Chapter 4

There's Four Ways to Skin a Cat...

On a rocking chair she creaked.

The sun was dipping low,

The neighbors said her skin now reeked

Her only friend a crow,

"Send for the Undertaker!"

Cried her neighbor Joe,

"It's time that someone takes her!"

But to that there was a ban,

For all who'd gone to move her

Had changed their mind and ran,

She already had been claimed

By the Willowy Man

[~~~~~~~~~~]

"Oh great, you've got friends!" Lou grumbled standing beside John and facing Michael as Pinkertons started spilling out around him, blocking off the exit out the front door.

Michael's eyes widened slightly when he noticed Lou. "Lou? What are you doing here kid?"

Jack looked over at her with an accusing glare. "You know him!?"

She waved her hands, eyes wide "He just gave me a ride into town! I should be accusing you, you murdered that Ross guy??"

Arthur growled from where he stood beside Lou. "It better not be for the reason I'm thinking of-"

Jack drew his gun quickly and aimed for Michael's head. "Ross killed my father in cold blood- he'd promised we'd be let be after doing his dirty work!"

Arthur shook his head. "No... not John, he'd gotten away.." his eyes locked onto the back of Jack's head. "And not you too..."

Micheal turned his gun and aimed at Jack, the rifle resting on his hip, his voice firm. "A murders a murder boy. I suggest you leave Lou, I'd warned you folks round here can be dangerous."

the room filled with clicks as the rest of the Pinkertons raise their weapons.

"Woah woah fellas!" Lou raises her hands gesturing for people to calm down. "Perhaps this is a misunderstanding huh? We're all sensible adults, maybe there could be another option besides shooting at each other?"

"Ain't nothing sensible about playing the role of a holy avenger, thinking your the next great hero of the west." Michael snorted.

"And I'm not falling into the same trap you people set for my father," Jack said through gritted teeth.

"Arthur look around and find an exit-" Lou hissed quickly, glancing over her shoulder.

Arthur snapped out of his thoughts and looked down at her, taking a moment to process before nodding and drifting away.

People in the bar had gotten up and backed away at this point, muttering and shouting in anger or fear for their lives. Some more stubborn or drunk folks remained seated where they were, hardly caring for the intense standoff that had started between the outlaw and the lawman.

"Shouldn't we at least take this outside?" Lou insisted with a nervous chuckle. "It'd be a right shame if someone gets caught in the crossfire,"

Michael glanced at her again. "You, with this kid then boy?" He asked slowly. "I understand how folks like him might seem real impressive and flashy, with their stories of adventure, but the times for his kind are over. And there isn't anything pleasant about his kind of work."

She scowled slightly. Does he think I idolize Jack Marston?? If it weren't for the fact that Arthur knew him I'd have left him back at the train! She assured herself.

"Well- he saved my life when a bunch of goons jumped the train I'd taken outta here, so I kinda owe him- maybe if you'd been there this wouldn't be a problem." She huffed crossing her arms indignantly.

Michael let out a long sigh. "I'm sorry you had to go through that kid, but hanging around with an outlaw won't make you any safer."

"I noticed..." she muttered.

"We doing this man to man Andrews? Or are you just going to have your men try and gun me down again?" Jack glared.

"I'd like it if you came quietly," Michael Andrews stated. "If you had half a brain, you'd comply. But I'm beginning to wonder if any gunslinger has even that much."

"If you head upstairs out the window at the end of the hall, there's a roof you can climb out to and drop down to the horses from there. The back door is guarded by four Pinkertons, and I counted at least five more lurking around," Arthur said as he returned, phasing through the ceiling and drifting down.

Lou nodded to let him know she'd heard. Ok, four at the back door, four here, and the five that are lurking plus Andrews that's fourteen guys we'd have to fight through, plus any more they might have waiting. Not good odds, but then again, this is Jack Marston we're talking about. He'd probably try taking on an army to prove a point.

"I got a way out- I realize you might like the idea of shooting your way through fourteen or more armed cops but I'd prefer it if we can do that, on horseback, on our way out of town!" Lou whispered to Jack through clenched teeth.

"How do you know there's fourteen?" Jack whispered back, confused.

"Hey, why don't you speak up for the rest of the class to hear, hmm?" Andrews chuckled shaking his head. "I promise it will be easier if you just surrender."

