WINTER'S REFUGE

by Kattayl

Every author writes a Curry and Heyes prison story. This is mine.

120. Winter's Refuge Chapter 120

Winter's Refuge

Chapter One Hundred Twenty

JED 'KID' CURRY

Me and Heyes got to the steps of the prison a full ten minutes before Chadwick. I thanked the trustee that took our horses and called him 'sir'. I understand what bein' in prison means and a little kindness don't cost nothin'. We waited in silence on the steps with our backs to the door. We could see the road and the trees and in the distance mountains. But we couldn't see the black buildin' risin' behind us. And we could pretend that if we couldn't see it, it wasn't there.

Watching Chadwick pull up in his buggy, I vowed to be more polite to him. After all, he was the one tryin' to get Matt's sentence revised. Anything less than the life without parole sentence he had now could give him hope. So, I went down the steps and held the buggy's reins until the trustee came back for it. "Thank you, Mr. Curry," Chadwick said as if I had done what was expected.

As the trustee appeared and took the reins, I climbed the steps. I was embarrassed that I had to put two feet on each step and I couldn't sprint up them.

"Gentlemen, it's time we went inside."

I picked up the iron knocker and let it fall. The knocker was rough, unfinished as if they had bought the cheapest one they could find.

I knew what to expect when the door opened. It was the same prison guard that opened the door when I came to visit Heyes and one of my tormentors when I spent one long night as a prisoner here. He watched us carefully as we took off our guns and holsters and put them in the box by the door. He treated Chadwick with respect, but me and Heyes with disdain, like we should still be imprisoned.

HEYES

My feet refused to walk down the corridor in back of the guard. Chadwick followed him quickly. The Kid with back held stiff, walked, under control, behind him. But my feet refused to move down the dark, quiet tunnel. Reaching out, I grasped Kid's shoulder just as the guard behind me gave me a not so gentle nudge in the back saying, "Move it, Heyes."

JED 'KID' CURRY

We were led to the entrance of the windowless conference we had been in before, but we didn't go in. Our guard nodded to the guard standin' outside the door. He opened it for Chadwick put his hand out to stop me and Heyes. He motioned to a wooden bench a few yards further down the hall. "Sit. The rule here is quiet," he commanded.

"Yes, sir," I responded.

Heyes stared at me funny for a moment before lookin' away. The guard left us there, unguarded, just barely in the vision of the guard at the door. Sittin' here was worse than bein' in the meetin' because we were surrounded by the somber, ominous walls that seemed to be movin' closer in on us. In the silence, distant footsteps could be heard and, if you listened carefully, men shufflin' with shackles on their ankles. The enforced quiet caused self-reflection and amplified the dark, ominous thoughts forcin' their way into my mind. And I knew it had to be ten times worse for Heyes. This place had driven him to find refuge in his mind and hide there. I won't let that happen again. "Hey partner, what do you think's goin' on in there?" I asked him.

Startled by my whispered question in the silence, his brown eyes told me the gloom was overpowerin' him. My question made him focus on me. I didn't smile or even try to. He'd know that was false. Instead, I leaned shoulder to shoulder with him and repeated my question. "What's goin' on in there?"

I saw his eyes find mine. "Don't know for sure. I guess we're not needed for all of the meeting. Hope Chadwick's worth what you're paying him." As Heyes spoke, I knew he had beaten the darkness, at least for the moment.

Abruptly, a scream echoed down the hall, and then another, the unmistakable agony scream of a man bein' whipped. Heyes put his hand on my knee and squeezed tight. We both have the memories and the scars of bein' flogged here.

Our hauntin' memories were interrupted by the sound of the conference door openin'. Standin', we took a step toward it, but the guard ordered, "Sit. They're not ready for you."

A man and a woman with a girl about nine came out of the room. Their faces were solemn. 'What had Matt done to them?' I wondered.

Shakin' off the guard that tried to lead them out, they came to us. "You Jed Curry, Matt McWinters' brother-in-law?" the woman asked.

I nodded, takin' off my hat.

"And you are his famous partner, Hannibal Heyes. I recognize you both. You robbed a train I was on with my pa and uncle. You were such gentlemen."

I had not expected that. Heyes removed his hat, bowed with a flourish of his hat, and answered, "Our pleasure, ma'am."

