Hannibal Heyes watched his partner wearily, and a little drunkenly, trudge his way up the hotel stairs and quickly made sure he got to the door of their room first with the key ready.

He had spent the evening with his cousin, Jedediah 'Kid' Curry, reconciling his immortality by allowing a shot of whiskey for each near miss he had survived hauling explosives up to a hill top mine.

And while Heyes's job had been just as dangerous it had lacked the solitary experience of his partners and Heyes had amiably allowed his cousin to unwind especially as Jed had come back with money in his pocket and his employment had proved for naught.

And if suddenly remembering that Kid suddenly reached in his pocket and with oddly sober accuracy counted half of it off and handed it to his partner.

"Kid, I…"

"Your gonna be up before me," Kid said simply and with a yawn pulled off his boots and draped his gun over the post of his bed.

Heyes looked down at they money and then back at his cousin now collapsed on the bed and all ready asleep.

Shaking his head with a smile he stuffed the money in his pocket remembering how angry and frustrated Kid had been when he had found out he hadn't got paid. But as always Kid never could hold on to his fury and even still there had never been any doubt that his cousin would share equally what he had earned.

Pulling a blanket over him Heyes guessed his cousin wouldn't see consciousness for at least 8 hours. Sitting down on his bed he looked around the room bored for something to do.

He had let Kid drink the lion share of the whiskey knowing one of them needed to keep their head. They had learned long ago the danger in both of them abandoning caution. The saloon's poker game had broken up before they had left and the thought of watching his partner sleep only made him more restless.

Deciding the desk clerk might be hiding a book he moved to the door and that's when he noticed it.

The envelope had been slipped under the door, but had continued on under the throw rug so only a corner remained visible.

It was addressed to J. Smith and warily he opened it to stare at the strong unfamiliar penmanship requesting him to come to room 112. It was signed Sergeant Finney.

Heyes sunk into a chair to think. The Scotland Yard Inspector had been preparing to leave on the evening train and they had said their good byes earlier that morning after seeing Julia off.

Why had he missed his train? And why would he want to see Heyes?

Unless he had finally figured out who Heyes was.

No, that didn't make sense. He would have merely had to tip off the sheriff and Heyes would have been hauled out of the saloon hours ago.

His curiosity getting the better of him Heyes picked up his hat and gunbelt and quietly slipped out the door. He would be back before Kid even turned over and he would never sleep until he learned why he had been summoned.

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

"You are late!" Finney said angrily shutting his watch and giving Heyes a look that made him feel like an errant schoolboy.

"I just found your message," Heyes said slightly annoyed as he was motioned into the small room and the door quickly shut.

Finney walked over and pulled down the shade then lowered the lamp.

"You mind telling me what this is all about?" Heyes asked and then lowered his voice to a whisper as Finney reacted with a finger to his lips.

"I know where the jewels are."

"Well then go get them!" Heyes said exasperated.

"It is not that easy, I need your help Mr. Heyes."

Heyes was too good of a poker player to react with anything but a confused smile.

"Smith, Joshua Smith."

"No sir, Heyes, Hannibal Heyes. I had to visit the sheriff's office before leaving town to straighten out a few things and while I was waiting for him I had a chance to peruse a few of the wanted posters tacked to his board. How odd that the man who knew how to guide us through Devil's Hole intimately also resembles its notorious leader."

"Man would have to be pretty stupid to take a risk like that," Heyes said calmly.

"Aye, or as clever as I've heard."

"Look Inspector…"

"I need to get to Clearwater," the British police officer said ignoring his protest and speaking of a small town just east down the line.

"There's a train the day after tomorrow," Heyes advised.

"That will be too late, the train west leaves at 4:00 p.m. from there and I must be on it. I want you to take me there."

"The train west will stop here," Heyes said. "Why don't you just wait for it?'

"Because what I want on that train will be gone by then."

"The only way to get there in time would be through…oh no I am not going back to Devil's Hole," Heyes said going for the door.

"Perhaps not for yourself Mr. Heyes, but I saw you earlier in the saloon with your partner."

"That's blackmail, I thought policemen were above that sort of thing."

"We are as a rule, but I am desperate. Now do you help me or do I go see the sheriff?"

