DANGEROUS TO KNOW

Drena Hills

 

 

 

            The fog was early that night, drifting across the water like some unhurried predator sure of its conquest.  Upon reaching the docks it dampened everything it touched and then draped itself around the street lights like a veil.  The effect was both unsettling and chilling.

 

She pulled her thin shawl in tighter around her, torn between the extra warmth it provided and the image she was trying to convey to anyone watching.   It had been a slow night despite the scarcity of competition.  She shivered, not completely from the night air, as she tried to force the rumors she had heard from her mind.  The November cold was worse here by the water, but she felt safer on the docks.  Work didn’t end here at sundown, there was always someone, sailors, merchants coming and going and cargo to be unloaded.  People, she assured herself, as long she was around people she was safe.

 

He stood out in the open, but he still managed to surprise her.  She froze ready to bolt and run until she took in his fine silk cape and top hat.  Come from the opera, she thought, or the theater.  A real gent this one, probably some shipping magnet come to check on cargo arriving.

 

She ran her tongue over her lips to give them a shine and smoothing down her skirt she let the ends of the shawl drop to reveal the low, ample cut of her dress.

 

“Good evening,” he said touching the brim of his hat.

 

“Evening sir,” she said surprised at such a show of respect.  Perhaps her luck was changing.

 

“Rather late to be out,” he scolded gently.  “The streets are not safe.”  He had an accent, upper class…no, English.

 

“Kind of you to think of me sir,” she said demurely drawn to his concern like a moth to a flame.

 

He held up a white-gloved hand holding a $20 gold piece.  “I have a carriage, can I take you somewhere?”

 

Her eyes grew as round as the coin and eagerly she took the arm he offered.  Oh wait till I tell the others about this, she thought giddily as he led her to the waiting carriage.  Wouldn’t their eyes just pop out of their heads if they could see her now! 

 

He opened the door to the enclosed carriage and signaled something to the driver atop hidden in the shadows.  Then turning to her he offered a hand up and she swept inside feeling like a grand lady.

 

Pausing a moment, he cast a furtive glance down the dock.  Satisfied there were no witnesses he turned and followed her in taking no caution now to hide the blade in his hand.

 

 

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

 

 

“This city gets bigger every time we come,” Kid grumbled dodging a delivery wagon as he and Heyes manipulated the crowded street.

 

                “Kid you just got a thing against progress,” Heyes told him and then had to leap back himself to avoid being splattered by a wagon wheel hitting a mud puddle.

               

“Well if this is progress it’s noisy and dirty and nobody cares about nobody,” Kid said grumpily.  “Did you see that paper at the livery?  Three women dead and nobody saw nothin’.  In a place with this many people.  Don’t seem right somehow Heyes.”     

               

Heyes smiled sympathetically.  Kid had never come to love San Francisco like he did.    Heyes enjoyed the sensory overload of so many people in such a tiny space.  It made him feel alive.  The never-ending hustle and bustle energized him.  But for Kid, who viewed every stranger as a potential problem, it could become rather overwhelming.

               

They had gone straight to Silky’s straight from the stables for that very reason.  Kid being a much more amiable soul after a drink and a chance to clean up.  But they had arrived there only to find the friend whose help they had come to enlist was away.  Tired and travel weary they had gotten directions to a hotel they could afford and were now closing in on it.

 

                “You think Molly’s gonna help us without Silky’s influence?” Kid asked stepping into the alley the hastily scribbled directions indicated was a shortcut.

 

                “Molly’s family,” Heyes said remembering the vivacious older woman who had taught the two of them a few tricks about women and life in their past encounters.  “She’ll help once we explain…”  Heyes stopped.  Kid had frozen and put a hand out to stop him.  He followed his friend’s gaze further down the alley to a confrontation taking place.

 

Six men, four with side arms, the other two dressed as gentlemen, one older with a mustache, the younger, taller man thin and hawk like.  They had been backed into the wall and it was clear that even though it was broad daylight a robbery of some sort was in progress.

 

                “This is exactly what I mean,” Kid said not bothering to lower his voice even though Heyes shushed him.   “People all around and nobody notices nothin’.  I tell you Heyes if this is progress then I’m against it.  Time was a man would help another.  Time was people would notice when someone was in trouble.” 

 

Highly indignant now and seeing a chance to work off some of it he began walking towards the men.

 

                Heyes grabbed his arm, “What do you think you are doing?” Heyes hissed at him still trying to keep their presence hidden.

               

“Noticing.”

 

                He pulled free and kept walking.  Heyes sighed and rolled his eyes.  There was no arguing with Kid when he got in one of these moods.  He sighed and started after him resigned.  He was worried, but it wasn’t about his cousin.

 

                “I thought we made it clear that you weren’t welcome here,” the leader of the men said slapping a Billy club in his hand menacingly.

 

                “Yea,” the second man said with a sneer.  “Ain’t nothing for you here.”

 

                “Remarkable,” the thin man said dryly, upper class English accent evident.  “I had been led to believe that America was the land of opportunity.”  He flicked a match and lit a cigarette and as Heyes got closer he could sense no fear in either man.  Whoever they were they either weren’t very smart or no stranger to being outnumbered.

 

                “Is there a problem here gentlemen?” Kid asked stepping over beside the two Englishmen in a clear sign of who he was aligning himself with.

 

                “This ain’t your concern,” the leader spat, but his eyes did not miss the ride of Kid’s gun or the look in his eyes.

               

                “Well let’s just say I’m making it my concern,” Kid said pulling off his right glove.  A move lost on none of the men.

 

Suddenly the second man panicked and went for his gun.  Kid had his drawn, removed it and still had time to shoot the gun out of the second man’s hand.  Heyes who had acquired a large piece of wood as he had followed, slammed the fourth burly man down with it and dusted off his hands pleased to have kept his involvement limited.  He turned to see if Kid needed help with the leader and was in time to see the taller English gentleman swiftly bringing his friend’s cane up and down on the man’s skull dropping him with a crash into a broken crate.

 

                “Thank you gentlemen.  Most efficiently executed,” he said returning the cane to his friend enlivened by the encounter.

 

                “You handle yourself pretty well,” Kid said.

 

                “Yes my work tends to demand it,” he replied.

 

                “Lawman?” Kid asked poker faced.

 

                “Consulting detective, Sherlock Holmes, may I present my friend Dr. John Watson.”

 

                “A distinct pleasure gentlemen.  I have heard of the fast draw, but I never thought I would witness such a stunning example of  it under such desperate circumstances.  My thanks to you both,”  Watson said offering his hand.

 

                “Thaddeus Jones,”  Kid said.

 

                “Joshua Smith,” Heyes said.   “You gentlemen seem to be a long way from home.”

 

                “Yes London actually,” Watson said obviously the more sociable of the pair.

               

“You want to tell the Sheriff about them?” Kid asked.

               

“No, no need, they are just representatives of the man I am looking for.  It would prove fruitless.  Good day to you gentlemen and again our thanks.  Kansas obviously produces its share of gentlemen.”

               

Kid watched them leave, “How did he know we were from Kansas?”

               

“Maybe people from Kansas have a reputation for not minding their own business, now are you through shooting up the place or do you want to notice a bit more?”

 

“Just proves what I was saying, guns going off and not one person comes running to check it out.  I tell ya Heyes I don’t know what the world is coming to.”

 

                “If its gonna make you philosophical then I don’t either, now come on!”  he gave his partner a push and they exited the alley into the street.

 

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

 

                “Would anyone like to offer any thoughts before we vote?” Kara said trying not think about momentousness of the decision she was chairing.

 

                The twelve other women in the room glanced around.  It would have been hard to find a more diverse and yet compatible group she thought.  Ranging in ages from 18 to 25 and geographical starts that crossed the country, they were singularly intelligent and collectively brilliant.

 

                “I’ve been over the books a 100 times,” Diane said her dark eyes frustrated.  “There’s money, but I’d be hard pressed to tell you where Molly hid it.”

 

                Terri glanced up at the mention of her aunt, a women she hadn’t even known existed until two months ago.  She smiled amazed at how much they had all come to mean to each other over such a short time.   And whoever thought she would one day feel at home in the garish purple and gold sitting room she now sat in.

 

                “I know my aunt meant to tell me,” she said apologetically.  “She was just so delirious towards the end.”

 

                “It’s us that owe you,” Rene said.  “I don’t know how anyone of us would have fared without her taking us in.”

 

                “Your aunt was a wise women,” Aviva said from the doorway where she stood her exotic countenance looking the most at home in the bold colors of the room.  “When everyone lost all they had in the last crash your aunt was lending the banks money.”

 

                “Look,” Susan said jumping up from the chair, it unable to contain her nervous energy.  “We know we can make a go of the school.  Look at us!  Teachers, librarians, artists, musicians, scientists.  We have administration and accounting covered, there is nothing we lack to make our school a success!”

 

                “Except money,” Diane said dryly.

 

                “Sometimes you have to give up something to get something,” Kellie said stuffing a vagrant dark curl behind her ear absently.

 

                “It’s a big step,” Tina said.

 

                “But if we stick together, look after each other,” Carla said determined.

 

                “Just as long as we all understand this is a life changing decision,” Marti cautioned.

 

                “Yes, but the fact we have the freedom to make the decision ourselves,” Sherry said breathless at the thought.  “Imagine having the freedom to take charge of our own destinies.”

 

                “It also gives us no one else to blame,” Rene grinned.

 

                “All right then all in favor indicate with a show of hands,” Ann said

 

                There was a sharp intake of breath and  then one by one every hand in the room went up.

 

                “Then it’s agreed,” Ann said.  “Tonight Molly re-opens.”

 

 

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

 

                “And where do you think you’re going?” Aviva’s startled voice cut across the wide kitchen stopping the frail young woman at the door.

 

                “Shhh, they’ll be hearin’,” Lucy said draping her scarf over her dark curls.

 

                “Hearing what?”  Terri said stepping into the room with Kellie and Marti.

 

                “Lucy you are not going out again!”  Marti said aghast.

 

                “Are you crazy?” Kellie demanded to know.  “Don’t you realize how dangerous  it is out there?”

 

                “Lasses nobody need be tellin’ me how to look after meself,” she smiled eyes twinkling, brogue breaking through at their concern.

 

                “It is not safe,” Aviva said.  “You know that better than anyone.  Lily was your friend and now she’s laying on a cold morgue like so much slaughtered meat.”

 

Lucy laughed nervously, “Be gone with your dark tales Aviva, we have to eat and I’ve got me a fine Englishman all lined up.  Promising a $20 gold piece he is at that.”

 

                “Lucy you do not have to do this.  We took a vote and we are re-opening tonight,” Terri said.

 

                “And what will you be using for girls?  Conrad’s stolen everyone but meself for his place….” She stopped understanding.  “You canna be thinkin’ of yourselves!  Tis madness!  Ladies the lot of ya!  This is not the life for fine educated women like yourselves!   Such nonsense I don’t know when I’ve ever heard!”

 

                “We don’t have a choice.  You were right we have to eat and we can’t find work, we’ve all tried.  All this town wants is whores, so that’s what were going to give them.”  Kellie said angrily.

 

                “Lucy we will just do it for a little while and then we’ll have the money to open the school,” Marti said desperately.

 

                “Oh you all be thinkin’ it’s a life that easy to walk away from?  Well look at me, just 24 and the heart of an old woman.  God never intended women to be used such.  Without love a women dies a little inside each time.  I’m beyond savin’, but you ladies, you’re better than this.”

 

                “Lucy how can you talk about yourself like that!  You are the only one who stood by my aunt until the very end.  You’ve kept us all going.  If we need an example of kindness and goodness its you,” Terri said tears in her eyes.

 

                “Then promise me you won’t do anything foolish until I return,” she said gruffly touched by their affection.  We’ll all sit down and have us a think.  Now I best go, my gent is not the patient type.”  

 

                She blew them all a kiss and stepped out into the swirling fog.

 

                And that was the last anyone saw of Lucy McCoy alive.

 

 

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

 

Dinner and a bath had improved Kid’s mood, but only served to make Heyes restless.  Getting Molly to part with the information they needed was going to take every strand of charm he possessed.  Molly often said she didn’t believe in blackmail, but she did believe in leverage, hence the series of black books she kept of all her “business” deals.  

 

                And it was some of that leverage they needed if they were going to save a young politicians career and in turn ensure themselves a sympathetic ear come amnesty time.

 

                What they had in their favor was that Molly was a legendary soft touch for a good hard luck story and sincerely liked the two outlaws she had befriended ten years back when a night on the town had gone awry.

 

                Her courage and loyalty had earned their respect and trust and truth be told their hearts.  It was a rare man indeed who did not succumb to Molly’s golden vivacious charm.

 

                But Molly was also a shrewd business woman.  Her brothel was located in the shadow of Nob Hill and had weathered several administrations and countless reforms due to the prestigious client list and of course Molly’s ‘leverage’.  Her success was mainly due to the fact that she had turned her business into a social club where men of standing could drink, arrange business deals and of course visit upstairs.

 

                Which was why they had decided to visit at night.  Darkness would make them just one of many and give them the anonymity they craved.

