NO RULES

Drena Hills

“Hell there are no rules here! We’re trying to accomplish something!”

- Thomas Edison

DENVER

NOVEMBER 1872

“Greeley! Are you crazy the man is a newspaper publisher!” 18 year old Kid Curry said

scornfully as he caught the beer slid down the bar to him.

“And what you want Grant again?” his 20 year old partner Hannibal Heyes said condescendingly

from where he stood beside him at the end of the polished bar. “War’s over Kid, no more generals needed.”

“Well it least he knows how to lead. How much leadership does it take to put out a paper?”

“Kid I’ll have you know Greeley left school at 14 to support his family and from nothing he

created not only the New York Tribune, but that funny periodical the New Yorker as well.”

His cousin looked at him and rolled his eyes, “That convinces me! All Grant did was get Lee to surrender and end the war. Oh yea Heyes I can see why you would be swayed by a periodical with cartoons that don’t make no sense!”

Heyes glared at him; “You are missing the point! With peace the country has new problems that call for new methods. Gotta try new things, throw away the rules!” Earnestly he got closer and Kid had to smile as his cousin dug in to convince him. There was nothing Heyes loved better than an argument where he was sure he was right. Of course Kid wasn’t sure he could ever remember an argument where Heyes didn’t think he was right.

“Greeley has a lot of sound ideas like that homestead government land plan and fighting what he calls ‘monopolies’. You’re always going on about the railroads buying everyone out, taking over. Remember what I told you about that Rockefeller and his Standard Oil over in Ohio? That kind of thing could happen all over the place if somebody doesn’t …what?” Heyes stopped at his cousin’s look and glanced around.

The large saloon had gone strangely quiet and he realized everyone was listening to him

And this was not just any ‘saloon’. The Silver Nugget was Denver’s most elegant ‘gambling parlor’. Known for its high class clientele and even higher stakes poker games the two cousins fresh from a job had cleaned up and headed there to see if it would live up to its reputation. So far they had not been disappointed. The beer was cold, the games honest and with its high chandeliers and shiny brass rails they felt they were in the right place to sample some of the finer things life had to offer.

“I don’t think I like the way you’re talking about our President…boy.”

Heyes sighed and let his eyes look heavenward for the briefest second noting even the more aloof patrons in their private ‘boxes’ on the second floor had become interested. He felt his cousin stiffen. Kid would argue with Heyes until they were both flat out exhausted and thought the other a complete idiot, but let any other man try it and instantly they were on the same side, no matter what the question.

Straightening, Heyes turned slightly and tried his most congenial smile.

“I don’t believe I was speaking to you,” Heyes pointed out politely. “Just a friendly little discussion between my cousin and I,” he added noting the man had 5 years and 25 pounds on him not to mention, if the glasses on the counter were any indication, at least 4 whiskeys.

Egged on by the two friends behind him, the older man looked Heyes up and down, erroneously marking him as a green kid, despite his tied down gun and sharp intelligent eyes.

“If I can hear you, your speaking to me,” the man said tossing down his cigar butt and pushing Heyes’s shoulder so they were face to face. Kid instantly was next to him, but Heyes shook his head ever so slightly as he considered his next move. He really didn’t want to make trouble, or have to leave. In fact the reason why they had left Big Jim and the rest of the gang once they rode into town was a need to go somewhere civilized and relax without the chance of a fight breaking out every five minutes.

So once more he gave it his best effort.

“Presidential Election a week away I’m afraid your gonna be hearing a lot of talk about who is voting for who, wouldn’t be a horse race without it. So why don’t we just agree to disagree?”

“And what if I say no?” the man said as his friends laughed.

“Then I would be forced to show you another principle of democracy in action,” Heyes said arms folded.

“And that would be?” the man sneered.

“You don’t have to listen to me, and I don’t have to listen to you.”

And with that Hannibal Heyes decked the man cold.

“Steady boys,” Kid said his gun in his hand and as Heyes turned and pushed his hair back from the face he saw the man’s two friends had moved to draw on him only to find Kid waiting with his gun first.

