Chapter 14. Combined Efforts

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"He can't have gotten that far," Lori sighed, anger mixing with exhaustion. They had ridden for hours in the hot afternoon, the scrub trees blocking their view more than the rays of desert sun. She nudged her horse forward to stand in the shade of a mesquite. "If there were just some hills around here."

Jim took a sip of water from a canteen and hooked it back onto the saddle horn. He took off his hat and wiped his forehead with his tattered coat sleeve. "There are some hills to the left, further on. He may have gone that way thinking he could hide better. And that is the way back to his house, eventually."

"We've come farther than he could return on foot," Lori said. "He would steal a horse before he walked, I imagine." She looked at Jim "unless he has money hidden on him. I emptied his pockets but didn't look for hidden areas in his clothing. I didn't even look in his boots."

Jim grinned at her, "don't worry too much about that. Most people just keep things in their pockets. It's just us secret agents that hide guns in boot heels and have exploding buttons."

The girl raised an eyebrow, "excuse me? Exploding buttons?"

Jim made a mocking gasp, "you mean you don't have buttons that explode?" He laughed, edging his horse closer to the same tree. "I guess I haven't shown you all our tricks yet. It's not just the train that has hidden guns and bombs; we carry a lot with us. You just never know," he said. He pulled his boots up, wiggling a boot toe in front of him onto the saddle. He stood, slowly and carefully, putting both feet on the saddle and standing. He leaned a hand on the tree trunk and looked around as far as he could. The horse shifted its weight, "wow, big fella." He grabbed a larger branch and pulled himself into the tree, climbing the wide spread branches easily.

"Clever," Lori said, watching him. "Can you see anything?"

Jim stood for a few minutes in silence, looking in front and behind them. Quietly, he said, "I swear there is a dust cloud in front of us, a little ways off. Not someone on a horse, not big enough," he paused, his eyes narrowing as he watched. "It's the only thing I see."

"Going toward the mountains?" she asked.

"Yes," he said, climbing back down. "In fact, the dust cloud is almost to them. Let's hurry along and see if we can catch up before whatever it is reaches the thicker woods." He dropped into his saddle and took one more look around. "Toward that highest peak, dead ahead." He kicked the black and they both moved forward, leaving the shade.

"Sounds like a good plan," Lori said, "if it's him." She followed for a moment and then moved to his side, to avoid the dust stirred up by Blackjack.

back in the train...

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"Gentlemen," Artemus said, as he walked slowly sideways in front of the couch. A few more steps he thought. "Make yourselves comfortable, please." He spread his arms out to the side, showing his hands were empty. The leader kept his revolver pointing at his chest but was looking around the room.

"Where is he?" The man snarled.

"Who?" Artemus said, smiling. "You are looking for someone?" He stole a quick glance at the man to the right of the leader. He was a dark haired, older man with a scar down his cheek. His dark eyes looked around the room, stopping at an expensive looking silver tea set on the side table, and then moving to the glass cupboard that held decanters of alcohol. He gripped a revolver but didn't seem interested in pointing it at him. Then Artie looked at the third man. He was the young blond whom he had seen in the alley earlier. I wonder how he liked the exploding flask, he thought to himself. The young man was holding a revolver also but was mostly looking at the floor, nervous and silent.

"John!" The leader yelled, recapturing everyone's attention. "We came to get him back. I tracked your friend back to this train in the yards. We watched you all day and then you finally pulled away out of town. So we went ahead and made a little welcome surprise for the engineer. We were going to weaken the trestle over the first big gulch yonder back but I didn't want to kill John too. So we just stopped the train without hurting anyone or anything."

"Well I appreciate your consideration for our well being" Artie said, bowing his head slightly. He shifted his feet, moving a few more inches to the right. "But you are too late. I am sure you noticed the door was missing to the stable car. That's where your friend escaped through. He is long gone and my friend has gone after him."