 

                Jumping down from the carriage Heyes decided they had been right in choosing to take the cab and not walk.  The fog was at its height now and it was difficult to even see a foot in front of you.  Besides dressed respectable as they were they would have attracted the local night scavengers and Heyes had seen enough of them for one day.

 

                “Bit quiet tonight,” Kid said as they walked up to the non-opposing front door of the stylish three-story building.

 

                “Kid how is it you worry more when there is nothing happening than when it is?” Heyes said shaking his head as he ran the door chimes.

 

                “It’s the anticipation,” Kid confesses.  “It kills me.”

 

                Heyes laughed and then stopped.  The door still had not been answered.  At Molly’s that was unheard of.

 

Suddenly the door burst open as if someone had been running and leapt to open it.   They looked in and found themselves staring down at a dainty, little creature with huge brown eyes and cascading waves of dark hair.

 

                Heyes’ first thought was of a little girl playing dress up as she pulled up the shoulder strap to the green silk dress, but closer investigation noted the line the dress curved over quickly banishing all thoughts of childhood from his mind.

 

                “Definite improvement on the last door man,” Kid murmured remembering the burly bouncers  Molly usually had at the door..  He removed his hat and smiled.  “Mr. Joshua Smith and Mr. Thaddeus Jones to see Ms. Whitcomb.”

 

                Molly had thought the aliases amusing explaining most people got too creative in what they used when visiting her.  But this beauty merely raised a disbelieving eyebrow and tugging up her sleeve again, pulled the door open for them to enter.

               

                The refined marble entryway with its grand chandelier and elegant curve of stairs had not changed.

 

                “Of course, I’m Susan.  I’ll go get her!”

 

                “Uh I’m Marti,” said a dark haired beauty clearly uncomfortable, but steeling herself for the encounter.  “May I take your hats?”

 

They nodded and she took them and disappeared as fast as she could..

 

Kid sighed.  ‘How come we don’t meet more Martis that look like that?”

 

                “Because the west would fall to a standstill,”  Heyes said.

 

                “Welcome,” said a musical voice and they turned to see laced up curves and dark curls.  “I’m Tina, let me take you in to meet the others.”

 

                Without waiting for a reply she took their arms and led them past the dark purple curtains parted with the usual gold cords that separated the entry hall from the main drawing room.

 

                The room was a testament to Molly’s taste that she had managed to combine such rich colors and attributes and  still produce a room that was both inviting and elegant.  Sofas had been strategically placed to either encourage intimacy or allow for lively discussions.   The center of the room was dominated by a circular loveseat where a gold statue of cupid rose up arrow drawn and aimed.

 

A fire was going, but the room wasn’t too warm.  Off in the corner the piano was being played by a golden haired beauty who looked like one of the fairy queens Grandma Curry had told them about as children. 

 

It was then Heyes saw how outnumbered they were.  Ten women at least all positioned around the room for maximum effect.  Their ages were anywhere from 18 to he guessed the early twenties.  Slender and buxom, blond to raven hair it was a devastating assault on the senses after two hard months on the trail with only his cousin for company.

 

                He realized he was staring, but it was such a stunning diorama of femininity anything less would have been insulting.

 

                “Welcome!”  a bubbly strawberry blond cried running up and shaking both their hands.   And for a moment Heyes thought she was going to hand them a prize.  “I’m Kara, we are so glad someone came we had just about given up…”

 

                Tina was suddenly beside her and if Heyes didn’t know better he would have thought the other woman kicked her in the shins.

               

                “Ah thank you,” Kid said.  “We were wondering if Molly was around?”

 

                “Ah Molly is not seeing anyone at the moment,” the goddess at the piano said standing.  “I’m Sherry perhaps one of us could help instead?”

 

                Heyes jumped in before his partner accepted the offer, something was wrong here and he couldn’t put his finger on what.

 

                “Ah thank you, but we really need to speak to Molly, its business.  If you just tell her its Joshua and Thaddeus I know she will see us.”

 

                He caught it then, the almost invisible look that ran around the room.  Something was wrong.

 

                “Ah Mr. Smith?  I’m Molly’s accountant, Diane.  Perhaps since its business I can help?”

 

                Heyes swallowed looking into the bedroom eyes pointed up at him.  He needed some help here.  Accountants were not suppose to have eyes like that.

 

                “We really need to see Molly,.” Kid said amused at his partner’s loss for words.

 

“Gentlemen I’m Molly’s niece Terri,” came a voice behind them and they turned. 

 

Thank goodness now we can get somewhere Heyes thought and then took in her waist length dark hair and warm brown eyes and shook his head defeated.  This was just not going to work.

 

                “My aunt is indisposed is there something I can help you with?”  Terri tried again stiffening her back in attempt to look tall and business like.

 

                “Perhaps I could speak to you alone?” Heyes said turning on his best smile.  There was no way he was going to get around this group unless he thinned the ranks.

 

                The women looked at each other uncertain.

 

                “Well look what the cat dragged in,” came a voice from the doorway.

 

                “Aviva!”  Kid cried relieved to see a familiar face and going up to the woman and swinging her around.

 

                “Still the most beautiful woman in the house,” Heyes said greeting her with a kiss.

 

                “I didn’t fall for that silver tongue last time, what makes you think I am any more gullible this time?” she smiled back affectionately.

 

                “Aviva, we need to see Molly, what’s going on?  We can’t get anywhere,” Kid asked.

 

                “Mr. Smith was it? “  Terri said.  “Perhaps we should talk.  My office is this way.”

 

                He gave Kid a look and he nodded agreeing to wait behind and see what he could learn.  In fact considering the odds he seemed rather resigned to it, Heyes thought relieved he was going in one on one, but then he turned and saw Aviva, Diane and Kara were also coming with them.   Oh well so much for a one on one advantage he sighed.

               

                “Molly gone?”  Heyes said sinking into a chair beside the desk  where Terri had taken her stand.  On either side Kara, Aviva and Diane flanked her, but Heyes was too shocked to even notice the show of unity.  “I can’t believe it.  She was more alive than anyone I ever knew.  How did it happen?”

 

“Pneumonia,” Terri said softly feeling a little bad about the way she had sprung it on him.  He had obviously cared for her aunt and known her far better than she had.  “She was gone so quickly.  I wasn’t even there when she passed on.”

 

                “If Mr. O’Sullivan hadn’t of taken charge,” Aviva said.

 

                “Silky?”  Heyes said looking up.  That explained why there had been no sign of their friend.  Silky and Molly had been close.  He must have been devastated.

 

                “This is our first night re-opening since she passed,” Terri said.  “As you can see we are still learning the ropes.”

 

                “You want to carry on without her?”  Heyes asked surprised. He couldn’t visualize a Molly’s without Molly.; especially with this fragile and genteel entity.

 

                “Don’t you believe we’re capable Mr. Smith?”  Kara said her slate blue eyes cold.

 

                Heyes opened his mouth and shut it.  Any way he answered that one he was going to get into trouble.  He decided to take the cowards way out and change the subject.

 

                “My partner and I were hoping Molly could help us with some information she has.”

 

                “Ah the diaries,” Aviva said shrewdly understanding.

 

                “I’m afraid Mr. Smith we couldn’t help you if we wanted to,” Diane said.  “We can’t find her papers or her money.”

 

                “We’ve simply looked everywhere,” Kara sighed.

 

                Heyes suddenly genuinely smiled and the affect it had on his eyes wasn’t lost on a woman in the room.

 

                “Hidden you say?  Ladies I just might be able to help you!”

 

 

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

 

                “Do you come here often Mr. Jones?”  Rene asked pleasantly.

 

                “Ah whenever we’re in town,” Kid said.  “Molly is a good friend.”

 

                There was another long pause and Kid had the feeling he was at a Sunday Social and not a drawing room cat house.

 

                Not that it was unpleasant, he certainly couldn’t fault the odds Heyes had left him with.  As a rule he and Heyes had never favored such places when it came to female companionship.  Perhaps it was just a masculine thing or maybe it was just that anything that came too easy just didn’t appeal to them.        Not that they hadn’t sampled favors bought, the trails were often cold and hard and sometimes only the arms of a woman could block out the night. 

 

                He took a deep breath and tried again, “So have you all known Molly long?”

 

                “No, how do you know her?”  Susan asked.

 

                “She helped my partner and I when we hit a hard patch a few years back.  We owe her twice over.”

 

                That seemed to make the room relax as a whole.  It was as if he had touched on something they all could identify with.

 

                As the room went quiet again he gave up.  Small talk was Heyes’ gift, something wasn’t right and he saw nothing wrong with jumping right in and finding out what.

 

                “Ladies, is everything all right?”

 

                “Why shouldn’t they be?” Sherry said too brightly.

 

                “It’s just that women with your obvious charms,” he smiled boldly at her.  “Well I would have thought you wouldn’t be spending the night alone.”

 

                She dropped her eyes and blushed prettily and then he was totally confused.  He had spent enough time with women in this profession to know blushing was something you just didn’t see that often.

 

                Then it hit him what had been bothering him since he walked into the room, it was their attitude.  Even the best working girl gave off an air of detachment, it was the only way they stayed alive. But these women, they were creating a sexual tension in the room that only came with anticipation

 

                And their eyes, most often all you saw was boredom, at best greed, but their eyes were filled with defiant vulnerability that made a man not sure whether he wanted to seduce or save them.  Perhaps a combination of both.

 

He decided to take a chance and turned to the one on his right, a shy  thing with faun colored hair and eyes.  What was her name?  Marti!

 

                “Marti, forgive me for asking, but just how much experience do you all have at this sort of thing?”

 

                “Counting today?” she asked wide eyed.

 

                Kid groaned, his worst suspicions confirmed. “You mean none of you have done this before?”

 

                “Some of us are widows Mr. Jones,” Carla said indignant.

 

                “I didn’t mean THAT,” he sighed now in even deeper.

 

                “I think what my cousin meant was that none of you have experience in this profession,” Heyes said walking in at the end and attempting to save his cousin from digging a deeper hole.

 

                “Well no, but how hard can it be?”  Ann asked turning her huge eyes up into his with all the trust in the world.

 

Heyes sighed,  “Let me guess Catholic School, confirmation, even thought about being a nun for a while right?”

 

                “How did you know!?”  she asked amazed.

 

                Heyes smiled gently, “Most people don’t wear a rosary with a dress of that particular cut.”

 

                She looked down at the low decollate and blushed.

 

                “They keep doing that,” Kid said defeated.

 

                “May I speak with my friend for a moment?”   Heyes said giving Kid a look.

 

                “Molly’s dead,” he said when they had a corner to themselves.

 

                “What?  How?”

 

                “Looks like natural causes, but here the interesting part they can’t find Molly’s boxes.”

 

                “You mean the ones she kept her money and diaries in?”

 

                “Yes and I think I know where they are.”

 

                “Heyes you are a genius.”

               

                “Let me find them first.  I figure if I give them Molly’s fortune they won’t be so quick to turn down us taking one of the diaries.”

 

                “So where is it?”

 

                “I need to check something first, make sure this is the only thing it could be.  Stay here and keep the ladies entertained.”

 

                “Heyes even I am not that foolhardy.”

 

                “Ah Miss Terri would it be possible to see Molly’s room?”  Heyes asked.

 

                “What for?”  Aviva asked suspicious

 

                “Ah, just to check something,” he said amused and then added  “I’d hardly try anything with four of you

 

                “Certainly Mr. Smith,” Terri said.

 

                Heyes wasn’t sure, but he thought he heard her whisper darn to Kara, but it was lost in the assault on the stairs.

 

 

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

 

 

                “So you all figured to restart the business on your own?” Kid said as the others left.

 

                “We didn’t have a choice Mr. Jones,”  Kellie said “  We’re hoping to start a school with the profits.”

 

                “Don’t give us that smug patronizing look Mr. Jones, you are just like every other man in this city, we can do it, or we could have if someone had given us a chance,”  Rene said.

 

                “It’s not that,” Kid said.  “I don’t think you all understand how dangerous this business is.  The men who walk through those doors may be called gentlemen in public, but…” He stopped remembering the times he had come across girls beaten and bleeding crawling out of a customer’ room after a trip upstairs went bad.

 

                “We will just have to look after each other,” Susan said raising herself up to her full 5 feet 3 inches and glaring at him fiercely.

 

                Kid couldn’t help himself and laughed, “All right presume I’m not treating Susan here right, what would you all do with an armed man of my size and weight?”

 

 

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

 

 

                Heyes and the women re-entered the room just as the final thump hit.  Heyes stopped and it took him a minute to realize that was his cousin underneath all those petticoats and femininity.

 

                “I leave you alone for two minutes,” he sighed looking down at his partner flat on his back.  “What exactly are you attempting to do, there are nine of them you know.”

 

                “I was teaching them to defend themselves.” Kid said voice muffled.

 

                “They seem to be quick learners, ” Heyes said realizing his partner didn’t seem to upset at having been vanquished.  “Will you please get up?”

 

                “I’m trying to.”

 

                “Ladies may I have my cousin back?” he asked politely.

