Chapter 17
Teaspoon sat patiently while the doctor finished cleaning and rewrapping Kid and Cody's wounds. He waited until he shook his hand and left before turning to the others. Lou and Rachel sat at the table. Lou was the first to break the silence.
"There ain't no damn way we are trying that again, Teaspoon! Kid and Cody could be dead right now! That man is….."
"Now hold on, no one ain't said a thing about trying that shit again. Carson is not thinking clearly at this point. I know it and I really think he knows it. He is desperate and grasping at straws. He wants to be the one to catch it. He wants that notoriety. He will not gain it by bringing anymore harm to this family."
"Teaspoon, when is this nightmare going to end?" Rachel asked. "And where the hell is Buck and Jimmy?"
Teaspoon shook his head when the door popped open, and Buck stood in the doorway. Buck saw them all staring at him, wanting answers. Before he could answer, he heard a horse coming.
"Who's up?" Teaspoon asked.
"Me." Lou said nervously.
"Hang on. I'm going with her." Kid said pushing up from where he was sitting.
"Kid…." Rachel started.
"Look. It is just some cuts. Doc said they looked good. I am not letting her ride out of here by herself."
"Son, you sure you are ok?" Teaspoon asked.
"Damn sure."
"Then git."
The others watched as the two ran out to the barn to saddle their horses. Cody stood up and made his way next to Teaspoon.
"It laughed."
"Son?"
"That thing. It laughed. Bad thing is, I've heard that laugh before. I just can't place it."
"Don't push it. Take some time. Maybe we do know who the hell it is after all."
Carson knocked lightly on Raven's room door again. He started to turn away when she opened it.
"What the hell do you want?"
He narrowed his eyes, taking in the bruise to her temple.
"I have something to discuss with you. I think you will want to hear it."
Buck looked at the remaining riders seated in the bunkhouse. He knew they wanted to know where he had been but, honestly, he had to keep this secret just a little longer. He knew they were scared and was unsure of how they would react.
"Buck, care to enlighten us as to what you got going on?" Teaspoon asked.
"I can't tell you right now. But I will, when I know more."
"It's her, ain't it." Cody spat.
"No, Cody, it's not. Look, I know you all have questions but just know that I am helping keep our family safe. I have to keep this to myself just a while longer."
Cody pushed away from the table and stormed out. Noah looked at him in anger before leaving. Rachel quickly excused herself. Teaspoon was the only one left. He cleared his throat.
"Seems to have put some hard feelings out there."
"Teaspoon, I just can't right now. Please understand."
"I am trying, son. I am."
"This is to protect us. For now, the less you know, the better. Just trust me. I am doing all that I can."
Teaspoon made eye contact with Buck then. He spoke quietly.
"It is safe for me to assume that you have Jimmy."
Buck did not answer but Teaspoon knew the answer. The door burst open. Noah looked at them worriedly.
"There's been another."
Teaspoon ran outside to mount up. Cody and Noah as well. They all watched as Buck raced away in the opposite direction.
Raven sat back with her hands in her lap as she listened to Carson. She smiled. Here we go.