The leader looked at the older man and they exchanged a dark glance. Artie felt the hairs on the back of his neck raise when the two men both turned to face him. With two revolvers now pointing at him, he felt his plan die before he even started.

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in the desert...

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"Going to be dark soon," Jim said, as he dismounted. Blackjack blew and shook his head. Jim patted the animal's neck to calm it as he stepped closer to Lori. "I didn't grab any blankets and we don't have much food. It's going to be a long, cold night."

"I cannot believe we haven't caught up to him." Lori stomped around the side of her white horse, kicking the dirt angrily. She ignored Jim's concerns as she paced. "He was on foot, I saw what direction he went in. Did we ride past him? Was he hiding in a gopher hole?"

"He ran and ducked," Jim shrugged. "I think he moved as fast and far away from the train as he could. We can make a trap for him tonight when it get's dark. I'm pretty sure I can draw him in."

"Draw him in? With what for bait?" Lori looked at him, her eyebrows twisting with disbelief.

Jim turned and opened the saddle bag. He stuck a hand down inside and twisted, obviously digging around, moving items. His hand came out holding a small can. "Baked beans in a can. Smells good when heated and the odor will go a long way. And a hot cup of coffee with it. He must be starving since he took off just before lunch and has been running all day. I am sure we're nearby, we just can't put our finger on him."

"And you think he will give himself up for a cup of coffee and plate of beans," Lori hissed. "That's stupid." She stood, arms crossed over her chest, glaring at him from under the brim of her hat.

"I didn't say he would give himself up," Jim said, tossing the can in the air and catching it. "I said he would come in and try to get the food." He winked at her and put the can back in the saddle bag. "Let's get some wood for a fire. It's going to be cold tonight. These scrub trees won't give us much cover but it will be warmer buy that cliff."

"I think you're crazy but I'll take a cup of coffee and a plate of beans," Lori said, stooping over to pick up a branch from the ground. She jumped back with a squeal of surprise. Jim turned to see a brown snake with darker markings slithering away from her feet. "Oh, only a copperhead. I thought it was a rattler," she sighed.

"I thought Copperheads were also poisonous," Jim said, not moving as the snake slithered past his boots.

"They are but they don't usually kill you," Lori said, kicking the next branch before she picked it up. "But it would still ruin our evening. Just watch out." She started to pile wood in her arms, "fire by the cliff face?" She walked to a flat space and tossed the wood against the rock wall. "Should make a good chimney and spread the smoke everywhere."

Jim walked over and tossed his pile of wood on the ground, "of course we could also attract a few curious Indians." He winked at her, as she suddenly looked around nervously. "Maybe I should just keep you warm and we forget the fire." He suddenly wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her close against him.

"What?" the girl squealed, completely surprised by his sudden move.

Lori started to push away but he pulled her closer, pressing his lips to her's. He felt her stiffen but knew she would soon relax and embrace him, as girls usually did when he held them. He ran a hand up her spine, his body instantly warming inside, reacting to the feel of her body against his. Instead his left eye burst into needles of pain. He gasped and fell back, seeing stars inside his shut eyelid. "Ow!"

"What the hell do you think you're doing?!" Lori shoved him back into the cliff with one hand, her right fist held by her face, ready to punch him again.

Jim held a hand over his watering eye, "I have no idea," he growled. "It seemed like a good idea at the time. Just forget it." He dug into a pocket and pulled out a handkerchief, wiping his face.

"How dare you grab me like that?" Lori hissed back, "Is that how you treat women? Just grab one whenever you feel like it?" She spun on her heel and stomped off between the trees, kicking more fallen branches.

Jim watched her for a few minutes, as she stood with her back turned towards him, his irritation eventually being replaced by curiosity. Finally, with a long sigh, he said quietly, "look, I'm sorry. I didn't mean any harm and I didn't mean to upset you." He noticed that her arms were crossed over her chest and her shoulders were shaking. He walked slowly up behind her, careful not to touch her this time. "I'm sorry," he whispered, surprised at her reaction. "Are you all right? I guess I surprised you."

