Feb 2025 Challenge Our Not So Little Secret
Heyes must make a consequential decision on how he wants to spend his thirtieth birthday. Written as a birthday with a zero challenge story.
"What's it say?"
"You have a job." Hannibal Heyes waved the yellow telegram close to his partner's curious face. The two men stood in the sunshine in front of the busy telegram office along the main street.
Sandy brows furrowed as Kid leaned over for a quick peek. "There's a lot of words. It says more than that." The blond's quick reflexes were not fast enough to snatch the paper from his friend's hands as Heyes jerked it back to finish reading the telegram.
"You need to be in Gillette in four days to escort a witness to Chadron, Nebraska by the first of next month. Lom doesn't have a deputy free to send. The Sheriff, who you don't know, is expecting Thaddeus Jones for the job. The pay is fifty dollars." The dark-haired ex-outlaw looked up with a frown on his face.
"Just me? Not the both of us?"
"It says just you."
"What will you be doing?"
Heyes's dark eyes darted back to the unusually lengthy telegram. "Doesn't say exactly. Lom wants me to come to Porterville for an opportunity."
The partner's stepped off the boardwalk to the alley alongside of the telegram office out of the way of the passing people in Rapid City, Dakota Territory.
"An opportunity? What kind of opportunity, what does that mean?" Kid's voice held a note of exasperation.
"Doesn't say."
"It's been almost a year since… you know. Do you think Lom has heard something from our mutual friend?"
Heyes shook his head negatively as he finished reading. He folded the paper and stuffed it into his vest pocket before meeting concerned blue eyes straight on. He answered with his voice just above a whisper, "Nah, if he did then he wouldn't be sending you on a job. He'd be telling us both to come to Porterville."
Kid muttered as he studied his scuffed left boot tracing circles in the dirt. "What if I've been right all along that you would…"
Heyes cut him off. "Stop that type of thinking. It was your idea and that counts for something." He briskly turned and started walking up the boardwalk in the direction of the mercantile. "Come on, let's get supplies. You'll have to leave in the morning. I'll meet you in Chadron or a least telegram you, depending on where the opportunity takes me."
Curry hastened to catch up. "Joshua, we need to talk."
"Later. Right now you have a job to do."
*ASJ*
It was late afternoon when the ex-leader of the Devil's Hole Gang arrived in Porterville. The dark head shook with slight annoyance at the unease churning in his gut as he hitched his gelding to the rail in front of the Sheriff's office. It's not like Lom hasn't sent them on different jobs in the past, so why did this time feel different? His brain came up with loads of perfectly plausible scenarios and reasons, too bad his gut wasn't convinced by any of them.
The usual cautious peek through the door revealed one prisoner in the nearest. The sheriff was picking up what looked like dinner dishes from the floor just outside of the bars. Heyes took a deep breath and pulled the door open.
Lom Trevors straightened up at the sound of the door. His left hand held the almost empty bowl of stew while his right drifted towards the holster. The lawman's posture relaxed as soon as he recognized his visitor. He walked over to his desk and set the dirty dish on the corner.
"Smith, you made good time. Is Jones on his way to Chadron?"
"Hello to you too, Lom. Yeah, Thaddeus left for Gillette the day after we received your telegram. He should be on his way to Nebraska by now, if you haven't gotten word otherwise. You made it sound urgent that I get here so here I am. What's this all important opportunity you have for us."
A fleeting frown crossed the sheriff's face before he schooled his features into neutrality as he absently rearranged objects on the desk. Brown eyes focused over the ex-outlaw's shoulder, not meeting his visitor's probing look. "Uhm, not here. I'll explain over a drink at my house. My deputy should be here any minute for night duty then we can talk more freely." The older man's head nodded in the direction of the occupied cell.
Heyes sharp eyes noted the vague unease of his mentor, which started his stomach churning even more. Outwardly, his gaze hardened, and he put a hand on the sheriff's arm to stop the lawman's extraneous movements. "Lom? Anything I need to know about Thaddeus' job that you didn't tell us? He'll be alright, won't he."
"Huh? Oh, with his skills Jones should be just fine. It's a pretty straight forward escort job. It doesn't have anything to do with what we have to discuss." The sheriff turned to the clothing rack to grab his Stetson and muttered to himself, "other than I needed to see you here alone."
*ASJ*
Lom handed his dark-haired friend a whiskey before sitting across from him on a wing chair.
Heyes sipped at the drink, steadily eyeing the sheriff. He decided it was time to break the uncomfortable silence. He crossed his booted right foot over his left leg. "Now what is this opportunity, Lom?"
The sheriff cleared his throat, pasted a conciliatory smile on his face, while running a finger along the rim of the whiskey glass. "It's the opportunity of your lifetime. You could be a free man for your thirtieth birthday. It's coming up soon, right? Think of it as a birthday present from the governor."
The ex-outlaw's eyes crinkled in genuine pleasure and surprise as his dimples appeared. He gulped at the amber liquid before setting the glass on the coffee table. Leaning forward he sought to clarify, trying to suppress the rising hope. "Is this for real? You met with the governor?"
