1^st of January

Alias Smith and Jones

Drena Hills

Every man should be born again on the first day of January.  Start with a fresh page.  Take up one hole more in the buckle if necessary, or let down one, according to circumstances; but on the first of January let every man gird himself once more, with his face to the front, and take no interest in the things that were and are past. 

~

Henry Ward Beecher

Wyoming

Late December, 1877

“You call that a snowman?”

Kid Curry turned dangerously, no easy feat in the knee deep snow, and gave his partner a look that would have caused most men to dive for cover.

Hannibal Heyes, who was not most men, merely stood there waiting patiently for an answer unaffected by the icy blue glare trained on him.

“Yes Heyes,” Kid said finally through gritted teeth as he turned back to stuff a carrot and coal into the ice creature face with a little more force than was necessary. “It is a snowman.”

“Head is too big.”

Kid turned back faster this time and the two gang members helping him jumped back worried.

“Would you like to do this?”

“No, no you’re doing fine,” Heyes said and Kid waited knowing the pause was only for effect. “Cept his head is too big and you forgot the arms.”

“Heyes snowmen don’t have arms,” Kyle Mertree said concerned. Kyle had mustered a great deal of enthusiasm for this part of the plan and had been enjoying himself greatly, even offering up an old hat for the figure to wear.

“Sure they do,” Heyes, now the world’s greatest authority on snowmen told him. “We used to use twigs when we boys, didn’t we Kid?”

“No Heyes you ‘borrowed’ cavalry swords to use as arms because you wanted to make a warrior snowman,” Kid said matter of factly.

“You stole soldier swords?” Lobo said eyes wide impressed.

“Yea that sure taught the Confederate army to camp too close to our farm,” Kid said dryly.

The entire group stared at their leader with renewed respect.

“I was only 7!” Heyes said in defense.

“Yea if he’d been ten the thing would have gotten a cannon too!” Preacher laughed.

“What we nearly didn’t get was Christmas because of that little stunt,” Kid said dusting the snow off his gloves.

“Yea,” Heyes said with a grin remembering. “But for a few hours we had the finest snowman west of Mississippi!” He paused from the memory to look at his men staring amused and transformed his face into a scowl. “He still needs arms.”

For a moment Heyes looked out numbered. It was cold and it had been a long morning, but finally Kid waved one of the men over towards the row of trees just above them on the ridge.

“Hank go cut off a couple of branches and stick them in his sides,” Kid ordered.

“Heyes or the snowman?” Hank grumbled.

Kid bit back a smile and let the comment pass; seemed only right when he had thought the same thing himself. “Snowman will do Hank. You sure you don’t want gloves on him too Heyes?”

Heyes gave him a dark unreadable look, but said nothing merely waiting until Hank returned and shoved two hastily broken off branches into each side of the snowman’s middle. Then with great authority he surveyed the snow figure with a critical eye. “Guess he’ll do.”

“We’ll be able to see him from the train that is all that matters,” Kid said grabbing his horse’s reins.

“I still think his head is too big.”

“He’s not the only one with that problem Heyes,” Kid informed him and mounted up.

*******************************

Reaching the road the seven outlaws split up into three groups and rode off without a word. Heyes, as always, had been thorough in his briefing and his men had learned early on how lucrative it could be if they paid attention and did their part, even if they weren’t quite sure why they were doing it.

Since taking over leadership of the Devil’s Hole Gang two years ago Heyes’s brilliant mind had produced plans of such cunning that their gang had risen to the heights of infamy until finally there was no one their equal across the west.

And despite the huge rewards on their leaders, the gang enjoyed an amiable relationship with most people they came in contact with due to Heyes’s rules about unnecessary gunplay and leaving passengers and patrons of the trains and banks they robbed unmolested.

The success of Heyes’s rule against shoot outs though had more to do with his partner Jedediah Curry and his reputation with a gun than any discipline his men had. There were very few people willing to take a chance at drawing on Kid Curry and it tended to keep gun play to a minimum when the other side dropped their guns even before being asked to.

Normally this late into the year they would have all headed south for warmer and easier takings, but that had all changed a week ago when Heyes and Curry had sent word to their men that they were going to do one little job before the new year.

“You ever see a more sorrier place at Christmas,” Heyes said shaking his head as they rode into the once prosperous town of Dooney Wyoming and passed the shut and foreclosed shops along its main road.

“Run on the bank makes it kinda hard for folks to do much celebrating,” Kid said poker faced as they passed a soup kitchen and a long line of people huddling in the snow for their only meal of the day. Both men did not miss the number of children in the line and the memory of how it felt as a child to have your hunger gnaw at you with the same intensity as the cold washed over them.

Reaching the stable they left their horses to eat better than most of the town’s people would that day and took their bags along to the hotel where rooms were plenty. Dooney with its somber forlorn atmosphere was not a spot most folks passing through on the train would be lured to stop and visit.

Despite the festive season the saloon was a sad gathering of the desperate to be merry who even with the cheap whiskey being poured and swilled were anything but an example of holiday cheer. Groups of men huddled around poker games and the bar drinking more out of hopelessness than good will to men and even the piano player had given up trying and was talking to a mileage weary saloon girl on the stairs.