 

                Everyone got back up but Kellie who was still sitting straddle across his chest.

 

                “Give up?”  she asked.

 

                “Depends, what happens if I don’t?”  Kid asked.

 

                “Kellie give the man back his friend,” Terri said.

 

                With a resigned sigh she got up and Heyes pulled Kid to his feet not missing her parting shot of finder/keepers  rules being in affect.

 

                “Did you find anything?”  Kid asked.

 

“No, but I didn’t expect to,” Heyes said absently his eyes scanning the room.

 

                “Mr. Smith thinks he knows where the boxes are,” Diane said.

 

                Heyes meanwhile now had the dreamy far off look he always got when brilliance was tracking him down.

 

                “Joshua you are on to something, what is it?”  Kid asked.

 

                “Molly said something once to me when I asked her about her loathing of banks,” Heyes said eyes twinkling as he remembered what she had also said about bank robbers.  “That’s why I wanted to check her room.  I wanted to make sure there was nothing else she could have been referring to.”

 

                “What did she say!”  Kid said as impatient as the rest of the room.

 

                “She said,”  Heyes explained as he walked over to the circular love seat and kneeling up to face the cupid.  “That she always kept her treasures in the hands of love.”

 

                There was a sharp click as Heyes, noticing something, pushed the arrow down and the entire statue slid open to reveal a hidden compartment.

 

                Reaching in he pulled up two large silver lock boxes and handed them to Kid.

 

                “Doesn’t seem to be a key,”  he reported examining the locks.  “Do you want me to open them for you?”

 

                “Can you?”  Rene asked breathless.

 

                “Ann is pretty good with dynamite,”  Marti said proudly.

 

                “However do you know that?” Kid asked amazed.

 

                “We ran into a little problem with a stump in the back garden,” Aviva said. 

 

                “And so you blew it up?”  Kid asked Ann

 

                “Probably still going,” she admitted with a straight face.

 

                “No, I don’t think we’ll need that,”  Heyes said experimenting for a moment and then smiled.  “Viola!”

 

                The box lid slid open.

 

Everyone gathered around as the door bell rang.

 

                “Tina can you get that?”  Terri asked.

 

                “Why me?  Oh all right,” she said.  “But don’t start anything without me.”  She cried hurrying off to answer it.

 

                “Look at all this money!”  Susan  gasped pulling out a stack of 100 dollar bills.

 

                “I’ll take that,” Diane said slipping the bills into her side pocket.  “A few tradesmen will be happy to see me tomorrow.”

 

                “We’re rich!”  Terri gasped.

 

                “Oh you are much more than that,” Heyes said examining the paper work enclosed.  “There are silver certificates, stock shares, “  he whistled.  “Just how many schools do you ladies want to build?”

 

                Suddenly there came a scream from the door more out of being startled than afraid.

 

                “Let go of me, I said we were closed!”

 

                Kid made it there first in time to see the large gorilla shaped cowboy slam Tina into the wall.

 

                “Got a little message from Conrad, he said your opening night is closing night.”

 

                “Yea, well I got a little message back,” Kid said hauling him off of her and slamming his fist into the man’s face.

 

                Suddenly the door was pushed all the way open and eight more monsters piled in.

 

                Heyes sighed and handed the boxes to Aviva.  “Watch these.”

 

                And with a leap off the love seat landed on the three about to pummel his cousin.

 

                As fights went Heyes could remember better ones, but clearly none with the potential destructive power that his allies provided.

 

Carla and Sherry figured out early on that the whisky bottles behind the bar were the most effective when they used them from behind their opponent.

 

                Ann, Marti and Kellie worked out a well timed routine where the placed items of furniture behind the enemy just as Heyes or Kid hit them, send them flying over backwards into Terri and Diane’s waiting fireplace pokers.

 

                Kid looked up once and caught Susan, and Kara pulling out a rug on a man moving up to shoot him in the back.

 

                He saluted his thanks and then ducked to avoid one of Tina’s badly aimed shot glasses.

 

Suddenly Heyes realized they were not alone and he was fighting beside the tall English man he and Kid had saved that morning.

               

                There was a sharp whistle of retreat and a call to clear out.  The men vanished as quickly as they had arrived and Tina slammed the door shut and locked it.  The room stood their breathing heavy.

 

                “Thank you,” Heyes said between breaths to Watson and Holmes.

 

                “Do you gentlemen do this for a living?”  Watson asked and then noticing the women took off his hat.

 

                “Thank you both so much,” Diane said to the two Englishmen.

 

                “Oh ladies this is Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson,” Kid said remembering going over to the bar to see if any of the whiskey had survived.

 

                “Sherlock Holmes!” Kara gasped.  “From London?”

 

                “You know him?”  Heyes asked.

 

                “He is only the greatest detective in the history of the science,” she said.

 

                Holmes brushed this bit of flattery aside, but it was clear it pleased him.

 

                “So what brings you two out, night on the town?”  Kid asked handing over glasses of whisky.

 

“Not exactly, we were scheduled to meet with a young lady from this establishment.  She had some information I needed pertaining to a case I am working on.  When she did not arrive at the appointed hour we grew concerned and felt it best to check up on her whereabouts.”

 

                “Ah right,” Kid said catching most of it.

 

                “You were the one Lucy was meeting with?”   Rene asked relieved.

 

                “Yes, is she here?”

 

                “No she left hours ago,” Terri said suddenly worried.

 

                There was a moan of pain and they all turned to see Aviva stagger out holding her head.

               

                “Aviva, what happened?” Marti cried as they reached her.

 

                In one sweep Heyes picked her up and placed her gently on the sofa.

 

                “A nasty cut, let my get my bag,” Watson said.

 

                “Aviva who did this?”  Kara asked.

 

                “One of those brigands… he ran out through the kitchen, he saw the boxes, oh I’m so sorry I couldn’t keep him from taking them.”

 

                “It’ s all right, Aviva,” Kid said giving Heyes a look..

 

                “Well at least we were rich for about ten minutes,”  Kellie said taking Kid’s whisky glass and downing it.

 

                “Well at least it can’t get worse,” Susan said trying to sound hopeful.

 

                The door chimed.

 

                “I hate it when people say that,” Kid sighed downing Heyes’  whiskey glass.

 

                Holmes went to the door and a moment later returned with two bemused police officers.

 

                “Ah Mr. Holmes this is luck, you were the next person on our list to find.”

 

                “Find?”  Holmes asked.

 

                “Yes the chief sent us, there’s been another killing.”

 

                Everyone froze not wanting to even think it.

 

                “I’ll be needing one of you ladies to come with me to identify the body.”

 

                “Body?”  Terri said softly.

 

                “Yes,” he said pulling out a pad and flipping it open.  “Appears to be a Miss Lucy McCoy.”

 

 

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

 

                Dawn was making inroads when their carriage finally came to a stop.  After much discussion it had been agreed to let Kid and Heyes go with Holmes and Watson to identify the body.  Holmes had been adamant about the women not seeing the crime scene and his inference that they were too weak to handle it had not earned him a place in the women’s good books.  Kid and Heyes on the other hand had been accepted as the lesser of two evils and when Heyes volunteered to go and learn what he could and report back the women had gratefully accepted.

 

                “Just who is this guy?” Kid asked as the police barricade swung open on the mere presence of Holmes.

 

                “I don’t know,” Heyes said thoughtfully.

 

                “So why are we walking into a murder scene of someone we don’t know, especially when it’s swarming with police?”  Kid tried again.

 

                “Because there is something Mr. Holmes isn’t telling us.  You saw how he re-acted when he heard the boxes had been stolen, he wasn’t surprised at all.  He knows more about this that he is letting on.  And until I figure out what that is I want to keep an eye on him.”

 

                “Man makes me nervous,” Kid muttered.

 

                “Yea I know.”

 

The mews had been lit with lanterns and in spite of that they were almost upon the body before Heyes realized that was what it was.

 

                He had seen many brutal scenes in his relatively short life, the majority coming before he even reached his teens, but there had been nothing to prepare him for this.  He knew what a bayonet could do to a body, he had seen that first hand, but this, this was a raw savagery that didn’t seem human.

 

                The body had been gutted from neck to hip.  A breast had been cut off and placed in one hand.  Organs had been taken out and scattered in an odd little pattern around her.  On the nearest wall blood soaked flesh had written out one word, RIPPER.

 

                Neither Holmes nor Watson seemed affected.  Holmes pulling out a small satchel and a pair of tweezers, while Watson bent over the body and opened his medical bag.  Heyes took a step back feeling light headed.  All that blood, surely it hadn’t come from just one person.

 

                He suddenly realized Kid had left.  Grateful for the excuse to leave he followed him and found him being sick in a dark corner.

 

                “You okay?” he asked putting a hand on his cousin’s shoulder concerned.

 

                Kid took a deep breath and leaned back against the wall.  Even in the faded light Heyes could see he was white as a ghost.

 

                “Heyes how could someone do something like that?”

 

                “I don’t know.”

 

                “Heyes,” Kid said suddenly looking at him urgently.  “Remember when we came back that day and found the raiders had hit our farms?”

 

                “Yea,”  Heyes said not liking where this was going.

 

                “You wouldn’t let me come in for a long time, Heyes was that why?”

 

                Heyes found something to study on the back of his hand.  “Course not,” he said trying to keep his voice light.  But then he looked up and Kid saw in his eyes what he had shielded him from all these years.

 

                “Gentlemen my investigation will take longer than I had thought,” Holmes said stepping up and lighting a cigarette and there in the flash of the match they saw his hands were shaking with rage.

 

                So he’s human after all, Heyes thought.

 

 

 

                “I will have the body taken to the morgue and after the autopsy make sure it is in a state that the women can claim.”

 

                “You know who’s doing this?”  Kid asked suddenly.

 

                “I have not completed my investigation yet.”

 

                “Four women are dead, how much more evidence do you need?”  Kid yelled.

 

                “Thaddeus,” Heyes said putting a hand on his arm, but Kid brushed it off.

 

                “No, he’s suppose to be the great detective.  I want to know what he is doing!”  Kid yelled.

 

                “Calm down,” Heyes said grabbing him by both arms this time and holding him back with a strength that surprised them both.  “We’ll get him, I promise.”  Something in Heyes’ voice made Kid suddenly relax and nod.  And Heyes suddenly remembered he’d done the same thing  twenty years ago at his parent’s cabin.

 

                “Problem Mr. Holmes?”  the Inspector said walking up.

 

                “No, none Inspector.  Dr. Watson will be performing the autopsy…”

 

                “Not really worth the effort is it?  Hardly enough left of her to bother and I doubt anyone will bother to claim someone like hers body.”

 

                Kid and Heyes turned on the man as one, but Holmes beat them to it.

 

                “Inspector a young woman has died, brutally murdered in a manner no human being should have to behold, let alone be victim of.  Now if her death is inconveniencing you, please let me know and I will have Scotland Yard contact your Chief and arrange for your re-assignment.”

 

                “No sir, no problem sir,” the man said, but his look was dark as he retreated.

 

                “You made a bad enemy there,” Kid said.

 

                “Always judge a man by the quality of his enemies,” Holmes said.  “I will report back to you when I have some information on where this is all leading.”

 

                “It has something to do with those books that were stolen tonight doesn’t it?” Heyes said shrewdly.  “It was too much of a coincidence the house getting raided the moment we found them.  I just want to figure out how they were tipped off.”

 

                “You are a very observant man Mr. Smith or should I say Mr. Heyes.”

 

                Kid and Heyes didn’t flinch.

 

                “I had a rather long train journey out here and spent some of it reviewing wanted posters to acclimatize myself to the local felons.  I recognized you when you came to Watson and my aide earlier.”

 

                “And why didn’t you turn us in?”  Heyes asked.

 

                “Because I have not quite figured the two of you out and I think for now you might be of some use to me.”

 

                “And what makes you think we would help you?”  Kid asked.

 

                “Your reaction back there to that woman’s death.  You don’t trust me, fair enough, I do not trust you.  We shall forgo any silly nonsense suggesting friendship and make an attempt at being allies.  You want your books, I want the man who took them and we both want the animal that killed those women.  I propose we work together to achieve these objectives.”

 

                “Agreed,”  Heyes said putting out his hand.

 

                Holmes almost smiled as he took it. 

 

                A police carriage took them back to their hotel where they paid the bill and packed.  An hour later they were sitting in Molly’s parlor giving a edited version of Lucy’s death.

 

                “If its all right with you we’d like to stay here,” Heyes said.  “Mr. Holmes is going to contact us here and I’m not sure any of you are safe until we unravel what is going on.”

 

                “Please I am sure we would all feel better having you here,” Terri said.

 

                “Why don’t you all get some sleep and we’ll call you if Mr. Holmes arrives,” Diane said.

 

                “I’ll show you to your rooms,” Aviva said.

 

                “Mr. Smith, Mr. Jones,” Marti said and they turned wearily.       “Thank you for caring about Lucy, she was a very sweet person, she didn’t deserve to die like this.”

 

                They nodded and followed Aviva up the stairs.

 

                “Pity,”  Rene said with a sigh.  “I mean there reason for wanting to stay.”

