Drena Hills
And
they live by what they hear.
Such
people become crazy…
Or
they become legends.”
__
He came right over the wall.
Later,
when they asked Sister Luke to explain, she could think of no better way to
clarify why the handsome stranger was laying sprawled across her lap and her
garden.
As
for Kid Curry he would have been quick to point out that leaping over a wall to
avoid being shot and suddenly finding yourself looking up into the startled
face of a nun wasn’t something one just planned to do.
“I
am so sorry!” he said trying to scramble to his feet and only making things worse
because that required holding on to her and that was the exact moment the
Mother Superior and Sister Mary Katherine chose to come around the corner.
“Sister
Luke Bernadette!” the Mother Superior said in a voice that just made the need
for other words obsolete.
“Mother
Superior!” Sister Luke sputtered suddenly frightened at the ease in which the
gentlemen pulled her to her feet beside him.
But then she glanced up into his troubled and concerned blue eyes and
dismissed the notion he would ever hurt her.
As
for Kid he realized he was still holding on to her shoulders and let his hands
drop like he had been burned.
He
knew he looked a sight. His shirt had
been torn in the fight, he was hot and sweaty from running and he needed no one
to tell him how out of place the gun strapped to his hip looked in this
peaceful oasis of faith.
Suddenly
there was the sound of scrambling at the wall and Kid knew the men after him
were about to follow his path of escape.
Looking
around frantically he connected with the stern, angular face of the Mother
Superior and they both took measure of one another.
“The
chapel,” she said suddenly making a decision and crossing herself in the hope
it had been the right one. Both the
Sisters blinked startled not sure they had heard right and a smile broke across
Kid’s face at her compassion for him.
“Declare sanctuary,” she ordered and pointed to the open doors across
the neat and tidy courtyard.
“Thank
you!” Kid said turning to run and then paused looking back, obviously concerned
about leaving them with his pursuers coming over the wall.
“Go!”
she said in answer to his question and knew by his concern she had made the
right decision concerning him. “They
wouldn’t dare hurt us.”
Relieved
he took off running, hitting the doors just as the soldiers came over the wall.
“Where
is he?” Sergeant Padillo, a small weasel shaped man barked.
“Whom
do you seek?” Mother Superior said calmly facing him. “If it is God I assure you young man we have a very functional
gate where you might enter his house without crushing Sister Luke’s tomatoes.”
Both
Sister Luke and Sister Mary Katherine had flanked her now creating an unusual
gauntlet for the eight soldiers to circumvent.
“Look
Sister.”
“Good
day Sergeant,” she said dismissing him and slowly began walking towards the
church.
“Padillo!”
The
voice was sharp and made every man fall to attention. Recognizing the man and what his presence would mean, the nuns
kept walking; determined to reach the church doors before the men.
Lieutenant
Rounders quickly crossed the courtyard to his men; having been too dignified to
take their route into the mission.
He
conferred with his sergeant for a moment and then cast a scowl towards the
Mother Superior. Motioning his men
forward he caught the Sisters just as they reached the porch of the church
entrance.
“We
are looking for a prisoner, he came over your wall,” he said as the women
turned on his approach.
“Yes
it is the natural instinct of men to seek God when the devil is on their
heels,” the Mother Superior replied facing him.
“Where
is he?” Rounders snarled causing Sister Luke to take step back startled at the
venom in his voice.
“Sanctuary,”
the Mother Superior replied quietly.
“What!”
For
one brief moment everyone felt certain he was going to strike her. This included Kid who stood watching just
inside the door and silently and swiftly his gun leapt into his hand.
“He
had the right,” the Mother Superior said not flinching. She had been hit too many times before and
there came a point when a woman backed by God stopped letting fear be a weapon
to be used against her.
“You
cannot be serious!”
“Surely
you know Lieutenant that God never turns any man away who seeks his mercy.”
“He
is a wanted criminal.”
“He
is a child of God.”
“Who
must be brought to justice.”
“I
have seen you justice Lieutenant I am not impressed.”
“The
church no longer runs this part of the world Sister! I am an authority of the American Government and the State of
California and I demand you let me pass.”
“I
cannot refuse you entry; you have, as you say, authority and you have guns and
men. However,” and her smile was
angelic as it was directed at his Catholic group of men. “God can refuse a man entry into Heaven.”
Rounder’s
eyes narrowed as he heard his men start to mumble and shuffle their feet. This was the woman who’s Sisters cared for
their wives and helped their sick children.
She had known each of them since they had been boys.
Rounders
considered all of this. He was in
enough trouble in letting the man escape; it would not due to have the church
uprising on top of everything else.
Deciding time was on his side he gave her a mock bow.
“All
right Sister you win this round, but I am going to station my men around this
mission and the minute he tries to leave…well we shall ensure a little justice
of our own.”
“Lieutenant?”
the Mother Superior said pleasantly as the men eagerly turned to leave.
“Yes?”
“Please
have your men use the gate when they leave?
Sister Luke has spent so much time on her garden I would hate to see her
work abused in such a way again.”
Snarling
something she ignored, the man stormed towards the gate causing his men to
scurry to catch up.
“Mother
Superior that was great!” 12-year-old
Patrick McCulley said freeing himself from the grasp of the tall nun whom had
kept him in the shadows.
“My
mother says you are the bravest woman she has ever met,” shy doe eyed Manuel
Montoya added joining his friend.
The
two nuns who had kept the boys from joining the fray crossed themselves
grateful things had not gotten violent.
“The
nerve of that man,” the older, shorter one said fiercely.
“That
will be enough of that Sister Michaela,” the Mother Superior chastised. “And you Sister Aegidia,” she scolded the
shorter, younger one beside her. “One
does not clap when God wins an argument.”
“Yes
Mother,” the little nun said. “Oh but
you were wonderful! Such a bully that
one!”
“So
who did we give sanctuary too?” Sister Michaela said glancing at the doors of
the church.
“I
am just about to find that out,” the Mother Superior said and picking up her
skirts hurried into the cool refuge of the building.
**************************
Heyes
let out a long suffering sigh as he was offered a seat in the plush sitting
room of the hotel. He had been on his
way to a very large and important poker game when the two men had come up along
side him on the busy San Francisco street and ‘suggested’ he accompany them.
“I
don’t suppose you would like to tell me what this all about?” Heyes asked with
a pleasant smile that drained from his face as he recognized the man in the
corner of the room as an employee of Armenderez.
He
had thought he had seen the last of the aristocratic Mexican landowner and his
men at Appleby’s a week ago at the auction of the bust of Caesar.
“Mr. Smith,” Armenderez
said entering the room with three more men.
Heyes would say one thing for the man, he certainly knew how to
intimidate.
“Senor,”
Heyes said rising in respect.
“Thank
you for accepting my invitation.”
