Disclaimer: Magnificent Seven does not belong to me. This is fan fiction, not for profit. Any references to people, places, businesses, etc. are entirely fictitious.

Chapter 6: Requiem

…sometimes they don't rightly appreciate what you do for 'em

x-x-x-x-x-x-x

"You left Mother alone in Tucson?"

Ezra couldn't keep the sound of dismay from his voice. He felt a touch of chagrin at his lack of vocal control. Although Maude often travelled alone, Tucson was still a wild frontier town. Rainstorms in the mountains had delayed the stage's arrival from Monday afternoon until this morning. Ben now stood here in their kitchen. Dusty, his navy-blue suit crumpled and travel stained, but safe. Where was Maude?

"I didn't leave her," protested Ben. "Grandmother forced me onto the stage. She stayed behind and watched until I couldn't see the stage depot anymore!"

Ezra shifted uncomfortably in the wheeled invalid chair. His elevated leg ached. And quite frankly his backside ached from too much sitting already at this ungodly hour. Nearly seven weeks now since his injuries and Nathan still insisted Ezra shouldn't stand on the damaged limb.

"Mother left you?"

The gambler remembered the many times in his childhood his mother had left him. At least then she hadn't sent him off by himself. Of course, he'd been younger than Ben. His first born was hardly a little boy anymore.

"Yeah, just like she used to leave you."

Ezra arched a quizzical eyebrow up at that. Billy came in through the open front door with the first load of Maude's luggage. The denim clad youth turned right, into Ezra's office headed to the guest bedroom behind it.

"Really?" drawled Ezra.

"Yes," insisted Ben. "She said she had some business..."

Ezra's dark green eyes flashed at the word business. Surely not?

"Oh, good Lord," exclaimed Ezra.

He turned his head, seeking Mary. His partner in raising these wonderful, delightful creatures called children had put a cranky, teething Amelia down for a nap. She now stepped out of their bedroom bringing a small pillow.

"Is Preston Wingo…"

"Still in Snelltown," soothed Mary.

Ezra watched in admiration as Mary walked towards him. At thirty-nine, she was still as beautiful as she had been ten years ago. Lord he was thankful that women's fashion had gone back to using a bustle beneath a skirt! Her pale blue watered silk dress rustled in the most delightful way as she moved.

"And last I heard, he is still married and spouting poetry to his third wife, the young red head…"

Mary stepped behind Ezra and laid a gentle hand on his shoulder. The healing man leaned forward at the slight pressure of her touch. She slipped a thin feather pillow between the back of the chair and his shoulders. Funny how such a small thing could make such a big difference. Ezra felt the tension in his back muscles ease as he settled back down.

"I don't know who this Preston fellow is…," continued Ben.

"An odious little man that I have no intentions of introducing you to," interrupted Ezra.

"But Grandmother said her business was with a woman."

"A woman?" echoed Ezra.

He was pleased to note he hadn't let his surprise show in his voice. He glanced towards Mary. While he hoped his own face didn't betray his concern, Mary's worry was obvious.

"You don't think…," began Mary.

Ezra had warned his mother of Ella's escape in April. As yet, there had been no reported sightings of the murderess. Certainly, no word of her capture. Could the dastardly woman have reached Tucson?

"Mother does have a talent for trouble."

"Just like her son," smirked Mary.

Ezra realized Mary was trying to lighten the mood, to make him smile. He allowed his lips to curl up in a small, rueful grin. They were at home after all.

"Perhaps when the wires are up again, I could send a telegram…"

Mary was interrupted by the loud sound of knocking at their front door. JD opened the door without waiting for an answer. Their exuberant friend stuck his head inside and hollered.

"Hello the house!"

"Come on in JD, we're back here," called Mary.

"I'm hardly dressed for visitors," huffed Ezra in a low voice.

The fashionable man ran a light hand over his chest. The fit of his waistcoat was much better since Nathan had allowed the removal of the last of his bandages. Ezra frowned at his mutilated pinstripe pants. There was no help for them. The metal brace peeked out from where the seam had been and his skin showed.

"You paraded through town dressed like that just days ago," reminded Mary. "I'm sure JD won't mind."

JD took his bowler off as he entered the breezeway. He stopped for a moment as Billy entered the corridor, now empty handed. Ezra rubbed his fingertips against his aching forehead. Mary turned back to Ben.

