WINTER'S REFUGE

by Kattayl

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

46. Winter's Refuge Chapter 46

Winter's Refuge

Chapter Forty-Six

HEYES

I was torn between going to the Kid and stopping Sheriff Birde and Marshal Josephs. I needed to tell them something. Juan solved that for me by rushing to him, "Jed, let me see. You okay?"

The Kid was just standing there watching Chrissy retreat to the house with Mrs. Birde. I didn't know they had become friends. Everyone else I knew there was staring at me. Most had never heard my voice before. But there was time to dwell on this later.

Juan grabbed the Kid's injured, bleeding arm and started tending him so I hurried after Sheriff Birde.

"Stop, sir!" I called and he turned around and looked at me with a smile.

"Thanks for your help back there, Heyes. Nice to hear you talk."

I grinned and grabbed his arm hoping that I still had that flow of words. "Need to get information from him," I said slowly but clearly.

Sheriff looked ahead and called, "Marshal, hold up."

Josephs turned but kept his tight grip on his prisoner. There was a quiet conversation between the two. The sheriff came back to me.

"Okay, Heyes, we're going to keep him in the 'private' cell in the basement of the sheriff's house. You want to talk to him, or you want to tell me what you need to know? I ain't letting him out for a long time. No one comes into this town and threatens our citizens. I consider this ranch part of the town." Sheriff Birde sounded bitter and determined.

"I'm glad you are the Kid's friend," I said out loud, but didn't mean to. I was thinking that.

The sheriff answered, "Privileged to call Jed my friend. Hope in time you'll consider me a friend, too.

"Ready?"

He turned at Josephs' voice. "Heyes, let me know what you need from him," the sheriff reminded me as he left to escort the prisoner to jail.

"There are a lot of people here watching me. Do I know them? Are they going to hurt the Kid or me?"

"Heyes!"

"The Kid is calling me. His voice is firm. I can't tell if he's mad. Juan has tied a towel around his arm to stop the blood."

"Heyes, you talkin' to me or yourself? Why would I be mad at you?" the Kid asked.

But I wasn't talking, I was thinking. Or was I? The Kid came across the room.

"Heyes, why would I be mad at you?" He leaned close to me when he asked.

I know I looked at him surprised. "You heard my thoughts?" I asked, pleased that I still had words, but had to concentrate some to get them out.

He put his arm around my shoulder and pulled me into the corner where it was quieter. I could see the blood seeping through the makeshift bandage.

He whispered loudly with a grin on his face. "Partner, everyone heard your thoughts. You were talkin' out loud."

I must have given him a shocked look because his grin turned into a serious concerned look. "Why would you think I'm mad at you?"

"I have to think about this. He can't know sometimes I'm afraid of him. Afraid he'll ask me to leave."

"Partner?" he whispered. "I'm sorry if I did something to make you afraid of me. This is your home as much as mine. I'd never ask you to leave."

"I…I…" I tried to make my mind blank. I looked at him in alarm. I was scared he wasn't pleased with me at all.

"Heyes, what do you mean you're scared I'm not pleased with you?" The Kid was growling now.

He pulled me further into the back room where we were alone. Blood was dripping from his arm now, but he still ignored it.

I looked at him helplessly.

"Can you tell if you are thinkin' or talkin'?" he asked.

I shook my head, and he surprised me by pulling me into a bear hug like he did when he visited me in prison. It helped me more then than I ever could tell him, and it helped me now. This was the Kid, my cousin, my friend, my partner.

"Glad you feel that way, partner. Yes, you were thinkin' out loud again. Still concerns me that you're afraid of me."

"Sometimes," I said, looking down. I need to talk, not think until I can figure this out.

"Heyes, look at me." His clear blue eyes are not amused. They used to have an innocent look to them. Prison destroyed that. No one in prison stays innocent.

I raise my eyes. "I'm hoping whatever I did he doesn't hit me. We fought all the time growing up. Since he was nine, he hit harder than me and won far more than he lost. Now he was strong, got strong so he can protect his family. I want to be a part of his family. He says I am, but I don't always believe him."

He is standing in front of me with his hands on his hips.

I look down again and fold my hands in front of me. "You heard me thoughts, again?"

