Chapter Fourteen
Outskirts of Modesto
Four months after Heath's escape from prison camp
The inhale of the cigarette seemed to calm his nerves some. Heath leaned over in his saddle trying to take the kink out of his back. He'd been riding too long in the saddle and his body was starting to feel it. He figured his horse wasn't none too happy about it either.
Rolling the cigarette around in his lips, Heath studied the land below him. It looked dry and barren as he figured it would. There wasn't too many places to make camp in this area. He'd have to find water and camp there no matter how far or near his destination was.
Cotton was fidgeting on the black mare. The man acted like frogs were in his britches when he was in the saddle too long. Heath had to remind himself that Cotton was a child in his mind despite being a man in body.
"Ya okay, Cotton?" Heath asked knowing the manchild would be honest with him. That was how Cotton was and why Heath had to bring him along. Afterall, a posse was once again after Heath due to his escape months earlier. That meant opening up old questions about the past killings in Strawberry. Which in turn meant that Cotton needed to be out of the line of questioning or the boy would tell that he killed Old Man Garland and Johnna killed her mother, Red.
"My rump is hurting mighty fierce." Cotton rubbed his backside before sitting back down in the saddle. "I'm thirsty too."
"I figure we'll rest up in a bit. We can make camp early. May have to stay more hours than we're used to. In these parts, might be best traveling near evening. Sun is a devil here." Heath pulled his horse's reins as he squinted against the afternoon sun.
Cotton never argued with Heath. The nineteen year old put his trust in the sixteen year old. Heath was Cotton's best friend and hero. The boy knew Heath would take care of him. That he never doubted.
Hank and Ward never argued either. Heath knew their loyalty was more out of fear than respect especially Ward. Hank was following Heath more out of gratitude as far as Heath could decipher. Ward was going along for the ride. That confused Heath as he knew Ward had taken a shine to Hank's sister, Nora. He couldn't figure out what Ward's decision to go along was for. However, Ward had took up to going along with their group a few times before Heath was captured in Modesto after killing the gambler.
Sweat caused Heath's back to itch as it trickled down his spine. He didn't like the feeling of being this dirty and figured Cotton liked it even less. However, the wages of wrath had brought him this far. He didn't plan on turning back. He had four more men to kill before he would consider what was to be of his future.
Heath had killed four men all together and one woman. He was accused of two more murders but wasn't too worried about those notches added to his belt. The newspapers had him a coldblooded killer without a cause. They didn't have a photo of Heath to share and the drawing of him made Heath look more like a thirty year old man than a sixteen year old boy. That suited Heath just fine as he wasn't as noticed in towns. Heath had even saw a photo of some of the posse after him. Heath had to admit it was strange seeing a photo of your own brother for the first time. It seems Nick Barkley was one of the main men on Fred Madden's posse, who had joined up with a famous lawman named Frank Sawyer.
The newspapers exaggerated Heath's life thus far of the boy being a cheating gambler with the love of women and strong drink. Heath now had a bounty on his head. Besides that, he had heard more killings were associated with his name than truth be told. As far as he was concerned about those he did kill, he hadn't murdered any of them. He didn't really give the dead second thought. Let the dead bury the dead was how he figured it. Even if he was the one who did the killing. They had planned to kill him and he drew first blood. It was as simple as that. Besides, the men he was after never gave his mama and Hannah a chance or a second thought either.
After they found a suitable amount of water for them and their horses, Heath and the others made camp. Heath pulled out the making for another cigarette as he pushed his bangs from his face. Rachel had given him a good haircut before he left Strawberry months ago. He wasn't sure how long that was. He did know his birthday had passed somewhere along the way. He hadn't celebrated that day since he was twelve. That was the last celebration of his being born. It was the last he saw of being a child as well.
Heath had bathed as best he could before helping Cotton get cleaned up. Ward had bathed as well. Hank still had the stench on him. Heath didn't know how a man could go so long without a good cleaning unless forced to do so. Heath had went seven months without a good bathing. That was in Carterson Prison. Heath was too busy feeling his stomach gnaw at itself to worry over cleanliness while there. Although he had to admit, having lice and scabs take over your body did make for a desire to feel clean.
"Hank, take a bath." Heath didn't know why he ordered that from the larger boy. It was the twenty year old's business if he bathed or not.
"What?" Hank's head snapped around to glare at Heath.
"You heard me. You're stinking up camp." Heath growled as he inhaled his smoke. Something about a man not bathing when he had a chance irked Heath. If Hank had to endure what Heath had in Carterson, he'd appreciate a chance to bath. "Besides, we don't know when we will get a chance again. Best clean up while you can."
"He has to wash his own clothes." Cotton said as he hung up the wet clothes of his and Heath's. "Ward too."
"I got to warsh my clothes too, Boss?" Hank whined as he started stripping his attire. All four of the men had only one change of clothes with them. He didn't mind work but never cared one way or the other about putting on his extra set of clothes.
Heath cursed as he looked up at Hank. "Stand down wind from me."
"There ain't no wind." Hank said as he stepped farther away from Heath.
"Shows how bad you stink." Heath chuckled as he took another draw of his self made cigarette.