“Well that’s that,” Heyes sighed picking up his hat and moving to finish his last swallow of beer. Two large security toughs quickly moved to the fallen man and indicating his friends should follow, dragged him from the room.

Glancing over, Heyes noted Kid still had his gun out to emphasize their leaving would be their decision and no one seemed very quick to argue with him after his display.

“Gentlemen I was wondering if you would be so kind as to accompany me to that private room just up there,” a voice behind them said.

Both men turned to look at the man addressing them and then up at the private box directly above them. There were four such boxes in the main room and consisted of a small ‘balcony’ with a table and chairs that led back to a reserved sitting room with all the amenities.

“Were just fine down here,” Kid said quietly, his gun still casually in his hand.

“Why?” Heyes said, the man intriguing him.

His first impression had been eastern dandy, due to the cut of his suit and ornate vest. But something in the man’s stance and eye contact made him re-evaluate his opinion. His dark hair and classical features combined with his expressive voice made Heyes think he might have been an actor once, but there was an aura of confidence, even danger about the man that just did not mesh with the image he was projecting.

“Because he told you to and if you don’t your gonna get thrown out with the same speed those three did,” came a second voice.

Heyes gave Kid a discreet glance.

This new man was short, but wiry and looked every inch capable of a serious knock down fight. He was too handsome, the kind women liked and Heyes could see Kid getting annoyed by his attitude and watched amused as he put away his gun. A clear sign to the man he felt no threat in him.

“Jim,” the first man said attempting to intercede before a fight broke out.

“Gentlemen I am beginning to understand why they say politics should never be discussed unless you are alone,” the voice boomed from above them. “But I was hoping you would make an exception and join me for a drink and a cigar?”

Heyes swallowed and Kid blinked. There was no mistaking the figure calling down to them from the box.

“Ah certainly Mr. President,” Heyes said coughing as his throat went dry.

“Ah yes sir Mr. Grant,” Kid said softly.

Then as the room watched amazed the two young outlaws were led by the two strangers up the stairs and into the plush box where a table was lavishly set up with food and drink.

“Gentlemen, I appreciate you sparing a bit of your time,” the President said amused at their uneasiness. “Please have a seat. You have met Mr. West and Mr. Gordon, my Secret Service Agents. This is Mr. Wallis, my personal secretary in charge of protocol and worry,” Grant laughed indicating the fussy young man fretting behind him.

“Pleasure,” Kid said now even more uncomfortable. Heyes all ready had a $100 on his head and he wondered how far down the scale the Secret Service memorized wanted posters.

“Hannibal Heyes, this is my cousin Jed Curry,” Heyes said shaking the President’s hand clearly excited. “Great pleasure to meet you sir.”

“Ah, but not to vote for me?” the man said smiling and offering a cigar.

Heyes smiled back and sitting down lit the cigar. Kid shook his head at how relaxed his cousin was in the man’s company. Heyes could dine with Kings and beggars someone once said and never show he noticed the difference.

“I am an admirer of your war record sir,” Heyes said.

“But you don’t believe that leading a country is like leading an army?” Grant said shrewdly.

“I believe leading a country requires a different kind of leadership skill than leading an army. An army is trained to obey, a nation is not. A more persuasive diplomacy is needed if anything is to be accomplished.”

“Heyes,” Kid said annoyed and forgetting where he was. “This country is raw at the seams, it needs a strong man who can make hard and fast decisions, not your wishy washy compromise and talk Heck nothing would get done.”

“The last thing this country needs while it is healing is to be told how it’s going to do something without any voice!” Heyes yelled back. “This is America remember? The people have a right to be involved in its decisions for its future.”

“But not to the point it cripples anything from being accomplished, that’s why we need a strong man who will have the courage to not be swayed but do what needs to be done for the good of everyone.”

“One man deciding for all? That’s not a democracy that’s a dictatorship!”

The President’s laughter stopped them both.

“Gentlemen I can see I was right, this is the most refreshing talk I’ve heard since I came to Washington 4 years ago, I salute you both!” And with that he raised his glass and took a drink.