 

                “Rene it was obvious they are doing it for us and not because of some underhanded reason,” Tina said indignant.

 

                “I know, “ she sighed wistfully.  “That’s the pity.”

 

 

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

 

                Heyes slept fitfully with nightmares past and present invading and he finally awoke early afternoon giving up on rest for the moment.  Washing up and dressing he checked on Kid, but seeing he was still asleep he left him and wandered down stairs.

 

                The piano from the night before was spinning out a soft and tragic ballad he remembered from a starry night long ago and he stood for a long time in the door way listening before Sherry realized he was there.

 

                “Oh I didn’t see you there Mr. Smith.”

 

                “It’s Joshua actually and please don’t stop this is the best my head has felt in hours.

 

                “I know what you mean I couldn’t sleep either.  Can I get you something to eat?”

 

                “I was just going to find something.  Actually Sherry there is something you could help me with, this Mr. Holmes, you’ve heard of him before?”

 

                “Oh yes I read all his stories in the Strand.”

 

                “Stories?”

 

                “Yes its sort of like a dime novel, but their true, would you like to read one?”

 

                “Yes, yes I would,” Heyes said.

 

                She got up and came back with a magazine.  “This is the first one where he and Watson meet, “

 

                “Thank you, thank you very much,” Heyes smiled and she returned it and he liked what it did to her eyes.

 

                He didn’t even here Susan come in and bring him coffee.

 

                “He’s been like that for an hour,” Kara said looking up amused from her embroidery as Kid came into the room and waited, but got no response from his cousin at his entrance.

 

                “I get the same way when I read,” Susan smiled coming in and handing Kid his coffee.

               

                “There’s a difference,” Kid grumbled.  “You make a lovely statue.  Joshua would you put that blasted thing down and answer me?”

 

                Heyes looked up having just finished.  “That was the most amazing story I ever read, you said there are more?  Where did Sherry go?”

 

                “Totally hopeless,” Kid sighed.

 

                “This coffee is cold,” Heyes said picking up the cup.

 

                “See what I have to put up with,” Kid said.

 

                “We’ve got food on, the money Diane pocketed let us restock the larder,” Kara said putting down her work.  “Let’s eat in the kitchen its less opposing.”

 

                Kid and Heyes entered the kitchen with Susan and Kara to find Sherry and Carla elbow deep in flour, while Aviva peeled apples.  Something in the oven smelt wonderful.

 

                “I hope you’re hungry,” Carla smiled.

 

“I just hope you have enough food, you’ve never seen him eat,” Heyes grinned as the door opened and Kellie hurried in with a basket of potatoes.

 

                “Oh you’re up!”  she smiled and then noticed the odd grin the both of them had.  “What are you two smiling about?”

 

                “You’ve got a streak of dirt across your cheek,”  Terri laughed coming in.

 

                “Well Sherry isn’t much better she’s covered in flour,” Kellie said trying to wipe it off unsuccessfully.

 

                “Keep complaining and they’ll only be pie for those two,” she said.

 

                “No, its not that, well actually it is,” Heyes laughed.  “I was just thinking how much I prefer you all like this than how you looked last night.”

 

                Susan looked down at the faded dress and blew a loose curl out of her eyes.  “You prefer us in our drudgery?”

 

                “He’s right,”  Kid said.  “Last night, they weren’t real women.  Just something painted and pretty for show.”

 

                “And this is your idea of real women?”  Kara laughed as Marti burst in with arms full of chrysanthemum. 

 

                “Busy, concerned, caring, that can be pretty attractive to a man,” Heyes said.

 

                “What’s going on?”  Ann asked bursting in.

 

                “Mr. Smith was just saying how attractive we all are with dirt on our faces,”  Terri laughed.

 

                “Is that all it takes?”  she asked him.  “I can get way dirtier than her!”

 

                Everyone laughed as Rene entered and pulled off her cape.

 

                “Where have you been?”  Aviva said.

 

                “Oh I just ran down to the book shop to pick up one of Mr Holmes stories for Joshua.”

 

                “You went out alone?” Kid asked.

 

                “It isn’t far and Diane went part of the way with me, why is something wrong?”

 

                “Diane not back yet?”  Kid asked getting up and picking up his jacket.

 

                “Am I back from where?”  Diane asked coming in.

 

                Kid and Heyes both shot each other a relieved glance and Kid sat back down as Aviva set steaming plates of food before them.

 

                “I don’t want anyone going out without Thaddeus or me with them is that understood?”  Heyes said sternly.

 

                “But it’s still daylight,” Diane said surprised.

 

                “Under any circumstances,” Heyes said, but then took the fierceness out of his words by giving Rene a smile.  Another Holmes story?”

 

“Actually this one is a book, its called the Hound of the Baskervilles,” she said.  “When Sherry mentioned you were interested I thought this might be a good one for your to read.”

 

                “Oooh that’s a scary one,”  Marti said. 

 

                “This Holmes guy has his own books?”  Kid asked in between bites of food.

 

                “Yes and from what I hear if they are true I’m glad he’s on our side.”

 

                “Here let me read you a sample,”  Rene said taking the book and leaping up on the counter.

 

                The reading went through dinner, dessert and finally into the drawing room before the fire.  It was a good yarn Kid decided not exactly upset at the way Marti and Susan curled in close beside him on the small sofa when it got particularly intense.

 

                Heyes had taken over the reading half way through and his natural gift as a story teller brought the characters to life until the entire room was on the edge of their seats as the story drew to the climax.

 

                Suddenly there was a door bell and everyone jumped.

 

                Heyes grinned.  He had been sitting between Carla and Sherry and they had both grabbed him startled.  There was a lot to be said for a good book.

 

                Trying to look like she hadn’t been just as caught up in the tale Aviva rose and went to the door.  A moment later she re-appeared with Holmes.

 

                Gone was the gentlemanly Englishman and in his place was a migrant dock worker down to the discolored fingernails and patched knees in the trousers.

 

                Kid let out a whistle, “Must be some costume party.”

 

                “I am going undercover, but I have received a lead on your missing items,” he said and then glanced down noticing what they were reading and winced. 

 

                “It’s actually very good,” Heyes smiled enjoying the man’s discomfort.

 

                “Dr. Watson’s literally agent Mr. Doyle has a tendency towards the sensational.”

 

                “Where is Dr. Watson?”  Kara asked.

 

“Performing an autopsy I am hoping to establish that the same weapon killed all four women.  It’s particular cut is unique an I believe will assist the police immensely once it is identified.”

 

                It was clear he believed it would take a great deal to assist the police to figure anything out.

 

                “You said you had a line on the boxes?”  Heyes said.

 

                He pulled out a folded blueprint.  “This is a floor plan of the British embassy.  I have learned that the man who stole the boxes sold them to a embassy attaché named Michael Thompson.  This is his officer here.  The safe is located on the far wall, here.”

 

                “Third floor,” Heyes said eyes quickly absorbing the paper.

 

                “Got guards here and here,” Kid said thoughtfully.

 

                “Roof is good here for exit, entrance wouldn’t work,” Heyes went on his mind already working.

 

                “Excuse me!” Terri interrupted.  “You are not proposing we break into the British Embassy!”

 

                “No, we’re proposing we break into the British embassy,” Heyes smiled and went back to the paper.  “Safe?”

 

                “British, 4 sequential action, Lloyds,”  Holmes replied.

 

                “Similar to a Morgan?”

 

                “So I have heard.”

 

                Suddenly Kellie let out a sharp whistle.  All three men looked up surprised.

 

                “Now that we have your attention I would like to remind the Devil’s Hole Gang here that breaking and entering is against the law.”

 

                All three men had the decency to  look away at her reference, Heyes coughed and turned to the women with his best smile.

 

                “We have to get those books back and the documentation to your fortune is there as well.  Not to mention I am sure Mr. Holmes is not giving us this on a silver platter unless there is something he wants as well.”

 

                Holmes actually smiled a touché at him.  “Indeed I believe Mr. Thompson might provide a clue to our killer’s identity.”

 

                “Or to his identity as the killer?”  Kid asked.

 

                “No, I don’t believe he did the actual killing, watched perhaps, but he doesn’t like to get his hands dirty.”

 

                “Watched?”  Kid said disgusted.  “Nobody is that depraved.”

 

                “You have never met James Moriarty,” Holmes said.

 

                “Michael Thompson is Moriarty!”  Diane stared as the room gasped.

 

                “We miss something?”  Kid asked Heyes, who shrugged.

 

                “Moriarty is the Napoleon of crime, Holmes greatest nemesis,” Carla recited eyes wide with excitement.

 

                Holmes got another pained look,  “Mr. Doyle was right about one thing, Moriarty is a criminal genius.  He fled to this country when things got too hot  for him in Europe.  He came under the guise as a confidante to the Queen’s grandson who is supportively here setting up a foreign trade agreement. “

 

                “Supposively?”  Kid asked.

 

                “His debauchery has grown embarrassing of late and the Queen thought a trip, far, far away from London might give everyone some breathing room.”

 

                “So you’re  here to keep an eye on Moriarty?”  Susan asked.

 

                “I’m guessing more like Moriarty and the Prince. I bet Mycroft had the British government hire you after they realized who the Prince had taken on as his right hand man?”  Tina said.

 

Holmes gave her a nod of approval.  “I can see your school will be a great success ladies.  Yes you are right it was only after I got here I realized Moriarty’s arrival coincided with beginning of the killings.  Moriarty enjoys sadism, but he is first and always a businessman.  If he is letting these women be tortured to death it is because they have something he wants.  I think we might find a clue to that in the embassy safe.”

 

                “We’ll go tonight.”

               

“We all will,”  Sherry said.

 

                Kid laughed, but Heyes turned worried.  He already knew the group was intelligent and brave, he wasn’t going to put unreasonably stubborn past them either.

               

                “Too dangerous,”  Holmes said, but he too looked ready for a fight.

 

                “At night the embassy security will be the highest, it’s when Moriarty will expect a break in attempt.  What you need is to get into that safe in the middle of the day when everyone isn’t as vigilant,”  Sherry said pacing.

 

                “In other words,”  Kara said smiling with a delicious evil look.  “You need a diversion.”

 

                                                                               

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

 

 

                The British embassy was a fortress shaped building designed to impress even the most casual passerby with the power and majesty of the British Empire.

 

                It was into the building’s reception area that Kid Curry, Susan, Kara, Sherry and Marti entered.

 

                Kid stopped before the man the picture of genteel southern charm.

 

                “Good day sir I am here to request permission for immigration to the United Kingdom for myself and my wives.”

 

                The bored clerk barely looked up, “You will need to fill out form…” he stopped and looked up taking in the entire group.  “Excuse me?  Did you say wives?”

 

                “Yes sir,”  Kid said pleasantly.  “I will need seven applications for them in all.  Three had to remain behind with the children.”

 

“Children?” the man coughed.

 

                “Yes all 26 of then,”  Marti said prettily.

 

                This conversation had drifted and the security guard and embassy liaison had casually begun to wander  over fascinated.

 

                “So you have 7 wives and 26 children?”  the man said amazed.

 

                “Yes that is the number recommended by our religious leader Mr. Brigham Young.”

 

                “Ah your Mormon am I correct?”

 

                “Yes sir.”

 

                “I am sorry sir, but her majesty’s government only permits one wife per applicant,” the embassy liaison said stepping up.

 

                “Oh dear,”  Kid said.  “That does pose a problem.”  He turned back to the women.  “Darlings it seems I can only take one of you, let me know when you decide.”  And with that he sat down on the nearby couch and got comfortable.

 

                The embassy staff looked at each other completely perplexed.

 

                “Well I think who should go is rather obvious,”  Sherry said.

 

                “Dear when has anything been obvious to you,”  Kara said.

 

                “Girls, please there is no need to fight,”  Marti said smiling haughtily.  “I believe youth will win the day.”

 

                “I think you will find dearest sister that youth can get old real quick if that is all they have to look at!”

 

                “Why you…”  Marti said and lunged.

 

                There was a sound of ripping clothing and the fight was on.

 

                “I suggest you gentlemen stand back these decisions can get rather indelicate,” Kid smiled as the three men stood there mouths open not sure whether to run for help or thank God they were on duty.  Fortunately lust was an international trait and they stood rooted.

 

 

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

 

                Hannibal Heyes walked quickly into the embassy escorted by Tina, Rene and Diane demurely dressed and carrying stenographer pads.

 

                “Excuse me sir,”  the guard at the stairwell said trying to see past them to the fight which was now  in full swing.

 

                Heyes looked at him over studious glasses, the perfect book worm.  “I am Reginald Snyde of the Snyde, Whitcomb and Long staffing agency.  I have the three secretarial candidates Mr. Thompson requested to interview.”

 

                “I’m afraid I don’t have that listed sir,” he said still trying to crane his neck to see what was happening.

 

                “Perhaps that is for the best,” Heyes said disapprovingly.  “Our agency has a reputation to protect and naked women wrestling in the lobby is not the type of image we wish to…”

 

                “Naked women?” the man said running a tongue over his dry lips.