"Why don't you give Billy a hand with the rest of Mother Standish's luggage," suggested Mary.

Ben flashed a smile. He greeted JD as they passed each other in the wide hallway. Then Ben joined Billy. The two young men headed out to retrieve another load of Maude's baggage. JD entered the kitchen. He set his hat with a yellow paper crumpled against the brim on the big round table. Mary eyed the paper eagerly.

"Is the telegraph working again?"

"Yep," nodded JD. "Got a telegram from the sheriff in Tucson."

"Oh, I'm glad to hear it's working. That is good news," smiled Mary.

"And what did the good sheriff of Tucson have to say?" drawled Ezra.

"He's arrested Ella Gaines."

"Arrested?" asked Ezra. "Surely he meant held? Pending her return to the asylum…"

"No," stated JD firmly. "Ella got herself arrested this time. Don't reckon she's going anywhere until after the trial."

"Good," replied Mary. "I feel much better knowing that woman is locked up."

"I'm getting ready to ride out to Chris and Maria's to let them know," grinned JD. "Since school's already started and I saw that cart load of Maude's luggage, I knew you folks would be up. Thought you might like to know too."

"Thank you, my friend."

Mary laid a hand on Ezra's shoulder.

"I'll get Abner to send a telegram to Tucson," continued Mary. "We'll find Mother Standish…"

"What?" interrupted JD.

The suddenly agitated peacekeeper ran a hand through his dark hair. JD pointed to Ben and Billy bringing in more luggage, including a lavender parasol set atop a large hatbox.

"Didn't Maude come with Ben and her acc… acc…"

"Accoutrements?" suggested Ezra.

"Yeah," agreed JD. "All her stuff."

"No," sighed Ezra. "She put Ben on the stage and stayed behind in Tucson for some as yet unknown…"

JD's face blanched. Ezra's voice slowed to a stop.

"JD," Ezra tried to lean forward. He reached out to his friend. "Are you alright?"

JD's mouth dropped open. His mouth gaped for a moment, then he shook himself as if pulling himself together.

"I just remembered something I gotta do."

JD turned and raced out… leaving his hat and the telegram behind. Ezra watched the screen door swing closed after the lawman. Then he turned his eyes to the items abandoned on the polished oak table. The auburn-haired man reached for the yellow paper.

"Ezra," warned Mary.

"I'm sure there are others in town that would be interested in reading an article in The Clarion with the details of Miz Gaines's arrest."

When the news editor didn't object, Ezra unfolded the telegram. His green eyes flickered over the short missive. He stopped for a moment. Reread the words. Ezra took a breath and counted to calm his racing heart. He looked up at Mary seeming unperturbed. He even smiled again.

"It would seem that the nefarious Miz Gaines made the mistake of hiring a henchman with some sort of morals," informed Ezra.

"What do you mean?"

"According to the telegram, a man Miz Gaines hired to be her bodyguard brought her to the law at gunpoint…"

Ezra waved his hand nonchalantly, still clutching the telegram.

"The bodyguard told the sheriff he witnessed Miz Gaines push a woman down Glory Gulch and wanted no part of murder."

"Murder?" gasped Mary.

From their visits to Tucson over the years, they both knew the deserted area on the edge of town. No one lived there. The steep ravine was prone to flash floods when it rained. Mary reached for the telegram in Ezra's hands.

"Who?" asked Mary. "And why?"

Before Ezra could say anything more, Billy and Ben came out of Ezra's office. The pair were grinning and talking in low voices that Ezra couldn't hear. Billy lightly punched Ben on the shoulder before the older youth turned to Ezra and Mary.

"Grandmother Standish's luggage is all in the closet in the guest bedroom," informed Ben.

"Ready for when she gets here," added Billy.

Ezra smiled at the two teenagers. To this day he didn't know how his mother had coerced Hortense Bennet to bring Ben to Four Corners. Ben had found it difficult at first, reuniting with a father he barely remembered, meeting Ezra's new wife and her son. But the two boys had become best friends as well as step-brothers, partners in all sorts of mischief. Ezra was glad Ben was home for the summer, glad that the two students would be in the same school together back east this coming fall. Yet Ezra hated that he had to ask his next question. He knew how it would make Ben feel.