“You
have a way of inviting people they find hard to turn down,” Heyes said being
seated across from the man and taking the glass of brandy he was offered.
“My
men are very loyal, but lacking in certain social skills, please accept my
apology. I notice your partner is not
with you,” the man said lighting a cigar as Heyes refused the offer of one.
“Yes
he left with Mr. McCreedy,” Heyes replied knowing full well he all ready knew
that.
“And
he will be returning soon?” Armenderez said casually.
“Look
what’s this all about,” Heyes said losing patience. He had a poker game Silky had taken great pains to include him in
and he didn’t intend to miss it. In
fact it was the sole reason he had remained behind and let Kid take the job
guarding McCreedy alone.
“I
have just relieved Mr. McCreedy of his precious bust. He took it far too well Mr. Smith; I do not trust him. I also have great respect for you and your
partner. Why did he feel the need to
take Mr. Jones with him?”
“Because
he doesn’t trust you,” Heyes replied honestly.
“And
that is the only reason?”
Heyes
thought of his and Kid’s suspicions about the real reasons Big Mac had wanted
Kid along on his journey down the California coast to San Diego, but neither
had been untrusting enough to turn down the $1000 he had been offering for the
job.
Smiling
innocently he replied, “Important men don’t let me into their confidence Mr.
Armenderez. Now if you will excuse me I
am late for an appointment.”
“Certainly,”
Armenderez said rising with him. “But
one thing Mr. Smith? So far my battle
is against Mr. McCreedy, I would hate to think I had to add you and your
partner to my list of enemies.”
“So
would I sir, good night.”
Heyes
was still thinking about the encounter as he entered the private club and gave
the doorman his hat.
“A
telegram Mr. Smith,” the man at the reception area said handing Heyes the
message.
Concerned
he opened it, read it and then crumpled it angrily. Kid had been right, McCreedy had brought him along as a hired gun
planning on using his reputation to ensure cooperation on a land grab deal
concerning land Armenderez owned directly over the border.
Kid
had managed to bolt before his identity had been divulged, but he was now on
the trail penniless.
Quickly
Heyes scribbled a reply sending it along to the next town Kid had indicated he
was heading for and enclosing money to be wired along with it.
“Can
you see that this goes out immediately,” Heyes requested.
“Certainly
sir. Should I bring you a reply?”
Heyes
thought of the two-day marathon poker game ahead of him.
“No,
no just have the confirmation its been picked up sent to Mr. O’Sullivan’s house,
I’ll get it there.”
“Very
good sir and good luck.”
****************************
“You
are safe my son,” The Mother Superior said formally as she entered the
sanctuary with her rather odd group of followers.
“Thank
you ma’am,” Kid said stepping out of the shadows. “I’m beholding to you.”
“What
is your name?”
“Thaddeus
Jones ma’am.”
“Are
you Catholic?”
“No
ma’am, is that a problem?”
“To
some, but not to God,” she said almost smiling.
“You
look thirsty,” Sister Aegidia said handing him a cup of cool water.
“Thank
you Sister,” he said drinking it grateful.
“What
did you do to get them on you?” Patrick said fascinated. “They got my Pa under arrest too.”
“Patrick
Sean McCulley,” Sister Michaela groaned.
“Well
it seems I was in the wrong place at the wrong time,” Kid said honestly. “I think I overheard something certain
people wish I hadn’t of.”
He
didn’t miss the glance that stole around the group. What was it that had these people so frightened?
“Sit
down Mr. Jones,” the Mother Superior said.
“I am Anna, this is Sister Aegidia, Sister Michaela, Sister Mary
Katherine and you have met Sister Luke.
These two young men posing as ruffians are Manuel Montoya and Patrick
McCulley. Could you please tell us what
you overheard?” she said obviously not enjoying the need to ask him for a
favor.
“Well
it began when I arrived just outside of town.
I was dead weary and flat broke so I holed up in a barn at a deserted
farm house and went to sleep.”
“Sanchez
farm,” Sister Mary Katherine guessed.
“They were driven off last week.”
“Don’t
know about that ma’am, but I awoke to the sound of three men talking.”
“Did
you get their names?” the Mother Superior said a little too urgently.
“Yea
there was that Lieutenant fellow, another man who called himself Grayden, got
the impression he was a pretty important land owner around these parts and
another fella they called Judge.”
“Judge
Rivers,” Sister Aegidia said crossing herself.
“The unholy trio themselves.”
“What
did they?” the Mother Superior urged.
“Talked
about a fellow named…” he stopped realizing it was the same last name as one of
the boys.
The
woman immediately understood, “Manuel, Patrick you have chores to finish.”
“Aw
but it was just getting good Sister!” Patrick moaned.
“Now
young man!”
Reluctantly
the two boys shuffled out.
“Talked
about a fellow named Montoya, under arrest, and how he was too dangerous to
keep alive. Talked about getting rid of
him and making it looked like he tried to escape. They were also concerned that a priest, Father Robert?, had left town. That one, Rounders, said he
had sent men after him.
A
gasp of horror went over the group, followed by a flurry of crossings.
“Father
Robert left yesterday attempting to get word to the Governor of our
plight. We are virtually trapped here
unable to get a message to the outside world,” the Mother Superior explained
sinking into a pew wearily.
“Ma’am
if I can help,” Kid said dropping to one knee in front of her so he could meet
her eyes. “You just say the word.”
His
sincere, completely inappropriate response brought a smile to the woman’s lips,
which she quickly dispensed with.
“You
are most kind Mr. Jones, but I fear we are in God’s hands now.”
“It’s
the railroad,” Sister Luke explained as he looked around for an answer.
“And
greed,” Sister Michaela snorted.
“Santa
Fe line reaching Los Angeles?” Kid asked remembering how keen McCreedy had been
to get news of the expansion as they passed through Los Angeles.
“You
know of this?”
“My
work used to involve railroads, I know a bit about their tactics. Is the Santa Fe trying what the Southern
Pacific did up at Mussel Slough?” Kid asked referring to the slaughter of seven
men a year ago over farmland the railroad was trying to take back.
“Yes
and when Mr. Montoya stood up to them they threw him in jail on a trumped up
murder charge,” Sister Luke said fiercely.
“Sister
Luke where did you ever learn such language?” the Mother Superior winced.
“Mr.
Garcia explained it to me,” she blushed.
Kid
found himself laughing and that in turn made her smile and the Mother Superior
scowl at them both.
“You
will be safe here until Father Robert returns at the end of the week,” the
Mother Superior said rising. “The
fiesta is only a week away and Grayden would not dare to try anything with
everyone in town. You may have Father
Robert’s bed at the back of the church.”
“Thank
you ma’am, I won’t be any trouble at all.”
“Why
don’t I believe you Mr. Jones?” she said and then looked around to see which of
the Sister’s had giggled, but was unable to catch her.
“So
there is no way I can send a telegram to my partner ma’am?”
