THE LESSER OF TWO EVILS

By Drena Hills

“Evil left to itself does not simply perish; it thrives.

Evil contained is not evil destroyed. It nourishes itself, grows

within its confinement, swells and rages until it works loose,

and then…then it runs free.”

-

Terry Brooks

Provo, Utah

February 1881

Historical Note: Prisons in the west were few and far between…and expensive. Laramie Territorial Prison charged a $1.00 per day for each prisoner accepted. Nebraska was willing to take them for only forty cents and during the period of 1881 to 1887 Joliet, Illinois agreed to take them for free. This led to the need for prisoner trains which conveyed felons across territories and states with often unusual results…

‘I’m not leaving.’

Hannibal Heyes leaned his head back against the cell wall and closed his eyes; his cousin’s last words to him still ringing in his head. Was there ever a more stubborn partner!

“Jed why don’t you ever listen to me?’ he groaned.

It was bad enough he was going to spend the next 20 years in prison he didn’t need his cousin death on his conscience to haunt him. And that is exactly what was going to happen if Kid tried to free him.

He shifted uncomfortably having given up trying to ignore the yelling coming from the front of the jail in the sheriff’s office. He knew he was the reason for the angry voices and even the knowledge he was giving local law enforcement a hard time didn’t lighten his mood.

They were deciding his fate, but surprisingly that was not what was worrying him. It was the last conversation he had had with his partner Jedediah Curry.

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

“Heyes you cannot trust him!” Kid said so angry his frustration had become physical causing him to pace the small boarding house room Heyes had taken refuge in.

“Kid he’s the only chance I have. Marshall Weaver knows me and it is not gonna take much for him to figure out who you are if he sees us together.”

“I still say we make a run for it,” Kid said his anger suddenly replaced by worry. “Heyes I can get you out of this.”

“It isn’t worth the risk!” Heyes and told him sharply. “I can trust Rabbit; I rode with him; I saved his life! He owes me!” Heyes went on as if not sure who he was convincing.

“I don’t trust him Heyes.”

“Well I do!”

“No you don’t,” Kid said suddenly. “Because if you did you would have told him I was here.”

Heyes frowned knowing his partner had a point. When Maines had recognized him in the saloon he and Kid and been playing poker at different tables and Heyes had made a point of not introducing him. Even when Weaver had walked in and recognized him and Heyes had took off looking for a place to hide and Maines had graciously offered his small room at the edge of town Heyes had kept Kid his ace in the hole.

“That is not the point.”

“I’m not leaving.”

In the end he had convinced his cousin to at least wait in the saloon to see how the search for him played out. Rabbit’s room at the boarding house seemed an unlikely place to find the infamous outlaw and Heyes hoped the debt owed him by his fellow gang member would ensure his silence.

But in the end Kid had been right. Maines had lied and gone straight to the law for the reward.

Something which Acting Sheriff Pay had been none to happy about fearing that any moment Kid Curry and the Devil’s Hole Gang were going to swoop down on his town and raze it to the ground trying to rescue him.

He had even gone so far as to try and foist Heyes on Marshall Weaver and his deputy who were taking advantage of a prisoner train that was making an unscheduled stop just after dawn. But Weaver had dug his heels in and been adamant that he had enough to deal with looking after the three members of the Merton gang with only one deputy and refused to add Hannibal Heyes to the mix.

That was what they were arguing about now. Heyes knew Pay was not going to wait for extradition. He was going to be on that train in the morning if he had to escort him himself.

Heyes was brought back to the present as he realized the voices had gone silent. Warily opening his eyes he saw temporary Sheriff Mort Pay gloomily staring at him through the bars.

“I ain’t never gonna forgive you boy for getting caught in my town.”

Heyes nodded. He had all ready apologized to the glum faced blacksmith to whom lawman responsibilities had been foisted upon after the accidental death of the town sheriff.

Acting Sheriff Pay had made it quite clear how loathe he was to accept responsibility of someone higher than a town drunk and his misery had only been made greater with the arrival of a U.S. Marshall and his deputy transporting three members of the notorious Merton Gang.

Marshall Stone Weaver was a square jawed, hard hitting veteran who did not suffer fools or cowards gladly. He and Pay had been at odds from the first moment they met.

“We got us a new sheriff coming here due any day and you gotta go and get yourself arrested on my watch!” the man said disgusted. “As soon as I take off this badge I’m gonna beat the tar out of Maines.” Pay stopped something just occurring to him. “How did he know to come tell me and the Marshall anyway?”

Heyes looked up surprised. He presumed Weaver had recognized him and Maines had just taken advantage of the fact. To know his old gang member had sold him out from the start brought a knot to his stomach.

“Just be grateful the prisoner train is stopping for us Pay,” Weaver said walking over. “Actually Mr. Heyes we owe that train giving us a ride to you and I’m much obliged,” Weaver added lighting a cigarette. “Not even the Mertons were important enough, but as soon as we mentioned your name, well you’re a celebrity, didn’t have any choice.”

Heyes gave him a grim smile back, “So glad I could be of help.”

“Hell what about us?” Tom Merton yelled from the cell behind him. “We killed a hell of a lot more men than him and that boy partner of his.”

“You are just killers,” Weaver told him dryly. “Seems Mr. Heyes here is a national treasure; got himself an adoring public.”

“We have that!” Tom yelled back clearly offended. “Well we would have if Kurt hadn’t shot ‘em all! Anyways I know we robbed more banks than him.”

“Yea, but have the time you got so busy shooting you never left with any money,” Weaver retorted.

“Yea well you just wait till my gang hears where I am,” Tom threatened.

“You ain’t got no gang left,” Weaver pointed out.

“No but I got family and when they…”

“When they hear you’ll be on a prisoner train half way to Joliet,” Weaver yelled back. “Now pipe down or I’ll gag you.”

“Yea well I just don’t think its fair you playing favorites just cause you think he’s a legend or something,” Tom mumbled clearly put out.

“A legend I gotta escort to Laramie,” the temporary lawman said and muttered something rude under his breath. “And who’s to say Kid Curry ain’t waiting down the line to stop that train and shoot up everyone last man that arrested him!” And with that he shuffled away convinced life was not only not fair but it was downright out to get him.

“I hope you are not thinking that partner of yours is going to pull off something Mr. Heyes,” the Marshall warned looking like he could back up the threat in his eyes.

“Marshall,” Heyes smiled disarmingly. “You won’t find a man with more common sense than my partner and he cares about his own skin, don’t worry he’s two states away by now. We always knew the risks; he knows I would do the same if it was him sitting here.”

Weaver grunted as if not sure to believe this. “Fair enough sounds true, but lets make one thing clear even if you do end up with that blacksmith turned sheriff chaperoning you don’t think I won’t step into help him if you try anything. That wanted poster reads dead or alive. Now you ain’t done no killing so I’m inclined to give you a break, but don’t push your luck.”

Heyes nodded the warning understood and watched the veteran lawman walk away.

It had been more than bad luck that had found Heyes and his partner Kid Curry in the town of Provo the day Weaver and his deputy arrived with their prisoners. Worrying that the Merton’s still had enough of a gang out there that might try something and having too great a distance to travel without reinforcements he had confiscated the town jail while he contacted the Federal authorities about assistance.

Weaver knew Heyes on sight, but fortunately not his cousin, which should have solved half their problem. But Jed was not only 100% loyal he was 150% stubborn and wouldn’t abandon him when the cry went up they were after him.

