Millie nervously stepped into the office
only to find the marshal sitting by his desk. He smiled at her as
she entered. "Hi there, Millie," he greeted her kindly. "What's on your mind?" Millie hesitated for a second. Should she tell the marshal about Buck, or should she wait until she had spoken to Louise? Maybe she was making a mistake? She had acted on an impulse when she had seen the poster, but standing in front of the marshal she begun to have second thoughts. Louise had told her that they had got into trouble but not exactly what kind of trouble. What if Louise was right - that it was all a mistake and that her friend was innocent? But then, on the other hand, Louise might be fooling her and even being involved herself? What exactly did she know about Louise? Nothing. So why should she trust her? These thoughts whirled through her mind as she tried to figure out what she should tell the marshal. But all she managed to do was to smile sheepishly at him. "Speak up girl, I ain't got all day," the marshal said with a frown. But before Millie could open her mouth, Lou stormed through the door. "Millie! There you are - I'm glad I found you!" Lou quickly smiled at the marshal. "I'm sorry that we disturb you, marshal, we had a misunderstanding." She grabbed Millie by the arm, ready to drag her out of the office. Millie just stared at as did the marshal and his deputy. "Ain't you the girl that was here earlier?" the marshal asked, his frown deepening with suspicion. "Well, yes," Lou smiled, "and I'm afraid I scared up Millie a little bit - I'm sorry if we disturbed you." Millie didn't know what to do. Everything had happened so fast that she wasn't even sure what was going on. But at the marshal's suspecting eyes, she suddenly found Lou grip around her arm as a saver and nodded. "I'm sorry," she mumbled and looked down on the ground. Lou sighed silently as she continued to smile at the marshal. The man shook his head. "All right then girls - but I don't wanna see you here on another fool's errand. We got an important job to do here and we ain't got time for jokes." "No, sir, we won't," Lou replied quickly. For a few feet they walked in silence, then Lou had to ask. As Lou dragged the bewildered Millie away from the sheriff's office she sighed with relief over the fact that Millie so far hadn't objected or said anything that would have jeopardised her and Buck's situation. "What where you doing?" she asked silently as they left the office, not sure on how Millie felt or thought. "I was getting the doctor," Millie begun hesitantly, "when I saw the poster. Louise, you lied to me," she stated as she first now seemed to remember something. "I didn't," Lou objected. "I told you we were in trouble. You never asked what kind of trouble." "He killed somebody, didn't he?" Millie whispered. "He hasn't killed anybody," Lou muttered and dragged her away from the street and into the garden of the boarding house, as they already were attracting some attention from a few by-passers. "It was him on that Wanted-poster, wasn't it?" Millie insisted, when she realised something. "You knew, didn't you? You - are you involved too?" As soon as she had placed the question, she answered it herself. "You are," she gasped. "You must be - that's why you're hiding here." "Listen to me, Millie," Lou said harshly as she grabbed the girl by the arm. "Buck hasn't killed anybody, nor have I. The only reason we're here is because somebody is trying to frame him for the murder. But I promise you that he hasn't anything to do with it. He wasn't even near the place where the man was murdered." "Then why are you hiding?" "Because our friends is trying to find proof that he didn't do it." "Couldn't they do it if you stayed?" Millie asked naively. Lou shook her head. "They wouldn't even give him the benefit of the doubt," she stated sadly. "Millie, they tried to hang him! That's why we had to get away. How do you think he was wounded? They tried to kill him." "Who?" Lou hesitated. "I'm not really sure exactly 'who'," she admitted, "but some people in town got this thing against Indians. I suppose he was an easy target." "But if he hasn't done anything as you say, why can't you just prove that?" "It's more difficult than that," Lou said tiredly. "Please, Millie, don't turn us in. I know this is hard to explain, and I'm not sure I can tell you everything, but I promise that I'm not lying. Buck hasn't killed anybody. You do believe me, don't you?" Millie looked hesitantly at Lou and Lou saw that she wasn't at all convinced. Lou was too tired to try and persuade her, so instead she pleaded with her. Finally she received a hesitant nod from Millie and with that she had to be content. "You're doing the right thing," Lou tried to assured her and gave her a quick hug, before she remembered what Millie's original errand had been. "Millie, you said you left to get the doctor?" "Oh, yes, but I think