MY COUSIN THE DEPUTY

TERRI SUTRO

The deep blue eyes missed nothing; even though the man behind those eyes appeared to the world to be dozing, his face shielded from the mid morning sun by the wide rimmed hat. Years on the road and on the run had sharpened his instincts to where he could just sense trouble. Right now every one of those instincts was screaming at him.

He leaned back in the chair on the porch of the Alexander Hotel and calmly surveyed the street in front of him. Looked quiet. Some ladies laughing over in front of the dry goods store. Two men riding in from the East. Sheriff walking towards him. He flinched. No wonder his instincts had alerted him. He looked up at the man. Didn’t recognize him. That might or might not be something to worry about. Not that much older than he was himself. Confident, comfortable. Too comfortable. Didn’t look concerned about whom he was approaching. Maybe just a coincidence. He didn’t like coincidences.

Those keen eyes spotted the flicker of movement from behind the wagon hitched in front of Dolly’s Kitchen a second before the explosion shattered the otherwise peaceful moment. Reacting more from instinct than from careful consideration of the concept of not courting trouble, his own gun cleared leather and he fired. The second explosion from the hidden assailant sounded almost as an echo of his. It came simultaneously with a scream of pain and the distinct thud of a falling body.

Then it seemed a lot of people were screaming; people ran for cover, diving behind wagons and water troughs. Women ducked or were pulled into shops whose doors were hastily slammed shut.

In one practiced movement the Sheriff drew his gun, spun around, saw one man down and turned back to the man on the porch; the man he’d actually seen fire his weapon. He raised the muzzle of his gun and focused it on the chest of one of the most notorious gunfighters in the West. Who did a most unusual thing, for a notorious gunfighter. He dropped his weapon, raised his arm and simply pointed to a spot behind the Sheriff.

The Sheriff did not move. His eyes remained fixed on the man on the porch. He heard people moving around behind him. Someone came up and asked if he was hurt. He brushed them aside without actually looking away from the man he’d focused on.

The noise level in the street increased. There were a lot of different voices speaking at the same time.

“Well, will ya look at that? Sheriff might’a been killed. Isn’t that Calvin Heartley? Old Will Heartley’s young’un. Is he dead? Who’da thought he’da tried to make good on his threat.”

The Sheriff looked into the blue eyes that stared back at him. An understanding passed between the two men. The Sheriff also worked on instinct. He ‘knew’ that the man they belonged to meant him no danger. He didn’t holster his gun, but he did glance behind him, turning back quickly to make sure the man on the porch continued to pose no threat. Finally he nudged his gun towards the man urging him forward.

The man kept his hands at an upright stance and walked very slowly towards the Sheriff. The lawman followed his progress until the man stopped. He’d placed himself with his back to the downed man. The Sheriff could now see what had happened behind him. Only then did the Sheriff lower his gun.

The Sheriff looked at the man in front of him. His own eyes, the color of a paler sky, then sought out the man who apparently had lain in wait for him. It was Cal Heartley. The same man who had sat stone quiet in the saloon turned courtroom listening while the Sheriff’s testimony had sent his father to the Territorial Prison. The man who finally broke his silence and screamed threats of vengeance against the Sheriff as the black, iron barred jail wagon took his father away. The very young man, hell, hardly more than a boy, who now lay dead before him. What a waste. He shook his head in disgust. Wait. The body twitched, an arm moved.

The Sheriff took a deep breath of relief. Not dead. Hurt. He turned back to the man who had saved his life. Their eyes met again. Both men nodded. They both understood and accepted that this was part of living where men wore guns and where life came and went quickly. The Sheriff eyed the tied down holster, wondering for a moment who this stranger was. His curiosity didn’t stop him from admiring a man who could make such a shot and still manage to leave his target alive. The Sheriff was a pragmatic man. He’d been a Sheriff for a long while. He’d learned to trust his gut. He figured if this man meant him harm he’d be dead. As that didn’t happen, this man must be trustworthy. Regardless of the gun, the stance that suggested he’d be ready for pretty near anything and that look of quiet confidence in his eyes.

The lawman strode quickly through the crowd surrounding the body. The other man did not turn around. Taking charge of things, the Sheriff directed some of the men to take the injured man to the Doc’s. Then he motioned to the town’s Mayor, banker and two other well-dressed men to follow him. They disappeared into his Office.

