Strangers in a Strange Town

By SasseyJ

DISCLAIMER: The characters of the MAGNIFICENT SEVEN belong to MGM, Trilogy, CBS, and TNN. No profit is made from this fan fic in any way, shape, or form except fun. However, I do not want my original characters borrowed or used without my knowledge or consent. If you are unsure if a character is canon or an original, please click here on original characters for an extensive list of my characters and when they were first introduced in my fan fiction.

Part Five

Chapter 21

Franklin came to with a headache the likes of which he had never experienced. It was worse than a hangover, much worse. His temper escalated as he saw the women had deserted him and his emptied wallet. Dragging himself up from the bloody sheets, his blood he noted angrily, he struggled to untie himself. He heard them downstairs, not their words but the sound of their voices. Pepper's was calm, but Tammy Jo's high pitched voice echoed with her fear and questions. Loosing his balance, Franklin pitched over the side as he fell to the floor with a loud thud. The brandy decanter crashed to the floor narrowly missing his eyes as the crystal shattered into thousands of pieces, many of which embedded themselves all over Franklin. It felt like he had been covered and bitten by hundreds of fierce little insects with razor sharp teeth. Silence, nothing but silence echoed in the dimly lit room. The sounds downstairs had ceased abruptly, and then there was the slam of a door. Minutes later, he heard the sound of horses' hooves pounding on the gravel outside the house. Pepper and the girl were gone; he could feel their absence in his bones. The complete silence surrounding him confirmed his suspicions. Knowing Pepper as well as he did, he knew she had most likely taken with her anything of value she could carry. More importantly, she knew where he kept all of his money. HIS MONEY!

Franklin threw back his head and shouted for help, knowing it was futile. No one was there but Red Curry who was no doubt drugged to the gills with the laudanum Pepper had poured down his throat. Damn, he was loosing his touch for two whores had outwitted him. They would pay for his humiliation, though. Once he got rid of Larabee and his gang, Franklin would hunt to the ends of the earth for Pepper and Tammy Jo. He would enjoy killing them; he really would just as soon as he got untied. Curry was no help, and no one else was there. Twisting around, Franklin grabbed a piece of broken crystal. It was razor sharp, and he felt it as it sliced into his hand so quickly like silk trailing against his skin. Then the burning sensation began as he felt the sting of the cut and the warm, wet blood. It only made him angrier, his anger fueling his need to vent his fury on someone or something. Raging in the dim light, he managed to cut through the bindings that prevented him from stopping Pepper and Tammy Jo as they robbed him.

Finally freed after what seemed like hours, Franklin got to his feet. Pepper was good at everything she did apparently for looking at the clock, Franklin realized he had been struggling for two hours to free himself from the intricate knots she had tied in the bindings on his wrists. He was a bit dizzy; and the circulation in his wrists and ankles had suffered, not to mention the jarring bruises caused by hitting the floor. He fell onto the bed holding his bloody hands to his bloody head cursing Pepper for all she was worth. This was all Larabee's fault for no one had dared defy Franklin until Larabee had shown up in Ivyville. Regaining his equilibrium, he stumbled into the hallway and right into a table knocking the unlit lamp onto the floor splattering him with the kerosene. It stung the numerous cuts and stoked the blind rage that already held Franklin in its grip. This horrendous noise combined with Franklin's loud curses was enough to bring a disoriented and laudanum-laced Red Curry to the door. His drugged questions and stumbling only added to Franklin's fierce rage. Shoving the drugged man back into his room and slamming the door in his frustration, Franklin stumbled in the darkness down the stairs cursing all the while.

Finally reaching his destination, he lit the lamp and began cursing anew as he saw his fears realized. That witch had taken every dollar and gold coin she could get her hands on and carry! She must have stuffed the money in her purse, her dress, anywhere that she could carry it. He was going to enjoy killing that witch and her little friend! Using a light this time to walk back up the stairs to prevent any more injuries, Franklin ignored the pounding in his head and started throwing on his clothes. By the time he was dressed, his fury had been replaced by a deadly determination. Franklin had no problem killing anyone or anything that had the misfortune to stand in his way. More like a rattlesnake than a man, Franklin Avery was ready to strike out at anything or anyone he felt was an obstacle or a threat. So it was in that deadly frame of mind that he rode into town with the intention of killing anyone who tried to prevent him from finding where Pepper and Tammy Jo might have run to. He owned the town, and he had already killed many who had dared displease him long before this new sheriff came to town. Who was going to stop him? Larabee and his gang? Franklin's nemesis had tried to protect a woman from him once before and failed. If he had to feed Gerald Radcliffe to Larabee, then so be it. No one would stand in his way. If he had to kill everyone in Ivyville he would.