Kid and Heyes meanwhile looked mortified at the realization of what they had said.

“Tell me where do you hail from?” Grant asked refreshing their drinks, which they gulped down in need.

“Kansas sir,” Heyes said.

“And cousins you said, interesting. Do your father’s share your political opinions?”

“Parents died when were young sir,” Kid said. “Quantrille, Lawrence.”

Grant’s face darkened and neither man missed the reaction of the two Secret Service agents who were standing behind him. Both had relaxed as they had made their decision about the men and this only cemented what they had decided.

“Our folks used to argue all the time,” Heyes smiled remembering. “Jed’s Pa was from Ireland and his pa and mine would argue long into the night with our Grandpa Curry.”

Kid laughed, “With Grandpa Curry playing Devil’s advocate!”

“Always loved Election Day,” Heyes smiled. “Folks talked about it for weeks. I liked to hear what they thought, why they believed what they did. Grandpa would even listen to our opinions, encouraged us to argue with them.”

“Yea always made me feel so grown up sitting out on that porch discussing politics with the men,” Kid laughed and the room smiled at his expression.

“And you still keep up with it all, even on the trail?” Grant said.

“Yes sir, well as we can,” Heyes said.

“Heyes will read anything, but especially a paper,” Kid grinned.

“How old are you two?” Grant said studying them annoyed he couldn’t quite figure them out and aware his two agents were having the same problem.

“20, Kid is 18,” Heyes said.

“Kid, ah a nickname, yes I could see how a man with a gun might acquire one,” Grant said.

Kid met his eyes; “People tend to underestimate me cause of my age.”

“Having seen you draw Mr. Curry I assure you that is a mistake I would never make.”

Kid looked uneasy, almost embarrassed. “Swore on my family’s grave next time someone went after one of mine, he wouldn’t have it so easy.”

His quiet words won the room’s approval.

“So what do you two do?” Grant said interested.

“Little of this.”

“And a little of that,” Heyes finished and they both smiled at each other.

“I could use men like you in Washington, too full of lawyers, not enough plain speaking. I don’t suppose I could persuade you?”

Kid and Heyes looked at each other and burst out laughing.

“I’m sorry sir, were flattered really, but I don’t think we’d be comfortable behind a desk?” Heyes said. “But thank you for the compliment.”

“And you think I’m comfortable behind one? There are days Shiloh looks good over this job.”

“Mr. President I’m afraid it’s about time, the train?” Wallis said softly in his ear.

“Wallis you fuss too much, what’s the point of being President if you can’t enjoy yourself every now and then.”

“But sir this is highly irregular, there are rules…”

“Damn the rules, never accomplished one thing worrying about rules.”

Kid looked over at Heyes and gave him a smug smile.

“I’m sorry sir, but Wallis really is right, you’ve got a speech in 20 minutes and if you want to have a chance to break rules for 4 more years you really need to make it?” Gordon said persuasively.

“Point taken Mr. Gordon. Gentlemen I must take my leave of you, but I want to thank you for giving your President a few moments of genuine America, I miss it,” the man said rising and shaking their hands. “This box and the room behind it are paid for till morning, please make use of it as my way of thanking you for your candidness. Mr. Curry I appreciate your support, keep working on him, you’ll wear him down. Mr. Heyes, you have some good points about Mr. Greeley, he is a good man and as you say I am just an old General.”

“No sir you are a great man doing a difficult job that I can’t imagine taking on,” Heyes said shaking his hand. “Thank you.”

The President left the box led by Gordon, West moved to follow only turning back to casually add.

“I was just trying to remember who rides with the Devil’s Hole Gang now,” he said softly. “Probably won’t come to me until I’m out of town, probably not till tomorrow when you gentlemen will have moved on,” and with a tip of his hat he added, “Gentlemen.” And was gone.

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

DENVER

NOVEMBER 1876

“They at it again?” Wheat Carlson asked shaking his head as he watched Heyes and Curry enter the saloon ahead of them in a heated discussion.

