And the Devil Makes Five
Chapter 2 – Cody and the TexansAh, the smell on the breeze! This was the Texas that all three of the Mavericks remembered. The air was hot and dry, and the smell of cattle permeated every single molecule of oxygen. Doc thought it was awful, and couldn't understand how anyone found the smell attractive.
It had taken a long time to get this far and even though Bart wasn't happy with all the bouncing around on the stage he was glad for the rest. And the mental strain was non-existent compared to what he'd just been through. Beau seemed almost shy at first around his cousins; somehow, someway the relationship among the three men had changed. Doc was quieter than usual, he didn't know Beau as well as Bart or even Bret and he was a little restrained at first. Bret, as always, was Bret. Not much affected him except worry about his brother.
By the time they got all the way down to Laredo everyone, Bart included, had enough of the stage and was ready for a horse. They spent the night at the Laredo City Hotel. Bart knew better than to room with Doc – if anybody snored worse than his brother it was his friend. They decided to splurge and got separate rooms – that was the only way Bart was sure he'd get some sleep.
Beau had a hard time sleeping – it was odd to be without Georgia after so many years of sleeping alone. Consequently, he was the last of the Mavericks awake the next morning and was just coming down to breakfast as Bart and Bret were finishing. Doc's idea of breakfast was the same as his idea of lunch and supper – he never went anywhere without his flask and, if he could get away with it, a full bottle.
Bart was still drinking coffee as Beau walked in. He joined them and signaled the waitress over to the table. "I'll have whatever he had," he told her, pointing at Bret's plate.
"Be careful cousin, he still eats like there's no tomorrow," Bart warned him as he started on his first cup of coffee.
"Do you ever drink tea anymore?" Bret asked.
"Not much," Beau replied. "Georgia's always got a pot of coffee going, and it's just easier. Besides, if we eat out and I ask for tea they look at me like I've got two heads."
Bart looked startled. "What – you don't?"
"Same old Cousin Bart," was Beau's rejoinder.
"Not exactly. There's still things that I don't remember – and things I'd rather forget."
"Just how bad was the reaction to the aspirin?"
"Bad," Bret told him. "Don't ever need to go through that again."
"You think it was bad – you should've been on this side of it."
All three heard the noise at the same time – the unmistakable sound of Doc attempting to cough his insides out. "That can't be Doc," Bret stated, exactly fifteen seconds before Doc rounded the corner and stood in front of them, looking like the devil had worked him over last night.
"Doc, it's daylight. What're you doin' up?" Bart asked.
Doc put his finger to his lips. "Shhhh. Doc's still asleep. This is a figment of your imagination."
"Does the figment want coffee?"
"Can I put my medicine in it without everyone having a Maverick fit?"
Bart had long ago accepted the fact that Doc's treatment of his illness was not conventional. Since Bret had invited Doc along on this exploratory adventure, he assumed Bret would at least tolerate it. Beau had said nothing so far; if he had a problem with Doc's perpetual state of inebriation, he'd have to speak up.
"Sure, Doc, it's your life."
"There's a nasty rumor going around to that effect," Doc answered as he sat down at the table and held his cup up for the waitress to see. She brought Beau's breakfast and the coffee pot. Doc recoiled from the smell of food as if he'd been shot.
"Ah, how can you eat – "
"This?" Beau asked.
"Anything," Doc answered. He poured half his coffee into Bart's cup, knowing that Maverick would drink it, and replaced the missing beverage with whiskey from his flask. "Now, gentlemen, you're probably wondering why I called this meeting."
"Speaking of calling a meeting. We need to get horses and cross the border today. Don't want to attract too much attention on this side before we go." Just as Bret finished his statement, a Ranger showed up at the dining room door. It was obvious he was looking for them; as soon as he saw the group he entered the room and headed their way. "Already?" muttered Bret.
"Gentlemen, I'm Cody Howard, Texas State Police. We heard rumors that Doctor Holliday was here in Laredo and I was sent to find out what the reason for that visit was. Anyone have an answer for me?"
Doc raised his cup to Ranger Howard. "Texas State Police? I thought you were still Texas Rangers?"
"We are Doctor, just with a different name. Are you here for a visit or has someone crossed your path at the wrong time of day?"
"My reputation precedes me, I see. Just here to see . . . uh . . . visit . . . . uh, help me out, boys," Doc pleaded.
"Just here for a visit, Ranger Howard," Bart stepped up and answered for his friend.
"And you three would be - ?"
"Maverick is the name," Bret responded. "All three of us."
"Brothers?"
"Yes." That was as much information as Bret was willing to give. Besides, they were raised as brothers.
"And how long do you expect to stay in Laredo?"
"Leaving today, as a matter of fact. Do you have some reason for the questions, Mr. Howard, besides general nosiness?"
"Nope, Mr. Maverick, general nosiness is as good a reason as any. Well, gentlemen, that's all. Just wanted to see what Doctor Holliday had in store for Laredo. Thanks for the information." Cody Howard tipped his hat and was gone.
"What was that?" Beau asked everyone.
"That, my dear Beauregard, is the price one pays for being Doc Holliday," the forenamed man replied.
"And that's just one of the many reasons for leaving town in a hurry," Bret reminded them. "Let's go, boys." The Mavericks got up to leave; Doc didn't move. He finally looked up at the three of them.
"Oh, you meant me too. I'm flattered."
Bart just shook his head. "Come on, Doc. Time to go get the horses."
"Yes sir, I'm on my way."
Bret wondered if this was what they were going to go through the entire trip with Doc along. He sighed. Sometimes it was like babysitting a two-year-old child. Sometimes?
XXXXXXXX
The Franciscan monks were now closer to the twin towns of Laredo and Nuevo Laredo, but the old, abandoned and crumbling monastery lay in the hills far to the west of the Rio Grande River. Somewhere in that old building, so the legend goes, was gold that had been brought to the new world and buried where the monastery was eventually built. There it lay obscured for who-one-knew how many years after the abandonment, with many men trying and failing to find it. What no was aware of was that the gold had been discovered a long time ago – and relocated. The only man left alive that knew where it was now lost that information in a poker game – to Bret Maverick.
So on this day they guided the horses in the direction of the monastery and, once they'd found it, rode right on past. "How much further?" Bart queried.
"Tomorrow morning, early," came his brother's answer.
"Early?" was Doc's only question.
"Yes, early," Bret answered. "Unless you want every bandito in the territory following us."
"Not only them," offered Beau, as he watched the line of Mexican Federales pull up at the monastery and reform into a proper regiment. They watched the 'crazy Americanos' ride on, even further west into the desert. Since their orders only involved following the Americans to the monastery, their captain was content to let the group go on without trailing them any further. Once Beau was sure the Federales were not continuing, he turned and waved at them.
Bret saw the gesture and sighed. Maybe just he and Bart should have come down here and left the two children at home. But here In Mexico there was safety in numbers, and he knew they were stronger and more formidable than just two men riding together. He hoped that he wouldn't come to regret the decision.
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