Mary Travis tossed and turned in her sleep. The nightmares had started shortly after she had heard Radcliffe's sordid little tale. She had been dreaming that Chris, not she, had reacted physically to Radcliffe's tales of murder. The nightmare had been so vivid. She had seen Chris point his gun in a lightning fast move that was a fraction of a second faster than Tanner's mare's leg and Buck Wilmington's gun as all seven had pumped Radcliffe full of lead despite Judge Travis's shouted command to leave the man to the courts. Then, she had seen them all facing the hangman's noose.

She woke from her nightmare to find a fine sheen of sweat on her face and hands that clutched the tangled sheets tightly in a death grip that left her knuckles white in the moonlight. She walked to the open window to open it and let some fresh air into the room. Standing in the darkness just outside of the light cast by the over anxious moon, she gulped in the cool night air trying to ease the fear that tried to assail her heart. Radcliffe's partner was still out there somewhere ready to strike. What if he got to Chris before the others could get to him? The nightmare had left her shaky but in more control of her own thoughts. Yesterday she had been torn between the need to succumb to the rage that had built inside her ever since she had gotten the word that Chris had been wounded. She wanted whoever had hurt him to pay. Now, she realized that she had to trust in the law that her father-in-law and husband had believed in so very much.

Her physical attack on the man had left her shaken, although a small part of her had thrilled to the fierce embrace Chris had used to restrain her. They had all witnessed her lose control and slap Radcliffe. She was not sorry she had physically reacted to the anger the man had invoked in her. She had been powerless to help her husband. Just as so many others had been powerless to help their murdered loved ones. Just as Chris had been powerless to save Sarah and Adam. Franklin and Radcliffe had murdered unsuspecting soldiers, fighting men who had been relaxing far from the battle lines for no other reason than greed. They had murdered an innocent woman and her child for no other reason than they wanted to destroy the man who could bring them to justice. There was no telling how many others they had murdered or had ordered killed to keep their presence in Ivyville secret. How many innocent men, women, and children had been killed with the guns they had sold illegally?

Mary knew exactly how Chris Larabee had felt for she had felt the same blind rage that cried out for vengeance when she had returned home to find her husband dead and her son terrified and silent having witnessed his father's murder. She had felt that same rage when she had discovered that someone wanted to kill her son, and she knew the satisfaction of physically confronting the assailants. She also knew the difference between vengeance and justice and the price one paid for taking the law into one's own hands. She had witnessed the brutality and blind rage of the lynch mob. Two strangers had backed her when those Texas trail hands had tried to lynch Nathan for nothing more than trying to alleviate a dying man's pain.

Mary knew that Orrin Travis would exact justice upon the guilty and even upon those who would defy the law to appease their need for revenge. She knew it would break his heart, but that he would hold even her accountable for her actions. However, she also knew that she would have struck Radcliffe again and again for the pain and the rage he had inflicted on Chris Larabee had not Chris seen and understood that vengeance and rage did not right a wrong. He had stopped her both physically and then by his own silent commitment to seeing justice done. When Chris had grabbed her and pinned her right next to him using his strength to stop her, she had at first struggled not understanding why he would not let her inflict just a tiny portion of the pain Radcliffe had caused him back upon the little weasel. Pressed up against him she had noticed the lack of anger in Chris, and then she had felt the rumble of laughter deep in his chest as he had responded to Tanner's laconic drawl. Somehow, Chris had come to understand that there were others like Lawson who also needed to see justice carried out. They, too, needed the closure to the murder of their loved ones that Chris would deny them if he killed Radcliffe and Franklin on his own. This realization after hours of troubled sleep was as clear to Mary as if Chris had spoken the words aloud to her. She thought back to the gradual change in Chris as he had listened to Radcliffe try to weasel out of trouble by blaming it all on his partner.

Vin Tanner's abrupt departure had been the first assault on Chris's need for revenge. Then, she had attacked the man, and Chris had responded by pulling her off of him into an embrace that both angered and thrilled her all at the same time. Then, the looks of surprise and then amusement on both Tanner's and Jackson's faces had at first made her struggle to be released for the humiliation of having lost her control. Finally, the absurdity of what Vin had said had made her see why Larabee was laughing, why they were all amused. Mary had just physically reacted to the same anger and tension they had all been feeling since hearing that three of their own had been attacked and wounded in some strange town.