“I
am afraid not, is he likely to worry?”
“Born
expert at it ma’am.”
****************************
With
a happy yawn and a satisfied stretch Heyes stepped into the entry hall of
Silky’s home two days later.
He
had done well, very well. Silky’s rich
business acquaintances had played a fair game of poker, but they were no match
for his expertise, especially since it seemed lady luck had been riding with
him.
“Telegram
sir,” the butler offered him the envelope on a silver tray.
Thanking
him Heyes slowly opened it as he began climbing the stairs to bed suddenly
stopping.
The
message informed him the money had not been picked up. Mr. Jones had never reached Los Angeles.
“Dankins?”
Heyes called out to the butler.
“Yes
sir?”
“There
has been no word since this one?”
“No
sir, Mr. O’Sullivan did say to show you the morning papers when you awoke,
something about the railroad deal down south getting violent? Shall I awake you for supper sir?”
“No,
but you can saddle me a horse.”
“A
horse sir? Where shall I tell Mr.
O’Sullivan you are headed?”
“Los
Angeles.”
****************************
To
Kid’s surprise being trapped in a mission in the company of 5 nuns had not
turned out to be the grueling ordeal he had suspected it might. For one thing there was plenty of hard labor
to be done and for another he found the Sister’s company rather freeing and
relaxing. Society and his career choice had limited the opportunity of just
being friends with a woman, but the Sister’s calling relieved them all of any
expected sexual pretenses and they all lapsed into an amiable acceptance of one
another at face value.
He
also found himself re-evaluating the way he looked at a woman. At first the black, severe outfits had
dashed any thought of him thinking of them as such. It was almost as if they were a third sex to him. But he quickly found without a physical
appearance to define them he had to delve deeper and notice personalities and
characteristics to differentiate among them.
Sister
Luke for instance, though in her thirties, was the tomboy. Coming from farm country like him, he
quickly felt at ease with her practical common sense approach to problems. She was also impulsive, quick thinking and
brave and therefore always in trouble and the two found amusement in their
similarities.
Sister
Katherine Mary was the quiet graceful one who could find good in a heart of
stone. She had the voice of an angel and having overheard her once he from then
on arranged his day to make sure he was always working near her window at the
time where she sang as she manned her loom.
Sister
Aegidia was the cook and quickly took him to task for being so thin and began
working magic to fatten him. She was
cheerful, fun and he found it was impossible to spend five minutes with the
woman and not leave feeling better about yourself.
Sister
Michaela was the oldest and reminded him most of the nuns he remembered from
the home. Bent with rheumatism she
worked as hard as anyone and quickly earned his respect for the way she carried
on without complaint. When she snuck
his shirt away and he caught her returning it mended the next morning and he
thought of her enduring the pain in her fingers to perform the task his heart
went out to her.
Which
explained why he was in the Mother Superior’s office only 12 hours after
arriving.
“Mr.
Jones we do not kiss nuns.”
“It
was on the cheek ma’am, she mended my shirt,” Kid said trying not to feel 10
years old as the woman circled around his chair.
“And
then there are the flowers.”
“You
said to cut some for the alter?”
“Yes,
but not deliver bouquets to the Sister’s rooms!”
“I
thought they might cheer them up a bit.”
“And
then there is your working at the smithy.”
“Ma’am?”
“I
realize it is quite warm and the fire is rather hot, but please keep your shirt
on,” she coughed remembering his naked bronzed upper body and the way she and
the other Sisters had been momentarily stopped by the sight of him hammering
the horseshoe into submission. “You are
causing a distraction to my Sisters.”
Kid
looked up confused and then his eyes widened, “Ma’am?”
“You
are a handsome young man Mr. Jones, far too handsome and add charming and kind to
that and well I will be glad to see the back of you.”
“Sorry
to be so much trouble ma’am,” Kid said with genuine concern.
“Oh
it isn’t that,” she said sitting down frustrated at herself for thinking of how
much he reminded her of her own little brother. “It’s just I’m afraid of how much you are going to be missed when
you leave.”
He
looked up and this time she let him see the smile.
“Even
by you ma’am?”
“Did
I get flowers in my room?”
“Yes
ma’am.”
“Even
by me Mr. Jones.”
**********************************
“The
priest, you have secured him?” the obese, elegantly dressed older man asked
questioning Rounders.
“Yes
Mr. Grayden,” the officer said standing uncomfortably in the man’s plush
office, the man he was speaking with purposely keeping his back to him in a
show of disregard.
“And
this stranger, he is still holed up a the church?”
“Yes
sir.”
“Find
a way to make him leave.”
“But
sir there is no way we can entice him to leave…”
“Then
don’t, force him too.”
*****************************
“You
ask him,” Patrick McCulley said nudging his friend forward.
“Me? It is your idea!” Manuel said indignant.
Kid
missed none of this as he finished applying the last row of bricks to the wall
he had been repairing. The damage done
by the earthquake some 50 years ago still remained and there was much that
needed work.
“You
fellas wanna tell me what you are so darn terrified to ask me or am I gonna
have to sit here and guess all day?” Kid asked turning and giving them a smile.
Encouraged
they stumbled forward each one giving the other secret looks that spoke
volumes. Now whom does that remind me
of Kid thought amused.
“Mr.
Jones we wish to buy your services,” Manuel said and in order to entice him he
pulled out a small bag and dropped its contents into his hand.
The
diamonds on the bracelet caught the sun and dazzled them.
“Where
did you two get something like that!” Kid said whistling as he examined it.
“My
mother. It is all she has since the
government seized our estates when they arrested my grandfather.”
“And
what exactly am I suppose to do for this?” Kid asked.
“You
must play the fox!” Patrick said
eagerly.
“Wanna
try that again?”
“Every
year at fiesta Senor one of the soldiers dresses as the legendary fox who freed
the prisoners held captive by the Spanish Government unfairly a hundred years
ago. This year Lt. Rounders has taken
the part.”
“My
father was training to take his place so he could sneak in and free Manuel’s
grandfather,” Patrick said. “But he was
caught and arrested.”
“Training?”
“The
fox must be an expert with a sword, whoever played him would have to fool the
guards and the people by winning a mock battle against the soldiers. My mother was training him for the part.”
“Your
mother knows how to sword fight?”
“My mother is grand
lady,” the boy said stiffening not sure if his mother’s honor had been
insulted. “Her brother, my uncle won
many awards in Spain for his use with the sword, she used to play with him when
she was a child and became quite good before she grew up and became a lady.”
“I’m sure your mother is
very special Manuel,” Kid soothed liking the boy’s defense of her. “But how was Patrick’s father going to fool
everyone that he was the Lieutenant?”
“The fox wore a
disguise, a mask and dressed all in black so no one knew who had helped the
prisoner’s escape and his family would not be harmed.”
