Blackjack Jenny
(What happened to Blackjack Jenny after Kid and Heyes left Touchstone?)
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"Heyes, you think she'll remember us?" Kid asked as the two rode across the dry, rocky terrain on their way to Yuma.
"She took it upon herself to see that the money was returned, agreed to stay to testify at the trial, and figured out exactly who you and I really are. She also told us to look her up if we ever got to Yuma. Yeah, she'll remember us," Heyes replied.
"I wonder why nothing about the trial ever got into the newspapers."
"I think there's two reasons for that. One is that Blodgett was a Deacon in the Baptist Church, and the other was because Blodgett is a very rich man. Blodgett had enough influence and money to keep it all out of the papers."
"I sure hope Jenny got found not guilty. I hate to think of her sitting in the Wyoming Women's Prison. She don't deserve that."
"Louise will be able to tell us what happened."
"How we gonna find her? If she's told anybody about what happened in Touchstone, our names had to come up. We go into Yuma asking questions, somebody's that's heard the story will sure as shootin' put two and two together."
"You're right Kid. It's gonna be a little tricky. She said she has a sister in Yuma, so she's got a place to stay, but she's still got to earn her keep. I think our best bet is to start by checking out all the cafes and restaurants. With a little luck, we'll be able to find her on our own."
"And if Jenny is in prison, then what?" Kid asked.
"Let's just cross one bridge at a time, Kid. Maybe prison ain't even a part of the picture."
"Hope you're right."
0-0-0-0-0
Yuma was a growing community with a center town square and several streets meandering off in one direction or another. The entire town was a good five or six city blocks. Heyes and Kid rode into town from the north and did a slow circle around the square before stopping at the hotel. Years of outlawing and waiting for amnesty had forced them to develop many protective habits and, by the time they dismounted in front of the hotel, both men knew the Sheriff's name, the location of the jail and livery stable, and the most direct route out of town from the hotel as well as the nearby saloon.
"Heyes, you believe in omens?" Kid asked as they climbed out of their saddles.
"Depends. What are you talking about?"
"The Sheriff's name is Death."
"I think it's actually pronounced Deeth, so maybe it don't count as an omen."
"What kind of a name is that, anyway? I'd hate to hafta walk up to people and say hello, I'm Mr. Death."
"Deeth," Heyes corrected.
"Even if you pronounce it that way, people know how you spell it," Kid countered.
"Heyes shook his head. "Come on, let's get a room, get our things upstairs, and start looking for Louise."
"I counted two restaurants and seven cafes as we rode in, and there's three more streets, all with side streets, that we ain't even seen yet. If we're gonna find Louise in one of them cafes, it's gonna take us most of the day."
"Longer than that if you keep jabbering," Heyes reminded him.
Gathering his saddlebags and rifle and tucking his bedroll under his arm, Kid stood waiting for Heyes, then followed his partner into the hotel. Half an hour later they were once again outside the hotel, this time looking up and down the street deciding just where to begin their search for Louise Carson.
"Got the same number of places no matter which end we start," Kid concluded. "Let's just start on this side of the street, head north, came back down the other side, and finish up on this side again."
"That's what I like about you Kid, no imagination whatsoever."
Kid shot Heyes a disgusted smirk and started down the street, leaving Heyes to catch up with him.
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The first café was just two doors down from the hotel. When they walked in the place was bustling with activity, so they found a table and sat down.
"I'm hungry," Kid said as he sniffed the aromas floating through the air.
Heyes frowned. "You're always hungry and we've got a lot of places to cover."
"What'll be?" the waitress asked.
"Coffee," Heyes replied.
"And a piece of cherry pie," Kid added.
"You gonna sample the pie in ever shop?" Heyes asked after the waitress left to fill their order.
"I might," Kid replied.
Moments later the waitress returned with the coffee and pie.
"You wouldn't happen to have a woman working here by the name of Louise Carson?" Heyes asked as Kid picked up his fork and plunged it into the warm piece of pie.
The waitress shook her head. "Sorry, never heard of her," she replied and tore the bill from her small pad of paper and set it on the table. "Enjoy."
Heyes plopped his elbow on the table and rested his chin in his hand. "Well, one down and only about a hundred left to go."
"Uh-huh," Kid replied with a mouthful of pie.
Two hours and eight cafes later, Kid and Heyes stood at the end of the street.
"I think this is gonna take longer than I expected," Heyes said as he glanced at his partner who had one hand poised on his now expanded stomach. "You alright, Kid?"
"I think my stomach is commencing to protest," Kid replied with some concern.
