The Kid was torn between stepping in closer to hear the rest of it, or high-tailing it back down the corridor to avoid getting caught, but decided it was probably worth him hanging about to hear the rest of it, and slipped into the shadow offered by the heavily curtained window alcove, as the conversation continued. "Not just my people that want a piece of the action in 'Frisco neither, so me and some other fellas have set up a real nice trap for them. They'll be here in a coupla days, then you'll see."
Albert sounded less than convinced, and asked doubtfully. "I dunno Tony, those fellas are pretty smart, they must be, or they'd not have stayed in business so long...you sure its gonna work?"
"Oh Albie, trust me, these guys I'm working with are real good, so those old timers won't suspect a thing till they they're so tightly caught, there ain't no way they're getting untangled."
The Kid flinched a little at the man finished his sentence by copying the loud sound of a metal door slamming shut, after which he laughed, then added. "Then we go in nice and easy, and no one will stand in our way."
"Well all right, Tony, you can explain it all to me after I'm done here.. now I'd better be getting back, its still early for this place."
The Kid knowing he had to get away, was turning to do just that, when he heard the man named Tony hiss. "You hear something, Albie?"
ASJ
As the Kid disappeared into one of the side rooms, with his arm round Maisie, Albert escorted Heyes up the stairs, down a plushly carpeted corridor to a heavy dark wood door, guarded by two men that would have looked entirely at home in Devil's Hole, and nodded at them. "This is Carlton Merryweather The Second, he has assured me that he had the proper credentials to be here."
Unsure whether the incorrect introduction was a test, and knowing that proper credentials, simply meant the appropriate table stake, Heyes gave a disapproving sniff, as he glared at Albert, and said icily. "The name is Charlton Merryweather the Third, and of course I have the proper credentials. He paused then added disparagingly. "It would appear that I would have been better spending my time at Virginia City, if this is an example of the service you offer. I shall be reporting my experiences to my good friends, and I can assure you they will be most unimpressed."
Albert flushed some, and looked down as he said. "Apologies, Sir, I meant no disrespect." He then bowed, and gave Heyes a smile, that convinced him that he had somehow passed a test. "You will be taken good care of in this room, Sir, I think it will improve your opinion of our little club."
Then he was gone, and the door in front of Heyes was opened, and he was waved in, with one of the men on his heels. The door was shut firmly behind them.
The room Heyes entered, was already a hive of activity, wreathed in smoke, and filled with a hum of conversation, accompanied by the swish of clothing and clink of glasses. The walls were adorned with what Heyes assumed was oak panelling, and the floor under him was covered with a thick dark green carpet. The whole area was lit with expensive looking gas lamps, lending both warmth and light to the expansive space.
Heyes was impressed, but kept his expression blank as he looked round him. Several games of poker and faro were in progress, small groups of well dressed men were stood in small huddles around the room. Scantily clad women weaved between the occupied tables, holding trays carrying drinks and cigars, and Heyes soaked it all in, with a broad smile on his face.
The men who'd accompanied him, tapped him gently on the shoulder and spoke into his ear. "What's your game of choice, Sir?"
Heyes pressed his lips together, before saying firmly. "Poker." Faro was a mugs game, he'd seen enough people cheated, and get flat busted to give it a wide berth.
The man nodded, looked round the room, then gave a humph of satisfaction, and walked over to four men drinking together, and leaning in close, spoke to them quietly, and as they glanced over to him, he gave them a regal nod of his head, and a small wave of his hand. They stared at him for a moment, then gestured towards an empty table.
Heyes had seen it as he came in, and had thought would be perfect. It would afford him an excellent view of whoever walked through the door, and had a chair positioned just right, so that no one could surprise him. His time as an outlaw had taught him, that even in a place like this, with an airtight persona it paid to be cautious. Satisfied, he nodded firmly in agreement, and soon he and the drinkers were ensconced around it, as cards were dealt.
Several hands later, with a steadily growing pile of cash in front of him, as the dealer said. "Show your cards, fellas." Heyes grinned happily, and laid out his hand, a royal flush. He was greeted with mostly good natured groans, and amused shakes of heads from around the table as he once again raked in the pot.
