Late afternoon saw them waiting outside of Four Corners. The town would have looked normal below to most people passing by, but all four riders knew things weren't quite right. They'd been watching for 30 minutes, and had seen no sign of any of the three men left behind. Nathan's absence could be explained by a medical need anywhere in the area, but there we still too many other questions. There was no activity at Josiah's church, so clearly he was not working on the never-ending construction project. JD should have been outside the sheriff's office, where he normally sat and watched over his town when things were quiet. The town itself seemed far too quiet as well. No children in the streets, and few people milling about. Those that were outside seemed anxious, scurrying from building to building rather than merely travelling from one location to the next.
"I'm gonna ride in." Buck finally spoke.
"Not alone."
"Yes, Chris, alone. Look, Ezra can't come. He's supposed to be winning his big prize. Sorry Ez," he added, hearing the younger man almost silently sigh.
"No need Mr. Wilmington. This is not your doing. I shall save my anger for the perpetrators of the fraud."
Nodding, Buck continued "If there is something going on, we can't all ride in. I'll check around. You keep an eye on me, and if I don't come out of someplace, you'll know that's where the trouble is. Can't think of three folks I'd rather have covering my back, 'cept maybe for the three down there." With that, Buck spurred his ride into movement.
"Watch yourself." Chris spoke softly, worried his friend was riding into a trap.
"If they'd wanted us dead, they've had chances. This is about something else Chris."
"Doesn't matter Vin. He's riding in alone, and that's foolhardy."
They watched in silence as the he neared the town. The few people in the street gave signs of becoming even more agitated, as if trying in some way to signal him off. He rode ahead, apparently clueless to their efforts. Catching the eye of Mrs. Potter as she swept the steps to the store, he watched her glance to the saloon and shake her head ever so slightly. His eyes went to the jailhouse, and she shifted her hand leaving three fingers resting on the broom handle. She turned and went back to the store.
Now he was left to interpret. Did the three fingers mean that's where the other lawmen were, or were there three thugs waiting there? Most likely the form. The men were likely locked in a cell, hopefully just bound and gagged. If they were hurt, or worse, surely Mrs. Potter would have found a way to indicate help was needed.
He rode ahead, electing to tie up outside the saloon, hopefully demonstrating that was the main point of interest. They really should have worked out the signals in a little more detail. As he walked over toward the jailhouse, he removed his hat, punching up the crown to try to round it out. With a bit of luck, they'd interpret that as a bowler, and know where JD and the others were. He opened the jail door and walked in, the world going black as he felt the butt of a gun hit his head.
"OK – why is someone taking over the town?" Vin asked the others, knowing they had no better answer than he did. The fact that that was going on was pretty obvious based on Buck's actions. The motivation was a mystery.
"No prisoners there – at least not unless something happened since we left."
"Which cannot be the case, since our departure was pivotal to the abduction. Clearly someone knew us well enough to presume that at least some of you would accompany me on my folly. My addiction to the cards has led to Lord knows what catastrophe ensuing in the town."
"Knock it off Ezra – weren't your fault." Vin admonished. "You didn't drag us with you, and why would you figure you could take of a few days without 'catastrophe ensuing'. Not everything is on you here."
"None of it is on you Ezra. It's on whoever is down there."
"That may not be the entirely true."
Chris turned his stare back to Ezra. "What do you know?"
"Know? Nothing. But I learned last night there is a man in the territory who, given the opportunity, would gladly send me to my final reward."
"Hell, we all got a few of them around Pard."
"Yes Mr. Tanner. But John Holmes is the type of man to plan something this bizarre. He would take great satisfaction in using me as a pawn in his scheme. And, I fear, in hurting those around me to prove his power. Clearly he has no compunction putting the lives of the innocent in danger. And he must have the loyalty of several others to have taken the town like this while three of our number remained."
"Wouldn't need to be that many. Take a few hostages, especially if it happened to be folks we know well, like Mary or Casey, and the job would get easier fast." Chris focused on the action below. The town still looked abnormally quiet.
"You think he hates you that much?" Vin asked.
"Aside from costing him a sizable sum in a con gone wrong many years ago, he believes I am the sole reason he was unable to court and marry my mother. Foolishness, but it is nevertheless his belief. Yes, he hates me that much. That is why I can't help but feel there is more responsibility at my feet. I was the bait, and quite likely due to the fact these criminals knew me well enough to know I would succumb to their lure."
"Maybe, but that don't make it your fault."