I was too late - he's probably already left. He always makes his last stop at the marshal's," Millie said relieved that Lou seemed pleased with her decision. "No, why did you need a doctor? Is there something…was it Buck?" Lou looked sharply at Millie, as the worry she felt for Buck increased. "The wound isn't healing as it should," Millie mumbled. "I think that's why he's still weak despite that the fever is going down. I think, I mean, I don't really know, I'm no doctor. But I think he needs to see one, and rather soon." She threw a worried glance over to Lou. "I was only going to ask the doctor for some advice, at least at first," she muttered, scared that Lou would disapprove of her actions. "He's really sick isn't he?" Lou asked worried, not concerned with what Millie had done or not. "I think so," Millie replied. "He should see a doctor, Louise." Lou sighed. She didn't doubt that Millie was right but there was just no way of getting a doctor - at least not now. She could try and get Buck to Plum Creek, but then there was the chance that the wanted poster already found its way there. No matter how she twisted and turned the matter over in her head, the answer was always the same. She needed a doctor that she could trust, a doctor that she knew wouldn't give them away. And to find that would be as impossible as finding a needle in a haystack. "We'll have to get by without one," Lou mumbled back At least she knew that as long as nothing else happened, her and Buck's secret was safe with Millie, but it was a fragile safety. The sooner she could get Buck out of the town the better, Lou pondered as she offered to fix her and Millie some lunch. With a smile that in no way resembled her feelings, she told Millie that she would just check on Buck and then she'd fixed the lunch. She didn't feel like fixing anything, but she wanted to stay on Millie's good side as long as possible. First now did she realise that the friendship that she at first had thought of as a blessing, now very well could be their downfall. She sighed heavily as she walked the stairs up to her room.
Buck turned his eyes to the door when he heard somebody outside and then sighed with relief as Lou entered. "That girl who was here has gone for the doc," he said as she walked up to the bed, eager to inform her of what had happened, as he tried to ignore the headache that seemed to have increased since the girl left. Undoubtedly prompted by his efforts to get up and his constant brooding, trying to find a way out of their trouble for both him and Lou. "I know," she replied with a smile, satisfied to at least see him aware of his surroundings. "I talked to her," she continued without any further explanation to what had happened. Buck shook his head. "Are you sure you can trust her?" he wondered weakly. "She ain't …" he searched for the right words, but Lou already knew what he was talking about. "I know she's not the bravest girl in the world, but she's a friend. She ain't gonna say anything. Besides without her help you'd be worse off. I couldn't be here and at the saloon at the same time." Lou placed herself on the side of the bed and repeated her earlier question. "How are you doing?" "Not too bad, I suppose," Buck said as he sank back onto the pillows, fighting the dizziness and nausea that had come over him. "You're not ready to travel anyway," Lou said as she viewed him carefully. "I'm sure, with some help, that it shouldn't be any problem," Buck objected, but Lou just shook her head no. "I'll get some rest and then I have to get back to the saloon. Are you sure you're all right?" "I'll be fine. I'm more worried over you," Buck said as Lou helped him into a more upright position after preparing another cup of the willow bark tea. "Me?" Lou said lightly. "That's stupid - nothing's gonna happen to me. Actually this saloon is a bit dull when it comes to saloon," she added. "You better drink that tea and get some rest. As soon as you're feeling better, we can see about getting out of here," Lou concluded and looked at him as she bit her lower lip. He looked paler than before and even if his fever had gone down it wasn't over. What if he didn't get better? Reaching for Buck's hand she took it in her own and frowned at how cold it was. She didn't like it. She didn't like anything of the situation and she hated the fact that she couldn't do anything about it. Silently she lied down next to Buck and closed her eyes. She would just get a few minutes of sleep before she headed to the saloon. Maybe, just maybe, something might happen that would help them.
"Here we are then, the best place for a meal in town," Ed stated as he jumped of the wagon and tied the horses to the hitching pole. Cody looked at the establishment as he dismounted and joined Ed on the sidewalk. "Well, what are we standing out here for then?" he smiled at his new friend and together they entered The Golden Nugget.