Normally it would not have been so desperate, but the prisoner train changed everything. Kid would be hoping for time to come up with a plan while they waited on extradition, but Pay had gotten the U.S. Marshall to waive such details citing community safety.

Once Kid heard he would know there was no time to organize anything that wouldn’t result in a blood bath and finally give up and get out of town.

Heyes snorted and laid back on his bunk, who was he kidding? There was as much chance of Kid ever giving up as there was him doing the same should their roles been reversed.

He sighed remembering their last argument together.

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

“Kid we have always known there might come a day when one of us would get caught by the law and the other get away. And we also knew that time it might not be possible to help the other without getting caught ourselves.”

Kid folded his arms across his chest defiantly. “You may have decided that Heyes, but I never did.”

Heyes rolled his eyes, “Will you stop being so dog gone mulish?”

“Heyes if this were reversed, if I was the one they had spotted would you leave?”

Heyes opened his mouth and shut it. He could lie; in fact to any other human being he could lie convincingly enough to make them take a swing at him, but Kid wasn’t any other human being.

“Yes,” he said finally his arms folded now too.

Kid almost hid part of a smile. “I’m not leaving.”

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

Jessie ‘the rabbit’ Maines was feeling good. He had long ago given up the outlaw trail for the honest life, though more out of fear and lack of skill than any change of his morale compass. He had settled in Provo when his money had run out and found work as a clerk in a telegraph office (work he had gained experience at robbing with the Plummer Gang) and fallen into a drab day to day existence that gnawed at him. If only the good honest folk of Provo knew what a dangerous outlaw they had in their midst, they would treat him with respect, he deserved! But such knowledge would also leave him jobless and he had grown comfortable in his little boarding house room and the two square meals a day it provided.

And then he had seen Heyes, the great and infamous Hannibal Heyes who had once been a punk kid riding with him and Plummer; Hannibal Heyes, five years his junior and even then so smart and cocky. He had hated the young upstart for his ease with people and ideas, even after Heyes had come back for him when he had been shot off his horse and saved his life. Bitterly he remembered the praise Heyes had received from Plummer and the other gang members; none of which had ever had a good word to say to him.

The great Hannibal Heyes, now the most successful outlaw leader in the history of the west. He didn’t like knowing how impressed people would be if he said he had rode with him. It should have been the other way around!

But he had gotten his revenge! When he had seen Heyes in the saloon he had sidled up acting like a grateful old friend and then, then when the time had been right he had turned him for the $10,000 reward on his head.

He shivered slightly remembering the look on Heyes’s face when he realized he had betrayed him. He hadn’t said a word, but he didn’t have to. For a moment he thought about Heyes’s partner, Kid Curry. The word on the trail was they were blood cousins and watched each other’s back with unfailing loyalty.

Didn’t matter he decided shaking off his uneasiness. By the time Kid Curry heard about it he would be in Mexico living the high life. Realizing he had daydreamed his way past closing he stepped out from behind the telegraph counter to lock the door not caring he would be late for supper at the boarding house. Mrs. Halliway always fussed when he was late. She never had completely accepted him. He smiled viciously thinking of how he would say good bye to her when the time came. She’d learn to respect him, they all would.

The sound of the gun clicking back froze him mid step.

“Maines.”

He raised his hands slightly and turned to face the tall blue eyed man swallowing at the hardness in his eyes. “Office ain’t got much money mister, owner takes it with him when he leaves, but you’re welcome to what’s there.”

The stranger merely walked over and turned the lock in the door and changed the open sign to closed.

“I’m here about Hannibal Heyes.”

Maines narrowed his eyes his greed overcoming his common sense, “So the word of the reward got out all ready eh? Well listen mister I haven’t collected that yet and when I do…”

The man smiled and reached over taking the gun from the drawer in the counter that he was edging towards. Once that was out of reach he holstered his own.

“Well that is gonna makes things a whole lot easier,” the stranger smiled, but it was a cold, dangerous smile that made Maines take a step back.

“Who are you?”

“Someone just like you Maines,” Kid Curry said his eyes ablaze with rage as he slammed the former outlaw hard into the counter. “A friend of Hannibal Heyes.”

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

Hannibal Heyes showed no emotion as the lock on his cell door turned just before dawn. He had heard about prisoner trains. Most were nothing more than rail boxcars where men were chained together or to the walls and treated with less concern than cattle. To make matters worse a man could be in as much danger from his fellow inmates as the sadistic underpaid guards looking for a way to take out their frustrations.

“Let’s go Heyes,” Pay growled dressed to travel indicating his hope of the Wyoming lawman being sent in time had not been fulfilled.

Heyes was not sure if this was a good or a bad thing. Pay was inexperienced and that could be both a blessing and a curse in an escape attempt and he smiled amused to see Pay had enlisted six citizens to help him walk the outlaw across the street to the train station. Kid would have been impressed they thought so highly of him.

On the thought of his cousin Heyes glanced up and down the street looking for any sign of him. He wasn’t disappointed when he did not spot him, just worried of what he might up to. He did doubt his cousin’s ability to take out every man guarding him before they got off a shot, but such a rescue would damn them and their chances of amnesty forever.

Stepping into the rail depot Heyes noted the Merton Gang sitting sedately along the far wall with Marshall Weaver guarding them.

In the short time they had shared the jail together Heyes had evaluated the three men and knew that while they might have shared the same profession that was all they had in common.

Coming up out of Texas and terrorizing the panhandle their shoot first approach had left a bloody trail of innocent lives that had cause them to be feared and reviled. Led by two brothers Tom and Kurt Merton their gang of misfit low lives had enraged the Midwest until finally they had been forced to seek shelter in Utah where at last justice had caught up to them.

From what Heyes could gleam there had been a shoot out where Marshall Weaver had killed two of the gang and one had escaped. The capture of its leaders and one other member though had been a great victory and Heyes was as glad as the next man to see them off the street.

Tom the youngest was considered the brains, while his older brother Kurt was considered one of the fastest gunmen alive rivaling even, it was said, Kid Curry.

With them was a huge brute of a man named Slayer who Heyes decided needed a posse of his own to bring him in if sheer size was the issue. Fortunately he didn’t have the brain to match his brawn and without orders didn’t seem to be up for causing much of a problem.

“Glad you could make it Pay,” Weaver said walking over. “You bring food for the journey? This train doesn’t stop for anything but coal and water.”

“I brought it,” Pay said begrudgingly.

“For both of you?” Weaver said and waited.

“Yes,” Pay said icily. Clearly not only have to escort Heyes, but feed him was just too much too bear.

Weaver nodded and patting him on the back walked back over to where his prisoners were shackled and waiting. Heyes’s opinion of the veteran lawman went up a notch. A prisoner in his care would get humane treatment and that gave him hope, but it also meant if he got past Pay, Weaver would be waiting for him and he was no slouch with the gun or his fist

Proof of this lay in the capture of the Mertons. Their last bank robbery had killed the town’s sheriff and wounded two of his deputies. Fortunately one of the posse had been willing to go along with the Marshall after the posse ran them down eager to payback the gang for a friend he had lost in the death of the sheriff. Billy Wood was young, but eager and Weaver was grateful for his help.

Handcuffed to a chair Heyes listened and could just hear the sound of a train approaching. There would be no whistle and bell announcing this arrival. Prisoner trains ran incognito whenever possible.