Not only had strangers attacked and wounded their brothers, but some stranger wanted their leader dead. As different in appearances as they were in backgrounds, these seven men had forged a brotherhood that went beyond blood and backgrounds and upbringing. They might have their own quarrels within their group, even the loud disagreement that often ended in the rare fight, but when one of the seven needed support, the others were right there. No explanation was required; no questions were asked. The seven always presented a closed, unified support for the one in need. When one hurt, the others hurt with him, and in this case it was no different. Ezra might loudly scoff at the idea that he believed in friendship just as much as any of the others, but he was always right in the thick of it whenever anyone needed him. Mary had seen the appalled look on Ezra's face give way to intense disdain as he had listened to Radcliffe blame his partner for the multitude of sins they had committed together. She had seen the rage settle into his eyes, and she had seen even the hatred consume the others as they fought the rage that threatened to open a world of Old Testament on Radcliffe that would have killed the man.

Mary stayed at the window for some time looking out into the night in the direction of Four Corners. Soon, very soon this would all be over, and she would be home. Billy was staying with the Potters until the Terrells returned to town to check on the home they were building. Then, he would go and stay with Jamie. The Terrell home's completion would coincide with the opening of the new train depot linking Four Corners to Brecken and the rest of the world. So many things had changed, even these men whom she considered her best friends. Not many women could boast being friends with such an eclectic and dangerous group of men without having their virtue questioned, but no one ever treated Mary with anything but respect. The absurdity of anyone trying to treat her as anything less than a lady with Chris Larabee and his men around made Mary grin in unholy glee. They were a group of men only fools would cross. She never would have believed the day Chris and Vin had saved Nathan Jackson from certain death that these men would become so important to her and the town, but they had.

They were just as important to the rest of the town. So many people owed their lives to the Seven that they had become quite possessive of their peacekeepers. Just today she had received a telegram from home asking when their Seven would return. Short, to the point, and not wasting any words, Mary had no doubt that Billy had talked Bill into sending the telegram free of charge. She had sent her answer back to Bill telling him to tell Billy that all was fine, and they would return within the week. Thinking of her son and home brought a sense of peace and contentment to her. Suddenly, she wanted nothing more than to be home writing this latest chapter in the lives of the Seven. She had an exclusive here that would be the envy of journalists all over the country, and she knew all the facts firsthand. It was a journalistic coop that made her realize she needed to get her sleep, so she would not lose any of her story due to falling asleep on the job. She eagerly returned to her repose no longer worried about any bad dreams. So determined to get her rest so that she missed nothing important, Mary failed to see the man who had ridden silently into town. He watched her as she moved out from the moonlight streaming into the window into the depths of her room. She had forgotten to close and lock the window, and her room was two doors down from Larabee's room.

Chapter 22

The ride from the ranch to Ivyville had certainly afforded Franklin the necessary time in which to calm down and form a viable plan. The crisp night air had done much to alleviate his aching head, and he made his plans as he slowed his weary horse to a walk right outside of town. Entering town cautiously, Franklin dismounted at the livery leaving his horse there to make certain that no one spotted him. Making note of the beautiful woman in the moonlight, Franklin remembered Radcliffe telling him about Larabee's woman, the newspaper editor and daughter-in-law to Judge Travis. Mary Travis was indeed a beauty, one Franklin would not mind getting to know better despite her poor taste in men. Her main attraction, however, was her room was two doors down from the room in which Mrs. Gates had reported Larabee was safely ensconced. However, he had more important tasks ahead of him other than admiring a beautiful woman in the waning moonlight.

Smiling to himself, he went over his plan one more time. If he was careful, very careful, it would be easy to fool the law and the townspeople by blaming it all on Radcliffe. Tonight Radcliffe and Larabee would both die by his hand, and he would use Pepper as his alibi. He would have the satisfaction of revenge upon Pepper and Tammy Jo by naming them as Radcliffe's accomplices. He could say the two women were supposed to keep him out of town while Radcliffe killed Larabee, but Tammy Jo, new to Radcliffe's evil schemes, had become frightened and confessed all to Franklin. Horrified to learn of his partner's nefarious conspiracies, Franklin had tried to rush into town to prevent the murder, but Pepper had delayed him by knocking him out and tying him up. She and Tammy Jo had disappeared into the night taking all of Franklin's money and the records of Radcliffe's illegal activities.

It was sheer genius that had prompted him to destroy all those records and kill Curry before he left the ranch. Always thinking ahead, Franklin had pushed, shoved, and half carried the drugged Curry down to the stables trying to wake him up in order to get his help. Instead he had shot the hired killer in frustration at being unable to get him out of the useless state in which the laudanum had rendered him. What use was a sharp shooting killer if his arm was broken, and he was drugged? Besides, now, Franklin would not have to pay Curry his money. After all, who deserved to keep his money more than himself? He could always claim Curry had been hired to kill him at Pepper's signal; instead, he had to kill Curry in self-defense. With no records, the women's theft of his money, and their subsequent disappearance would all lend credence to his tale. Franklin had released himself, fought with Curry, and then rushed into town to alert the sheriff. Too late to save Larabee, he could only save himself as Radcliffe turned his weapon on him. With his partner and Larabee both dead, there would be no actual witnesses left alive to identify him as Avery Franklin. He would be the only one left and left with his money and his freedom.