But then he became aware that one of the players was looking at him intently, his face pulled down into a frown, and his dark expression made Heyes wish he'd worn his gun, especially when he said with an edge to his voice that made the hair on the back of Heyes' neck raise up. "Well Merryweather, luck is on your side tonight, you sure there isn't any Irish in you?" He looked round at the other players, we're not keen on Irish here, are we boys?"
"Ahh, Winston, just because he got you beat, doesn't mean he's cheating. Lets face it, you been beat by most of us, so this hasn't been your best night, so stop crabbing and deal!"
The man who Heyes had been introduced to as Winston Carmody, took in the lack of support for his near accusation around the table, and gave a small almost embarrassed shrug as he said. " I'm letting my concentration falter, and my mood is not the best, because I'm losing as a result...business concerns are playing on my mind, which I'm sure you understand."
While a little irritated at the none apology, Heyes managed to nod as if he understood perfectly, but feeling on edge, still made sure to lose the next two hands, and as the clock on the wall struck ten, decided to quit while he was ahead. He was well up on what he'd started the night with, and had no desire to push his luck, because he knew that being beaten up, wouldn't exactly impress the Kid, nor persuade him of the positives of joining back up if he ended up with a bloody nose.
"Deal me out. I'm in the need of a break, and some refreshment."
Heyes gathered the money he'd won, then without counting it, stuffed it in his wallet, and walked towards the bar. He asked for a whisky, and when the barman handed him a bottle and a glass, he reached for his money, but the man shook his head. "Comes with the membership, Sir,"
Heyes poured himself a drink from the bottle, then took a large drink,enjoying how smooth it tasted, and how easily it slid down his throat.
He poured a second, but on hearing the start of an argument through the smokey atmosphere, sighed, thinking rich folk weren't that much different to outlaws with some drink in them, always ready for a fight. Not wanting to get involved, he finished the drink in a single gulp, put the glass heavily on the bar behind him, took the bottle as he thought. "No point it going to waste." He knew the Kid would appreciate it, and headed out, hurrying down the stairs, to the sound of shouting.
Heyes shook his head, and when he got to the reception area, when there was no sign on Albert, he ducked his head into a couple of rooms to see if he could spot the Kid.
"Sir?"
In the first room he entered, the five men looked up from their game as he entered, as one spoke. They were obviously staff to the men upstairs, and Heyes smiled at them, and not seeing the Kid amongst them, simply shook his head, then left quickly.
Checking the second room, and again finding no sign of his cousin, decided he must have just headed back to the hotel, after spending time with the girl. He was relieved that Faro interested his cousin as little as it did him, thinking it showed he wasn't dumb.
ASJ
Heyes walked out onto the street, towards the hotel, whistling to himself, content with his winnings, but all his contentment fled when on opening the door, and saw the battered form of his cousin, moaning in pain, as he lay on the bed, being tended to the girl he'd disappeared with, as Heyes had been shown upstairs, and he snapped, "What the hell happened?"
The Kid gave the girl a smile that looked painful, as he said gently. "Thanks, Maisie, you're a gem, now you better get back!" He then turned to Heyes and said, "You got twenty dollars?"
Maisie shook her head and gently brushed the Kid's hair back from his forehead. "No, I don't want your money, Henry."
Then with a small smile at Heyes, and a tentative. "Mr Merryweather." She was gone.
Heyes strode over to the Kid, glowering. "You get into a fight over a game of cards? I thought you'd be smart enough to know Faro ain't a real game, just a way for dumb asses to get cheated!" Heyes let the anger hide his worry over his cousin's injuries, feeling a bit responsible, and disappointed that this was hardly a way to impress his cousin, anymore than him getting beat up would've.
The Kid sat up angrily, but had to lie back quickly as he gasped in pain clutching his ribs. Then after a breath that sounded painful, leading to another spike of worry in Heyes, he snapped. "You gotta stop assumin' I'm some kinda idiot! I survived without ya for eighteen months. I know Faro is a game for walk-offs."