Lou sighed, whispering, "Don't kill him he was a really nice guy to give me a ride ok? SWEET MERCY WHAT IS THAT?!?!" She pointed, screaming the last part with such sudden pure terror and shock, and thanks to the already existing tension, most everyone in the room spun to look to the spot she was indicating.

She grabbed Jack's hand and yanked him after her, Arthur quickly leading her to the stairs he'd mentioned.

There was a shout and gunshots started to fill the air as they bolted up the stairs, Jack unloading a few shots that Lou didn't know the results of.

"I just want you to know you chose this!!" Andrews shouts from below as Lou yanks Jack up to the second floor.

"There- the window!" She says, seeing the light at the end of the hallway, and releasing his hand setting off at a sprint, Jack following cursing after her.

"What the hell was that you just pulled!?" Jack shouted.

"It's called surprise! Now shut up and run!" She called back, fumbling to yank her gun out of her bag and raising it, firing at the window. The first two were wild, the third hit the thick glass and cracked it.

Footsteps pounded up the stairs behind them, a Pinkerton getting to the top of the steps and raising his gun, shots whizzing past her head as she runs. She hears a gunshot and a grunt, followed by a thud and she glances back to see the Pinkerton on the ground clutching his stomach, blood seeping through his fingers where Jack had shot him.

She turned back to the window she was quickly approaching and raised her arm, shielding her face as she jumped, slamming through the cracked and falling through in a rain of glittering shards, rolling into the small roof that hung over the bar's deck, cutting her hands on the glass and feeling it stab at her trousers, but she kept hold of the gun, standing. Jack followed quickly after, glancing around to get his bearings.

"On the roof!" Arthur shouted pointing to a building across the street.

Lou spotted the sniper and tackled Jack as a bullet whizzed over their heads embedding itself in the wall behind them. More shouts came from the window as footsteps pounded down the hallway.

"Hey- little warning next time!" Jack growled, shifting to stand in a crouch and spotting the sniper as well, quickly taking them out with a single shot.

"Sure thing! I'll make sure to write that on your headstone when I have to bury you next time!" She stated, running to the edge of the roof and spotting rusty, leaping off without hesitation, the horses spooking and rearing as she lands beside them.

Jack fired off a few more shots as Pinkertons make their way out of the alleys and side streets, dropping them in quick succession before dropping down beside her and mounting his horse.

Lou mounted Rusty just as she heard the saloon doors slam open,

"They're out here!!" A Pinkerton shouted just before gurgling and falling to the floor, a spray of blood bursting from the wound Jack shoots in his neck.

"Let's get out of here!!" Lou shouts over the gunfire, looking at Arthur again.

"This way!!" Arthur shouts waving a hand to guide her.

She taps her heel into Rusty's flank and with a whinny he takes off at a gallop, bolting towards Arthur as he led the way.

Jack followed, his horse keeping pace behind her as he fires off shots at Pinkerton's.

"This is for my father!" He shouted, anger seeping through his tone.

Bullets flew over her head, people screamed and ducked into their homes, and the Pinkertons started mounting up to chase after them. She held tightly to the rope they'd improvised for Rusty's reigns, her legs holding tightly to his sides as she feared slipping off. She was just glad she didn't need to try and speed them up or steer them, the horse seeming to follow Arthur, meeting his speed as they bolted through the town.

"I knew you were crazy- but sweet mercy did you kick the hornets' nest to get them so hell-bent on your hide!" Lou called over her shoulder.

"You still inclined to ride with me?" Jack called up.

"You ain't shaking me that easily Jack Marston!" Lou laughed, her chuckling getting cut off as she ducks, a bullet nearly shooting her cap off.

She looked up to see the Pinkertons bursting from the woods on horseback, rifles and pistols raised, shouting to each other.

"We need to get to the woods!!" Jack shouted, spurring his horse to move in front of Lou.

"I like that plan ill be right behind you!" she shouted back.

The pounding of horses' hooves filled the air and the smell of gunsmoke and sweat filled her lungs, and not for the first time in the past couple of days Lou questioned her life choices. She could die here, then what? She becomes a ghost and hangs out with the old man haunting Jack for the rest of their afterlives?

"Hey if I became a ghost you'd still hang out with me right?" Lou called over to Arthur.

"What's that?? You need something kid!?" Arthur shouted over the din of gunfire.

"Never mind."

Not wanting to waste her ammo with shots she knew she wouldn't make, all she could do is chase Jack's hide and watch as he gunned down man after man. It was like he was a machine built for killing, some of his shots so fast it would be hard for an average man to track with his eyes.