Kid Curry’s breathing slowly returned to normal as returned to the porch of the hotel. He picked up his gun and slid it into the holster that lay snug against his hip. He smiled at the people who ran up to meet the man who had saved the life of their Sheriff. “Thaddeus Jones, ma’am. No, just passing through. Waiting for a friend. Thank you sir. No, ma’am not married. Only did what I had to sir.” Unfailingly polite. Wishing they would leave him alone so he could do what he now had to do.

Finally they left. Shaking his head almost resignedly, he went into the hotel.

“Yes Sir, Mr. Jones. How can I help you? Wonderful thing you’ve done Mr. Jones. Just wonderful. Never seen anything quite like it. How ever did you see that man? Why he would of killed the Sheriff for sure.” The desk clerk was a thin mousy man. Timothy Higgins. Most of the town’s folk called him Higgy, mainly because they all knew how mad it made him.

“Maybe you could get my bill ready, Mr. Higgins.” Kid Curry seldom went out of his way to make anyone mad. Well maybe his cousin now and again. But that was usually deserved.

“You’re leaving, Mr. Jones? Now? Why ever for? Why you’re a hero. You can’t leave now!” Higgy’s voice was a high pitched squeak of astonishment.

“Got some business in Denver, Mr. Higgins. Wish I could stay. Right nice town you got here.” He gave the clerk a sad, parting smile and walked towards the staircase. He began climbing the stairs. Slowly. He sighed deeply. Truth was he really was sorry to have to leave Troublesome, Colorado. He liked it here. Nice hotel. Nice saloon. Nice restaurant. Really nice restaurant. But it sure looked like the town was living up to its name.

Kid opened the door to his room and began stuffing his meager possessions into his carpetbag. He’d ridden in three days earlier having split up from his partner just outside of Georgetown. He tossed the carpetbag on the floor and stretched out on the bed.

Kid tried to sort out what had happened. Things had gone well for a change. A job had actually paid off. They thought about Denver, but got as far as Georgetown and decided it would do just fine. Shame they had to leave in such a hurry. Hotel de Paris. They’d decided they deserved the best for a change. Now there was a great hotel. Had water running right to the rooms. A man could have a hot bath anytime he wanted. And the restaurant. Best steaks he’d ever had. He paused savoring the memory of the dinner he and Heyes had had that last night.

Frowning, he also thought back on the man in the dark coat and scowling face that walked into the dining room. The man they thought they knew but couldn’t exactly remember why. They prudently decided they didn’t need to get reacquainted once they caught a glimpse of the very large, shiny star pinned to the vest beneath that dark coat.

He and Heyes had finished dinner as quickly as they could, sadly passing up on the tray of desserts that the pretty serving girl offered. Collecting their things, Kid ducked out the back to get the horses. Heyes paid the bill and slipped, they thought, unnoticed to the livery. They checked their desire to race out of town, instead walking their horses, drawing no undue notice. Once clear of the town limits they breathed easier and picked up the pace just a bit. No one seemed to be behind them. They both figured it was a coincidence. Until the next morning.

They’d broken camp early and set out, pleasantly ambling along enjoying the calm fall day. Then they spotted him. The man in the dark coat. The shiny star man. Not chasing them, exactly, just there. Always there. They exchanged resignation filled glances. This always happens. They picked up the pace some, just to see if he stayed with them. He did. They wondered why he didn’t just try and catch up. Maybe he didn’t know who they were. Too risky to wait and find out. Just before dawn they stealthily walked their horses out of what they hoped was earshot of the man. Then they rode furiously until they reached a two-pronged divide.

They thought about staying together. No, better, safer to split up. Always safer to have one of them free in case the other wasn’t. Heyes had drawn that coin of his out of his pocket. Kid had groaned and muttered something about eventually accidentally losing that thing. As usual, he’d lost. Heyes laughed. ‘That’s some lucky coin, ain’t it. Now you stay outta trouble in Troublesome, ok Kid?’ The broken sign at the divide had announced what town lay in one direction. ‘Think I’ll try my hand the other way. I’ll telegraph you when I get to whatever town’s down this road.” Heyes had teased him. Heyes always teased him. They’d laughed. A kind of laugh anyway.

Noise from the street jarred Kid back to reality. He stood up and checked the room. He hated these enforced separations from his cousin. Always felt like a big chunk of him was missing. And then there was the big pot of consternation he carried around, worrying ‘bout what trouble Heyes was getting into. Trouble that he sure enough was gonna be responsible for getting Heyes out of. And as if that wasn’t enough. There was that man. There’d been no sign of him in Troublesome. That only meant one thing.

