It was just before noon when they arrived in town. It had been almost one day exactly since Jimmy had met Josephine, although it seemed like much longer. He could not remember the last time he had rode into Sweetwater two days in a row. Normally he would have turned it down, but with companionship like the blonde beauty that rode beside him, it made the trip more than worthwhile.
They rode right through the growing town of Sweetwater to the rail station.
As Teaspoon dismounted he noticed a man riding up behind them. He was a tall middle aged man, with a tough haggard appearance. He looked like he had lived a hard life in the saddle. His deeply tanned face seemed to almost blend in with his sandy blond hair and long drooping mustache. He had sharp eyes, like a hawk. Teaspoon recognized him instantly. It was Sheriff Spencer Hawkins.
As they dismounted, the man approached. “Marshal Hunter.” The Sheriff’s surly tone made no effort to hide his dislike.
“Sheriff Hawkins.” Teaspoon’s own tone soured. He had never liked the man the town had now chosen as their Sheriff. Spencer’s idea of fair justice was directly linked to how much money you had in your pocket. But for some reason, the trusting folks of Sweetwater, had nominated him Sheriff in their election just a few months earlier. Teaspoon couldn’t help but feel it was rigged.
“What brings you by here today.” Sheriff Hawkins inquired, talking right past Teaspoon to Jimmy and Josephine.
“If you don’t mind.” Teaspoon cocked his head at the man, walking past him into the small rickety railroad house.
“Howdy Teaspoon.” The portly old man looked up as the three walked in.
“Long time no see.” Teaspoon smiled. “How’s the wife and kids now Joe?”
“Oh they’re good.” The man smiled, pushing his glasses further up the bridge of his chubby nose. “Got me a new grandson a few weeks back.”
“How ‘bout that.” Teaspoon smiled.
“What can I do you for?” Joe asked, finally getting down to business.
“Can you wire Denver for me?” Teaspoon asked.
“I’d love to oblige you, but the injuns have yanked down all our lines again.” He shook his head in frustration. “Damn Cheyennes.”
Josephine exhaled a soft sigh of relief.
“All right Joe. You have a good day.” Teaspoon started to leave.
“You should really come out here more often Marshal!” Joe called to him. “The trains we are getting through here now are really nice. Fine pieces of work.”
“I just might do that.” Teaspoon smiled.
“Let’s go get lunch.” Teaspoon turned to Jimmy.
“Now that’s the best thing you’ve said all day!” Jimmy grinned.
Sheriff Hawkins watched the street as he rode up to the Sweetwater Hotel. Tying his sorrel to the hitching post he stepped up onto the wooden walkway and through the ornate doorway. Tipping his hat to the clerk, he made his way up the stairs to the rooms above.
The knock at the door startled Sam Hayes. He rolled out of bed in disgust. This better be good, he thought to himself. He had been in the saddle so much lately that he could not remember the last time he had slept in such a comfortable bed. He rose and pulled his trousers on over his long underwear. He then walked over to the sink and splashed some cold water onto his face. The door knocked again. He reached over to the bedpost where his gunbelt draped, and slipped out his revolver. Gun in hand he opened the door.
“Sam.” The Sheriff’s nodded.
“Sheriff Hawkins.” Sam motioned for the Sheriff to follow him inside the room.
“I just came from the rail station.” Hawkins wasted no time getting down to business.
Sam waited for the Sheriff to get to the point, but he didn’t. “And?” Sam encouraged him.
“I think I might have the information you were looking for.” Hawkins said wryly, as Sam Hayes slipped him a bill.
The sun set with a magnificent array of colors. It had been an unusually hot day, but the cool evening winds made the night peaceful and pleasant. Jimmy leaned into the rail of the front porch with a coffee in hand. It had been a good day. He was beginning to enjoy having Josephine around. Her attentions and affections made him feel good, and he found himself feeling more and more comfortable around her. They had spent quite a bit of time talking, both at lunch and on the ride home. Teaspoon rode a few horse lengths ahead the whole way back. Everyone seemed to want to help Josephine. At dinner both Kid and Cody offered to make a run to Denver to find out about the mysterious man that Jimmy had seen. Teaspoon had settled on sending Buck. There had been alot of troubles lately with Indian raids. He couldn’t afford to put any of the other riders in that kind of situation. Buck left right after supper. It would be a few days before he would reach Denver. Jimmy wondered about what would happen after the man was jailed. Would Josephine return to Colorado? Or would she really stay in Sweetwater just for him?