 

                “Yes there went another blouse,” Tina said peering over.

 

                “If you’ll excuse me a moment sir I really should see if I could help,” the man almost tripped over himself  getting away.

 

                “I bet you would love to,” Heyes grinned and quickly they vaulted the stairs.

 

                “Secretary is out front.  He’s yours Rene,”  Diane said.

 

                She nodded and walked past the young man suddenly seeming to fall.

 

                “Oh dear,” she cried out prettily.

 

                The young pale faced twenty year old was instantly at her side.

 

                “Are you all right?” he asked helping her to a nearby chair.

 

                “I think I may have twisted my ankle, can you tell?”  she said slowly moving her skirt up to reveal a well shaped leg.

 

                The man gulped.  “Ah it looks fine to me.”

 

                “Here, touch it, it feels warm doesn’t it?” she said innocently running his hand up her calf to the knee.

 

                The poor man was near apoplexy now and Heyes, Tina and Diane slipped past and into the waiting office.

 

                “Didn’t see a thing!” Diane said triumphantly going over to the window.

 

                “Oh I wouldn’t say that,”  Heyes said going over to the safe and removing the picture.

 

                Tina moved over to the door and stood watch.  “You look like you’ve done this kind of thing before,” she said watching as he confidently put his head to the safe door.

               

                “Just a hobby,” he smiled.

 

                Ten minutes went by.

 

                “Window ready,”  Diane said and Heyes looked up to see the bars had been spread and the ladder rope dropped to the roof below where Carla and Marti were waiting pretending to hang wash.

 

                “Almost there,”  he promised.

 

                It was another twenty minutes before Heyes heard the last click and moved to pull the door open when suddenly Diane pushed him away.

 

                “What are you doing?” he asked angrily.

 

                “Moriarty likes surprises,” she said simply.  “Open it from behind the door.”

 

                Annoyed Heyes decided to  humor her and slowly pulled it open hidden behind the door.  There was a hiss and a rattle and he jumped back.

 

                There peering out ready to strike was a diamond back.

 

“This man is depraved,”  Heyes said shaken.

 

                “That’s the reputation,” Tina said.

 

                Heyes looked around the room and after a moment found a pair of long silver tongs obviously used for handling the creature.  Catching it by the head he lifted it up and Diane opened the top desk drawer and smiled at Heyes.

 

                He smiled back and dropped it in and she shut it quickly.

 

                “That should give him a few surprises after lunch,” Heyes grinned.

 

                “Sorry to push you like that, I just sort of got to thinking of how easy this was,” Diane said.

 

                “I don’t know if I’d call it easy, but feel free to save my life anytime the occasion arrives,” he said kissing her on the cheek.  “Now lets get out of her the others can’t keep Mr. Moriarty at lunch forever.

 

 

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

 

                “Sir you have run over my dog,”  Kellie said a fiery figure of moral indignation and a very pretty one at that, the crowd had grown to over fifty outside the embassy.

 

                “My dear woman you are mistaken,” Moriarty said irritated.

 

                “I am not your dear woman.  Your carriage ran right over him back there.  I’ve had him since I was a little girl,” she sniffed.  “All I have left since my parents died.”

 

                “Laying it on a bit thick isn’t she?”  Diane whispered from the crowd.

 

                “I saw him do it,” Aviva’s voice rang out.

 

                “An Englishman, probably still angry over losing the colonies,”  Terri cried out trying not to giggle.

 

                The crowd was happy to get worked up and began moving in on the man as Kellie saw Kid and the women exit the embassy in various states of undress.  Seeing her chance she ducked off as the crowd took on a life of its own.

 

                “Think they did it?”  Aviva asked as they re-united and climbed aboard a carriage.  

 

                “Well if they didn’t Kellie we have at least a found a career for you on the stage,” Terri said dryly.

 

                What none of them noticed was the young man with slender features and watery blue eyes who watched their departure with interest and then hurried away.

 

 

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

 

                “Did you get it?”  Kid asked going into Heyes room having just arrived back.

 

                “Went like clockwork, except for the snake.”

 

                “Snake?”

 

                “Let’s just say this Moriarty is one demented character,” he said explaining what had happened.

 

                Kid looked at him eyes cold.  “A man who could do something like that could certainly work up a reason to kill all those women.”

 

                “That’s what I’m thinking,”  Heyes said as they descended the stairs to find the women waiting and that they had been joined by Holmes and Watson.

 

                “Excellent work Mr. Smith,” Holmes said and couldn’t help adding, “You seem to have a natural talent for this kind of work.”

 

                “It’s the ladies that impressed me,” Heyes said politely back.

 

                “You girls were magnificent,” Kid laughed.  “And I gotta admit I rather liked having women fight over going with me.”

 

                “Oh we weren’t fighting over who got to go with you,”  Sherry said innocently.  “We were fighting over who HAD to go with you.”

 

                Kid looked properly deflated, “I stand corrected.”

 

                “It’s all right Mr. Jones,”  Kara said patting him on the shoulder.  “I think it was the 26 children that was giving us the real incentive.”

 

                Kid laughed in spite of himself.

 

                “Shall I do the honors?”  Heyes asked.

 

                He made short work on the boxes and soon their contents were revealed.

 

                “Their are deeds to silver mines and government bonds, Terri this is a fortune,” Diane gasped.

 

                Holmes picked up one of the small volumes Heyes and Kid were hurrying through.

 

                “And this was what Mr. Moriarty was after,” he said.  “Blackmail always was the hub of his empire.  The information in these books would ensure his control over a western empire.”

 

                “But we still don’t know how he found it,” Ann said perplexed.

 

                “I’m afraid we do,” Watson said quietly.  “Do you know a young man named Tony?”

 

                “You mean the lad who brings the coal?”  Aviva asked.

 

                “Yes, he has been spying on you.  I don’t doubt he sneak in through the coal shute and listen for anything concerning the boxes.  Last night he struck pay dirt.”

 

                “Wait till I get my hands on him,” Aviva said furious.

 

                “I’m afraid someone already has.  They found him floating face down in the bay.  He had died of a snake bite,” Watson said.

 

                “This Moriarty does not like lose ends,” Heyes said softly.

 

                “And he doesn’t like to lose,” Holmes continued.  “You are all in grave danger.”

 

                “You think he might try to come after the books again?”  Kid asked pulling out his gun and checking it and then returning it to its holster with an added emphasis.

 

                “Yes, but fortunately at the moment he has a more pressing problem.”

 

                “The Ripper?”  Kellie asked.  Everyone looked at her.  “That’s what the paper is calling him.”

 

                “Yes, I think for once Moriarty is in over his head.  In allowing his partner to extract the information from the women he has created a monster with an unquenchable thirst for more.  The ripper will strike again and soon and I believe Moriarty no longer has control over him,” Holmes explained.

 

                “And we could use that against him,” Susan said.

 

                “In order to do that we would need bait,” Holmes said quietly.

 

                Everyone in the room looked at him including Watson.

 

                “Holmes you are not suggesting…” Watson said aghast.

 

                “Absolutely not,” Heyes said coming to his feet almost shaking as he remembered the carnage he had seen.

 

                “I’m willing,” Terri said calmly.

 

                “Count me in,”  Sherry added.

 

                “And me,”  Kara said.

 

                “Are you all crazy!” Kid exploded.

               

                “Mad perhaps, but not crazy,” Sherry said.

 

                “Mad, bad and dangerous to know,”  Holmes said under his breath.

 

                “What was that?”  Ann asked.

 

                “Something said of one of my countrymen.  If you ladies are certain then I suggest we start to tonight.”

 

                “Wait a minute!”  Heyes said feeling like he was losing control.  “Nobody is going anywhere or doing anything!”

 

                “What if you had us to help look after them?”  Kid asked suddenly.

 

                “Thaddeus!”

 

                “Look they are going to do it, I’ve known them long enough to know that and in a way I can’t say I blame them.  Better to tackle the thing head on instead of waiting here for it to attack you.”

 

                “Take the offensive?”  Aviva smiled.

 

                “And Mr. Smith and I can be quite an offensive,” Kid smiled back.

 

                “You have all lost your minds,” Heyes said sinking into the chair.

 

                “Then its agreed,” Holmes asked.

 

                Everyone turned and looked at Heyes, who finally sighed knowing when to throw in a losing hand.

 

                “I want a map of the city and we just use those three,” Heyes said. “And I get to pick where they wait and where we all position ourselves.”

 

                “Wouldn’t have it any other way Joshua,” Kid smiled.

 

                “I am in the company of the deranged,” Heyes sighed and picking up a pencil began working on the most dangerous plan of his career.

 

 

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

 

 

                By the time night fell Hannibal Heyes felt he knew San Francisco better than those who built.  Quickly picking out three sights within shouting distance of one another he then began surveying the area working out the best place to put each of the women that gave them the most coverage.

               

                Kid with his eye for an ambush was invaluable spotting little thought of ledges and side corners until at last Heyes felt satisfied.  Heyes, Holmes and Kid would each be assigned one of the women to keep an eye on.  Watson and the rest of the ladies, divided into groups of four, would be the look outs warning of anyone approaching.  He considered doing without them, but he had long realized any attempt to protect them was hopeless and besides he needed them.  The police had been notified and he felt sure he had enough back up for any inconceivable problem.

 

                He had prayed the fog would take a night off, but his prayers had gone unanswered in fact it came in faster and thicker than he had previously seen.  But everyone was equipped with lanterns and the signals would cut through the fog.  All that remained was to wait.

 

                Holmes had drawn Sherry, a petite green eyed blond who seemed as up beat as Holmes was dour.  Still Holmes towering over the young woman made him feel a little better.  The man could handle himself and he knew the enemy.

 

                Kid had been assigned Kara and the two had been sparring back and forth playfully ever since.  She was nervous and Kid knew it.  Finally he took her firmly by the hand into the back garden and pointed to a weather vane a distance off.  Then without warning he drew and the very tip flew off.  His gun was returned to the holster before the target  even began to drop to earth.

 

                “That is what I will do to anyone who even looks at you funny,” Kid said giving her a kiss on the forehead and going back in.

 

                Kara stood there for a long moment and then with a smile and a lighter step she followed him back in.

 

                As for Heyes he had gotten Terri whose brown eyes looked at him so trustingly he went back to his room and went over the plan again.

 

                “Mr. Smith?”  Ann said peering in at him.

 

                “Yes, ” he said and looking up and trying to put on a confident air.  “Just making sure everything is perfect.”

 

                “Don’t worry, it will be okay.”

 

                He let his guard down for a moment and let her see the fear in his usually unreadable dark eyes.  “I hope you’ re right.”

 

“Mr. Holmes says we couldn’t have anybody better planning this and coming from him that is quite a compliment.”

                 

                He smiled, “Yes I guess it is.  You are taking a hell of a chance you know.”

 

                “What’s the saying?  If you have nothing to die for you have no reason to live?  She walked over and kissed him gently on the cheek.  “We are all in this together, remember that, whatever happens.”

 

                She was gone leaving a faint trace of vanilla and he knew from that moment on he would always associate the scent with beautiful women and courage.

 

 

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

 

                Heyes came down the steps to find Kid handing a rifle to Carla, who cocked it and checked the load.

 

                “You are arming them?”  Heyes asked amazed.

 

“She shoots better than you,” Kid told him simply.

 

                “Somebody has to watch your back,” Carla winked at him and Heyes began to wonder if it was possible to be in love with 12 women at the same time.

 

                The clock struck ten and the first group moved out followed by the second fifteen minutes later and the last after fifteen more.

 

                Heyes had chosen the theater district.  It would be a logical place for a working girl to walk and it was well lit.  Holmes had warned it might take several nights for their quarry to make his move, but  Kid was certain tonight would be the night.  He peered out the broken window that hid him.  It was good spot and it gave him a wide view especially with it being broken, which was why he had done it.

 

                His eyes never left Kara and his senses were at their most alert.  He had felt this feeling on bank jobs, but never to this extent.  Perhaps because he had never been going up before pure evil before.

 

                He heard footsteps and noticed Kara stiffen.  Someone was approaching.  Kid’s gun was in his hand even before the man came into view.  Staggering, he was clearly drunk and fresh from the theater in top hat and tails.

 

                He had been singing, but upon seeing Kara he stopped and removed his hat giving a little bow that nearly sent him over.

               

                In the distance Kid could hear whistles and a siren and he knew something was happening, something was wrong.  The shouts grew louder, but his eyes never left the woman.  The man was getting too close.  Suddenly there was an explosion of light from out of nowhere  blinding him and as he struggled to regain his senses he heard Kara scream.

 

 

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

 

                Holmes’ disguise as a street sweeper had afforded him the ability to blend into the darkness of the alley and there even if seen, still not be out of place.

 

                Sherry had been approached by two men so far, but neither had been their quarry and she had sent them packing by acting indignant and then asking so much the man’s mouth dropped open.  Holmes smiled, American women were certainly a breed apart.

 

                They both heard Watson’s whistle and saw the light at the same time.

 

                He jumped out of the alley and reached her.

 

                “Something’s gone wrong,” he told her and handed her his pistol.  “Can you shoot one of these?”