He stopped his inspection of the room for a moment and looked around almost expecting to find his other half somewhere there; stretched out on the bed reading or dozing, pacing back and forth conjuring up some scheme. That ready smile and that silver tongue describing yet another plan. Heyes sure did have a knack for finding trouble. Didn’t really have to look for it neither. Heyes was just like one of them, what had that salesman fella called it, oh yea, divinin’ rods. Put it near the ground and it would find water all on its own. You could put Hannibal Heyes just about anywhere and he’ d find trouble. Kid smiled to himself. He’d have to mention that to Heyes when he caught up with him.

The smile changed into another frown. That was another thing. He walked to the window. How was he gonna let Heyes know where he was. Heyes was supposed to get back to him, here in Troublesome. He sighed. He supposed he’d just have to follow that other road, hopin not to run into that lawman coming his direction. Wonder where Heyes was right now. Probably livin’ it up in some saloon. Pretty girl on each knee and an ace high flush in his hand. At least he hoped his cousin was livin’ it up. Be easier to be irritated at him if he wasn’t in jail. Life sure had a way of getting complicated. He took one last long look out the window to the street below.

Yep, sure would have been nice to stay. Kid shifted his thoughts from his cousin to the pretty young woman leaving Cody’s Emporium. Carefully balancing the brightly wrapped packages, he watched her step daintily off the wooden beamed walkway and onto the dusty street. He followed her as she shared greetings with people she met as she made her way to a stylish buggy hitched in front of the hotel, right below his window.

‘Yes indeed, sure wish I could stay here a mite longer.’ Kid’s jaw tightened as he watched a young man approach the woman.

“Mornin’ Miss Jenna. Can I help you with your parcels?” The man’s voice carried up to the second floor window still occupied by Kid Curry.

“Thank you Mr. Jennings. But I’m quite able to manage on my own.” She smiled, but her voice was firm in dismissal. Kid relaxed both his jaw and his displeasure.

The man persisted. “Why, a lady like yourself shouldn’t be having to carry her own parcels, Miss Jenna. No siree. Lady like yourself should have servants to do that.” He gave her what he hoped was a convincing and sincere smile.

Kid heard her sigh. He nearly laughed at her obvious annoyance.

She flung the parcels onto the seat and raised her skirt so as to be able to climb onto the carriage. Her action allowed both men a glimpse of a shapely silk covered ankle. She seemed unaware of that. Settling herself on the black leather bench, she stared at the man who continued to smile ingratiatingly at her.

“Mr. Jennings, I am entirely capable of carrying my own parcels and of driving this carriage and of conducting all other aspects of my life without your assistance.” The words came out in a rush of breathless fury. “And as for servants, the individuals who are employed by my family have quite enough to do completing their own duties. They certainly don’t need to be following me about carrying my parcels. Nor would I wish them to do so.”

Kid’s smile grew broader. ‘You tell him Miss Jenna.’ He shook his head. No man could possibly miss the tone in the young woman’s voice. Had the man been listening at all, he couldn’t have missed her annoyance. A smart man would have cut his losses and tried again another day. He smiled to himself. Guess no one would be accusing Simon Jennings of being smart any time soon.

“Uh, I was wondering, Miss Jenna. If you aren’t otherwise engaged, of course, would you do me the honor of accompanying me to the dance next week? Real fancy dress ball. Bet you’ve just been waiting to get all dressed up. Bet you have a real pretty dress all the way from Paris.” He held the reins of the buggy.

Kid couldn’t help himself. His reaction to the man’s question was loud enough to be heard by the couple on the street below.

The woman looked up at the intrusion. Their eyes met. It was not a friendly meeting. She glared murderously at him. The fact that her glare only made him laugh more did not help.

“Thank you Mr. Jennings, but I have made a religious commitment to never go out with a man on Saturday’s in October.” She glared at Kid again. Then turned on the man, still holding the reins. “Please release the reins, Mr. Jennings.” Her voice was icy.

“Religious commitment?” The man would not give up.

Kid laughed again.

The woman did not look up. “Oh good grief.” Grabbing the reins, she ordered the horses forward at a noticeably faster pace than could be considered safe.

Yep. That Jenna Alexander. Kid didn’t know whether he liked her cause she was the prettiest girl in town or because she was the feistiest. He sure wished he’d have had a chance to figure that out.

They’d only met once, by accident. He ran into her coming out of the Emporium his first day in town. She did not seem excited by the meeting. He’d enjoyed having his arms around her, even if it were only for the moment while he was trying to help her up. He had been hoping for another accident. Actually, for the past couple of days he’d been thinkin’ of accidents that he might be able to help along.