"What's to stop me getting out of town and getting the jump on you?" Heyes asked knowing the man was too experienced not to have thought of this and wanting to be clear as to how much trouble he was really in.

"The sealed note I left the sheriff. He'll open it if I don't telegraph him from Clearwater."

Heyes exhaled.

"Oh and a little incentive Mr. Heyes? I am paying $300 for your trouble, the amount you would have gotten from Alexander."

"How do I know you won't just turn me and my partner in when we get to Clearwater?"

"You don't, but as I said I have jewels to recover. A million in jewels is far more important to me than two American outlaws, especially as one of them has convinced me there is more to him than meets the eye."

Heyes weighed this information and finally nodded. He prided himself on being a good judge of character and Finney struck him as honest. "All right let me tell my partner."

"No I think it best if we just leave now, you can telegraph him from Clearwater."

Heyes considered this and finally nodded, and held out his hand. "Payment in advance if you don't mind."

Finney fought a smile; "You are not a very trusting man Mr. Heyes."

"It's Smith and let's just say my partner will feel better if I get this up front."

Finney counted out the money and handed it to him.

Heyes stared down at it before pocketing it. "Hardest 300 dollars I ever tried to earn."

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

"Is that necessary?" Finney asked suspicious as Heyes fired three shots into the air.

"It is if you wanna get through Devil's Hole in the dark," Heyes said with a rueful grin. "This will be our last chance to stretch our legs for a while so…" Heyes said dismounting and walking behind a tree as if to relieve himself.

Finney sighed frustrated at the stop, but got off his horse and did the same knowing he had to trust the man, however much his instincts were shouting the foolishness of this.

Heyes immediately remounted and turning his reins started off at a trot never looking back.

But the figure stepping out of the shadows and pulling the note from the well-used knot in the tree would not have surprised him at all.

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

Curry opened his eyes and knew better than to try much of anything else by the stale taste of whiskey in his mouth. He had really tied one on last night and sitting up was not going to be pleasant.

"Heyes?" he said softly in deference to his head and squinted as he realized it was still dark outside, Sitting up he realized it was just before dawn and added to that his partner's bed was unslept in.

Getting up slowly he groaned and rubbed his head feeling sorry for himself.

"Heyes where are you with the coffee," Kid grumbled and then frowned as a frantic knock sounded on the door.

Pulling his gun free he placed it in his hand behind the door and opened it slowly blinking in appreciation at the vision tapping her foot impatiently waiting to be admitted.

"Where is he?"

"Ma'am?" he asked the dark haired beauty amused.

"The man staying here, Mr. Smith?"

"I was wondering that myself ma'am, I'm his partner, anything I can do for you?"

"I heard he knew his way through Devil's Hole is this true?"

Kid considered this as he raked his eyes over her making no effort to hide what he was doing.

She was tall, unfashionably slender with auburn hair and large expressive eyes, which were currently cold and annoyed.

That she was a beauty had as much to do with her attitude as the expensive lace finery she wore. Her accent was upper class and he guessed English. She was somebody, or she sure thought she was.

"Well I'll give him the message," Kid said not answering her question as he made the decision she was trouble. And trouble was the one thing his head and his stomach were not up to at the moment.

"Well what about you?" she said clearly indicating she considered herself dredging the bottom of the barrel.

"Ma'am?"

"Do you know your way through this Devil's Hole?" she asked him as if he was an idiot.

"Devil's Hole is a bad place ma'am, lady like you wouldn't want to go there."

"So you do, good, when can we leave?"

"Ma'am I just woke up. Now I have no idea where my partner is, but you can sort this out with him when he gets back…" Kid stopped as a young boy appeared breathless at their sides.

"Mr. Jones? Telegram."

Kid moaned silently this day was getting worse and worse. He had never gotten a telegram with good news in his life and it sure as hell wasn't good news at this hour.

Digging in his pocket he pulled out a nickel and flipped it to the child and turning moved to shut the door, only to have the woman angrily stop it with her foot.

"Sir!" she said making it quite clear by her tone she was elevating him to a station that he hardly deserved.

Oblivious Kid sat down on the bed and unfolded the message.

"Jones, in Clearwater, job, paid, get out of town fast Smith"

Kid muttered something under his breath that was less than appropriate for a lady present, but she let it pass.