“Sheriff, Doctor Johnson is here, you want us to stick around?” one of the citizen from the escort asked uneasy. None were comfortable being around the captured outlaws, but Pay was about to let them off that easy since most of them were the ones that had stuck him with the job he was now holding.

“Telegraph said they got a wounded man you just stay put until we know what they need,” Pay said smugly enjoying their discomfort.

“Sheriff Pay?”

Heyes stiffened just slightly recognizing the voice and turning his head glanced casually at the figure standing in the doorway looking trail worn and dusty, saddle bags over his shoulders, rifle ready in his hands.

“Yea who wants to know?” Pay said grumpily.

Kid Curry walked confidently into the room and pulling off a glove with his teeth offered his hand. “Kit Anderson from Cheyenne. I believe you got my wire that I was arriving? I’m the man Sheriff Trevors sent to help you out.”

“Well you sure took your time!” Pay yelled the relief on his face physical.

“Yes sir ran into a little trouble getting here,” Kid said easily. “The folks at the stable said I could find you here and said you had a prisoner you needed transporting?”

“Yes I do and good riddance,” Pay said slapping the handcuff key in his hand and heading for the door.

Kid looked down at the key, “I take it Mr. Pay you and the town would like me to escort the prisoner?”

“Son like don’t even begin to cover it! You get rid of him and I’ll hold down the fort till you get back and after that I don’t ever want to see a badge when I look in the mirror for as long as live!”

“Yes sir,” Kid said as the man once more hurried to leave.

“Hang on a minute you got some paperwork with you?” Weaver said coming up and eyeing Kid thoughtfully.

“Right here Marshall,” Kid said casually pulling it from his inside jacket pocket.

Weaver took a long moment to read them and finally looked back up, “They seem genuine. Describe Lom Trevors.”

“Ah about my height, brown hair, eyes, mustache, scowls a lot,” Kid finished with a smile.

“And we’ve been expecting him,” Pay reminded him annoyed and desperate to be rid of them all.

“Kit!’ Weaver’s deputy Billy said coming in from the platform with a big smile. “You old dog they sent you huh?”

Kid turned poker faced and nodded at the blond shaggy haired young deputy.

“You remember me! Billy Wood I worked with Lom down in Silverton.”

“Yea, yea I do,” Kid found a smile and offered his hand. “Good to see you again.”

“He’s all right Sheriff,” the Deputy vouched to Pay.

“Good enough for me!” Pay said bolting for the door as the train slid into the station.

“Looks like you are just in time,” Weaver told Kid his eyes meeting his.

“I usually try to be,” Kid told him with more meaning than he knew and held the Marshall’s stare until finally Weaver turned away satisfied.

“Let’s get them on board Wood we only got a few minutes.”

“Don’t give me any trouble Heyes,” Kid said walking over and unlocking the shackles and fastening the open one to his left wrist. “We got a long ride and I’m just as easy bringing you in dead as alive.”

“I’ll keep that in mind sir,” Heyes said unable to understand why that despite being handcuffed and about to board a prisoner train to 20 years of misery he suddenly felt so hopeful.

“Mind telling me what you are doing? Heyes asked softly as they hesitated leaving the building under the pretext of handcuffing.

“Saving you 20 years,” Kid hissed back. “Trust me I got us this far.”

Heyes was tempted to point out that this far was handcuffed together about to get on a prisoner train, but he was distracted by a stretcher being taken off the train by two men only to be followed by another body, this one dead and wrapped in a blanket helped off by the engineer and fireman.

“That ain’t good,” Kid said under his breath so only Heyes could hear.

“Which way is your doctor’s surgery?” one of the men asked. “And we need help with another wounded man.”

“This way!” the rail porter said flustered staring at the how badly beaten the man on the stretcher was.

“You men take over from us,” one of the men carrying the stretcher ordered. “Sorry Doctor I have to get back to my prisoner.”

“Thank you Forester,” the Doctor from the train said hovering over the wounded man.

“Sir you forgot your bag,” the Conductor said running up to catch him.

“Thank you Clarence,” the medical man said hurrying up to greet the town Doctor and quickly followed him and the wounded men from the train station.

“What was that all about?” Kid said as the porter was left staring at the body that had been left on one of the benches.

“I don’t know,” Heyes said looking over to see Marshall Weaver in a heated argument with man holding a rifle guarding the entrance to the prisoner boxcar with grim diligence. “But something bad must have happened. By the way how did you manage to get that Deputy to vouch for you?”

“I got no idea,” Kid said just happy he had. “Maybe I look like someone he knew once.”

Heyes frowned certain their luck was not that good, “Come on lets get a little closer I wanna hear what stops a prisoner train like this.”

“One prisoner! That box car can hold 50!” Weaver was yelling as they got closer. “Look Marshall…”

“Federal Agent William Brian,” the man corrected with great authority.

Weaver resisted rolling his eyes, “All right then, Federal Agent Brian all I want to do is lock my prisoners up in there with your one man.”

“Marshall Weaver I take my orders from Washington. If I had not had injured men I would not have stopped this train. I would not even be taking you and your prisoners aboard if I had not received new instructions from my superiors that one of your prisoners warrants this special treatment. But orders or not I will not risk any more lives; that prisoner stays isolated.”

“Sir, the Doctor has gone along to see about Mike…” Clarence the uniformed conductor said hurrying up looking agitated. “They want to know what to do about Sgt. Lewis’s body and…”

“Have them telegraph the nearest army post and send his family my regrets and then Mr. Wesley please get this train moving,” Brian told him firmly.

“But Doctor Boxer isn’t back from…”

“Two minutes Clarence or we leave the Doctor behind.”

“Begging your pardon sir,” the engineer said coming up having heard this. “But I think it would best if we wait here until reinforcements…”

“I have reinforcements Mr. Mackey, right here,” he said indicating the Marshall and his deputy.

“Hang on a minute!” Weaver growled.

Heyes eyes traveled up and down the train as the two lawmen fell back into arguing. It was a small grouping made up of just the locomotive and coal car with a club passenger car, then the prisoner box car and finally a caboose.

“And where exactly to expect us to keep our prisoners; the roof?” Weaver hollered exasperated.

“Caboose is free,” Brian said unconcerned.

“Oh no you don’t sir,” the conductor, Clarence Westley, said turning worriedly. He was a middle aged man with a full beard and looked quite capable of standing his ground. “That is where I sleep and cook for the engine crew. I’m all ready working without a brakeman thanks to your prisoner. You want this train to keep moving you have to let me have a place to look after them!”

“Ah Mr. Brian you mind if I ask what happened to the men you had guarding this prisoner?” Kid asked politely.

“Got too near him,” the Federal Agent said simply. “And you are?”

“Kitt Anderson,” Kid said not intimidated in the slightest by the man’s superior tone. “And I’m not in that much of a hurry to get my prisoner anywhere, thanks all the same Mr. Brian.”

“And your prisoner is?” Brian asked curious.

“Hannibal Heyes,” Kid said and Heyes smiled pleasantly.

“Well if he isn’t coming aboard no one is coming aboard,” Brian said dismissing them all. “He’s the only one I had orders to stop for.”

“Then we all go,” Weaver said firmly.

The Federal agent looked like he would be happy to leave them all including the crew and drive the train himself. “Fine put them in the club car I all ready have one nancy boy prisoner riding up there with his nanny.”

