Donovan and Artemus went to Donovan's room while Jim went to his room to time his friend. He was so upset he failed to notice the package on the sideboard. He sat in a chair staring out the window. Too many things weren't adding up and he needed to get to the bottom of it. He rose to go across the hall when he finally noticed the package. He crossed to the sideboard and inspected it. He took the note and read it.
Artemus Gordon…I am the doctor that treated your partner, James West. I am sending you some medicines and you need to take them. Mix one package of powder with a glass of water every four hours. And, Mr. Gordon, you need at least eight to ten hours of sleep per night until you can check into the hospital. Doctor Gannon.
"Damn you, Artie," Jim scowled, "there are still all 15 packages here," Jim slammed the package down and stormed across the hall to get his friend.
"Thanks, Don, I'll be glad if we can get this over with tonight. Not only do I hate keeping things from Jim, but I am so tired I can hardly see straight," Artie confided.
"I can tell, Artemus, you almost dropped that statue on the floor trying to set it on the sideboard," Donovan replied as there was a knock at the door. Donovan opened it and let Jim in.
"James," he said.
"Don," Jim replied icily. He strode over to where Artemus was sitting on the bed adjusting his shirt.
"Artemus, what's the meaning of this…" Jim said roughly as he tossed the package in his lap. Artemus looked from the package to his partner.
"Jim…I…"
"Can it, Artie! How long have you had these and not taken them?" Jim wanted to know.
"Only since this morning, Jim. The bellboy delivered them just as we were leaving. I haven't been back to our room so I haven't had any chance to take them."
"Damnit, Artie, if you care this little for your own life as well as our friendship then you just go do what you want. I won't stand by and watch you self destruct!"
"Jim…I'm not trying to…"
"Whatever your excuse is, Artie, I don't want to hear it. I'll be downstairs until its time to go complete our damned mission," Jim turned and stormed out of the room.
"Artemus?"
"Yeah, Don?" Artie said tiredly.
"James is really ticked…will he get over it?"
"I hope so, Don, I really hope so," Artemus said sadly.
Artemus excused himself and went across the hall to his room. He sat down on the bed with a grunt. He eased himself back onto the pillows and settled in. After a whispered I'm sorry Jim, Artemus drifted off into a fitful and restless sleep. Jim entered the room quietly and saw his friend sleeping and his expression softened. How the hell is it that I can never stay mad at you, pal? Jim took in Artie's appearance and wished they could get this assignment over with as soon as possible. He hated his friend's sense of duty to his country, knowing it was killing him.
Jim pulled up a chair and sat next to him, watching him sleep. He looked to the sideboard and noticed that Artie had taken one of the powders. Man I really put my foot in my mouth this time, pal, Jim thought, my back is killing me but that has to be nothing compared to what you're feeling. When you get up I'll apologize. Jim settled back in the chair and watched his friend, puzzled by the rate of his breathing, it's almost as if he's been hurt.
Jim had fallen asleep but at the knock on the door he woke instantly. Donovan entered and told him he had seen both Matthews and Ketchum sneak out about half an hour ago.
"Damn, what time is it?" Jim jumped up.
"Don't worry, James, it's only 7:30 I think they just went to get something to eat I heard them talking as they went down the stairs. We still have time."
"I wish Artie didn't have to go. The Service needs more agents that speak Russian. Don, can I ask you something and would you answer me honestly?"
"If I can, sure, James."
"What is Artie hiding?"
"Hiding? I don't know what you mean."
"Don, he's been acting strange all day. I can't put my finger on it."
"I wouldn't worry, James. Whatever it is I think tonight's meeting will put an end to it and then you can put him in the hospital tonight."
"Don, why do I get the feeling you think that is more important than anything?"
"Because you've rubbed off on him, James," Artie grumped as he yawned and stretched, he grunted and Jim regarded him suspiciously.
"Artie, you okay?" Jim asked.
"Yeah, I'm fine. Geez, Jim, you gotta ask that EVERY five minutes?" Artie smiled.
"No, pal, every four."
"Artie…"
"Yeah, Jim?"
"I just wanted to apologize for earlier. I shouldn't have gotten so mad," Jim hung his head.
"I understand, Jim. I shouldn't have acted like I take our friendship for granted. I would never do that. I forgot for a minute that you aren't one hundred percent either and I had no right to say what I did."
"We both got out of hand and said some things we shouldn't have. What do you say we talk about that later when you are safely tucked away in a hospital bed and we go get the bad guys?" Jim put on his best smile.
"James," Artie groaned.
"Artemus, do you need to check out that statue before we go? There's plenty of time, we don't have to leave for forty five minutes yet," Donovan said.
"No, Don I think I'm done with that. But you could bring the yellow papers and the white ones," Artie hoped he understood.