"I said when can we leave?" she said her tone clipped and furious at his ignoring her.

"Leave? For where?" Kid asked pulling on his boots.

"Why Clearwater of course. I need to get there immediately."

"Ma'am they'll be a train along some time today, lot safer for a lady like yourself."

"I don’t have time to wait for it!"

He stared at her and waited.

With a small cry of total annoyance she finally gave in. "I need to catch a train that is leaving there at 4:00 p.m. tomorrow."

"Good six hour ride even if you don't run into problems and believe me ma'am the route your talking about has problems."

"I will pay you."

Kid looked up cunningly, "How much?"

"I was going to offer your partner $50."

"Well I charge a 100."

"You impertinent oaf!"

Kid smiled, "And when people insult me its 200."

"You sir are not a gentleman."

"Yes ma'am, but a gentleman can't get you to Clearwater as fast as I can. You can ride can't you?"

"I rode with the hounds when I was 8."

"Wonderful," Kid sighed starting to regret making a quick dollar for taking her where he was going anyway. "Meet me in the stable in 15 minutes."

"Why so long?"

"Because were gonna need some supplies and you need to change."

"This is my riding habit! It is a Worth's from Paris!"

"He ride to Clearwater a lot? Look lady," Kid said pulling on his last boot. "Clearwater is a hard ride from here and I'm not stopping to wait for you while you stay fashionable. Now you wanna come along you do what I say when I say it or I leave you behind understand?"

The glare she gave him said she did and that she would get her revenge the first possible chance that came to her.

What she didn't know is the way his head felt anything she came up with would fall far short.

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

To her credit the woman, and he only realized he didn't know her name when they were saddling up, was on time and had taken some care to prepare herself for the rough ride ahead.

She mounted easily and gracefully making it quite clear she needed neither his hands nor Burt the blacksmith's assisting her.

"I suppose we should introduce ourselves," Kid said as he climbed aboard his horse, supplies secured.

"Jones I believe it was," she said bored with a haughty tilt of her head.

"Yes ma'am, you have a name or should I just make up something suitable?"

She turned sharply as if for the first time her curiosity piqued on what he would come up with.

"You may refer to me as her ladyship."

"Oh that was close," Kid said poker faced and before she could reply he had kicked his horse into a trot and they were on their way.

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

"So you gonna tell me what prompted all this?" Heyes said as they reached the edge of Clearwater some six hours later.

"I think it best sir if you stay out of it," Finney said not unkindly. "Rather ruthless people I'm dealing with."

"So I've seen," Heyes said dryly getting off his horse. "How about you buy me breakfast and I'll take my chances?"

Finny looked at him. The man continued to surprise him, but his search had been a solitary venture and he was used to a partner. It would be nice to have a man of his intelligence to bounce things off of.

"Tell me Mr. Heyes do you drink tea?"

Heyes made a face, "Not in a long time."

"Then we shall make it coffee and yes I will take you up on your offer."

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

Kid watched the woman dismount and stretch wearily. So far she had managed to keep up admirably and he leaned back enjoying watching her graceful cat like movements.

"It is rude to stare," she said finally, but Kid made no move to take his eyes from her. She was enjoying him watching.

He knew the type and as a rule avoided them liking his women less work and vinegar. But she was beauty and a man would be a fool to turn down a chance to ride a thoroughbred, however high-strung they might be.

Not that she had offered, but she might, he'd seen the interest in her eyes. She liked her men rough and dangerous, which made her dangerous. If he were smart he would collect his money and not look back.

But that didn't mean he couldn't pass the time considering the possibilities.

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

"Alexander had an accomplice. My partner died in Hong Kong trying to apprehend her."

"I'm sorry," Heyes said sincerely.

"Aye, he was a good man," Finney said coughing to hide a show of emotion and took a sip of coffee before continuing. "When this happened Alexander decided the woman, his wife Lucinda, was slowing him down. He, and I, both thought he had disposed of her, but it seems she survived and has picked up his trail and a thug to help her. They arrived in town this morning. When I saw them I knew Alexander had to have hidden the jewels somewhere nearby."