 

                “Tell me who to aim it at and get out of the way,” Sherry told him.

 

                He rewarded her with a rare smile, “Good show my dear let us see if we can be of some help.”

 

               

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

 

                Heyes heard the men attack even as he hunched down behind the wooden crates.  Looking up he saw lights go off back and forth trying to warn each other.  Something terribly wrong was happening.  He heard a footstep behind him and then for a second he took his eyes off Terri, in that moment she screamed as two rough dock workers grabbed her.

 

                “Please stay where you are Mr. Heyes,” came a cultured voice from behind him.  “I would hate to shoot so admirable an adversary in the back.”

 

                Hannibal Heyes had just met James Moriarty.

 

 

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

 

                “We’re under attack!”  Susan yelled running down the edge of the roof and reaching Kellie and Aviva.

 

                “Moriarty’s men, but how?  The police were guarding our backs,” Kellie said.

 

                “Unless of course Moriarty’s men were the police,” Susan said.

 

                “You mean?”  Aviva said.

 

                “They’ve got Marti, Diane, and Tina,” Carla said running up out of breath.  “To make matters worse I lost sight of Kara and Thaddeus.”

 

                “Come on we’ve got to help them,” Susan said.

 

                “But we don’t know where they took them,” Kellie said frustrated.

 

                “He wants the books, I say we start with the house,” Aviva said dangerously.

 

 

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

               

                “Thank goodness the police!”  Watson said starting to rise from his position behind the flower cart.

 

                Rene pushed him back down.  “Maybe not, something is wrong.”

 

                “I’ve lost Joshua and Sherry,” Ann said running up and ducking down breathless.  “The police raided the spot.”

 

                “But they are suppose to be backing us up,”  Watson said.

 

                “Unless Moriarty got to them first,” Rene said.  “I think we’ve been sold out.”

 

                “This is all going very bad.  What do you want to do?”

 

                “Head for the house something tells me those books are what this is all about.”

 

 

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

 

                “So I finally meet the great Moriarty,” Heyes said.  “Do I get to turn around or are we going to have this conversation with my back to you.”

 

                “Please, but do not try anything foolish I am aware of your credentials Mr. Heyes and I will not underestimate you.”

 

                Heyes turned slowly and faced the older man.

 

                “You are not what I expected,” Heyes said.

 

                “Yes I have been confused once or twice with a professor or a clergy man, does help my work no end.”

 

                “No I was just thinking how unusual to see a scorpion walking on hind legs.”

 

                Moriarty stiffened, “Your opinion means nothing to me, especially coming from a man who is wanted himself.  Actually Mr. Heyes I have followed your career for some time.  You showed great potential.  A pity you decided to give it all up.  Yes I know about the amnesty offer, there is very little I do not know.  You don’t really believe the government will keep their promise.”

 

                “Yes I do.”

 

                “Then you are behaving like a fool.  A man with your natural brains and abilities could go far in my organization.”

 

                “Then you’ve convinced me I made the right decision leaving the business ,”  Heyes said.

 

                “Very noble, stupid, but noble.   You remind me a little of Mr. Holmes, he has that same annoying streak of decency.”

 

                Heyes looked over at Terri struggling with her captives.  He had promised to keep her safe and so far he wasn’t doing very well.   “Let the girl go I’ll take you to the books.”

 

                “Alas I am afraid I cannot, I promised her to a friend.”

 

                “Mr. Ripper?”  Heyes said tightly.

 

                “Yes his appetite has become rather insatiable of late.”

 

                “What’s in those books,” Heyes said attempting to buy time.

 

                Moriarty smiled, “Good try Mr. Heyes, but I’m afraid I just do not have the time to chit chat right now.  And since I am convinced of your intellect and cunning it just means I will have to kill you now.”

 

                Moriarty turned the gun and fired.

 

 

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

 

                Kid reacted shutting his eyes before the worse of the flash hit him.  He had had too many dynamite blasts go wrong on him and experience saved him from being temporary blinded by the light.  Cautiously he reopened his eyes  in time to see Kara being pulled around the corner.

 

                Gun in hand he took off at a dead run.  Rounding a particular nasty corner he spotted Kara’s unconscious form being pulled into a back mews and got off a shot.

 

                The man looked up startled and dropped her.  Then stood their hesitant to leave his prize behind.

 

“Don’t try it!”  Kid yelled trying to get off a decent shot despite the darkness and fog.

 

                The figure fled and Kid reached Kara.

 

He pulled her up to lean against him and was relieved to see her eye lids flutter, she was coming around.   He whirled at the approaching footsteps, gun ready and then let out a breath as he saw who it was.

 

                “Dear God!”  Watson cried.

 

                “It’s okay he didn’t hurt her, she’s just stunned.  Get her back to the house.”  Kid ordered Watson and started to run after the fleeing figure.

 

                “Where are you going?”  Watson called after him.

 

                “To end this,” Kid said grimly.

 

 

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

 

                Heyes dived as the gun went off not hopeful but at least unwilling to be a sitting duck.  It was then he realized he had heard two gun shots and realized Moriarty’s gun had been hit at the moment it fired sending the bullet wild.  In pain the man dropped the gun and disappeared into the fog.

 

                “Hello Mr. Smith.”

 

                Heyes looked up to see Rene’s smiling face and took the hand she offered helping him up.  “I’m the calvery.”

 

                “Sherry?” he said turning and sighed relieved seeing Holmes escorting the girl over shaken, but unhurt.

 

                “Thank God,” he said holding the girl at arm length to assure himself she was unhurt and then hugging her..  “Nice save Mr. Holmes.”

 

                “I was hardly the white knight, she already had one on his knees when I got there,” Holmes said.  “Are you hurt?”

 

                “No, thanks to Rene here,” he grinned.  “I’m used to having a partner save me with his gun, but I must say you are the prettiest stand in I could have ever hoped for.  But weren’t we suppose to be protecting you?”

 

                “Sorry, I always was an overachiever.” she smiled.

 

                “Either way it was nice shooting,” Heyes complimented.

 

                “Not really I was aiming to blow his brains out, damn fog,” she growled.

 

                The two men tried to swallow smiles.  And finally Heyes gave up and laughing picked her up and swung her around in a relieved hug.

 

                “Watson!”  Holmes said as the Doctor and a shaken Kara appeared from out of the fog.

 

                “The ripper?”  Holmes asked after assuring himself Kara was okay.

 

                “Mr. Jones has gone after him,” Watson said.

 

                “Any sign of the others?”  Holmes said.

               

                “They’ve been taken.  We were heading back to the house in the hope we could get their first and surprise them,” Watson said.

 

                “Where are you going Mr. Heyes?” Holmes said as Heyes pulled out his gun and turned to go.

 

                “To back up my partner.”

 

                “Your partner can take care of himself, I need you.”

 

                “That maniac is a evil incarnate.   Kid doesn’t think that way, he’s too decent to go after something like him.  The bastard will take advantage of that.”

 

                “You will never find him in time and we need you here,” Holmes said.

 

                Heyes looked up and saw the women shivering in the night air and realized he was right.  Reluctantly he holstered his gun and found himself praying Kid wouldn’t catch up with the creature.

 

 

                                                                                *********************************************8

 

                The drawing room of the cat house parlor was quiet as Marti, Diane, Kellie and Tina sat together on one couch surrounded by 6 large police men and 4 burly dock workers.  At the bar and Moriarty was pouring a brandy trying not to use his freshly bandaged hand.

 

                “So how much of the police force is yours?”  Tina asked.

 

                “Just one Inspector and a squad, but as you saw tonight it is enough to disrupt the balance of power when you lull someone into a false sense of security.”

 

                “Those books are that valuable to you?” Marti continued trying to stall for time.

 

                “Oh the books are useful, your aunt was an excellent record keeper, but it is one in particular I want.  It contains some rather vicious, dirty information on  certain European heads of state.   With what I have acquired all ready and the information in that book  I will have enough evidence to bring down several thrones of Europe should they not wish to cooperate.  But they will.”

 

                “You have the books,.”  Diane said indicating the silver boxes he had retrieved.  “Why are you still waiting around?”

               

                “The key volume is missing.  It was not in the boxes when I first took them and it is not here now.  Your aunt refused to give it to me and unfortunately it cost her her life.  A slow poison, but she was a stubborn woman.”

 

                “You killed her…” Kellie said horrified.

 

                “As I will all of you unless you tell me where the book is.”

 

               

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

 

                “Ya know I’m just getting a little bit tired of sitting around waiting to be saved,”  Carla said from the first floor landing balcony where they were watching.

 

                “Yea it does wear on the nerves, what do you have in mind?”  Susan said.

 

                “One word,” Ann said with an evil smile.  “Chandelier.”

 

                “That should shed a little light on things,” Aviva agreed wickedly.

               

 

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

 

                “This does make it a bit difficult not being able to call the police when you aren’t sure which ones are working for Moriarty,”  Kara said as Heyes,  Sherry and Terri  followed her softly down the coal shute and up the basement stairs.

 

                “Well Holmes sent Watson for what he called reliable back up.  All we have to do is something to get their attention,”  Heyes said dusting off the soot and then realized who he was suggesting such a thing to.

 

                “This dumb waiter goes up to the drawing room right?”  Sherry asked standing next to the small door in the wall.

 

                “Yea it comes up behind the bar…” Terri grinned catching on.

 

                “You don’t mean you have some here!”  Kara said.

 

                Terri held up a stick of dynamite.

 

                Heyes pulled it out of her hand.  “Give me that!  So you want to kill yourselves?  Don’t you women just carry purses like everyone else?” 

 

                They all made an attempt to look suitably chastised and it almost work till Terri glanced and gave a cheeky grin.  Heyes groaned, threw his hands in the air and  grinned back, “So how fast does this thing move?”

 

                “Why?”  Sherry asked.

 

                “So I know how long to set the fuse,” he said eyes twinkling.

 

 

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

 

 

                They had reached the water front and Kid’s boots were having trouble negotiating the slick dock, but he would not be put off.  The hunter had become the hunted and was realizing Kid was not to be put off.

 

                Tracking in the City was different than the trail, but it was still tracking and Kid knew his business.  Despite a series of turns and attempts to throw him off he began to close in until finally the Ripper made the wrong choice and slid to a stop at the end of a small dock.  Trapped with the water behind him and Kid steadily walking towards him he turned and waited almost with anticipation.

 

                “It’s over,”  Kid said.  His gun still in his holster, the only light casts off from distant lighthouse.

 

                “Is it?” the man giggled.

 

                Kid had faced a lot of men in his time, but this was the strangest.  He was slight in built, bland, rather plain features, but it was eyes that drew Kid.  The only thing he could think to compare them to was a dead mans.

 

                “Who are you?” he asked needing some kind of answer for what he had seen.

 

                “A friend of kings, kings like to watch, did I mention that cowboy?”

 

                “Let’s go,” Kid said giving up on understanding the man and moving to take his arm dismissing him as a complete lunatic.

 

                “I think not,” suddenly his eyes became black with rage and the fool was gone.  With a scream so inhuman it startled Kid, the man whirled and plunged the knife down.

 

 

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

 

As timing went it was fairly remarkable combination what with the chandelier coming down  the same time the dumb waiter blew the contents of the bar into the room.  Holmes must have decided that was his signal bursting in the front door with a newly formed back up group of British Navy men.

 

The fight was short lived.  The navy men having been told by Watson that beautiful women were being held hostage by brigands were more than happy to smash in any face that got in their way.  And upon seeing the four on the sofa and the group sliding down the banister to join the melee, it became all the more urgent to make  a good impression,  more the pity for the captors.

 

“I rather hoped they would do it for Queen and country,” Holmes told him when he heard how Watson had secured them.

 

“Holmes,” Watson said in a rebuking tone.  “Those men just got in after four months at sea.  I was going for maximum cooperation.”

 

“A valid point,” Holmes agreed.

 

Heyes stumbled up from the cellar and stood amazed at the shambles of the room.  Somewhere a police whistle went off and suddenly the room was filled with a second unit of police and bodies were being hauled out of the room on Holmes directions as they tried to sort out just who they were suppose to be arresting..

 

He stared down at the chandelier.  “Must have been a pretty amazing stick of dynamite,”  he said a little dazed.

 

Slowly the group trickled in and caught one another up in the missing pieces.

 

Heyes stood aside half listening, smiling at some of it, but eyes on the door.

 

“The Captain has sent out a patrol to look for him,” Holmes said coming up behind him.

 

Heyes almost smiled.  The least effective way to locate Kid Curry was to send a unit of police to look for him.

 

“Thank you,” Heyes said anyway.

 

There was a commotion at the door and Heyes suddenly looked up.

 

“Kid!” he grinned hurrying to meet his friend and as he stepped forward to greet him he knew something was terribly wrong.  “Kid?” he said again and it was then he saw the blood soaked white linen shirt under his coat.

 

He caught him just as he collapsed.

 

 

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

 

“He’s lost a lot of blood,” Watson said an hour later wiping his hands.