He sighed. Nope. Not to be. He shook his head. Returning to the bed, he picked up his saddlebags, rifle and carpet bag and walked out of the room. He started downstairs. Too much attention on him. No call to think it was gonna turn into a problem, but too many people had seen that shot he made. The speed and the accuracy. Just no need to take chances.

He rounded the turn and had reached the head of the stairs. Looking down he found a large group of men at the foot of the stairs looking back up at him. The group included the Sheriff, the Mayor, the banker, and those two other men Kid didn’t know.

He thought for a split second about making a break for the back stairs, but dismissed it just as quickly. Too many of them. Oh well. Guess it was gonna be Heyes’ turn to rescue him. Sure hope Heyes wasn’t in jail himself. And all because he saved the Sheriff’s life. Didn’t seem right somehow. Guess that didn’t really matter.

“Sheriff.” He dropped his belongings, raised his hands and slowly walked downstairs towards his fate.

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

The Sheriff seemed startled at the action of the man on the stairs. “Put your hands down, Jones. No need for that. We just want to talk to you. Hopin’ you might be willin’ to help us out. Got a real problem.” The Sheriff started up the stairs.

Kid cautiously dropped his hands and stared at the Sheriff. He took a deep breath. “Sure Sheriff. If I can.” He hoped he was smiling. He wasn’t sure.

“You’re not planning on leavin’ now are you?” The Sheriff was eyeing the bags on the ground.

“Well to tell you the truth Sheriff, I’m meeting my friend in Denver. Should be there any day now. Hate to keep him waiting. A worrier. Yep, I really need to be heading out.” Kid reclaimed his belongings and took a few more tentative steps downstairs, finally reaching the step above where the Sheriff stood.

“Real shame, Jones. Got us a problem. After what we saw this mornin’, Mayor Figley, Banker Townsend here, well we all figured you were exactly the sort of fella that we’d need to help us out.” Mayor Figley joined the Sheriff. The banker and the other men followed the Mayor.

Kid looked at the men. The stairs were sure getting crowded. “Well Sheriff, Mayor, couldn’t hurt to hear what you had in mind.” He heard voice. He didn’t mean to say those words. He sure wasn’t thinking staying around was a real good idea. He was really thinking Heyes why in hell are you never around when that silver tongue of yours could actually do me some good.

Mayor Earnest Figley stepped forward, a broad, toothy smile on his face. “Why that’s just fine. Just fine, Mr. Jones. Higgy, you just take Mr. Jones’ things back up to his room. Mr. Jones, you just come on over to the Sheriff’s office with us and we’ll explain everything. Bet a man like you will just be itchin’ to help us out. Find a bit of excitement in the process.”

Kid looked at the Mayor. He was trying as hard as he could to smile and act like what was happening was something good. Like maybe he was enjoyin’ all the attention. And not like he was completely confused and equally concerned that he was about to be arrested and jailed for the major part of the rest of his life. Excitement. Yea, that’s exactly what he was looking for. Just about as much as he was looking for a reservation at the Wyoming Territorial Prison. Or the opportunity to ride drag on a six month long cattle drive.

Unfortunately, right at this moment he couldn’t quite figure a way out of his predicament. So he nodded pleasantly, turned his belongings over to the desk clerk and followed the men downstairs.

The delegation made their way out of the hotel and proceeded slowly down the now quiet main street of town. With the Mayor on one side and the Sheriff on the other, the banker and those other fellas a polite three paces behind, Kid Curry, hero of Troublesome, Colorado was escorted to the Sheriff’s office.

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

“See it’s like this. I’ve got to go to Denver for a trial. And there’s been a lady I’ve been courtin’. Well she’s up and said she’ll marry me. In Denver. Real bad one. The trial I mean. Wouldn’t leave my job here in Troublesome otherwise, but she said Denver. Lady, I mean. And what we need is someone to make sure the law is upheld here in Troublesome while I’m gone. Shouldn’t be more than a couple of weeks. Month at the most. Well after this morning, I well…I mean, we figured you were just the man we’ve been waitin’ for.” The Sheriff handed Kid a cup of coffee.

Kid was still trying to digest what was happening. In the span of a couple of hours he had gone from unknown stranger, to hero, to maybe Deputy Sheriff. Heyes was never going to believe this. He barely believed it himself.