They burst into the woods, trees surrounding them like sturdy barricades, the pair weaving through them as people shouted and chased. Eventually, the shouts of the men fell back behind them, the few who got close dying before they could call out.

There was a small clearing in the trees, revealing an abandoned shed, rotting wood, and a sagging roof insinuating its age and neglect.

Jack hops off his horse and slaps its rump, sending it running into the woods. "We'll hide out here till the coast is clear, then we'll move on."

Lou blinked glancing around a little hesitantly. "Will the horses come back? I worked myself to the bone for Rusty!" she said in a hushed tone.

"Yeah they'll be fine, now come on!" he hissed moving into the shed.

Lou slid off her horse's back and stroked his head for a second. "You'd better be back you stubborn brute," she mumbled, before sending them off after Jacks's stallion and jogging into the shed.

She gasped slightly as Jack grabbed her hand and yanked her down behind some rotting crates stacked up by a window, punching his arm in annoyance.

"Don't go yanking me around like that! This isn't the first time I've had to hide from the law you know!" she whispered grumpily.

"I'm beginning to realize that" Jack murmured rolling his eyes and peeking out the window. "You're not your usual brand of adventure-seeking young woman are you?"

I didn't even want adventure, she almost muttered to herself, but she glanced up at Arthur who was pacing around the shed, watching out the windows for any sign of danger and she sighed.

"Yeah. You could say that." she sighed, sliding down the wall to sit on the ground, pulling off her cap to examine the new hole in it.

Jack sat beside her, his gun ready in his hands, still as tense as he was in the middle of the fight.

"...thanks for your quick thinking back there, by the way. Might've been a bit more of a fight to get out of there if it weren't for you," he said a little begrudgingly.

She chuckled "I'm sure you'd have managed, your scary with that gun of yours."

"Thanks," he nodded looking back to the window. "I learned a thing or two from my father."

Lou put her hat back on adjusting it, before looking over at Jack as he stared out the window. The setting sun played across his jaw, accentuating his sharp features.

Lou chewed her cheek in apprehension. Would now be a good time to ask about his parents? She wondered, glancing at Arthur again before speaking.

"You mentioned your dad earlier too. He must have been a good man." she offered slowly, pulling her knees to her chest.

Jack nodded, his gaze still out the window. "He was a great man. Even if, I didn't always see it. I never got the chance..." Jack went quiet like he was lost in thought.

Arthur had stopped pacing now, facing the pair of them and listening quietly, his shoulders sagging.

"Is that why you killed Ross? To avenge your old man?" Lou asked.

"Yeah," Jack growled slightly, his tone bitter. "Dad would have done the same for me. He had done the same. Ross lied to my father and killed him when he didn't need him anymore, I'd say he had it coming."

"Gosh dang it John..." Arthur murmured, taking a seat on one of the crates. His expression was less sorrowful and more... Excepting. Solemn.

"I'm sorry you had to go through that," she said softly, looking down at her hands. "How long ago did it happen?"

"Almost four years ago," he muttered.

"That's a long time to sit on revenge," Lou said half to herself.

"It's always pride... Our pride getting us killed..." Arthur muttered, taking off his hat and running his fingers through his hair.

"I'm not of the mind to hear any lectures," Jack growled slightly.

"And I ain't judging," Lou said shrugging. "It's already happened, not much can be done to change that. Just sayin' it must have been tough."

Jack sighed. "I'm fine- I was fine, it's not something you need to be concerned over," he grumbled leaning back and relaxing slightly, as there hadn't been any voices in a good while. "You get some rest, I'll be waking you in a bit to take a second watch."

She wanted to push a little further but realized that Jack wanted to drop the subject. She rolled her shoulders slightly, feeling the soreness creeping in already. Other than her nap on the train she hadn't been able to sleep since all this began. If Jack knew about Arthur they might have both been able to get to sleep while Arthur kept watch since he didn't sleep, but until she was sure he wouldn't call her crazy and run off, she guessed she'd have to keep up appearances.

"Alright, g'night Jack," she said with a yawn, leaning against the damp wall behind her and pulling her hat over her eyes. Good night Arthur.

To be honest, out of all the abandoned sheds she'd slept in, this one was pretty high on the list. Maybe it was mostly due to her not being alone.

She quickly drifted off to sleep.