“Hello Jenny,” Heyes smiled at the blond woman forlornly playing solitaire at her back table.

Surprise filled the older woman’s eyes as she looked up and with a delighted cry was on her feet hugging the two outlaws with sincere affection.

“Boys what are you doing here!” she said laughing and they laughed back pleased at her response to their presence.

“Just passing through thought we would say hello,” Heyes said taking a seat and ordering a bottle.

“Looked like a nice little town to bring in the New Year when we were here last month,” Kid smiled innocently.

Jenny straightened, “Nice little town? What are you two boys up to?”

“Nothing Jenny,” Kid smiled like butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth.

“Boys like I told you when the bank failed most of us were left high and dry. Even the son of the owner left after his father shot himself, ran home to mommy back east.”

“Yea so you told us, old man was speculating with investors funds,” Heyes said his eyes dark. “Or so they said.”

Jenny didn’t miss the change, “You know something.”

“So why is everyone sticking around?” Kid asked changing the subject.

“Because most have no where to go and they are hoping if the town can hang on till spring and the cattle round ups at the big ranches they can get back on their feet. But that’s a big if. Ranchers are only going to bring their boys and cattle into town if there some resemblance of one left; hard to hoorah a ghost town,” Jenny said with a sigh and then looked up shrewdly. “You boys are usually down south by now aren’t you?”

“We were, got as far as Denver,” Heyes told her. “Then we had a bit of bad luck in a poker game.”

Jenny snorted unladylike, “You? Bad luck doesn’t even know your name!”

“Well it does when the game is rigged,” Heyes smiled.

Jenny’s eyes narrowed, “And since when haven’t you two been able to spot a card cheat by the second deal?”

“Well let’s just say Heyes hung around because he found the conversation interesting, in fact one of them fellas was your deceased bank president’s son.” Kid said conversationally.

“Returning from back east,” Heyes smiled, but it didn’t touch his eyes. “Seems he’s coming back here to sell off some land and the family home.”

“Yea we heard he was coming…” Jenny stopped and studied the two men she had known since they were no more than 15. She loved them like she did her own son and her respect for their abilities was formidable. A spark of hope began to shine inside of her.

“You do know something!”

“Maybe, you just sit tight,” Kid told her and then smiling pulled out two brown paper wrapped packages from behind his back. “We got you and Billy something, sorry it’s late.”

The older woman’s eyes filled with tears, “I was afraid I’d have nothing for him this year.”

“Hey now none of that!” Heyes said putting and arm around here. “We’re here now!”

“You two are like a tonic!” she said dabbing her eyes. “Now let’s see what we can do to find a little Christmas in this God forsaken place! Cheers!” she said raising her glass and drinking it far too hastily for either of their liking.

“Glad you feel that way Jenny,” Heyes said lowering his voice. “Because we need your help with a little job!”

“When?” she asked quietly.

“Day after tomorrow, a train,” Kid said.

“You’re going to rob a train on New Year’s Eve?” Jenny said a little taken back. It was the oddest thing despite their being so notorious she still thought of them as good boys, partly because there were just some things they would not do and it worried her they were thinking of the holiday as just another working day. “Boys I don’t know how much you lost in that game, but wouldn’t it be better to wait till next week? I’m sure you two can find something pretty to help ring in 1878…”

Heyes and Kid smiled at her concern.

“Trust us Jenny it isn’t any train,” Heyes said looking around the room and spotting the man he was looking for. “Isn’t that the town’s newspaper fellow over there?”

“Sure is, except all the writing he does these days is to sign his bar tab. Say how do you fellas know him?”

“Read an article he did on a hoorah we had through here about a year ago, did a real nice story on us, truthful, but fair,” Kid said. “And now we’d like to return the favor!”

“So what do you need me to do?” Jenny said eyes sparkling.

“Won’t be till tomorrow,” Kid said. “But first we need an introduction.”

Jenny glanced over at Miles Long and then without another word rose gracefully to her feet and sauntered over.

“Miles man shouldn’t drink alone during Christmas, bad for his liver,” Jenny smiled.

Miles glanced up with bloodshot eyes. He was perhaps in his early 40’s, lanky and lean and still had a startled air of disappointment about him as if he couldn’t believe his world had been snatched so easily from him.

“Miss Jenny I would welcome your company anytime,” he said rising unsteadily.

“How about a couple of friends of mine?” Jenny said as Kid and Heyes stepped over.

The editor raised an eyebrow recognizing them, but merely nodded and moved to sit back down.

“How about we go somewhere quiet where we can talk,” Kid said holding up a fresh bottle. “Got a little story we’d like to tell you.”

It was a draw which made his eyes light up quicker the bottle or the chance of a story and with a dignified sweep of his hand he indicated his acceptance of the offer.

“Gentlemen my office is right this way.”

*****************************

The office of the Dooney Gazette was doubling now as living quarters and it took Miles a moment to find a match and light a forlorn single lantern on his desk.

“So what do I owe the honor of Hannibal Heyes and Kid Curry wanting to talk to me?” he said unafraid.

“Liked that story you wrote about us Mr. Long,” Kid continued leaving his partner to size up the man. “You are an honest man.”

