Kid Curry let his horse set her own pace as they meandered down the main street of Yuma, Arizona. His eyes scanned the store fronts looking for lady's dress shops where he might find Jenny and Louise. His first order of business, though, was to find himself a stiff drink, a room, and maybe even a hot bath, with an extra bucket of hot water. He felt he deserved that much, after the past year living in Devil's Hole, where a bath was considered a luxury which a few members of the gang didn't partake of as often as they should.
His eyes took in the various businesses lining Main Street; a familiar tingle going up his spine at the sight of the sheriff's office even though he had no reason to believe he would run up against a lawman who knew him. Two doors down from the sheriff's office stood the telegraph office. As much as he wanted a drink and a steak dinner, he knew his first stop should be there, on the off-chance that Heyes was trying to get word to him. Casting a longing glance at the saloon, he tied his horse to the hitching post and, telling himself that he'd get that drink soon enough because, really, what could Heyes be needing this soon after his departure a couple days before.
His entry into the telegraph office was heralded by the always-present tinkling of the bell over the door. A lanky, long-armed fellow was seated behind the counter and he looked up and smiled a friendly smile at the dusty saddle-bum who had just walked in.
"Howdy, friend. What can I do for you?" he asked Kid.
"Well, friend, I wanted to check and see if you might have any telegrams for me. Name's Thaddeus Jones." Kid Curry rested his arms on the counter and tipped his hat back from his sweaty brow with the tip of one finger.
"Jones. Jones. As a matter of fact, I do have a couple messages for you. Came in yesterday afternoon. Now, let me see." Kid groaned inwardly as the lanky fellow reached under the counter and pulled out a tray containing several messages that were apparently waiting for the recipients, most of them strangers in town, to come looking for them. "Ah, here they are. This one came first and the other came shortly after." He took a moment to read them again before handing them to Kid Curry. "Seems kinda important," he said with the same friendly smile.
Kid cursed his luck, certain these messages meant he wasn't going to have the relaxing afternoon he was banking on. He read the first missive in silence, his eyes widening as he absorbed the words. But when he read the second message, his eyes became clouded with worry…a lot of worry. "What friend is missing?" he thought. "And more importantly, what the hell is Heyes thinking? He's gonna get himself killed!"
Without further word to the telegraph operator, he turned and strode out of the telegraph office, all thoughts of finding Jenny gone from his head. The thought of a drink and some dinner was still hanging around but Kid knew he didn't have time to waste on food and drink so, with major misgivings, he got back on his horse and set out at a fast clip in the direction from which he had so recently come.
Heyes slowed his horse to a gentle walk. Now that he was so close to his old hide-out, he was seriously starting to realize the full risk he was taking by riding into Devil's Hole. After all, he was no longer a wanted outlaw like all his old compatriots. Indeed, he was working on the other side of the law as a full-fledged deputy under Lom Trevors, the very man the gang had kidnapped. If nothing else, Heyes was a man who had a full share of common sense in most matters, but his actions today made no sense at all—at least if he wanted to remain living. He knew his old friends in the gang would be reluctant to gun him down just for riding into their lair but he suspected some of the others wouldn't have any reservations about taking their best shot at him. "It sure would be nice to have Kid by my side right now," he muttered quietly to himself.
He knew that soon, once he rounded the next bend in the barely discernible trail he was travelling on, he'd likely be spotted by the gang sentinel whose job was to shoot (with any luck, not to kill) and ask questions later. His best hope was that Kyle was on watch duty this afternoon, much like he'd been in the old days when Heyes rode with the gang. On the other hand, if it was a new gang member on duty, well then Heyes was probably as good as dead.
With a dread-filled heart Heyes urged his horse half-heartedly forward.
"I'd stop right there if I were you, Heyes."
Hannibal Heyes' heart stuttered with fear. Simultaneously, he recognized the familiar voice and expelled a long-pent up breath that he hadn't been aware of holding. His face brightened with a deeply dimpled smile as he turned his head to locate the person who'd spoken. As his eyes lit on Kid Curry, partially hidden behind a bush on the edge of the trail, he let out a spontaneous "Whoop" and launched himself off his horse so he could trap his friend in a bear hug.
"Kid! You have no idea how happy I am that you're here. I believe I mighta been fixin' to get my head shot off by some green-horn outlaw."
