(Continuation of “A Kindred Spirit” 2023 and “The Dilemma” 2024.)
Dirty dishes and brunch remnants cluttered the top of the old wooden table. Partially eaten bread chunks set on top of cold beans were indicative of how much food had made the rounds.
Nine chairs could not be found in the line cabin, so a cot had been dragged over to do double duty. Once organized, everyone had a seat at the table.
Now, they all sat back with overly full bellies, and yet another pot of freshly brewed coffee was divvied out. It was Deputy Clint’s turn to set up the next pot to perk, and once it was emptied, he scraped his chair back and took the coffee pot over to the hearth to tend to that simple task.
“Don’t start any new stories until I get back,” he stated from the hearth. “I don’t wanna miss anything.”
“You’re standin’ right there, Clint,” George groused. “You can hardly miss anything.”
“I wanna be part of the group.”
“Hurry it up, then.” It pleased Schuster no end that he could needle a deputy and get away with it. He took a swallow of coffee, then raised the cup towards the lawman. “I’m already halfway through this cup.”
“Yeah, yeah, it’s comin’.”
Schuster turned back around to the group and noticed Deputy George sneering at him. He ignored him.
George didn’t trust any of these outlaws, current or former be damned. They were all up to no good.
Marshal Matt rolled his eyes. He had hoped that with the warmer spring weather, George’s sour mood would blow away.
“So,” Matt turned to the former outlaws, “I notice you fellas have no trouble talking about past exploits, but you are expertly skirting around this amnesty deal. Is it true? Do you have a deal with Governor Hale?”
Clint hurried back to the table as all eyes turned to Heyes and Curry.
The partners exchanged a glance, and both shrugged simultaneously.
“Yeah, we do,” Curry admitted. “But it’s a secret. It ain’t somethin’ we’re supposed ta spread around.”
“Why not?” asked Bob, who was pale from his injury but insisted on coming to the table anyway. “If folks don’t know about it, then they’re still gonna be after ya.” He flicked a look at his boss. “Like us.”
“Yeah, we know,” Heyes said. “But that was the deal. The governors all wanted us to be available for undercover work, so we had to carry on the pretense of being outlaws. It allowed us to still infiltrate places and get close to certain people that a lawman wouldn’t be able to.”
“Yeah,” Schuster mumbled, “like your buddies. I knew you’d jumped the fence, Heyes. Ain’t nothin’ worse than a double-dealer.”
“That ain’t fair,” Cooper snapped at his companion. “Heyes found out where we were holed up, and he didn’t say nothin’ to these lawmen. He could’ve turned on us, and he didn’t.”
“We told the governor that we wouldn’t turn on anyone we used to run with,” Heyes clarified. “We insisted on that.”
“But you still got fellas ta trust ya, based on who ya used ta be,” Schuster pushed. “That ain’t right.”
“Maybe it is, maybe it ain’t,” Curry said. “But most of the fellas the governor wanted us to find weren’t regular outlaws. They were embezzlers or kidnappers. How many fellas do we know who are into that game?”
“There ya go, Schuster,” Reed pointed out. “They didn’t go after fellas like us. And Coop’s got a point; Heyes could’ve betrayed us, and he didn’t. That means something.”
Deputy George snorted. “That just means they can’t be trusted on either side of the fence.”
“Enough of this,” Matt interjected. “I’m more interested in this deal you made. How long do you have to keep it up?”
Curry laughed. “Who knows? Originally, it was for a year, but we passed that deadline ages ago. I’m thinkin’ the governors just like usin’ us ta do their dirty work and keep us from robbin’ ‘em blind all at the same time.”
Heyes nodded. “We’ve talked about pulling one more big job and then leaving the country, but,” he shrugged, “I guess we’re both being stubborn about that.”
“I don’t want to hear about any ‘one more big job’,” Matt stated. “I’d hate to be in a position where I’d have to run you down after the winter we just got through together. So, you have a deal with the governor to stop outlawin’ and help him out with more delicate situations, in return for an amnesty. Is that about it?”
“Yes,” Heyes agreed. “As long as no bounty hunter or,” he smirked, “Marshal’s posse arrests us in the meantime.”
“Don’t ya think the governor would come to your aid if that happened?” Clint asked. “I mean, he’s the one who made the deal with ya’. Wouldn’t he stand by ya’?”
Another exchanged look between the partners followed by another simultaneous shrug.
“Who knows?” Curry said. “Besides, it was Hoyt who made the deal with us. Hale just inherited it. He may not feel any obligation at all.”
Heyes added. “We don’t expect much support on that matter.”