Long chuckled, “Kind of hard not to be under these circumstances, nothing left to be dishonest about in Dooney.”

“What do you know about Charles Bass’s death?” Heyes said getting straight to the point.

Now they did have his attention, he sat up straight and if not instantly sober, close to it.

“Charles Bass, former bank president and owner of the Dooney 1^st National hanged himself when it was revealed he had squandered depositor’s money on risky stock options. This revelation was followed by a run on the bank…a rather unsuccessful run as there was no money left to withdraw, how am I doing?”

“Yea, that’s what got reported, but what do you know?” Kid asked.

It was Long’s turn to sit back and take a moment to evaluate them.

“You know gentlemen I lost all my money in that bank too, life’s savings, as did most of the town and yet you show up here with that reward on you bold as brass and don’t seem the slightest bit worried I’m going to turn you in.”

“Oh we thought about that,” Heyes smiled. “But we decided you’d choose a good story over a dollar any day.”

“You give me far more integrity than I am due,” the man said pouring a drink and then forgetting to drink it. “Just what is your interest in all of this? Jenny?”

“She’s part of it,” Heyes admitted.

“But not all,” Long said intrigued and made a decision. “Gentlemen there is someone you should meet. He is staying at the hotel having just gotten back in town. I think you all will be very interested in one another.”

******************************************

Latimer Finch liked order. He also did not like surprises and the arrival of Hannibal Heyes and Kid Curry into his crime scene disrupted both.

“Mr. Long my investigation here was supposed to be discreet,” Finch said with great annoyance as he stood in the study of the Bass house equipment and tape measures strewn around him.

“Yes sir and we also know you aren’t supposed to even be here,” Long smiled enjoying the pompous young man’s discomfort. “But Mr. Heyes and Mr. Curry are asking the same questions you did and I thought a meet up between you all was in order.”

“Did you say Heyes and Curry?”

“I’m Heyes,” Heyes said offering his hand with a smile, but the man did not take it.

“You are outlaws!” Finch pronounced distastefully.

“Your right he is quick,” Kid said not even bothering and walking around the room curious.

“Do you mind?” Finch said exasperated and making the mistake of attempting to grab his arm to pull him back.

Kid’s gun was in his hand before the man could comprehend it.

“I…I just don’t want you contaminating the crime scene,” he whispered dropping his hand and taking a step back.

“Crime scene,” Heyes smiled and giving his partner a nod that caused Kid to return his gun to his holster, but not before he did a fancy twirl. “Mr. Long here tells me you work for a fancy insurance company back east,” Heyes said taking in every inch of the room with his eyes.

“Yes I am investigating a claim filed by Mr. Bass’s family.”

“They get a lot if its suicide?” Kid said.

“They do.”

“And if its murder?” Heyes smiled.

The man looked up with renewed respect, “Then the killer gets nothing.”

“This where he died?” Heyes said looking at the overturned chair. “Funny most men would just use a gun.”

“Mr. Bass abhorred violence didn’t have a gun,” Finch said as if he realized Heyes knew this all ready. “Why are you two interested in this? Did you want to rob his bank and he was inconsiderate enough to rob it himself first?”

Heyes grinned, he was never going to like the man, but he was well on the way to respecting him. “We knew Bass the son a long time ago. We know he is capable of killing and we think he killed his father to blame him for the money he stole. We don’t like the idea of him getting away with a second murder.”

Finch snorted, “So there is a hierarchy among criminals?” He stopped digesting all he had said. “Second murder?”

“Long time ago,” Kid said. “We couldn’t get him for that one so we’ll settle for this one.”

“If it was murder,” Long said enjoying the verbal sparring immensely.

“It was,” Heyes and Finch said in unison.

“You seem convinced Mr. Heyes what proof do you have?”

“None, just a hunch,” Heyes admitted cheerfully. “That’s why Mr. Long here thought we should talk to you.”

Finch frowned. “Gentlemen,” and he surprised himself addressing them as such. “By all legal rights I should not even be in this house. I was denied entry when the death occurred and only just was in time to view the body before it was buried and that was done on the sly. I came back because I heard Mr. Bass junior was returning to clear out this house and sell it and I had to see the room to be certain of my findings. So whatever evidence I have corroborating your ‘hunch’ it will not be permitted in court.”

“You convince us and I’ll get you what you need for court,” Heyes said calmly.

“How are you going to do that?” Finch said fascinated.

“Get him to confess.”

Finch looked up startled certain they were pulling his leg, but what he saw in both their eyes made his mind up.

“Yes well then, that would help. The fact are these: Mr. Bass reportedly hung himself by jumping off this chair after securing a rope around that beam. Medical examination revealed he died of a broken neck, but unfortunately that is impossible.”

“Why?” Heyes asked enjoying this as he pulled over a chair and peered up at the beam the rope had been draped across causing Finch to look again and notice what Heyes had causing him to frown before continuing.

“In order to break your neck you need a drop of six feet or more. This chair is no more than two feet off the ground. A man who jumps off this chair with a rope tied around his neck is going to die, but by choking to death slowly. But Bass’s neck was broke.”

“What else?” Kid asked poker faced.