Hank laughed heartily as he continued stripping before heading to the water hole to retrieve water in his hat. He figured if his boss wanted him to bath, he'd bath.
Heath had to lay low due to escaping the prison camp. However, he was still set on tracking the men who killed his mama and Hannah as well as raped Rachel. The way he figured it, he could be patient. If it took him months or years, it didn't matter as long as each and every one of the five men were dead. One down. Four to go.
Heath had also been practicing getting faster with his six shooter. He was already a dead shot with a rifle or pistol as well as fast with a knife but quickness with a gun was different than with a knife. Heath was getting much quicker and could challenge those known for their fast draw now. The gambler was faster than Heath so Heath made sure the man drank enough to slow him down. Heath could care less that some would see that as an unfair fight. As long as the man was dead, it didn't matter how the world saw it. The gambler pulled his gun first. Heath simply obliged the man by pulling his gun faster due to the man being drunk. Heath didn't think much of it. As he thought earlier, one down and four to go.
Heath studied Ward as the man poked at the campfire. There was something up with him. Heath hadn't figured it out yet but something was definitely off with his childhood friend. Ward was usually the one who picked up the joking and taunting of Hank. He was also the one to be windy with some type tale as they camped. Yet, the seventeen year old seemed unusually quiet since he had met back up with them at Cattles Creek on the outskirts of Modesto.
Ward had been gone a week visiting Nora in Strawberry. He was the one to keep Heath informed on Rachel and Johnna, who were both doing well. Johnna had sent some tasty treats for them all. She had even sent Heath a letter sealed in an envelope. The envelope contained a piece of paper with honeysuckle pressed between the page. Heath saw words written on the paper but couldn't read them. It told him his Aunt Rachel was teaching Johnna to read and write.
He supposed he may have someone read him the words when he met someone he could trust. Right now, the words were private between him and Johnna. He kept the letter inside of his vest pocket. He hoped Ward didn't taunt Johnna with the fact that Heath had been with other women since leaving Johnna behind in Strawberry. Those women meant nothing to him. He wasn't sure Johnna did either but no use hurting the girl with such truths.
Hank came back dressed in long underwear. He was carrying his sopping wet clothes. He held the clothes out to show Heath as he grinned proudly.
"I warshed my clothes and my hair real good, Boss. Reckon the women won't be lookin' your way no more." Hank winked as he started wringing out the clothes near a clump grass. "I was only tryin' to give you a fightin' chance with the ladies by not bathin'."
"I appreciate that, Hank." Heath grinned crookedly. "But I hate to inform you. There ain't ladies around for miles. By the time we see us some females, you'll have raised up another stink."
Hank shrugged with a sly grin plastered on his face. He settled down by the fire, where Cotton was frying up a rattlesnake Heath had shot earlier. Heath's brow furrowed when he noticed that Ward was no longer around the fire. Before he could get up to check, Heath heard a gunhammer cock.
"Don't move." The tall dark clad man stated as he stepped out from behind a bolder. "You're completely surrounded."
The next man to step forward had a badge pinned to his chest. He was holding a gun on Ward as he pushed him forward. "Toss over your weapons, boys."
"Don't try anything stupid." The tall figure stated as he nodded towards Hank. "We only want Heath Thomson. The rest of you aren't wanted by the law."
Heath's gun was pulled out from his holster. He wanted to laugh at the irony of being caught by the dark haired man. Of all the men in California, why this man?
"Boss?" Hank asked as he closed his hands into tight fists.
"Do as they say, Hank? No use gettin' yourself in trouble." Heath was pulled up harshly by another man with a badge.
It seemed a posse had been tailing him. There were five in all. Heath was beginning to hate that number. Heath wondered how they could track his trail. Heath knew how to get lost when he wanted to. His answer came in the next few seconds.
"Are you sure this is him?" The dark clad cowboy asked. Heath noticed the slight nod Ward made but Cotton or Hank did not. "I can't believe Heath Thomson is this young. How old are you boy?"
"Old enough to make your lady squeal in delight and make your mama want to." Heath taunted knowing it would get a rise from the dark dressed man.
Cotton started to run at the man who shoved Heath harshly. Hank caught him around the waist.
"Don't make trouble, Cotton."
"Thanks, Hank." Heath said before turning his glare towards the dark haired man. "You're a Barkley. Ain't ya?"
"What is it to you,boy?" Nick Barkley shoved Heath forward. Something about the boy unnerved him. Maybe it was his smart mouth or his age. Nick wasn't sure but the familiarity of the boy had him rattled. "You snot nose little…"
"Now. Now. Didn't your pa and ma teach you that name calling is bad manners?" Heath laughed as Nick continued to thrust him towards the sheriff.
"Cuff him, Frank. Can you gag him too?" Nick glanced back at Hank, who was trying to comfort the white haired boy. It was obvious the boy was weak in mind. He felt sorry for him. "You all can come along. You're not under arrest but you need to hand over your weapons. Can't take a chance with you trying to save your friend."
Hank looked at Heath for advice. Heath smiled crookedly. "Best follow along. Might get you a meal from the deal. Maybe even a hotel room." Heath knowingly looked at Ward. "I bet Ward would be willing to pay."