“Damn,” Deputy Bob said. “That ain’t easy, havin’ that hangin’ over your heads all the time. That’s worse than bein’ an outlaw with a nice safe hideout to hole up in.”
Heyes grinned and nodded emphatically.
Curry raised his cup in salute. “You got that right.”
“It explains why you left Devil’s Hole,” Matt commented. “I never could figure that out. No wonder being stuck in a line cabin for the winter was appealing to you. It must have felt like a safe haven compared to what your lives are now.”
“It did until you knocked on our door,” Heyes said. “As I recall, the Kid and I were just commenting on the unlikeliness of any lawmen finding us up here, and then there you were, needing our help.”
“And I thank ya’ kindly that ya’ let us in,” Bob added. “I’d ‘a never survived the night after fallin’ in that creek.”
“We know,” Curry said. “That’s the only reason we took the chance. Ya’ wouldn’t have survived that storm. Soakin’ wet or not.”
All the lawmen, even George, raised their cups in salute.
Then, noticing that most of the cups were again empty, outlaw Reed swung his legs around the cot and retrieved the coffee pot. He poured coffee into each offered cup, then returned to the hearth to get another pot perking.
“Any more sugar over there?” Cooper asked. “I ain’t had sweet coffee all winter. It’s goin’ down good.”
Reed looked up at the shelves above the hearth. “Yeah, there’s still half a bag here.”
“Great.” Cooper maneuvered off the cot and retrieved the bag. He set it on the table and helped himself to a couple of spoonfuls. “Anybody else?”
“Yeah.”
“You bet.”
And the sugar made the rounds.
“Hey, Heyes,” Reed said over the clinking of stirring spoons, “Whatever happened to O’Roarke? That guy was always gettin’ himself inta trouble.”
“Eww, yeah.” Heyes cringed. “I’m sorry to say that O’Rourke met his demise at the end of a rope.”
The three current outlaws cringed.
“Aww, dang, that’s a shame. He was a loose cannon, but he weren’t a bad fella.”
“What, did ya turn ‘im in, Heyes?” Schuster sneered. “How is it you know he got hanged?”
Heyes’s lip curled in irritation, but the Kid beat him to it.
“Back off, Schuster. Or would ya rather join me outside, and we can settle this once and for all?”
The lawmen got some perverse pleasure from seeing Schuster blanche.
“No, Kid. We’re good. I don’t mean nothin’.” And he focused on the contents of his coffee cup.
“What happened, Heyes?” Cooper asked. “Why did the law up and hang ‘im? He never done nothin’ that bad.”
“Not while he was with us,” Heyes informed him. “But I knew it was coming, that’s why I kicked him out. Nice guy, but he was too easily led astray. He got in with some fellas on a heist and during the ensuing pursuit, ended up killing three posse members.”
The lawmen at the table noticeably stiffened.
Cooper frowned. “O’Rourke did that?”
“Sure did.” Curry glanced around at the lawmen. “But he paid for it, didn’t he, Marshal?”
Matt nodded. “If he were tried and hanged, then yes, he paid for it. Enough said.”
“How’s Lom doin’?” Reed asked. “He was a good fella. You’re not gonna tell us that he’s dead too, are ya’?”
Heyes grinned. “Nah, he’s fine, Reed. Actually, he’s the one who helped us set up the amnesty deal. He’s our go-between, too, for us and the governor. He’s been a good friend.”
The three outlaws all sighed with relief.
“Yeah, that’s good,” Cooper said. “A lot of fellas we used to ride with are gone now, either dead or in prison. It’s good ta hear about some who are still around.”
“Why do ya think we’re tryin’ ta get outta the business?” Curry asked. “There ain’t no future in it no more. Maybe you should think about it.”
“We don’t all have friends in high places,” Schuster grumbled. “What chance would we have?”
“Lom did it,” Heyes reminded him. “And the governor was willing to give us the opportunity. No reason he wouldn’t for you, too. Let’s face it, the winters get harder every year, and how many old outlaws do you know?”
The three miscreants exchanged looks. They couldn’t come up with a single name.
“That’s what I thought,” Heyes continued. “I tell ya’ what. Once we’re finished with this job, we’ll be in touch with Lom. I’ll mention to him that you’re interested. You never know.”
“I never said I was interested,” Schuster snarked back. “I like the life I got. I ain’t willin’ ta go sniveling to some belly-crawlin’ law dog ta get inta somethin’ else.” He glanced around at the posse members. “Present company excluded.”
“If ya don’t want it, then don’t,” Curry said. “But what about you other two? You fellas never did more'n penny-ante stuff. It’d be a way ta get a new start before it’s too late.”