Smug and extremely self-satisfied, Franklin silently made his way to the mayor's house. Using his key and entering quietly, he made his way into Radcliffe's bedroom. His surprise at finding no one there was cause for concern. Radcliffe always stayed in town, and he had sworn he would remain here until he had succeeded in killing Larabee or discovering what the seven had planned. The bed had not been slept in. He walked throughout the empty house looking for clues. Finally, Franklin had to admit that maybe, just maybe Radcliffe had run out on him taking all the money he could this hands on. That could work in his favor. Before rushing off, he needed to search the town for Radcliffe. He could alter his plan and swear that Radcliffe had murdered Larabee and then run off to join Pepper and Tammy Jo. He could still kill Larabee and blame Radcliffe. The men chasing after Radcliffe would kill him on sight. Either way, Radcliffe and Larabee would both be conveniently dead. Leaving the house as quietly as he had entered, Franklin slithered through the alley's inky darkness searching for one of his paid informants.

Zeke was nowhere to be found.

The moonlight would soon be giving way to dawn.

Hank, the town drunk was not in his usual spot behind the saloon.

Dawn was fast approaching. The safety the night's secrecy afforded him would soon be lost.

Sam was not in the livery and neither was Radcliffe's horse.

People would soon be greeting the new day.

This was the first inkling that maybe, just maybe, his foolproof plan was not viable. Finally, with dawn minutes away and the town still eerily silent, Franklin began to feel the panic of the walls closing around him. He made his way to the boarding house and let himself in by way of the Widow Gates' window. The old lady nearly had heart failure when one strong hand clapped over her mouth, and the other held her down. Her lamp had been lit, and she calmed immediately having recognized her assailant. Shaking her head that she understood the need to be quiet, Franklin released his hold on her temporarily, but indicated she should stay where she was.

"Where's the mayor?"

"They got him locked in the closet upstairs in Larabee's room." Hortense craned her neck in order to see Franklin's eyes. What she saw caused tendrils of fear to run rampant on her spine. The rage roiling in Franklin's eyes literally scared the widow into silence. She leaned as far away as her pillow and mattress would allow her from the enraged man.

'They had him. Damn Radcliffe to hell and gone!' Franklin knew his partner. The little weasel was just like Franklin. He would sell his partner down the river to save himself. There was no loyalty in their alliance. They were not friends, just strangers with numerous crimes and a plethora of gold between them. However, his plan wasn't quite ruined, yet. If he could get upstairs before Larabee awoke, then he could kill them both. It would be easy to make it look like Larabee had surprised an escaping Radcliffe, and both men had died in the encounter. That plan calmed Franklin instantly.

Franklin turned emotionless eyes upon the widow. "Give me your room keys." Hortense, frightened more by the lack of emotion than the rage that had possessed Franklin moments ago, reached over and took her keys off of her night stand. Franklin deftly reached behind Hortense and grabbed the pillow. The pristine white, lace edged linen beneath his tanned hands was a stark reminder of how fastidious Hortense had always been of her clean, starched sheets and pillowcases. Now one of those pillowcases of which she had been so proud was pressed over her face even as she handed the keys to him.

The big brass ring that held the master keys hooked on her pinkie as her hands clawed, scratched, and beat on his stronger hands, clawing his wrists as she tried to break the hold he had on her. Her muffled cries were frantic, and then they began to taper off. The keys fell with a loud jangle to the floor below as her hands slipped lifeless to rest on the crumple sheets beside her body. Her fierce struggle ended as silence once more filled the darkened room. Franklin straightened silently and waited, his harsh panting mingling with the sound of his own heart beating.

He was panting, but not from fear or exertion. Franklin was panting from the sheer release of having smothered a woman to death. He always felt alive, attuned to every sound and nuance of the kill. The simple act of killing someone always left him with a feeling of euphoria that allowed no other activity to affect him with the same pleasure. It was why he wanted to light the fuse that had blown up the train, and why he had refused to move until the screaming and shouts for help had tapered off into an eerie silence. It was what made him pull the trigger that had blown half of Lawson's skull away. It was the same need to feel the life slipping from his victim that had made him snap the neck of that young saloon girl or strangle that old doctor to death. Both had been nosing around in his business, and Franklin allowed no one to do that. But, Franklin was careful never to let anyone else see him commit murder after he had seen Radcliffe's horror at the apparent joy he had exhibited when he had killed the Army officer. It was a lesson well learned as he discovered that even a man as greedy as Radcliffe could stomach only so much blood and violence. A pity though, because Franklin had chosen Radcliffe thinking the man enjoyed a good kill as much as he did.