 

He looked over at Heyes sitting silently on the edge of the sofa and once more doubted Holmes portrayal of these two as hardened criminals.  The young man’s concern for his friend was genuine and touching.  Even now he hadn’t moved from his side as if convinced his presence was part of what was needed to heal him.

 

“Is he gonna make it?”  Heyes said throat dry.

 

“He’s very lucky, whoever was using that knife knew the most advantageous place to strike.  If your friend had not been so quick, well as I said, he is a lucky young man.”

 

“You didn’t answer my question,” Heyes said looking him in the eyes as if trying to find the truth.

 

In answer Kid groaned and opened his eyes.

 

“They make them tough out west Mr. Heyes,”  Watson smiled.

 

“Thank you Doctor!”  Heyes said gripping his arm.

                               

Watson picked up tray of instruments,  “I’ll leave you alone for a moment, but remember he is going to need a lot of rest and I don’t want him even thinking of doing anything to break open those stitches.”

 

“You sound like you’ve had tough patients before,” Heyes grinned.

 

“Try having Sherlock Holmes for one,” Watson said with a grimace and exited.                    

 

“How you feeling?”  Heyes smiled. 

 

“Annoyed, Heyes I should have seen it coming.”

 

“Don’t kick yourself, he fooled a lot of people.”

 

“Yea, but I’ve faced men down before, this one, this one I just couldn’t read.”

 

“Well cheer up.  You’ve got a room full of women out there worried sick about you,” he said trying to keep his voice light.  “Definitely will win on the sympathy vote.”

 

Kid nodded, “Planned it that way,” he smiled and then coughed and winced.

 

“Take it easy,” Heyes said reaching over and pouring a glass of water and helping him take a sip.

 

“Heyes I’m okay,” Kid said reading the concern in his friend’s eyes.

 

“You sure as hell didn’t look that way when you stumbled in here, pale as a ghost and blood everywhere.”

 

“Some of that was his.”

 

“You got him then?’

 

“Yea, I got him straight through the heart, fell into the bay, “ Kid said.  “Heyes I can’t tell you how stupid I feel about letting him cut me.  I had him dead to rights and we both knew it.  I don’t know where that knife came from.  I must be slowing down.”

 

Heyes shook his head,  “No its not you.  Kid you’ve been up against bad men, but evil, evils different.”

 

“How you figure that?”

 

Heyes half smiled, “I got this from Aviva why the Doc was patching you up.  She says man is naturally bad, but to be truly evil he needs help from something darker.”

 

“I tell you Heyes when I looked into his eyes I was scared and I’ve faced down a lot of men.”

 

Both sat for a moment thinking of the terror the women who died must have felt.  It was a depressing thought and Kid shivered less from absence of his shirt than the moment.

 

That brought Heyes out of it and reaching over he pulled a blanket off the edge of the settee and tried to place it over his cousin.

 

“Heyes don’t moddle coddle me, I’m fine.”

 

“Twenty stitches is your idea of fine?”

 

“I’m alive aren’t I?”

 

“Yea, yea you are,” Heyes said finally exhaling.

 

“So where are all those women who want to look after me?”  Kid said understanding and grateful

 

“First cover up,” Heyes bargained.  “I don’t want you offending the women folks sensibilities with you laying here half naked.”

 

“You mean you don’t want my masculine charms stealing any more away from you,” Kid said.

 

“That’s it entirely,” Heyes said and this time his cousin gratefully took the blanket.

 

“Before you go tell me one thing, what exactly happened before I got here?  The place looked like a bomb went off from the street?”  Kid said.

 

“It did.  I tell you Kid if we ever go back into the outlaw business Sherry, Kara and Terri are first on my list for dynamiters.”

 

“Heck I’ll sign the whole lot of them up for the gang.  Their smarter than Kyle and a whole lot easier on the eye.”

 

Heyes laughed and stopped at the door, “You sure you are up to them coming in to celebrate.”    Kid started to say something, but Heyes held up his hand eyes hard as flint.  “And don’t lie to me I’ll know.”                                            

 

Kid nodded, “As long as they don’t have dancing.  Seriously  I could use a little cheering up.  It’s been a pretty dark night.”

 

Heyes nodded getting up and going to the door, “The minute this gets too much you give me the signal and I’ll get you out of here.”

 

“Heyes I am never gonna be so hurt I  want to be whisked out of the company of  women like that.”

 

“Sounds like you are going to make it after all,” Heyes smiled and opened the door.  Kellie nearly landed on him.

 

“Hi,” she smiled as he caught her deftly.  “We were starting to worry.”

 

“He’s going to make it and would gratefully appreciate company other than his cousin,”  Heyes said still holding on to her.

 

“Joshua you need to let go of her for her to go tell them,”  Kid grinned.

 

“What?”   he realized and let go with flush.

 

“Don’t rush him,”  Kellie scolded Kid and then with a wink at Heyes hurried off to bring the rest back.

 

“We stay here any longer Heyes the choice is going to kill me,”  Kid said.

 

“Who wants to choose?”  his partner grinned back.

 

The door was suddenly flung open and the room filled with all the ladies carrying champagne bottles and flush with hope and relief.

 

Holmes and Watson followed a moment later and after Watson was convinced Kid was coping well enough everyone sat down and began talking at once.

 

“Whoa, whoa one at a time,” Kid said.  “First off I want to know if anyone can tell me who I was chasing tonight?”

 

“Marcus Keegan,”  Holmes said.  “He was a valet for the Duke of Clarence, Prince Albert Victor.”

 

“It seems the Prince gets his jollies watching things like that,” Heyes said.  “Moriarty took advantage of it keeping him sated and getting the information he needed.”

 

“So how the Prince going to entertain himself now,” Kara asked worriedly.

 

“I have sent a full report to the Prime Minister and her Majesty, the Prince’s grandmother.  I believe she will be dealing most severely with him upon his return.” Holmes said. 

 

“I don’t want to be in his shoes,” Tina laughed.  “Queen Victoria looks pretty formidable.”

 

“For anyone but Holmes,” Watson smiled. “She is putty in his hands.” 

 

Holmes looked embarrassed.  “That is hardly the way to refer to our sovereign monarch Watson, but as we are on the subject I have also wired her majesty requesting that she send our governments thanks to the Governor of Wyoming for the invaluable service rendered by two of its citizens, Joshua Smith and  Thaddeus Jones.”

 

Heyes and Kid looked at each other.

 

“It never hurts to have friends in high places when favors come due,” Holmes said with a trace of a smile.

 

Heyes raised his glass, “You are a gentlemen sir and a friend.”

 

“I am honored sir.  And now we must be off.  To avoid scandal the queen had requested her grandson return immediately.  She had requested Watson and I escort the entourage back.”

 

“My sympathies,” Kid sighed.

 

“Oh I think we can make the trip memorable for the young Prince,”  Watson said slyly.  “I believe put the fear of God in him, were the exact words you used Holmes?”

 

“I’ll look forward to reading about this adventure,”  Heyes smiled.

 

“Ah I do not believe this one will be published for many a year to come if ever,”  Holmes said seeing the light in Watson’s eyes.  “Ladies it has been a pleasure and an experience.” 

 

“Wait, first a toast,”  Rene said holding up her glass.

 

“What shall we drink to?”  Carla asked.

 

“Daybreak,”  Diane said raising her glass.  “And to friends that did not make it through the night.” She finished solemnly.

 

“To daybreak!” the all echoed.

 

 

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

 

 

“What are you doing up?”  Heyes said the next afternoon looking up from the couch where he had been reading to see his partner maneuvering down the steps cautiously.

 

“Heyes if I sit in that bed any longer I will scream,” Kid said moving slowly.

 

Heyes put his book down and helped him over to a chair.  “Dr. Watson said at least three days bed rest.”

 

“Dr. Watson is an Englishman,” Kid grumbled.  “Where is everybody?”

 

“Spending money,” Heyes laughed. “So that’s what’s bothering you, lack of female attention?”

 

“I was lonely,” Kid said.  “You didn’t even come up to talk.”

 

“I offered to read to you.”

 

“No offense Heyes but I have had enough Sherlock Holmes adventures for one lifetime if it’s all the same to you.”

 

There was a knock at the hastily repaired door and Heyes got up,   “Stay put, you start bleeding again Kellie will have my head.  She’s proclaimed herself your personal nurse.”

 

“That little angel has you scared?”

 

“That little angel decked Moriarty last night.  Seems they breed them right in Texas,” he said disappearing to open the door.

 

A moment later he stepped back in an odd look on his face accompanied by six officers.

 

“Who is it…”  Kid said looked up and read the look of panic in his cousin’s eyes.

 

It was then he saw the guns aimed at his partner’s back.

 

                “Jedediah Curry I am placing you under arrest,” the lead officer said and motioned to two of the men who jerked Kid to his feet causing him to wince and almost lose his footing.

 

                “Hey look he’s hurt and from saving your City I might add,” Heyes said angrily trying to reach him, but being held back.

 

                His talking back cost him a blow to the stomach that doubled him over and then a Billy club cracked across the back of his head.

 

                It was Kid this time who dived to help his friend, but the combination of the men holding him and wound was to much.

 

                “What is the meaning of this!”  Terri cried bursting into the room with Diane and Kara.  “What are you doing to these men!”

 

                “These men are Hannibal Heyes and Kid Curry ma’am and we have a warrant for their arrest.  Now if you will excuse me.”

 

                “Thaddeus…”  Diane said.

 

                “I’m sorry,”  Kid said and then he bit his lip to not cry out as he was shoved out the door and into the waiting paddy wagon.

 

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

 

 

                “We should have all gone down there,” Carla said pacing and hour later as the women sat reassembled in the kitchen.

 

                “They’re back,”  Kellie said running in, Ann and Aviva behind her.

 

                “Well it’s true,”  Ann said. “They are Hannibal Heyes and Kid Curry.”

 

 “They wouldn’t let us see them, but it seems Moriarty had figured it out and ratted on them.  Sort of makes sense now that you think about it.  The way he opened that safe, Thaddeus’ ability with a gun,” Aviva said glumly.

 

                “Notorious outlaws,”  Marti said.  “But they were so kind, so gentle.  They risked their lives for all of us.”

 

                “Rumor has it that they have been going straight for the last year and a half hoping to get an amnesty.  I guess Mr. Holmes knew it and that’s why he didn’t say anything,” Kara said.

 

                “Will they hang them?”  Diane asked with a shudder.

 

                “No they aren’t wanted for murder,  just armed robbery.  I say just, it means 20 years in the state penitentiary,”  Susan sighed overwhelmed.

 

                “What are we going to do?”  Sherry asked.

 

                “Well we can’t let them do it,”  Terri said firmly.

 

                “Oh my God what have you done to the place,” came a feminine voice.

 

                The entire room and turned to stare as if it had seen a ghost.

 

                “Aunt Molly!”  Terri managed to gasp.

 

                The woman smiled.  The lines around her eyes a bit finer, the smile a little sadder, but it was no doubt it was Molly.

 

                “You are dead,” Rene told her firmly.

 

                “Rumors of my death dears, rumors of my death,” she looked where the chandelier had been.  “And I thought I knew how to throw a party.”

 

                “Ladies.”

 

                They turned and saw Silky carrying the bags in and set them down.  “I think I owe you an explanation.”

 

                “First where are those two darling boys who helped you all out so.  Joshua?  Thaddeus?”  she called.  “I’ve just been reading all about it in the paper.   Where are they?”

 

                “The police found out who they were Aunt Molly, they took them away,” Terri said.

 

                Molly stood there for a moment shocked and then took in the glum faces and rallied.

               

“Then ladies,” she said pulling out her hat pin and removing the hat with a flourish.  “We will just have to get them out, won’t we?”

 

                                                               

 

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

               

                They had been given separate cells and Heyes awoke to a pounding headache and a sense of doom.  “Kid?” he called out but the concrete walls provided no chance of an answer.

 

                “I wouldn’t worry about your partner,” a voice called through the small barred window in the steel door.  “Last time I checked he wasn’t looking too good.”

 

                “I want to see him.”

 

                “Yea I’m sure you want a lot of things,” the guard laughed.  “But you are going to get your wish, they rushed extradition.  You two are leaving in an hour, special train straight to Wyoming.  And since you two have such a reputation for slipping out captivity we got six armed soldiers escorting the wagon to the station.”

 

                Heyes fell back on his bunk trying to think.  Oddly the thought of being sent back didn’t bother him, at least it meant him and Kid would be together.  Together anything was always possible.  He tried to drive away the pain in his head so he could think.  Kid would be expecting a plan.

 

                An hour later the door opened and Heyes was pulled to his feet and shoved out.  It seems their involvement in the uncovering of crooked police had left a bad taste in the entire force and looking for someone to take it out on he and Kid had been the least likely to offer any resistance.

 

                He was pulled to a stop in front of another cell door, from which they pulled his cousin.

 

                They both said nothing in greeting giving the men nothing to use against them and stood still as their hands were manacled together in front of them.

 

                It gave Heyes a chance to check out his younger cousin and he winced at the blood that had leaked through the bandage on to his shirt.  He had broken stitches and must be hurting like hell, Heyes thought.  But when he looked up and caught Kid’s eye there was a cocky hint of a smile.  Kid was thinking the same thing, they were back together.  Together there was always a chance.