"You're sayin' everything you think out loud." He spun me around and forced me to look in his face. "You are my family. Always have been. Always will be. Hurts me that you doubt that. And you're right, innocence dies in prison. "

I keep my eyes on his face and see he means what he says.

"Only thing that gets me mad is your submissive prison behavior, like lookin' down. And I know that ain't your fault. It was beaten into you in prison, just like it was beaten into me." The Kid's gaze was intense.

"But the Kid stands tall. He's not submissive to anyone and he calls few people 'sir'."

"Heyes, you're talkin' out loud. What can I do to help?"

I put my hand over my mouth and no sound came out when I tried to think of what to do.

"Well, that seems to work." The Kid seemed amused. "I wait all this time for you to talk and now you can't shut up

I laughed and took my hand away hoping now my thoughts were my own.

"No, you're still talkin' out loud."

"I can't think of my plan then. No one can know the details until it is finished. Until I get the last piece I need."

"What's the last piece you need, partner?" The Kid asked as if this were a conversation and not my thoughts.

I covered my mouth quickly. It was the only way to keep my thoughts private. But I needed Sheriff Birde to know what to ask his prisoner. And if my thoughts were flowing out of my mouth, I couldn't help. I can trust the Kid. Always have.

So, I decided to try this out. Removing my hand, I thought about what I needed for my plan and sure enough it came rushing out. "It's all worked out to capture the McWinter boys and entice the Colorado governor and whoever his "friend" is to show up thinking Chrissy will be there. But I need to know HOW Mark McWinter knows where the money will be, payrolls for businesses, ranches, and mines. It can't be a coincidence. Over half of the articles on robberies I found involved very large payrolls."

The Kid reached out and covered my mouth to stop me from saying any more. "You need to know who is passin' information to Mark about the payrolls," he summarized.

I nodded and headed out the door. "Going to my room," I said quickly and put my hand over my mouth.

JED 'KID' CURRY

I closed the smithy early, promisin' to get to all of them tomorrow and rode into Three Birds. Chrissy was with Mrs. Birde and Heyes went to his room. They are both fine for a while.

When I turned onto the main road, I allowed myself to feel the terror I was experiencing at what I had done. The fury still coursed through my body. I shook with the anger. If Heyes hadn't spoken, called me off, reminded me of Chrissy, I might have killed that man with my fists. Winter's Glory stopped on the road and turned his head to look at me with concern in his brown eyes. He knew something was wrong. Although I never told Heyes, I understood the rage that had led him to kill that man in prison. I've known it before and I felt it again today. And now I need to leave it behind. I dismounted and walked next to Winter's Glory for a while. Purposefully, I forced the anger out of my body with each step. I won't forget what that man did but I won't let the fury become me, take my life. Heyes was right. Chrissy needs me. So does Heyes. And I hope soon so will my children.

In Three Birds, I found Frank Birde and told him what Heyes needed from the prisoner. Also, to keep the man there in jail for as long as he could.

And we discussed what happened today. Heyes is talking! And his first sentences saved my freedom. Sheriff Birde told me that my first reaction was justifiable for a man attacking my wife. But the last hits, he knew I lost control – I wanted to kill. If Heyes hadn't spoken up and stopped me, Frank said he would have had to arrest me for attempted murder. Heyes found his voice just when I needed him. And he knew tellin' me Chrissy needed me would get my attention.

I saw Doc Sexton to stitch up my arm and I bought a new long sleeve shirt to cover the bandage.

And I sent a telegram to Dr. Arden that simply said: Heyes is talking.

When I got to the house, Heyes was in his room with the door closed. I could hear his muted voice through the walls. I couldn't tell if he was talkin' to himself or his thoughts were still uncontrolled, but I left him alone.

Chrissy and Mrs. Beverly Birde were sittin' at our kitchen table. Each had a cup of tea in a chipped cup sittin' in front of them. They were talkin' quietly, their heads leanin' close. I didn't want to interrupt them, but Chrissy turned and looked at me. I could see the guilt on her face. I wished she had run to me, but she looked away.

"Chrissy darlin'?" I opened my arms wide to welcome her.

She stared ahead at a spot above the stove. Her whole body was still.

"Chrissy?" Mrs. Birde asked, alarmed.