“Sounds like a great
story, but how can I help?”
“We want you to take my
dad’s place,” Patrick said.
“Me? With a sword?” Kid started to laugh. “Sorry fellas not my choice of weapon.”
“But my mother will
teach you, you have a week!” Manuel begged.
“Look I…”
Kid stopped suddenly
listening. The woman’s scream had rose
up over the high wall from the town square next to them.
“That was Sister Luke!”
Patrick said alarmed.
Kid started to run.
****************************
“Get your hands off of
me!” Sister Luke cried in terror now. At
first the behavior of three men taunting her and refusing to let her enter the
gates of the mission had seemed just drunken foolishness, but now the look in
their eyes convinced her it was something more.
Kid reached the gate in
time to see a storekeeper shut his window, the square had suddenly emptied and
to his amazement a soldier passing quickly turned and went the other way.
It was a trap, he knew
it was a trap.
“Let’s see what kind of
woman you really are!” one of the men growled clearing the dishes from a table
with a sweep of his hand and throwing the nun across it.
Kid’s leap took all
three of the men down in one massive tumble.
He was outnumbered, but
he was angry and the first man got the worst of it going down with one
punch. He then turned on the other two
to work out his rage.
“Sister get inside!” he
yelled and to his relief Manuel and Patrick had, had the courage to follow him
out and were quickly helping the woman down and to the gates.
He decked a second and
turned to the third when he heard the rifle click back.
“Ah Mr. Jones! Welcome,” Rounders voice sneered. “I guess
every man does have his price! Arrest
him!”
*********************************
Hannibal Heyes rode into
the village of San Juan Capistrano two hours later to find a subdued and wary
populace.
He had traced Kid as far
as the town before this one and he knew he would have had to go through there
on his way back. It was inquiring at
the last posting station he had over heard the gossip about a fair-haired
gringo seeking sanctuary at the church.
Dismounting he quietly
entered the Mission and began searching the grounds.
Frustrated he entered
the church and walked up to the front.
If Kid was there, he was doing a fair job of hiding.
Hearing voices and
deciding he was not quite ready to make his presence known he opened the door
of the compartment next to him and slid in.
It was a small box, with
a seat, almost like a wardrobe, but there was ventilation and on the whole it
was quite comfortable.
Tensing he heard someone
open the cubicle next to him and sit down.
“Forgive me Father for I
have sinned,” a voice said through a grate next to his ear.
Heyes froze considering
this revelation and its implication on him.
“Father?” the voice
queried when he said nothing.
A born Protestant Heyes
was completely at a loss on the etiquette of Catholic Confession, but he did
know how to bluff.
“So tell me about it,”
he said in a voice he hoped sounded Catholic.
“Father?” the woman said
shocked.
“I mean go ahead my
child,” Heyes said searching his memory for any phrases he might have picked
up.
This seemed to mollify
the woman a little and she continued.
“It has been one week
since my last confession.”
“Well that doesn’t sound
very long, how much trouble could you have gotten into in that short of time?”
That did it. He heard scuffling and suddenly the door to
his compartment was flung open and light flooded in blinding him.
“Who are you?”
Heyes squinting, his
eyes attempting to adjust to the light.
“Joshua Smith ma’am,” he said only able to make out dark curls and black
lace.
“Posing as a Priest!”
she gasped.
“Francesca what are you
yelling about I could hear you half way across the…” the red headed woman
clearly pregnant stopped and stared at Heyes in the confessional box.
“New Priest?” she asked innocently and clearly
impressed.
“Bridget
he was hiding in there.”
“Bridget
McCulley Father, tell me what order are you?
Rome come up with a new wild west version?” she said fighting a smile.
Heyes
liked her immediately and gave her a grin back as he eased out.
“Actually
wrong place, wrong time, forgive me ladies,” he said tipping his hat and
backing up.
“Oh
hey come back any time, I think I might start to look forward to confession
with you on the other side!” Bridget laughed.
“Bridget!”
Francesca said shocked as Heyes gave her a wink and another smile and hastily
retreated. “We are in a church.”
‘Fran,
God makes men that look like that He has to expect women to notice.”
Her
friend stared at her shocked.
Bridget
laughed, “I was joking! No I wasn’t,”
she sighed deciding it wasn’t good lie and lust in church. She stopped seeing her friend’s troubled face. “I’m sorry, I really am just as worried as
you are, I just deal with it differently.
Do you think the information this man Jones supplied was true…Jones…did
he say Smith? What was I saying? Oh yes what are we going to do?”
“The
only thing we can do, I must take your husband’s place in the plan.”
Bridget
McCulley bit back the smile as she took in the enchanting woman in black lace
and satin before her. Still in mourning
for her husband, her friend presented an elegant and refined picture of Spanish
nobility. It was quite a stretch to
imagine her dressed as a man.
“Fran
I know you mean well, but nobody is going to think you are a man.”
“I
must try. Meet me on the beach at noon
when everyone takes their siesta.”
“All
right, but borrow some real clothes from Marie for my sake?”
“What
is wrong with the way I am dressed?”
“Nothing
if you are being presented at court.
Think peasant, think comfortable, think something you can breathe in.”
“You
are so funny my friend, how wonderful it has been to have you to confide in.”
“Your
father in law ever finds out what you are planning it will be our last talk,”
she turned to leave with her friend and then took one last look at the
confessional and gazed heavenward.
“One
of your better works Lord,” she winked and crossing herself hurried out.
*********************************
Heyes had retired to the
saloon to think. Kid had been nowhere
in the church and the fact he was the only man in the saloon worried him. Something was very wrong.
“Quiet around here,” he
smiled at the bartender attempting to rally a conversation.
“Should be after that
spectacle,” the bartender said with a sigh.
“Not a man here don’t feel ashamed at his cowardice.”
“Why what happened?”
“One of the nuns got
attacked on the street.”
“And no one helped her?”
Heyes said amazed.
“Si, one did and he is
now in jail. I tell you Senor things are not good here, leave while you can.”
Heyes hastily downed his
drink and hurried outside. Only one man
in town willing to help a woman? It had
Kid stamped all over it.
Reaching the jail he
immediately turned around and retreated to the shade of a building far enough
away to study it without being noticed.
The old stone structure was built like a fort and a handful of guards stood
outside suggesting whomever it held was mighty important.
“You looking for someone
Mister?” Patrick said suddenly at Heyes’s side.
Heyes turned to look at
the two boys.
“The man arrested in the
square do you know his name?”
“Mr. Jones,” Manuel said.
Heyes looked at the boy
puzzled. He had been certain Kid had
been hiding out because they had realized he was Kid Curry.
“Jones you say?”
“Yes he is a friend of
ours,” Patrick said. “They tricked him
into coming out because he knew about them.
Why are you interested, you a friend of his?”
“Yes I am.”
“Mr. Jones said he had a
partner, you him?”