"This wouldn't be a tall, elegant woman, dark hair, reminds you of a black widow when she looks at you?" Heyes said pleasantly.

Finney looked up startled and then chuckled, "You miss very little Mr. Heyes."

"Smith, actually she offered me a job. Seems she had a falling out with her bodyguard and wanted to hire me, especially when she heard I had led the group with Alexander."

"And you turned here down?"

"Inspector I've had enough trouble to last me three, four months easy and that lady was trouble. So you think this 'bodyguard' is on the trail of the jewels as well?"

"Yes Lesterton…"

"Tom Lesterton?" Heyes said sharply.

"Yes, the gunfighter, has a bit of a reputation I hear," Finney said interested in Heyes's reaction. "Do you know him?"

"Just of him. He's got 28 kills to his name, most in the back."

"I suppose your cousin being a gunfighter you keep up with that sort of thing."

For the first time Finney got a reaction as a flash of anger sparked Heyes's eyes.

"My cousin is nothing like Lesterton."

"Well he got on the train Julia did yesterday and got off here. The ticket office said he no sooner had gotten off the train than he booked a passage back west on the 4:00 today."

"Which would be the train you all arrived on returning. You think Alexander hid the jewels on that train," Heyes said catching on quickly.

"You live up to your reputation Mr. Heyes. To be honest I don't know, but Lesterton thinks so and further more so does Julia."

Heyes frowned, "Julia?"

"The telegram said two people got off in Clearwater and bought tickets on the train back, one of them was a beautiful young blond woman."

"You think she knows something?"

"Possibly, she may have seen Alexander on the train in some compromising position and not connected it until she learned about the jewels."

"Julia doesn't strike me as a jewel thief," Heyes said with a smile remembering the soft-spoken woman from Boston.

"No, but she is going home penniless and that can make even the most honest soul grasp at opportunity. The problem is Lesterton will kill to get those jewels," Finney said with genuine concern.

"You sound more worried about the lady than the jewels," Heyes said shrewdly.

"Julia has no idea what she is getting herself into. I intend to find her, learn what she knows and keep her from making the biggest mistake of her life," Finney said standing. "Good bye Mr. Heyes."

"Smith," Heyes said under his breath as he watched him leave and let the waitress refill his cup.

Kid should have gotten his telegram by now if the Gang's message system was still working and knowing his partner he was hell bent for leather to get to him.

The wisest thing to do would be to ride back to meet him, but Heyes found himself rooted to his chair. Those jewels were bound to have a substantial reward and if Julia knew where they were she would more than likely tell him before Finney. It would mean splitting the reward, but it would also keep her safe. The trick would be finding her before Finney did.

Heyes drained his cup and stood up. Now, where would a girl from Boston with no money hide until her train left?

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

"Why are we stopping?" her Ladyship said as Kid pulled the horses up to the stable at the end of a small dusty town.

"This is Clearwater," Kid said simply walking his horse over to the stable and was relieved to see Heyes's horse there.

"This is a town?" she said horrified and not moving from atop her horse.

"The only town for a 100 miles. There are three hotels, I recommend the Brightman, other two charge by the hour and it gets a mite noisy," Kid said paying the stableman and pulling his saddlebags off.

"Where do you think you are going?" she said indignant when he moved to leave.

The thought occurred to him to say, 'Anywhere you aren't." But his mother had taught him better and he merely said. "Supper." and tipping his hat added "Ma'am."

"You are an arrogant son of bitch aren't you?" she said coldly.

"Me?" Kid said turning on the woman fed up. "Lady you broke the mold!"

Glaring at him she got down off her horse and then to her disbelief walked away without a glance back. The nerve of the man! She had not dismissed him! Before his partner no man had ever walked away from her with such lack of interest.

Furious she started following him seething over his abandonment of her.

Kid meanwhile began checking out the town as he walked. He and Heyes had been there before, even hoorahed it once after a job so he knew the ins and outs. It was just afternoon and with a little luck he could find Heyes quickly and learn what was going on.

Passing the saloon he slowed. A group of men were outside having run out of money, but not thirst.

"You ignorant oaf get out of my way."

"oooooohooo George lookie what we got here, you ever seen anything so fine?"

"Get your hands off of me you slovenly cretin!"