"She's just thinkin'," I told her, takin' the tea she had poured for me. I sipped it politely. I don't see why people drink tea when they could have coffee.

I looked at Chrissy. I needed to get her out of her mind, her guilt, her fears before she started to dwell there.

"Chrissy darlin', are you okay? Did he hurt you?" I asked.

Mrs. Birde was studyin' me carefully but silently.

While I waited for Chrissy to respond, I sat down next to her. She turned slowly and looked at me, reachin' out, touchin' the bandage under my shirt gently.

"Guard not hurt Chrissy today," she finally said quietly. "Hurt Chrissy prison. Bad guard."

"I'm sorry." I took her gently.

She froze again.

"What's she doing?" Mrs. Birde touched Chrissy's arm gently while talking. "Can I help?"

I smiled at her. She cared. She didn't ask, "What's wrong with her?" and move away.

"She's thinkin'. She's healin'."

Chrissy looked at me, her hand still on my shirt feelin' the bandage underneath. "Why Jed sorry? Chrissy darlin' sorry hurt Jed."

I saw tears in her eyes, and they hurt my heart. "Chrissy darlin', I understand. You were frightened. I like to know you can defend yourself when you need to."

I thought she was gonna freeze again but instead the tears turned into a river and she buried herself in my arms. "Chrissy darlin' loves Jed. And Jed promise never mad at Chrissy darlin'," she sobbed. "Jed keep promise again."

Tears always made me feel helpless. I remember my ma sittin' by the fire sobbin', holdin' the letter from the army that said my brother, James, had been killed in battle. Nothin' could stop her tears for days. And the echo of those tears was in her eyes for the rest of her life, even when she was smilin'.

I held Chrissy tight and mumbled, "I will always love you." I kissed her hair and enjoyed havin' her in my arms. Her tears turned to sniffles.

"Bad guard where?" she asked, without raisin' her head from my chest. Even though she'd stopped cryin', I still held her tight.

"Sheriff Birde has him locked away in a strong jail."

Mrs. Birde smiled slyly. "If he's locked where I think he is, it is a very strong jail indeed."

HEYES

I still can't tell if I'm thinking out loud or to myself so I am trying to stay in my room alone as much as I can and figure out how to keep my thoughts to myself. I haven't been going to the smithy in the mornings with the Kid and Chrissy. I don't trust my thoughts to strangers. I'm even wary around the Kid. He learned that I can be afraid of him, and I thought he was mad, but he was hurt. So, I can't let him hear my thoughts. He says this is my home, too. And I believe him that it will be until I do something wrong.

I have to figure this out because we leave for my fourth parole hearing soon. I can't stand in front of the parole board with my hand over my mouth and it would be a disaster if they heard my thoughts. My thoughts are more rebellious than my demeanor. And the plans to capture the McWinters are always on my mind. I can't let them come out there. Everything we say is written down for the record. My plan is no good if too many people know. And the last two hearings have not gone smoothly, especially for the Kid. I've been good. I haven't broken any rules. This time I'm bringing my knife. I'm allowed to carry my knife. I wish I had it last time but I have decided it wouldn't have changed anything. Lom would still have been shot.

We learned last time that people know the Kid and I are going to come to Cheyenne and meet in that room every month. That scares me. I don't want to think that where the Kid can hear me say my thoughts out loud.

And I know he's worried about Chrissy's safety here while we're gone. Marshal Josephs and Juan will be here and stay in the house.

LOM

The Kid and Heyes' train is going to be ten minutes late getting into Cheyenne. In railroad time that means twenty minutes. I hope it's no later than that because plans have changed today. I'm healing but I still need a cane and standing here waiting is painful.

It's the same as last time, a rush of people exited the railroad car. The Kid was one of the last with Heyes behind him. Heyes must be sick because he's holding his bandana up to his face. He's walking so closely behind his partner that they seem to be touching.

"Good to see you, Lom!" The Kid's smile is wide but I know he hides behind it sometimes. Today he seems truly glad to see me but it changes as he sees the people standing in back of me. Dr. Aiden Arden is here along with three US Marshals. I don't want the Kid and Heyes to be concerned, although I see fear on Heyes' face already. His eyes are looking everywhere as if looking for a place to run.