"Eight pieces of fruit pie and not one of em the same fruit. Berries and cherries and strawberries, not to mention rhubarb and peaches, banana cream, pumpkin, and plum, and then to turn it all into a soup with all that coffee you've been drinking. I'm surprised you've lasted this long."
"You keep talking like that and you're gonna be seeing all them pies and coffee right here in the street," Kid warned.
"Maybe you'd best go back to the hotel and rest or… release or something. I'll keep looking for a while."
Kid nodded while still keeping his hand against his stomach and made his way slowly down the street toward the hotel.
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Kid walked into the hotel and headed toward the stairs.
"Oh, Mr. Jones, a package and a note arrived for you while you were out," the hotel clerk called to him.
Kid gave the clerk a dismissive wave of his hand. "Give them to Mr. Smith when he returns," Kid said and lumbered up the stairs to their room.
Two hours later, Heyes returned and found Kid awake but curled up on his bed with a blanket covering him.
"Feeling better?"
"A little. Did you get the note from the clerk downstairs?"
"What note?"
"The clerk said there was a note and a package waiting for us at the desk."
Before Heyes could reply, there was a knock on the door.
"Who is it?" Heyes asked while pulling his gun from his holster.
"Tommy Bradshaw. My pa works downstairs. He told me to bring this up here to you," and child's voice explained.
Heyes holstered his gun and opened the door.
"It's a poisonberry pie and a message," Tommy explained as he thrust the package toward Heyes.
Heyes smiled. "You mean boysenberry pie?"
"That's what I said. Poisonberry," the boy replied.
Heyes gave the boy a nickel and took the package and the note. Shutting the door behind him, Heyes set the package on the dresser and opened the note.
"It's from Louise," Heyes told Kid. "It says 'I heard you are looking for me. Come to the Bluebird Café on Washington Street.' It's signed Louise Carson."
"What's in the package?" Kid asked.
"You don't want to know."
Kid tossed back the blanket and moved his legs to the side of the bed.
"What are you doing?" Heyes asked.
"Getting up so we can go see Louise."
"It's almost suppertime so she's likely pretty busy. Let's wait a couple of hours till the place thins out."
Kid nodded, then clambered back into the bed.
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Louise Carson looked up from behind the register and smiled when she saw Kid and Heyes walk in. "I was hoping you'd wait till closing time so we could talk freely," she said and moved to the door to hang the closed sign and love the door. "Are you hungry? I still have food on the stove."
"Maybe some coffee if have any, but I've eaten and Kid's been a bit under the weather today," Heyes explained.
"Well sit anywhere and I'll be right back with a pot of coffee."
"We've looked but haven't seen any mention of the trial in the papers," Kid said when Louise returned with the coffee and cups and sat down.
"That surprises you?" Louise asked.
"What do you mean?"
"Blodgett told us himself that he's a Deacon of the Baptist Church, the father of three fine daughters, one of whom was married to Kenneth Blake, and a very rich man," Heyes replied. "He paid all the newspapers in the area not to cover the story. Am I right, Louise?"
Louise nodded. "He didn't want his family, and especially his daughter, to become the subject of common gossip."
"So, what happened to Jenny?" Kid asked. "Was she convicted of murder?"
"No," Louise replied. "In fact, the murder charge was reduced to manslaughter after the Prosecutor became aware that Blake had stolen the money and had killed Caleb and Billy, and that Billy was Jenny's son."
"So, what happened to Jenny?" Heyes asked.
"The jury took four days to deliberate because they didn't want to have to find her guilty. But in the end they simply had no choice."
"So, Jenny's in prison?" Kid asked sadly.
"No," Louise replied. "Judge Turner is a very fair man. He sentenced Jenny to three years in the Wyoming State Women's Prison, but suspended all but thirty-three days which was how long Jenny had spent in the Touchstone Jail."
Heyes and Kid smiled with relief. "That's wonderful," Kid exclaimed.
"He also sentenced her to a year of house arrest and two years of probation when the house arrest is complete," Louise explained.
"In Touchstone?" Heyes asked with some concern.
Louise shook her head. "She was able to prove that she owns some property near Sheridan, so arrangements were made for her to serve her time in her own home. She can only leave the house for doctor's appointments and meetings with her lawyers who are considering an appeal, and even then she has to be accompanied by a deputy."
"Louise, we don't know how to thank you. Your testimony saved Jenny's life," Heyes said sincerely.
Louise looked down and fidgeted with the apron she was still wearing. "This trial was hard on her. She's…. She's not the same as she was when you last saw her."
"What do you mean, not the same?" Kid asked.
"Maybe it's that she's lost her spirit or her will to live…. She says Billy talks to her, that she sees him."
