Chapter 11

Kid brought Katy to a stop, stood up in his stirrups and looked into the distance. "Omaha," he stated, as he sat back down and turned in his saddle to look at Jimmy and Teaspoon.

"Yep," Teaspoon replied, taking off his hat and wiping his brow with the back of his hand. "All we gotta do is find Buck when we get there," he continued, putting his hat back on and giving it a tap to secure it in place.

"How we gonna find him in a town of that size, Teaspoon? It'll be like lookin' for a needle in a haystack," Jimmy said pessimistically.

"Now Jimmy, thought I taught you better than that. It's all a matter of knowing where ta look," Teaspoon replied. "Come on. The sooner we get there the sooner we can get lookin'."

They continued on their way to Omaha and were close enough to make out individual buildings when something caught Jimmy's attention out of the corner of his eye. Stopping his horse he looked down a trail, which led away from the main route into town and saw a rider coming their way. He looked closer and realised it was Brody. Luckily the man was preoccupied inspecting something in his hands and didn't see the three riders further up the trail.

"It's Brody," Jimmy growled in a low voice.

"What?" Kid exclaimed.

"Down there, that's Brody," Jimmy said pointing towards the rider.

"Where's Buck?" Kid answered, looking anxiously at Jimmy.

"Well, let's go find out," Teaspoon intervened. "Jimmy, you go 'round the back of him on the left. Kid, you take the right." Both nodded and manoeuvred their horses in their appointed directions, while Teaspoon rode straight towards the lone rider.

Teaspoon was a few hundred yards in front of Brody before he realised he was there. On seeing the dishevelled, grey haired man riding his way, Brody stuffed the wad of notes he'd been counting inside his shirt and kept riding.

"Afternoon," Teaspoon called out amiably as he drew close.

"Howdy," Brody replied, watching Teaspoon warily, thinking he looked familiar.

"Nice day," Teaspoon continued, affably.

Brody grunted in reply and tried to keep riding but Teaspoon blocked his way. "Wonder if you can help me. Lookin' for someone."

"Don't know no-one around these parts, mister, so iffen you don't mind I'll be on my way."

"Well, perhaps you might have seen him somewheres about. Got long, dark hair, wears a black vest. Got a big old huntin' knife strapped to his left boot."

Brody's eyes narrowed at the old man, trying to gauge what game he was playing. He didn't plan on hanging about to find out so went for his gun.

"I wouldn't do that if I was you," a menacing voice said. Brody spun around to see the deputy he'd left tied up a way back down the trail pointing a shiny, silver Colt at him.

Brody's eyes darted about as he considered his options.

"Don't do nothin' stupid now," another voice said. Brody spun around to see another man sat on a Paint horse, with a rifle levelled at him.

"I ain't got him," Brody told them, knowing full well they knew exactly who he was.

"We can see that. Where is he?" Jimmy snarled, riding closer, his gun still aimed at Brody's chest.

"Good to see you lookin' so well, Deputy," Brody said snidely.

"I asked you a question." By now Jimmy was real close and fit to throttle the man with his bare hands.

"Like I said, I ain't got him. Left him with Neville." There was no emotion in the man's words.

"Where?" Teaspoon demanded, his face hardening.

"At his house," Brody replied.

"Where's the house?" Teaspoon kept his voice even and calm but he was losing patience.

"I've had enough of this," snapped Jimmy, grabbing Brody by the collar and shoving the muzzle of his gun into his face. "Tell us where or I'll …"

"Take it easy, Jimmy" Teaspoon warned.

"Yeah, take it easy, Deputy or you'll never find the injun," Brody snarled, pushing the gun away.

"Just tell us where he is," Kid said, adding a voice of reason.

"Well, seeing as I've been paid, don't reckon it matters none if I tell you – hell, might even mean I get another crack at him!" Brody laughed.

There was a stony silence as the three men stared at Brody with such ferocity, that he wavered.

"It's down a ways. Can't miss it. Big, grand, old house but you wanna hurry as old man Neville has been waiting a long time for this day and I think his patience is all but wore out. Don't think he planned on keepin' your boy alive too long."

Teaspoon and Kid glared at Brody but started to move off. Jimmy stayed where he was, gun still in hand, fingers wrapped tightly about the butt, eyes narrowed and mouth hard and thin.

"Leave it, Jimmy. We ain't got time," Teaspoon said, in a low, persuasive voice.