“Can’t think of a better man to help us out, Mr. Jones. I mean, after your heroic action of this morning. We’re willing to pay you the same as the Sheriff. Five dollars a day and room and board. At least for the time you’re acting Sheriff. If you say you’ll do it, we can swear you in right now.” Mayor Figley’s eagerness was apparent; he kept poking Kid in the arm emphasizing every point.

“Ya know if I could, I’d sure like to help you. I mean, you got a real fine town here. But I got this friend. And if I’m not in Denver to meet him, he’s gonna get real worried. So much as I’d like to help ya’ll out, I just don’t see how as I can.” Kid rose to leave.

“So all we have to do is let your friend know where you are and then he can meet up with you here in Troublesome? If he’s anything like you, well I’ll tell you what we’d be willin’ to do. Why you just tell your friend that he can be your deputy. How’s that? Half your wages.” The Mayor blocked the door.

Kid’s face broke into a huge grin. He experienced a moment of absolute and total happiness, thinking ‘bout how he’d get to break the news to Hannibal Heyes. Yep, that would be somethin. ‘Heyes, just cause you’re havin’ a real lucky streak you and that coin of yours, I’m gonna let you be my deputy here in a town called Troublesome. At half my wages.’ Yea, he could just see Heyes’ face. Almost made it worth doin’ it. Then he had a vision of what Heyes would do to him if he actually suggested that, much less if it came to pass. Nah. Not even for the opportunity to see Heyes’ face.

The Mayor beamed. That smile could mean only one thing. “Well then it’s settled. Mr. Jones you’re the answer to all our problems. You go telegraph your friend. Better yet, why don’t we just have the Sheriff look him up when he gets to Denver. Mr. Jones, I just can’t tell you what this means to our little town. We’ll leave you two lawmen now so the Sheriff here can give you a run down on what’s goin’ on in here in Troublesome. Should be a real quiet few weeks. A month at the most.”

Kid was jarred out of his reverie by the Mayor’s voice. “Huh?”

“Sheriff, don’t we have a badge for Mr. Jones? Ah, there it is.” The group was smiling as the Sheriff pinned the shiny star on Kid Curry’s vest.

Everyone shook hands and slapped each other on the back. Everyone smiled. Everyone, except Kid Curry who was looking down at the star, wondering if maybe Heyes wasn’t the only one who was part divining’ rod.

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

“So, things are real quiet. Just like the Mayor said. You shouldn’t have no problems at all.”

It was the morning after Troublesome had found it’s new Deputy, and soon to be acting Sheriff. The good citizens of Troublesome had thrown quite a party the night before. The Sheriff and the Mayor and the banker and those other fellas has insisted on continuing the celebration at Dolly’s Other Place until the wee hours of the morning. They’d insisted that their new Deputy join them.

Kid, never at his best without breakfast, was also fighting off a Dolly sized hangover. He really wanted to lie down, close his eyes and wake up to find he had dreamed the entire last two days. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

“Well, time to be goin’. You ready, Jones?” The Sheriff stared at Kid’s closed eyes.

He re-opened his eyes slowly. OK, it was real. “Seems so, Sheriff.” Kid followed the man out of the office.

“What was the name of that fella you wanted me to talk to. In Denver.”

“Not important anymore Sheriff. I’ll just send a telegram.” Kid didn’t figure it was worth wasting anyone’s time having the Sheriff look someone up who wasn’t there anyway.

“Suit yourself.”

They walked briskly towards the train station and stood silently on the platform.

“There’s just this one thing.” The Sheriff faced his newly appointed Deputy Sheriff Thaddeus Jones.

Kid felt his stomach turn.

“Shouldn’t be any problem for a man as good with a gun as you are, Jones.” The Sheriff threw his bag onto the train. “Got a real famous outlaw coming in tomorrow. Wanted on up in Wyoming. Bringing him here for holding till Sheriff Travis or some such name can come get him. Never did get his name. Not real sure why he’s comin here. Could’a just held him in…”

The train’s whistle drowned out the Sheriff’s final word. He frowned at Kid. “Talk is that maybe this fella’s a bad’un. Pretty sure it’s just talk. Wouldn’t worry, though. Way you handle a gun. Anyway town’ll be real helpful if’n ya need anything. Anyway, see ya in a couple of weeks. Month at the most.” The Sheriff boarded the train just as it pulled out leaving a very dumbfounded Kid Curry standing alone on the platform.

Kid watched the train leave. Well at least he knew where Heyes was. Guess he wouldn’t be getting to tell him about the deputy’s job that was available after all. He hoped his cousin was all right and wondered how he’d managed to get caught. And how he was going to fix it. Must’a been that fella. Should never have split up. Heyes mind always did get to wanderin’.