She looked at the guard waitin', impatiently tappin' his foot. Ignorin' him, she turned back to us. Her husband put an arm around her waist as she continued to talk. "It was a pleasure to testify for Matt McWinters today."

"A pleasure?"

"Don't know why he rode with those rough men. He saved my life and my daughter's!"

"Ma'am?"

"Of course, you didn't hear our testimony. The McWinters Gang robbed a train I was riding on with my husband here. They are nothing like you, cruel. I saw their leader pistol whip an old man who was trembling and slow to take out his wallet. They stole everythin' from everyone. They shot a man in the leg who was trying to go behind a bush to relieve himself.

"Anyway, I was pregnant, very pregnant and cried out when a contraction started. Matt McWinters came over and asked me if one of the men had hurt me. As I was explaining what was happening, I had another mild contraction. I don't think he'd ever been around a pregnant woman before. He looked around and said, "It's going to take a couple of hours for help to come to this train, it's off the tracks. I'll take you to a doctor."

"That's not necessary," I told him. Quite frankly I was frightened of him and my husband looked terrified at his suggestion. But I had another contraction.

He turned to my husband and told him, "I'll take her to Bear Corners, about ten miles inland from here. They have a doctor. I promise nothing will happen to her." And with that he helped me on his horse, waved to the gang and we rode to Bear Corners. He took me into the doctor's office, who mistook us for man and wife. Neither of us corrected him.

"Mister, go find the midwife," the doctor commanded him. "She lives in the white house on the corner."

Matt did as he was told and when he came back with the midwife, he came to my bed, kissed my forehead and whispered, "Good luck." Before he left, he paid my entire bill, so much so that there was change. Our daughter, there, was born that night. She was a difficult birth and we both would have died without the doctor and the midwife. We named her Matilda after Matt McWinters."

"I'm Matilda," the little girl said with a smile.

"So, when Mr. Chadwick asked us to testify for Mr. McWinters to get a less severe sentence, we readily agreed."

"Sir, Ma'am, you really must leave the prison, now," the guard's voice was threatenin' and he got their attention.

Heyes reached out and shook the lady's hand. "Thank you for coming and telling us this."

Matilda smiled up at me and held out her hand. A child's smile does so much for the heart. I shook it saying, "Pleased to meet you, Miss Matilda."

As they walked away, behind the guard, I heard the wife whisper, "See, I told you they were gentlemen."

We had just sat down when the door opened. "They will see you now."

The windowless conference room only had dank, dirty air to breathe and only the one guarded entrance. The walls seem to close in, making the room smaller and smaller. There were already men in suits assembled around the table, each with paperwork in front of them on the table. I recognized Dr. Oliver Arden but no one else. As he didn't acknowledge me, I didn't acknowledge him either. A smallish, round man with gray eyes, gray skin and grayer hair stood. Only his black wiry eyebrows brought color to his face. He wasn't the warden or the assistant warden, but he was in charge.

"Gentlemen, please sit down. I am Mr. Grayson. You will find agendas in front of each of you. Senior Guard, why don't you go first with a report on convict Matthew McWinters' demeanor and behavior so you can return to your duties."

The Senior Guard stood and gave a veiled glare at the gray man. I'd bet he'd rather stay here with no responsibilities and testify last, but he had no choice.

"Convict McWinters works in the broom factory. He is a competent, quiet worker. He don't cause no trouble, but if trouble comes to him, he don't back away from it. He's got a reputation of being good in a fight, so the many stay away from him." I recognized the man, and he knew who I was, one of my tormentors. He spoke loudly right at the gray man, his voice cold and emotionless.

"He gets into fights then?" another of the men around the table inquired.

"Only when pushed. He don't start them; he's obedient and quiet most of the time. But if he's in a fight, he wins."

"Anything else, sir?" the gray man asked.

"Does he have friends here?" Mr. Chadwick wanted to know.

"Convicts don't trust each other. But McWinters, yeah, yeah, he has some friends. He used some of his money on account to buy convict Adame a pair of reading does things like that."

"Thank you, sir," Chadwick said and it sounded sincere, but you never know about lawyers.

"You are dismissed," the gray man finished before lookin' at the lawyer. "Mr. Chadwick, you have one left to testify I believe."

"Yes, I call on Hannibal Heyes to testify."