 

                They were pushed out into a courtyard where a large black paddy wagon pulled by two teams of matched horses stood waiting.  Heyes blinked at the bright light and realized the noise he had heard coming down the hall way had not been the ringing in his ears but the crowd that had gathered. 

 

                He looked out and was surprised to see it was ten deep and vocally on their side.  News of their involvement in stopping the murders and Kid’s slaying of the fiend had given their already folk hero status a new gleam.   Someone threw a tomato at one of the officers and several women up front were crying.

 

                Suddenly one of the women broke free from the crowd and slipped through the police and reaching Heyes, threw her arms around him and kissed him soundly.

 

                Heyes stood there capable of doing little else than enjoy it until he finally got a look at the head under the large veiled hat.

 

                “Terri?” he whispered.

 

                “Be ready,” she whispered back and then was pulled off him as the crowd screamed its disapproval.

 

                A large older guard opened the enclosed wagon’s two back door to find two guards waiting.

 

                “Up you go lads,” the elderly guard said with a hint of Irish Brogue.  “Don’t want to be missing the party.”

 

                They both turned startled recognizing the voice, but there was no time to do anything but to scramble in before the doors shut.

 

                “Silky?” Kid asked in a whisper as he sat across from Heyes each with a guard beside them.

 

                “I think so, did you catch who kissed me?”

 

                “Well for a moment I thought it was Terri… “

 

                They were jolted into silence as the wagon started to move.

 

               

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

 

 

The two men looked at each other and stole a glance at the two guards hidden from them in the shadows of the compartment.    They had no idea what was coming, but they would need to take care of them first.  Kid caught his glance to say he was willing to try and they both moved as one as the carriage hit a particularly hard bump using their bodies to force the guards down and their weight to hold them there.

 

                Heyes was planning his next move when a voice startled him.

 

                “If I had known you have been wanting to do that I would have helped you out way before this,”  Susan said

 

                Heyes mouth dropped open.  “Susan?”

 

                “Diane?” Kid said having made the same discovery getting off her dazed.

 

                “Is that how outlaws make passes at girls?”  Diane said pulling off her cap and mustache.  “What it lacks in subtlety it certainly makes up for in effectiveness.”

 

                “But how?”  Heyes said.

 

                “Surprise boys, the Devil’s Hole Gang is breaking you out!”

 

 

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

 

 

                “Ready?”  Terri said waiting with her knife on the rope.

 

                “Now!”  Marti cried.  

 

                The police wagon roared by and the milk wagon’s contents 20 silver canisters came free rolling right into the oncoming path of the soldiers.

 

                Two of the men were thrown as the horses reared up startled and then fell.

 

                “Two down,”  Marti said handing Terri the reins to her horse and they galloped off.

 

 

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

 

“Ah what exactly is happening,”  Heyes asked as he rubbed his wrists to regain circulation.”

 

                “If we are on schedule,”  there was a loud crash from outside as the milk canisters did their work.  “And we are,”  Diane smiled.  “We are in the process of taking out your escorts.”

 

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

 

                “I still say you used too much dynamite,”  Kara said as the climbed down the steep ladder from the water tower.

 

                “Had to get it just so, otherwise the water won’t spray right,”  Sherry said.

 

                “Here they come,”  Kara said covering her ears.

 

                The explosion rocked the wagon as it hurried by and the stream of water shooting out caught the remaining four soldiers and horses with a force that sent them sprawling.

 

                The two women shook hands and grabbed their horses.

 

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

 

                “What was that?”  Kid asked.

 

                “Water tower,”  Susan said pleasantly.  “Do you know how much water they hold or the pressure it will create if you release it in one fast stream?”

 

                Kid shook his head mesmerized.

 

                “Neither do we, but it’s a enough to knock a man off his horse,”  Diane grinned.

 

                There was two thuds from the front of the wagon.

 

                “What was that?”  Heyes said not sure he wanted to know.

 

                “Had to get rid of the driver.  Ann sort of just knocked him off.

 

                “With what?”  Kid asked.

 

                “Aviva.” Came the answer.

 

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

 

               

                Ann picked up the reins and tried to bring the team under control.  The streets were fast clearing for them, but the team was running wild now and she still needed to turn them towards the harbor and away from the rail yard.

 

                She looked up and saw Aviva and Rene waiting on the balcony of the building ahead of her.  Saying a prayer she whizzed by and heard two thumps land safety behind her.

 

                “All right boys lets see if we can give them a run for their money,” she told the horses.

 

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

 

                “And that was?”  Heyes asked as the two landed on the roof.

 

                “Construction team,”  Susan said.  “We didn’t have time to get the key to the door, but Silky says the roof is the easiest to get into.

 

                And as if to confirm this a point of light of broke through.  Someone was cutting through the roof.

 

                “I’m dreaming right?”  Kid asked.

 

                They watched in amazement as a boot kicked in a panel and Tina and Aviva peered in.

 

                “Can you make it up?”  Diane asked Kid.

 

                “And miss what’s coming next?  Try and stop me,” he said taking Tina’s and Aviva’s hands and with the three below pushing he was pulled up on the roof.  A moment later Heyes followed.  He crawled over and slipped down beside Ann.

 

                “You need some help?” he asked.

 

                She shook her head,  “Your ride is coming, we want to make sure we give the posse something to chase,” she yelled over the rushing wind.

 

                Heyes made his way back and saw what she was referring to.  Seven riders were closing on them as the wagon broke free from the town and while first glance one might have mistaken them for an outlaw bunch, Heyes knew better.

 

                “We got company,”  Aviva suddenly cried and Heyes realized the news of the attempted escape had spread and a new group of soldiers were trailing them.

 

                “Get Kid off of here,”  Heyes said and then dropped back down next to Ann.

 

                “Go,” he ordered taking the reins.

 

                “No, we came to get you off.”

 

                “You can’t handle the horses on these turns and I can, GO!” he yelled.

 

                He whipped the horses and from the corner of his eye he saw Marti pull up beside the wagon and Kid drop down behind her.

 

                In turn Rene collected Tina, Sherry took Susan, Terri pulled up and Diane leapt on back.  This left Ann and Aviva and Heyes was getting nervous.  They were on a broken dirt road now and the turns swift following the bay.

 

                But then Kellie and Kara caught up and he breathed a sigh of relief as they jumped and landed behind the riders.

 

                Oh good Heyes thought everyone is safe all I have to worry about now is a team of runaway horses on a road alongside a set of treacherous cliffs and twenty armed men behind me.

 

                I can’t wait to see how I get out of this one, he thought.

 

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

 

                “Heyes!”  Kid yelled as the horses pulled up on the hill above the road.

 

Kid swung down and surveyed the options his partner had and how he could reach him.  Then grabbing his shoulder he reached for the reins of one of the waiting fresh horses.

 

                “You can’t you’ll kill yourself!”  Terri said angrily trying to hold him back.

 

                But Kid swung into the saddle and was off.

 

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

 

                Carla and Molly were waiting at the next bend and it was then they realized something had gone wrong and Heyes was still aboard.  Spurring their horses they realized they had to reach Heyes before the next bend.  The bend where the dynamite was set to blow down the rock slide.

 

                Heyes meanwhile was having his hands full trying to pull the connecting pin to the horses harness free and still retain a resemblance of steering the horses.

 

                From the corner of his eye he saw the two riders and then a third at back breaking speed trying to reach him.

 

                “Heyes!”  he looked over and saw Kid veering down on the wagon.

 

                With one final tug he pulled and the horses broke free from the wagon.

 

                Immediately he felt the wagon lurch to the left and leapt with all his strength at Kid and the horse.

 

                He felt his partner grab him as the wagon slipped out from under him and plunge down the steep cliff to the rocks below.

 

                He pulled himself up behind Kid to allow his partner to let go of him and concentrate on riding.

 

                “Dynamite!”   yelled a voice and he looked over to see Carla and another rider.

 

                Not sure what she meant, but trusting her Kid turned his horse after her and the other rider and raced around the curve.  A moment later there was momentous explosions and behind them piles of rock and sand burst from the hillside blocking the road behind him impassable.

 

                Kid pulled the horse to a stop as they realized there was no way the posse could reach them now.

 

                Heyes slid off shaken and then turned his attention to his partner who had slumped forward just as the other riders rode up.

 

                “Is he all right?”  Diane asked as they all dismounted and Heyes pulled Kid down..

 

                “That was a stupid thing coming after me,” Heyes said wincing himself as he pulled Kid’s shirt away to examine the wound.

 

                “You’re the smart one remember,”  Kid said managing a smile.

 

                “We are going to have to start all over again getting you better,” Heyes said.

 

                “Just answer me one thing Heyes, you said going straight was going to slow things down, I think things were easier when we robbing trains.”

 

                Heyes grinned almost laughing with relief.

 

“Boys you sure do know how to make an entrance,” Molly said pulling off the cowboy hat and letting a bundle of curls fall out.

 

                “Molly!” they both stared.

 

                “How?”  Heyes asked.

 

                “Long story and they are best told in more comfortable settings.  Kid, Silky’s got a boat waiting, can you ride?”

 

                The looked down at the far beach to see a boat waiting to take them out to a schooner anchored further out.

 

                “I’ll take him,” Heyes said springing up on his horse.

 

                “Heyes I thought you would want what was best for the Kid,” Molly said giving him her most seductive smile.  “He can ride with me.”

 

                “I’m feeling better already,” Kid smiled.

 

 

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

 

 

                “Devil’s Hole Gang, huh?”  Heyes said sitting up on the cargo hold enjoying the way the breeze rolled over him.  He felt more at peace than he had in a long time.

 

                The thirteen women seated around him still in cowboy drag looked smugly content at his appraisal.

 

                “So what do you say Hannibal Heyes, any openings in the gang?”  Sherry asked with a grin.

 

                “Ladies if I had you all to ride with I would never leave Devil’s Hole,”  he said.

 

                “Oh don’t tell me were riding somewhere else,” Kid groaned coming out of the far cabin, rebandaged and rested.

 

                “Kid you are suppose to be….”

 

                “I know, I know resting,”  Kid said easing himself down gently beside his cousin.  “I did.”

 

                “I think they meant more than an hour,”  Heyes said.

 

                “That’s what I like to see a well orchestrated happy ending,”  Molly said.  She had abandoned most of her male attire, and now looked more like a pirate.

 

                “You promised me on the way to the boat to tell me how you came back from the dead,”  Kid said.

 

                “When we realized it was Moriarty who was after the book we knew he wouldn’t stop until he either killed Molly or everyone else,”  Silky said coming up.  “When she got sick I suspected she had been poisoned and sure enough I was right.  I knew I had to get her away before the next attempt succeeded so I told everyone she died and tucked her away her on the Silver Dollar,” he smiled indicating the ship.

 

                “He sent a letter to tell you and the others to lay low,” Molly told Terri.  “But unfortunately that was what Lily was bringing to Lucy when she was killed.”  Molly’s eyes got suddenly very dark and haunted. “I can’t believe what that monster did.”

 

                “It’s over,” Heyes said squeezing her hand.  “And thanks to you and the newly revised Devil’s Hole Gang we made it.”

 

                “Where are we headed Captain?”  Kid asked Silky.

 

                “Little place I have in Monterey, right on the ocean.  Not a soul will know you are there.  Molly still has some recuperating to do not to mention the Kid.”

 

                “I think we could all use a break before we decide what to do next,”  Kellie said letting out a breath.

 

                “What do you mean do next, you have a school to get under way,”  Molly told her.

 

                “Ah Molly that was before you passed away,”  Diane smiled.

 

                “Ah but who says I am coming back from the dead?” she said giving Silky a smile.  “I’ve found that death becomes me.”

 

                “Molly has agreed to be my wife and after our little vacation we are setting sail to see the world,”  Silky said proudly.

 

                “You old devil,” Kid grinned.  “You probably are the only one who could handle her.”

 

                “I am a woman, not a horse Mr. Curry you would do well to remember that when dealing with both,” she scolded him severely.  “And for you ladies, I have enough invested to last me several life times.  The contents of the boxes are yours to do with at your will,”

 

                “I can’t believe this,” Marti with tears in her eyes.

 

                “We shall name the school after you Molly,”  Carla assured her.

 

                “Yes well that might be going too far,” the former Madame smiled.  “Just be happy that will be enough for me.  And as for you two I believe you were looking for a certain book?”  She held up a slim diary and Heyes took it and then kissed her hand.

 

                “Molly as always you are hope itself.”

 

                “But what about the other books and the one Moriarty wanted?”  Kara asked.

 

                Molly pulled out a small bag.  “They are in here and since we are all attempting a new start I think I shall give them one as well.”

 

                With a whoop she swung it over her head and tossed it into the white frothy waves.

 

                “To new beginnings!”  Kid said accepting the glass he was handed and raising it in a toast.

 

                “And old friends,”  Silky said  with a nod to them both.

 

                “And especially,”  Heyes smiled eyes laughing.  “To women,..mad…bad… and dangerous to know!”