"Heyes," I greeted him, holding out my hand. He didn't shake it. His right hand was still holding the bandana to his face. "Don't worry, the marshals are here for your protection."

Heyes looked to the Kid who nodded at me as I continued, "Meeting place has been changed, too. Just picked this morning. Let's get going."

I didn't want to take the time to explain more. This is for their safety. I think the Kid is relieved we changed the location. Too many people know about these meetings. The notes from the last meeting were even printed in the Cheyenne paper the next day.

Heyes is still staring at the marshals. The Kid puts his arm around his cousin's shoulder and says something I can't hear. But when Heyes lowers his bandana, I hear him say, "It's a trap, Kid. I'm scared."

The Kid leaned in close to him and said something that made him grin and they followed the marshals.

JED 'KID' CURRY

I was relieved when Lom said the location had been changed, although the marshals worried me. The last two meetings were hard to think about. The memory of hat night in prison keeps me awake each night. I look in every face to see if they were hired by Fitzjohn before he died.

The marshal knocked on a door that I had never noticed before in a white three-story buildin' on White Street. It opened quickly and the marshals stood aside while me and Heyes, Lom, and Aiden entered. Then one followed us in. The only choice was to go up the stairs. The governor and Colin meet us at the top of the stairs.

"This way gentleman," Colin said, indicating a small room on the right. It was a very small room. There were only six chairs at a round table.

"Sit down, please," the governor said as he took the large chair with armrests. "I decided that this meeting would be smaller, just the six of us."

I must have looked confused. I know that Heyes did. He took the bandana from his mouth and all of a sudden words flowed out of his mouth.

"What is this? I don't understand? I've been good. I haven't broken any rules that I know of, none at all. I'm scared. I don't want to sit down. I want to run back down those stairs. But they left a man at the bottom of the stairs to keep us in here. We must be here because I'm going back to prison. That's why it's not the full parole board. As long as it's me and not the Kid they put in prison, I…"

"HEYES!"

"The Kid is yelling at me. He's mad! I should look down. "No that's wrong. He doesn't like it when I look down."

"Heyes, stop thinkin' out loud!"

I put my hand over Heyes' mouth. The other men were all starin' at him. Embarrassment filled his face as he realized everyone heard his thoughts. He raised his bandana to cover his mouth again. "Sorry," he mumbled through the cloth.

Dr. Arden smiled broadly. "Jed had let me know you were talking, Heyes. I'm impressed by how well you are doing."

I was glad he spoke because everyone looked at him and I had time to lean over to Heyes and quietly reassure him that I'm not mad.

"Er, Mr. Heyes, you are not going back to prison, as I believe what you said and your behavior has stayed within your parole conditions." Colin's voice sounded nervous after Heyes' outburst.

Heyes kept the bandana firmly across his mouth.

Lom spoke up. "Then may I ask why we are meeting here without the parole board."

I saw the governor sigh with relief that the meetin' was getting back on track. "After our last meeting, we are taking all security measures to keep you safe. The marshals have a witness that testified ex-warden Fitzjohn hired at least two other men to engage you in a gunfight."

Heyes uncovered his mouth and said, "But he's Kid Curry, the fastest gun in the west!" and quickly covered it again.

Colin nodded. "But our witness testified that the belief is that since you, Mr. Curry, were in prison for five years that your skills with a gun must have diminished. He was able to find men willing to challenge you. The US Marshals are working diligently to find the men. Unfortunately, our witness had descriptions but no names."

I didn't know how to feel about that. I used to be proud of my reputation, it kept men from challengin' me. It protected us. "I've been practicin' every day since I got to the ranch. Anyone calls me out, they'll find me as fast and accurate as before." Then I heard the defiance in my voice, and it made me stop and think. "I would prefer, though, that I am never ever put in that position again. I have so much more to lose than I did." I added.

"So that's why we are in this room. But the rest of the board?" Lom asked again.

The governor looked at Dr. Arden. "My friend, Aiden, convinced me that if Heyes was indeed talking again, it might behoove us to have a …er… more private meeting so he's not overwhelmed and regress. After hearing him speak, I'm glad we did."

"Mr. Heyes got all his words back suddenly?" the doctor asked. "Your telegram was vague. I thought he was just using a few more words consistently."