"Yes, it's been almost a year since you came to me with the amnesty proposal. The governor is pleased with your progress. He also feels that any backlash that may occur would have the time to die down, provided you continue with law-abiding ways, in the three years until a new election." Lom finally met Heyes' gaze fully for the first time all evening.
"Wait until the Kid hears this." Genuine delight leaked into his voice. The dimples appeared. "He has a suspicion that the man never meant to keep his promise. That it was mostly a ruse to get us to quit robbing his political donors."
"You two ceasing the largely successful pursuit of riches at the expense of the banks and railroads was a chief motivator for him to consider amnesty for such infamous outlaws. However, he is genuinely impressed that you have stuck to your end of the deal. Uhm…Heyes, there are conditions." The sheriffs baritone lowered and took on a reluctant serious tone.
"There always are. What conditions are we talking about. If it has anything to do with separating the Kid from his .45, we have a problem that I'm not sure even amnesty can overcome."
Trevors glanced out the living room window for a moment before once again focusing on the man sitting across from him on the sofa. "That's not the problem. Kid Curry can carry his Colt. The first condition is that you remain law-abiding."
Heyes nodded in understanding as he uncrossed his legs. He leaned back in the upholstered chair. "We want a future, Lom. Lawbreaking ain't the way."
"The second condition is that once a month for the next year you notify me on your location and employment. After that you are totally free."
"We already check in with you. I guess one more year of being on a leash can be dealt with."
"The last condition is that you can't associate with any known outlaws and..."
"We figured that. It won't be an issue." Heyes interrupted confidently.
The sheriff rose from the chair and topped off the glasses for himself and his guest. He crossed over to the unlit fireplace and leaned on the mantle.
"Known outlaws will still include Kid Curry." Lom blurted out.
Whiskey sprayed out as Heyes sputtered and choked out, "WHAT? Are you telling me that the governor is only giving me the amnesty. Kid's been part of the deal from the beginning. He's been with me every step of the way. It was his idea, for crying out loud!"
The lawman inwardly cringed as he spoke slowly and gently. "I know, believe me I know. But the amnesty being offered today is for you and you only."
Heyes abruptly stood and shouted, "WHY?" His eyes darkened in displeased anger.
"Kid Curry's reputation as the Fastest Gun in the West has him concerned. He promised he would still consider the Kid for amnesty after more time, perhaps another year."
"And in the meantime, he'll still be wanted. He'll still be blamed for every bank robbery that someone needs to pin the blame on. And he'd be doing it alone. It's hard enough with each of us watching the other's back but alone it's gonna be twice as hard." Heyes started to pace around the length of the living room, scowling.
"Heyes, the Kid's a strong-willed man. He doesn't get credit for having any brains but we both know he's smart. He'll make it." Lom sought to be reasonably encouraging.
The agitated ex-outlaw came to a stop inches from his friend. He stared straight into the sheriff's dark brown eyes. "And what about me? What am I going to do?"
Lom looked confused. "What about you? What do you want to do? Haven't you thought about what you would do if you earned the amnesty? You could do lots of honest types of work. You've been doing some of them this past year." He confidently concluded.
Heyes spun on his heel and resumed his pacing as thoughts rushed through his head. "Yeah, I have thought on a life after amnesty. That life always included the Kid, always." He dropped back down onto the plaid wing chair and grabbed the whiskey glass. After a deep slow drink of the better than average spirit he continued more slowly and pensively. His shock and anger receding into introspective thought. He realized in his bones how much he needed and relied on his lifelong partner not just in practical matters but even more for personal reasons. "I need to think about this," the dark-haired ex-outlaw declared softly.
"You have a couple of days to get used to the idea. We don't have to be in Cheyenne until the fifth of next month. It won't be the same without the Kid but we can celebrate your amnesty and your thirtieth birthday. I'll telegram him in Chadron and have him wait for me there so I can explain in person after we're done in Cheyenne." He held up one hand in a stop motion. "Before you start arguing, NO, you absolutely cannot go with me. You can't jeopardize the amnesty. Kid wouldn't want you to. It's going to be hard enough on him without piling on guilt if your amnesty was affected." Lom walked over to his friend and sought to comfort him with soft pats on the back. He knew this was going to be difficult to accept. He had his own problems with the governor's decision and tried his best to argue on Kid Curry's behalf to no avail. The governor was adamant that the amnesty offer was only for Hannibal Heyes at this time. If they were to be considered a pair, then they would both have to wait up to an additional year.
Heyes once again rose from the chair, gulped down the last of the whiskey. He hesitated in uncharacteristic indecision before heading to the door.
"Where are you going? You're not thinking of turning the amnesty down," Lom inquired incredulously.
"Just outside. I need to think." He amended silently, "I need to think what this really means for me. For me and the Kid."
*ASJ*
Heyes settled his horse at the livery and made his way to the main street of the growing plains town of Chadron, NE. The ex-leader of the Devil's Hole Gang passed the telegram office on his way to the hotel his partner was supposed to be lodged in. He stopped a few doors down before making the decision turn around to check if there was anything for him or Thaddeus Jones. There wasn't.