[~~~~~~~~~~]

Her numb bare feet slapped against the cold cobblestone streets as she ran, tears streaming down her face. She was alone, so alone. But she didn't want them to get her either.

So all she did was run. She could hear Oliver calling to her somewhere in the maze of streets, she tried to cry out but her voice wasn't working. She tried to find him but his voice only seemed further and further away.

She turned a corner and hit a dead end, turning back she looked up to see a tall thin man with a wide-brimmed hat staring down at her, a mad grin splitting his face like a wound. It seemed to have no end, stretching wider and wider.

She tried to scream, as skulls seep from the cracks in the pavement at the man's feet.

"Lou..." the man's voice crawled like molasses from his mouth.

"Lou... Wake up..."

"Lou!" Jack repeated, shaking Lou's shoulder again.

She jolted awake, her eyes shooting open and her hand snapping out to grab her knife from her bag before she finally relaxed realizing it was just a dream.

She let out a long breath as she relaxed. "Sweet mercy Jack you scared the spirit out of me,"

"Bad dream?" Jack asked, leaning back against the crates.

"Weird dream is more like it," she muttered. "My turn for watch then?"

Jack simply nodded, tipping his hat down as he settled in, his gun resting across his lap.

No snarky comments, he must be exhausted. Lou noted, not saying anything further to let him rest.

She ran a hand over her face as Jack's breaths slowed down, her mind returning to the strange nightmare again.

"... weird..." she mumbled.

"Something wrong kid?" Arthur asked leaning over. "You were making noises in your sleep."

Lou shook her head. "No not really, just probably stressed out from yesterday."

"Ah, I see. I'm... Sorry, I got you roped into all this." Arthur said, his tone somber.

Lou waved a hand dismissively. "It's no problem, really- I, uh, I mean, you could pay me back by keeping watch and just waking me up before Jack?" she asked hopefully.

Arthur snorted a chuckle and shook his head, a wry smile making its way onto his face. "Ok, Lou, you get back to sleep then. You gotta long road ahead of ya."

"Thanks, old man," she said, settling back and closing her eyes. But this time she struggled to fall asleep, as the strange dream lurked in her memory.

Arthur watched the two, his own mind troubled. He'd done so much to try and get John and his family away from it all, and what did it come to? John was gunned down. And Jack is trying to follow in their footsteps. He only hoped that his path wouldn't meet the same end as everyone else who walked it.

And now Lou, while she kept saying she was already in the thick of things, the mess on the train, then at the inn... He felt so useless. All he could do is watch over them. He wanted to do more, he wanted to keep them safe, but how?

For now, he watched over the two as they slept side by side. The silence allowed his mind to wander to less-than-happy places.

[~~~~~~~~~~]

By the time morning broke it was obvious they'd managed to lose anyone on their tail, having not heard a whisper from the woods. At first, Lou was concerned that Rusty wouldn't come back considering how stubborn he was when she tamed him, but after whistling both horses came trotting back into the clearing.

"Rusty! Ah, you big ol' brute I was worried about you!" Lou laughed, patting the horse's neck.

Rusty simply snorted, it almost sounded indignant.

Jack glanced at her, adjusting his mustangs saddle and saying nothing. He'd been giving her strange looks all morning, and she'd just about had enough of it.

"Alright, who pissed in your milk this morning?" She huffed crossing her arms.

Jack's head shot up as he snapped around to look at her. "Who what in my what??"

"You heard me! What's got you acting all weird?" She asked again,

"Nothing- it's nothing don't worry about it-" he grumbles hopping up on his horse, and before she could ask again he'd kicked them into a trot.

"Hey- what the heck's into you!?" Lou called, scrambling to get up on her bare-backed horse, Rusty taking off after Jack a little too quickly and almost sending her flying off.

She caught up to him, Arthur drifting along behind her with a worried expression.

"I said it's nothing important, we have too much to worry about anyways," Jack dismisses again, not looking at her.

"Listen, pal, while I may not have been raised 'round woman anyone can tell that that kind of talk means it really ain't fine, you just don't want to talk about it!" She insisted, Rusty keeping pace with Jack's horse.

"Who were you talking to last night?" Jack finally asks, turning around to face her.

Lou stalled clearing her throat "Oh- uh- you heard that? I thought you were asleep?"

"Well, I wasn't." Jack stared at her, waiting patiently for an explanation.