Chris was tired of the discussion. "Look, we can play the blame game later. Right now, we gotta get down there. Vin, can you circle around to the east? Likely you can come in behind the church and work your way to the roof tops – get the best look at the town."
"Shouldn't be a problem. You gonna go south or west?"
"Whichever looks open once I get down there."
"And I shall come down the main street."
"Like hell you will!"
"Mr. Larabee, if I am correct, Holmes will not allow the others to kill me. That would be a pleasure he reserves for himself. His overconfidence will enable me to get close enough to remove him from the action."
"And your overconfidence will get you killed Ezra. I don't intend to let that happen. And what if it ain't this Holmes guy?"
"Any other troublemaker will have no reason to kill me. And Mr. Holmes will toy with me before taking any final steps. That will provide more than enough time for you to liberate the remainder of our company from confinement and ride to my rescue, assuming I have not already extricated myself from the ordeal."
"Assuming you're still breathing you mean. And just what does 'toy with you' mean?"
Ezra paused, looking away. "He fancies himself to be a pugilist, and I will concede he has a tendency toward the sadistic when sufficiently motivated. I don't know that he will necessarily feel the need to express that leaning on our citizenry, but I would prefer to limit the time he has to consider the option. That is why we really should not delay this action." As he finished, he spurred Chaucer forward. Chris grabbed at the bridle.
"We'll let you know when we're ready. You watch your ass down there. Don't do anything stupid." Ezra raised his eyebrows in questioning the order. "OK – don't do anything stupider than riding into a trap."
Vin moved his horse to block Ezra's advancement. "I owe you money Ezra. Don't you dare die and leave me with that debt on my conscience. You understand?" Ezra nodded, offering a two fingered salute to the men as he rode off.
"Gonna get himself killed, ain't he?" Vin said sadly.
"Not if I have anything to say about it."
He had intended to ride directly to the saloon, but at the last minute changed his plan, dismounting behind the livery. After removing his saddlebags and setting them aside, he spoke softly to his faithful ride. "Chaucer my friend, get yourself to safety in your stall. This bastard would shoot you to make me suffer, and I will not allow for that to happen. I shall see to you as soon as possible. If I don't come, please, be patient with whoever takes on your care. I know they will endeavour to treat you with the respect you deserve." He reached into a pocket, retrieving what he believed would be the last treat he offered, and sent the horse on his way. A few moments later he stepped to the main street and began his walk to the saloon.
While no one spoke, he could feel the eyes of the town on him. Some of the few on the street even made a restrained effort to discourage his path, but most were willing to let him pass, knowing one way or another what happened next would change Four Corners.
He looked around the saloon as he entered. There were fewer residents inside than he had anticipated. The far table was populated the banker, the undertaker and the town barber – the business community of Four Corners. A few local farmers who had the misfortune of being in town at the wrong time had been seated in the opposite corner. Near the stairs, Mary and Inez were seated side by side. Center to the room, back to the bar and facing the door was the man himself. John Holmes stood as Ezra entered, leaning on an ivory handled walking stick and grinning manically.
"Wasn't expecting you quite so soon Ezra my boy. Didn't think you'd figure out about the game so fast. Was a bit worried my only satisfaction regarding your part in this would be in your knowing the role you played as my pawn. Really mustn't underestimate you again, not that there will be any future opportunities. Please, come join me at my table. One of my men would be happy to get you something to drink."
"I am rather particular about who I elect to sit or drink with. You don't quite measure up to my standards."
"Ah, still the pretentious poseur you so want people to believe in. Do these folks know the real Ezra Standish? Shall I fill them in?"
"These people know my history."
"I seriously doubt that. You have shared with them the tales of scams you've run, people you've cheated? Lives you've ruined? No, not possible. They wouldn't be looking at you the way they are now if they knew the story. I have been filling them in a bit while we waited for the stage to arrive, but I saved some of the more salacious and detestable stories in the hope you would in fact be joining us."
"We know who he is now, and that's all that matters."
"I have warned you about speaking out of turn Mrs. Travis. Must I have one of my men demonstrate the punishment?"
"Really John. Beating on women? That is what you are reduced to now? My, how you have fallen."
"Still got way too much sass in you boy. Thought I beat that out of you last time I saw you. Gonna have to try again I guess." He took two steps closer before swinging the cane at Ezra's head. Inez screamed as the gambler hit the ground.
TBC
M7-M7-M7-M7-M7-M7-M7
Thank you all for the continued kind words of support. I find it fascinating to read where you think this is going! And to those of you who thank me for sharing - just try and stop me! I will share if even just one person is still interested. MUST WRITE!