"Heyes' words returned when he needed them to save my life." I wasn't about to tell them I would have killed the man if he hadn't stopped me. This was Heyes' hearin', not mine.

Lom looked at me suspiciously, but I knew he wouldn't say anything in the meetin'. I'd tell him everything after.

"Ah, a traumatic situation would be exactly what Mr. Heyes needed to speak again. Perhaps we could meet privately after this meeting? I may be able to help you with your new …er… problem," he said to Heyes, who nodded his agreement.

HEYES

The meeting was not what I expected. There is still a threat against the Kid that the governor is taking seriously. I didn't have to speak again after my embarrassing outburst. They took me at my word that I had been good. The governor asked the Kid and Lom if they were aware of any parole violations, and they said no. Colin said that they were close to hiring a new warden for the prison and hinted that the Kid might find him familiar. I could see that worried him. He's never talked to me about his time in prison, but I know he told Lom most of it. He has nightmares where he wakes up screaming.

After that the meeting ended.

I stayed in the room with Dr. Arden when the others left. I heard them say that the Kid and Lom would be leaving by a different door than we came in.

"Heyes, you gonna be okay?" the Kid had asked me. We had moved to the hall while the others were still talking.

Cautiously, I took the bandana from my mouth knowing my thoughts would come out along with the words I wanted to say. "Maybe he can help me. I hope he can. I don't know how to help myself and I can't live with a bandana in my face all my life."

The Kid grinned. "Always knew there was a lot of thinkin' goin' on in that mind of yours, Heyes. But I don't think I like hearin' it all. Especially when you think I might be mad at you."

I nodded. I know that he was upset at some of my thoughts.

"Be seein' you back at the hotel later. Looks like we're leavin' Cheyenne on the evenin' train this time." The Kid seemed calm, but I could feel his worry that there were others hired to kill him.

"Heyes, I'm here to try and help you," Dr. Arden said as he sat across the table from me. "Do you trust me enough to move the bandana and talk to me?"

I nodded but kept the cloth on my mouth. I'm not sure what thoughts will come to mind.

"Am I to understand that you speak your thoughts without wanting to?"

I took the bandana down. "Please help me," I said purposefully before my thoughts took over. "I can't control what I say. Whatever I'm thinking, I say. This feels like I'm back in prison talking to you. Are there guards at the door? Is this a trick? Are you waiting for me to say something that can put me in prison? But the Kid trusts you. He says you are his friend. He doesn't trust many people. Can I trust you? I don't know. You didn't always trust me. You lied to me. But you saved Lom's life. And the Kid really likes you." I put the bandana to my mouth. When I removed it again, I concentrated on saying, "Can you help me?" before I returned it over my mouth.

He hesitated before saying, "Yes, I think I can. Now that I've heard the problem, I can work with you. And I treasure Jed's friendship and trust. I hope I can win yours, too."

He sounded sincere.

"Now, I need you to try and separate your thoughts and the words you are saying. I'll give you some exercises to practice. First, I want you to remove the bandana and say the first ten letters of the alphabet while thinking that your coffee is cold."

I didn't see how this would help, but I realized I did trust him. "A-B-C-D-E-F-G-H-I J," I said while I thought that cold coffee tasted terrible. And my thought stayed in my head.

JED 'KID' CURRY

It's troublin' to know there are others out to get me. Lom asked more questions, and both were paid in advance. The marshals made sure that the account of Fitzjohn's death, without any details, appeared in the Cheyenne paper and as many local papers as they could get to carry it. It didn't even mention he killed himself. Just that he had died, and his body was bein' shipped back east for burial with his wife and daughter. The hope was the hired guns would read it, keep the money, and forget about the assignment.

Dr. Arden helped Heyes some. He gave him things to practice and said next month he'd be ready to help more after he did some research. Heyes still stays by himself a lot and keeps his hand over his mouth a lot, but he can talk to us when he wants to. Whatever Aiden taught him it starts with Heyes sayin' his ABC's.

Ken is still with us. I tried to give him ranch hand's pay, but he refused. Said the Marshals are payin' him at the Wyoming governor's request. He knows horses, too. Not like Juan knows horses, but more than most people.