The girl took a few steps away from him and nodded silently. She bent over and snatched up a few more branches and walked past him, to the cliff, keeping her eyes averted from his. Jim sighed again, thinking to himself, "really blew that one."

He walked to Blackjack and pulled off the saddle bag. He carried it to the cliff and put it down near the growing pile of sticks. "Well, partner," he said to his absent friend, as Lori quickly moved away from him again, "what did you put in this bag of tricks?" He pulled out the can of beans and set it down on the ground. Then added another can, a paper bag, and a metal hook. The other side of the saddle bags held a small black frying pan, two small plates, and a long handled spoon. He placed the dry wood into a square shape, stacking the branches up, snapping longer ones into shorter sections. He emptied the paper bag into the pan and rolled the paper into a long section and jammed into between the sticks. He paused as Lori silently dropped another armload of wood on the ground next to him, still not looking at him. Jim watched her curiously, wondering why one kiss had caused such a negative reaction. He shook his head and dug in his pockets for a match. The dry paper lit instantly and helped spread the flame to the branches. Soon a small fire was burning, sending grey smoke up the cliff's face. Jim watched the smoke dissipate, grey swirls twisted off through the treetops above. Lack of any wind allowed the smoke to spread in all directions.

Lori returned with yet another armload and paused to watch the smoke. Then she looked from the frying pan to the cans. She quietly sat down on the opposite side of the fire and took a deep breath. Speaking into the dirt in front of her, she said quietly, "I'm sorry I reacted like that. I know you didn't mean me any harm. It was just a surprise and that's how I react to surprises."

Jim sat quietly for a moment, watching her body language. She sat hunched over, her arms still wrapped around her chest, staring at the ground. He had the urge to sit next to her and wrap a protective arm around her shoulder but was not ready yet to risk another punch. He touched his face, just below his right eye, feeling the tenderness. He could feel his eye lid swelling already. "I'm sorry I surprised you," he said, giving her his best grin. "I am probably more pushy than I should be. But you have to admit one thing," he paused, watching her.

The pale eyes rose slightly to look at him, "what," she snapped, obviously still not happy with him.

"It did warm you up?" He smiled, as she glared at him. "Oh, come on," he laughed, "I'm told I'm a pretty good kisser. But I'll ask first next time." Lori snorted and looked back at the cans. "And you punch as hard as Artie does; very impressive."

"Has Artie punched you?" She leaned back, stretching her back and moving her arms. The anger seemed to be slowly ebbing away. "I thought you two always got along."

Jim paused, thinking, "I don't think he has ever punched me in anger. It's been more of a situation where we need to fake someone out. It helps to suddenly change a scene if we need to start moving, surprise a guard, run for a door. So maybe he hasn't punched me as hard as he could."

Lori stared at him, noting the swelling eye. "Well maybe I could hit you harder if I wasn't surprised. Do I get a second try?"

Jim picked up the can of beans, "not tonight. You can surprise me next time." He picked up the metal tool and began to cut the top edge of the can open. "Dinner will be beans on broken crackers," he said, changing the subject. "It's one of my specialties. And canned peaches for dessert."

"And coffee?" Lori looked around, "I don't see a pot." Jim nodded toward his horse, "I'll get it." She stood and moved quickly to the horse, digging into more saddle bags. She walked back to the fire with a small coffee pot. She opened it and pulled out a brown paper sack. "How much do you put in?"

"Start pouring the grounds into the pot," he said, watching her closely, "I'll say when to stop." He waited as she slowly poured the grounds in from the sack. "Ok, that should be enough to put hair on your chest." He winked at her as she scowled. "And it should be strong enough to attract ole Johnny."

"Do you have a gun with you?" Lori asked, looking at his waist and clothing. "Or will you just beat him with the frying pan?" She patted her shotgun, "can't have mine."