"White and yellow papers? You don't want the green ones?"
"No just the white and yellow ones. Now you go get those Jim and I need to head downstairs so he can eat before we leave. I'm pretty sure he's been sitting here all afternoon watching me sleep," Artie said looking at his partner.
"You eat too, pal or translator or no translator we'll do this without you."
They had a hurried meal, Jim noting that Artie at least made an attempt to eat. He noticed his friend favoring his right side and wondered what he was hiding. They left the hotel and headed for the meeting place on the outskirts of town. Jim noticed Artie riding almost standing in the saddle. He wondered what was causing that but kept his tongue. He vowed that whether or not the mission ended tonight Artie's part in both missions was definitely over. They slowed as they approached the barn. They dismounted and hid their horses in the trees. They crouched and made their way to the barn and slipped inside.
Donovan had taken the lead and he found a place for them to hide where they had a good view of the open area of the barn and where Artie would be as close as possible so he could hear. They had a few minutes before anyone would arrive so Donovan took out the yellow packet he had brought and produced a small canteen. Dumping the powder into it, he offered it to Artemus. Avoiding Jim's curious stare Artemus took the canteen and downed it. He closed his eyes for a minute to let the medicine work.
"Artie," Jim whispered, "what was that?"
"Pain medication," came the terse reply.
"Artie, what are you hiding from me? I know you've been hiding something big and I need to know," Jim insisted.
"After this meeting I'll tell you anything you want to know, Jim. Right now we just need to concentrate on getting through the next hour."
"All right, pal but if you don't' come clean with me after this…I'll shoot you," Jim said jokingly.
"Trust me, James, you won't have to. If Artemus doesn't tell you then I will."
"I know when I'm beat, gentlemen," Artie put his hands up, "but I think we will owe Jim more than just an explanation when this is over," Artie said trying to avoid Jim's probing glare.
"Shh," Artie said, "they're coming in."
Men started filing into the barn and took up seats on bales of hay. They waited until apparently all of them were assembled before one of them began speaking. Artie strained to hear and Jim noticed him holding his hand to his right side. He made a note to ask Artie what that was about. Artie's face turned grim, his breathing become more of a rasp, a warning sign to Jim that his partner was becoming upset. Artie listened for a few more minutes as the discussion became heated.
"одна муаровая сессия и мы будем иметь все военные тайны переданными нашим людям, и затем мы больше не будем нуждаться в сенаторе layton. От него будут избавляться после последней сессии," the leader was saying, and Jim, watching his friend for any reaction didn't like the look on his face.
"Что относительно двух американских агентов?" Another one asked
"Простой, мы устраняем их. Г. Гордон заставил нас достаточная неприятность уже, убивая нашего шафера. Он умрет медленная и пэйнфалл смерть." The leader spat and Artie's face lost all remaining color.
Suddenly the door opened and in came both Matthews and Ketchum. Jim and Artie looked at each other and Artie rolled his eyes. They should have seen this earlier. The men took seats near the center and waited for their turn to speak. Artie's jaw became like granite as he listened to Matthews speak.
"Товарищи, мы преуспели. Мы тянули шерсть по американским глазам агентов. Они настолько глупы, они не видели то, что случалось прямо перед их носами," Matthews was saying, Artie looked like he wanted to kill him.
"Jim, how long until the cavalry gets here?" Artie whispered.
They should be in position in about five minutes, why, Artie? What are they saying."
"Oh just the usual. They hate us because we do our job better than our counterparts…" Artie let his whisper trail off.
"Artie…what are you leaving out, and if you don't tell me I'll just stand up and ask them to speak English," Jim stated.
"Ok if you must know, they are a bit miffed because I sort of killed their top agent at the capital today and they said I'm going to die a slow and painful death. But hey look on the bright side, James, it seem they will kill you quickly out of respect for your status," Artie smirked.
"Wait when did you kill…Artie it WAS you at the capital…you killed that man."
"Guilty as charged. It was an accident, we slid across the hall and down the stairs. But he got in a pretty damn good shot before he went down," Artie replied snidely.
"What does that mean?" Jim asked, "It's your side, isn't it, Artie? What did he do to you?"
"Not now, Jim. Get out there and tell the cavalry to get their collective butts in here in about 5 minutes. This meeting is going to adjourn and I for one don't want to be here when it does," Jim stared wide-eyed at his friend.
"Damn, let me guess…there's a very large Russian agent standing behind me with a gun pointed at my head right?" Artie groaned and was prodded with a gun barrel.
"встаньте свиньи янки!" Donovan and Jim looked at Artie.
"Either one of you a Yankee pig? He wants us to get up and go with him."