The second story is finished, and we have a downstairs privy in the house. I'm glad the work is done, and the house is ours, again. We haven't furnished the new rooms yet, just too busy. I offered them to Ken and Juan for now but they both preferred the barn.

It's too cold and the days are gettin' too short to sit on the porch at night, even with a quilt over our legs. Chrissy started spendin' her evenings readin' to our pregnant mares, Autumn's Sweetheart and Summer Solstice. Sweetheart is gettin' close to her time. We don't have a vet in Three Birds or anywhere near, but Juan has assured me he and Chrissy have delivered many foals and know what to do. I'm hopin' for a colt and a mare; both are out of Fall's Legend so should be beautiful.

Tonight, we had finished dinner. Chrissy had gone to the stable with her latest book, some kind of a romantic novel that she's readin' to the mares. Heyes was in his room rereadin' all the newspapers he has saved. Now that the construction workers are done, Juan goes into Three Birds every other day and brings him two day's paper. I think he visits with his girl too. Heyes' tryin' to figure how Mark McWinters knows when there is a payroll shipment or money transfer. Our intruder was no help. I believe he's still in the solitary cell under the Sheriff's house. It's not a dark cell; it has windows on the far walls to allow sunlight and moonlight in. And he's fed well, and warm blankets were provided. He asked for books, and I bought some at the mercantile for Frank to give him. Frank is unforgivin' when someone tries to hurt someone in his town. I don't know if the man will ever get out. If he does, he better stay away from me, or I might finish what I started.

I had just finished cleanin' my gun at the kitchen table when I heard the gate open, then close. Gun in hand, I went and stood on the front porch. I felt Heyes behind me. I know he will have his knife in his hand. I recognized the man ridin' toward the house, but he's not welcome here. Heyes can't be with a wanted outlaw. "Stay right there!" I yelled down to him.

Heyes recognized him, too, and his thoughts poured out of him as he paced just inside the front door. "The Kid needs to send him away. I can't be near Preacher. He's wanted. It would violate my parole. I will go back to prison. I won't let the Kid save me, again. Preacher has to leave. I don't know what to do. Preacher is our friend. He's saved me and the Kid's lives more than once. And we saved his life, too. A friend should be welcomed in the Kid's house. And he's a friend. But he's wanted. I don't know what to do."

"Heyes, cover your mouth and go to your room. Your parole will be okay. I'll talk to Preacher down at my blacksmith shop. He won't be near OUR house."

He looked at me and slapped his hand over his mouth.

"You heard me, right?" I called after him when he headed to his room. "It's OUR house."

I grabbed my old coat and ran down the road to greet our friend. He'd dismounted to work the gate and waited there for me.

"Preacher!" I pulled him into a bear hug.

"Kid! Good to see you!"

I felt Preacher starin' at me. I forget how I've changed over these last years. "Let's talk down in my blacksmith shop."

"A blacksmith?" Preacher nodded as we walked. "Explains the new muscles."

I unlocked the door to the back room of the shop. Heyes makes sure it's locked every evening.

"After you," I said to Preacher. It was good to see the man, someone I considered a real friend.

"You really are a blacksmith? Kinda hard on the back, ain't it?"

"Needed to be strong as I could to protect my family. No one's ever gonna hurt us, again," I said seriously.

"That's kinda what I came to talk to you about. Mark McWinters knows where his sister is and wants her in Devils Hole with him and his brothers."

"Why?" I demanded.

"Seems like there really is some family love for his sister left in Mark. But I think it's more he's afraid someone will get her to give up the location of Devil's Hole. He's seen the posters out on her."

"She's safe here. We'll protect her. How did you know where she was?"

Preacher looked around the room. I unlocked a high cabinet and took out a bottle of whiskey I was savin' to have with Heyes. I handed it to him and sat down at the small table.

When he took a deep drink, I knew I wasn't gonna like what he said.

"He found out from Marina Ortiz. He figured if anyone knew where she was, Ortiz' would."

"Marina would never reveal Chrissy's location." I had faith in Marina's devotion to her.

"Her husband and son weren't home when Mark and Bobby Bell got there. I'm afraid when she wouldn't talk, she was beaten up pretty bad."