Heyes looked at them,
“Yes I am, Joshua Smith.”
The two boys shook his
hand formally glancing at one another.
“Mr. Smith how would you
like to help us break you partner out?” Manuel said the decision being
made. “This would allow us to return to
our original plan and not the one someone came up with using the fireworks for
the fiesta,” the boy added giving his friend a look and shaking his head.
“It would have worked I
know where they hide them,” Patrick started to argue back.
“Wait a minute what
original plan?” Heyes said stepping between them.
“The one where you
become the Fox!”
***************************************
“Fran
you are the only woman in California who can put on a peasant blouse and a
skirt and look like a queen, how do you do that? Do you need to be Spanish?” Bridget sighed from the rock where
she was watching her friend practice her fencing moves.
“I
feel naked! If Sebastion had ever saw
me dressed like this he would have had me beaten and sent home.”
“Sebastion
was a pompous, old…”
Francesca
gave her a look.
“Well
he was. Kept you all locked up in a
glass case like some doll to be shown when company comes.”
“It
was his right, I was his wife.”
“Well
now you are his widow and I still think risking your life to save his father is
a bit above and beyond the call of duty.”
“But
Don Pedro is a good man who has only showed me kindness, not to mention Sean,
we have to help them.”
“So
this is what the confession was for,” Heyes said pleasantly from the rock he
had been watching from.
“You!” Francesca said pointing the sword at him.
“In
the flesh.”
“Mother
look what we found!” Patrick said
scrambling past Heyes. “He’s going to
help us!”
“Hey
wait a minute I never said…” Heyes responded back indignant.
“Mr.
Jones is his friend. He wants to free
him too,” Manuel added.
“Thank
you Senor but we have no need of your help,” Francesca said dismissing him.
“But
mama, he can take Mr. McCulley’s place!” Manuel explained.
“Your
mom is going to do that,” Bridget said innocently causing Francesca to shoot
her a dark look.
“Ma’am?”
Heyes said amused. “I’ve seen this Lt and
I have to confess,” he said lingering on the word. “You don’t look anything like him.”
“Senora
McCulley! Senora Montoya,” a small dark
older Mexican woman cried hurrying up to them.
“Maria what is it?”
Francesca asked helping the woman to a seat on one of the large rocks that
littered the beach.
“It is Senor McCulley,
my Manno, he works at the jail, he says they have beat Mr. McCulley for
protecting Senor Montoya, he is hurt very bad.
He says they would have killed him if the stranger had not stepped in
and helped him.”
“Sean,”
Bridget said and she might have fallen if Heyes hadn’t of caught her and
supported her against him.
“Let
me take you back,” Heyes told her comfortingly. “We’ll get a doctor to him.”
“Rounders
will not allow a doctor,” Francesca said taking Bridget from him. “He wants them dead.”
“Let
me help you,” Heyes said frustrated as the women began to move through the
sand.
“We
do not need your help,” the woman said firmly.
“There
I think you are wrong,” Heyes said softly.
****************************
“They
would not let her see him,” Francesca said as Heyes waited outside the small
cottage they had seen Bridget too.
“I
have to get word to my friend that I am here.”
“Marie’s
husband might possibly be able, or one of the nuns.”
“Thank
you,” Heyes said turning to go and then on impulse looked back at the small,
overwhelmed figure watching her friend’s house helplessly. “And then when I get back we can start those
fencing lessons,” he added.
She
stared at him about to object and then suddenly nodded, “As you wish Senor.”
**************************
“Mr.
Jones?”
Kid opened his eyes and
closed them willing the pain in his head to go away. He and Heyes must have certainly strapped one on to elicit this
kind of hangover.… He stopped suddenly
remembering and opened his eyes into Sister Luke’s concerned ones.
“How
did you get in here?” he said attempting to sit up and then regretting the
sudden movement.
“The
Mother Superior insisted, everyone was getting 300 years in purgatory if they
didn’t let us in. She’s with Mr.
McCulley now. He was hurt pretty
bad. Mr. Montoya said you were the one
who pulled the men off of him. Sister
Mary Katherine thinks you are an angel.”
“Can’t
be, my head wouldn’t hurt this bad,” Kid said sitting up.
“I
wanted to thank you for what you did for me.
You gave up everything to save me,” she said as if unable to comprehend
his actions.
“Can’t
help it, pretty girls do that to me,” he winked and regretted the movement with
a wince.
She
laughed knowing what he was doing and they both turned sharply at a stern cough
of interruption coming from the doorway of the tiny jail cell.
“Mr.
Jones must I add don’t flirt with nuns to your list of things not to do?”
“Guess
you better,” Kid smiled at the Mother Superior not missing the concern in her
eyes.
“Sister
Luke go help Sister Michaela while I look at Mr. Jones head, which has no doubt
swelled more to your flattery than any blow leveled at it.”
The
nun quickly changed places with her superior who sat next to Kid and gently
examined the large bump at the back of his head.
“Hit
you from behind, the cowards,” she said to herself as she squeezed water from
the rag into the bowl.
“Is
this going to hurt?” Kid said dubious.
“Mr.
Jones I spent the entire Civil War in battlefield hospitals I assure you I know
what I am doing,” she smiled when he didn’t look convinced. “And I grew up with a father and six
brothers who fought as much as they drank, I have had experience dealing with
men who have had their heads knocked together.”
Then
softly as she moved closer to tend his wound she added, “Your partner is
here. He asked me to give you a message.”
“Joshua?”
“Yes,
dark hair, eyes, too charming for his own good I might add.”
“That’s
him,” Kid said leaning back grateful and relieved and then looked at her, “Did
he say anything else?”
“He
said to tell you not to worry, he had a plan. I got the impression that would
mean something to you?”
Kid
smiled, “Yes ma’am it means things are finally going to get interesting around
here.”
****************************
“Hey! You almost got me!”
“Then
move out of the way!” Francesca said irritably. It was day 5 of the lessons and things were not going well. “Rounders is an expert swordsman, no one is
going to believe you are him if you don’t get some confidence. The drama is tomorrow you must be ready if
the plan is to succeed.”
“The
only thing I am worried about right now is getting through this lesson in one
piece,” Heyes snapped back.
“Well
if you weren’t so arrogant…”
“I
am not arrogant!”
“Do
not shout at me Mr. Smith!”
“I
am not shouting,” Heyes yelled.
They
both stood there fuming at one another.
“I
need a drink,” Heyes said suddenly.
“You
could drive me to want one as well,” she spat back.
Giving
her a dark look he tossed his sword down and walking over to his horse swung
into the saddle and rode off.
Arriving
in town he pulled up to the saloon to find it closed.
“Just
great,” he said throwing up his hands.
“Not
going well?” Bridget asked smiling at him from across the way. “Let me guess Fran?”
“That
woman is the most condescending, haughty, proud…”
“Oh
you two are getting along I am so glad.”