Noticing dawn's light beginning to glow faintly, Franklin slipped out of the room and shut the door. It made no sound, but the first two steps of the stairs creaked angrily as Franklin mounted them. They were loud, too loud. Stopping, Franklin waited to see if anyone had heard anything. Silence. No sounds anywhere. Franklin grinned evilly. He still had time to get upstairs before anyone else knew he was there. Franklin had no idea that he was not as silent as he believed himself to be. He climbed the stairs slowly keeping to the far-left side hoping its untrammeled carpet would serve to muffle his ascent even more.

Eyes in the room directly above the recently departed Mrs. Gates's popped open at the sound of the creaking stairs. It wasn't so much the creaking sound as it was the absolute silence that followed it. Ezra Standish sat up in bed. Still wearing his shirt and trousers from the night before, he reached for his gun lying under the pillow that he had used to prop up his left shoulder that sometimes ached in the cold mornings.

"Easy on, Ezra. Got woke up just a bit ago by some noises that didn't sound quite right." Vin's whispered words barely carried the distance between the two beds. The younger man was wearing an open shirt with his suspenders dangling from his pants just as Ezra's were. Both men faced each other in the space between the two beds and began to pull up their suspenders while Ezra paused to try and smooth out some of the many wrinkles. It was a lost cause, and he ruefully grinned at Vin's knowing smirk at his useless efforts.

"You mean it was not the sound of our young friend deriving his perverse pleasure from his innate talent to be able to snore anywhere despite the weather, the degree of discomfort, and lack of caution that we have all developed over our many years of experience?" Ezra's speech was whispered as well. Vin only grinned in return as JD sighed loudly from the cot by the window and turned over mid snore.

"Hell, Ezra. I been woke up by trains that weren't as loud as JD."

"He does tend to make one appreciate the absence of sound one used to enjoy when one was on one's own."

"Yeah, but it ain't half as much fun as hearing him an' Josiah bitch 'bout who snores louder, him or Josiah."

"I agree, my friend. May I ask why we are bothering to continue to keep our voices low? I believe it is time that young Mr. Dunne joined us in greeting the dawn." A slight creaking sound convinced Ezra that silence was a very good idea at this particular moment.

Pulling his other boot on, Vin stood and grinned at Ezra again. Without speaking, he pointed to the door and to his own chest. Then, nodding to Ezra, Vin pointed to JD.

Ezra grinned and gave Vin his patented two-fingered salute. He motioned, "After you," to Vin, while he moved to stand over JD. Putting his hand over JD's mouth and shaking JD's shoulder gently, Ezra put his forefinger to his lips indicating the age old symbol for silence. He pointed to the door as Vin silently made his way to it clutching is mare's leg in his hand. Just as silently, Vin opened the door. Looking back at his two friends who followed sockless but armed, they exited into the darkness of the hallway.

Chapter 23

Ezra, then JD, followed Vin without making a sound; not even a board creaked. Vin noted with a satisfied grin to himself that his two friends had learned a great deal about stealth from him as they silently made their way down the hall toward the stairs. He was especially proud of JD; Ezra was already pretty darn good at slithering. Vin was just about to grin at them in silent acknowledgment when the silence was broken by a sharp hiss. JD had stepped on a sharp object in the hallway and had involuntarily hissed as he lost his balance. Then, in a comedy of errors, an unbalanced JD bumped into Ezra, who grunted as the kid's compact body lurched into him, throwing him off balance into Mary's door that was just opening. Ezra fell to the floor at a startled Mary's feet with a loud thud forcing another grunt out of him even louder than the last time. The lovely widow had also heard a suspicious noise and had come to her door to peer out in order to satisfy her curiosity. The beginning of the grin on Vin's face turned into a look of disgust as he shook his head.

"So much for stealth," Vin muttered as he ran toward the louder noise coming from the staircase. He threw orders over his shoulder as he ran. "JD, stay with Mary an' lock the door! Take care a her! Ezra, come with me!"

JD reached out to pull Ezra to his feet as did Mary, but the nimble gambler spun them both as he tore after Vin gun in hand. JD gently pushed Mary into the room and shut and locked the door. He heard doors opening and people shouting questions. Buck was yelling for Nathan to stay with Chris and for Josiah to follow him. There was a knock and then someone tried to open Mary's door.

"Mary? Are you all right?" It was Judge Travis, but JD grabbed Mary by the wrist when she would have opened the door. "Mary? Let me in!"

