The Kid wasn't one for sitting around waiting for things to happen and he was beginning to get restless thinking Heyes was never going to come back out of that office. Lom nudged him a couple times telling him softly to settle down but the stress of the past few weeks was weighing heavily on him. That along with not eating and lack of proper sleep had a headache beginning to build. He ran a hand across his forehead telling himself to hang on he just had to get through the next few hours.
He looked up when his partner finally emerged from the office over an hour later, pulling the door closed behind him. Heyes sank wearily into the chair beside his cousin and closed his eyes briefly, taking a deep breath before glancing at the man beside him.
"He wants to talk to you as well Kid."
Heyes smiled at the look of concern on his face, reaching over to pat his knee.
"Relax. He's pretty easy to talk to and he's just gonna ask ya a bunch of questions, just be honest with him Kid."
William looked over at them. "Can I get you gentlemen anything? Coffee or tea perhaps?"
"Coffee sounds good. I did a fair bit o' talkin' in there."
"No surprise there," Lom mumbled sarcastically.
"Hey!" Heyes said in a slightly offended tone as he accepted the cup from a grinning William.
Hearing a heavy sigh, his attention was drawn back to his cousin in time to see him wipe away a bead of sweat that was slowly making its way down the side of his face. He lifted his hand to check him for fever, but the Kid saw his movement.
"Don't even think about it," he growled.
"Are you all right?"
"I'm fine."
Heyes knew better but wasn't about to argue with him here, satisfying himself by putting a hand on the gunfighter's arm…just as his partner's stomach growled. "We'll be able to have somethin' to eat when we get out of here, then I think we could both do with a stiff drink and some sleep."
The Kid didn't bother answering and he didn't know how much longer he could sit here waiting when the office door opened and the governor nodded at William who stood.
"Mr. Curry the governor will see you now."
Seeing his partner stiffen he leaned closer bumping his shoulder against his partner's. "It's all right Kid, I think you're gonna like him."
The Kid took a deep breath, letting it out slowly before getting to his feet and following the secretary. Heyes watched the Kid walk to the door of the governor's office seeing the slightest droop of his shoulders that no one but he would notice. He knew that his partner wasn't holding out much hope of anything coming from this meeting, knew he was only doing it because he'd asked him to. He rolled his shoulders trying to ease the tension in them once the door closed behind his friend thinking he could usually read people very well, but couldn't get an idea of what Governor Moonlight might be planning, but he had to admit he did like the man.
XXX
The Kid entered the room, his right hand dropping to his hip without conscious thought. He glanced back over his shoulder hearing the door close softly behind him.
"Welcome Mr. Curry."
He eyed the man and hesitating only a moment, removed his hat before stepping forward to shake the hand that was being extended to him.
"Jed."
"Excuse me?"
"My name…it's Jed."
"All right… Jed it is. Please have a seat."
The Kid lowered himself into the chair silently waiting for what he fully expected to be nothing more than an interrogation which would once again end with the refusal to grant them, or at least him, amnesty at this time. He reminded himself again that he was only going through with this for Heyes.
The governor watched the man for a moment, his pale face and the dark circles under his eyes an indication of his level of exhaustion.
"Are you all right?"
"I'm fine."
"I have a few questions for you Mr…Jed."
The corners of Curry's lips curled up in a slight smile. "All right."
"Since you started on your quest for amnesty have you ever been back to Devil's Hole?
"I have, but don't remember the ride in. I took a couple bullets from a bounty hunter we were runnin' from and I musta passed out because when I woke up I was in Devil's Hole with Heyes sittin' in a chair beside the bed."
"Have you ever gone back in an attempt to rejoin the gang?"
The Kid snorted a laugh, shaking his head. "No." Seeing the look on the governor's face he added "It wouldn't have gone over too well with their leader. Wheat and Heyes they always did butt heads and Wheat was hard pressed to put up with us stayin' in the Hole as long as we did."
"I see." He paused before asking his next question. "I have to admit I'm curious…what made you take up a gun…get so good with it?"
Curry looked away thinking back to the raids that took his and Heyes' families as well as the many punishments in Valparaiso and the trouble that always seemed to find them when they left. "Heyes and me…well our folks died when were young and the years followin' their deaths weren't exactly pleasant. I decided that I needed to be able to protect the two of us and figured it would be easier to do that if I learned how to use a gun."
"How old were you when you lost your parents?"
The governor experienced a hint of the gunfighter when he aimed a steely glare at him, but didn't raise his voice when he answered. "We didn't lose 'em, they were murdered along with my older brother and little sister. But to answer your question I was nine."
The politician cleared his throat but his face didn't betray what he might be thinking. "I'm from the Leavenworth area and am well aware of the horrible massacre that took place in Lawrence," he said shaking his head and closing his eyes for a moment. He paused, stroking his beard thoughtfully as he studied the man in front of him, wondering how he was going to react to his next question.
"Have you ever killed anyone?"