“The club car?” Weaver roared. “You realize this is the Merton gang?”

“Don’t even bother Marshall,” Forrester said appearing on the steps of the passenger car and watching amused. “Mr. Brian is quite adamant about his need for his prisoner’s privacy and after what he did to our brake man I’m tending to agree with him. I’m Sam Forrester, Bannerman Detective Agency.”

“How come he got on board?” Weaver growled.

“Cause he’s got a prisoner who has friends in Washington,” Brian said.

Throwing up his arms disgusted Weaver pointed to the steps to the car and his deputy began herding the prisoners up.

“Nice try,” Heyes said softly.

“Yea, but not nice enough,” Kid said disgusted they were still boarding the train.

“Don’t worry we got a lot to work with here,” Heyes told him unaware even his posture had changed since the arrival of his cousin. The worry and defeat that had threatened to overwhelm him had lifted and for the first time in two days he felt hungry and hopeful.

If his cousin noticed he said nothing just made a proper show of them boarding the train looking every inch a professional lawman clearly experience paying off.

The club car was standard for the long distance passenger lines with most seats made to swivel so they could talk to other passengers or turn to view the scenery out the window. The back of the car contained a table used for card games by the gentlemen and a small bar, which surprisingly for this trip seemed well stocked.

With a small private lavatory located at the front of the car, a working pot belly stove and even carpet it was a great deal more comfort than Heyes could have hoped for under the circumstances.

“And who is he?” Weaver said pointing to a man watching from behind the bar interested.

“Ah Nick Mann, Marshall, Chicago Tribune and may I say you just made my day bringing this many stories on board!”

“A reporter?” Weaver said incredulously.

“I do as I’m told,” Brian replied. “Clarence!”

The Conductor glared at the man, “I’m going sir!”

“Just how dangerous is your prisoner?” Weaver said frustrated looking around the moving social salon and finding it totally inadequate for what he required.

“Dangerous enough that I have a Presidential order to keep him isolated,” Brian said darkly.

Weaver knowing when he was outranked waved his deputy to take the three outlaws in his custody over to the back left corner across from the bar.

“Handcuff them to the hand bar Wood.”

“Will do sir,” his deputy said sitting the three men down and clicking their open handcuff to the brass hand rail that ran along the wall of the car.

“What are you smiling about?” Weaver growled at Heyes who stood handcuffed to Kid watching all this carefully.

“Just grateful for small mercies,” he said.

Weaver snorted. “Just don’t’ give me any trouble Heyes.”

“No sir,” Heyes said allowing Kid to take him over to the seats in the front right corner next to the door that led to the laboratory. Beyond that would be the coal car and Heyes smiled inwardly approving of Kid’s positioning.

Stealing a glance at his partner he knew Kid was as happy as he was that the there was all ready problems in the ranks. Disorder and infighting could only help them because it caused distractions and distractions meant opportunities.

Kid meanwhile was breaking down the room and all the possibilities of escape it held. With the Mertons catty corner to them that just left the Bannerman Forrester and his prisoner to the right of them. The detective’s captive was a small weasel eyed man who was looking out the window aloof as if he was too good for the company and the circumstances. It was an odd pairing.

“Good morning Mr. Heyes,” Nick Mann smiled pulling down a chair so he faced Heyes and Curry. “I gotta tell you that with your arrival I’m gonna be hard pressed to figure out who to write about first, Dean Nick Mann, Chicago Tribune.”

“Hey newspaper man what about us?” Tom Merton yelled across the room.

“Merton your page three next to Hannibal Heyes being captured,” Nick Mann threw back. “The public loves him and his partner. Speaking of which any chance Mr. Curry might attempt a jailbreak? Would really help circulation.”

“No chance,” Curry told the middle aged dark curly haired man.

“Pity,” Nick Mann said. “Say can I get you boys a whiskey? My office stocked the bar real good.”

Kid gave the man a long look.

“Right no whiskey, can’t blame a man for trying,” Nick grinned and turned his full attention to Heyes. “So how about it Mr. Heyes any chance of a first hand interview?”

“Maybe, who’s in the boxcar?” Heyes asked as the car began to move forward a moment after the Doctor re-entered and sunk down into a chair looking done in. He was young with thin features and dark sad eyes that clearly hinted that the violence he had seen working on the train had taken its toll.

Nick Mann sighed and leaned back. “Trouble.”

“Must be pretty dangerous,” Kid said quietly.

“Crazy as a loon,” Mann said rolling his eyes and for the first time he looked serious. “They had him in with other prisoners and he got loose, some kind of contortionist trick, anyway, they’ve found it safer for everyone to keep him isolated.”

“And yet they just took bodies off the train,” Kid pointed out.

Mann looked over his shoulder and lowered his voice, “If you want my opinion they should just shoot him like any other mad dog before he gets out again.”

“Has a knack for escaping eh?” Heyes said intrigued.

Mann looked over and noticed Brian watching, “Nothing compared to you Mr. Heyes and you do it without leaving a river of blood.”

“Your faith in me is touching,” Heyes smiled humorlessly. Mann had a scavenger air of a jackal about him and Heyes knew he would sell both of them out if he caught whiff of a story.

“So this fella, he pretty good with a gun?” Kid questioned.

“Nope didn’t have one, ripped them apart with his bare hands,” Mann said his eyes glistening at the story it had made.

“So a fella does all that don’t they usually hang him?” Kid questioned.

“Criminally insane I believe was verdict; its some new idea some fancy head doctors in Washington came up with. So what about that story?”

“Who else is on board?” Heyes said.

Nick Mann glared at him, but bored he leaned back and continued. “Well across from us is Bannerman Forrester cream of the crop and a favorite of the man himself.”

“Who’s that with him?” Kid said.

Nick Mann frowned. “You got me on that one, arrested for some con job, selling medicine under false pretenses something like that. Not sure why he warrants a private escort to the lock up unless it’s because his daddy is a big shot somebody his name is Pieter Lourdes. Then we got the Mertons, who I gather you have all ready met. Brothers Tom and Kurt; Tom being the reputed brains of the partnership, but you could have fooled me. Speaking of partners you sure yours doesn’t have anything planned to free you? I’ve heard you two are cousins grew up together and he doesn’t seem the type of man to let his partner go down without a fight. I sure would love to see Kid Curry charge in here raining down a hail of bullets and death.”

“Afraid not,” Heyes said.

“Afraid he might lose that shot at amnesty?”

“Just how did you get on board?” Heyes asked deciding he wasn’t going to like this man.

“Little article on how humane prisoner trains are. Seems there have been stories…haven’t there Brian?’

“Yea spread by the likes of your kind,” the Federal agent growled.

“Your prisoner?” Kid said to Brian. “What did he do?”

Brian looked at him and when Kid didn’t flinch under his glare nodded deciding he might do.

“He enjoys hurting people and he is very good at it,” Brian said simply.

“Man kills like that they usually hang him,” Kid told him.

“He is sick,” Dr. Boxer said quietly.

“Yea and so is anyone who gets close to him,” Mann said rolling his eyes. “I’m going, I’m going,” Nick Mann said rising. “Keep me in mind Mr. Heyes it’s gonna be a long trip and a few stories from you sure would help pass the time.”

“Necessary parasite,” Brian growled. “Anderson wasn’t it?”

“Yes sir,” Kid said shaking his hand.