"You're late," Martha, the cook chided as Lou and Millie entered the kitchen at the saloon. "Sorry," Lou mumbled. She had fallen asleep and it wasn't until Millie knocked on the door she had realized that she had overslept. "Sally won't say anything, but Amelia's been whining for some time now. I suspect she's got some hard words to tell you," Martha muttered. Lou sighed. As if her day hadn't been bad enough, she would have to listen to Amelia's complains. "Great," she muttered as she glanced in the mirror just as the subject came into the kitchen. "Well, look who's manage to find their way here," Amelia sneered as Sally joined her. "Thank God you're here," Sally said smiling. "I'm so tired I could fall asleep standing!" She quickly handed over her notes to Millie. "Here are the orders for my tables. I'd appreciate if you'd share some of the tip later." Millie nodded and quickly roamed through the noted before heading over to the bar to take care of the drinks. She hated taking over after Sally, since she was so popular but at least it was better than taking over after Amelia. She threw an sympathetic glance over to Lou before she left the kitchen. "I'm sorry, Amelia," Lou started in hope of getting. "You should give me all of the tip, you know," Amelia stated as she handed over her notes, all except one. When Lou reached for it, Amelia held it back. "And I keep this one," she said as she strutted over to the barn. Lou shook her head and looked at cook. "Probably has her eyes on a man," cook sneered "and wants to make sure that no one else has a chance." "Poor fellow," Lou mumbled. "What is it she thinks she's gonna find anyway? A rich husband?" "Bah," cook replied, "she runs after anything in trousers as long as they're new here and got a handsome face. Now get out there and get your job done, girl!" Lou smiled at cook's statement and then she looked out the window into the saloon where she saw Amelia flirting with two young men at one of the tables. She was about to turn away when one of them turned to say something to Amelia and Lou got a glance of his face. Stunned, Lou couldn't do anything but stare for a few seconds before she sank down with her back against the nearest wall. Cody! After days of not seeing a soul that she recognized, then suddenly Cody was sitting in the saloon. Slowly Lou regained her composure. She had to let Cody know that she was here, but without rising anyone's suspicion. She needed to talk to him, but that would be almost impossible if she couldn't get Amelia away from him. And somehow she suspected that it wouldn't be an easy task. From the way Cody had been looking at Amelia he was not minding her attention, but then Cody never had said no to any girl if she was good-looking, at least not what Lou know of. And Amelia was already mad at her and if it was one thing she didn't want to create so was it a scene. When hearing Amelia's flirtatious giggle through the door she frowned and almost felt angry with Cody for getting Amelia's attention. When cook called out to her, she realized that she would have to leave the kitchen and with a plan slowly forming in her head she slowly walked out into the saloon. After making her decision and with the determination not to let Amelia ruin everything for her, Lou quickly walked up the stairs to Mrs. Abell's office and knocked on the door. When it was opened she quickly presented her made-up story. "...so there must have been somebody taking it from my pocket, or it fell out, anyway I'm short of money for his meal," Lou lied, only to see Mrs. Abell sigh and stepped out of her office. "I've told you girls over and over again never to place money in your pockets. You always go directly to Sam after being paid," she complained, but Lou didn't care of the lecture she was given. She was more thrilled with the fact that Mrs. Abell was walking down the stairs into the dining hall, with Lou following, hoping that she knew Mrs. Abell well enough for it to work. And to her great joy she did. Mrs. Abell had no more than lay her eyes on the giggling girl by Cody's side than she had forgotten all about Lou's money trouble and with a grace seemingly unfit for a woman of her size made her way down to the table. The next events was quite amusing to watch, at least to Lou, who followed the proceedings from her position on the stairs. "Amelia." The voice that sounded over the laughter was courteous but there was a hard tone in it, something that reminded Lou of the breaking of glass and she had to hide a smile behind her hand. Immediately, the blonde woman looked up into the stern face of Mrs. Abell, who smiled amiable at the two young men at the table. "I do believe you have things to tend to, Amelia?" Mrs. Abell asked in a tone that clearly told Amelia that she was in deep trouble although she seemed to be friendly enough in any other's eyes. Amelia wisely decided not to argue. "I'm sorry, Ma'm," she said with a smile, that was far from genuine and rose from the table. Before she left she turned and flashed a smile at Cody. "Maybe I'll see you here tomorrow?" she asked hopefully. "Maybe," Cody said non-committingly after a harsh look from Mrs. Abell as she followed the girl away from the table. Lou already knew that Amelia was in for a harsh lecture on behaviour as soon as they had left the dining hall but she felt no pity for the girl. But she wasn't out of her own created trouble yet either. Mrs Abell was just about to call on her when Lou interrupted. "I found the money, Ma'm," she said excusingly. "I must have put them in my other pocket and I didn't look. I'm sorry." "Well, look better next time before you bother me again," Mrs. Abell sneered as Amelia threw her an angry glance, now clear on who it was that had got her into trouble. Her look told Lou that it would be safest to stay away from her for a while. Don't worry, Lou thought as she followed the pair as they left.With any luck I'll be out of your hair within a day or two. Or so she hoped. "She'll be furious with you now." Lou turned to Millie, who stood next to