"We ain't gonna just leave him are we, after what he's done to Buck?" Jimmy said incredulously.

"Well, unless you wanna cross the same line Buck did, don't see we have much choice," Teaspoon replied.

Jimmy looked over at Teaspoon and hesitated, inwardly debating what line Buck had crossed, before turning back to Brody. "If he's dead I'm gonna come and find you," he hissed before holstering his gun and following them.

"Be seein' you, Deputy," Brody called after him with a grin but kicked his horse into a gallop as soon as he was sure there was no chance of Jimmy turning back.

Jimmy brought his horse alongside Kid's and Teaspoon's, the older man giving a nod of acknowledgement at his self control.

"Should have let me shoot him," Jimmy mumbled, as they set off at a gallop towards Neville's house.

Z

It couldn't exactly be called sleep but sheer exhaustion finally claimed him and Buck fell into a restless slumber. Periodically he would jerk back to full wakefulness, as his head rolled a little too far forward, causing his bound hands to be pulled too far back, sending a sharp pains down his arms. He would catch his breath before once more giving way into a fitful rest.

He wasn't sure how long he'd been in this unsettled state when he was alerted by the clatter of a door being opened. It took some effort but he managed to open his eyes and lift his head to see a line of daylight, as two figures entered the stables.

The soft hum of a conversation reached his ears but he couldn't make out the words. Wriggling himself into a more upright position he strained his head to try and catch a glimpse of what was going on outside the stall. He heard the scraping of something being dragged and the clatter of unfurled chain then everything seemed to go quiet.

The door of the stall opened and Neville hobbled inside, leaning heavily on his walking stick. The look of loathing he gave Buck was undeniable and for a moment he thought the old man was going to strike him.

"I've waited a long time for this day," he croaked, gripping the handle of his stick tightly. "I've lost everything because of you and now you're going to pay the ultimate price for what you did to my son."

"My friend paid the ultimate price too because of your son," Buck answered, his voice husky with dryness and emotion. "He didn't deserve to die but your son shot him," he rasped at the man.

Neville's face paled and he stared at Buck. "You lie! I'd expect nothing more than that from a heathen, savage like you. You killed my son!" came Neville's reproach.

"And I'd do it again," Buck replied quietly but with conviction.

This admission was more than Neville could stand. "Charles – come here and get this worthless creature," he called out and within a few seconds the large form of the man appeared behind him.

"Everything ready?" Neville asked, without turning around, keeping his gaze fixed on Buck.

"Yes, Sir," Charles answered curtly, looking slightly uncomfortable.

"Bring him out," Neville commanded, hobbling out of the stall, leaving Charles alone with Buck.

Buck noticed Charles' discomfort and saw this as a chance, one he couldn't afford to miss, as there was little other room for manoeuvre. As the burly man began to untie his hands he lifted his eyes pleadingly to him. "Please, don't let him do this. You know it's not right."

Avoiding Buck's eyes, Charles continued to untie him. "Ain't about what I think," he replied in a low voice, as the rope was released from the ring.

"But he's going to kill me. You'll be party to murder," Buck reasoned, his words coming in a rush of building panic.

"He don't see it that way. For him it's justice." Charles kept his tone flat and impassive as he took hold of the ties between Buck's hands and hauled him to his feet.

"But you know his son was a murderer and you're still willing to do this?" Buck asked.

"Willin' ain't the way I'd say it but I got responsibilities to the old man. He gave me a job when no one else would. I owe him a lot." By now Charles had manhandled Buck over to the door of the stall. It was only then that Buck saw what awaited him.

A trunk had been placed in the centre of the walkway between the stalls. Above it a length of chain had been strung over one of the rafters so it hung down and attached to that was a length of rope, tied in a noose. On seeing the trademark knot of execution, the reality of his situation suddenly hit. Buck's reaction was spontaneous as he stopped in his tracks. Charles pushed him forward towards the trunk, where Neville stood waiting. Buck twisted and tried to struggle away but Charles took a firm hold of his arm and dragged him over to Neville, as Buck attempted to dig in his heels. It was a futile however, as Charles was as strong as he was big and in his weakened state, there was little Buck could do to fight against the man.

It was at this point Buck realised he had all but given up – given up hope of Jimmy, or anyone else for that matter, coming to his rescue, given up fighting against the inevitable and given up his rights to a happy life. The time had come to accept the fate the spirits had decided was his destiny. He would accept their decision like a true warrior - with composed dignity.