“There you are!” Josephine’s voice caught Jimmy off guard.
He turned around. The light from the open doorway behind her illuminated her soft features Her hair shone like spun gold. Her skin took on subtle hues of pink and orange, not unlike the setting sun. She wore a long white nightgown that was tied with a pink ribbon at the bodice. Jimmy was not sure he had ever seen a more beautiful sight. She started to walk towards him.
“Don’t move.” Jimmy told her, setting his cup down on the rail.
She looked around confused, wondering if there was a spider around her or if maybe there was a loose board on the porch. Finally she asked, “Why?”
“Because I want to remember this.” Jimmy admitted, showing his rarely visited tender side. She smiled as he slowly walked up to her. Her mouth opened to say something. “Shhh.” Jimmy hushed her. Then looking straight into her twinkling green eyes, he kissed her softly.
“Come for a walk with me Jimmy Hickok.” She grabbed his arm, almost yanking him down the stairs, he stumbled forward onto her, landing on top of her in the grass.
“Are you okay?” He asked propping himself onto one elbow to look at her better.
“I am now.” She whispered, pulling him to her she kissed him deeply. They rolled around looking up at the fireflies, and the stars, twinkling above them.
“Jimmy will you help me find the man that killed my husband?” She asked softly.
He hated hearing that word ‘husband’. It made him feel guilty for laying in the grass with a woman he was beginning to care about. “I told you I would.” His voice seemed to reflect his uncomfort.
“I don’t want this man to stand trial. I don’t want this man to hang in Denver. I want to see him shot, and have him feel the bullet tear through him as it did my husband.” She explained.
There was that word again. The mood had been spoiled. “You want me to kill him?” Jimmy was taken aback.
“He’s a killer.” She explained simply.
“I can’t do that.” Jimmy reasoned. He knew that he wanted to, he wanted more than anything to do whatever it took for things to be past this point and life to go on together for both of them. But it wasn’t up to him. It was up to a judge.
She sighed. “I’m sorry Jimmy, it’s just that get so angry when I think about...”
“It’s all right.” He stood up and started back towards the porch.
Her sudden screams broke the silence that had dropped between them. Jimmy scrambled back down the porch steps to see a large darkly dressed man, the same man he had seen in town, with a cloth over Josephine’s mouth, dragging her off and draping her over his horse. There was another man that rode up who stayed a ways back in the distance. Jimmy could not make his features out. The large man snarled at Jimmy. “Stay out of this. It’s not your concern.”
“Like hell it’s not.” Jimmy snapped back. He reached for his guns, realizing they were still hanging inside the bunkhouse. He jumped forward and tackled the large man. The two rolled around on the grass exchanging blows.
Teaspoon stepped outside. “What’s going on here?” The man kicked Jimmy in the face with his boot, knocking him cold at least for the moment. He dragged his spur across Jimmy’s cheek. Then reaching for his gun he fired a shoot at Teaspoon, nicking his shoulder.
Cody, who had heard all the commotion had ran to get his rifle, and as the man was clambering up onto his mount, Cody leveled his rifle and drew aim. Dispite the distance Cody managed to hit the man in the arm. He reloaded for a second shot but they were all ready gone.
Jimmy got up as the dust settled. He rushed for the stable.
“Woah.” Noah tried to stop him. Jimmy looked in rough shape.
“Out of my way.” Jimmy growled, pushing him aside.
As Jimmy had his horse out of the stable he noticed Teaspoon’s shoulder. Lou was wrapping a bandage around it. “He Okay?” Jimmy queried of Lou. Lou nodded. Jimmy spurred his horse. Whoever had done this would pay, and it would no longer be up to the law to decide.