“Hear you are going just as far as Wyoming.”

“Yes sir.”

“Fair enough just let me know…”

“Sir I really need to speak with you,” Forrester said interrupting. “As I mentioned early I really need to talk to you alone about something very important and paramount to the safety of my client.”

“Mr. Forrester did it ever occur to you that your client is a prisoner and as soon as he steps off this train you are no longer going to be able to baby-sit him from the consequences of his actions?”

“I am aware of that sir, but until then his family has hired me to ensure his safety. A great many death threats were made against Mr. Lourdes.”

“And well deserved I have no doubt.”

The Bannerman frowned and noticed everyone was listening closely.

“I need to speak to you alone.”

Brian rolled his eyes. “Fine I’ll meet you outside in a moment I just need to check on my prisoner.”

“Thank you sir,” Forrester said ruffled by the man’s lack of respect for his position.

“Dr. Boxer what are you doing here I told you to stay with the prisoner!” Brian yelled suddenly noticing the young man silently lost in thought staring out the window.

“He is still sleeping sir the medication I gave him was strong,” the Doctor said wearily.

“If he escapes...”

“Sir he is manacled to the wall I don’t think that is possible,” the medical man said exasperated and shook his head no as Mann raised a bottle from the bar offering him a drink.

“And yet he still managed to kill one man and nearly cripple a second,” Heyes said.

“Accidents happen when men allow themselves to be goaded into getting to close to a wild animal,” Brian said simply.

“Rather careless of a man to let those kind of accidents happen on his watch,” Heyes continued.

Brian turned sharply and for a moment it appeared he was going to strike him, but Kid was instantly between the two making it look like an accident and apologizing.

Regaining his temper Brian turned sharply away ignoring Forester shout to remind him he would be waiting for them to have their talk.

Dr. Boxer looked at Heyes interested, “You must be Hannibal Heyes. Sgt. Kirby, the man who was killed was very excited to meet you. Four men…this train started out with four men guarding one man and…” he stopped and coughed. “I’m Doctor Boxer I look after the prisoners are there any medical problems I should be aware of?”

“Yes I used to use my right hand,” Heyes said holding up his manacled hand.

The man smiled, “I’m afraid I can’t help you there.”

“Doctor!” Brian yelled

The young Doctor sighed and picked up his bag, “Duty calls!”

“Speaking of callings any chance a man can relieve himself in private?” Heyes asked Kid loudly.

“Yea, but not in private, come on,” Kid said hauling him to his feet.

The door to the water closet was barely closed when Kid had the key out and was unlocking the hold on Heyes’s wrist.

“Thanks!” he said rubbing it.

“Your welcome,” Kid said making sure Heyes saw that he put the key back in his side vest pocket, the side closest to him.

“So how did you do it?”

‘”Borrowed the papers from the real new sheriff and don’t get that horrified look on your face he’s fine they should find him as soon as the midnight train gets to Porterville. I wired Lom he’ll know what to do.”

“How do you know Lom will find him?”

“I mailed him to him.”

Heyes stared at him. “You are crazy you know that.”

“Occasionally but I didn’t have a lot of time and I didn’t want them finding him right away. I just got lucky that Lom had sent him; fortunately your old friend Jenkins helped me out. Amazing what a man can learn reading all the telegrams that come into a town.”

Heyes looked up sharply, “Jenkins? How did you leave him?”

“Repentant.”

Heyes found himself starting to laugh and leaned back against the wall enjoying the feeling if just for a moment.

“Our amnesty is dead you realize that,” he finally managed.

“I’ll settle for neither one of us being,” Kid said dryly and then looked him over. “This Pay he treat you all right?”

“I thought you were going to leave town?” Heyes countered.

“Did they feed you Heyes?” Kid said just as persistent. He knew from experience what could go on in a small town jail with frustrated or angry lawmen.

“They fed me.”

“Yes but did you eat? I know you Heyes you get worrying and you forget to think about things like that.”

“We better get back, hit me.”

“What?”

“Hit me we’ve been in here too long and I don’t want them getting suspicious of you.”

Kid stared at him and realized he was right and holding back he connected with his jaw just enough to draw blood.

“I didn’t say that hard,” Heyes grumbled holding his chin pleased to see it was bleeding, “Next time I get to be the lawman.”

“Deal,” Kid said pushing him out the door.

“Wondered what was taking so long,” Wood grinned as Heyes stumbled back to his seat hunched over.

“Problem?” Weaver asked.

“Yea he talks too much,” Curry replied.

“About time,” Lourdes said petulantly suddenly finding his voice. “I need to visit the washroom as well.”

“Wait for your keeper,” Weaver barked at him as Brian stormed back into the room from the outside platform that led to the coal car.

“Where the hell is Forrester? I’ve been waiting 5 minutes out there for him.”

Kid frowned, “He went out there before you did.”

“Don’t be ridiculous,” Brian growled back.

“Now sir he’s right he went out there about ten minutes ago,” Wood verified.

“Anderson check out there and see what you can find out,” Brian ordered Kid. “Doctor I thought I told you to stay with the prisoner.”

Kid stared at the man amazed, but deciding it was not worth a fight at this point opened the handcuff that attached him to Heyes and got up and headed for the door as Dr. Boxer attempted to explain to Brian why he was entitled to have a break for breakfast.

“Sure you can leave the great and amazing Hannibal Heyes alone?” Tom Merton called after him sarcastically.

Kid turned back as Heyes slipped the key his cousin had just handed him into his pocket and replied unconcerned, “Why not? He’s not Kid Curry.”

Exiting the room to laughter Kid stepped out onto the platform between the two cars and frowned. A great many people used the area to get some fresh air and have a smoke and the balcony was littered with cigarette butts. Forester had gone out with a cigar and reaching down Kid spotted the end of one and noted it was still warm. The man had been there.

Sighing he looked back and knew that would not be enough for Brian. Certain Forester had gotten bored waiting and was visiting with the engine crew Kid considered just waiting for him and then thought better of leaving Heyes alone too long. He might have the key to those handcuffs, but he was unarmed and with that bunch far too vulnerable for Kid’s liking.

“I thought I was done doing this sort of thing,” Kid said shaking his head disgusted and jumped over to the ladder leading up to the fuel wagon and began to climb.

The path to the engine over the coal car was made up, as most of the train was, by a series of narrow walk ledges and ladders; all of which Kid knew like the back of his hand.

Five minutes later he was opening the door to the club car.

“Well?” Brian asked as he entered alone to find everyone waiting for him.

“Got all the way up to the engine, they haven’t seen him,” Kid said quietly. “And he was out there. I found his cigar butt still warm.”

“Sir I think we have a problem,” the Doctor said coming in from the rear door that led to the prison box car.

“I thought I told you to go sit with the prisoner.”

“Yes sir that’s the problem, he’s gone.”

“What the hell!” Brian yelled pushing past him. “Weaver, Anderson with me!”

Once more Kid got up quickly deciding employment as a federal agent was far more work than it was worth.

“Hell if that lunatic is loose again I need a drink,” Mann said sorting through the bottles. “Where is that cognac?”

Lourdes reacted instantly, “Mr. Forester told you that is mine! I have permission for one last drink before incarceration. One last taste of civilization…”

“Yea well Mr. Forester doesn’t seem to be around kiddo,” Mann sneered and poured himself a liberal glass before disappearing after the lawmen.