I'd thought Heyes was kiddin' earlier when he said he was goin' to testify. Now he stood and looked at the men in the room. I realized several of them were on his parole committee. His lower lip trembled for a moment, and he looked at the corner of the room. I was worried that bein' here in the prison, facin' the men who had decided his parole fate, his words would fail him. But he lowered his gaze to just above the men's head and his silver tongue took over.

HEYES

This is important. I can't hide inside my thoughts or lose my words. I couldn't see the Kid sitting next to me, but I can look at Dr. Oliver Arden, the only other man that's a friend in the room, in his eyes. He knew what I was doing and held my gaze in his.

"Gentlemen, I'm not here to testify for Matt McWinters. I only met him once when he was sixteen. His brother, Mark, had the idea to run away to Devil's Hole and join our gang when their ma died." I allowed myself a small grin. "Only ones that ever got that far in. We sent them home." I left out the part about Chrissy coming to get them. They had all the information they needed.

Mr. Grayson asked, "Mr. Chadwick, if this man is not here to testify for McWinters, why is he here?"

With a nod to me, Chadwick answered, "I think you'll find his testimony enlightening. Please continue, Mr. Heyes."

I lowered my eyes and looked at the men in the room. I couldn't look at them for long or fear will stop my words. So again, I looked at the wall over their heads, only meeting Dr Oliver's eyes occasionally. "I believe that Mr. Chadwick has already given you insights into Matt's personality. He's not a leader. He's a follower. He found himself in a situation with his brothers that he didn't like but didn't know how to leave. No excuses. He did what he did, but he showed his humanity whenever he could. He's what my Grandfather Curry would call a gentle soul born into a family of wolves.

I'm here to tell you what a life sentence without parole does to a man. This is based on my experiences. Matt is a much nicer man than I was so it is probably worse for him. At first, you don't think about the 'life sentence' part. You're forced into the prison routine of deprivation and pain. You also have to learn to watch your own back and trust no one. Every convict in here wanted to prove they were better than the legendary Hannibal Heyes. From his letters to his sister, Matt faced the same thing as part of the famed McWinter's Gang. This is when the loneliness sets in. You're missing your family, your friends, your horse, your favorite foods, heck even the ability to choose what you're eating and not slop. You miss your home and your bed, and it becomes an unremitting loneliness.

"The Wyoming Territorial Prison becomes 'home' to convicts for want of a better word. For lifers, it is literally home, not of their choice, for the rest or their life. Life becomes meaningless, pointless, and depression sets in."

I took a deep breath; this was going to get personal. "I rebelled strongly. I fought everyone, fellow convicts and guards alike. Until I was beaten and thrown onto the floor of a disciplinary isolation cell…and left there. Any little freedom I had in general population vanished just like that. I screamed. I ranted. I slammed my fist into the walls…and food was withheld. I was moved to what they call a dark cell, no light only blackness. There I learned what it meant to have a life sentence. I was tormented by a long black tunnel that went on forever and came to see that was my life. When they brought me food and water each morning, I was made to face the wall hands over my head. If I turned around, the billy club struck me twice on my back and my legs. Yet I was so desperate to see sunlight that I turned around each and every day despite the pain. And one day I realized that this prison was my life forever…forever…until death do we part and I worked to sharpen a sliver of stone I forced from the stone wall. When I was moved back to the general population, the desperation was no better. I saw only one way out…one night after lights out, I cut my wrists deep and laid down to die."

I heard Kid gasp. I've hinted but never told him right out. Now he knew.

"What happened, Mr. Heyes?"

"A guard checked on the convicts an hour later because they smelled fire. I woke up in the infirmary, tied down to a bed. Dr. Aiden Arden saved my life then, but the idea of suicide never left my thoughts until my parole was finalized. I know it wasn't popular, but Dr. Aiden was a progressive thinker. He held meetings with me and four other lifers that had attempted suicide. They all said the same thing. It wasn't a dark tunnel for all of them, but it was the foreverness of this prison home. After that, I started a fight to get put into solitary, the dark cell. I was searched daily for anything I could make into a sharp stone tool. It was there I found my Solteria…a sanctuary inside my mind where the sun shined, and I could be free. And I stayed there. When I was there, I couldn't find words to speak in the real world. After a while, I was returned to the general population, but I stayed inside my thoughts. A man tried to kill me. I know now someone from the outside paid him to murder me and others before me. In the ensuing fight, I killed him. Instinct took over. And then depression and guilt sent me back to Solteria. If I had just let him do it, I'd be free. But I didn't.