"Mary will be sending a telegram shortly to Tucson in an effort to locate my wayward Mother," informed Ezra. "Ben, what was Mother wearing…"

Ben's eyes shadowed with guilt.

"Ben," insisted Ezra. "You are not to blame for mother leaving you! It's not your fault."

"I should have…"

"What?" interrupted Mary. "Tied Mother Standish to the roof of the coach along with the other luggage?"

Ben, Billy and Ezra turned their appalled gaze upon her at the ludicrous image her words conveyed. Mary didn't give them a chance to answer.

"No," insisted Mary. "Mother Standish chose to put you on that stage, to send you home first!"

Mary looked directly at Ben.

"I'm sure your grandmother had a reason for that," insisted Mary. "She always has her reasons!"

"Yes," agreed Ezra. "Mother knew what she was doing. You can be sure she had a plan when she sent you on ahead."

Still holding the telegram in one hand, Mary reached into the side pocket of her blue dress. She pulled a pencil and pad of paper out.

"Now what color travelling dress was she wearing?"

"Uh… purple," offered Ben.

"My mother would hardly wear such a garish color," objected Ezra.

He waved one hand in the direction of his office.

"When you were bringing in Mother's luggage, I saw a lavender parasol…"

Mary glanced down at the telegram.

"Yes father," agreed Ben. "She was wearing that fancy purple traveling suit she bought in Chicago last year; it came with the parasol."

"Lavender is not purple," insisted Ezra.

Ben looked from his father, to Mary and Billy in confusion. Mary eyes widened as she read the text on the telegram in her hand.

"A pale shade of purple…," began Ben.

Ezra frowned and shook his head.

"A different color entirely."

"Alright, lavender then…," conceded Ben with a huff.

"Thank you, Ben," interrupted Mary. She smiled brightly. In an effort to get the teens outside, she added, "Billy why don't you show Ben the gift Mother Standish sent."

Ben and Billy exchanged a glance. Billy even rolled his eyes.

"They want to talk without us," stated Ben.

"Yeah," agreed Billy.

As one, the pair turned to go outside. Their voices carried in the quiet hallway.

"You really need to see the new horses and the red carriage…," continued Billy.

"Red?"

"The carriage came all the way from…"

The porch door swung shut behind the boys. Mary turned to Ezra. She placed the telegram on the table before him, her finger pointing to the sheriff's description of the woman pushed down Glory Gulch.

"Ezra, just because the witness saw a woman in a purple dress doesn't mean it's Maude."

"I'm well aware," drawled Ezra.

The tall blonde glanced towards their bedroom, then turned back to face Ezra. Mary frowned at the cast on his elevated leg.

"Will you be alright if I go send a telegram to the sheriff in Tucson?" asked Mary. "I should be back before Amelia wakes up."

"If not, I assure you we will manage," replied Ezra. "We'll be fine."

"The girls will be home from school in a few hours, I don't want to tell them anything until we know more."

Ezra nodded in silent agreement. Still, Mary hesitated.

"Don't worry, go," urged Ezra.

He made a shooing motion with his hands. The determined woman hurried away.

"We'll be fine," repeated Ezra.

His head lowered. He placed a hand over his eyes. His mother would definitely have had some plan. She always did. But Ezra knew there was always the chance of something unexpected. He remembered her shock years ago at finding out he'd used his own money to buy the saloon. Ezra doubted she would have tried to run him out of business if she had known that fact at the beginning of their competition. Surely her plan this time was to send Ben home, then follow? She hadn't saved Ben at the cost of her own life? Right? Something in Mother's plan must have gone horribly awry.

"What happened Mother?"

x-x-x-x-x-x-x

A short while later, Ezra looked up to see the front door open. Mary entered. She stopped at the hall tree in the entryway and hung up her shawl before moving to join him in the kitchen.

"I wasn't expecting you back this quickly," greeted Ezra.

"JD has already sent a telegram to the sheriff in Tucson to get more information," informed Mary. "I only sent one more to Oren. Abner said he would send over an answer when he gets one."

"The good judge is retired now…" began Ezra.

"I don't expect Oren to preside over Ella's case," interrupted Mary. "But I thought he ought to know since he was the one who had her committed..."

The sound of knocking on the front door interrupted their conversation. Unlike when JD arrived earlier, this time he opened the door hesitantly. Nathan stood behind him.

