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?”