Then it seemed that he had a thought, looked over at Heyes shaking his head, a small smile on his face as he said softer. "I'm gonna be fine, Heyes. I heal fast, and Maisie sure has a gentle touch,."
Heyes relieved this wasn't going to turn into an argument, said. "Well if it weren't cards, what was it Kid?" He grinned. "Seems Maisie was plenty happy with you, so don't imagine she got her pals to beat ya."
The Kid returned his smile, and then his face turned serious. "After me and Maisie were finished, I went lookin' for that Albert to ask him bout food. Heard him and a pal talkin' about some kinda plan to get Soapy and Silky arrested. Don't know why or how, because they got a hold of me before I heard anymore. I couldn't hardly draw on 'em with you upstairs." He paused taking another painful breath then said quietly. "They dragged me into a side room when some new customer came into reception. Think they were gonna come back and finish me off, but Maisie found me, and got me back here." He paused then added. "Hope they don't figure she helped me, don't want her to get in no trouble." He stopped talking, clutching his chest as the pain spiked and closed his eyes.
Heyes watched him for a moment, shaking his head, relieved that his cousin really hadn't changed that much, still carrying the streak of decency his parents had instilled in him. That relief was also mingled with frustration, because with the life they were being thrust into, it might cause them issues. But then as he stroked the precious watch in his pants, remembering both their folks, and their grandfather, he decided that it was the most part a good thing, and any trouble they got into, then either his fast talking or the Kid's gun skill would get them out of it. This swept through his mind in a moment, and as the Kid opened one eye, he asked him."They tie ya at all?"
Kid looked a little puzzled, frowned then shook his head warily. "Nah, they just beat me up, and knocked me out, they didn't have much time. Albert went to meet the customer, and his pal lit out the window." He rubbed his jaw in painful memory as he added. "That Albert sure has got a mean right hook!"
Heyes looked pensively at the bruises darkening on his cousin's face, and knew there would be others blossoming under his clothes . But he knew he needed a clear head, so bit down on his anger, and spoke with hard earnt calm. "Then they'll just figure you got out the back way, same way the pal did. Now what was this 'bout Soapy and Silky?"
The Kid shrugged. "Dunno, Heyes, just somethin 'bout them being set up, and that they're arrivin in two days, We can't let it happen Heyes. They were good to us when we needed it."
Heyes knew he was right, though with the state they'd left the Kid in, he didn't need much more of a reason than that, so nodded his agreement as he said. "Well we need a plan to find out more, and I think Charlton Merryweather is gonna be real useful."
"Won't they be a bit suspicious, you wanting in after they beat ya cousin up?"
Heyes perched on the bed carefully and said calmly. "I'm just a poor Kansas farm boy, so loyalty to family and friends trumps business any day, but them being rich folk, figure business is far more important, so they won't think nothing of it."
The Kid stared at him, one eye part closed and said warily. "I don't like that look. I don't know what it means, but I don't like it."
"Ahh, Kid, you just gotta have faith!" He paused, then remembered the bottle in his jacket pocket and grinned, pulling it out as if he were a magician pulling out a rabbit, and added happily. "Now I got some real smooth whisky, that'll be just the thing to numb that pain in your ribs, and while you're drinking I'll be thinking."
The Kid's expression was still wary, but he took the proffered bottle and took a small sip and smiled. "Damn, Heyes, that's as smooth a whisky as I ever tasted."
"Well Kid, you can get used to it, 'cos once we got this sorted, there'll be plenty more, just as good. Robbing banks and trains will sure give us a life we ain't never had."
The Kid swallowed the drink with a nod, but then said soberly. "So long as the law don't get us, Heyes."
"Now that's where my plans come in, Kid!"
The Kid grinned then, and took another large slug of the drink, then handed the bottle back to Heyes, his eyes already closing into sleep. "Tell me all 'bout this plan you're makin' when I wake up."
Once sure he was sure the Kid was asleep, the smile dropped from Heyes' face, and he let his anger at his friend's beating finally show as he murmured, careful not to wake him. "And they say outlaws is crooked. But we ain't got nothing on those born rich."