He walked slowly back to the office that was now all his. At least temporarily. He looked around. He tested the Sheriff’s chair. Hmmm. Now what?

He spent the rest of the day worrying. Drinking way too much coffee. Pacing back and forth in the small office, expending restless energy. He wandered about town. People greeted him cordially, shaking his hand. Even Miss Jenna actually smiled at him, her blue eyes appraising him just a shade differently than at their first meeting. At midnight, he locked up the office and went back to his room at the hotel. He stripped off his clothes and crawled into bed. After spending hours tossing and turning, he forced himself to lie still and pretend to sleep. At dawn he gave up and went back to the Sheriff’s office.

He sat down behind the desk and fumbled with the papers stacked there. Wanted posters. He found the familiar ones. Great. Maybe he should arrest himself too. He sat there staring at the two pieces of paper that had been chasing he and his cousin for what seemed like their entire lives. He ripped them in half and crumpled the torn papers into a ball. He walked over to the stove and tossed them in. ‘Well Heyes. Guess I won’t have to figure out how to get hold of you. And I suppose we won’t have to work real hard at getting you out of this place.’ He really figured as soon as an opportune moment presented itself, he’d just let Heyes out and together they’d get out of Troublesome. He poured himself a cup of his own coffee. He shuddered; it suddenly didn’t taste much better than that stuff Heyes made. A fact he didn’t think he’d be sharing with his cousin anytime soon.

It was near lunchtime when the door opened. “Sheriff? Howdy. Got a prisoner for ya.” A middle-aged man, dusty and unshaven, entered the office. “Randy Evans. I’m the Deputy over in Fairplay. I’ve been assigned to escort this here prisoner and hand him over to you. Real famous, at least so’as I’ve heard. Texas Jack Langan. You ready for him?”

Kid looked startled. “Huh, who?” It wasn’t Heyes. A giant weight lifted from Kid’s broad shoulders. “Absolutely. You just bring that fella right on in here.”

Evans nodded. “Bring him in boys.” There was the sound of scuffling as the prisoner was shoved into the office.

“Ok, Sheriff, here he is. Texas Jack Langan. Get yourself over here boy.”

A suddenly startled Kid Curry found himself looking up into the equally startled eyes of Hannibal Heyes.

“Huh?” Baritone merged with tenor. They stared at each other, smiles creeping onto both faces.

“Yep Sheriff, as smooth talking a snake oil dealer as ever there was, at least so’as I’ve heard. Found him over in Fairplay. Sittin’ there at that poker game just as easy as you please. Wanted in Wyoming. Kept saying his name was Smith. Smith, can you beat that. Fast talker like that sure could’a come up with somethin’ better’n that. Anyway, much as he kept talkin’…boy he sure is a talker, we knew we had the right fella. He matched the description on the poster. Why that one right there. .” He paused and pointed at the board behind the Sheriff’s desk. “Anyway, fella in town’d seen him once and said it was him. And now he’s all yours. At least until the Wyoming law can get here. Just sign here, Sheriff. Me and the boys would sure like to get some food and start on back home.” He shoved some papers in front of Kid. “Sheriff, you know this fella?” Kid hadn’t moved. “Sheriff?”

“Huh? Uh, no. Why would I know him? Gimme them papers.” He scowled at the papers then at Heyes. A bit bruised, covered with dried mud. He looked like one sorry mess. One unhurt sorry mess. Actually he was smiling. A relieved smile. Kid was glad someone was relieved.

“Everything in order there Sheriff? With them papers and everything?” Evans pushed the papers a little closer to Kid.

“Yea Sheriff. Everything in order with them papers?” Heyes spoke for the first time. His voice was a bit hoarse, but it was still Heyes. As annoying as ever. Hannibal Heyes knew entirely too well when he should just keep quiet and not tease his cousin. There were just times when he honestly couldn’t help himself. This was one of them. Well you couldn’t really blame him. First the man in the dark coat showing up and ending their nice time in Georgetown; then thinking he’d won the coin toss and finding Fairplay, losing that fella, getting caught, then the mistaken identity and now finding Kid was Sheriff. Reminded him of a play from some English fella. All about mistaken identities. He grinned at Kid. Sheriff. That was some mistaken identity. Wonder how that could’a happened. Well at least he could count on getting cleaned up and a good meal. He was filthy and hungry. And he didn’t like being either of those things one little bit.