her, having being a spectator to the whole scene. "I couldn't care less," Lou answered lightly and turned her attention to the table where Cody and his companion seemed ready to leave. "I've got to work," she said to Millie and quickly made her way over to the table. "Told you Mrs. Abell keeps an eye on 'her' girls," Ed said laughingly at Cody's expression as Amelia left. "Guess we should call it a day then?" "Why not? Thanks for the dinner,
I appreciated it," Cody replied. "And I bet the company didn't make
it worse either," Ed replied with a wink. "Not at all," Cody agreed and
prepared to drink the last of his beer when a voice by his side made
him choke on the drink. "Will there be anything else?" Cody spluttered and tried to regain his
composure as he turned and stared at the last person he thought he'd
see in the saloon. And there, less than a meter from him stood one
of the two he was searching for. Dressed as a saloon girl and with
make-up in her face and her hair pulled back from her face, she was
different from the girl he knew, but there was no mistake. It was
Lou! Lou tried to keep a straight face, but
as Cody choked on his beer, she was unable to hide a fleeting smile.
She had expected him to be surprised but his reaction was more than
she had anticipated. However her happiness of seeing Cody there was
soon replaced with a fear that he would ruin everything by not acting
along. "Anything else?" she asked again
therefore, hoping that Cody would fall into the act. "No...," Ed begun when Cody
interrupted him. "I'll think I've another one, miss,"
he said, now recovered from his shock of seeing Lou there. Ed looked
surprised at him, but when he added, "And one more for my friend
here. My treat," Ed sat down with a smile on his face. "You don't learn, do you," Ed
said in a whisper as Lou left to take care of the order. "Who knows, maybe my luck has change," Cody replied carelessly as his mind whirled with several questions. What was Lou doing in the saloon, working as a barmaid or waitress? Where was Buck? And why hadn't they returned or tried to contact the others? He desperately wanted to know the answers, but as it was he was forced to wait until he had a chance to talk to Lou, between four eyes. And until then, he might as well have a good time. As the evening wore on, Ed left with the excuse that he needed to get home, while Cody stayed on and managed to engage himself in a game of cards, all the time while he kept an eye on Lou. Unfortunately it was a busy day at The Golden Nugget and there was no chance of them speaking privately. And although Lou's trick of getting Amelia out of the way had been a good idea then, it seemed less fortunate now, as Mrs. Abell had taken a habit of being present downstairs more often during the evening than was usual. Apparently she had taken a dislike to Cody, who more than once found himself being scrutinised by a pair of brown eyes that condescendingly followed him around. He was more than pleased when Sam the bar keep announced that they were closing for the night. He hoped that it meant that Lou was through working so after a mumbling good bye to the members of the card game, he feigned a slight drunkenness and wandered off in the opposite direction to the others where he found a shrubbery. Hidden by it, he sat down to wait. An hour later he was rewarded as two girls emerged from a small side entrance of the saloon and started to walk down the road. Uncertain of what to do as Lou wasn't alone, he remained where he was when the girls stopped. Then one of them continued on her way while the other stood still, looking after her. When the girl was securely out of reach she turned around, as if searching for somebody, which she in fact was. "Cody?" Lou whispered into the
night, knowing that Cody wouldn't have left. A soft rustle to her
left made her tense until she recognised the familiar silhouette. "Right here, Lou," Cody's voice
came as a confirmation as he walked up to hear. "Am I glad to see you," Lou
greeted him and gave him a quick hug. "What's going on here, Lou?"
Cody asked, impatient to know the answers to all his questions. "Where's
Buck? What happened?" "I'll tell you all about it,"
Lou promised, "but you'll have to walk me back. I don't want
to raise any suspicions." "Suspicions about what?" "In a minute," Lou replied as she grabbed his arm. "Walk with me and I'll tell you everything."
Slowly they walked along the street, for
any observer looking like a courting couple on a nightly stroll, but
the words that were said in a low voice had nothing in common with
romance. "So with Buck hurt and without any
money I wasn't sure what to do. I left him outside town and hoped
to get a word through to you when Mrs. Abell, she who owns the saloon,
offered me a job. I didn't think twice about taking it - at least
it would suit as some sort of cover until I could get in touch with
you, and Buck could get some rest." "So where is Buck now?" Cody
asked. "At the boarding house, in my room.