"She's still in mourning," Heyes replied. "These things take time."
Louise nodded. "Maybe that's all it is."
"But you're not convinced," Kid noted.
Louise looked up and offered a weak smile. "I hope that's all it is."
"Can she have visitors? Even in prison a person can have visitors once or twice a month."
"I don't know how that works with a house arrest. Maybe talk to her lawyers or even Judge Turner in Touchstone."
"And what about you Louise? How are you doing."
Louise shrugged. "It wasn't easy seeing Kenneth for his true colors. I know now he wasn't the man I thought he was."
A reflective smile crossed Louise's face as she continued to speak. "Jenny said I was naïve, and she may be right. She says the right man will come along one day, likely when I least expect it."
"She's a wise woman, Louise. She's been around the block a few times and knows the ways of the world," Heyes replied.
"You're planning to go see her?"
Heyes nodded.
"Tell her where I am and tell her that I'll write."
"I'm sure she'll be glad to hear that Louise," Kid replied.
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"So now what?" Kid asked as tied their gear to their saddles the following morning. "Touchstone or Sheridan?"
"I don't think there's anything to be learned in Touchstone that we can't find out about in Sheridan," Heyes replied.
"What if they won't let us see her?"
"Another bridge to cross when we get there, Kid."
Kid nodded and the two men climbed into their saddles and set out for the long journey to northeastern Wyoming.
After four days of hard riding and three nights of short hours of sleep, they arrived in Sheridan. Both tired and hungry, they took care of such necessities before walking a quarter of a mile out of town in the dark of night to crouch down behind some bushes several yards from Jenny's house.
"With just one guard watching the front and one guard watching the back, it wouldn't be too hard to sneak inside," Heyes whispered to his partner.
"She could be anywhere in that house, and we'd need a match to see our way around. Fresh light going on and moving from room to room just might alert them guards."
Heyes sighed. "You're right. We'll have to try it in the daylight."
"What!" Kid exclaimed while still speaking in a whisper.
"I mean, we'll hafta find a different way to talk to her.
"Tie two tin cans to a string?" Kid replied sarcastically.
"Maybe we'll try talking to her lawyer in the morning."
"Sheridan is a good size town, Heyes. It's likely got half a dozen lawyers. We just gonna go walking door to door till we find the right one?"
"That's exactly what we're gonna do. Now come on, let's get back to the hotel and get some sleep."
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"Heyes, this is the fourth lawyer's office we've been to this morning," Kid grumbled as they stood outside the office of Jerome Turner, Attorney at Law.
"Well you know the old saying, Kid. The fourth time's the charm."
"That ain't how the saying goes," Kid replied.
"Now I've told you before that I have the tracking skills of a hound dog, and I'm certain that this is the right office and the right attorney."
"Your certainty is based solely on the fact that there are only four lawyers in this entire town."
"It's called the process of elimination Kid, and it too is a valid tracking skill."
"Of course it is… Hound Dog!"
"Kid, has anybody ever told you just how annoying you can be sometimes?"
"Uh-huh, and coming from the master of annoyance, I take that as a compliment."
Heyes sighed. "Come on, let's go have a chat with Mr. Turner."
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The woman at the front desk was an older and rather stern looking woman who did not so much as acknowledge Kid or Heyes until she had completed her current project of filing a stack of papers.
"May I help you?" she asked without so much as a smile.
"We'd like to speak with Mr. Turner," Heyes replied.
"Do you have an appointment?"
"No Ma'am. We just got into town yesterday and won't be staying for more than a day or two," Kid explained.
"Are you wanting to retain Mr. Turner's services?" she asked.
"Ma'am?"
"Do you wish to hire Mr. Turner as your attorney?"
"Oh, no Ma'am. We just want to speak to him about one of his clients," Heyes explained.
"Just a moment and I'll see if Mr. Turner is available," she said and disappeared down a short hallway. She returned just a few moments later and motioned them down the hall. "Mr. Turner's time is quite limited as he's due in court in half an hour. Please make this brief."
"Thank you, Ma'am," Kid replied as they moved past her and into the office.
"Mr. Turner, I'm Joshua Smith and this is Thaddeus Jones and we understand you just have a few minutes."
"What can I do for you?" Turner asked without getting up from his seat.
"Well, we just arrived in town and won't be staying more than a day or two," Heyes explained. "We're friends of Jenny Black and we're wondering how we go about visiting with her for an hour before we leave town."
"You're aware that Mrs. Black is under house arrest?" Turner asked.
"Yes sir, but even folks in prison can have scheduled visits," Kid replied.
"May I ask what your business is with her?" Turner asked.