Kid did not return the grin. He was already annoyed at havin’ to be Sheriff. Now what was he supposed to do with this prisoner by mistake.

“Want us to lock him up for ya Sheriff? No sense in your getting all dirty. Kinda had an accident. Horse this fella was on slid. Dumped him in this big old mud hole. Boy, I tell ya, if that weren’t the funniest thing me’n the boys ever seen. Oh, the horse is fine, by the way.” Evans looked back at his men. They all laughed.

Heyes wasn’t laughing. Well not for real anyway. “Yea Sheriff, want them to lock me on up?” Heyes was really working hard at bein’ annoying. He usually didn’t have to work at it. Kinda came natural. In this case, he figured he had nothing to lose. He absolutely knew what Kid’s answer was going to be.

Kid glared at him. Then smiled. A real slow, I’m about to get even for a lot of annoyin’ years kind of smile. “Well now boys, I think that’ll be just fine. Mighty nice of you to offer. Hate to get these nice clean clothes dirty just getting’ this no account, shifty varmint locked up. Best leave those handcuffs on. Slippery as this fella is. Hate to have to get you boys out of your beds to track him down again.” He joined the posse in congenial laughter.

One of the men looked at Heyes and pointed back towards the cellblock. “Let’s go partner. Coop’s back that way.” He shoved Heyes towards the opening that led to a block of two cells, their doors standing open.

Heyes looked at Kid. He cocked his head in complete astonishment. He opened his mouth. Nothing came out. He tried again. The silver tongue seemed to have vanished. A first in and of itself.

Evans half escorted, half shoved him into the cell. Heyes winced as it clicked shut.

Kid had followed the lawmen and their prisoner to the cells. His voice was still congenial. “If’n you boys have time, Dolly’s Kitchen serves some of the best fried chicken and biscuits around. Apple pie too. You just tell Dolly you’re a friend of the Sheriff. She’ll take real good care of you. You just tell her to just send the bill on over here to me.

“Why thanks Sheriff. That’s real neighborly of you. We’ll just be takin’ you up on your offer.” He looked at the other men who nodded vigorously.

“Maybe you can do me a favor?” he continued. I’m gonna be stuck here guarding this fella. Can you ask Dolly to send over some lunch for me and some for him?” They nodded again. “Fine boys. That’s just fine.” Kid followed them out of the cellblock and back to the office, nodding at them at they left. He was still smiling as he poured himself another cup of coffee and settled into the Sheriff’s chair.

Kid leaned back in the chair and propped his long legs up on the desk. This was almost as good as lettin’ Heyes be his deputy. Oh he knew he’d let him out. They both knew that. Just a question of when. Kid closed his eyes and thought hard on just how long Heyes needed to stay in that cell. He grinned at the thought. Was kinda nice to be on the giving end of the joke for once. He sighed happily.

Back in the cell Heyes was also wondering how long he was supposed to stay in there. He listened to the sounds from the office. Liquid being poured. Squeak of a chair as someone sat down. Nothing else. “Kid?” His voice was a plaintive question. He’d had tried to fight off calling out to his cousin. But he was dirty and hungry. And Kid was not showing any inclination to unlock that door. He waited for a response. Nothing. “Kid? Are you gonna come back here and let me outta this cell?” he yelled, his pleas becoming less plaintive and more irritable.

Kid stretched and slowly swung his legs down from the desk. He whistled some tune he’d heard somewhere and ambled back to the cells. He leaned back against the wall opposite the cell and smiled at his cousin. “Why Texas Jack, now how can I just let you outta this cell. You’re a wanted outlaw. Sheriff Travis is on his way to transport you back to Wyoming for your day in court. And I’m the duly appointed actin’ Sheriff, here in Troublesome.” He made no move towards the cell.

Heyes’ mouth dropped open. “Why you miserable ingrate. After everything I’ve done for you. You’re plannin’ on leaving me in here? And who’s Sheriff Travis – oh don’t even tell me. It’s Lom, right? Lom’s comin’ here to take Texas Jack back to Wyoming? That’s great. That’s just great. And why’re you Sheriff anyway? You sure look comfortable. Been eatin’ good? I’ve been eatin’ cold beans. Couldn’t lose that fella. You know the one that chased me so you could get away all nice and safe. And sleep in a nice clean bed while I’ve been sleeping on the ground. So you could eat fried chicken and apple pie. So you could have a bath and wear nice clean clothes while I, I got to take a mud bath. Only found that town the night before they arrested me. Wasn’t even that fella.” Heyes was up against the bars of the cell holding onto them with his still handcuffed mud covered hands. He glared at Kid who wasn’t showing any sign of moving. He was not a happy outlaw. “Are you gonna let me outta here or not!”