"JD, Nathan," beckoned Ezra. "Please come in."

"JD?" said Mary in surprise. "I thought you were riding out to the Larabee ranch?"

The sheriff and the doctor strode down the breezeway to join Ezra and Mary. Ezra's glance caught a crisp yellow paper in JD's hands. His eyes flitted away from the document immediately.

"I sent Delbert to let Chris, Buck and Vin know about Ella," answered JD.

Unfortunately, Mary had also noted the paper.

"Did you receive an answer from Tucson already?"

JD sighed. He pulled up a chair and spun it around to sit facing Ezra. The Four Corner's sheriff looked serious.

"Ain't no good way to say this," began JD. "Ella's in jail for murder, but sheriff said they ain't located a body. Ain't likely to find one neither, all that rain and flash floods…"

JD's voice trailed off.

"So, the murdered woman hasn't been identified…," restated Mary.

"If there is no body, there is no knowing who the murder victim is," interrupted Ezra. "I'm more interested in finding my mother alive."

JD's expression took on a more somber look.

"If they don't have anyone registered in the hotels using the name of Maude Standish," continued Ezra almost as if thinking out loud. "Either she's not in Tucson, or she's using another name…"

"Ez…," interrupted JD.

"Mary Sutton, she has used that most often."

"I thought she quit conning folks," said Nathan.

It had been years since Maude had used any other name, but Ezra continued talking. His words came fast and frantic. He held up a hand and started ticking off additional names on his fingers.

"Madeline d'Smit, Marianne Stillwater, Melinda Shields…"

"Ez," interrupted JD again, his voice louder, more insistent this time.

The compassionate peacekeeper leaned forward and placed a hand on Ezra's arm. The fingers stilled.

"Sheriff asked the witness if he knew the victim," said JD. "He didn't, but said the two women seemed to know each other, the victim accused Miz Gaines of trying to kill her darling boy. Reckon Maude meant you."

Ezra felt like he'd been punched. He jerked his arm out of JD's grasp and sucked in a deep breath.

"That phrase is hardly conclusive of anything," objected Ezra. "Anybody could…"

"Don't know too many folks that use darling boy," interrupted Nathan. "In fact I can't think of anyone beside your Ma…"

Nathan's voice trailed off as Ezra frowned at his friend.

"Do you not recall a tragedy long ago?" demanded Ezra. "Claire's father referred to her as his darling girl…"

"Still…"

"There's more," insisted JD.

"No," protested Ezra.

If he didn't hear it, maybe it would all go away.

"On the slope of Glory Gulch, a deputy found one of them little bags ladies carry," said JD. "It's got a few things in it."

"Many women carry those things," challenged Ezra. "Mary and my mother included."

"The sheriff said one of the things in the bag was a letter from Ezra Standish addressed to Maude Standish."

Ezra's eyes widened. He sank back in his chair with a gasp or maybe a moan. Mary stepped closer. She placed a supportive hand on Ezra's shoulder. He looked away. Ezra tried hard to control his features, but his poker face failed him. Eyes welled up with tears. Good lord! He realized his chin was quivering.

"She's supposed to take care of herself," whispered Ezra.

Mother couldn't… she couldn't… No! He wouldn't believe it! Nathan crouched down to eye-level with Ezra. He reached out to clasp Ezra's wrist. Ezra jerked his arm away again.

"You do not need to take my pulse Dr. Jackson," snapped Ezra. "I assure you I am fine!

"Ain't trying to take your pulse," soothed Nathan. "Just trying to help a friend… I know how much it sorrows a body to lose a parent."

"And I'm not suffering from melancholy!"

"Melancholy?" protested Nathan. He reared back and eyed his patient in confusion. "Who said anything about…?"

Ezra shot his friend a withering glance.

"You are not always as discreet as you might think," replied Ezra.

He took in a tremulous breath.

"It's true, I was sad when I learned my noble steed died. He was my last link with fri… fri… friends long gone."

"Ez…"

"And I hurt," continued Ezra. "Perforated. Broken bones…"

Ezra hated that his voice sounded so shaky, but he kept talking. The reserved man remembered his embarrassing display of vulgar emotion just days ago.

"That medicine you gave me makes me sleepy and entirely too talkative for the brief times I'm awake. But that is to be expected!"