Kid came out from the stable with Katy. He looked over at Teaspoon.
“Better stay out of Jimmy’s sight Kid, if he spots you he may not be so happy to see you.” Teaspoon warned him. Kid nodded, kicking the strong pinto into full gallop.
Jimmy had been riding for miles but without luck. How could they just disappear? Where could they be? He wondered. He knew his horse would be faster than theirs, they would be slowed by the extra passenger. They could not have doubled back he would have seen them. He slowed to a walk to sort out his thoughts.
“You can come out Kid.” Jimmy hollered. He had known for at least ten minutes that Kid was tailing him. Besides, if this had happened to Kid or Noah or Cody or any of the riders, Jimmy would have followed them too. He waited for Kid to come out into the clearing, after a few minutes he finally emerged.
“Jimmy you look awful.” Kid’s face fixated on the gash on Jimmy’s cheek. He had obviously been oblivious to the blood streaking down the side of his face.
Jimmy’s hand came up to touch it and he pulled it away, bloody. “It’s just a cut.”
“It looks bad.” Kid commented.
“Are you a doctor now?” Jimmy quipped.
“No.” Kid gave up. There was no talking sense into Jimmy’s thick skull.
Neither of them spoke again as they rode. They just took turns watching the ground and trees and the open land ahead, looking for any trace of the men that had abducted Josephine.
Kid spotted a white hanky on the ground, and a pair of fresh horse tracks leading from the hilly brush that bordered the flat prarie lands.
“Jimmy!” Kid urged. It took Jimmy a moment to acknowledge him, his mind was obviously elsewhere. Kid pointed the tracks out to him, and Jimmy almost bowled Kid over wheeling his horse around.
Kid stopped to examine the hanky. As he took a careful sniff, he drew his head back from the pungent smell. “Chloroform.” He muttered to himself.
“Come on.” Jimmy shouted to Kid, kicking the palomino into a furious gallop.
Lou finished tending to Teaspoon’s shoulder. “I hope he’ll be Okay.” She commented aside.
“Kid? ”Teaspoon asked.
“Kid too.” Lou suddenly felt guilty about thinking of Jimmy before Kid. But Jimmy had been beaten pretty bad, and the riders were all sure he was out for blood.
Teaspoon raised a surprised eyebrow. “Jimmy will be fine, once he gets his senses back.”
Lou knew Teaspoon was probably right. She just hoped that Kid would help him stay in line. She felt a sickening feeling in her gut, somehow she just knew something was going to go wrong. She also found herself wondering, in Jimmy’s absence, if he had been the one who wrote those caring words to her. The letter had been found in the apron he was wearing. We did pass each other everyday with unspoken words and feelings. She excused herself and headed back into the house.
“What’s wrong with Lou?” Cody thought out loud. Ike, Noah, and Teaspoon all just looked at him. “What?” Cody implored. Noah just shook his head.
“Alright, standing out here fretting over Jimmy and Kid is not going to do any of us any good.” Teaspoon barked. Bandage or not, he could be very intimidating.
Even though Teaspoon had told them not to worry, everyone had trouble sleeping that night.
"Shh...” Jimmy hushed an already silent Kid, as they crouched in some thick brush a few miles from where the men had stopped. They were not quite close enough to hear what was going on but they could see that Josephine was waking up.
“Now’s our chance.” Kid whispered.
“I don’t want her caught in the crossfire.” Jimmy argued.
“If they were going to hurt her they would have done it already.” Kid reasoned.
Jimmy realized that Kid was right. “Okay just be careful where you aim that thing.” Jimmy poked a finger at Kid’s gun.
“I think I can handle it.” Kid indignantly replied.
The two horses thundered down from the hill above. Both men with guns in hand. A shot whizzed past Josephine, hitting the ground at the foot of the large darkly dressed man. “Texas Ranger. Hold your fire!” The man shouted.
Kid was flustered. If this man was a ranger they could be in serious trouble attacking him. He called over to Jimmy who was firing shot after shot in blind anger.
“Jimmy he’s a Ranger!” Kid tried to get through to him. He was sure Jimmy had heard him, but was also sure, he no longer cared.
