As the news sank in, the Kid was assailed by a range of feeling which left his head spinning and had him wavering between laughter and tears. Joy that Lizzie's homecoming was within touching distance had somehow sharpened his barely dulled grief that Lily was gone. He was also, Heyes' confidence notwithstanding, very aware of just how much work was still needed to ensure he gained full custody, because despite being able to count on Emily's full support, he knew anything less would feel like failure.
A near lifetime of mastering his emotions allowed him to wrestle back control with a steadying breath and a determined effort. He would sort through his feelings when he had time and privacy to deal with them properly.
As he became more aware of what was going on around him, the rise in noise level was what hit him first. Followed quickly by the realisation that Heyes and Emily were both looking towards the door. As he followed their gaze, he saw Matlock trying to slip round what seemed like a rather angry gathering of people. He poked Heyes gently to get his attention and his friend turned to look at him a grin on his face. "Last of those documents we got copied just got published!"
The Kid gave a low whistle as he thought about what was in them, "Ain't gonna make him popular. I think I want to see how this plays out."
He got to his feet and was aware of Heyes and Emily doing the same. They managed to dodge round most of the small crowd and were out onto the street quickly. It wasn't long before Matlock with others close on heels joined them.
Soon Matlock was cornered by a growing crowd of people. The original smallish number had been joined by others and the Kid could feel the air almost crackling with their anger. The furious residents began to drag Matlock towards the tree in the centre of the street, their intention very clear. The Kid pulled his gaze away from the unfolding drama and glanced back at Emily who had her hand over her mouth and was blinking rapidly with tears dripping down her suddenly painfully pale face. Shaking her head and in a muffled tearful voice she whispered "I know he's not a good man and he's inflicted so much pain but..." She trailed off, but the grief in her expression tugged at the Kid and swallowing hard he hugged her briefly. Heyes turned to look at him, placing his hand on his forearm. "Stay out of it, Kid. You more than anyone here don't owe that man a thing. I'm sorry Emily, but you know it's true."
Curry felt Emily quiver beside him, although she didn't speak and he met his partner's gaze firmly. They hadn't spent seven years trying to go straight and two years adjusting to just what that meant, to stand back and watch a town go bad. "It isn't really about him Heyes, we got to consider Emily too." He could see Heyes was ready to be convinced, so persisted, adding. "Besides think about it, what will it do to Lizzie when she finds out that she's living 'round people who killed her grandpa? 'Cos we ain't gonna be able to hide that forever." Without thinking any more about it he shrugged off Heyes' restraining arm and started forward.
He drew his gun yelled "Stop," loudly as he fired twice into the air making everyone freeze. He moved to stand in front of the gathered angry crowd, with his weapon still drawn, daring anyone to make a move.
Even without taking his eyes off the crowd he knew when Heyes had moved to stand behind him with his own weapon drawn and was glad when his level, even voice broke the tense silence. "I think you'd best listen to my partner, folks."
Bill Jacks, the owner of the mercantile who was still holding Matlock's shoulder in a tight grip turned to glare at them. "The law can't or won't touch him. This is the only justice we're goin' to get. He's done this town wrong and you more than most. I think you two just oughta put them guns down and let us finish what we started."
The Kid ignored the murmuring of agreement from the crowd and continued to hold his ground. "I ain't killed as often as you think, but I've been responsible for men dying. I know you folks aren't ready to deal with how that feels."
The Kid didn't think he was getting through to anyone and was relieved when Heyes joined in."You're good respectable folk. You think you'll be able to explain to your grand kids why you lynched a man? What about his sister? You want her to live with knowing her neighbours killed her brother? And what about the baby? This isn't the right way!"