He
glared at her.
“Need
a drink huh?”
“Badly.”
“Come
along to my house,” Bridget said taking the hands of two small children
clutching the fold of her dress. “The Irish never close.”
“She
called me arrogant!” Heyes said amazed.
“Has she always been that irritating?” Heyes asked frustrated.
“She’s
not irritating, she’s being what she was taught to be, a proper Spanish noble
lady.”
“How
did you two ever become friends?”
“Manuel
and Patrick. She came storming into my
house to say my son had made her son go skinny dipping in the church fountain.”
Heyes
laughed, “And?”
“And
I recognized a lonely lady who was no more than a trophy for her husband and
family. I also saw a caring woman who
loved her child very much and didn’t have one person to be human with.”
Heyes
looked at her, “Lonely, the woman is rich, beautiful…”
“She
was born in Spain Mr. Smith, she was shipped over to this country at 14 to be
wed to a man 20 years her Senor.”
“I
didn’t know,” he said softly.
“Of
course you didn’t, you’re a man, they never do…saints protect us,” she said
stopping suddenly horrified.
Heyes
turned to follow her gaze and watched as an old man beaten and bloody was
roughly pulled from a crude wagon and pulled into the jail.
“Father
Robert!” Bridget said moving to run to him.
Heyes
caught her, “There is nothing you can do…yet.”
The
woman collapsed against him sobbing, “That poor man, he would never hurt
anyone, how could they?”
Heyes
held her, stroking her hair and murmuring comfort, but his eyes, his eyes never
left the jail and they were cold as death.
**********************************
Heyes stepped onto the beach and pulled his sword from the sand where he had left it. The sun was dropping quickly, but he did not notice the colorful way it had chosen to leave. What he had seen in the market place had angered and sickened him.
“Francesca!”
he said sharply when he could see no sign of her. They did not have time to waste and he was in no mood for
games. He wanted one last attempt with
that sword, one last attempt to prove to himself they had a hope of pulling
this off.
She leapt from her hiding place behind the large rock he stood beside. The sword in her hand taunted him with the unspoken words – you’ll never best me.
“I have warned you Mr. Smith. You must be ready at all times!”
But
to her surprise he was ready, mercilessly parrying back and forcing her on the
defensive for the first time since they had begun the lessons
Fueled by anger and worry and the knowledge his
friend’s life depended on how well he could hold his own with the weapon, Heyes suddenly went from novice to a dangerous and
unpredictable opponent. He did not do
what was expected, he did not move where he
should have and all this was partnered with a desperate edge that kept her off
guard.
Suddenly he lunged with such power she stumbled
and fell avoiding his attack. Sprawling back into the sand, her sword flew from
her hands and she found herself looking up into the tip of his sword pointing
down at her.
Heyes
was as startled as she was and quickly pulled the weapon back, his breathing
heavy. Looking down into her surprised
eyes he read shame, then anger and finally disgust with herself for allowing
him to best her.
“Well
go on!” she spat pushing herself up on her back elbows, her knees raised up in
a most unladylike and tantalizing position.
“You won sir, claim your victory.”
But
his anger had been replaced with hope and something more, a
respect. Tossing his sword into the air
he caught it so that the hilt was offered to her. Adding a mock flourish, he extended it as a tribute to her.
“The student acknowledges the master,” he
said. There was no mocking in his
voice.
Hesitantly she reached up to see if he would indeed surrender the weapon and to her surprise he did and then turned to leave.
“Joshua.”
One word, but the way it was uttered made him
turn back expectant and startled. It
was the first time she had called him by his first name.
Perhaps
it was the excitement the fight had brought up in each of them, or maybe it was
the tension of what lay in wait on the morrow, or maybe it was just she had
just finally met a man worth the risk.
“Don’t go,” she
whispered a wealth of meaning behind the plea
He
stood for a second looking into her eyes, his surprise turning to hunger at the
possibility of what they promised.
Dropping to his knees between hers he forced himself to stay calm and
make sure he had read her offer correctly.
Searching her eyes for doubt or fear, he only found excitement that was
beginning to match his own.
Gently
he reached down and slowly raised her bare foot to his lips and gently kissed
the hollow of it.
She
gasped at this most simple act and fell back, propped, half sitting against the
smooth, flat rock.
His
eyes glittering, Heyes gently used both hands to push her dress up her bare
right leg in a in a slow, delicate upward caress that caused her to grip the
sand in her fists.
Delighted with the reaction, he reached just above her knee and then with a lazy smile turned to repeat the process along her left leg.
She
had never felt a touch like this before.
He did not linger long, but yet he left every inch of her skin aching
for his hands to return. He was gentle,
but so clearly male in the way he explored her that she felt she would die if
something made him stop.
Finally he stopped just on her inside thigh and gently used his knee to widen the gap and allow him to kneel directly over her slightly raised torso.
To
her surprise and obvious disappointment, he switched his attention to her
hands. Raising each one up he blew the
sand from them and lightly kissed the tip of each finger, his eyes closed as he
did.
She
pulled her hands from his. “Kiss me,”
she whispered and reached for him. He
gave her an infuriating smile and softly replied,
“Not
yet.”
His hands slipped to her waist and held her in a
tight grip as if unsure which direction to pursue.
Her hands grasped the front of his shirt in
desperate anticipation, pulling him to her.
Moving one hand behind her back, he supported her and turned his attention
to the laces that tied up the sheer peasant blouse she had disguised herself
in. With an expert hand the lace was
quickly pulled free allowing her breasts to spill out.
With a groan, the first
hint of how in check he was holding himself, he cupped one and kissed her
neck. As the kiss edged its way down he
tantalizingly began circling the nipple of her breast with his thumb in a slow
circular motion that made her arch her back into him.
“Please,”
she whispered unable to move.
He pulled her up to him and smiled brushing a kiss
across her lips, a quick almost chaste act that baffled and excited her at the
same time.
“You
are so beautiful,” he said entwining his fingers in her thick dark hair and
tugging it free of the clip that had held it.
The
sight of her hair tumbled down around her face made him tighten his grip and
pull her closer.
This time the kiss demanded complete submission
and she gave it willingly, leaning into him, willing her body to mold into his.
He
pulled away after a moment, but she knew he had struggled to and it excited
her.
“You are a temptress,” he chuckled in her ear. “Are you sure?” he asked searching her eyes one last time for any reluctance.
She nodded her throat so dry, words were impossible.
He
smiled triumphant and to her astonishment stood and pulled her up into his arms
and began striding purposely across the sand.
“Where?” she managed.
“Your
bed,” he said. “You are too much of a
lady to be taken in public.”
“I
don’t mind,” she said and blushed.
She laid her head against his shoulder and
hadn’t realized she had said it aloud until he laughed delighted and paused to
kiss her.