“Yep, worse than ever, think they never voted for a President before,” Lobo sighed.

“They ain’t,” Kyle said, “Heyes told me. He says he don’t want Kid canceling out his vote.”

“Like it makes one fool bit of difference,” Wheat sighed as the three members of the Devil’s Hole Gang found a table some distance from their leaders.

“Well as long as they keep giving us shares like we got off that last haul, they can argue all they want,” Kyle grinned uncorking the bottle. “I ain’t never had me this much money, I can afford a woman AND a bath!”

Oblivious to this discussion Hannibal Heyes and Kid Curry had also found a table and securing a better bottle of whiskey, leaned back to unwind.

“Heyes that is the dumbest reason for voting for a President…. What’s wrong?” Kid said instantly pulled out of his weary arguing by his cousin tensing in his seat.

“Isn’t that Jack Montana over there?” Heyes said frowning.

Kid looked up suddenly alert. “Where?” he asked disgusted he had missed the man’s presence and realized Heyes had caught a glimpse of the man exiting an upstairs bedroom.

“He’s trouble,” Heyes said warily.

“He’s death you mean,” Kid said simply watching the old Confederate officer limp out of the room. “Wonder whose blood he’s wearing now.”

“Long as it isn’t ours,” Heyes sighed leaning back now that the man was gone and savoring the well-earned drink in his hand.

“Sir?”

They both turned at the feminine voice and instantly were on their feet at the saloon girl nervously trying to get their attention.

“Lily isn’t it?” Kid smiled recognizing the young girl from earlier, curious about her age. She couldn’t have been more than 15 if she was a day.

“Juanita…he hurt her, please can you come, she’s crying, she said you would help.”

Kid and Heyes looked at each other. They both were partial to the older Mexican girl that was a favorite at the saloon.

“How bad is she hurt?” Heyes asked.

“She’s bleeding and holding her stomach sir,” the girl said her eyes wide with tears.

“I’ll get Dixie to fetch the doctor,” Heyes said as Kid started up the stairs.

Kid nodded and following the girl made his way into the familiar bedroom he had visited on other trips. The room was nearly pitch dark except for a light near the door and Kid blinked trying to adjust to the lack of light and in doing so saw the girl was on her bed.

“Juanita,” he smiled coming over to the side of the bed and sitting down gingerly on the edge moved to touch the girl’s arm to turn her to him and stopped when he realized it was sticky. “Lily bring me a light,” he said urgently.

The girl brought the light closer and Kid caught his breath as the girl let out a scream. Blood was everywhere.

“Go get me some water and some cloths,” Kid ordered taking the lamp and setting it down on the table beside the bed. “Juanita, its Jed, honey can you hear me?”

The girl groaned as he turned her over and to his dismay he could not even make out her pretty features for the bruises and blood.

“Jed they want to kill him,” she said her eyes finally focusing on him.

“Shhh you just rest quiet, Heyes has gone for the doctor.”

“I need to talk to someone,” the girl said teeth chattering from shock and fear.

“Doc’s on his way,” Heyes said hurrying into the room and stopping as he took in the scene. “Who did this?” he asked his voice like stone.

“Went in with that soldier fella, Juanita said he was trouble, but they made her,” Lily said coming back with the basin of water.

“Montana,” Heyes said softly to Kid.

His cousin looked up dangerously as the doctor brushed past them, brought into the room with one of the other girls.

Kid rose from the bed and quietly pulled out his gun to check it.

“Don’t,” Heyes said firmly putting his hand on Kid’s arm.

“Don’t what?” his partner said not looking up.

“You aren’t going after him Kid. Look he doesn’t like you as it is. Now I know one of you is faster, but I can go the rest of my life without finding out which one.”

“Man is an animal Heyes, someone should put him down.”

“Yup, but not you.”

“They are going to kill him,” Juanita said suddenly.

Heyes and Kid glanced at each other and hurried over.

“Montana?” Kid asked.

“No… They are on his train, they will kill everyone after the last stop.”

“Juanita who?” Heyes said confused. “Who is Montana going to kill?”