Although hopefully it wouldn't occur again. Ezra hadn't told Nathan that he'd quit taking the painkiller. He ached, but if a weakness were to be revealed, he'd rather reveal physical pain. It was usually safer.

"Ain't arguing with you there," agreed Nathan.

The physician moved from his crouched position to sit in the nearest chair. Ezra stared at Nathan's warm brown eyes. He didn't notice the front door open.

"And it is expected that I am…"

Ezra paused for a moment. He called on Mother's training and reached for that quiet, calm space within. Unfortunately, he couldn't quite get his voice to sound as impassive as he would like.

"More than sad to learn that the sheriff in Tucson thinks my lady Mother is dead…"

"Grandmother Standish is dead?" Billy's shocked voice interrupted.

Ezra's green eyes turned to see Ben and Billy wide-eyed and frightened standing in the entryway.

"Presumed…," insisted Ezra.

Ezra glanced at JD, desperate to find another explanation. JD shook his head.

"Ez."

"Possibly her handbag was stolen…," tried Ezra.

JD's lips curled up at that last futile attempt at denial.

"I remember thinking she always held on to that thing pretty tight," objected JD. "Anybody ever manage to steal her bag?"

Ezra swallowed. He closed his eyes tightly against the rush of memories, good and bad. This couldn't be happening! He wasn't ready for this. Opening his eyes, he shook his head. Ezra turned back to answer Ben and Billy.

"The sheriff in Tucson thinks it is… pro… probable that Mother…"

x-x-x-x-x-x-x

Mary hung the Closed sign on the door to the Clarion. The Standish home soon filled with more family and friends. Casey was the first to arrive, toting little Natalie and a bouquet of cut flowers. Ezra barely noticed the beautiful blooms. Mary took the flowers from Casey and moved to the sink. Casey surprised Ezra by reaching down and giving him a brief one-armed hug. She quickly released him to join Mary by the sink.

"Did you leave any irises in your garden?" asked Mary as she pumped water into a vase.

A wail sounded from the bedroom. While Mary went to retrieve Amelia, Casey settled the vase on the dining table. Ezra looked up at the next arrival. Mrs. Potter held a plate loaded with an apple upside down cake towards him. It smelled of cinnamon. It was still warm. Ezra realized she must have made it for her children before she heard about Maude. How had she heard?

"Thank you, but I really couldn't…"

"When I went to get the mail, Abner mentioned your loss," said Gloria.

"News travels quickly in a small town."

"I'm so sorry to hear about your mother."

A sharp look from Gloria to her children brought Quintin and Felicity closer. They offered their condolences to Ezra then retreated to join Billy and Ben on the front porch. By the time Mary and Amelia re-entered the kitchen, Mrs. Potter had left and Raine arrived with Autumn. The budding poppies Raine brought joined the irises. The three toddlers babbled together while JD cut into the cake. Elderly Mr. Watson stopped in to pay his respects. He left taking a piece of Gloria's good cake with him. Ezra stared silently at the clock on the wall.

"Mr. Standish? Sir," snuffled a deep voice.

Ezra's green eyes blinked. Yosemite stood before him, twisting his broad hat round and round in his hands.

"I's real sorry to hear about Miz Maude," gulped the big barrel chested man. "She had an eye for a good horse."

Ezra smiled.

"Yes," he agreed. "Mother did have a good eye for horses."

Yosemite backed up, bumping into Mr. Heidegger. The hotelier mumbled his condolences and then followed Yosemite out. A few hours before school let out, a wagon pulled up in front of their home. The familiar sound of spurs announced Chris's arrival before he appeared in front of Ezra. Maria followed with their youngest daughter sleeping in her arms.

"JD sent word," began Chris.

"I know," replied Ezra.

Chris didn't say anything more. The rancher pulled up a chair. The soft, raveled edge of his colorful serape nearly touched the floor as he sat down beside Ezra. Mary moved to stand between them. She held Amelia out to Ezra.

"Would you please hold Amelia while I get some toys out?"

Mary thrust their youngest daughter into Ezra's hands. Amelia looked up wide eyed and smiled at Ezra.

"It looks like you've got your grandmother's eyes," whispered Ezra as he wiped crumbs from her mouth.