They rose and all heads turned toward them. Matthews and Ketchum stood and stared open mouthed and wide eyed as the trio was herded into the middle of the barn. The leader walked up to them and stared at each one in turn. When he reached Artemus he paused. He said something in whispered tones to Artie who laughed and smiled and said something back. The man took his rifle and slammed it into Artie's right side with a sardonic look on his face. Artie would have fallen to the floor if tow Russian agents had not grabbed him to prevent him from falling.
"Artie!" Jim yelled and tried to reach his friend, but he found himself restrained.
"I'm okay, Jim," Artie replied through gritted teeth.
"Shut up, Mr. Gordon," the leader said.
"Oh so you do speak English," Artie spat, "good your Russian has become so garbled with your extended vacation here it was giving me a headache," again Artemus was rewarded with a rifle butt to his side, this time he did slump to the floor.
"You infidel, you will get what you so richly deserve. But not just yet. First you need to watch your partner, Mr. West suffer the same fate as Yuri did at your hands today," the man walked over to Jim.
"No! Look, that was an accident; you've got to believe me. I never meant to kill him. I'm tired of killing," Artie cried, tears streaming down his face.
"Tears, how American."
"Damnit, I'm sick of all the killing," Artemus shouted, "I'm sick of all the cloak and dagger crap. There is no need for this anymore. We kill one of yours whether it's an accident or not…you kill one of us…when does the killing stop?" Artie stammered.
"Mr. Gordon, you amaze me. I do believe your emotion is genuine. Nevertheless, it matters not. I, like you, have a job to do and when my country asks I do. It is a pity though, anywhere else I think I could have called you friend."
They were roughly hauled to the side of the barn, Artie hoping he had stalled long enough. He glared at Matthews and Ketchum, vowing he would see them hang for what they had done. Jim looked at his partner and it was then he noticed the blood on his shirt. I didn't think they hit him hard enough to make him bleed, Jim thought, then he realized what had been the missing piece all along.
"Artie, you were the one whose blood was found on the knife," Jim stated flatly.
"Yeah, Jim…sorry I kept it from you but we never would have gotten here if I had told you."
"Artie you mean to tell me that you've been wandering around all day with a hole in your side and you didn't tell me?" Artie could see that Jim was reaching the boiling point. Good only a little more till he blows, Artie thought.
"Yeah, Jim. I've been bleeding slowly since the doctor sewed me up. I made him promise not to tell you and not to notify Grant. I was only thinking of the mission, Jim," Artie looked at his friend and tried hard to suppress the grin that was threatening to break out on his face.
"You what? Artie I ought to…"
"That's nothing, James," Donovan said catching on to Artemus' plan, "the doctor gave him medicine he was supposed to take but he has been refusing. And he even dumped some of the sleeping powder in your drink last night," Donovan looked at Artie and shrugged his shoulders, Artie just grinned, grateful Donovan was between them.
"That's it, Artie, we're through!" Jim spat, he glared at Artie then realization set in and he channeled that anger toward the Russians.
Jim lunged away from his captors and launched himself at the leader, knocking him over. Artie tried to dive for cover but one of the men holding him stopped him. Matthews came up and with a crooked smile on his face began hitting Artemus in the chest and body, landing as many blows as he could to his side. The bandage only protected him for a short time and soon his side was bathed in the sticky red substance.
Jim rained blow after blow onto the leader, he glanced quickly and saw what was happening to his friend and he ended his bout with the leader with a chop to his neck then he grabbed his head and twisted, snapping his neck. The man slid to the ground, unseeing eyes still open. Donovan turned on his captor and quickly subdued him. Then he and Jim headed over to Matthews when Ketchum intervened.
"Hold it right there, Mr. West. Donovan, you surprise me. Let me guess, you're an agent of the United States as well aren't you? It all fits. You were a plant and we should have seen it but no matter. You will all die here tonight and no one will be the wiser." Ketchum pointed a revolver at him.
"Ketchum, you're a bastard and you deserve to rot in hell. You people aren't doing this for the good of your country you changed. You're all about yourselves now. You are no worse than the Yankee pigs you claim we are," Donovan spat.
"Maybe so but at least I will be walking out of here, tonight."
"I wouldn't count on that…" Donovan said as he made a grab for the gun.
Artie had gone down several blows ago but Matthews kept hitting him, raging about how he hated the American agents and their decadent lifestyle. Artie tried feebly to defend himself but lost the battle and could do little more than remain held fast in the Russians arms taking the blows. He finally lost consciousness but that didn't stop Matthews. He continued to hit, kick and rain blows on him. Jim saw Artemus slump and he growled and jumped onto Matthews back and slammed him into the ground.
Jim had so much pent up fury his fist became pistons as he rammed them into Matthews again and again, not able to stop himself. He used Matthews like a punching bag until Matthews slid to the ground; he had been unable to protect himself from Jim's fury. Donovan finished his man and rushed to Artemus' side.