Kid let out a long-suffering sigh as he heard her ladyship indignantly slap one of the men.

"oooooooo we got us a fine lady here JoJo."

The scream made him turn all weariness gone from his stature.

"Let her go boys."

The two older cowboys looked at him and laughed amused.

"Hell boy don't tell me your riding something this fine, why you ain't old enough to handle a woman like this."

"I said let her go."

"You gonna make me."

The man went for his gun, but Kid had read his decision and fired before he reached it disarming both him and his friend and sending them down into the dirt howling.

"My god how did you do that?" the woman said her eyes alight with something fearful and something excited.

Kid didn't wait to give her an answer merely took her by the elbow and pulled her roughly into an alley next to the saloon they had just passed.

"Look lady I just signed on to get you here, that was a bonus, but you try anything else stupid like that and I will let the next man you prod have you."

And then she was in his arms and he wasn't quite sure who was kissing whom.

They both finally came up for air and she smiled at him like she had won something.

"I'll see you in the hotel," she said tracing his lips with a sharp fingernail and sauntered away victorious.

Kid blew out a breath and forced himself to collect his thoughts. It was then he saw her. Hidden behind the empty whiskey crates and kegs she was trying to make herself as small as possible and looked up terrified when his eyes met hers.

"Please don't hurt me," she said terrified.

He gave her his best smile, "Ma'am this is no place for a lady."

"I'm waiting for the train, but there is this man following me."

She had stood now as if preparing to flee from him should he make a move towards her. She was pretty, blond, blue eyes, Kid's interest warmed as the memory of the kiss faded away.

"My name is Jones ma'am, Thaddeus Jones," he said tipping his hat. "What time is your train?"

"4 o'clock."

"Hotel might be a wiser place to wait."

"I..I don't have money for a room," she looked down embarrassed.

He nodded, he had heard the story too many times before. Heyes said he was the best soft touch in the territory and women could just sense how easy he was. Maybe it was true, but he wasn't about to leave her like this in a saloon alley. "Well suppose then I lend you some so you can freshen up and wait with a little less worry? Then when its time to meet the train the desk clerk can have someone walk you over."

Her eyes flew open wide at his generosity. "Why would you do this?"

"To learn your name?"

She smiled, "Julia, Julia Walters."

"All right Julia how about I walk you over and make sure you are all settled?"

He offered his arm and timidly she slowly came over and took it.

"You are very kind Mr. Jones."

"My pleasure ma'am, nice to spend some time with a real lady."

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

Heyes reached the church and a smile played at his lips as he caught a glimpse of Finney sneaking around the back. Finding Julia had turned out harder than he had thought. The hotel had not seen her, nor the café and a careful search of the town had left the church as the only other possibility.

The Inspector had clearly come to the same conclusion and was living up to all he had heard about Scotland Yard.

The sound of a gun going off caught him off guard and his own gun leapt to his hand as he rounded the corner on a run to find the Englishman lying on the ground holding his arm painfully.

A shot whizzed by his leg and he dived down behind a water barrel as from the corner of his eye he saw a dark haired man firing from the tree next to the building.

Sending a shot back to cover himself he managed to catch Finney's arm and pull him over.

"Mr. Heyes you do turn up at the most convenient times!" Finney said with gritted teeth.

"Smith, stay down."

Heyes got another shot off that clearly showed the man bushwhacking them that he had serious competition. In the distance a train whistle blew.

"I have to get on that train!" Finny said trying to get up.

"You have to get to a doctor," Heyes said and realized their attacker had taken off.

"I can manage!" Finney said standing and Heyes let out a groan.

"This is what I get for not minding my own business," he swore under his breath and then disgusted with himself he took the man's arm and swung it over his shoulder and hurried towards the train.

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

After paying for Julia's room and warning the desk clerk he would answer to him if he told anyone she was there, Kid checked the register only to find his partner had not checked in yet. Registering he told the Clerk to hold on to his key and went back to the saloon for a closer look. The café also proved futile and hoping his partner had decided to check and noticed his signature he hurried up to his room.

To his surprise the door was open and gun drawn he pushed the door open and stopped.

She was leaning back on the bed wearing little more than a smile, which grew smug at his stunned expression. Shaking his head he absently twirled his gun back into its holster.