Buck and Louisa arrived with little Travis next. Mary, Casey, and Raine moved the toddlers and an assortment of wooden blocks into Ezra's office. Maria followed with baby Inez. Travis joined Amelia, Natalie and Autumn in building castles. Ezra sniffed at the scent of honey, mustard, and cloves. Louisa carried a platter with a baked ham over to the counter beside the sink. Mary left the children under Casey and Raine's watchful eyes to join Louisa in the kitchen.

"Oh you shouldn't have…" began Mary.

"Don't worry," interrupted Louisa. She raised a hand as if to halt Mary's words. "I do know how to cook a ham. It's well past noon, reckon someone will be hungry soon enough."

"You're probably right," agreed Mary.

Mary reached for a loaf of bread and began slicing it as Buck pulled up a chair to sit between Chris and JD.

"Hey pard," said Buck. "Right sorry to hear about your Ma."

Ezra looked into his friend's blue eyes. The depth of compassion there made it hard for him to respond.

"Thank you, Buck."

The tiny kitchen was already crowded when Inez arrived with a platter of empanadas and red-rimmed eyes. She laid the platter down in the center of the table.

"Oh Ezra…," sniffled Inez.

Ezra reached out to the saloon manageress. He patted her hand, surprised to find himself giving consolation. Mary reached over and gave her friend a hug, before pulling Inez towards Ezra's office to join the other ladies and the younger children. Outside Ezra heard the sound of another wagon. A watchful Vin helped Nettie down. The octogenarian thumped her cane down the hallway to stand before Ezra.

"Heard about Maude," stated the forthright woman.

Ezra raised his eyes to the testy rancher.

"You gotta know she'd rather it be this way, her going first, than any other way."

Ezra swallowed. He knew the truth of Nettie's words.

"That doesn't make it any better."

"You won't ever quit missing her," added Vin's soft voice. "But it helps to remember the good times."

Vin steered Nettie over to sit beside Casey on the settee in Ezra's office. The long-haired man returned to slouch against the kitchen wall by the big cast iron stove. Ezra felt Vin's watchful eye on him. Josiah arrived last. The big man's reddened eyes gave him an evil look that was usually only seen when he had the worst sort of hangover. The lumbering man pulled up a seat, crowding the others to sit next to Ezra. Josiah thumped a dark brown bottle on the table.

"Thought we should have a toast," growled Josiah.

"Not any of your rotgut," objected Ezra. "Mother deserves…"

"Better," interrupted Josiah.

He tilted his big head sideways and glared at Ezra. Then Josiah reached a long arm around Ezra's shoulder and pulled him close.

"Son, this ain't rotgut."

For a moment, the two men that loved Maude most stared at each other.

"It's a bottle of French brandy that I've been saving," offered Josiah.

It was on the tip of Ezra's tongue to ask Josiah where he'd managed to find a bottle of brandy, let alone French brandy. But Ezra recognized the pain in Josiah's eyes. He wasn't the only one hurting here.

"Alright then," nodded Ezra.

He shrugged loose of Josiah's hold and sat up straight in the invalid chair. Ezra's graceful hand gestured to the pie safe. Assorted glassware filled the top shelf.

"As I am encumbered by this infernal brace…," began Ezra.

"It's alright Ezra," interrupted JD. He pushed himself to stand. "I'll get the glasses."

Seven glasses of varying sizes were soon filled with a generous portion of the amber liquid from Josiah's bottle. Ezra watched his friends circled around him raise their glasses. He knew most of them probably didn't even like Maude. Wondered, like he did himself sometimes, what kind of mother she was. But they put all that aside to be here with him. He turned to Josiah.

"Your toast?"

Josiah swallowed, then spoke in a gruff voice.

"To an amazing woman."

"To Mother."

"To Maude," echoed through the room.

x-x-x-x-x-x-x

It wasn't until much later, after Savannah and Marietta arrived home from school and been consoled, after all the guests had gone, that Ben remembered the last thing Grandmother Standish told him.

"Grandmother told me to ask you about the house in Charleston…"

Ezra smiled. Vin was right, it helped to remember good times. And there had been good times. That first home held many good memories.

"Nothing fancy," replied Ezra. "But a good home. I was born there."

Ezra glanced at Ben.

"So were you."

"You mean I wasn't born at Bennet Acres?"

"Whatever gave you that idea?"

x-x-x-x-x-x-x