes knew the Kid had been watching them, but he thankfully made no comment, merely nodded at the glass stood by his right hand as he took another drink out of his own.

Curry was turned slightly towards him which gave Heyes a chance to study his partner without being too obvious about it. He still looked paler than usual, except for the bruising and the dark shadows under his eyes. But in Heyes' opinion he looked the best he had since Lily's death. He'd gained a little weight back which meant the sharpness of his cheek bones had softened. From the redness of his eyes and his damp, slightly mud stained knees, Heyes was in no doubt of where he'd been, but could think of nothing to say that didn't sound too close to fussing.

"So, Heyes what's this plan of yours?"

The Kid's voice brought him out of his musing and after taking a drink Heyes put his glass on the bar and pushed his thoughts aside. "How do you fancy watching my back while I do a little safe cracking?"

He laughed at the incredulous expression on Curry's face as he shook his head and hissed. "Safe cracking, that's your plan?"

"Now, Kid, before you get all proddy, hear me out. When I dropped in on our friend I noticed a safe behind his desk. Now I doubt he'd be fool enough to keep anything too revealing in a public space. But it got me thinking. I figure he's got one of them at home that he might not be so careful about."

The Kid shrugged and met Heyes' gaze, a slight frown on his face. "Likely so, Heyes, but still ain't sure how that helps us. What if its one of them fancy Brooker's that needs blasting?I don't want us having to ask Emily for the combination." Then his face cleared and he smiled slightly. "You know Heyes, I seen that safe when Matlock tried to pay me off, back when me and Lily first started to get serious. It didn't look real new. Bet ya could open it easy."

Heyes glared at his partner, not really paying much attention to the last part of his sentence. He was more than a little hurt that this was the first time he'd heard about Matlock's behaviour, when it'd happened nearly two years ago. " You didn't think him trying to bribe you was worth mentioning?"

"Not really Heyes, weren't like I was gonna take his money." The Kid didn't sound irritated, just matter of fact. Heyes knew he had a point, but still not being told about it rankled, but he decided there wasn't much point in causing an argument over something done and over. He took another sip of his beer, finding himself suddenly wondering if there was anything else his partner had failed to mention before deciding to leave well alone and concentrate on the current problem. " I was thinking Monday. Won't have to explain anything to Emory that way."

The Kid took another drink and then turned back to him. "I see what you're meanin' but Wednesday's better. Emily goes to a woman's church circle, ain't usually back till late. Sure she'll take Lizzie with her, as them ladies will love to fuss over a little one. Matlock goes to some all night poker game, so the servant's have the night off. "

Heyes was impressed at the Kid's reasoning, but was loathe to admit it, so only said. "How'd you know that?"

"Was 'bout the only evenin' I got to see Lily without anyone breathing down our necks."

"All right, Kid, next Wednesday it is. Sure I can clear it with Emory. He ain't Matlock's biggest fan neither. Don't need to tell him exactly what we're planning."

"Heyes, Matlock ain't dumb, what if he don't keep anything bad in that safe?"

Heyes grinned at him, confident in his plan. "Now, you're right, he ain't dumb, but he sure is arrogant. Trust me, Kid, we'll find something."

There was no reply and Heyes glanced over to see what was wrong and noticed the Kid's expression. He was staring at the bar, his face tight as a muscle jumped in his jaw. He looked like he was swallowing hard, though he hadn't taken a drink. Heyes leant into him suddenly concerned, he was about to ask if he was all right, wondering if he was in pain, when Curry turned. "I thought just for a second there that I'd better check with Lily." Before Heyes could reply he took a big gulp of his beer and coughed as it went down the wrong way, before shaking his head and muttering."Stupid!"

Heyes swallowed around his own suddenly tight throat and patted his hand. "Nothin' stupid about it, Kid. Now finish your drink and I'll buy the next one."

The Kid looked at him suspiciously, a question in his face, as he obviously suddenly realised something. "Heyes, don't you get your drinks free working here?"

Heyes grinned and winked, happy to play along and give the Kid whatever he needed to steady himself. "Now, Kid, ain't no call to be so suspicious."

"Heyes, you're forgettin' I've known you all my life. So's I know there's always a call to be suspicious where you're concerned."

Heyes could tell that the light bantering had taken some effort on the Kid's part by the strain around his eyes, but the fact he'd managed it was still music to Heyes' ears. "Now there really ain't no need to be rude. I'm an honest man now, even got the paper's to prove it."