The big man fell as a bullet from Jimmy’s gun tore through his lung. He gasped a few times, spitting up blood. Then, he fell backward in a crumpled heap. Josephine ran towards Jimmy, he pushed her away. Jimmy looked down at the man. Finally he saw his face, peaceful in death. Jimmy thought about how he had wanted to kill the ‘faceless’ man since he has spotted him in Sweetwater. It was a side of himself he thought he had permanently repressed, the side of himself that took pleasure in killing.
“Hold it right there.” The other man came up within feet of Jimmy and Kid. It was then that they recognized him. It was Sheriff Spencer Hawkins. Kid felt a chill creep up his spine. He knew that they were now in the serious trouble he had dreaded.
It was almost two days later when the four horses arrived in Denver.
Josephine and Sheriff Hawkins shared a horse, shackled, she sat infront of
him. He lead the dead ranger’s horse along beside him, with the heavy
heap of man swung over it’s back. Jimmy and Kid rode on the sheriff’s
other side. They were also handcuffed, but were both calm and understood
the mistake they had made. Trying to run or escape would serve no
purpose. They would just have to get word back to Teaspoon so he could
sort the matter out. Sheriff Hawkins had explained the whole story to
them. Josephine and her husband were criminals on the run. They had
robbed at least three banks and two mercantiles, but were suspected in
many more events spreading from St. Louis to Santa Fe. The man who had
been after her, and whom Jimmy had now killed was indeed a Texas
Ranger, and for that they were to be brought to justice in Denver. Jimmy
was obviously hurt deeper than just that. Kid could see it in his eyes as
they rode through town. He realized how awful heartbreak could be and he
found himself missing Lou.
“Go and get Teaspoon. NOW.” Kid demanded. “Jimmy’s being held
for the murder of a Texas Ranger.”
“What?” Buck couldn’t believe what he was hearing.
“We’re both in very serious trouble.” Kid hollered as Hawkins yanked
him into the building.
Buck rode with the vigor of a hundred men. The afternoon sun beating
mercilessly down on his back. He arrived back at the Express station,
exhausted, by dusk. Teaspoon and Ike hurried out onto the porch, hearing
the frantic rider approaching. Cody and Noah came out from the
bunkhouse. Rachel and Lou appeared in the doorway of the ranchouse.
Buck almost fell off his horse. Ike rushed over to lend him a hand. Ike
motioned a few words to him. “I’m alright.” Buck panted his answer.
“Jimmy.” He managed to get words out through his gasping breaths.
“Kid.”
“What about Jimmy and Kid?” Teaspoon was already worried. The
solemn look on the young Indian’s face scared him.
Buck finally seemed to have caught his breath well enough to convey
the events to Teaspoon. “Jimmy is being charged with murder.”
Rachel and Lou both gasped. Cody’s jaw dropped.
Buck continued. “ Kid is being held too.”
“Who did they kill?” Teaspoon said sternly.
“That’s the bad part.” Buck began, all eyes were on him. “A Texas
Ranger apparently.”
“Why would Jimmy kill a Ranger? That makes no sense.” Teaspoon
was floored.
“I know.” Buck agreed. “I saw the man with my own eyes, and I saw
his badge.”
“Oh, and Sheriff Hawkins was there. He had the girl. She was
shackled.” Buck added.
“Josephine?” Teaspoon thought out loud. “Hawkins?” He scratched
at his whiskery chin. “Somethin’ ain’t right here.”
“Kid asked for you.” Buck passed on Kid’s request.
“Alright then, ‘nuff said.” Teaspoon turned to face the women in the
doorway. “Rachel get this boy some water.”
She rushed off and came back with a ladle and a basin.
“Teaspoon let me go with you!” Lou implored. Teaspoon ignored her.
“Teaspoon!” She shouted.
“I need riders here. There’s got to be men, er, people here to run the
mail.” He hollered back. He knew they were all concerned. They had
formed a close bond. When one rider was in trouble it was always hard to
keep the others away.