“But
I do. I don’t think we want to be
interrupted, we have all night after all.”
He
reached his horse and setting her down as if she was something wondrous and
fragile. He swung up into the saddle
and bent down reaching for her.
He pulled her up settling her in front of him and wrapping a possessive
arm around her waist, kicked the horse into a gallop.
He reached the villa and released her next to
the gate so she could enter alone.
She
flew through the doors giving orders not to be disturbed and raced up the
stairs to the startled looks of her servants.
Entering
her room she shut the door and quickly looked around expectantly at the open
French windows.
Suddenly
an arm slipped around her waist from behind her and she was in his arms.
He
had removed his shirt and boots and the sensation of his bare, hard chest against
her made her gasp at the need welling up inside of her and she fell into him in
complete surrender.
With no restraint on him Heyes began to kiss her
without thought or care. So passionate
was his response that she would have fallen had he not held her to him. Finally they tumbled onto her white linen
bed and this time his hands moved swiftly and efficiently, tossing her bodice
and skirt aside.
She
laid back her senses on overload. His
hands were everywhere knowing exactly where to caress to elicit a response and
causing her to slip further and further outside of herself. All that mattered was that moment and the
sensations he caused her body to endure in anticipation. And then when she was almost weeping with
frustration he entered her.
She
dug her nails into her palms as she hugged him to her. He smelt like salt and sweat and something
that had never had a name before
Lovemaking had never been like. Her husband had been kind, but
indifferent. It would never have
occurred to him that she might require something from the act herself.
But
this man, he did nothing without checking her response, even seeming to enjoy
her pleasure and knowing how to build on it.
Never had she felt so completely lost and found in one moment.
When
she climaxed it frightened her. She had
never understood that the dull ache that had been her constant companion could
be relieved; she cried out in wonder and discovery.
It was the signal he had been waiting for and
came himself, collapsing on her in a gasp of wonder of his own.
They
both just lay their tangled magically in one another for a long moment. Before she had endured a man’s weight on
her, wishing the entire time he would just roll off and free her, but not this
time. This time she wanted to feel the
heavy pressure of his body on hers, to make the moment last, linger.
Finally
he looked up and kissed her and smiled as he brushed the hair out of her face.
“Are you all right?” he asked checking her eyes
for the answer; what he saw there, gave him all the answers he needed.
She
was suddenly embarrassed, looking away from him. Sensing it he rolled off her allowing her to rise and move to
leave.
“Where do you think you are going?” he teased
catching her arm, but his grip was tantalizing firm in its insistence that she
not leave.
Surprised she turned back, “You still want
me?” Never had her husband ever
required her to stay with him after he had been satisfied, most times he had
never heard her leave the bed for her own.
It
was his turn to be surprised, but then he understood and in answer pulled her
back to lie against him, tucking her in the crook of his arm and pulling her
tight against him.
“The
night is just beginning,” he whispered and proceeded to prove it to her.
*******************************
Dawn found preparations for the fiesta all ready
under way, but a shadow had been cast over the celebration. Word of the priest’s arrest had set the
people muttering and crossing themselves and glancing heavenward for God’s
vengeance.
From
the window of the officer’s quarter’s Heyes quickly slipped on the final piece
of the outfit he had taken from the man now bound and gagged in the corner.
“Senor,” Heyes saluted
Rounders with his sword and paused for a moment to catch his reflection in the
window. The black silk shirt and cape,
the mask, the knee high boots his black trousers were tucked in, the effect was
rather dramatic and Heyes winced thinking what Kid’s reaction would be to the
costume.
Then
turning he climbed out the window onto the roof.
The fox had returned.
*******************************
“Now you are certain you know
what to do?” Francesca said worriedly as the small pocket of conspirators
huddled in the shadows of the jail as the crowds began to fill the square in
anticipation of the upcoming drama.
“As soon as everyone is watching
Mr. Smith I gain entry to the jail on pretext of checking on Mr. McCulley,”
Sister Luke recited. “Mr. Garcia has
smuggled a gun in with the clean bandages.
After they let me in I am to claim it an pass it off to Mr. Jones along
with the key to his cell.”
“And make sure its Mr. Jones,”
Patrick said firmly. “Mr. Smith says a
gun in his hands is worth ten armed men.”
“I don’t like to think what the
Father is going to say about this,” the Mother Superior sighed. “Nuns smuggling guns.”
“Given the choice between that
and murder I think he might tend to be a bit understanding,” Bridget said.
“I wonder who they have gotten to
play the prisoners?” Sister Michaela said curious as a roar went up and they
realized the actors were being led out to the mock firing squad.
“Holy Mother of God,” Sister
Mary Katherine suddenly gasped.
“It’s Pa!” Patrick said wide
eyed from the pole he was propped on.
“And Mr. Jones and Father Robert and Mr. Montoya!”
“They’ve tricked us,” Francesca
said horrified. “This is how they plan
to kill them!”
“What that is crazy? All these witnesses?” Bridget said shaking.
“An accident they’ claim or a
terrible plot, they’ll whitewash something,” the Mother Superior said
angrily.
“Looks like we have a change in
plans,” Heyes said quietly from the dark shadows behind them. “No, no don’t turn around just listen.”
And the plan was suddenly no longer
the Fox’s, but Hannibal Heyes’s.
*********************************
Kid
looked around the crowd trying to catch his partner’s face. He knew things had
gone desperately awry when they had been dragged from their cells. Heyes’s hope to enter the jail in disguise,
(of which that part Kid was still unclear on), and lead them off had been
dashed when they had become part of the drama.
He
looked over at the Father and McCulley, both were sagging under being forced to
stand and neither man could have made a run for it without help. Montoya was not much better. He was pushing
seventy years old and his time in the jail having taken its toll on him.
It
felt hopeless. Heyes don’t do anything
stupid Kid thought stubbornly willing his partner to accept the fact that this
time they had run out of chances.
“Ready!”
“Aim!”
“Wait!”
Before
anyone could stop them the Mother Superior and her nuns had quickly walked into
the line of fire.
“What
are you doing! This is not how it goes!”
Padillo yelled as his six men immediately put their rifles down.
“We
have come to offer last rites!”
“Can
nuns do that?” Padillo asked one of his men who shrugged.
But
the crowd was loving this change in the tradition and cheering the women on.
“Bless
you my son,” the Mother Superior said quietly to Kid and he felt his bonds cut
free and then the pressure of cold metal being pushed into his hands.
“Thank
you ma’am,” Kid smiled.
“Wait
for the fox.”
On
this cryptic message she moved on to free the next man of his bindings.
“Wait
for who?” Kid said, but shook it off and whispered to the two men beside him.
“On my signal run for it, as many directions as possible,” Kid ordered softly
cocking back his gun. “I’ll cover you.”
“Lad
you only have six bullets,” Father Robert said.