Heyes looked at Kid before speaking. "Mr. Jones and I were instrumental in helping to solve that robbery in Touchstone."
Turner looked confused as he reached for the casefile on his desk and quickly thumbed through it. "Your names don't appear on the witness list."
"No sir. We were what you might call second-hand witnesses so we wouldn't have been called to testify," Heyes replied.
Turner leafed through a few more pages of testimony. "Are you the two that Sheriff Coffin referred to as the bounty hunters?"
"Ah, yes sir," Kid said. "We had been tracking Kid Curry and that other fella up in Colorado when the robbery occurred, so we knew they hadn't robbed that bank. We went to Touchstone to prove that."
"And we not only proved Heyes and what's his name didn't rob that bank, but we figured out it was Kenneth Blake that did," Heyes added proudly.
"I see. Gentlemen, I'm afraid visitation has not yet been established. In fact, that's one of the things I'm addressing in court today but I don't expect a ruling for some time."
"So, you're saying we can't see Jenny?" Kid asked.
Turner sighed. "I'm meeting with Jenny here in my office this afternoon. Being as you were, however indirectly, involved in the case, I can include you in that meeting. I'm scheduled to meet with her at two o'clock. Be here a few minutes early and I'll see that you have some time with her. Your meeting will be supervised, and you'll have to leave your guns with my secretary."
Heyes smiled and extended his hand. "Thank you, Mr. Turner. We'll be here."
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Kid and Heyes were seated at a long table, but both stood when the door opened, and Jenny and a deputy walked into the room. Jenny was dressed in a dark blue dress and white knit shawl. Her blonde hair was pulled loosely into a bun on the back of her head. She held her arms down in front of her. On her wrists were handcuffs.
"Jenny!" they both exclaimed with well-rehearsed smiles on their faces.
Jenny's eyes lit up when she saw them. "Billy!" she exclaimed and tried to raise open arms in greeting, but the handcuffs prevented her from doing so, and she let her arms fall back down in front of her.
Their smiles faded. "It's Kid," Heyes said in a gentle whisper so the deputy would not hear.
"And Heyes," Kid added in an equally quite whisper.
The sparkle in Jenny's eyes vanished and she bit her lower lip and tilted her head to the side. "I always did say you looked a lot like my Billy," she said sadly, then raised her head stoically. The same corn colored hair. The same blue eyes. I know you ain't my Billy. It's just that seeing you gave me a start. So, how have the two of you been?"
"Jenny, if you sit down, I can take off the handcuffs," the deputy told her.
Jenny smiled and nodded, then sat down at the table. "What brings the two of you to Sheridan?"
"You," Heyes replied.
Jenny smiled. "Just like you two to be worried about me."
"Louise Carson seems to think there's reason for some concern Jenny," Kid told her.
Jenny shook her head, but the sad smile remained on her face. "Louise is a sweet girl but naïve to the ways of the world. When a woman gives birth to a child, they're attached to each other for nine months, then a doctor comes in and cuts that cord. But a mother knows the truth. She and that life she just birthed are bonded for all eternity…. Louise ain't had no children and she thinks it's odd that I talk to Billy, but I was talking to him before he was born and I ain't letting death put an end to that. I ain't crazy boys. I'm just a mother. I know my conversations with Billy are all right up here," she explained, tapping her temple with one finger. "Now if I ever stop knowing that, well then's the time to worry," she added with a sad but knowing smile.
"We'll keep that in mind," Heyes said with a smile.
"I know in my heart I done the right thing, even if the law does say otherwise. And knowing that is enough to get me through this. So, you boys stop worrying about me. You've got your own troubles to worry about, and I'm gonna be just fine."
"Jenny, is there anything we can do for you?" Heyes asked.
"My lawyer is gonna appeal the house arrest cause I ain't a threat to nobody," she replied. "At least that's what I've been told. I ain't actually met him yet."
Heyes and Kid both nodded, not knowing what to say. But Jenney slowly turned her head toward Kid and she leaned forward and reached across the table to touch his cheek. "Visit when you can. Seeing you Kid is like seeing Billy sitting right here with me. Same corn colored hair, same blue eyes," she said for a second time. "And a smile so warm it could melt the Sierra snow in winter."
"We will Jenny. We promise," Kid replied and wrapped his hand over Jenny's hand as it lingered on his cheek.
The moment was broken when the door opened and tall, middle-aged man walked into the room and gave an acknowledging nod to the deputy before turning to the three people sitting at the table.
"Mrs. Black, I'm Jerome Turner, your attorney here in Sheridan," he said as he extended his hand to her.