JD shook his head and indicated Mary should answer him. Mary frowned at JD, but the young man was adamant. Vin had told him to take care of Mary, and JD was not willing to face either Chris Larabee or Vin Tanner with the news that something had happened to Mary. "Go on."

"I'm fine! Vin told JD to take care of me, and now he won't let me unlock the door!" She frowned at JD, but the young man had the audacity to grin at her. Her frown broke into a reluctant grin. Sometimes having seven men for friends who were determined to protect her could be annoying. They were such men, and she was just a frail and helpless woman. Her grin turned back into a frown as she got all worked up thinking she was perfectly capable of protecting herself. The judge didn't make it any easier.

"Good, you stay in there! I'll be out here with a shotgun, son! Take care of my daughter!"

Mary stuck a very unladylike tongue out at the door. 'Daughter? Just like the judge to get all fatherly over her when he thought her life was threatened. Like JD would take extra care of her if her father-in-law claimed her as his daughter instead of his late son's wife. Men!'

JD grinned ducking his head to hide it from Mary. No sense in getting the feisty lady too annoyed. Not even Chris provoked Mary unless he knew he had a sure fired way to defuse her wrath fairly quickly. He watched surreptitiously as she began to pace back and forth. Things had gotten quiet, too quiet. JD tried to concentrate on hearing what was going on, and Mary stopped pacing to join him. Her curiosity and worry had pushed her initial exception to the treatment of women far back in her mind. She would plan her next move for the emancipation of women when her men no longer needed her.

They were both dying to know what had happened when all of a sudden there was a shout, and then pandemonium broke out. Men were yelling, a woman screamed, shots rang out, then a momentary silence ensued. The noise began again as men were heard shouting orders. Mary cast a worried look at JD, but he was adamant, shaking his head in regret. Vin would be angry if he opened the door before he knew if it was safe to do so. How he hated waiting to find out if everyone was all right!

Then, he heard Ezra yelling for Nathan. Someone was injured! Someone had been hurt! Mary's face was a mask of concern as she listened as intently as JD. Then, she lost her patience. Walking to the door, she put her hand on the doorknob only to find JD's hand over hers. She looked into worried brown eyes and didn't have the heart to put any more on his worried shoulders. Shaking her head in agreement, Mary let go of the knob. Instead she decided to yell just like everyone else was yelling.

"What's happening? Why do they need Nathan?"

Mary found her hands engulfed by JD once more. This time he smiled in encouragement.

"I think Vin got shot. I can hear him telling Nathan it's just a scratch and to stop pawing at him. Buck's coming, now."

"JD, open up! We need you an' Mary!"

"What's the signal?"

"Aw! JD, you know it's me! Just open the damn door! JD? We ain't got time for this!"

"It ain't nonsense! I told you how they shot Cal Johnson by forcin' his girl to yell to him to open the door!"

"This ain't no dime novel, JD!" Buck's voice held just a hint of impatience and a lot of disgust for JD's reading preference, but no worry.

JD shot Mary a look of disgust as a giggle escaped from behind her hand. Both knew that Buck would not take time to argue if the situation was dangerous. Mary's giggle was infectious as JD broke into a full-fledged grin. This was one reason why he had chosen this password. No one would expect any of the seven to know this word much less say it. "Well?"

There was a muffled sound from the other side of the door.

"I can't hear you!" JD's voice was that singsong, 'I've got you now voice,' little brothers used so effectively with which to drive their elder siblings crazy. There was a disgusted snort from the other side of the door, and Mary lift one elegant eyebrow in question. She was intrigued, now, and getting just a tad impatient herself.

"Kumquat! There, I said 'kumquat'! Now open the damn door 'fore Nathan has to dig a bullet outa ya!"

The door opened with a click. Mary looked past Buck's scowling countenance to her father-in-law as JD flew from the room with his mouth moving faster than his feet. Her mouthed, 'Kumquat?' was drowned out by JD's rampant curiosity.

"How bad's Vin shot? Who shot him? Who screamed? Anybody else shot? Chris okay? We catch 'm?"

"Just a graze. Don't know, but think it's Franklin or one of his cronies. Peggy screamed. Vin an' Ezra are fighting over who winged the bastard. Chris's fine, and no we didn't catch him. Can we go help Ezra an' Josiah, now?"

"Geez, Buck. What are we doin' wastin' time here? Let's go help catch that bastard! Oh, sorry, Mary, Judge." JD knew Mary and Judge Travis were good folks and not ones to fuss over such a small thing as language in the heat of the moment, at least he hoped they understood. But, he had little time to worry over it. JD was already pushing Buck down the hallway. He didn't notice Buck hadn't moved an inch as he turned back to Judge Travis and Mary. "I bet Chris wants you in there with him, right Buck?"