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

“How the hell did he get out of that?” Brian swore as he Kid, Weaver, Dr. Boxer and the Conductor all stared at the manacles hanging loosely on the wall.

“More to the point where did he go?” Weaver said examining the car’s large sliding door still locked from the outside.

“Must have slipped out the front door and gone over the top,” Clarence said nervously.

“Without a key to the door?” Dr. Boxer said confused. “And how did he get past that slat across the door?”

“Man that can pick this kind of lock isn’t going to have problem with that door,” Kid said frowning as he examined the handcuffs. Even Heyes would have needed some time to get out of a lock that complicated and from the angle they were fastened even then he wasn’t sure he could do it without some forethought.

“Lets get back were going to have to stop the train and do a thorough search,” Brian said.

“I don’t think stopping the train is a good idea,” Weaver said firmly. “Someone could just be waiting for an opportunity like that.”

“Weaver we are in the middle of nowhere with two men missing!” Brian said annoyed his authority was being questioned.

“Exactly which is why I think we need everyone in one room until we reach the next station.”

“If we reach the next station;” Dr. Boxer said nervously.
”Mr. Forrester was armed, that means if he killed him he is too.”

“He’s a little out numbered don’t you think?” Weaver said.

“The last man that said that they are burying today.”

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

Heyes watched the lawmen leave uncomfortable. He was starting to get a very odd feeling something bad was about to happen and it all centered around Deputy Billy Wood. He had not forgotten how the man had vouched for Kid and all the answers as to why only worried him more. Intrigued he had turned his attention onto the Mertons and their young incarcerator and not liked what he was seeing.

For one thing Tom Merton had said something to Billy that had made him look sharply back at Kid and frown.

Then when Brian had received the news about his prisoner and demanded everyone, but Billy come with him. Heyes, ever the keen the poker player, had seen Wood and Mertons react the same physically ever so slightly. Something was up and it wasn’t good.

“Well boys looks like we can move ahead a little faster then we planned,” Wood said holding up the handcuff keys as the lawman left the room.

“Bout time these cuffs are too damn tight,” Kurt Merton said grabbing Wood by the throat as he moved to free him.

“I had to make it look real Kurt!” Wood said nervously freeing the man and pulling away from his grasp.

Kurt Merton merely growled and snatched the handcuff key freeing his brother and then Slayer.

“Excuse me aren’t you one of the good guys?” Heyes asked politely from his seat hating that he was right all the time.

“You just be quiet and be grateful were saving your sorry…” Wood started to say only to be slapped aside by Tom Merton.

“Wood here is family.” Tom said. “Real clever of him to join up with the posse to try and help us.”

“Yea we got cousins everywhere!” Wood bragged.

“Except Joe didn’t take that sheriff’s place like he was suppose to and you vouched for the fella!” Kurt snarled smacking Wood so hard he fell back.

“Well how was I supposed to know?” Billy whined holding his cheek. “I ain’t never met him! You just told me to say I knew him so he could get on board!”

“Joe ain’t no slouch, that deputy must be a hell of a fighter,” Tom Merton said checking the gun his brother had just handed him and watching the door.

“Then we take him out first,” Kurt said breaking open the weapon locker and finding his gun and holster.

“I think before we start shooting up the place we should think this out and make sure we got all the leverage we need to get this train through,” Heyes said walking over to them.

“That’s a real nice trick without a key,” Tom said turning on him gun aimed straight at him.

“Yes but not much use in a room full of lawmen with guns,” Heyes said unflinching. “Its all about timing Merton.”

“You ain’t in charge here Heyes,” Kurt said menacingly. “My brother and I are and you ain’t got Curry to back you up, remember that. Not that I couldn’t take him even if he was here.”

Heyes smiled charmingly, “Furthest thing from my mind, just appreciative for what you boys have done and want to help anyway I can. Be just ungrateful to sit back and not lend a hand.”

“He got a point,” Slayer nodded.

Heyes continued effortlessly, “I’ve followed you boys’ career and I must say I’m impressed and was wondering how you would feel about me throwing in with you? Of course you’d be in charge I understand that. To be honest I never cared much for running things, just like the thinking part.”

Kurt Merton, not immune to flattery, shuffled his feet. It would be no small thing to have Hannibal Heyes riding with the Merton gang, give them no end of bragging rights and truth be known they did have the worse luck at actually getting away from a job with any real money. Heyes and his gang on the other hand did better than good with that part and he had heard of some fine hoorahs with them living high off the hog.

“How come you wanna ride with us you got your own gang?” Tom Merton said suspicious.

“Had, Curry ran off and left me to rot in jail, I’d like to join up with you boys and do a little payback.”

Revenge was something they could understand and all four nodded.

“Hey they’re coming back!” Kurt called.

“Sit down let them get in the room then you can get the drop on them,” Heyes told them.

Seeing the logic in this the three outlaws took their places and Wood moved into the middle of the aisle while Heyes slipped behind the door.

Weaver and Kid entered first then Brian.

“Welcome back boys,” Wood grinned and Heyes was instantly on Kid taking his gun and punching him hard so he fell just in time to miss a bullet Kurt sent flying right for his gut.

This gave Brian time to go for his, but he was no match for Kurt who sent lead into his belly collapsing him back against the Doctor and the Conductor.

“Drop it Marshall or I’ll drop you,” Tom Merton warned Weaver who nodded and let his gun slip from his hand.

“Wooohoo, shot me a Fed-der-ral Agent!’ Kurt laughed.

“Help me get him over there,” Dr. Boxer told the Conductor who was frozen in the doorway in shock.

“Over here lawman,” Heyes said pulling Kid to his feet and getting him past the Mertons over to their corner.

“Wood what the hell are you doing?” Weaver growled as he was tossed into a chair and handcuffed.

“Sorry Marshall blood is thicker than water,” Wood grinned.

“I need to get my bag,” the Doctor said desperately from the floor where he was attempting to help the bleeding man. “And I will need some water and towels.”

“I didn’t shoot him for you to heal him,” Kurt told him annoyed.

“He could be real useful for getting us through stops,” Heyes said leaving Kid to return to the center of the group. “He must know all the checkpoints.”

“Kurt go get him his bag and what he needs,” Tom Merton said.

“Why me?”

“Because you shot him!” Woods said and then took a step back as Kurt turned quickly.

“He is going to die!” the Doctor yelled.

Heyes walked behind the bar and returned with water and towels. “Where is your bag?”

“I left it in the boxcar.”

“Wait a minute were one short,” Tom Merton said suddenly. “Where is that reporter?”

“Must be still back in that boxcar,” Kurt said unworried.

“You got bigger problems than that. An insane killer is roaming this train,” Weaver told them.

“Mister I got no problem with a man wanting off this train and he’ll know that,” Tom Merton said with a shrug.

“He doesn’t care who he kills he’s crazy,” Weaver told him.

“He’s got a point those boys they brought out looked like an animal killed them,” Woods said pouring a glass of whiskey with shaky hands.

“I need a drink,” Lourdes said going pale and following him over to the bar.

“Get your own bottle!” Billy snarled at him.

Lourdes turned his nose up at him, “I assure you a gentleman like myself does not drink raw whiskey!” And with a sniff of superiority he found his bottle of cognac and clutching it to himself like a life line moved to walk away.

“This the good stuff?” Slayer said snatching the bottle from the man’s hand. “Let me try it.” And opening he took a swig out of the bottle.