“Yea
and there are only six of them,” Kid said.
“Get ready.”
*****************************
“Are
we quite through?” Judge Rivers said
from the official’s platform above the scene where he sat with Grayden. He was tiny man and was sweating nervously
from something other than the heat.
“I
think not Senor,” a voice said behind him and a gasp went up from the crowd as
Heyes placed his sword at the man’s back.
“I believe you have some information you wish to give these people.”
“Arrest
him! Arrest him!” Rivers said about to drop from apoplexy.
“I
wouldn’t,” Heyes smiled as the guard attempted to move forward. “Not unless you
want this sword through your back. But
since you are so unaccustomed to public speaking allow me to explain. It seems Judge Rivers and Mr. Grayden have
decided the performance today lacked a sense of reality, that is why those
rifles are not loaded with blanks, go ahead check them,” Heyes said.
One
of the soldiers obliged him and looked up surprised and horrified, “He is
right! We would have killed a priest!”
The
murmuring of the crowd was rising now as everyone began to talk.
“This
is all a mistake,” Judge Rivers said terrified now and behind them Grayden
slipped from the platform. “Do not listen to this man!”
“Shoot
them!” Rounders said suddenly appearing
on the wall sword in his hand and pointing out the prisoners.
The
men hesitated. This was for real
now. Seeing their reluctance Bridget
suddenly ran forward with Patrick and put McCulley’s arms around their
shoulders and began attempting to help him off.
The
Sister Luke and Mary Katherine were instantly at the Father’s side and did the
same for him as Francesca and Manuel helped Montoya.
“Shoot
them!”
“First
man that tries I kill,” Kid said stepping forward his gun out.
The
crowd was enraptured now. The sight of
Kid standing his ground while the men were helped from the firing wall brought
up a cheer.
“How
long are we going to let these scoundrels force out neighbors and finally us
from our land!” Montoya said mounting
the stage next to Heyes.
“I
said fire!” Rounders said leaping down into the crowd and pushing his way to
the front. Suddenly he saw someone in
the crowd and pulled her to him. “Step down Montoya or your granddaughter is
dead,”
The
crowd pulled back in a circle as Francesca was pushed forward by him to face
the stand.
“Francesca!”
Montoya said horrified, but Heyes reacted even as he spoke leaping down next to
the man and pointing his sword at him.
“A
challenge Senor?” Rounders laughed. “I
must warn you I am the best swordsman in California and what is more I do not
play fair.”
And
with that he pushed Francesca to the ground and lunged his sword at Heyes.
The
fight was on.
**************************
Kid
squinted sure he could not be seeing correctly. Heyes?
“You
heard the Lieutenant!” Padillo said attempting to rally his soldiers. A few picked up their rifles and aimed it at
Montoya and the escaping prisoners.
It
was then the fireworks went off.
From
that point on the scene could only be described as pure madness. The crowd thinking the soldiers were firing
on them and still smarting from their inaction involving Sister Luke fell on
the soldier with new courage fueled further by the consumption of new wine.
“Mr.
Jones!” Sister Michaela cried and
pointed.
Kid
looked up from helping Sister Mary Katherine over the church wall in time to
see the Mother Superior being dragged away by Grayden.
Pushing
his way through the crowd Kid quickly caught up with the man at the far corner
of the outside mission wall.
“Let
her go,” Kid said moving in as the man held the woman in front of him in a neck
lock.
“Bring
me my carriage.”
“Can’t
let you do that.”
“I
will kill her.”
“Can’t
let you do that either,” Kid said simply
Suddenly
the Mother Superior bit down hard on the man’s hand causing him to loosen his
grip. Kid saw his chance and leapt
forward pulling the nun free and throwing her clear. Then turning back to
Grayden with a great deal of satisfaction he knocked the man down where to
Kid’s disgust he refused to move.
“You
okay?” Kid asked hugging the woman.
“Yes
thank you and Mr. Jones…”
“
I know, I know,” he laughed looking down at her. “I’m not suppose to hug nuns.”
“Actually,”
she smiled up at him. “I was just going
to say thank you!”
**************************
With
the riot in full swing all attention had left Heyes and Rounders and the
lopsided fight shifted into the market corridor where Heyes found himself
ducking and dodging to keep from being killed.
Suddenly
from the corner of his eye he saw something that gave him an idea.
Falling
back as if he had tripped Rounders laughed and closed in on him.
“You
were hardly an opponent Mr. Smith, completely unfair of me to take advantage of
your amateur status, but like I said, I do not play fair.”
“Neither
do I,” Heyes said and viciously cut the rope in front of him sending the heavy
awning crashing down on the man.
The
man made one attempt to rise, but Heyes’s fist soon settled that idea.
“Joshua!” Francesca said running up to him, “How?”
“You’re
a better teacher than you thought,” he smiled and kissed her.
****************************
Kid,
having given up his attempt to convince the Mother Superior to return to the
church, hurried back to the official stand with her almost colliding with
Francesca and Heyes as he did. Or at least
he thought it was Heyes.
“Joshua?”
Kid said losing all attempts not to grin as he took in the outfit.
Giving
him a disgusted look Heyes pulled off the mask. “It is a long story.”
“Oh
and I am sure a good one,” Kid said laughing now. “And one I will probably retell many time.”
Heyes
gave him another look.”
“They
have all gone mad!” Francesca said in horror at the fighting going around them.
“It
is about time they stood and fought,” Montoya said coming up and putting an arm
around her kissed her on the forehead.
Suddenly
there was the sound of many horses approaching at full gallop and everyone
looked up worried. If the soldier’s
reinforcements had arrived the scene could become a blood bath.
The
group moved to find cover when a voice from one of the horsemen called out.
“Montoya?”
The
old man turned and a smile broke across his face.
“Armenderez?”
he greeted in relief.
Armenderez
quickly leapt from this horse to greet the man with a hug befitting a long and
dear friendship.
“And
can this be little Francesca!” he laughed turning to hug her. “Mother Superior,” he added respectfully
bowing to the woman.
And
then at last he turned to look at Kid and Heyes with something akin to
amusement and wonder.
“Mr.
Jones. Mr. Smith, I see the fox
lives,” he greeted and then couldn’t help but add. “I always suspected Smith was an alias for something more
interesting!”
Historical
Notes:
The
Southern Pacific Railroad was indeed responsible for the death of seven men in
Central California on May 11, 1880 in an incident now referred to as the Mussel
Slough Tragedy. The Santa Fe Railroad
eventually did arrive in Los Angeles in 1885 after a series of political
underhanded moves and illegal land grabs.
Over 600
nuns served as nurses to the soldiers on both sides during the Civil War often
working right from the battlefield.
In 1919
Johnston McCulley wrote the first, (The Curse of Capistrano) of 65 serialized novels
involving the masked avenger Zorro. The
idea supposively coming from a tale told him by his father…