"I did run out of the train without my usual gear," Jim said. He patted his side where his revolver usually hung and flexed his right arm, waving the torn sleeve, "no sleeve gun and no revolver." He winked at her, "I could be at your mercy." The girl's grey eyes narrowed in irritation again, "Or, I could show you my most secret handgun." He crossed his legs and grabbed the heel of his right boot. With a sharp twist, the heel popped off and he dropped out a set of twin gun barrels. Then he repeated with the other boot, showing her the grip and action of a small handgun.

"You have hollow heels on your boots?" She snorted, watching him put the gun together. "That's the smallest derringer I have ever seen." She leaned over to look at it. "Does it function?"

"Of course," Jim said, balancing the two pieces down on his knees. He reached for his belt buckle, sliding a piece of metal on the bottom edge to one side. Two cartridges dropped into his palm. "And it's very accurate, though I don't usually shoot any great distance with a Derringer." He put the ammunition in the gun barrels and snapped it shut. "And now that I am safely armed, I think we can eat. But we need to save some for our bait."

"I suppose," Lori grumbled, "though I think your idea is silly. He would more likely come after the horses." She glanced at two animals nearby. "Hey, your horse is untied." She started to rise and he held a hand out to stop her.

"Don't worry about him," Jim said, "he won't walk away. And if Johnny tries to ride him, especially bareback, that horse will toss him off and stomp on him." He looked up at Blackjack, "right, big fella?" The black's ears twitched and he watched Jim intently. Jim snorted, "and if any shooting starts, its better he can run, move out of the way." He spooned the beans and crackers onto a small plate and handed it to her. Lori took it eagerly, pulling a small knife from her belt to eat with.

"This is delicious," she muttered. "You're as good a cook as your partner. And, this time, I actually know what I'm eating," she laughed, taking another bite.

Jim reached behind his neck and pulled out his throwing knife and also began using it as a utensil. Lori watched yet another hidden weapon appear and rolled her eyes. He pushed the pan, with a small pile of beans, into the edge of the coals to keep it warm. "Artie does cook up some odd concoctions. One time he…" a twig snapped behind him and Lori's eyes snapped up to look beyond his shoulder. Then their eyes locked and Jim slowly set his plate down. He picked up the Derringer as Lori reached for her shotgun.

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"But I am being rude," Artemus said, holding his hands wide again. "I should be offering you something to eat or drink. Wine or whiskey?" He waved a hand toward the cabinet as Christian seemed to appear before it. He was so startled, he jumped, but tried to smooth it over so the men wouldn't notice her. "Maybe you would like to invite the others inside. How many friends do you have with you?"

The leader jerked his head toward the broken door. "I got two more men outside. And if I want your whiskey or your food, I'll just take them after your dead. But I want something else first."

"And that is," Artie said, his voice taking a sharper edge. The conversation was going down hill fast, and the two aggressive men were now both facing him with guns drawn.

"I want that child too," the leader snarled. "John said she was worth money so we want her. She must come from a rich family back east that will pay to get her back. So where is she? You got her hidden somewhere, I bet. Maybe a little fire will flush her out," he laughed, elbowing his friend in the side.

"No," Christian said, stepping forward toward the group. The men all spun to face her, surprise clear on their faces. "Your friend John took little Mary with him. That's why Lori went after him with Mr. West." She stood to the left of Artemus, near the dining room table. Her hands were crossed over her chest and her fingers were nervously fidgeting near her sides.

"Well aren't you the pretty thing," the leader said, looking her up and down. The side-kick let out a long whistle, also looking her over. "Where did you come from? You been hiding under the table or something?"

The youngest stepped around his friends to get a better look at her. "That's the one John said was a witch. He said she can appear and disappear and cast spells on men."