“The President,” she gasped and breathed her last.

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

“This is crazy, did I mention this was crazy,” Heyes said firmly following his partner up the back stairs of the hotel.

“Said you didn’t have to come,” Kid said calmly.

“And I said a note would be enough,” Heyes whispered back fiercely.

“Nope, might not believe it.”

“Kid they know who we are, it’s been four years, I hate to break this to you, but you’ve got a price on your head this time too, a big one. We’re the leaders now, infamous, legends, we even got our own dime novel…”

“Heyes you gonna keep talking or help me get in to see them?”

“And why West and Gordon? Let’s at least pick a couple of agents that don’t know us on sight?”

“Because I trust them. On three?”

Heyes rolled his eyes, but nodded and took his place opposite the doorframe.

Kid knocked and when a voice inquired who was there replied:

“Old drinking companions of the President,” Kid said.

He was rewarded with the door being opened and Wallis peering out. “Yes?”

Kid pushed the door hard and Heyes slipped in grabbing the man and placing a gun at his head.

Gordon and West were instantly in the room guns drawn, but froze as Kid and Heyes stood with the clerk between them.

“Mr. Heyes, Mr. Curry,” Gordon sighed raising his hands.

“Don’t try it Mr. West I don’t want to hurt you,” Kid said simply as the second agent hesitated.

The agent nodded slowly raising his hands, but his eyes were black with anger.

“I’m afraid you are early if you wanted to see the President, he won’t be getting in until tomorrow,” Gordon said feigning pleasantness. “I am sure he will be most annoyed having missed you.”

“He’s what we need to talk to you about,” Kid said shutting the door and letting Heyes check the suite for anyone else.

“Clean,” his partner told him a minute later.

“And this concerns the President?” West asked.

“He’s in trouble, now if I have your word you won’t draw on us we’ll put our guns away,” Kid said calmly.

Jim West and Artemus Gordon looked at each other. They had followed the two men’s career after that first initial meeting and had admitted a grudging admiration for their abilities and professionalism only to each other. They also respected their painstaking effort to avoid bloodshed.

“You trust us?” Jim asked.

“Yes sir I do,” Kid said.

“And you?” Gordon asked Heyes smiling inspite of it all.

“No, but I trust my cousin,” Heyes replied.

“You have our word,” Jim said finally.

The two outlaws replaced their guns.

“Arrest them! Shoot them!” Wallis said now free and running behind the two agents.

“Wallis why don’t you go lay down your looking a little pale,” Gordon said.

“Oh yes, yes I am. You will shoot them right?”

“First chance we get,” West promised pushing him into the bedroom and shutting the door.

“The President is in trouble,” Kid said getting immediately to the point. “We have information that the train he is traveling on isn’t going to make it here.”

“And why should we believe you?” West said, but neither outlaw missed the exchange of glances between the agents as this confirmed something they had been thinking about.

“Jack Montana,” Heyes said. “He’s got his men on that train and they have orders kill the President right after the last whistle stop.”

“I knew it!” Gordon said tossing down the papers in his hand disgusted. “I told you us getting reassigned off that train felt wrong.”

“That means Rufus is in on it,” West said his mind going over the possibilities.

“It also means we have to find a way to stop that train that won’t get him killed immediately,” Gordon said

“Fastest we could reach them is here,” West said going over to a table and unrolling a map of the area.

“Yea, but look at it, flat, open, we’d never be able to sneak up on them and they’ll kill him the minute they suspect.”

Kid and Heyes looked at each other amused, they had been forgotten.

“Heyes?” Kid said softly.

“Don’t even think it.”

“Heyes you are the only man who could do it.”

“Kid may I remind you we are wanted outlaws!”

“Yea, but I know you, the challenge is eating you alive.”

Heyes looked at his partner’s grin and finally shaking his head smiled back. “There are times I wish you didn’t know me so well partner.”

Turning he coughed causing the two men to remember them and turn.

“You can go,” West said. “Don’t count on it again though.”

“Actually, you said something about wanting to stop a train?” Heyes said politely.