Reed and Cooper both stared at the table top. They weren’t comfortable with change.
“Tell you what,” Heyes said. “Lom is the sheriff in Porterville. We’ll mention you to him, and if you decide you’re interested, you can get in touch. He’ll listen to you.”
“Yeah, well, thanks, Heyes,” Cooper mumbled. “I’ll think about it.”
Reed focused on his coffee.
“So, Lom Travers really is a sheriff?” Matt asked. “I’d heard he’d done it, but it’s good to have it confirmed.”
“Yes.” Heyes grinned. “He did it. If it hadn’t been for his success, we would never have considered it.”
A loud snort came from the far end of the table.
“Dammit, George, what’s your problem?” Curry groused. “First, you snark about outlaws not bein’ able to straighten out, now you’re ticked off about one who did. Don’t nothin’ please you?”
“Yeah! The company of my lady, in a nice, warm house, would please me. Instead, I’ve been stuck here all winter in a smelly cabin with a pair of hooligans. Now I’m surrounded by ‘em. We should be arrestin’ the whole lot of ya’, not sittin’ around having coffee—”
“Enough!” Matt’s hand slapped the table. Hard. Everyone jumped, and even the spoons rattled. “I’ve had it up to here with your complaining, George. This has not been a bad winter, considering how much worse it could have been. I know you’re disappointed that you didn’t get back for Christmas, we all are. But Easter is coming. You can ask your lady friend then. Summer weddings are best, anyway. In the meantime, just try to get along with everyone, okay? We’ll be heading out of here soon enough.”
“Fine.”
“Hey, Bob, you feelin’ okay?” Curry’s comment diverted everyone’s attention to the injured deputy.
Bob looked up from the cup he was almost swimming in.
“Huh?”
“You look like you’re about done in. Maybe ya ought’a return to your bed.”
“Oh, yeah. I probably should.”
“Dang, it is gettin’ late,” Cooper noted. “We was havin’ such a good time chewin’ the fat and drinkin’ coffee, I kinda lost track. We should get back to the cabin before the light’s gone.”
This statement was followed by the scraping of chairs as most of the fellas got to their feet.
Bob, who had been sitting on the cot and flanked by Reed and Cooper, now reclined onto his side and ignored the commotion around him.
“Thanks for invitin’ us in,” Cooper said, as he shook hands with Heyes and then the Kid. “It was real interesting.”
“Sure was,” Heyes agreed. “And, remember to get in touch with Lom.”
“Yeah, I’ll think about it, Heyes.”
The three outlaws made the rounds of handshaking, and Schuster and George even got through the formality without knifing each other.
“I’m glad we got everything sorted out,” Marshal Matt told them. “I would have hated to arrest the wrong fellas.”
“Wouldn’t have done us much good, either,” Reed agreed, as he shrugged into his coat and pulled on boots. “You be careful if ya go after them rustlers. They are outright mean.”
“I can’t stand rustlers,” Schuster snarked as he, too, donned his winter coat. “They make the rest of us honest outlaws look bad.”
Cooper nodded. “It’s a good thing you and the Kid were here, Heyes. This meeting could’ve gone a whole lot worse if ya’ hadn’t stood by us.”
“No problem, fellas,” Curry said. “Take care gettin’ back to your cabin. It’s slippery out there.”
“We will. Goodnight.”
The heavy cabin door opened, and cold air drifted in as three outlaws drifted out. The door closed behind them.
George was on the move towards his coat, still hanging on the knob.
“I’m gonna go help ‘em with their horses. You never know—”
“No, you’re not, George,” Matt told him. “Leave them be. They can saddle up their own horses.”
“But how do we know they ain’t gonna steal our horses and leave us stranded?”
Groans made the rounds.
“They’re not gonna steal our horses,” Curry told him.
“Yeah,” Heyes backed it up. “You need to learn how to read people, George. I would never have pulled off a successful con with your attitude.”
George rounded on Heyes, ready with a retort, but Matt interjected. Again.
“I’m full of coffee,” the marshal stated, “but I’m ready for some real food. Whose turn is it to cook tonight?”
“Aww, it’s mine,” the Kid reluctantly admitted. “I was gonna roast that wild turkey, but it’s kinda late now. We do have steaks in there, though.”
“Oh, jeeze,” Heyes mocked. “Steaks, again?”
As a group, they turned away from the door and then stopped at the sight of Bob, apparently sound asleep on the cot.
“Damn,” Clint scratched his head. “Do ya think we can move that cot back to its place without wakin’ ‘im?”