As he drew a breath and looked at the noose hanging before him, he felt a calm acceptance wash over him. The image of the time Jimmy had come close to being hung, because of the Sarah Downs woman, suddenly came to mind. He had always held a quiet admiration for the way Hickok had dealt with the situation, considering he had no real knowing that the other riders would intervene.

Buck turned his attention to Neville, who stood nearby, hunched over his stick. Shrugging off Charles' hand, which still held his arm, Buck drew himself to his full height and gazed at the man unwaveringly. When Neville saw what he thought was defiance in the Indian's eyes he could contain himself no longer.

"Do it!' he spat at Charles, who looked fleetingly uncertain but then reached out and pushed Buck towards the trunk. With clenched teeth and a sharp intake of breath, Buck stepped up onto the trunk. Charles climbed up besides him and wordlessly took the noose, pulled the knot and opened up the loop big enough to fit over Buck's head. Once the noose was around his neck, Charles tightened the knot to ensure it wouldn't slip off. An involuntary shudder passed through Buck's body as he tried to keep his emotions in check.

Charles stepped off the trunk and rested his foot against it, ready to push it from under Buck. Looking towards his employer he dutifully waited for instruction. Old man Neville wanted to revel in the moment just for a few moments more. Buck saw a sneering smile cross the man's face and knew his time had come. He shut his eyes and prepared himself.

The loud clatter of the stable door being thrown open, with the simultaneous shout, "Hold it right there!" caused his eyes to snap back open, as Jimmy crashed through the door, gun in hand, with Kid and Teaspoon close on his heels. Having quickly assessed the situation, Jimmy kept his weapon trained on the two men while Teaspoon ordered them to move away from the trunk. Realising they were outnumbered Neville and Charles complied, even though the old man looked furious and cursed loudly at the interruption.

"Get Buck down from there, Kid," Teaspoon growled, his eyes never leaving Neville's face, while Jimmy watched Charles, with barely contained contempt.

Kid jumped up besides Buck and pulled off the noose, with a tight-lipped smile. "You look like hell," he commented, as he did so.

Buck snorted a half-hearted laugh in response. "I've been better," he answered, in a hoarse whisper.

Kid wrapped a supportive arm around Buck's shoulders and helped him down off the trunk. As soon as they were on solid ground he set about untying his wrists.

"You alright, son?" Teaspoon asked, casting a glance at Buck.

Buck could only nod in response, as a sudden rush of emotion washed over him but Teaspoon caught the look as their eyes met. He managed to dip his head in understanding before Buck lowered his head once more.

"Take him outside to the horses, Kid. Jimmy you go with them," Teaspoon instructed.

"What you gonna do?" asked Kid.

"We're just gonna have a little chat," Teaspoon replied.

Not quite believing what he was hearing, Jimmy could help but respond, "You're not gonna let them get away with what they were gonna do to Buck, like you did Brody, are you?"

"Jimmy," Teaspoon warned, "this is gonna be done my way. There's been enough killin'. Now, go outside with the others."

"I ain't leavin' you here with them," Jimmy snarled.

"Son, just do as I tell you." Teaspoon's tone was flat but there was a power behind his words, which told Jimmy it wasn't up for discussion.

As Jimmy reluctantly left the stables Teaspoon let out a sigh of relief. He knew it hadn't been easy for the boy to walk away again from the men who had tried to kill his friend. Heck, he was having enough trouble with his own self control but if he took any form of retribution then the whole regrettable saga would never come to an end.

He holstered his own gun and then stepped towards Neville, giving Charles a warning cursory look. In a low, menacing voice he hissed, "If you ever come near that boy again I'll forget that I'm a lawman and kill you myself. Let this be an end to it. I think the boy's gone and paid for what he done, just as your son did, Neville."

Neville's face contorted with anger and frustration but he did not reply. He'd had come so close to exacting his revenge but the chance had gone and he knew there was nothing more he could do. "Take that abomination and get off my property," he snarled, shaking to such an extent that Charles stepped forward to steady him.

"I think it's best you leave now," Charles said, in a controlled and civilised tone. Teaspoon regarded the man for a moment and understood that nothing more would be done and turned and walked away.

Neville's parting words followed him. "May you all rot in Hell!"