He had very high fever at first but he seemed better earlier today,"
Lou explained. She didn't mention Millie to Cody as she didn't find
it important. "What has happened in Sweetwater?" she asked.
"I saw the poster," she added tensely. "It wasn't Teaspoon," Cody said
quickly guessing what Lou thought. "The town council sent that
out without him knowing it. You saw one here?" Lou nodded. "This morning. Couldn't
believe it. I know Teaspoon wouldn't do anything like that. But does
that mean that nothing's changed? There are no proof Buck didn't do
it?" Cody shook his head sadly. "No. The
boy is sticking to his story and we haven't been able to prove him
wrong. The only break we've had is that Teaspoon found out that Ambrose
Emery was out there that same day, but he's denying everything, and
we can't prove it." "Emery was there? Who saw him? Can't
he testify?" "His old drinking buddy. Nobody would
believe his word over the boy's." "So there's no change at all,"
Lou said sadly and felt tears well up in her eyes. She was tired and
worn outand she had been hoping
that the others would have come up that would clear Buck, but now
even that seemed as an impossible task. "What do we do now?"
she mumbled. "I'm not sure. Teaspoon told us to
look for you on every possible run, but otherwise.." He shrugged.
"To be honest, I don't know. Teaspoon got Jimmy talking to that
boy, but he ain't changing a word, and everybody seem to believe him." "How can they?" Lou asked indignant.
"Buck didn't kill that man -that's ridiculous!" "How do you know he didn't?"
Cody asked, which rendered him a hard look from Lou. "What do you mean 'how do you know'?
Buck told me, that's how." Cody looked slightly embarrassed and looked
down at the ground at her outburst. "Sorry, Lou," he mumbled,
"but you have to admit that it all seem mighty strange." "No more strange than the stories
you can come up with, William F Cody," Lou said sternly, which
created a loop-sided grin in Cody's face. "I guess you're right," he drawled
and changed the subject. "How's Buck doing?" Lou sighed. "I'm not sure. He's fever's
getting down, but the wound don't seem to heal properly. He's too
weak to go anywhere, anyhow, so I guess that we're still stuck here.
I'm worried about that poster though." "Does he know about the poster?" "No." Lou shook her head. "No,
I didn't tell him. He would only be worried and he need to rest." "Did anyone see him here?" Lou thought about it for a few seconds.
"I don't think so," she said finally. "We rode in after
dark." "Where are your horses?" "At the livery. I left them there,
dressed as a boy, hoping that if somebody came asking for them, nobodywould
see he connection between the boy and the new girl working at the
saloon." "If somebody recognise them as Express
horses," Cody mumbled, "then there might be trouble." "I know, but it was the best I could
do." "I suppose there's no harm in letting
them stay there for a while longer," Cody admitted as they reached
the gate to the boarding house and Lou stopped. "Here we are," she said simply.
"I suppose that the best thing to do now is for you to head back
and tell Teaspoon and the others?" "Maybe I should follow you up, to see how's Buck are doing and so?" Cody said questioningly. Lou smiled embarrassed. "You can't",
she said. "Why not?" Cody asked surprised. "It's a boarding house for women
only," Lou sighed. Cody smiled broadly. "You hid Buck
in a boarding house for women?" he asked, and Lou know that if
they ever would get out of the mess both she and Buck would be in
for some unmerciful teasing by Cody. "It was the only place - by the way,
who would look for a wanted man in a house for women?" "Nobody," Cody smiled before
he turned serious. "I hate to leave you here," he said seriously. "Well, you can't stay," Lou
insisted. "Besides, we've managed for almost a week now, so a
few more days won't hurt us." Cody shook his head. "Still...,"
he begun when Lou interrupted him. "Teaspoon need to know," she
said. "And besides he will know what to do," she added with
confidence. "You're right," Cody said. "And
maybe the bunkhouse will be a bearable place to stay at again." "What do you mean?" Lou asked
surprised. "I mean that finally you might get
some sleep in there instead of somebody pacing the floor through the
night or laying sighing in his bunk keeping the rest of us awake,"
Cody said smilingly. "Kid?" Lou felt herself smile "No, the mice under the porch - of
course it's the Kid." "He misses me?" "Misses you? I don't think that's
the right word - he's going crazy with worry for you. Actually, my
return with the news that I found you might be the one thing that
saves him from complete insanity..." "Ah, shut up, Cody," Lou said
with a big grin on her face. Cody smiled, happy to see the smile on
her tired face. "I better be off then", he said. Lou nodded
and with a feeling that everything would be all right, she threw her
arms around him and give him a big hug. "I can't believe you're here,"
she whispered. "But I am," Cody replied with
a wink as she let him go. "And if my presence brings you such
joy, then maybe you could remember that when there's a few chores
to be done..." "Let's just say that I won't tell
Teaspoon how you ordered beer at the saloon," Lou smiled. "You
better get going." "You're sure you're gonna be all
right?" Lou nodded. "The sooner you can tell Teaspoon the better," she said and finally watched him turn around and leave. Relived that the others soon would know about there situation made her almost forget her tiredness as she opened the door to the boarding house.