“Death by hanging always leaves an inverted V bruise, which is different than when a man gets himself strangled to death; that leaves a straight line bruise. When a body hangs it compresses these veins, but the blood is still flowing causing bleeding on the lips, the mouth even the eyelids. Bass didn’t have that. He also had deep bruises and abrasions around his neck the kind you get when a victim struggles against his attacker and damages the interior and exterior of the neck and throat.”

“How do you know all this?” Heyes said grinning.

“I went to school and I also studied at Scotland Yard.”

Kid and Heyes looked at each other impressed.

“Mr. Finch I sure am glad you decided to take up insurance and not sheriffing,” Heyes smiled.

Finch almost smiled, “You have no need to worry my work is finding out who really did things, you two,” he added dryly. “Never leave any doubt.”

“What I don’t get is if you had all this evidence why didn’t anyone at least hold him for questioning?” Kid asked.

“Mr. Bass’s mother comes from a very well to do eastern family that does not like scandal, the reason Mr. Bass was sent west in the first place. As soon as the story broke his family’s lawyers had representatives send up from Denver to spirit him away and control the damage. Now your turn how do you intend to get Bass to confess?”

“More to the point I wanna know why?” Long said shrewdly.

“You are just going to have to trust us on both of those questions,” Heyes said getting up to leave.

“I don’t think so Mr. Heyes!” Finch said angrily. “I want to know why I shouldn’t just telegraph the nearest U.S. Marshall and report your whereabouts.”

Kid brushed back his jacket to reveal his holster.

“Aside from that reason,” Finch said swallowing, but not budging.

“You ever hear of Lom Trevors?” Heyes asked.

Long nodded, “Yea used to ride with the Devil’s Hole Gang, first Big Jim and then you boys for a spell heard a rumor he did some time and then went straight or was trying to.”

“He did,” Kid said. “He’s a deputy over in Porterville.”

“And now that we got something solid we are going to go get him to help us arrest Bass,” Heyes explained.

“You sure he’s still gonna want to help you? Reformed men tend to get a little uppity once they pin on a star,” Long grinned.

“I think he’ll be fine once we explain things to him.” Heyes smiled. “Now why don’t we go someplace a little warmer and I’ll tell you what I need you both to do.”

“Mr. Heyes this is not one of your…jobs!” Finch said irritated. “You cannot order us around like…”

“Mr. Heyes this is gonna be the story of the decade you order me around all you want,” Long said. “And if your smart boy,” he added to Finch. “You’ll take a few orders yourself and maybe learn something.”

Finch paused as if considering this. Truth be known he knew a had read a great deal about Mr. Heyes and Mr. Curry and their methods and if he was honest had been impressed more than once at the level of planning and intelligence that went into their jobs. He looked up and spoke slowly. “So this something you need me to do, is it illegal?”

The two outlaws looked at each other; this had been discussed because they knew he would ask.

“Nope, just returning stolen property to its owners,” Heyes said finally and walked over to the door. “You gentlemen coming?”

Finch and Long looked at each other and finally Finch mumbled something rude under his breath and began picking up his equipment.

“Don’t worry Mr. Finch he gets easier to be around after 10 – 15 years,” Kid assured him.

***********************

Twenty miles away Kyle Mertree stood whistling outside the Union Railroad Employee Office. Heyes had figured out long ago that Kyle worked best at keeping watch mostly because people tended to avoid making eye contact and skirted around him.

To anyone watching he appeared to be bored and impatient as if waiting for someone, but he could quickly turn on a dreadfully eager smile that was guaranteed to move people along should someone give him a second glance.

“Got them,” Hank said coming out carrying official railroad uniforms and assorted forms.

“Any trouble?” Kyle said softly.

“Nope, went just like Heyes said it would,” Hank said the pride in his leader apparent in his voice.

“Let’s get them papers over to the Scribbler,” Kyle said mounting up and speaking of the forger Heyes used sometimes to smooth their way with documents or identification.

“You got any idea what Heyes is up to with all this?” Hank asked climbing aboard his horse.

“Nope, but then all I gotta understand about a Hannibal Heyes plan is how much my cut is gonna be!”

****************************

“Mr. Bass sure must be planning some party!” the store clerk said checking the list Wheat had handed him and going back to the shelves for another crate. “I mean he all ready had a plum load of stuff delivered to the station yesterday.”

“Additional guests, party has grown. You know these rich easterners,” Wheat said with a shrug. “Like to show off.”

“Sure wouldn’t mind getting invited to that party!” the clerk said wistfully. “I heard he’s got him a passel of women invited. Party in a private rail car; ain’t that just the craziest thing you ever heard?”

“I don’t know might be nice having women have to at least stick around until the next station,” Lobo said honestly.

The clerk laughed relaxing a little. “Easterners sure do things fancy don’t they?”

“Which is why we wanna make sure they don’t lack for anything,” Wheat said. “Better add another couple of sacks of coffee.”

“This total sure is getting high,” the clerk said tensing back up worried.

“You saw the note from him,” Wheat snarled. “Besides I hear his momma is good for it; he isn’t worried cause he ain’t gonna pay for it.”

The clerk nodded eager to gossip, “Oh the whole family has reams of it! What do you think he is going to need with so many blankets?”