"You see, I had one thing that Matt McWinters doesn't…tiny threads of almost impossible hope. My sentence was twenty years to life…maybe I'd get out in twenty years. A loyal friend of ours never gave up hope of a pardon and amnesty. I would have tried to keep trying to kill myself until I succeeded without those miniscule glimmers of hope.

"And that's what we are asking you to give to Matt…a shred of hope." I sat down hard and relieved, but I really wanted to run out of the room.

Without looking at me, Kid moved his hand to my leg and patted it. I felt his strength through that bond. I will always need his strength. "I'm proud of you, Partner," he whispered, and I knew that things between us would be fine.

JED 'KID' CURRY

I fought to keep all expressions off my face as Heyes spoke. He had never told me his great despair or about his suicide attempt, but he was in his thoughts completely when I first visited him. I admired his strength to stand up there and tell his story to help Matt.

Mr. Chadwick allowed my cousin's words to echo in the room dramatically before standin'. "Distinguished gentlemen, you have heard a lot of testimony today and read the many testimonials before you, including one from Father Luke McWinters. I am not asking you to free Matt McWinters, just consider he was not the violent killer his brothers were and modify his sentence so he, too, has that shred of hope that Mr. Heyes so eloquently described. Thank you."

He sat down next to me and waited. Grayson looked at his fellow committee members. "Mr. Chadwick, Mr. Curry, Mr. Heyes, please wait in the hall and ask the guard to come in here."

Me and Chadwick stood but Heyes didn't. I'd been watchin' the gray man and didn't see my partner's hands start shakin'. Leanin' over, I whispered in his ear, "Can you put your hand on my shoulder like we're talkin'?"

Our eyes met; our lifelong connection and trust was still there. Usin' my shoulder as leverage, he stood up, whisperin', "Thanks." I put my hand around his back and on his other shoulder and we walked out of there together. As soon as the door closed behind us, Heyes found his strength. But I was tired and was startin' to feel weak. Me and Chadwick sat on the bench, but Heyes paced. There was no guard to stop him, but he didn't stray far from the bench. I could hear him mumblin' to himself but didn't understand what he was sayin'. I closed my eyes to control the tired dizziness grabbin' at me. When the guard left the room, he walked briskly away and left us alone.

Warden Mays hurried by us and went into the room. I think these men come to a decision and advise him, but the final outcome is up to him.

"I asked that your brother-in-law be allowed to hear the outcome of this hearing," Chadwick said. "Remember, this is not a visit. He's not allowed to speak although you can talk to him."

Within minutes, we heard the undeniable sound of a shackled walk and soon after Matt appeared accompanied by two guards. When they stopped by the door, I went over to talk to him, but abruptly the door opened.

The guards indicated that we should enter first. We took our same seats. Matt shuffled in and stood facin' the committee, a guard on either side. I held my breath. Chrissy truly believes that Matt will kill himself if this hearin' doesn't change his sentence.

Mr. Grayson's gray eyes made eye contact with each of us and Matt before he started to speak slowly. I erased emotion from my face. If this fails, maybe the knowledge that Chrissy cares enough about him will be enough to help Matt find solace.

"Gentlemen, Convict McWinters, we have reviewed the considerable amount of evidence presented to this board and have given our conclusion to the warden."

Warden Mays stood up. I watched Matt's back and shoulders tense. "Convict Matthew McWinters, upon the counsel of these esteemed men, I have signed off on their conclusion. Your sentence is hereby amended to twenty years with the possibility of parole after twelve."

I didn't see any emotion from Matt, but his voice was clear as he said, "Thank you, sir. Thank you, gentlemen."

Grayson thanked the others and dismissed the meetin', indicatin' there was a guard just outside the door that would see them all out. I never saw men in suits leave a room so fast. Guess the oppressive feelin' in this buildin' gets to them, too.

Dr. Oliver stopped by the guards. "I've arranged with the warden for Convict McWinters to visit with Mr. Curry and Mr. Heyes for fifteen minutes in this room unshackled. You can wait in the hall."