Kid Curry whistled a lively tune as he tidied up the hotel room. He had a tendency towards messiness that he knew sometimes got on the nerves of his organized and neat friend. Tonight was all about celebrating and making his best friend happy. The last few weeks had been especially tough. However, this job went smoothly, he had money in his pockets, and he wanted this special day to go well. His partner reached a milestone today that neither of them expected to reach. The blond placed two fancy paper wrapped packages on the bureau before bending down to retrieve a dirty sock that was sticking out from under the bed. He straightened and turned quickly at the tap, tap, tap on the hotel door.
"Thaddeus, it's me."
Kid opened the door with a wide smile as he came face to face with Hannibal Heyes.
"Happy Birthday, partner!" The smile slipped a little at the surprised expression of the dark-haired man in the doorway. "What? Did you think I'd forget? Look." Curry pointed across the room, "I got you presents. Come on in and open them," he urged.
Heyes entered the room and dropped his things on the nearest bed. He noticed the room was unusually neat for a space the Kid occupied for a couple of days. The birthday boy took a deep breath and reached for the gaily wrapped gifts. He picked up the larger one, unwrapped it and held up a cream-colored shirt. "Thanks, I needed another one."
Curry nodded in agreement. "Yeah, sorry about not turning the corner sooner. I didn't wing that sore loser in time before you got grazed and your favorite shirt got ruined. It won't happen again," he stated seriously. A grin formed. "I can't guarantee you won't seriously annoy a less than talented poker player again, but I can promise not to use that shirt for bandages. Don't worry, I won't need to since I don't plan on not correctly sizing up a situation in time again."
"I'm not worried. I know I can count on you to have my back. Besides, I do have some responsibility for our safety, too, you know." Brown eyes turned affectionate before he reached for the second package. "Thanks, Around the World in Eighty Days, I haven't read this one."
"I hoped not. I remember you liked Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea by that Verne guy. Hell, I even liked it. Here, this is for later." Kid held out an expensive hand rolled Cuban cigar in its own round carboard container. "This is for after dinner."
Heyes accepted the cigar, opened the tube and inhaled deeply. "Nice. Smooth," he murmured.
Kid excitedly outlined his plans for the celebratory evening. "I'm gonna buy you a nice steak dinner at high class restaurant. Or at least a high-class place for this town. I got paid and a bonus. Then the Wilbur Jack Rose Saloon has a chanteuse. She's supposed to be pretty good and very easy on the eyes. I thought we could go see. You could scope out the tables after the show and play poker to your heart's content or you could be content with some female companionship. The night is yours to enjoy. Bein' thirty is something to celebrate seein' how we've lived our lives. Congratulations partner." Curry's slight drawl was warm and happy.
Heyes couldn't help but smile at the younger man's enthusiasm.
"You can tell me all about the opportunity Lom was all mysterious about over dinner. I'm hungry and I'm sure you didn't eat much traveling here. You look like you lost a little weight. If I'm not around, Heyes, you don't pay attention to regular meals like you should." The blond ushered his partner out the door.
"I'm glad the opportunity didn't take too long. So, what was it?" Kid inquired conversationally as the pair descended the hotel stairs. "You didn't say much in the telegram."
"Oh, the opportunity fell through," Heyes declared dismissively. "So, I hung out in Porterville with Lom until I could meet up with you here."
Curry caught something off in his partner's voice. He glanced over his shoulder at the following man. All appeared well but an unease started to dampen his good humor. Something wasn't right. His blue eyes narrowed for a moment in concertation.
"Anything happen in Porterville that I need to know about?"
"Nope."
The two men reached the lobby and were almost out the door when the desk clerk called out. "Mr. Smith, this just was delivered for you. Do you want to read it now or should I put it in the slot for when you return?"
"I'll take it now."
Curry waited by the door, habitually surveying the street and its occupants while Heyes returned to the lobby desk.
To Joshua Smith – stop
Only you, me, and the governor will know of your decision that it's together or not at all. It will be our secret. Last chance for now. Telegram me tonight if you change your mind. - Stop
Lom
The dark-haired ex-outlaw stared at the black writing on yellow paper for a long moment. His brown eyes darted to the smiling blond watching him. He second guessed his decision. What ifs started to roll through his mind as they had been for almost the entire journey to Chadron. He watched that warm open smile turn tentative before thinning out into non expression. The sensitive long fingers slowly crumpled the telegram into a ball before casually tossing it into a nearby trash can.
"No reply." Heyes informed the waiting desk clerk as he joined his suddenly concerned friend at the door.
"What did it say?" Curry asked quietly with a serious undertone.
"Nothing important. A Happy Birthday from Lom. Come on. I thought you promised me a celebration."
Curry's broad smile reappeared. "I did. I keep my promises. Let's go."
Dimples formed as a genuine satisfied grin graced the handsome face of Hannibal Heyes. He was at peace with whatever may come. Heyes knew what was most important in his life and he was looking right at it.