He gently laid him down and tried to revive the unconscious man. Jim tried to fight more of the men but they were trying to flee the barn rather than face the wrath of one very upset James West. Jim didn't even notice the cavalry pouring into the barn, picking up the Russian agents. He dropped to the ground next to his friend.
"Artie? Hey, pal, talk to me," Jim cradled his partner in his lap.
Jim gently stroked his hair and the side of his partner's face; tears flowed down his cheeks not caring who saw his emotional display. Jim held his partner tightly, urging him to wake up.
"Come on, pal, wake up. You don't want me to take credit for all this do you?"
"Why not you usually do," came the barely audible reply.
"Hey, pal, " Jim grinned, "cavalry will be here any minute, you just hang in there okay?"
"Your powers of observation are really slipping, Jim, the cavalry's been here," Artie smiled and winced.
Jim looked at his friends bloodied and battered face and his became a stone mask. Artie saw the look and knew what it meant and he knew that even it if took the last ounce of his strength he had to stop him.
"Jim… don't do it. The Army is here let them take them. Don't do it."
"Artie…I" Jim began, Artie tried to rise and groaned.
"Promise me, Jim. Let the Army handle it. I refuse to be the cause of you getting drummed out of the Service. I'll shoot you first. If you want to do that then hand me your gun right now."
"That won't be necessary, pal. You're alive that's all that matters. The Army can have Matthews," Jim replied with a tear-streaked smile.
"What does that mean, James?" Artie asked trying to look around.
"Never mind, pal. We are going to get you to that hospital now," Jim made to lift his partner.
"The hotel is closer, Jim…" Artie began only to be interrupted.
"Artemus Gordon you made me a promise and you are damn well going to keep it and since it looks like you are in no shape to argue I win," Jim grinned.
He lifted his partner and headed out toward a waiting buckboard.
THREE WEEKS LATER—
Artie slowly swam toward awareness. His side didn't seem to bother him as much as he had thought it would. Breathing seemed to be much easier than he had thought it would be as well. He slowly opened his eyes and allowed them to focus. There, where he had no doubt he would be, sat Jim in the chair by the bed. He was engrossed in an article in the newspaper.
"I see how you are, James. I take a little nap and you find reading the paper to be more important than watching me," Artie said hoarsely.
"Well, that's what you get when you take a three week long nap, Artie."
"That's not funny, James."
"I'm not trying to be funny, Artemus."
"You mean to tell me I have been asleep for three weeks?!?" Artie said aghast.
"Yep, pal, I do. The doctors said when you woke up you'd only have to be here for another couple of weeks then you can go back to the train."
"Well, that would account for the cuts and bruises being gone on your face. But I hardly think two more weeks will be necessary."
"Pal, you haven't moved in three weeks. You've been catching up on all that sleep you lost not to mention all the blood, which by the way Grant is furious about. The doctor said it will take you two weeks at least just to learn to move again."
"Bu it's good to see you finally awake, pal. I was getting worried there for a while."
"Afraid I wouldn't wake up were you?"
"No, not at all. I was afraid you were having a dream about some pretty filly and you didn't invite me," Jim said smiling.
"So we going to sit here chit chatting or are you going to tell me what's happened while I was in what I am sure was a forced coma?"
"Not much to tell, really. Matthews and the rest of the gang were tried and convicted. They are sentenced to hang next week. President Grant wrote you a citation after he calmed down from finding out you tried to kill yourself for the good of the mission…"
"Jim…"
"Donovan was sent back to the Springfield office in Iowa…"
"James…"
"Grant didn't revoke the license of that doctor who helped you, he just yelled at him for four hours nonstop…"
"James T. West!" Artie yelled and winced at moving muscles he wasn't used to using.
"Yes, Artemus?" Jim replied trying to act innocent.
"What about Ketchum, you never mentioned him. What happened to Ketchum? I was hoping to get my hands on him."
"You can't, pal someone beat you to him."
"Who?" Artie asked as if he didn't know.
"I did," Jim replied; his voice barely a whisper, his head bowed.
"Jim, look at me…" Artie put his hand on Jim's leg, "look at me…" Jim raised his sad blue eyes to meet the understanding brown ones.
"Now I know what you went through, pal," Jim said.
"What does that mean?" Artie wanted to know.
"I killed him, Artie. I saw what was happening to you and when he laughed all the rage came out of nowhere and I killed him with my bare hands. Everyone thinks it just happened in the melee but, Artie, I killed the man."
"Jim, that was a man who more than deserved killing. And you let Matthews live so it evens out. We are even on the killing score so we're done with it. That's the end of it, period." Artie stated.
"Now, when can you spring me from this joint?" Artie grinned.
THE END