"Right- uh- well, all that talk of lost family members had me reminiscing is all, and uh... I uh, sometimes pretend to talk to my Uncle Pete!" She said quickly.

Jack raised an eyebrow incredulously. "Your... Uncle Pete?"

"So I'm Pete now?" Arthur snorted. "Can't get away from playing characters even in death,"

"Yeah! You know before I met you, I'd been traveling pretty much on my own. You know it gets a little lonely so, I uh, talk to Pete, hehe," she chuckles nervously. "I don't actually think he's there! I just, it helps me get my head straight I guess."

"Okay... Well, I can't judge. But it's just... " Jack shook his head. "Never mind."

"What? Gosh dang it Jack I liked the banter we used to have, just tell me what's up so we can get this awkward situation behind us," Lou huffed.

Jack snorted. "If I said what I was thinking I'd just sound crazy,"

"Good, then we'd be on equal ground."

"I... almost coulda sworn I heard someone else," he muttered, rubbing his face.

Lou's eyes widened and she glanced at Arthur before looking back at Jack. "What?"

"I know, it was barely a whisper and I couldn't hear any words so it was probably the wind or some kind of half-dream," he sighed. "But for some reason, it sounded like you were having a full conversation."

Lou barked a forced laugh. "Conversation? Wow, imagine that! Pete might actually be real,"

Jack glared his scowl returning. "Hey, I'm not the one talking to an imaginary man,"

"Maybe not but you're just as bad if not worse, I just pretend to be crazy, you might actually be crazy." she chuckled.

Jack sighed. "You done yet?"

Lou cleared her throat. "Yeah, yes I'm done sorry."

Jock nodded, kicking his horse into a gallop. "Good,"

"Hey, wait I'm sorry! Would you feel better if I said I was crazier?" She laughed, pushing Rusty to follow.

"Unlikely," Jack called back.

"But I'm insane! I'm so crazy you should be scared to be around me!"

"The day someone is scared of being around you is the day I believe in Bigfoot," Jack snorts as they take the road heading for Armadillo.

[~~~~~~~~~~]

Armadillo, the last boom town of the west. And if Lou could guess, it would probably remain that way till the end of time. Within minutes after riding into town the trio witnessed a duel, a mud fight, and someone getting literally thrown out of a bar. One of the only places where you can kill a man in broad daylight and have no one bay an eye.

In other words, it was every crook's dream, and for a couple of outlaws like Lou and Jack, it was the perfect spot to lay low.

"We might be able to finally get you a saddle," Jack chuckled, glancing over at Rusty.

"There something wrong with this way of riding?" Lou asked crossing her arms.

"Yes, it hurts to watch." Jack cringed.

Lou sighed. "Fine, but only because your paying, I'm not spending extra money on what is essentially pockets for your horse."

Jack scoffed. "It's a lot more than pockets! And that's only if you decide to get saddle bags,"

"And only after we get food, my stomach is eating itself." She continued cutting him off. Her stomach growled in agreement.

Jack sighed. "I suppose the chaos at the bar interrupted what would have been dinner,"

Lou could've sworn she heard Jack's stomach grumble as well.

"Alright, food it is." He said with a nod.

After hitching their horses up outside, they made their way into the local saloon. Lou instantly felt her mouth watering at the smell of baked beans and whisky that permeated the air.

There weren't as many men in this bar as the one back in Valentine, especially given it was morning now, but there was your usual clientele of hung-over drunks and guys playing cards. Lou took special notice of a group that seemed to be playing blind man's bluff, she still had some cash on her, and glancing over at Arthur she grinned.

"Hey Jack, how about you go ahead and get your breakfast, ima earn mine," she said, rolling up her sleeves.

Jack glanced over to her, then followed her gaze to the poker table. "What are you- oh, gambling? Really?"

It's not gambling if you know how it's going to go," she thought to herself, her smile growing.

"Why not? I ain't got much to lose anyways," she chuckled.

Jack sighed. "Fine, but don't start anything while we're here, alright?"

"Yeah yeah keep yer shirt on," she chuckled patting Jack on the shoulder. "Before you know it, I might be paying for my saddle!"

She made her way over to the table, dropping her voice down to the barest of whispers. "Ok Pete, you know what to do."

Arthur let out a long-suffering sigh as he followed along behind her. "That story's stickin' then is it?"

Lou shrugged. "Sorry," before stepping up behind an empty chair and gesturing. "This seat open fella's?"