Heyes didn’t enjoy being on the receiving end of a joke. He was much better prepared to be on the giving end. Right now he was irritable. And put out at his cousin. And dirty. And hungry. And not about to get his question answered.

The sound of the office door opening diverted both of them. “Sorry, Texas Jack. Got another person who needs the Sheriff. Guess you didn’t need to worry ‘bout me gettin’ into trouble in Troublesome.” He took a couple of steps. “Fairplay, huh? Sounds like a right friendly town.” He grinned about a broad a grin as was humanly possible and walked back down the hall.

Kid heard a strangled sound coming from the cell. ‘Yep, Heyes sure was grumpy.’

Kid was trying real hard not to be enjoying this as much as he was. He really wanted to laugh. He thought he had controlled himself pretty well, all things considered.

“Oh Sheriff. I hope I’m not bothering you.” Jenna Alexander set a very large tray down on the desk. “I ran into Dolly and she just looked so rushed I thought I might help her out. She said there was lunch for you and your prisoner.”

For one of the few times in Kid Curry’s life, he was not interested in food. Even though the savory smell of freshly fried chicken filled the air. He looked at the girl smiling at him. Maybe bein’ Sheriff of Troublesome was goin’ to be a good thing after all.

“Uh Sheriff? Do I smell fried chicken? Sure could use some of that food. Real hungry back here Sheriff.” Heyes voice drifted out from the cells. He was plaintive again, his voice actually broke.

Kid shook his head. “Sorry Miss Jenna. Prisoners. Got no manners at all.” He shouted back at the cells. “Uh, sure, Texas Jack. Be right with ya.” He returned his attention to the woman who had moved closer to the cellblock. “That was real nice of you Miss Jenna. Mighty nice. Sure smells good.”

“What? Oh yes, Dolly is a wonderful cook.” She was peering down the cellblock.

“Anything else I can help you with, Miss Jenna?” Kid watched her. He was beginning to get this sinking feeling that maybe the reason Miss Jenna had decided to help Dolly out had more to do with her wantin’ to see the famous outlaw and less to do with her wantin’ to see the new Sheriff. “Miss Jenna?”

“What?” She blushed. “I’m so sorry, Sheriff.” She turned back to Kid. “It’s just that I’ve lived my entire live in Troublesome. And it’s not. Troublesome, I mean. Not even a little. Why Texas Jack Langan is the most exciting thing that’s happened to Troublesome in…well, in forever.” She looked up at him. “Can I meet him?”

“What?” It was Kid’s turn to be surprised and a little exasperated. “Why would’ya want to meet someone like…” he paused, “Texas Jack Langan.”

“Because. That’s all. Just because he’s someone famous and it’ll probably be my one chance to meet anyone famous and just because. Does there have to be some other reason. And anyway I want to be a writer and he could be my inspiration. Please. Just for a minute. Please? What could happen?” The woman moved closer to Kid and looked at him through big blue eyes, expectantly, almost impatiently awaiting his answer.

Kid returned her stare. Thinking furiously. What could it hurt? I mean it wasn’t like Heyes would do anything to hurt her. He knew the ‘real’ Sheriff would no more let a woman back in the cells as he’d leave the occupied cell doors open. But Kid wasn’t the ‘real’ Sheriff. And he really did want Jenna Alexander to think kindly about him. On the other hand, Kid had little interest in introducing her to his cousin; covered in mud or not, he’d watched the legendary Hannibal Heyes’ charm in action for most of his life. He really didn’t want to see it here.

“I could bring him his lunch. No need for you to do that. I mean. It is,” she grimaced, “…woman’s work.”

Kid laughed. “Miss Jenna, I don’t think any man in his right mind would tell you, you should be doin’ woman’s work. Not if he wanted to live through the conversation, that is.”

She laughed too. “I guess not. But there’s really no reason for me not to meet him. He’s never killed anyone. Just swindled them out of their money.”

Kid looked down at the tray of food. He thought about one last little bit of payback for all the schemes Heyes had gotten him into; for all those coin tosses. He hoped he was right about the prisoner’s ‘lunch’. Oh, he knew he’d be paying for all this teasing. He was sure that just when he’d forgotten Troublesome and being a Sheriff and the mud and having to put Heyes in a cell, that Heyes would find just the right way to pay him back. But right now, the temptation was just too much for him to pass up.