The Kid was very conscious that he and Heyes would be powerless against any real surge of movement. He only had three bullets left in his gun and besides that, he knew neither he or Heyes would be prepared to actually shoot anyone. But he let none of that worry show in his expression as he stood watching the men's faces carefully for any sign they were going to do something stupid. He wondered with the small part of his brain not occupied by the drama, just how many enemies they might have made today. Still they'd never done things the easy way and it was too late to start now, especially when the stakes were so high. After enduring a few more minutes of tense stand-off, he saw with some relief, and wasn't that just a strange turnabout? the Sheriff and his two deputies coming out into the street with their own weapons drawn.
At the sight of the law it was obvious to Curry that much of the crowd's eagerness to hurt vanished. As he continued to study the men surrounding Matlock he saw some of them look down, seemingly ashamed at how close they'd come to doing something irreparable.
Matlock did not escape totally unscathed because as the crowd dispersed with shouted encouragement from the law-men, someone punched him hard enough to split his lip and send him tumbling to the floor. He was left there sprawled full length in the dust while the street emptied as people returned to their business.
Knowing the crisis was over Curry holstered his weapon and headed slowly over to Matlock, the man who'd caused him so much agony. He was very aware as he did so of Heyes and Emily's anxious gazes on his back . As he reached him, the man looked up fear clear in his face, no doubt expecting Jed to kick him. Curry briefly considered doing just that, but instead simply leaned over him and making sure Matlock could hear his contempt said harshly. "It ain't exactly fun when someone dismantles your life now is it?"
Matlock wiped his bloody lip before saying. " Seems you and your partner not only won the hand, but the game as well."
The Kid looked down at the fallen figure and something tight eased inside as he realised that at last he was mostly back in control of his and Lizzie's lives. He shook his head at the idiocy of the man at his feet."Now, that was your big mistake Matlock. This should never have been about winning or losing. I only ever wanted what was best for Lizzie and to do what her mama would have wanted." He wasn't quite sure what to make of the look on the man's face. He hoped the public nature of his disgrace and the obvious anger of the townsfolk would encourage him to leave quietly, but knowing Matlock he wouldn't exactly bet his last cent on it. Curry continued to look at him and said. "If I were in your shoes Matlock I'd consider a quick exit." Not waiting for a reply and with an ironic tip of his hat he walked away to his remaining family.
"I knew you were a good man, Jed. Not many would have done what you just did." Emily looked at him with gratitude and affection. He shrugged sure that he didn't deserve it as he admitted with a wry smile. "Weren't exactly him I was worried about, Emily."
She patted his arm, smiling as she did so. "Maybe not, but I'm still grateful." She hesitated torn between staying with them and going to her brother's aid.
Heyes with a glance at the Kid,who nodded in confirmation turned to her and said gently. "I guess you should go help him Emily. Make sure to let him know it's best he get out of town as soon as he can."
At that she went up on tiptoe and kissed them both on their cheeks. Curry felt Heyes' eyes on his back as he turned to watch Emily walk towards her still sprawled brother. Before either of them could speak, the sheriff breathless, but with a relieved expression on his face ran up to them. "I sure want to thank you both, don't know what might've happened if you'd not done what you did. Ain't like you had much cause to care what happened to him."
"Matlock dyin' wouldn't have made them folks feel any better. Killin's rarely the answer to anythin' Sheriff, however much we think it will be." The Kid knew that from bitter experience. Him shooting Danny Bilson hadn't made the loss of Seth or their gold any easier to cope with. It had simply led to a few sleepless nights of wondering whether he could have found another way of getting justice. Ultimately, he'd decided there had been no real alternative, but even eight years later, there was the odd night that the decisions that had led up to the showdown still haunted his dreams.
"Whatever your reasons I'm surely grateful and once folks settle down, I know they will be too." He shook their hands then, before hurrying over to where Emily was still tending Matlock, who was back on his feet although very unsteady. Heyes and Curry watched as the sheriff tipped his hat politely to Emily before his stance changed to a far less friendly one as he turned to face her brother. At the raised voices and animated arm waving from the two men, the Kid could easily work out even without hearing the words the gist of the discussion. Emily still looked pale and was doing her best to keep things calm and indeed she seemed to be succeeding. Happy that she was in no danger he twisted round to look at Heyes who was also watching quite intently and said softy. "I think I need a drink."