“Look mister I just do as I’m told,” Lobo said with a world weary sigh. “Reckon it might have to do with all them wimmin he’s bringing along! From what I hear they ain’t taking no luggage!”

The clerk’s eyes got wide, “Really? And his father still warm in his grave! What else have you heard?”

Wheat smiled and let Lobo expand on what he thought that would mean to the delight of the clerk allowing him to continue to add supplies to the order.

He wasn’t totally certain what Heyes wanted all this for, but he had an idea and for good measure scooped up a jar of licorice and added it to the pile.

*********************************

Preacher, despite his nickname and on and off spiritual calling, was no stranger to rail yards. His first job had been as a brakeman and there wasn’t a position on a train he hadn’t worked or at least had experience with.

It was knowledge Heyes made good use of.

“Morning boys!” Preacher said walking confidently up to the rail gang leaning against the switching post taking a break.

“Mister,” the gang boss said stepping forward. “This is railroad property no trespassing.”

“Indeed it is sir, but I have orders from Mr. Bass.”

“He’s the toft coming in tonight heading over to Dooney,” one of the men spoke up.

“We’ll be ready for him, his supplies are being loaded right now,” the boss said turning to go.

“Just one thing boys, he wants his private car put last on the train.”

The man turned back frowning. “Last? Most of them tofts like to be near the front.”

“Mr. Bass doesn’t want servants having to walk through his car to reach supplies, he is entertaining lady friends…if you get my drift,” Preacher said with a man of the world leer.

“Must be the life,” the rail worker said disgusted. “But that just makes it easier for us. His supply car is ready now; we can hook it up and just add him behind it. Change of crew should be waiting.”

“Oh I’m sure they will be. Appreciate your help boys, anything to keep the boss happy!” Preacher smiled and knew Heyes would be.

******************************

“Hello Lom!” Heyes smiled from the back stairwell.

Porterville’s newest deputy turned startled from where he was diligently finishing up the day’s paperwork.

“What the…Heyes!”

“Your back door needs a new lock Lom,” Heyes said waving him back into his seat with his gun.

“Look Heyes I got me a real job here and if you think…”

“I think you should calm down and pour yourself a cup of coffee.”

“Look Heyes the Sheriff is going to be back from making his rounds…”

“Lom, one you’re the new deputy if anyone is making rounds in that cold it would be you, second I know for a fact he just snuck up the backstairs to his lady on the side’s room and as his wife is out of town visiting her mother for the new year, not likely to be seen until morning, how am I doing?” Heyes grinned.

“Well you haven’t changed,” Lom said begrudgingly. “So why are you here, I mean other than to get me fired because that is what will happen if I am seen cavorting with a known outlaw.”

“No cavorting Lom, just wanna talk and no one is going to see us. Now can I put this gun away?”

Lom sighed and rolled his eyes, “Put it away I never figured I’d last long at this deputy job anyway.”

Heyes smiled and accepted the cup of coffee handed him, “Lom not only are you going to last, but before I’m done with you you’ll be rivaling that sheriff for his job.”

“Oh this is going to be good,” Lom said with a sneer leaning back in his chair.

“I need you to go down to Dooney to make an arrest.”

“Heyes its New Year’s Eve and ten below outside; nothing you tell me is going to get me out in that, nothing! I’m a good ole Virginia boy and we avoid snow at all costs.”

“Then what are you doing in Wyoming?” Heyes grinned.

“I ask that myself almost every morning,” Lom sighed. “So what is it you need me for in Dooney that I am not going to do?”

“Witness a real live genuine train robbery by the two most notorious outlaws in the west,” Heyes said proudly.

“You and Kid are gonna rob a train on New Year’s Eve? Can’t you two over achievers find something better to do to bring in the New Year?”

“Nope, cause were trying to make you a he-ro,” Heyes said slapping him on the back so hard he almost choked on his coffee.

“Why you gonna let me hang those notorious train robbers?”

“Nope,” Heyes smiled cheerfully. “Gonna do one better, gonna let you hang a murderer!”

******************************

“Ladies,” Kid said tipping his hat appreciatively to the collection of working girls that had opened their door to him in assorted state of undress.

“Sorry sugar but we got a private party tonight,” one little red head smiled up at him sincere in her disappointment. “Were all booked.”

“Yes ma’am, that is what I’m here about, I’m afraid Mr. Bass had to cancel.”

“He what!” an angry blond said pushing to the front despite the fact she had only a flimsy robe on. “He promised us $200 for tonight and another hundred for New Year’s day!”

“And he is paying you in full,” Kid smiled handing her an envelope.

The girls instantly calmed down as the envelope was opened and the money revealed.

“Ladies,” Kid said touching his hat and turning to go.

“Seems we have some time now mister?” one of the brunettes’ smiled invitingly.

Kid sighed, “Yes ma’am, but unfortunately I don’t!”

**********************************

Lom Trevors got up and stretched and poured himself a cup of coffee.

“That’s a real interesting story Heyes and I’m leaning to believing it except…”

“Except what?” Heyes asked annoyed.

“Why?”

“I told you Kid and I ran into this Bass in Denver and he cheated us at a poker game.”