"You're very good with that."

"My partner let you in?"

"No, the desk clerk, he presumed you would want me to," her ladyship purred.

"I thought our business was over," Kid said not moving.

"Business yes, but I was hoping now that it is concluded…" she patted the bed summoning him over with her eyes all the while giving off the air of a mountain lion waiting in the sun for prey.

Kid smiled. Before he had been a hired hand, it was his gun that had changed it. He had seen it enough times. Something strange triggered in a woman excited by the violence and the blood. He had only taken a woman once because of it. He had been a boy no more than 17 and her excitement at his deadliness had made for a wild torrent sexual ride that had left him disillusioned and confused.

"No thank you…ma'am," he added turning with a slightly wistful sigh. Where the hell was Heyes!

"Lucinda," she finally revealed. "Do you know what I am offering?"

"Yes ma'am," Kid said calmly. "And I'd rather pay 2 dollars for it than what your charging…ma'am."

He got the door shut before the wash bowl hit it.

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

Heyes and Finney reached the train station just as train gave off its last whistle and a wave of steam rolled down the platform.

With far too much experience than a man should have he easily pulled him onto the shelter of the back caboose porch and through the door just missing the conductor climbing aboard swinging his lantern.

Quickly he half carried the man, now unconscious, into the next car and laid him down gently amidst the baggage.

He felt the train lurch forward and cursed his luck.

He was heading back to where he had just left and to a sheriff who quite possibly knew who he was with a man who most certainly did.

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

Kid exited the church just in time to see Lucinda make a mad dash to the station. Frowning at why she had waited so long, for she clearly hadn't expected him to return, he watched the train pull out in the distance feeling oddly uneasy.

He had traced Heyes to the church, which was perplexing in itself, and rounded the back of the building and stopped.

Blood and from the look of the chips in the water barrel a fair sized gunfight.

Pushing down his concern he studied the tracks. They were fresh, minutes old. Two men had left together one bleeding profusely and headed right for the station and the train that had just disappeared out of sight.

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

"Sit still I just got the bleeding stopped," Heyes said softly. "Here drink this."

Finney felt the younger man support him up so he could take a drink and gratefully swallowed the cool water. Looking around he realized they were in the baggage car at the back of the train and it was moving along at good clip.

"You didn't jump off, you could have, why?" Finney said surprised.

"You would have bled to death before anyone found you," Heyes said simply and Finney managed a weak smile.

"Mr. Heyes you continue to perplex me."

"It's Smith," Heyes said. "Bullet went straight through. You'll live."

"You have some experience with this."

Heyes glared at him and the police officer managed to smile.

"I must go find Julia."

Heyes scowled at him. "Did I mention the part about you being lucky to be alive?"

Finney looked adamant.

"All right, I'll go look for Julia," Heyes said getting up with little enthusiasm.

"Lesterton…"

"I can handle Lesterton," Heyes said and the way he said it made the Inspector not doubt him for a minute.

"Mr….Smith, thank you. It is nice having a partner again to watch my back."

Heyes nodded, he was wishing the same thing.

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

The train was sparsely populated and Heyes was able to make his way quickly through the cars until he reached first class. He should have known Alexander would not have traveled any other way.

"Your ticket sir?" the conductor asked his eyebrow raised suspiciously not having seen Heyes board.

Heyes produced the ticket he had borrowed from the salesman bothering the young girl in the second car. She'd have a better trip with him removed from the train he had decided.

"Thank you sir, this is first class."

Heyes smiled and slipped a 20 dollar gold piece into the man's hand.

"Blond, pretty?"

"Compartment B," the Conductor said unlocking the door and walking away failing to mention he had give the information earlier twice.

Heyes slipped the door open silently and realized he needn't have bothered as loud banging greeted his entry.

"Julia I never took you for a vandal," Heyes said smiling warmly from the doorway.

The blond woman jumped back startled.

"Joshua! How you startled me!"

"Not half as much as the Union Pacific is going to be when they see what you've done to their train, may I?"

Without waiting for permission he took the crowbar from her hands and with one hard slam pulled the wood panel away from the window.

Still smiling he reached in and after a moment pulled out an oilcloth.