"You have no idea how close you came to having that actual thing happen. When I got your telegram, I knew I better get here before you did. The gang has recruited a couple of gun-happy young outlaws since you were last here and they probably have no idea who you are, or were, I should say. And even if they did, they'd sooner shoot you than not, even if they did recognize you."
"Maybe especially if they recognized me, you mean. I don't suppose I have a real good reputation with outlaws anymore, seeing as how I'm working on the other side of the law these days. But I couldn't sit around town any longer. I've got to try to get these idiots to see there ain't no good to come from kidnapping Lom. I mean, he's only got about two pennies to rub together himself so what do they expect to gain from it. Makes no sense…" Heyes' voice faded off as he completed his sentence, his brow furrowed as he tried to figure out the angle.
"I can't figure it either," Kid agreed. "How do you think we oughta handle this? You want me to ride in alone and smooth things over before you come in? Once I know who's up there behind the rocks watching for us and know they ain't gonna put a hole in either of us, I can whistle for you."
"Sounds like a good plan, Kid. As long as they won't put a hole in you even if you're alone. You didn't ride out of here on the best of terms, you know." Heyes frowned at the idea of Kid putting himself in danger in order to protect him.
"Nah, all the boys know me. And they know I'm a pretty good shot too," he said modestly. "If there's any chance I can get a shot off first, I doubt they'd try it."
Heyes nodded in agreement. "Ok, I'll wait here. You whistle when it's safe for me to come after you."
"Stop right there, Kid! I'd really hate to have to blow a hole in that hat o' your'n."
Kid was relieved to hear the familiar voice of Kyle McMurtry. Kyle was not the sharpest member of the Devil's Hole Gang but he was one of the most loyal, and despite any past differences, Kid knew he'd always be a reliable friend to him. And to Hannibal Heyes as well, no matter what side of the law Heyes was standing on now.
"Kyle," Kid said, a hint of warning in his own voice, as his eyes searched the rocks above his head until he spotted his old friend partially concealed behind a boulder. "I'm not sure you can back up those words. Are you?" The hint of warning had fleshed out into an easily recognized threat as his hand came to rest on the butt of his gun.
"Now, Kid," Kyle fretted, "You know it's my job to protect the hide out, no matter what. I ain't got no choice in the matter." He shrunk back behind the rock until Kid couldn't see any part of him anymore. "You know I'd never shoot you."
"Well, alright then. Now come on down here. I got some business to discuss with you."
"I dunno, Kid. Ol' Hank is mighty pissed off at you, riding out of here like you did. He don't like how you disrespected him and his plan none either."
"His plan is just what I came here to talk to you fellas about. And I brought someone with me. Now come down here and let's hash this out face to face, like men. Look. I come in peace." Kid raised his hands, palms forward, showing Kyle that he didn't have any intention to draw his gun on him.
A long moment passed in silence before Kyle reluctantly poked his head over the rock pile and hazarded a peak at Kid. Once he ascertained that both hands were nowhere near his holster, he clambered with some effort down the side of the hill until he was standing next to Kid's horse.
"That's better. I'm glad you're willing to discuss this like men, Kyle. I knew you'd see reason once I explain why I'm here. And maybe we can pull your bacon out of the fire before you all end up hanged."
"Hanged? We ain't done nothing worth getting us hanged over, Kid; at least not recently," Kyle answered with a lopsided, lumpy grin, displaying a mouthful of discolored teeth and a wad of chewing tobacky tucked deep into his left cheek.
"I don't think you're taking this serious enough, Kyle. You boys are in a heap of trouble."
Kyle squinted up at Kid, then turned his head and spit out a wad of tobacco juice. "I'm not getting your meaning. What kinda trouble? And who's the fella you brung with you? Or maybe it's not a fella; maybe you brung a pretty lady," Kyle said hopefully, recalling the time Heyes brought the pretty lady, Clara Phillips, who was looking for her husband.
Kid couldn't help but chuckle at Kyl's wistful expression. "Sorry, Kyle. No lady, not this time."
Kyle's face took on a crestfallen expression. "No, I reckon that is too much to ask fer. Well, don't keep me waitin'. Who'd you bring with you?" He squinted suspiciously. "I think you better spill it, Kid," he said as his hand drifted toward his own gunbelt.
"Ok. Now, don't get yourself all worked up but waiting up there, right around the bend, is your old, loyal friend, Hannibal Heyes." Kid's face split into his most charming, winning smile in hopes that Kyle would be calmed by its radiance.