“No,” Lom said with certainty. “Heyes I have seen you play poker and while I can just barely conjure up enough belief that lady luck might have passed you by one night I can’t believe you two didn’t spot a card cheat by the second hand.”

“Maybe I couldn’t leave,” Heyes offered.

“Couldn’t leave!” Lom snorted. “With Kid Curry watching your back? One signal from you and Kid would have had you out of there before the table knew what was going on and don’t give me this thing about Jenny and that town there is more than that and I’m not signing up until I know what it is.”

It was Heyes’s turn to stand and for a moment Lom was worried he was going to leave.

“Lom you ever been to Dodge?”

“Yea, ran a few longhorns through there why?”

“Ever been to the Golden Nugget?”

“What cowboy hasn’t?” Lom smiled remembering the three story saloon and gaming house that used its 3^rd floor for a bordello. Wasn’t a drover west of the Mississippi who hadn’t lost at least a week’s pay willingly at the Golden Nugget.

“Kid and I drifted into there the first summer we were on our own. We were hoping to get signed up to an outfit and to fill the time till the brands started coming in we found work there.”

“How old were you?”

“I was 15, Kid looked about 12.”

“And they hired you?”

“Just me at first, sweeping up and then the owner realized I was good with numbers and began letting me sort out his nightly receipts for him. I got the sweeping job handed down to Jed and they let us sleep in the storage room, not a bad existence. We were fed, making some money and we had hope to move up to something better.”

“What happened?”

“With Jed looking so young, well girls upstairs took a shine to him and let him run errands for them. One in particular, Lilly,” Heyes smiled remembering. “Pretty little thing, looked like an angel on the outside and was tough as nails on the inside, but she always treated me and Jed square.”

“How old was she?”

“20 maybe,” Heyes said suddenly realizing how young they all had been. “She was the youngest girl there and the three of us used to meet after her clients were done and believe it or not talk,” he paused waiting for Lom to laugh, but the older man didn’t.

“What happened?” Lom asked quietly.

“A trick went bad one night. Four dandies had come in flashing money and one had taken Lilly for the night. I heard the screams first and had to break the door in to get to her,” he stopped feeling sick to his stomach as the scene flashed in front of his eyes. “It was bad, fella had just about beat her to death, blood was everywhere,” Heyes took a swallow of coffee keeping his face unreadable. “His friends pushed past me trying to hustle the guy away. Being an idiot I tried to stop them and they decided I needed to be taught to keep my mouth shut. They were working me over pretty good when Jed arrived. Two of them held him back while they finished up on me and then they left. Lilly died the next morning without ever waking up. Kid was the only one at her funeral since it took me a week to heal up enough to get out of bed.”

“And that fella was Bass.”

“Yes.”

“And so you are doing this for that girl Lilly?”

Heyes bit his bottom lip and shook his head, “No, not even for Lilly or what they did to me, it’s what they did to Jed. You see he never forgave himself for not being able to help her or me. He had been practicing with a gun for some time, even back at the home and he was good Lom, better than good. But he always kept it in his room when he wasn’t practicing, never considered wearing the thing all the time. Well that day he changed. He bought himself a holster and he tied it down and he’s never gone a day without it since. And that might not have happened if not for Bass.”

Lom Trevors looked at the infamous outlaw standing before him looking far too young for any of the legends about him to be true.

“What do you need me to do?”

*******************************

Anthony Peterson Bass was 35 years old and for the first time in a long time nervous. He had never intended to come back to Wyoming and his mother’s and grandfather’s insistence gnawed at him until he wanted to strike out and hit something. He had been imprisoned in that dreary little town for too long and his father’s death had seemed like a key to unlock his prison.

But his family held all the purse strings, had mother had been adamant. He must go back and take care of the family estate in person. There must be a public show of remorse and grief or the papers would continue to write dreadful things.

His father’s history made interesting reading and the papers were loathe to let the story go especially as it involved one of the seaboard’s most influential families.

A self made man who made his fortune in the Kansas salt mines whole while on a business trip east had met his mother and become infatuated with her. Despite her families objections she had been caught up in the romance of being so ardently wooed and run off with him. But the bloom had quickly faded when she got her first taste of the west and he was only three when his mother took him back to Boston to live leaving his father behind forever.

Eventually 10 years ago Tony, as he was now called, had returned to Wyoming to help his father with his newest business interest, banking. There was some rumor he had gone west to avoid a scandal and litigation, but in Wyoming such things were regarded as giving a man some color and not held against him.

But his father had soon learned to keep a tight rein on him as stories filtered up to the elder Bass of what his son got up to on his frequent trips out of town. Life had become nearly unbearable after that, but now, now he was free! He would do a proper spell of mourning to appease society and his mother’s family and then begin to live as he had always dreamed.

Even now he had commandeered grandfather’s private rail car and planned a wild entry into the New Year. Surely he deserved some reward for enduring all this tediousness.

His family’s lawyers had seen him as far as Cheyenne exiting the train there and Bass smiled smugly as he felt his car being coupled up to the line that would take him to Dooney. His friends and the women he hired would be arriving soon and at least make this segment of the journey bearable. With the supplies he had brought on board the orgy could run well into the New Year with no one to sanction or stop him sating his appetites.