The guards looked at the warden, who simply nodded. As he left, he held Heyes' eyes for a long moment but said nothin'. Most of what happened to Heyes was before he started.

When we were alone, I leaned on the table to help me stand up and immediately hugged Matt. There's no physical contact in prison, he needs this support to finish his term.

"Jed, thank you," he said into my shoulder. "How's my sister?"

I felt for the chair and sat down hard. Aiden had called what I have vertigo spells. I get them when I'm tired and I've done more today than I'd done in a long time. When I didn't answer right away, Heyes did. "Chrissy's doing good and your niece Ruth Ann is beautiful. They never got the grippe that went through our ranch."

Matt looked worried. "The grippe? You had it, Jed? That's why you almost just fell into your chair?"

"Gettin' better every day. There anything you need? We didn't think to bring you cookies this time, but we'll mail some. I'll add some money to your account too. Just ask if you need more when you write."

"I'll look forward to them…and maybe a slice of that chocolate cake, too? Another book maybe? I liked that Tom Sawyer one you brought." Matt looked around for permission before decidin' to sit down.

Heyes smiled. "Got the perfect book then. I'll send you my copy. It's called Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by the same author."

"Thanks. I…I… just wanted to thank you for what happened today. You don't understand the difference this new sentence makes. Thanks."

"Believe me, we understand," Heyes said. "You been keeping your nose clean? No fighting?"

"A couple, but I never start them."

"Fighting didn't matter to a life sentence, but now it can be the difference between twenty and twelve...something to work toward."

"Yeah, hadn't thought of that."

Too soon our visit was over. Before he was shackled again, I gave my brother-in-law another what Heyes calls a bear hug. After he left, Dr. Oliver came in with Mr. Chadwick who said, "Mr. Curry, since you have already paid my fee, I will take my leave of you two. Goodbye."

"Goodbye, sir and thank you," I answered.

He shook both our hands with his soft fingers and left.

Dr. Oliver looked at me. He had nursed me through the grippe and pneumonia. "Jed, Mr. Chadwick told me you and Heyes rode horses out here."

Exhaustion was tryin' to claim me; I shook my head to get rid of it. Big mistake: the room started to spin and I grabbed the table so I wouldn't fal.

"Kid?" I heard the concern in Heyes' tone.

The doctor talked to me low but firmly close to my ear. "Jed, this trip was too much for you. I thought as much when Aiden let me know you were attending. Close your eyes and count to twenty. When you open them, focus on one spot in the room."

I did as I was told and kept listenin' to Dr. Oliver. "I have told the warden that I need to go into Cheyenne and have asked you to drive my buggy. Truly, I must confess this eastern man is still a little frightened of horses. He's having my buggy and your horses brought to the staff exit."

I was starin' at a stain on the wall, wonderin' just what it was. "I can ride," I said. And I could, the vertigo had passed.

"Kid, the doc's right. You're pale and your eyes ain't as blue as they should be. Don't argue. Take the buggy…at least you're not ridin' with Chadwick."

Knowin' I was outnumbered, I agreed to DRIVE the buggy for the doctor. "Dr. Oliver, why the side door?" I didn't want to walk a step further than I had to in this place.

"Goes right into the stables…and there's no stairs for you to go down."

"Aiden told you about..."

"Aiden told me."

Takin' the reins, with Fall's Glory tied to the back, I resisted the urge to run the horse away from the shadows on that buildin'. Dr. Oliver wanted to know about everyone at Phoenix.

"Jed, I've grown very fond of the family you've built at Phoenix. It's a warm and welcoming place."

"Even with the grippe runnin' wild?" I asked and turned to grin at him. But the vertigo returned. The doctor reached under the seat and handed me a bucket before takin' the reins. "Thought you might need this. Vertigo and motion often cause nausea."

HEYES

I was relieved when we got back to Cheyenne and our hotel. After he had vomited in the buggy, the Kid leaned back and pulled his hat over his eyes. I think I heard snoring, so he got some sleep and when we got there even offered to take Dr. Oliver to dinner.

"No, Jed. Doctor's orders, you go to your room and rest. He eats in the room tonight if he feels well enough to eat. Heyes, can I trust you to see to it?"

"Yes, Doctor, you can be sure I'll see to it."