"That's crazy talk," the leader snapped. "She's just a girl, quiet and shy. This hear fella had us talking and we just didn't see her walk in." He spoke firmly but his feet took a few steps back. He turned again to face Artemus, the revolver back to pointing to him. "Now why didn't you mention John took Mary when we first came here? You could have saved us a mess of time," he laughed, raising the revolver to eye level. "Now we don't need you but I will take your woman and your whiskey."

"Over my dead body," Artie growled, as he took his last step to the right, finally reaching the right end of the couch. The toe of his boot moved quickly and the matched set of revolvers on the side table spun.

The leader laughed, not noticing the pair of handguns pointing at him. "That was my idea," he laughed, pulling the hammer back on his gun. Two loud shots rang out in the small room and the man dropped his firearm. He staggered back to the fireplace, reached out to it for support, but slowly slid to the floor.

Artie snatched one of the revolvers from its table stand and looked to the other men. The one nearest Christian was lying on his back on the carpet. The third man was standing rigid and shaking, inching toward the door.

"Hold it," Artie snapped. The young fellow tore his eyes from his fallen companions to look at him. "Drop your gun! Now!" the revolver clunked to the carpet and the kid stepped back again. His hands came up as his mouth hung open, moaning. "I'm not going to shoot you. Just don't move," Artie said, his voice softening, as he could see the man was no threat.

Artie moved to the second dead man. He looked down and gasped. Two small throwing knives were impaled on either side of the man's windpipe. Two red drizzles of blood were running down his neck onto the carpet. Artie looked up at Christian's face and then to her waist. The neat row of throwing knives had two empty pockets.

"I'm sorry," Christian said, tears coming to her eyes. "I thought they would both shoot you. I didn't know what else to do." She covered her mouth as she choked back a sob.

"No, no, no," Artie said, breaking into a smile. "You did the right thing. I didn't want them to shoot me either." He walked to her and wrapped an arm around her shoulder, hugging her. "Thank you. I wasn't sure how I was going to take care of both of them. Why don't you go check on Mary while I speak to this young man? Keep her in Jim's room until I come for you." He was keeping one eye on the kid but the young man didn't seem to be moving a muscle. He kissed the top of her head as she turned to move down the hallway and Artie walked back to the one surviving gang member.

"Who are the two outside?" Artie snapped, nodding his head toward the windows.

"Those are my cousins, Darrel and Doug" the man said. "My name is Tim and I didn't want this to happen. I'm sorry. I'm glad you didn't get shot or that lady. I didn't want anyone to get hurt." His eyes shut and tears rolled down his cheeks as his chin quivered. "I didn't know they was this mean."

Artie rolled his eyes and reached out to squeeze the man's shoulder. "Do you have any other weapons on you?" The man shook his head. "Why don't you sit down by the desk." He led the man to the chair behind the desk as movement occurred just outside the door. Artie brought his gun up but instantly noticed it was the engineer. "Cob, come in and join the party."

Cobb walked slowly into the varnish car, his eyes going to the two dead gunmen and then to the live one near Artie. He nodded, "you have had a day of it," he drawled. "Would you like these two moved out to the stable car? I thought we should get going again."

"Tracks clear," Artie said, "no damage?"

Cobb nodded, "there was a signal fire but it didn't do more than darken the boards. Everything seems fine."

"Watch out moving around outside," Artie said, as Cobb walked to the first dead man. The young fireman was behind him, waiting to carry whatever needed carrying. "There are two more of them out there," he added.

"Oh, no there ain't," the fireman said, grinning, "There was but they ain't there no more after I took my rifle to them. They run for the hills."

Tim groaned and dropped his face into his hands. Artie squeezed his shoulder again, feeling sorry for the kid. He nodded to Cobb as the first body was carried past. "I will go through their pockets later. Just toss him in a corner for now. We'll turn them over at the next town." He pulled Tim to his feet, "let's you and I go to the stable car too. I have another comfortable place for you to sit." He escorted him outside as Cobb and his helper returned to carry out the second corpse.

tbc...