The men at the table turned to look at her and then down at the empty spot.

"Don't see no one sittin' in it, do you?" One asked in a gruff voice.

Lou flashed a charming smile as she took a seat. "Thanks, mate, what game are we playing?"

Blind man's bluff, ever heard o' it?" Another man asked as he felt out the cards.

Lou shrugged. "A little might need a refresher though."

"Don't look at your card, when the round starts you hold it to your head for everyone else to see. Bet against the dealer, the highest card wins."

Lou nodded, getting comfortable in her chair. "Alright! Pretty much how I remember it,"

"Then let's get started shall we?" A younger lad with a strong southern accent said, making Lou pause.

She'd heard that voice before, and as she examined the young man she realized she'd seen them before. But he didn't often look like this.

Peter Porter was a tall and skinny boy with thin features, carefully kept blonde hair, and bright blue eyes. Today he was wearing a fake grey beard, ragged clothes, and soot smeared on his face, his blonde hair covered by a new wide-brimmed cap. And while Peter had an accent, it was Scottish, the southern drawl he put on now was an act, unless he'd somehow picked up the accent between now and a couple of weeks ago when she'd seen him last.

She scanned the rest of the players there as everyone picked up their cards and held them to their heads. If there was a Peter, there was always a Polly to follow shortly after or the other way around.

Ah, there you are.

Polly's disguise was similar to Peters, fake beard, blonde hair pulled into a cap, and ragged clothes. Except it seemed she'd decided against smudging dirt on her face.

"You've got an eight of spades," Arthur muttered, sitting on the other empty chair beside her.

Lou gave the barest of nods, currently distracted by the surprise appearance of her cohorts, who were doing their best not to meet her eye.

The first man in the lineup started the bet, and it went down the line. Lou's card was the highest this round, so she called, putting down her chip and smiling at Peter across the table from her.

"By the way- what's your name friend? I coulda sworn I'd seen your face before," she chuckled, gesturing to him.

Peter spluttered for a moment before regaining his composure. "Why- lil' ol' me? Ah shoot, I ain't worth a jot of yer headspace I'm sure," he laughed. "Name's Jake Gillicutty at yer service,"

Sweet mercy he was laying that accent on thick.

Lou grinned. "Oh your right, my mistake Jake, but has anyone told you how much you look like the Porter twins' more handsome half?"

She could see Polly stiffen up in the corner of her eye.

Peter laughed and shook his head. "Aw shoot that's mighty kind of you, can't say I have though, ain't never heard of them Porter twins," he sniffed.

"Ah that makes sense, they ain't too famous round these parts," Lou chuckled.

Jack suddenly appeared beside her, two drinks in hand, and he set one down in front of Lou while pulling out the chair Arthur was sitting in and taking a seat himself. "Hope you don't mind if I observe?"

"Not at all mate," said one of the men at the table.

Jack nodded and frowned, his breath pluming like mist in the air as he shivered slightly, Arthur jumping up and moving away.

"Sweet mother of- that was unpleasant-" Arthur shuddered himself, patting his clothes down. Now that he'd moved Jack stopped shivering, the ghost's cold spot following after Arthur.

"Oh hey, Jack! I was just telling Jake here how much he looks like a buddy of mine," Lou grinned taking the drink he'd handed her and taking a swig. It was nice of him to remember how badly she'd wanted a drink.

"Is that so?" Jack said, his eyes narrowing on Peter. Judging by the death glare Lou guessed he caught her meaning.

"Yeah! I haven't told you about the Porter twins have I?" She asked, the dealer calling the round and they all revealed, grumbles of displeasure following suit as she gathered up the chips.

"No, I don't believe you have." He said coolly, his eyes never leaving Peter Porter.

Peter swallowed a little as the next round of cards was dealt.

"Really? This guy?" Arthur said, drifting in front of Peter and looking him up and down. "Why's he dressed like a homeless feller?"

"Fun fact-" Lou said conspiritoriously, "and don't tell the twins I told you, but they ain't actually twins. They just look alike and are pretty close in age."

Jack chuckled a little as he took a swig of his drink. "No, really?"

"Why on earth would someone lie about that?" One of the men at the table asked.

"Easier to get a reputation if you have some kind of calling card, you know? Like having two guns or one eye or one leg- the Porter Twins has a better ring than the Porter Siblings you know?" Lou grinned wickedly across the table at Peter as they all raised their cards.