Walking over to the champagne bottle he felt the train begin to move again and annoyed he glanced outside the window, but was only greeted by falling snow and darkness.

“Alfonzo!” he yelled for the valet assigned to him.

“Alfonzo has the night off,” Heyes said politely from the door.

Bass blinked, the cork from the champagne popping before he could stop.

“Thank you I would love a glass,” Heyes smiled coldly waving his gun to indicate the man should sit.

“How did you get in here? Who are you?” the man said nervously.

“Why Mr. Bass don’t you remember? I played poker in Denver with you and some of your friends, oh by the way they won’t be making it, they heard you were indisposed.”

“You told my friends?”

“Actually you did, telegram, wonderful thing. And the ladies you invited won’t be joining us either,” Heyes continued.

“I demand you stop this train immediately!”

“Oh I will,” Heyes assured him walking over to the poker table set up for a game. “Not quite there yet.”

“Quite where?” he said attempting to muster anger to overcome his fear.

“Evening Mr. Bass,” Kid said coming in from the back door. “Real nice place you have here.”

“Who are you?” Bass sputtered.

“Kid Curry,” Heyes said pointing to his partner.

“Hannibal Heyes,” Kid pointed back.

This time Bass did take a seat.

“What do you want? Are you here to rob me?”

“No,” Heyes said. “Just wanted a chance to win some of my money back from that poker game.” Glancing down he picked up the deck of cards and sighed shaking his head. “Marked, and with friends coming over too.”

“That deck isn’t marked,” Bass tried to lie.

“Yes it is, Bass,” Heyes said running out of patience. “Just like the one was in Denver.”

“Then why didn’t you say something then!” he said angry now. “And you only lost maybe $200 even with those cards!”

“Because I wanted to learn everything I could about you and there is no way better to size up a man than in a poker game.”

“Look if its money you want.”

“So did you mean to kill you father or did it just sort of happen?” Heyes asked interested.

Bass looked up sharply, “My father hung himself.”

“No, no your father…sit, you want to deal first? We really do have a long journey,” Heyes said sliding the cards over to the man.

“I can’t play cards under these circumstances!” Bass said hands shaking.

“I thought you like excitement?” Kid said softly coming up behind him and clicking his gun back in his ear. “Isn’t that why you killed Lilly?”

“Lilly?” the man said startled.

“Saloon girl,” Heyes prompted.

“That misunderstanding in Casper was…”

Heyes and Kid looked at each other.

“This was Dodge,” Heyes said his eyes deadly.

“I vote we toss him off the train right now Heyes,” Kid growled.

“Look stop trying to scare me.”

“So did your father find out you were embezzling funds?” Heyes said looking at his hand and tossing in a few chips.

“My father was the one who…”

“No he wasn’t, an insurance investigator has proof now that it is your hand that signed your father’s signature to those papers.”

“You can’t prove that.”

“Yes you can when you know a first class forgerer,” Heyes smiled.

“Well what if I did embezzle that money that does not mean I killed my father.”

“Oh look I win again,” Heyes smiled laying down his cards and pulling in the pot. “You’re not concentrating Bass; I really expected more of a challenge.”

Bass suddenly looked around frantic, “The train is slowing? Why are we stopping?”

“Just letting the rest of the train get along to its next stop,” Kid said looking out and signaling someone by lowering and raising the blind.

A moment later the car was uncoupled and the train began to chug away from the Pullman.

“They are leaving!” Bass screamed flinging open the door in time to watch the train pick up speed and roll out of sight.

“Yup just us now,” Heyes said. “I believe it’s your deal.”

Bass turned around covered with snow his eyes wide with fear.

“We will die out here!”

“Well one of us might,” Kid said darkly.

“Come in Bass and shut the door the heat isn’t going to last much longer now that we’ve lost the engine,” Heyes said kicking the mans chair back and moving as if in shock Bass fell back into it.

“Now where were we?” Heyes said picking up the cards and dealing. “ Ah yes, murder. It took me a while to figure out how you hoisted his body up and then I saw the rope burn on the beam from where you used it as a lever,” Heyes went on. “Cards?”

“Will you please leave me alone! Why are you doing this!”

“Because ten years ago you killed a girl and you had your thugs nearly kill my partner,” Kid said pulling Bass to his feet and shoving him into the door.

“I don’t remember you…her…”

“Her name was Lilly, Golden Nugget Saloon, Dodge City,” Kid told him.,

“A whore? All this is over a stupid whore…” he didn’t get to finish Kid’s fist nearly stoved in his right eye.

“Now Mr. Bass my partner will most likely beat you to death unless you can be a little more cooperative,” Heyes said crouching down to peer at him. “I believe it’s your deal.”

“What do you want…” he gasped.

“Tell me what happened to your father and we’ll go,” Heyes said simply.

Bass turned terrified to look at Kid and then back to Heyes and found no comfort there.

“It was an accident,” he whispered. “I found him looking over the ledgers I kept in my desk. He was mumbling and cursing my name. So I just stepped up behind him and…” his eyes slightly glazed over as if remembering something pleasant. “Snapped his neck.” He suddenly stood as if empowered by the confession. “There you know, but so what? A pair of noted outlaws robbing me? Who will believe a story such as that?”