Heyes grinned at him. "Maybe even two eh?"
With that they turned and walked towards the saloon without looking back. They'd just been handed a whiskey each when Emory came over to them with a smile. He'd obviously watched the action, much like the rest of the town thought the Kid dryly.
"Well boys, I surely am impressed with what I saw out there and heard in court." His expression turned a little ashamed as he said. "I owe you an apology Mr Curry. I oughta know better than to listen to other folk's opinions instead of making up my own mind. Might as well let 'im tell you the tale." This was directed at Heyes who was shooting them both, but especially the Kid a questioning and definitely irritated look.
Curry took a large drink before saying. "It was just after we realised Lily was expectin'. I came to ask about a job, he turned me down, said he couldn't risk it, not with my reputation and what he'd heard about me." He felt his cheeks warm a little at the memory. The refusal had stung and he'd been left feeling angry at not only Emory, but albeit briefly also at Heyes.
"Kid, guess that was something else you figured I didn't need to know?" Heyes' voice was tight with annoyance and as he turned to look at Emory, Curry easily recognised the signs of an approaching storm. His partner was far more capable than he was of controlling his temper, but once riled could be hard to talk down. He sighed, his emotions still too heightened to relish having to deal with the argument he knew was coming.
Emory also clearly sensing what was coming, held up his hands in submission and looking both embarrassed and genuinely regretful said. "Ain't nothin' you can say to me Heyes, that I ain't already said to myself. I'd like to offer your partner a job now. I'm in need of someone who can back you up, protect my girls and handle any problems without makin' them a crisis. I think he'd fit the bill real good." He turned to The Kid and said hopefully. "What do you say Curry?"
"I ain't hardly in a position to judge someone else too harshly, so I'd be more than happy to accept." Emory's generosity in allowing them free use of his newspaper had been an essential part of getting them to this point. In Curry's opinion that more than made up for whatever he'd not done in the past, besides a job was step one in rebuilding his life. Emory gave him a relieved smile. Heyes relaxed beside him and the tension in the air eased quickly.
That evening as Heyes sat with the newspaper on his knee reading out loud the choice bits to Curry, who lay comfortably on the couch listening and chuckling occasionally, there was a knock at the door. Curry looked up at Heyes who shrugged. "Not expecting anyone." He stood and walked over to the window to look down. He turned, surprise on his face. "It's Emily. No Lizzie though."
Curry swung himself off the couch as he felt an uncomfortable prickle down his neck. He yanked on his boots and walked quickly out of the room and down the stairs. As he opened the door, he could clearly see how distressed Emily was. He pulled her inside quickly and said. "What's wrong? What's happened?" He had a sinking feeling it was something to do with Matlock. Would the man never give up? He could feel her shaking as he held her shoulders. She said rapidly. "It's James. He's leaving tonight, but he's planning on taking Lizzie with him! I tried to tell him he can't, but he won't listen. I went to get help from the Sheriff and his deputies, but they're out of town, over at one of the ranches that's got problems with rustlers. I didn't know where else to come." She paused then her eyes frantic.
Heyes already down the stairs with his gun on, handed Curry his own and while the Kid strapped it on, turned to Emily and said urgently "You'd best stay here."
"But I can help."
Curry shook his head, "Heyes is right, you'll be safer here."
"I'm coming with you." Her panic had eased and been replaced with a look of determination that was all too familiar to Curry. He'd seen it on Lily's face on more than one occasion. He knew she'd not be persuaded in the time that they had. He glanced over at Heyes and saw he'd recognised the expression too. He nodded reluctantly as Curry turned to Emily. "Only because we don't got time to argue. Now C'mon."
