But Kid Curry was impatient and concerned. It had been one week since the two had split up to avoid a posse. Heyes had told him to wait in Gainsville and he would contact him.
Curry did not know that the next day would be the worst day of his life. It would change his world forever.
OUTLAW HANNIBAL HEYES KILLED BY POSSE the headline read. The article went on to praise the brave men who brought him down.
Curry clenched his fists crumpling the paper as he did. His chest tightened. It couldn't be true. But he knew it was. He had a sick feeling in the pit of his stomach and an emptiness in his heart that told him the person closest to him in the whole world...was gone.
And all he could do was ride. Ride to Porterville. He had to see Lom Trevors. As he rode he thought of the last time he saw his friend. Telling each other to be careful. Clasping hands before parting. Curry's jaw tensed as he thought about that handshake. Had he known it was the last time he'd see Heyes alive he would have hugged him tight. "Listen to yourself, Jed. You should have done that anyway. Now you never can."
"I want to offer my sincere apologies and condolences." Sheriff Trevors extended his hand to Kid Curry.
Curry slapped it away. "You don't get it do you? We're talking about my cousin...and best friend. We wouldn't be in this mess at all if the governor hadn't wanted to take his own sweet time."
"Look, I know how you feel," Lom began.
Curry glared. "Don't! Don't even try. You have no idea how I feel." He paused. "I want to see him."
"You can't."
Curry's fist pounded the desk. "Lom!"
"Look, it wouldn't be safe. If you go to that grave every lawman in Wyoming will be waiting for you."
Curry started for the door. "Fine. I guess you can't help me..."
Lom stopped him. "Maybe not. But there is a way you can help me."
The Kid's stare hardened. Now on top of everything else Lom wanted a favor.
"Your amnesty could depend on it."
The Kid's temper was unleashed. "My amnesty! You think I even give a damn about my amnesty! You can tell the governor to take that amnesty and..."
"Kid! Don't throw it away! If you give up now Heyes' death really will be meaningless."
Curry mellowed. Heyes wouldn't have wanted him to give up after everything they'd gone through together to get it. "Okay, okay. What's this FAVOR?"
"Have you heard of Earl Montgomery?"
Curry nodded slowly. Earl Montgomery was a two-bit bank robber. Never managed to make off with any more than twenty dollars. Maybe it was too much pressure to get more. Mostly, he was a nuisance.
Lom continued. "Well, the governor has offered him the same deal he offered you. And I'd like you to ride with him."
"Ride with him?"
"Yes. Help him along you might say. I don't think it's going to be easy for him to stay out of trouble on his own." Lom went to the door that connected to his living quarters. "He's here. I'll introduce you."
Curry rolled his eyes. "Swell." he said under his breath.
The door opened and a tall, lean, sandy haired man with a goofy grin entered the room. Kind of looked like that Dan Bilson fellow that Curry had killed a few months before.
"Earl Montgomery this is Jed Curry."
Earl smiled big. "Hi. I sure am glad to meet you."
"Yeah."
"You'll have to excuse him," Lom said. "He just lost a very good friend. But I'm SURE the two of you will get along just fine." Lom moved to the door. "I think it's best if you get on your way." He turned to Earl. "Now remember, your name is Nathanial Smith once you walk out this door."
The two exited the building. Earl's horse was tethered outside as well. Earl looked to his new "friend". "Boy, this is gonna be fun."
Curry bit his lip as he mounted. Fun! He took off quickly and made Earl race to catch up.
Earl was nonstop chatter from minute one. On and on about anything and everything. Hearing that twang just reminded Curry that his long time partner wasn't there. If Earl said nothing he could at least pretend that the other hoof beats belonged to Heyes. But then he'd glance in that direction and see that toothy smile. Looks like a frickin' jack-o-lantern. Curry paused. There was a stream up ahead. "I need to be alone," he told the new man. He dismounted and went to the edge of the water. There he knelt and looked up at the sky. "HEEEYEES!" he shouted to the heavens. Then he slumped and sobbed. But the wind carried a tiny echo of his beloved friend saying, "Don't worry, Kid. I'll always be with you in spirit."
THE END
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