"But they've known Marina since they were babies. How could they…"

"She didn't tell them anything until Jose and their son…"

"Paul."

"Yes, Paul, came home. From what I heard, Marina finally told them when they held a gun to Paul's head after shooting him in the leg." Preacher couldn't look me in the eyes. "I'm the advance scout to see if she told the truth. Mark figured you might trust someone you used to run with."

I took a moment to try and understand what he was sayin'-Marina beat up and Paul shot in the leg. I tried to control the anger at Mark that started in my gut and moved to my heart, but a growl escaped.

"Heartless killers, both of them. They took Paul back to the Hole as a hostage that Marina's information was correct. I'll tell them whatever you want."

I was quiet. Thinking. I needed Heyes' advice. I wish I knew his plan. "Before I answer, got a question for you."

He took another long drink. "Just ask."

"How does Mark know when the big payrolls are bein' transported so accurately. He seems to rob banks sometimes minutes after shipments arrive."

Preacher smiled. "Telegraph operators."

"But this is all over four states. One operator wouldn't have all that information."

"He has a family of them working for him, spread out over those states."

"A family of telegraph operators? Heyes read every account he could find. He would have recognized the same surname," I objected. Could it really be as simple as that, telegraph operators?

"Most of them are sisters or cousins, married women with their husband's last names."

"Why would they agree to help him? Money?"

Without thinkin', Preacher traced the grain of the wood on the table with his finger. "I'm sure money is involved now. But one of the younger sisters has unfortunately fallen in love with John McWinters and thinks he loves her. She lives at the Hole with him."

"A woman livin' at Devil's Hole?" I asked.

"This is not the Devil's Hole of your time. It is a dirty, murderous place. Mark tolerates outlaws not in the gang that go there for protection. But he makes them pay dearly for it. Also, many there are held hostage, like Paul. Women of a certain profession are welcomed there, but once they come, Mark sees to it they don't leave…alive." He drank more, then inspected how much was left in the bottle, tiltin' it to me to offer a drink. I refused.

A flash of our life there went through my mind but vanished quickly. "So, they hold this woman there to ensure her sisters keep feedin' them information."

He nodded. "In return for her safety…and her life."

"Do you know any of their names?"

He wrote two names down on the paper I pushed in front of him.

I looked up at the house. "You know if Heyes sees you, it'll violate his parole."

"Figured something like that."

"Rest here. I need to talk somethin' over with him. Then I'll be back." I stood up to leave. Then a thought struck me. "Do you know when the next jobs are? And where?"

"You want to bring Mark down?"

I didn't know how he'd feel about it but told the truth. "Yeah, would like to capture the whole gang, at least the four brothers, away from the Hole so no one else gets caught up in it."

He gave me a slow smile. "Sure do appreciate that. Next job's in two weeks in northern Wyoming. Train, near the Smiling Mines. Next one on the 25th of next month in a small town called Brown River, army payroll, big army payroll, will be spending the night in the bank there before going on to the fort."

Heyes was excited when I told him what I learned. Brown River, Colorado, would be the target of his plan. I put his bandana over his mouth, almost jammed it in, to shut his thoughts down.

I knocked on the door to the smithy lightly. "Preacher?"

Not hearing an answer, I went in and found him sleeping deeply in the cot. "Preacher."

His arm reached for his rifle, but I caught it first. "Kid," he mumbled.

"You awake enough to listen?"

He sat up and looked at me. I knew him well enough to know he'd remember.

"Tell Mark that Chrissy lives here, but you didn't see her," I told him.

"That's the Lord's truth."

"Tell him she is visitin' some friends. Heyes looked it up on a map. Brown River is between Denver and Kirenburg on the main road. Tell him the men you were playin' poker with knew she's scheduled to go stay in Kirenburg and go to Denver on the twenty-fourth of next month for a fancy dance. All very high society and their wives are excited. It's drivin' them crazy because that's all the wives are talkin' about. They're all tryin' to figure out ways to get out of goin'."

"Got it."

"It's good to see you, Preacher, and we do appreciate you lettin' us know what's goin' on."

"I don't cotton to what's going on up there, but ain't got nowhere to go."

"Well, you can stay here tonight. I brought you some meat and cheese for your dinner. Just be gone by seven in the morning."