The Kid slept. I was engrossed in my new book and didn't realize when it started to get dark. "Kid, Kid. Wake up. I'm going to get some food. What do you want?"

He blinked a few times before sitting up. His eyes were bluer, and he had some color. "Somethin' light. Heyes, it's dark out. I'll come with you, and we can bring it back here. That way I can pick from what they're servin'."

Seemingly recovered, his answer made sense. Still… "Doc said you need rest and I was to see to it. I'll get food."

He smiled and relaxed back onto the bed. "Yes, Warden," he said with a grin that stayed on his face as he closed his eyes and was asleep.

JED 'KID' CURRY

I woke when Heyes left. Wasn't his fault. The door scraped the floor and he had to pull it hard to close it. I'd offered to go with him, but I don't think I could have done it. I'll trust he knows what he's doin' and go back to sleep.

ASJ*****ASJ

As I ate the last of the chicken with a biscuit and some gravy, I took a settlin' breath.

"Heyes, been somethin' I've been wantin', no needin', to talk to you about - Angie."

"Figured somethin' is goin' on, been worried about it."

"That's just what she didn't want. Didn't want you obsessin' about her when you have taken on so much responsibility."

Heyes pushed his plate away. "Don't know how you do it, Kid. Run the ranch, work in the blacksmith shop, and raise a family. And you still have time to help everyone, even if they don't ask."

"Vowed if I ever got out of prison, I'd take care of and protect my family. At that time, family was only you. Listen, I've needed to tell you what's goin' on with Angie. I been tryin' to take of her."

"Like her sleeping in the back room of the forge all day? I walked in the back door, had to use my key, looking for you and found her there."

"Yeah. That's part of it. She went to see Aiden and her heart's too fast or somethin'. He ordered her to rest and not lift anything," I explained.

"And that's why I heard you tell Joy 'no' for one of the few times in her young life." He got serious, hurt like, and looked me in the eyes. "Kid, why didn't she come to me?"

"After what happened to Lom and Susan, she didn't want you hoverin' around her worryin' all day when you got work to do. You got a good woman there, Partner. She promised me she'll tell you soon. Fact is, Aiden was out at the ranch checkin' her out today and she hopes to be up and around again when we get back."

"I can take care of my wife. She should know that."

HEYES

The words were out of my mouth before I thought about them. Now the Kid was giving me a hurt look. "And I can take care of mine."

I walked to the window and looked out. Watching the street below, I didn't turn around. "Chrissy asked me for my help and not to tell you. She was hysterical. And emphatic that you never know."

"Never know?"

"Yes."

"But you're goin' to tell me right now, aren't you, Partner?"

Making a decision, I went and sat down. "Sure am. Because I can't figure out why she didn't ever want you to know."

So, I told him. He'd noticed she seemed scared of anyone opening our gate and wanted to help her but she wouldn't let him. She was too upset to do much. "She said you knew about her abuse in prison," I remembered.

"Yeah, when I went to get her, she was huddled in a corner, not talkin', those green eyes as big as Texas. I know about it. The other night, I tried to ask her what was wrong when we went to sleep but she turned away from me, Heyes. I failed her. Whatever was scarin' her, I would have taken care of it, would have protected her."

I heard that tone of failure in his words again. And I realized that Chrissy not going to him hurt him worse than anything Yates would have done.

"She was afraid for you to face him; she was protecting you. Well, he's dead now so…"

"Heyes, you killed him?" he asked, alarmed.

"No, Ari Cresk did it. Here's what happens when a Hannibal Heyes plan goes right."

He listened but I know he was mainly listening for some reason she hadn't gone to him for help. I wonder that, too. I'd always go to him for help, and he's never failed me.

I finished with the funeral parlor and her spitting in the coffin.

"She really did that?" he asked with the start of a proud smile.

"She did. She spit right in the dead face of Yates."

"You know his first name?"

"Elias. Elias Yates.

JED 'KID' CURRY

Elias Yates. Initials EY. Initials carved into my wife's back with a large flourish in the Y. I know now why she didn't tell me. She thought I'd kill him for what he did to her. But I wouldn't have…I promised her no revenge. But Heyes never promised her anything of the sort. I smiled and relaxed back in my chair, the tension I was holdin' in my body gone. Heyes got Chrissy her revenge. And neither of them would ever know that I know what really happened.