The two agents looked at each other and a glimmer of hope sparkled in Gordon’s eyes.

“Why you know someone good at that?”

“You’d be willing to help us?” West said. “Why?”

“Well he happens to be our President too,” Heyes said slightly indignant at the man’s tone.

“Yea, and I would have voted for him,” Kid said equally as resentful their loyalty to their country was being doubted.

“How do we know you aren’t in on it?” West said.

“Mr. West my partner and I just broke into a secret service hotel room and held government agents at gunpoint to warn you. Credit us with a little common sense?” Heyes said.

“He’s got a point Jim, besides from what I know of these two they wouldn’t ride with a man like Montana,” Gordon said.

“Mr. West my partner is a bonafied genius, if anyone can stop that train and save the President, he can,” Kid said simply.

Kid and Gordon watched as the two men faced off.

“You gave us your word, well I’m giving you ours,” Heyes added calmly. “You can trust us to do everything in our power to help save him. I’ve been through one President being killed, don’t intend to watch the country go through another.”

“Jim he’s right, we need experts and these two are the best.”

“Artie they’re outlaws.”

“Yea, but like he said they are also Americans, I say we trust them.”

“Not asking to be friends,” Heyes said. “Just allies till its done.”

The silence in the room was overpowering, but slowly West nodded.

“Allies,” he said offering his hand.

“Agreed,” Heyes said taking it.

“So what are you gonna need?” Artie said relieved.

Heyes walked over to the map and glanced at it confirming what he all ready knew.

“My men, fast horses and…” he smiled as an idea came to him. “My reputation!”

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

“Kid it is too dangerous, Montana hates you. The minute you get on that train, what’s to stop him from killing you?”

“Your plan.”

“Kid I appreciate you having this kind of faith in me…”

“Heyes you need to be free to adapt things as they change and you need someone you trust on that train to convince them its us.”

“I trust Kyle.”

“Yea and he also scares you to death. Look I’ll be all right.”

Heyes stared at his cousin hard; “Don’t you push him.”

“I don’t know what you are talking about.”

“Yes you do, you’ve wanted Montana ever since you found out what he did at that school during the war, and you got Juanita now gnawing at you. This isn’t the time or the place.”

“Your right and I won’t, I’ll just convince him it’s only us.”

“And let the Secret Service handle the heroics.”

“Anything else?” Kid said with a small smile.

“Just get out alive,” Heyes said disgusted he had no better way to do the impossible. “I still gotta convince you your voting for the wrong man.”

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

“Excellent job Mr. President, no one suspected a thing,” Paul Rufus smiled as the two men stepped back inside the plush rail car from the back door where a crowd was still whistling and stomping as the train pulled away.

“You are a fool to think this is going to work Rufus,” Grant said showing no sign of fear.

“Oh it will work,” Montana said his southern voice smoothly cutting across the room from the far end where he sat drink in hand.

“Montana, I should have known a butcher like you would be involved in something this mad,” Grant said.

“Got on at this stop, your last public appearance…alive, Mister President. Wanted to see to your execution myself.”

“What do you hope to achieve with this madness?” Grant said angrily. “Election is only days away. I’m a lame duck.”

“Confusion Mr. President, doubt, uncertainty. I intend to make a fiasco of that election. We have set some plans in motion, but imagine the uproar when you just turn up missing. Will delay the election, might even cancel it. My people just need enough unrest and uncertainty to move their man into position.”

“Sorry to interrupt Mr. Rufus?” one of the guards said appearing at the door. “But we caught this man in the baggage car, must have snuck aboard at the last town.”

The two burly soldiers pushed Kid Curry into the room.

“Mr. President?” Kid said in surprise, “Whoa fellas we had no idea…”

“Kid Curry,” Montana said breaking into a smile. “Well as I live and breathe.”

“Montana,” Kid said coldly. “What’s going on here?”

“I think you better tell us that?” Rufus said with a snarl.

“Heard there was a rich easterner on the train, planned on stopping it and robbing him,” Kid shrugged.

