Chapter

The Mice will Play

The woman stood and brushed herself with shaky arms. She was bleeding from the corner of her mouth which she chose to ignore. This new stranger scrutinized her as if forming some judgment in his mind. He didn't ask her if she was alright.

He was dressed all in black save for a white ruffled shirt that hid below a vest. Completing his ensemble with a cape that reached down to his thigh. The features of this stranger were difficult to discern as he hid beneath his attire. The new stranger removed his hat placing it on the credenza, then did the same for his cape. He was a middle-aged gentlemen resembling the age of the last stranger as well as their own pa. His hair was black with spots of gray, a couple inches in length on top but cut short above his ears. He came across as someone who typically took great care in his appearance, though currently he was sporting a three day beard.

"Alright, you've had your fun. Get to the settee both of you. Put the china-man with them." The Mulato obeyed placing Hopsing on the Windsor. "You two I hear have been quite troublesome. I would rather not have had to resort to such methods but I'm afraid you leave me no choice. From this moment forward you two will be secured."

Their captors found some rope to tie their hands and set them both back down on the settee. The new face directed the large Mulato to watch them while he talk with the woman. He took her arm guiding her outside, stopping on the porch. The Mulato took up position in front of the boys as they sat on the settee. The brothers couldn't hear all of what was spoken but they picked up enough.

"I don't care for this boy one way or the other." They overheard. "You know what it is I'm after."

"Remind me again what that is."

"I want Clay. I want him to pay."

"That's right." He gave her then some warning about them. Warned her that the brothers were not to be trusted. Warned her not to let her hatred for Clay blind her from doing her job.

Her response was indistinguishable.

The pair, each holding on to ill feelings, came back in.

"I think I shall want to watch these two for a while. Haitian, if you would be so kind as to go to Joe." The Mulato stood.

"I would rather you not call me that."

"What am I supposed to call you? By your name?"

"I don't care if they know."

"You should. Besides you should be proud of your heritage."

"I am, Frenchman." He sneered before walking out. The Frenchman scoffed.

"That was a bold move you just tried there." The Frenchman said, turning to the brothers. "Awfully cavalier if you ask me. I mean your brothers out there somewhere. You have no idea where and you're just going to risk his life by attempting something so foolish."

"You wouldn't kill him. You need him."

"You think you're so clever. You think that Joe is untouchable. Let me tell you this. If this plan of ours fails how much do you think his life is really worth to us? Trust this, his death would be a pleasure for me, even if it's not me that get's to do it. Kill me, kill her, kill the Haitian. You kill any of us, you kill your brother. I'd think twice before you try a move like that again."

"I should go to Joe too." The woman still appearing shaken up offers, breaking the Frenchman's attention from the boys.

"No. Stay. I will need you."

~.~

The woman was given another chance to guard them. She sat before them, staring on with fiery eyes. As it turns out the Frenchman hadn't needed the woman for anything more than that. Watching the brothers, as if testing them, maybe using her as bait, but with the threat of Joe's safety dangling over their heads; to ensure they did what they were supposed to.

The Frenchman had been upstairs for a while. Hopsing looking on from the Windsor. They knew he was curious as to what all was happening and just how long it had been happening for. Though they felt the need to offload every detail of the arrival of these strangers, somehow he didn't think it would be allowed. They may not be able to tell all but perhaps they could get the lady to tell him something.

"Let me ask you something." Adam ventured. "What did you mean by you want to make Clay pay?"

"He owes money."

"Yes. You want to make him pay."

"Yes."

"Why do I get the feeling that you weren't talking about money when you said this?" She did not answer. "Do you intend to do him harm?"

"What is it to you?" The middle boy grimaced at her response.

"Well considering he's family now, we might have a little problem with these plans."

"He would be honored to hear of your loyalty."

"How about Joe? You plan on hurting him too?"

"Joe is in no real danger." These next words she took great care in forming. "I concern myself with his safekeeping." But this assurance only gave them unsettlement. Hoss grimaced as worms crawled through his stomach.

"What is your involvement with these men?" Adam prodded.

"There are many things in which you do not understand."

"Help me to understand."

The Frenchman came down then. He was wiping away soap remnant with a rag, revealing a freshly shaven face.

"Have these two been behaving?"

"Well enough."

"Have you?" She sneered.

"I have no interest in these men." She said, standing and coming from around their pa's desk.

"I'm surprised at you. After what these men did, I expected more from you."

"It was no more than the act of desperate men. I hold no ill-will towards them."

"Quite a different story than the way you behaved with Joe. You were all too eager to make him pay." Hoss gulped at this omission.

"Forgive me. When I get fired up I act quite irrationally. Having a chance to think I hold no ill-will towards this Little Joe. It is only Clay for which I seek."