Lourdes rolled his eyes horrified at this brutish behavior.

“Yea not bad, but ain’t got much of a kick,” the man said handing the bottle back to him, but Lourdes shrank back disgusted.

“Lets put these lawmen in the prisoner car I need room to think and they are stinking up the place!” Tom Merton said suddenly nervous as well.

“What if he’s in there?” Billy asked swallowing.

“Then were gonna give him something to play with and leave us alone,” the older outlaw told him. “Now move!”

Reluctantly Heyes pushed Kid forward at gun point following the others into the dank, straw strewn boxcar that smelled of blood and human waste.

“What the hell!” Kurt said nearly tripping over something and looking down swore again. “It’s that damn reporter!”

“What’s the matter with him?” Tom Merton said as Kurt rolled him over.

“I don’t know, but it killed him sure enough,” Kurt said taking a step back.

“Doctor take a look at him,” Heyes ordered as the medical man and the Conductor set the wounded federal agent down on the ground.

“Slayer look around see if anyone is outside that door,” Tom Merton told the large man who nodded and headed for the door that led to the outside and the caboose.

“He certainly is dead, but I haven’t the slightest idea what killed him,” Dr. Boxer said rising slowly. “There isn’t a mark on him.”

“I don’t like this Tom,” Kurt said uneasy his gun out looking for something to shoot.

Heyes meanwhile was studying the manacles on the wall and satisfied moved over to the door.

“It’s locked from the outside,” Weaver told him. “It can’t be open from here.”

“Yes it can,” Heyes said simply looking around in the straw and suddenly producing a thin wire. “Old railroad trick you just feed this through and attach this to the handle and pull.”

“Then he had help!” Weaver stared.

“Yes he did, dying,” Heyes said. “We need to stop this train.”

“Why?” Tom Merton said.

“Because I think I know where our lunatic is hiding.”

Minutes later the train under the gun of Kurt Merton had slowed to a stop and the entire group was forced off the train to stand next to the prisoner box car.

“I think whoever killed Forester also killed…did he have a name?”

“Spencer Passel,” the Doctor said looking around nervously. In fact the discovery of Mann’s body had put everyone on edge.

“Doctor how drugged was Passel?”

“Well a normal man would be out for days, but I am certain he was unconscious when I left him last.”

“Unconscious enough that someone could have dragged his body over to the door and pushed him off the train?”

“Yes.”

“Dr. Boxer how did Passel escape those chains the first time?” Heyes asked walking over to the huge sliding freight door.

“He was like an animal even broke bones trying to get free.”

“Were his wrists bleeding?”

“Yes badly.”

“Well that explains the blood,” Heyes said pointing to the handle on the outside of the door. Passel was pulled to the opening by his wrists, then who ever did it had to hold the handle to wrap the wire back around it to lock it again once it was closed. He got blood on his hands and left it on the handle.”

“How the hell did you know that?” Tom Merton gasped.

Heyes shrugged, “Just a guess. Problem is when you jump…or throw a body out of these cars going as fast as we were there is a good chance it can be pulled under the train.”

“Ain’t nothing under there,” Kurt Merton told him taking a look.

“Not this car no,” Heyes said having all ready seen he was right. “It was dragged back a bit before it wedged under the last car…or parts of it did.”

The group followed his gaze and just as quickly turned away.

“I feel sick,” Slayer said and falling to his knees began to vomit.

“He must have slipped after he killed them others,” Tom said struggling to sort through it all.

“Nope,” Heyes said quietly turning to look at the group. “The Killer is one of us.”

“What the hell you talking about Heyes?” Kurt Merton said.

“Spencer Hassel was pushed off the train along with I’m pretty certain our Bannerman detective.”

“How do you know that?” Weaver said.

“Because I think Forester figured out what was going on some how. He went to warn Agent Brian, but the killer got to him first. Couldn’t have been Passel he was drugged and manacled at the time. I think whoever did it went to talk to Forester maybe even reason with him, for all I know it was an accident, but in the confrontation Forester slipped off the platform and died. So then our killer had a problem. He didn’t want suspicion falling on him so if he could divert to someone else he would be overlooked, but who? He had criminals on board, but they were being closely watched, the only one he could use was Passel, who was conveniently unconscious. So using the old railroad trick he opened the door and tossed him out, unfortunately he got stuck under the train, but as long as no noticed everyone would be blaming everything on Passel.”

“But why did he kill Mann? Did he figure it out?” Kid asked.

“No and I couldn’t quite figure that out until I saw Slayer over there being sick. You’re a lucky man Mr. Slayer you only took a sip and being as big as you are your body was able to overcome the effect of the poison,” Heyes said pleasantly.

“Poison?” Weaver frowned.

“Yea Mann took a glass of that cognac and then Slayer, that was your bottle didn’t you say Mr. Lourdes?”

The small man went pale, “My father sent me that bottle.”

“Yes but it wouldn’t be hard for someone with a syringe to shoot the poison down through the cork,” Heyes said looking at the doctor.

“Are you saying you think I killed him?” Dr. Boxer said angrily.

“No, I considered you,” Heyes went on, “But your leg, man can’t get around a train like the killer would have had to with that limp and then I remembered the Doctor was without his bag when we got off the train.” Heyes turned and looked at the Conductor. “And you brought it to him, plenty of time to take what you needed wasn’t it Clarence?”

“I don’t know what you are talking about?” the conductor said taken aback.

“What exactly were you arrested for Mr. Lourdes?” Heyes asked the prisoner who was closing in on himself terrified.

“Answer him!” Kurt yelled shooting his gun into the air.

“Fraud,” he said softly.

Smiling Heyes pulled a piece of paper out of his pocket. “I took the liberty of removing this from Mr. Forester’s papers. Bannerman have one redeeming quality, they keep detailed records. When he went missing I thought it might be a good idea to see what kind of prisoner got death threats worthy of a body guard. It seems Mr. Lourdes you were convicted of selling medicine during an epidemic that wasn’t really medicine. You defrauded an entire town and a great many people died thinking they were taking the antidote. What happened Clarence did Forester recognize you from the trial as one of the town’s people? I can tell by the color of your face that your beard is new, didn’t the disguise work?”

“42 people including my wife and little daughter,” Clarence said quietly his face pale with rage and sorrow. “All because that monster wanted to make a dollar.”

“So you got assigned to the train you knew he would be on to kill him?” Weaver asked.

“Yes! His father is a very powerful man and he got the sentence dropped to negligible fraud.”

“Did you kill Forester?” Weaver asked him.

“I didn’t! He fought me, he slipped,” the Conductor said clearly horrified.

“So did Spencer Hassel slip?” Kid asked dryly.

“He was an animal just like that one. There is no crime in killing a mad dog.”

“So you took advantage of the doctor putting him to sleep and shoved him off the train,” Heyes said wandering if there was more madness on the train than anyone had realized.

“I hoped everything would be blamed on him,” Clarence said.

“And Nick Mann?” Kid asked amazed.

“That was an accident. I had planned all along to kill Lourdes with the poison in that cognac, I knew he loved it. But Nick Mann thought his paper had stocked the bar and opened it before I could stop him.”

“That was poisoned?” Slayer said sitting down pale. “You little I oughta shoot you right now…” But instead he rolled over and was sick again.