“He really Kid Curry? The Devil Hole’s Kid Curry?” Rufus asked.

“It’s him, we’ve…. talked before,” Montana said.

“These stupid fools will upset everything. How were you going to stop the train?” Rufus said shoving Kid into the wall.

“I was suppose to climb up to the engine and make them slow a way up the track,” Kid said.

“Well that problem is solved,” Rufus said relieved.

“Actually I’m the back up,” Kid confessed. “Believe me mister my partner will stop this train with or without me.”

“He’s right Rufus, that’s Hannibal Heyes out there, if he wants to stop a train, he’ll stop it.”

“You seem very relaxed about that fact,” Rufus growled back at Montana.

“I am seeking chaos Mr. Rufus, Mr. Heyes could prove very useful!”

“We don’t need a blood bath with a band of outlaws.”

“Ah but this gang is led by a spineless, coward afraid to hold a gun much the less use it. His men won’t shoot, he orders them not to. The only teeth in that gang is standing right here with us. Besides Heyes won’t do a thing to endanger his cousin, sentimental idiot. No gentlemen, let Mr. Heyes stop the train for us and then we will see what use he can be for us!”

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

“Heyes I don’t like this, robbing the President?” Kyle said uncomfortable.

“Kyle we aren’t robbing the President, were stopping his train,” Heyes explained wearily for the tenth time as they waited along side the track.

“I don’t know about that either, sounds un-American to me.”

“You think Kid can convince them he’s not there to help him?” Hank asked.

“I hope so Hank, I sure hope so,” Heyes sighed squinting down the track. “Or were all in a lot of trouble.”

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

“Mr. West sends you his regards Mr. President,” Kid said softly. The two men had been left chained up together in the back bedroom of the car with a guard outside the open door watching.

The President raised an eyebrow, but otherwise made no other outward sign of hope, “That is very good news Mr. Curry.”

“You remember me?”

“Hard to forget seeing the fastest gun in the west draw before your eyes. Now if we could just get you out of those manacles and allow you to use that talent.”

“Well actually Mr. President,” Kid said and the man’s eyes widened as he heard a distinct click. “That was sorta what I had in mind to.”

“Hey what you two talking about?” the guard said annoyed walking over.

“Just politics…” Kid smiled innocently.

“Well you better shut up boy or I’m gonna….”

The man never had chance to finish, Kid reaching up and grabbing him by the throat pulled the gun from the guard’s holster in one swift motion and placed it at the man’s head.

“So,” Kid smiled clicking back the gun. “Who you voting for?”

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

“Stand and Deliver!”

“Who says so!” the engineer called out as instructed as the train slid forced to a stop.

“Hannibal Heyes and Kid Curry,” Heyes said.

Fifteen men he got the signal from Wheat, they had ten counting West and Gordon. He moved his hand up and pushed back his hat giving them the signal.

Pretending his horse was skittish Hank moved his horse slightly forward making sure its hoof clicked the rail.

The signal vibrated down the line and slowly the track supply trap door lifted open and West and Gordon emerged under the train. Crawling stealthily they reached the exit under the bedroom car and cautiously pushed it up.

“Right on time,” Kid whispered looking down at him.

“Sir?” Gordon asked offering Grant a hand down.

“Aren’t you coming?” Grant said as Kid went over to the door and peered out cautiously.

“Need to back up my partner sir, you three will be safe enough in there.”

And without looking back he was gone.

Helping the older man down the two agents quickly placed him in the emergency track compartment and shut the lid over him.

“Now what? Heyes said to wait in there with him.” Gordon asked.

“Mr. Heyes is a bit too cocky for his own good,” West said. “Besides I’m not gonna let him have all the fun.”

“You’re just mad because he knew about this service hole,” Gordon grinned.

West just gave him a look, “You go front, I’ll go back and remember Rufus is mine.” West whispered.

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

“Ah Mr. Heyes you join us at last,” Montana said stepping out of the car to face him.

“Montana?” Heyes asked feigning surprise and a little concern.

“Been a long time since you kicked me out of Devil’s Hole.”