Curry sighed heavily…"I'm sure you already know the answer to that, but yes I have. Once in Texas I was called out when I was crossing the street. I didn't mean to kill him but he twisted when he drew his gun." He closed his eyes briefly as he remembered that day. "Matherville I shot and killed Danny Bilson. Heyes and me were ready to leave town, were getting ready to step into the saddle when he started hollerin' at me. He was an evil man and I ain't sorry he's dead but I sure don't feel proud of the fact that it was my bullet that killed him."
"Fair enough, I've seen the sheriff's report from that incident and know you didn't instigate it."
Curry's forehead creased hearing that word, telling himself to remember to ask Heyes if it meant what he thought it did.
"If I was to grant you amnesty what do you see yourself doing to support yourself?"
"Haven't let myself think about it much, but suppose I could try to find a job doin' security of some kind. I've had my fill of drivin' cattle," he said.
Moonlight dropped his eyes, swallowing the smile that threatened.
"I think security would be a very good job for you Mr…Jed. Now what if I decide not to grant you amnesty, would you go back to being an outlaw?"
"No," he said shaking his head. "It's like Heyes always says bein' law abidin' has gotten to be a habit."
"I'm glad to hear that. All right I think that answers all my questions."
The governor started to rise and like his partner did before him, the Kid started to speak and the governor sat down again.
"Can I say somethin'?"
"Of course."
I can understand you not wantin' to give me an amnesty what with my reputation and all, but I'd sure appreciate it if you'd give it to Heyes. If anybody deserves it he does."
"But your partner has quite a reputation too."
"Yeah, but he won't have men gunnin' for him lookin' to make a name for themselves by outdrawin' Hannibal Heyes…but outdrawin' Kid Curry…well that'd be a mite different. I know I'll have to wear my Colt on my thigh for the rest of my life, however long or short that might be. Even if I got that amnesty men will still be gunnin' for me."
The governor, sitting with his elbows on his desk, was able to hide the smile behind his hands thinking of Lom urging him to give both of them amnesty, Heyes arguing for the Kid to get it and now this man in front of him asking him to give the amnesty to Heyes.
"If you knew this was how your life would turn out would you still have become a gunfighter?"
"You know a lot of folks call me that but I don't consider myself a gunfighter…I don't go lookin' for trouble, I ain't never hired out my gun and never will…and I've never called anyone out. If I'd known I'd have to live my life carryin' a gun until I die…" he stopped talking as he thought about the question then shook his head. "No, I wouldn't change because my partner needs me to watch his back. Say someone accuses him of cheating at poker…and that's happened more than once 'cause he's that good…I'm there to protect him..." The Kid finished talking and dropped his head to look at his hands holding his hat in his lap, realizing he was beginning to feel a little shaky. 'Maybe Lom was right and we shoulda had breakfast,' he thought.
"You have both given me a lot to think over," he said getting to his feet. "I took the liberty of having William make reservations at the hotel a couple doors down for the three of you for tonight. We'll meet again tomorrow and I'll give you my decision. William will tell you what time to come back."
The Kid sighed wearily at the thought of having to spend another day in Cheyenne, but started to stand.
The governor saw a sheen of sweat appear on the man's forehead and what little colour he had faded as he stood, placing a hand heavily on the desk to steady himself before sinking weakly back into the chair.
"Jed? Are you all right?" He was already heading for the door when he asked and stuck his head out.
"William fetch the doctor…Heyes you'd better come in."
Heyes wasted no time hurrying into the office, Lom on his heels. The governor watched as Heyes dropped to one knee in front of his friend, worry on his face as he reached out and with one finger tilted the Kid's chin up so he could look at him.
"Hey, what's wrong with you?" he asked softly as he felt the Kid's forehead.
The Kid blinked a couple times before jerking his head away.
"Stop that I'm all right."
"Yea, sure ya are."
"Stood up too fast, got a little dizzy is all."
"Told ya you should've had breakfast this mornin'."
"Lom," Heyes growled warningly without taking his eyes from his cousin.
The governor could see the concern and watched a wordless conversation take place as the two men stared at each other for several seconds, Heyes tipping his head to one side raising an eyebrow, the Kid finally nodding as he rolled his eyes. The governor looked at Lom.
"You get used to it eventually," the lawman said with a smile.
William led a middle aged man into the office.
"What did you do to the poor man Thomas?" he teased setting his bag on the desk.
"Just have a look at him Bill he almost passed out when he stood up."
"Don't need a doctor."
"Forgive my partner he can be a bit mule headed at times."
"A bit?" Lom laughed, causing Heyes to shoot him a look of irritation.
"All right let's have a look at you."
The Kid pulled back. "Told ya I don't need..."
"Do you have rooms at a hotel nearby?" the doctor said cutting off whatever Curry was about to say.
"Yes they do," the governor answered. "They're registered at the Imperial down the street."
"Then I'll make you a deal. I'll wait to examine you until we get to your hotel room."
The Kid started shaking his head and the governor stepped in. "Now you listen here young man. You let Doc Franks check you over or I shall instruct Sheriff Trevors to place you under arrest and you can be examined in a jail cell."
Four faces turned to him. "Until Bill has finished his examination," he grinned triumphantly.
Heyes chuckled as he looked back at his friend. "He's got ya there Kid."
The Kid sighed, knowing he was beaten.