"So you've found yourself a boyfriend, he?" Lou turned around to see Anna, one of
the prostitutes, standing by the window, smoking, and she silently
cursed to herself. Anna, although a friendly woman, was one of the
worst gossips around and she was sure that by the next day everyone
at the saloon would know that the 'new girl' had had company back
to the boarding room. Not that it bothered her too much, but she would
have preferred if nobody had noticed. "Maybe," she answered lightly. "Snatched him right under Amelia's nose, I heard," Anna continued as Lou walked up the stairs. Even worse, Lou thought, but she didn't care about Amelia. She knew how vicious the girl could be when tramped upon, but she couldn't do much harm. I just have to keep away from her, Lou thought as she hurried along the hall to her room. She couldn't wait to tell Buck that the others would know about heir situation within a day or two.
Buck was sleeping as she entered the room,
and before she woke him she managed to get a fire burning on the small
stove before placing the kettle with water on it. First then did she
shook Buck awake, feeling just a little bit guilty for depriving him
of the well-needed rest, but she wanted him to drink some more of
the willow bark infusion, that seemed to at least keep the fever down. "Buck?" she whispered as he
moaned slightly and opened his eyes. "Lou?" he asked as he blinked
away the last remains of sleep from his eyes. "Is something wrong?" "No, nothing's wrong," Lou smiled.
"I wanted you to drink some more of that willow bark, and I've
got news." "What news?" Buck asked as she
helped him into a more upright position, before she returned to the
stove where the water was beginning to boil. "You'll never know who showed up
at the saloon today," she said as she quickly mixed the infusion. "Who?" "Cody." "Cody?" Buck stared wide-eyed
at her. "What was he doing here?" "Looking for us." Lou returned
with a cup of the infusion and helped Buck to a sip before she continued."He
left to tell Teaspoon, but we should hear something from them within
a few days." "What's happened?" Buck asked
and Lou, who had expected the question was prepared. "Unfortunately not much," she
begun. "The boy is sticking to his story, but Teaspoon found
out that Emery was out by the homestead at the same time as Craven
was killed. They're thinking that he might have something to do with
Craven's death." "Have they got any proof of that?"
Buck wanted to know. "They know he was there, but that's
all. But you know how Teaspoon is when he wants to know something.
He's not gonna give up." Buck smiled weakly. "No, I guess
you're right. At least it's going in the right direction." "Yes, it is," Lou said, cringing inwardly over the fact that she was, if not lying to him, then at least fooling him. She tried to comfort herself with that it was for a good cause. It would not benefit Buck's recovery to know that they were as far from the truth as they had been since Craven was found.
Cody made it back to Sweetwater in record
time and arrived just as the others had sat down for supper. Knowing
what his news would mean, Cody sauntered in without a word and sat
down with a satisfied grin on his face. The others stared surly at
him as he reached for the potato. "Where's Jimmy?" he asked. "Don't know," Teaspoon replied,
"haven't seen him all day. Is there something on your mind, Cody?" "Well, that depends," Cody replied
as Rachel gave him a sharp look as he reached pass Ike to get the
bread rolls. "Depends on what, son?" Teaspoon
asked impatiently. "If somebody would pass me the meat,"
Cody replied lightly. "Don't act a fool," Kid asked
in a strained voice. He had been out looking for tracks for most of
the day and the lack of success were taking its toll on him. Seeing
that, Cody turned serious. "I found them," he said simply
before digging in on the food. The silence that settled over the room
was uncanny. "You've what?" Kid stuttered,
finding his voice. "I found Buck and Lou," Cody
replied, which created several questions from the others as Ike's
hands moved rapidly in front of him. "Hold it!" Teaspoon barked and
the commotion ended. "Tell us," he ordered and Cody quickly
swallowed the food in his mouth. "It was pure luck," he said.