"Hannibal Heyes? Are you crazy, Kid? Heyes is law now. He ain't got no business coming into an outlaw hideaway!" Kyle looked as though he might become sick at the thought of having to lead Hannibal Heyes into the lair under the suspicious eyes of the outlaw gang. "No, I don't think this is a good idea. Not a good idea a t'all!"
"Come on, Kyle. You know Heyes. He might be law now but he's still the same Heyes you've known since he was a teenager. You guys rode together for years. You know you can trust him."
"Sure, Kid, maybe I do trust him. But Hank? He ain't as enlightened as you and me is. Not to mention the newer members of the gang. Hell's bells, they don't even know Heyes 'cept by reputation. And a lot of 'em don't like 'im just for the mere fact that he got his amnesty and we are still running and hiding just to stay upright in our boots."
"Hello, Kyle. Good to see you." The two men whirled around, unaware that their old friend had quietly slipped up behind them from around the bend where he'd been waiting. He stuck his gloved hand out in a friendly manner, offering Kyle a sincere handshake.
Kyle eyed his outstretched hand for a beat and then with a mighty sigh, reached out his own dirty hand. Heyes gripped it firmly and then with a hearty laugh, pulled the older man into his arms for a bear hug. After releasing him from his grip, he smiled and said, "I had no idea how much I've missed your ugly mug, Kyle! It's so good to see you again. Where's Wheat? Is he here?"
"Nah, he ain't here right now. He met a lady a while back, after a little bank job we pulled. She was workin' at the bank," he grinned wickedly before getting rid of another squirt of tobacco juice. "Seems she likes the bad type of fella. Anyway, the way I heard it they decided to spend a little time getting to know each other. I reckon he'll be back once she gets tired of seeing his sorry face and sends him packing."
Heyes laughed again, "Well, what do you know. Old Wheat. My, my my. Who'da thought it." Heyes seemed to be absolutely delighted with the idea, which infected both Kid and Kyle, bringing smiles on both their faces.
But within a minute, Kyle was back to business. "So what are you doing here, Heyes? Are you working for the law? Cuz if you are, I can't let you in there, you know that."
"What? No. Well, technically yes."
"What's that you say?" Kyle's face clouded over with doubt and his fingers inched closer to his gunbelt again
"Well, what did you expect, Kyle? You boys should have known better than to do something like this. What did you would happen? You know I work for Lom now, right?"
"Well, o'course I know you work for Lom. I ain't been living under a rock, you know," he replied indignantly. "Wait! What should we have known better? You know I don't know nothin'."
"The kidnapping! I'm talking about the kidnapping."
Kyle's face split into that same familiar lop-sided grin again. "Oh, you hear'd about that, didya?"
"Oh, I heard alright. How could you guys be so, so…reckless?"
"Reckless?" The lopsided grin was gone, replaced by a forlorn expression.
"I could have used a stronger word, but I am trying to be nice here."
Kyle considered that for a moment before saying, "I thought you came wanting to join in with us. If you spend a little time rolling it around in your brain, you'll see what a great plan this is. Don't you think so, Kid?"
Heyes and Curry stared at Kyle in disbelief. Kid answered, "No, I don't think so at all, Kyle. I mean, what good can come of this. Lom ain't got nothing beyond what a sheriff's salary can afford him. How is this big plan gonna benefit any of you? It's plumb crazy, is what it is."
Kyle looked at Kid, he looked at Heyes, and then back at Kid. His face was slack-jawed in confusion. "I got ta tell ya. I ain't got no idea what you're going on about. No idea at all."
Heyes sighed, frustrated with the conversation. "Ok, what do you say, Kyle? Will you help me get inside so I can talk to Hank and see if we can straighten this whole thing out before it goes any further? I give you my word that I don't mean to cause any problems. I just want to get Lom home to his family without any trouble."
"Well, you know I would never do anything against Lom, Heyes. Of course, I'll get you in to see Hank. But I can't guarantee what'll happen once they see you."
"You let me worry about that," Kid said. "I'll see to it that nothing bad happens to Heyes. Or Lom, for that matter."
Kyle shook his head, bewildered. "Stay here a minute. I'll get my horse." Before disappearing around another bend in the road, he turned and yelled, "I better not live to regret this, Heyes."
Heyes waved reassuringly and muttered, "I'm just hoping we all live, whether we regret this or not."