"Now I wonder what this could be?"

"You are being horrible you know very well what they are."

"Let me guess you saw Alexander hide them?"

"I saw him doing something with the window, but at the time I didn't know who he was and didn't think another thing about it. Then when it came out about the diamonds and him having hid them somewhere, well I…"

"Put two and two together and came up with a very rosy future, just exactly how were you going to sell these?" Heyes asked amused.

"I wasn't, I thought there might be a reward."

"Inspector Finney could have helped you with that," Heyes coaxed.

"I didn't want to split it with anyone!" she finally said defiant. "You don't understand what it is like to be alone in the world. I'm going back to nothing, I'm penniless, no future, an old maid."

"Hardly old," he smiled.

"I suppose you'll collect the reward for yourself now."

"I think we can work something out so everyone will happy," Heyes smiled.

"My thoughts exactly," Lucinda smiled from the doorway a small pistol in her black lace gloved hand.

Heyes nodded turning to take them from Julia who held on.

"Joshua!" she said angry at how easy he was giving up as the train whistle blew twice and Heyes showed no reaction that he knew why.

"Julia I am not getting shot over these," Heyes said pulling them free with an over emphasized jerk that sent him off balance. At that instance the train was pitched into darkness as it entered the tunnel as Heyes had been expecting.

Pushing the Lucinda's gun up it went off with a pop. Julia screamed, but more from surprise as Heyes pulled her from the compartment and pushed Lucinda down and shut the door all in one swift motion.

"Baggage car, Finney is there," Heyes hissed pushing her forward.

She needed no urging and took off running in the darkness terrified.

Heyes just managed to duck around the corner as her ladyship emerged furious and fired a shot just missing him.

Heyes checked his gun and eyed his options. He really didn't want to shoot the woman, but if it came down to him or her, he was just going to have to be selfish about it.

Suddenly a shot came from behind him and he groaned. It had been Colt, Lesterton had found them.

"Is that you Thomas?" her ladyship called out.

"Hello Lucinda, looks like we got a mouse caught in a trap."

"He has the jewels."

"Well then what say we let bygones be bygones?" Lesterton said moving closer.

"Kill him!" Lucinda ordered.

Lesterton inched forward as she covered him. Reaching the edge he suddenly dived around the corner where Heyes was trapped his gun blazing.

But all that was waiting for him was an open door.

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

Heyes hadn't done this sort of thing in a while and if he was honest he hadn't enjoyed it when he did. Groping for a hold he precariously balanced himself on the edge of the window trying to get a foothold up onto the train roof.

The train was moving at a fair speed now and they usually tried such a stunt when it was slowing and he began to think that maybe being shot at was a better alternative.

Suddenly his hand slipped and desperately he fought to keep his remaining hand gripped to the roof of the train.

The gloved hand came from out of nowhere and stunned he felt himself being pulled up on to the train where he just lay breathing.

"You never were any good at that," Kid said trying to swallow a smile.

Heyes looked up and started to laugh rolling on to his back in relief.

"Kid, I don't know how you did it, but I have never been happier to see you."

"Heard someone being shot at, figured it might be you," Kid said and then his eyes narrowed concerned as he noticed the blood on Heyes's shirt.

"You all right?"

"Yea, its not mine. Where did you come from?"

"Jumped on at the water tower before the tunnel."

"How did you know?"

"Long story, mind filling me in on what's going on with you?"

Heyes suddenly looked concerned, "Finney!"

"That Scotland Yard Inspector?"

"Come on!"

"Where?"

"End of the train," Heyes said starting to move.

Kid sighed, "Why do you always say that when were at the front of the train?"

Heyes suddenly stopped, "Kid, Lesterton is on the train."

"And what your worried he's faster than me?"

"No, but…"

"Thanks," Kid said understanding and followed him down the train.

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

"Where is Smith?" Lucinda said furiously as Finney did his best to keep Julia behind him.

"If he has the jewels I have no doubt he jumped off," the man said simply.

"You better hope he is still on this train!" Lucinda said. She had all ready sent Lesterton in search of the man arguing the train was going too fast to jump and he couldn't have just disappeared into thin air.

"Oh Kevin I'm so sorry I should have told you," Julia sobbed on his good arm.