“No, but if a passenger were to just over hear?” Miles Long said stepping out of the kitchen with Finch behind him.

“Where did they…” Bass staggered over to the door. “You are all crazy! This is madness! I will deny it all.”

“Which is why Mr. Heyes wanted two witnesses,” Finch said.

Bass looked at them and slowly began to laugh like a mad man, “And what good does it do you? We will die out here before…”

A knock sounded at the door and Lom Trevors stepped into the room shaking off snow.

“Lom!” Kid said with a cheerful grin. “Good to see you! Any trouble finding the maker?”

Lom Trevors pulled off his hat and took in the contents of the room as he shook his head, “Yea and you were right this train is just within my jurisdiction,” he stopped and let his eyes rest on Heyes. “A snowman Heyes?”

“I thought it was a nice touch for the holidays,” Heyes smiled back.

“Yea well you two are just lucky I know this country as well as I do,” the lawman growled. “This him?”

Heyes nodded with his first genuine smile.

“Bass I’m arresting you for the murder of your father and probably a whole lot of other things once we get this all down proper on paper. Which one of you is Finch?”

“Oh I am,” Finch said raising a hand.

“Gonna need to see you in Porterville first thing after the New Year to get your side of all this.”

“I will be there,” Finch promised him.

“I heard the whole thing too Sheriff,” Miles said.

“Deputy. And you are?”

“Miles Long…editor of the Dooney Gazette!” he said as if for the first time realizing he still was.

“My lawyers…” Bass suddenly shouted.

“Will have a little trouble getting you off with all the other evidence I have collected,” Finch said coldly. “You have left quite a trail over the years Bass and I intend to see to it that the law hears the entire story.”

The man suddenly whirled attempting to bolt, but Lom was waiting and sent him down soundly with a fist to the face.

“Well that’s going to make getting him back to Porterville a lot easier,” Lom said relieved at the unconscious prisoner at his feet. “One of you boys wanna help me tie him across the horse I brought for him?”

“My pleasure Lom,” Kid said hoisting the man up and dragging him none to gently off the train.

Heyes followed them outside and shot his gun into the air four times.

“Train will be back for you boys in a few minutes, just parked around the bend,” Heyes said to Finch and Long.

“How are you…oh,” Finch said as the Devil’s Gang galloped with horses in tow. “So this is the infamous Devil’s Hole Gang. Funny you don’t look anywhere near as tough as dime novel covers.”

“Write a letter to the editor,” Heyes told him and turned to Miles and handed him a thick black wallet. “When the train gets to Dooney you give this to Jenny she’ll know what to do with it. And assure her it was won fair and square at poker.”

“Thank you,” Miles said choking back the emotion in his voice.

“Gents,” Kid said tipping his hat and together he and Heyes walked out to where their horses were waiting.

“Mr. Heyes?” Finch called causing Heyes to turn in his saddle. “Why? Why did you do all this.”

“You heard, the man cheated me at cards.”

“And murder and the death of a town had nothing to do with it?”

“Nope,” Heyes said. “Gentlemen.” And a moment later the gang was completely lost in the darkness.

Finch looked over and watched Lom riding away with his prisoner as the train began to slowly back up to hook their car back on.

“Then, Mr. Heyes,” Finch said softly shaking his head. “Remind me never to cheat at cards with you!”

**************************************

“So you’re telling us you ain’t got any of the money you got off that fella?” Wheat yelled as the little group paused on a hill over looking the town of Dooney and watching with more than polite interest.

“Now boys I did give you each a hundred dollars for your trouble,” Heyes said his eyes never leaving the scene below them.

“Steal a train and all we got is a $100,” Lobo said too amazed to manage anger yet.

“Now boys they’ll be a new job in a few weeks, got something real special lined up for Fort Worth,” Heyes tried.

“Hundred dollars,” Hank said mournfully, but like Heyes and the others couldn’t take his eyes off the town of Dooney lining up for supplies being passed out of train’s supply car by Miles and Jenny.

“Look at that little thing with that sack of flour!” Kyle said laughing and pointing to a little girl trying to carry away bag nearly as big as her, her joy apparent in every step.

Everyone grinned and then Wheat suddenly coughed and they all tried to scowl again.

“Still ain’t fittin’ for a gang of our caliber to be bringing in New Year’s this way,” Wheat said.

“Wheat your right,” Kid said suddenly with such enthusiasm that even Heyes turned to look at him. “Which is why Heyes and me have a party waiting for us at the Ivory Rose.”

“You mean that fine little whore house just past the stockyards?” Kyle said looking up excited.

“Yup and its all on the house until sunset on New Year’s Day!” Kid grinned.

A loud wooohooo went up among the men who immediately began to turn the horses.

“Humph,” Wheat said pausing, “You saved yourself this time Heyes, but…”

“Licorice Wheat?” Heyes asked pleasantly.

The Devil’s Hole Gangs second bandit stared, how had he? Wheat coughed, “You boys coming or not?”

The two outlaw leaders let out a hoop and holler and together the band road off into the moonlight and the dawn of 1878.