“He killed them all, my entire family the same as if he had put a gun to their head,” Clarence said slumping against the side of the train and then suddenly from out of nowhere he pulled a pistol from nowhere and tried to fire. Weaver caught him at the waist shaking the gun free and Kid seeing his chance dived for the weapon.

“Go head try it lawman you really think you can outshoot me!” Kurt yelled facing him.

They both went for their guns a moment later Kurt was crumpled on the ground and Kid was rising slowly to his feet.

“Kurt!” Tom Merton yelled going for his gun, but Heyes was instantly on him and with one punch knocked him down hard.

“Don’t even think about,” Weaver said snatching up Kurt’s gun and aiming it at Slayer who slumped over all the fight gone out of him.

“Now what?” Kid asked no one in particular.

“Everyone on aboard. Gentlemen you think you can get this train to the next stop as fast as possible the Doc here has this hands full?” Weaver asked the cab crew.

“Yes sir we’re only an hour out of Rawlings.”

“Good help Mr. Anderson get these men into the prisoner car and then proceed ahead. Mr. Anderson as soon as we have secured the prisoners I would like you to bring Mr. Heyes into the club car I have a few more questions.”

“Wait you are not thinking of locking me in there with them!” Lourdes squealed.

“Careful Mr. Lourdes or I might request you and Mr. Westly share cells,” Weaver glared at him.

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

“We are probably about ten minutes out of Rawlings,” Weaver said setting a bottle of whiskey down with three glasses. “And since Doc is looking after the wounded and everyone else is chained up in the boxcar I thought we would have ourselves a little talk.”

“What about Marshall?” Heyes said innocently.

“That was some smart detectiving you did back there son, you got a real sharp mind, such a shame to see it going to waste on outlawing.”

“What do you think will happen to Clarence?” Kid asked curious.

“Well I really do believe he didn’t mean to kill Forester and Mann, think a jury will to and if a good lawyer can convince a jury Passel came after him then I think he can avoid the rope for him as well.”

“And attempted murder?” Heyes asked.

“Son they’ll probably give him a medal for that,” Weaver said shaking his head. “I remember that case now Lourdes exchanged the medicine the town had bought so he could re-sell. Nearly 50 innocent people died when there was no need,” the lawman blew out a long breath. “I must be getting old and cynical when I start believing in the lesser of two evils, which brings me to my point. You know Mr. Heyes I was real curious when I saw you were joining us. See along with Mr. Mann I heard those amnesty rumors too; rumors along with stories about you and your partner doing a lot of good to make amends. Rumors I didn’t quite believe for myself until today.”

“I’m afraid I don’t know what you are referring to Marshall,” Heyes said his face unreadable.

“And as for you Mr. Anderson normally I would offer a man who can shoot and think as fast as you a job,” he leaned back taking a sip of whiskey. “I don’t believe I have ever seen a man as quick with a gun and accurate! Why you didn’t even let Kurt Merton clear leather…and yet when Mr. Heyes here surprised us you let him take your gun.” He shook his head, “Strangest thing I ever saw a man who can handle a gun like you letting another man get the drop so easy. Why I would think only a man’s partner would have that kind of chance. Guess you got lucky Mr. Heyes.”

“I’m starting to think I did Marshall,” Heyes said glancing at his cousin.

“Well looks like were pulling in. We will be here some time while I explain all this and fill out enough paperwork to make them government fellas happy. Truth be told I think being able to say that Passel fella died in a train accident is gonna make everyone happy. But no reason you have to stick around with you prisoner Mister….Anderson. Might be best if you continue on with Mr. Heyes on horseback. I’ll arrange for horses for you as soon as we stop. Oh and give my best to Lom Trevors when you see him.”

“I’ll do that sir,” Kid said rising and offering his hand as the train stopped.

“Thank you Marshall,” Heyes said offering his.

“Don’t thank me son its just that after today I think were all a lot better off if you both are on this side of the law.”

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

“When are you going to take these handcuffs off?”

“Soon as we get clear of the train you don’t want that Marshall figuring it out do you?” Kid asked innocently

“Kid he knows who you are,”

“No Heyes he thinks he knows who I am. He couldn’t have let us go if he had known…” he stopped as Heyes tossed him the handcuffs without benefit of a key. “You’re slowing down.”

“Next time I get to be sheriff you enjoyed that too much.”

“Me? Did you have to hit me that hard? I barely tapped you.”

“What you wanted me to let Kurt Merton shoot you?”

“You’re lucky I didn’t shoot you surprising me and going for my gun like that,” Kid said.

“Your welcome,” Heyes smiled back.

Kid finally found one himself. “You too.”

“You realize we are still in a lot of trouble. Lom is not going to be happy that you sent one of his men home in a box, alive in a box, but still a box.”

“I put food and water in there,” Kid said innocently as if he could not see why there would be a problem.

“Kid you mailed him!”

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

“Well I wondered when you two would be showing up,” Lom Trevors said opening the front door of his house. It was late, but he was still dressed almost as if he had been expecting them.

“We came to explain,” Kid said quickly.

“Come in, letting all the cold in,” Lom said opening the door forward for them to pass.

The two cousins exchanged glances Kid winning the bet they had made about whether he would draw on them at first sight or not, Heyes convinced he would.

“Your being real good about this Lom, how’s your man?” Heyes asked cheerfully as they were admitted into the small living area of the cabin.

“Better, much better,” Lom said. “Sit down boys can I get you some coffee?”

“Ah no, no thanks,” Kid said looking like he was 5 again in front of a school master. “Look Lom, Heyes didn’t have anything to do with this it was my idea so don’t…”

“He doesn’t want to split the reward with you?” Lom asked looking over at Heyes and almost hiding a smile.

“Reward?” Heyes asked perking up.

“$2000,” the lawman said going over to his jacket hanging on the wall and pulling the envelope free. “Been carrying it around with me cause I’m never sure when and where you boys are gonna show up.”

“This is for us?” Kid said opening it and staring at the money and then handing it to his cousin as if to check if it was real.

“Reward on Chad Merton, quite a trick you mailing him to me like that and very satisfying after what he did to the deputy I sent.”

Kid and Heyes looked at each other.

“You didn’t know about the reward?” Lom asked.

“Ah no…” Kid said realizing that the man he had waylaid had in fact just nearly killed the real lawman minutes before.

“Well I appreciate it. Kit is a good man got a wife and family. I’m glad to see the man who attacked him caught.”

“Ah so are we,” Heyes said brightly.

“Ah Lom I don’t know what you heard about that prisoner train and Provo and Heyes, but…”

“Yea Stone Weaver sent me a wire they had arrested the wrong man. Said the man they had in custody helped him in a murder investigation and couldn’t have possibly been Hannibal Heyes,” Lom said poker faced.

“He said that?” Kid said grinning.

“Seems like a real intelligent man,” Heyes nodded.

“Yea because I would hate to think you boys were getting into trouble and impersonating law men and the like.”

“Well you know us Lom,” Heyes said rising quickly. “Straight and narrow.”

“Avoid trouble like hard work,” Kid added eagerly rising as well.

“So I told Marshall Weaver. Still that money should help you avoid both for a while right boys?”

“Right as rain Lom!” Heyes said putting on his hat and opening the door.

“Good to see you again Lom!” Kid said almost out the door.

“Just one thing boys?”

“Yes Lom?” they said in unison.

“Next time you mail me your problems don’t send them COD!”