Buck turned JD back towards the door. "Go get your boots an' Ezra's." Looking at Mary, he winked. "Chris and Vin might be a little more likely to cooperate an' less likely to shoot anyone if you're there." Judge Travis grinned as he took Mary's arm to escort her to the room two doors down. Buck grabbed JD by his collar as the kid came barreling out the door trying to put his other boot on while balancing on one foot and holding Ezra's boots under his arm. Holding JD up until the boot was halfway in place, Buck then shoved him down the hall in front of him. "Come on, Kumquat. Let's go catch the bad guy."

They had not even made it to the end of the stairs when Ezra came flying back up the stairs. "Mrs. Gates is dead. Peggy said that the unfortunate woman had several business dealings with Radcliffe and Franklin. Miss Irons is quite certain that the man who broke into her room was Franklin. I believe I am correct in offering the opinion that the blackguard was almost certainly on his way to Mr. Larabee's room and it was not for a reunion."

JD stopped and looked at Ezra, then Buck. "You otta get excited more often, Ezra. I actually understood every word of that." Ezra frowned at him, and Buck cuffed him on the back of his head. "Ow! What'd you do that for?"

"I expect Buck was feeling you were being a tad too flippant, son." Josiah walked sedately up the stairs with Peggy leaning on his arm. "The Sheriff and two of his deputies are on their way out to Franklin's ranch now. He left one man guarding the jail. Lawson said the man wasn't getting' away now. Wants us to follow with Vin if he's able, and the rest of us should wait over at the jail in case there's any more trouble brewin'."

"He ain't gonna go back to his ranch. It's too obvious a place for him to hide. His only chance is to get some men together an' kill Chris an' Radcliffe at one time 'fore they can identify him in court. Ain't that right, Judge?" Vin was standing at the opening of the door with Chris behind him. He had his sleeve torn off and a white bandage wrapped around his left arm. Before Ezra could agree with him, Vin saw the rueful look Josiah gave Nathan and rolled his eyes. "Don't you go sayin' nuthin' about my left side bein' marked with a bull's eye. I already get enough of that from 'Him'." The others grinned at 'Him'.

'Him' was standing to the left of Chris behind Vin, and Nathan was grinning ear to ear. "Me an' Vin think Chris is right. Time we took care of these fellas once an' for all."

"I believe that Mr. Tanner is correct in his assessment of the situation. Don't you agree, Judge?" This time no one interrupted when Orrin Travis answered.

"All of the proof went up with the train, gentlemen and ladies. The only way we can convict Franklin of anything is with Chris's testimony combined with Radcliffe's. Everything else is circumstantial. I believe the jail is better fortified against attack than this building."

"It will be now, since Miz Gates' room keys are all gone." Peggy Irons was disheveled but her feisty spirit was unchecked. "He musta killed her for them."

The knowledge that the boarding house was no longer safe was apparent, and everyone grew silent knowing that their best chance to bring Franklin to justice while keeping Radcliffe alive long enough to testify was to lock themselves up into the jail. It would be a little cramped, but with plenty of food and water, Franklin would appear sooner or later. However, could they trust the townspeople to remain safely indoors until it was all over? They were after all strangers in this little town that had been terrorized by Radcliffe and Franklin far too long. Chris Larabee stepped forward. With his head and shoulder now just a dull ache that reminded him he was human, his memory fully restored, and surrounded by his brothers, Chris felt it was time to restore justice in this small town.

"We move to the jail. Buck, get Radcliffe. Josiah, take Mary and JD to get whatever you think we need to stock up on."

"I'll go with them instead of Mary an' lend a hand." Chris nodded his thanks at Nathan. No way in hell did Chris want Mary in any more danger. Sharing the jail with Polecat Adams and his unique aroma was danger enough. Chris didn't notice Nathan motion to Mary he wanted Chris to rest as much as possible. Mary's look of annoyance changed to one of sly conspiracy. She would keep Mr. Larabee in the jail if she had to get Vin and Buck to lock the gunman in a cell.

"If Miss Irons would be so kind as to accompany me, I shall endeavor to encourage the denizens of this fair berg to partake in a day or relaxation and the enjoyment of family life today."

Chris's grin was feral and his eyes sparkled with deadly intent. "If anyone can convince these folks to stay inside until Franklin makes his move, you can, Ezra. I want everybody at the jail within the hour. Watch your backs. Vin's gonna watch 'em from the roof of the jail."

"You can count on that." Vin took the lead down the stairs as Buck encouraged the gagged and trussed up Radcliffe to walk down the stairs between them. Mary Travis followed with Chris Larabee behind her. Judge Travis followed as did Josiah and the other men as they filed in to follow Larabee's orders.