"Please, call me Jenny," she said with a smile and a chuckle. "Mr. Black has been dead for twenty years and I dropped that formality a long time ago. Most everyone I know has just gotten use to calling me Jenny."
"Jenny," Turner replied as he gave a glance toward Kid and Heyes. "I'm afraid your visitors aren't included in our meeting. I just arranged this visit as a favor to you all."
"But these are the two men who figured out that Kenneth Blake robbed the bank and killed my Billy and Caleb White. If it weren't for Mr. Smith and Mr. Jones here, Kenneth Blake would have gotten away with murder and all that money," Jenny explained. "I'd like them to stay if that's possible."
"I'm aware of that Misses… Jenny. These gentlemen paid me a visit this morning. They explained all that to me. I found it quite commendable but rather unusual that two bounty hunters would go to such lengths to prove that the men they were tracking played no part in the bank robbery."
"Well, Curry and that other fella may be wanted, but that ain't a reason to let false charges be added to their record," Kid replied.
"I suppose not," Turner replied. "Alright Jenny, if you want your friends to stay, I have no objection. Perhaps they will be able to add something to help your case."
"Mr. Turner, we've known Jenny for a very long time and she's never so much as said an unkind word about another person in her whole life, until Kenneth Blake killed her son in cold blood," Heyes said.
"I pride myself for being a good judge of character Mr. Smith, and I agree with your opinion of Jenny."
"So, let's get down to business," Jenny said. "When can I start having visitors?"
"I submitted a request for a ruling on that matter this morning, along with a formal request for an appeal on the house arrest ruling. Judge Nolan will review both matters and will make his decisions public within a week," Turner replied.
"You mean the house arrest ruling could be decided within a week?" Kid asked.
"No," Turner said. "The visitation schedule could be determined within a week. The Judge is only deciding if the house arrest appeal is appropriate for review. If he agrees to conduct a full review, there are filings to be procured and submitted to the court. I'm afraid a decision is likely months away."
Heyes and Kid both looked disappointed about that news, but Jenny assured them that she had no objection to the length of time Mr. Turner suggested.
"Boys, I knew there would be a price to pay for what I done and being confined to the comforts of my own home, well that ain't an unreasonable price to pay. You two have known me a long time and you know I've had my share of hard knocks in life, but avenging my Billy was the right thing to do no matter what the cost."
Across the table two heads were nodding as Jenny spoke and Heyes' hand reached across the table to clasp Jenny's hand. Jenny gave her own hand a slight twist and tightened her fingers around Heyes' fingers. "The two of you need to stop worrying about me. Even if this goes the full two years, that ain't such a long time. Why I've got friends, good friends, that are looking at twenty years for things that don't include killing someone. So, I want the two of you to get on with your own lives. You come and visit ole Jenny now and again, but you look after yourselves, and each other," she said, then smiled. "Just like you've been doing your whole lives."
"You know we will, Jenny," Heyes said reassuringly.
"Then you go on now. I'm sure there are safer places for the two of you than here in Sheridan.
Heyes gave Jenny's hand a squeeze as he and Kid stood to leave.
"We'll be back, Jenny," Kid told her.
"Oh, I'm counting on that," Jenny said with tears welling up in her eyes as she watched them both walk out of the room and close the door behind them.
"Jenny," Turner said after a long moment of silence in the room. "Those two aren't bounty hunters, are they?"
Jenny gave him a knowing look. "My lawyer back in Touchstone told me not to ever tell him anything that might incriminate me. That sounds like pretty good advice where those two boys are concerned too."
"If they are who I think they are, they're worth a lot of money," Turner replied.
Again, Jenny smiled. "I've never met two finer bad men than them two, and what they done for me makes them absolutely priceless.
0-0-0-0
"What do you think is gonna happen to Jenny, Heyes?" Kid asked as they rode west toward Cody.
"I think that lawyer will get her house arrest shortened, but I don't think she'll mind much even he don't."
"Yeah? How come?"
"I think her conscience is clear. She knows in her heart she was right to have done what she done. What the law or anybody else thinks just doesn't make a difference to Jenny."
"She's gonna be all alone in the world now, Heyes," Kid said sadly.
"It wouldn't surprise me at all to see Jenny and Louise Carson strike up a long and lasting friendship, a mother and daughter kind of friendship. Afterall, Louise was left all alone, too. In a lot of ways, those two are kindred souls."
"Maybe," Kid replied with some doubt in his voice.
"Kid, did your mother ever tell you that you were perfect?"
Having fallen for the question once before, Kid knew Heyes was setting him up for an insult.
"As a matter of fact Heyes, it was your mother that always said I was perfect," Kid replied and gave his horse a kick to race triumphantly ahead of his partner.