Ike motioned frantically at Buck. Buck took a slurp of water from
Rachel, then hollered out after Teaspoon. “Me and Ike will stay, we can do
double runs if we have to.”
“Guess I’ll stay too.” Noah added. He had a run to Rock Creek in the
morning, and it didn’t look like anyone would be taking his shift for him.
Cody and Lou ran for the stable, Teaspoon galloped past them.
Kid paced back and forth in the small cell. Jimmy who hadn’t said a
word since his arrest finally spoke. “You shouldn’t have followed me.”
"Yeah well I’m sure you’d have done the same.” Kid knew Jimmy
would have.
“That ain’t the point.” Jimmy quipped.
“What is the point then?” Kid stopped his pacing.
“The point is it’s not just me getting in trouble here. I killed a man and
I wanted to kill him.”
“Quit being so hard on yourself. Teaspoon will come and sort it out
for us.” Kid explained.
“I wish you hadn’t brought him into it.” Jimmy rose, obviously
agitated. “Don’t you get it? It was my mistake. I killed a man.”
“No, I don’t get it.” Kid said honestly. “Who knows, if I wasn’t so
hung up on Lou, I might have fallen into the same trap. You didn’t know
who she was Jimmy. It’s not your fault. God knows we’ve all made our
share of mistakes.”
Jimmy looked a few cells over at Josephine. She still looked beautiful,
and he still found himself caring for her. He didn’t want to talk anymore.
So Kid left him alone. He knew that Buck would do his best to get to
Teaspoon soon. Hopefully then, things would be okay. Kid kept telling
himself that over and over as he paced the length of the cell.
Cody and Lou caught up with Teaspoon less than a mile from the
Express station. Teaspoon had slowed down. “Sorry about that.” He
apologized. “I just know that whatever trouble Jimmy is in won’t leave us
alot of dalleying time.”
Lou nodded. She was beggining to comprehend the seriousness of the
matter.
“Teaspoon?” Cody started.
“Yes Cody?” Teaspoon turned to look at the worried blond rider.
“What will they do to him?”
“Well I have seen a few times, in my day, where men had shot at
Rangers.” Teaspoon elabortated, “see Cody, the Ranger is about the
highest form of law we got out in this wild west. I mean you kill a man,
chances are you get hung. You kill a lawman and you got real good odds at
swinging from a rope if you’re caught. But killing a Ranger...”
Teaspoon’s face dropped. “I just hope this is all a big misunderstanding.”
“Me too.” Cody agreed.
The ride was hard and long but the three pressed on, propelling
themselves forward at a swift purposeful pace. Somehow they had
managed to reach Denver by noon. Teaspoon felt a chill creep up his spine
as they passed a fresh gallows, the feeling was reinforced as they passed the
undertaker, proudly displaying his two new oak boxes.
“Do you think that’s for...” Cody’s voice drifted off as he spoke.
“Denver’s a big town.” Was Teaspoons only reply.
Teaspoon found himself surprised by the growth of the Colorado
town. The last time Teaspoon had been in Denver the town was just a few
scattered buildings along Cherry Creek on the South Platte river. In the
foothills of the front range of the Rockies it had seemed to be an unlikley
place for a town. But, it survived against the odds, into quite a large
civilized community.
Teaspoon decided that what they needed most after the rough ride, was
to ensure themselves a room and a chance to clean up a bit. They checked
into the Silver Spoon hotel. An impressive three story stone building. The
carpets were a plush crimson and the walls were painted a pale rose color.
A large chandelier hung majestically over the foyer. A middle aged woman
with striking red hair greeted them at the desk. “We’d like two rooms
please.” Teaspoon smiled sweetly at her.
“Certainly.” She reached to grab the keys off the pegs on the wall.
“There you go!” She smiled.
Her hospitality took the edge off of their hard travels. Cody and
Teaspoon headed up to their room, Lou went to go find a bath.
After a change of clothes, Teaspoon considered a nap, but he knew the
matters at hand were more pressing, he had wasted enough time already.
Cody was laying on one of the rooms ample double beds. Teaspoon
slipped past him, and out the door.
On to Chapter Five