"Two of clubs," Arthur said wincing. "Bad luck,"

"Well uh, ain't that somethin'," Peter chuckled nervously, tapping the table.

Lou could see Polly in the corner of her eye, and it was hard to read her expression, but by the way, she was sitting and tapping her finger on her card she seemed stressed enough.

"Ain't it?" Lou repeated.

Lou declined to call, but Polly did and she won the round with a high card.

"And what's your name then stranger? If we're passing info round," Polly finally spoke up, clearing her throat. She was talking in a low and gruff tone, almost like she had something caught in her throat she was trying to dislodge.

Lou grinned. "I'm called Lou Davis, it's a pleasure to meet y'all."

"I'm sure it is," Polly chuckled. "I'm Tim Clemons, and who's your meathead friend o'r there?" 'Tim' asked, nodding her head in Jack's direction.

"Jack," Jack said simply, his narrowed gaze turning on her.

"Ah, strong man of few words-" she seemed to catch herself. "I respect that."

It was strange seeing Polly pretending to be an old man and resisting the urge to wink.

"Right... thanks..." Jack simply nodded, his suspicion only seeming to grow.

The cards were dealt and they raised them to their heads again, Polly and Peter tapping their fingers anxiously.

"7 of diamonds," Arthur said nodding. It was higher up there but not the highest. As the bets started to go around, she chewed her lip, contemplating acting like everyone's card was low and raising the bet so the higher cards would fold.

Jack glanced at her and seemed to read her mind, and Lou gasped slightly as she felt him kick her foot under the table.

She shot him an accusing side eye, then narrowed her eyes slightly in confusion as he shook his head and then looked hard at his hands, tapping his finger.

She chose against calling that round, letting the bet travel as they revealed their cards and shuffled again, passing back out the cards. Jack went back to staring between Poppy and Peter, and Lou followed suit, glancing at their hands.

They all raised their cards to their foreheads, Polly had a low card, four of diamonds, and Peter had a high card, Queen of Hearts.

Polly tapped twice with her middle finger, Peter tapped three times.

Lou felt like kicking herself.

Why hadn't I seen the signs sooner? Lou thought to herself, rolling her eyes.

Of course, this was a job, it was the Porter twins she was talking about. The costumes the secret messages, and when Lou glanced at Polly's hip she noticed Ol' Reliable, their well-crafted age-old favorite prop gun. She must have been so distracted by seeing them unexpectedly she'd assumed they were laying low like her and Jack.

Lou had seen them perform this scam before, many times with many different variations, they go into town disguised as strangers, twin one gets into a poker game or both, and they help each other win a lot of cash. Then when they feel things are getting dicey or if they have enough, twin two pretends to accuse twin one of cheating or stealing or owing them money, and pretends to shoot them with a prop gun. I'm the ensuing panic they take the cash and run, returning to the town later without disguises, scot-free.

She felt a little annoyed Jack had noticed the sham before her.

Lou knocked back her drink, chugging it down and slamming down the empty mug with a sigh. "Well fellas, it's been fun but I think this is my last round, I need to grab something to eat before I shrivel away," she chuckled standing and gathering her money. There were maybe twenty-five dollars in her winnings, not great but it was okay.

She'd have to wait till next time to make Bank with Arthur's help.

"What's happening? Did I miss something?" Arthur asked, confused.

"We should play again sometime, Jake and Tim," Lou said with a wink. "Good luck with the game."

"Aye, 'twer fun playin' with ya!" Peter said with a crooked smile.

Lou moved back to the bar, putting down some money for a bowl of beans and a roll, Jack getting up to follow her.

"You know something about all of that then?" Jack asked, not taking a seat yet as he glanced back.

Lou nodded. "Yeah, don't panic when you hear gunshots by the way." She said simply, scooping up her beans with the bread roll and taking a massive bite.

"Wait what?" Jack asked, his head whipping around to her.

There was a shout of anger as Polly stood up, the others at the table backing away as Peter fumbled and spluttered, acting frightened. Polly pulled out the gun and fired, Peter falling to the ground with a flail of his arms. There were shouts, and Polly scooped up all the cash on the table and ran out the door, most people not wanting to mess with someone that killed a man so easily.

Jack reached for his pistol to stop her but Lou put a hand on his and shook her head. She glanced back to the table where Peter had successfully crawled away and now vanished out the door.

A well-executed plan, Lou was just annoyed she was on the wrong side of it this time.