"Of course, because of what he did to you. How he wronged you." She glared up at him. "You must make him pay. Just remember we get what we want first. Then he's all yours." He pinched her chin. "Why don't you freshen up? I can take care of them." She left the room. "She is quite an interesting young creature, is she not?" The Frenchman took the chair she had been occupying. At first he stared at them in scrutiny but soon gave this up. "I must say, this is quite the house you have here. Not as grand as some I've seen, much grander than others. It's got sort of a roguish quality." He gesticulated. "I like it. It suits the environment. Of course it's not without its charm. Manly in most cases but with little touches of femininity. I would venture to say that a woman once lived in this house." The brothers glanced at each other. The Frenchman added. "Not for a while though."

"So am I to understand you're French? The other one is Haitian and she's?"

"Mexican."

"Mexican? Pretty interesting trio you have here."

He slighted a nod. "I come from a place where this is not unusual. A melting pot if you will."

"That could be said of this entire country."

"Yes, this is true. But rarely can it be seen all in one place. Even you are to remark on the interesting aspect."

"Where are you from?"

"Ah senor Cartwright, if I didn't know any better I would say that you are fishing for information. In time you will know enough about us. Let's not go spoiling the fun too soon."

The Frenchman propped upright and opened up the top drawer to their pa's desk to peer at the contents within. Making mental note of his findings, he closed the drawer and opened the next one down. Adam drummed out a perturbed breath at the violation of his pa's things. Whether or not he heard it didn't deter the Frenchman in the least. It may have even boasted him as he continued his invasive meddling.

"We've got some time still. How about something to eat?" He popped up and went to the Chinaman. "You. You are the cook, are you not?"

"Yes sir." The servant bobbed his head.

"Tell me, what do they call you?"

"I am Hopsing."

"Hopsing?"

"Yes sir."

"Are you a good man? What I mean is. Do you enjoy working for the Cartwright's?"

"Yes sir. They are very good to me."

"And you're a good, loyal servant?" He nodded. "So tell me, if I were to give you some free reign, you wouldn't take advantage of my generosity by doing something stupid like trying to escape or summon help. Of course not." He answered before Hopsing had a chance to get off an answer. "Because you're a good servant and you wouldn't want to see any harm come to them. You will use more caution than they were willing to use for you and even themselves for that matter because you care."

"Yes sir."

"Good boy. I thought so. So tell me, what can you make? What are you good at?"

"What do you want?"

"Well, how about you start us off with some tea and we'll go from there."

~.~

When they talked about time, it seemed that time was all they had. Their companions rotated through them. It was just the three of them. Fortunately no more came in to play. Whether or not there was any more remained to be seen. Was there anyone with Little Joe when they were all present?

They wouldn't risk giving him the opportunity to escape. If he were to escape that would put a hex on this whole wild plan of theirs, which means they'd have to be pretty confident in their ability to house and keep him, granted if he was even alive.

The day faded away. Though the idea of escape had never really went away having Joe somewhere kept their movements a bit more cautious. If they were to try again they needed some idea of where he was. Some confirmation that they could get to him before any form of retaliation could be exacted.

They followed orders until they could come up with some greater plan, hoping the while that Joe was okay and that he wasn't being hurt.

~.~

"Hoss."

"Hm?"

"You awake?"

"Yeah, this isn't the most ideal sleeping condition."

"Tell me about it."

"What I wouldn't give to be back in my own bed right about now."

The house was darkened. Hoss and Adam had been tied to the banister, to give the other occupants peace of mind so they could sleep. The Frenchman escaped off into some room to wait out the night. The Mexican was leant back in their pa's office chair with her arms crossed across her chest and her feet up. Her eyes were closed and her head back. They could only assume she was asleep. Her breath was heavier, though not by much.

"Hoss, I've been thinking."

"Bout what?"

"Same thing you are, I suppose."

"Little Joe?"

"Yeah, and Clay too."

"You're really worried for him aren't you?"

"More so about him."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, how do we know he's really coming?"

"They say he is. They seem to be pretty sure."

"But how do they know? I mean, it's been three days. How much longer are we supposed to wait? Meanwhile what's happening with Little Joe, especially when they're all here? Is there someone else watching him? Are they caring for him? Making sure he's getting plenty of food and water?"

"You have been thinking?"

"You haven't?"

"Yeah, I s'pose I have." Hoss admitted.

"Just how long are we supposed to wait before we try again?"

"You think we should?"

"What are we going to do when pa gets back? Or the hands? There could end up being a shootout before Clay ever comes. Joe might never be found?"

"It sure wouldn't hurt if we had some help."

"But that still leaves Little Joe. How do we guarantee his safety?"

"If only there was some way to get him out first."

"We don't even know where he's at; or even if he's still alive." Adam vexed.

"Don't say that. Joe's alive. He's gotta be. They wouldn't be doing all this stuff otherwise."

Adam couldn't help but think that they're doing this because he's dead. It's actually them that's supposed to be held over Clay's head. But Hoss was right, he had to think positive. Joe was out there somewhere. They just had to find him.