"There, there my dear don't let it concern you."

Lucinda rolled her eyes. Obviously these two were of no further use and with a yawn she cocked back the gun.

The arrival of the two ex-outlaws caught everyone by surprise, which wasn't difficult to do considering one came in from the forward door and one from the back.

Catching Lucinda's arm Heyes shook the gun free and then held on to her as Lesterton charged in after him.

Julia let out a scream as he went for his gun, but Kid found his first and sent the man down and left him there unmoving.

"Watch her she bites," Kid said calmly putting his gun back.

"Experience?" Heyes asked with an interested grin as Kid checked out Lesterton.

"He'll live," Kid said and then added softly as he passed Heyes. "I told you I was faster than him."

"I never said you weren't faster," Heyes said relieved. "Just didn't want to get another partner shot is all."

Kid gave him a look.

"You two know each other?" Julia said a little wide-eyed at Kid's arrival and deadliness of his gun.

"He's my cousin," Heyes smiled. "Thaddeus this is Julia."

"We've met," Kid smiled at her. "Ma'am."

Heyes frowned, they were definitely going to have to exchange stories.

"I think I need to sit down," Julia said suddenly feeling a bit faint.

"Thaddeus this is Inspector Finney of Scotland Yard," Heyes said with meaning in his voice.

"A pleasure to meet you Mr. Jones," Finney said shaking his head and letting out a smile.

"I have heard a great deal about you."

"Well don't take too much stock in what he says," Kid said frowning at the man's arm and giving Heyes a look.

"Will you please let go of me!" Lucinda said through gritted teeth.

"There are some handcuffs in my coat pocket," Finney said wearily sitting down. "Fasten her to something solid."

"How dare you! Do you have any idea who I am?" she screeched.

"Yes ma'am, you are Lady Lucinda Alexander and you are under arrest for murder, grand theft and transportation of stolen goods," Finney said. "Ah it felt good saying that. Now Mr. Smith I believe you have something for me?"

Heyes blinked innocently and then as if suddenly remembering pulled the bag of gems from his pocket.

"Well at least I was rich for a little while," Julia said wistfully.

"You still are my dear. T F Ayers is offering a ten percent reward!"

"Which split three ways should do us just fine!" Heyes smiled. "Now about that envelope you gave the sheriff?" he added as the train began to pull into the town they had started from.

"Never was one," Finney said.

Heyes shook his head laughing, "Bluffing huh?"

"Ah well you can hardly fault me that," Finney said with a small smile back. "I've heard how well you play the game!"

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

"So," Heyes said swallowing a smile as he and Finney stood once more on the train platform two days later, the police Inspector's train preparing to leave.

"You are wondering about my assumption of who you and your cousin really are?"

"It did cross my mind," Heyes said.

"Well I have given it some thought and I think a trade might be in order."

Heyes looked at him warily.

"Julia is a lovely woman and she risked her life to recover those jewels. Without her I might never have found them."

"You want us to give up the reward."

" A fair exchange for your freedom. Think of it as your wedding present to her."

"You mean you and her?"

"No, but it’s a long journey East and she has agreed to accompany me to England to testify. I am a hopeful man."

Heyes sighed having learned long ago when to throw in a losing hand, "Good luck Inspector."

"And to you Mr…Smith!"

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

"Well I'm glad that's over!" Kid said cheerfully slapping Heyes on the back as he met him leaving the station. "We got five hundred dollars to tide us over till the reward from those jewels come and then…" Kid stopped suddenly seeing Heyes's expression.

"Don't tell me we don't have the reward from those jewels!"

"Finney felt Julia needed it more and since he had figured out who we were…" Heyes voice trailed off.

"Aw Heyes I told you not to tell me that," Kid said with a groan.

"Kid look at it this way I did finally get paid."

Kid glared at him and finally shook it off, "Heyes you ever think our luck is gonna change?"

"Has too Kid, ain't natural for it to stay bad this long."

"Wanna bet?" Kid said mournfully.

"Whose turn is it to get drunk?" Heyes sighed.

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

"Kevin what are you writing?"

"A letter my love, to the Governor of Wyoming."

"Whatever on earth for?"

"Let's just say I once had a partner who I think will appreciate it!"