"I was on..." "I don't care about that," Kid
interrupted. "Where are they?" "In a small town north-west of here
called Manasco." "Are they all right?" Rachel
asked. "Buck's hurt, but Lou's all right." "How bad?" "Lou said it was pretty bad, but
that he was better. He can't be moved though, so she's keeping him
hidden." "What are she doing?" Kid wanted
to know. "She's working at the saloon,"
Cody said, and the quickly added, "waiting tables. She was hoping
that she would get a word through to us by somebody passing by, when
I showed up." He quickly related what Lou had told him. "We decided that it was better that
they stayed where they were until I talked with you," Cody finished,
looking at Teaspoon. "She had seen the poster outside the sheriff's
office," he added, "so she didn't dare to do anything that
might look suspicious." "We need to get to them," Kid
suggested and rose to act upon his own words. "Sit down," Teaspoon said as
Ike too prepared to get up. "We can't just rush into the town,
head over heels. There are things to consider here." "Such as?" Noah asked. "Such as that damn poster and the
fact that both Lou and Buck are named on it. I don't think Lou's in
any danger as long as she dresses as a girl, but Buck is a different
matter. Besides, if we rush over there, people might be suspicious
and follow us. I think we need to go easy on this." Reluctantly Kid and Ike seated themselves
again. "What do you suggest we do then?"
Kid wanted to know. "We need somebody to help them out
and keep an eye open for trouble, should it arise. From what you said
Cody, Lou spend most of her days at the saloon or this boarding house
caring for Buck?" Cody nodded. "Then somebody ought to act as a
messenger and keep an eye out for bounty hunters or the sheriff." "I'll go," Kid offered. "No, I think it's better Cody goes,"
Teaspoon retorted. "Teaspoon," Kid begun. "I know," Teaspoon interrupted,
"I know why you feel you should be the one going, but face it
Kid. Cody's already been there, and made friends with one of the local
farmers. The town is not a regular Express stop and if an unusual
amount of Express riders suddenly show up there, it might cause some
suspicions. But if Cody would return, nobody would think twice about
it. What do you say Cody?" "I'll go, if that's what needed,"
Cody agreed. "What do you want me to do?" "Keep an eye out for trouble and
be prepared to help Lou and Buck out of there should it be necessary." "Sure. Anything else?" "We'll need a meeting place outside
of that town should it be necessary to send you a message. Have any
idea of where?" "There's a water hole not far from
the town. It's well hidden and too close to be used regularly. I think
that can be used." "Good. Then that's settled. If it's
all right with you Cody, I want you to head back as soon as possible." "I can leave right now." "At least finish your supper,"
Rachel suggested and Cody was quick in amending his first statement.
An hour later he rode out from the station in high speed. "What do you what the rest of us
to do?" Kid asked as they watched Cody disappear. "We need to find out who killed Craven.
I can help thinking that Emery's got something to do with it, but
it seems impossible to get a straight answer from that man. You haven't
found anything, following him?" Teaspoon asked Noah, who sadly
shook his head. "Nothing, Teaspoon. The man keeps
doing nothing and he knows we're keeping an eye on him, so he's keeping
a low profile." "Sooner or later he'll make a mistake,"
Teaspoon assured them. "Ike, I want you to help Noah keeping
an eye on him. And boys, I wouldn't mind if you seem to get in his
way now and then. Maybe a little pressure can shake him from his high
horses." Noah smiled at him. "I sure wouldn't
mind that," he mumbled and placed his hand on Ike's shoulder.
"Come on Ike, lets see if we can stir up some trouble for our
dear Ambrose." "What do you want me to do, Teaspoon?"
Kid asked in a low voice. "For now, you'll stay here. I need
somebody ready to head out should it be necessary to get a word to
Cody and the others." He turned and looked around the station. "Where the hell is Jimmy?" he
asked aloud, not really expecting any answer. Nobody had seen him
for the day. "Maybe he's talking to the boy,"
Kid suggested. "Maybe," Teaspoon muttered. "I just wish I knew what that boy is up to." |
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