The older man smiled to himself. Larabee was back firmly in control, and his men were ready to take on the devil himself to see justice done. He had often pondered the notion that Fate was a woman for only a woman with a wicked sense of humor would have sent him these men to save his life that day he witnessed Lucas James commit murder. Only a woman would think it amusing to send such a motley crew of different men, strangers to one another, to protect a little town like Four Corners. He would never have thought that any of them individually would have come together to be such awesome champions of justice. They were a team so tightly attuned to one another that one's pain was felt by all, one's actions anticipated and balanced. They worked together as brothers, fighting amongst themselves, one-upping one another whenever possible, but presenting an impregnable force whenever one was threatened.

Buck and Vin had protected Larabee knowing the others would come as soon as they were called. They all had been prepared to do whatever lay in their power to aid in his recovery of his memory even if it meant backing off from Chris. Ezra and JD had willingly put themselves into a dangerous con that could have backfired and gotten them killed. Vin had stayed hidden in a precarious place in order to find the culprits behind the attack. Fate had decided it was time for Radcliffe and Franklin to pay for their sins, and Fate had happily sent Polecat Adams to draw Larabee here to Ivyville to start in motion the wheels of justice.

Orrin Travis had known many brave men, evil men, foolish men, but never had he known seven men to carry such a strong sense of justice and propensity to help see justice done than these seven men. Even the con man had a heart of gold that would cause him to use his talents to help rather than fleece those in need. Travis admired these men greatly and respected them. He felt a paternal pride in them, since it was he who had recognized the nobility beneath the hard exteriors. Well hard in every case except JD, whose naiveté was fast being replaced by a responsible and experienced maturity. Travis could almost feel it in his heart to feel sorry for the fate that awaited Franklin. Almost, but as a servant of justice, he was ready to harden his heart. The man deserved whatever Fate had in store for him.

Chapter 24

They never made it to the jail. Just as Vin opened the door of the boarding house, a shot rang out. Chips of wood flew out in a random pattern as the bullet plowed into the door just inches from Vin's head. Several more followed inflicting damage on furniture, walls, and windows. Everyone fanned out as Tanner pulled the door shut, and the others dove for cover. Chris had pushed Mary off into the room he had inhabited the first night in Ivyville. Peggy followed as Ezra and JD rushed to cover the back exit. Buck had dumped Radcliffe onto the lobby floor and was at present crouching behind the overturned table from the front parlor. Vin was leaning against one side of the door under the front window directly in front of Buck who was keeping an eye on the struggling Radcliffe. Chris and Nathan had taken the other side of the door and the window opposite Vin. Josiah had taken the bedroom window where Mary sat ensconced behind the overturned bed with Peggy and Judge Travis.

"Where'd they come from, Vin?" Larabee was well and truly pissed.

Tanner noted the anger in Larabee's voice and turned to survey the scene. The street was deserted, but he could see people shutting windows, curtains, shutters, and doors for their protection. The mechanical way they worked told Tanner that the citizens of Ivyville had practice in surviving gun battles. Then, he saw the morning sun glint off the barrel of a rifle.

"They're in the jail! Appears to be five of them, maybe more." He raised his voice, so Josiah could hear him in the other room. "Josiah, you know who the sheriff left in charge?"

The deep voice rumbled from the next room. "It was some local man, kind of fidgety, hadn't seen him before."

Peggy stuck her head out long enough to add her knowledge. "That must have been Simon Thatcher. He usually works at the livery cause he don't like talkin' with folks much. Good man, though."

"Dead man more likely," Buck looked grim. "No way in hell Franklin or Polecat would let a man live when they could gun him down instead."

Peggy looked from man to man to see they all agreed with Buck that either Franklin or Polecat had probably killed Thatcher. "That's a damn shame, then. Simon was always a real good tipper. Polecat, is that the killer who's uglier than a toad an' smells worse than an outhouse in August? Man that foul surely's got no respect for much a anything." Peggy had always believed in giving her honest opinion.

Buck snorted with laughter, and Nathan actually tipped his hat to Peggy. Chris even grinned, although the feral quality inherent in the grin sent shivers up Peggy's spine. Vin's growl of appreciation reminded Peggy that she had chosen the right side in this battle. Now, if only the rest of the townspeople would realize that Lawson and the seven were here to save the town, then they might forget how scared they were and come out to help. Peggy was tired of tiptoeing around watching everything she said and did for fear she would mysteriously disappear, too. It was time to end this reign of terror. She looked up to see Vin looking at her instead of keeping an eye on the jail across the street. There were enough eyes on the jail already.

"Well, hell, Peg. Man stinks so bad you could follow his stench in the middle of a twister an' never lose the trail. I always wondered how you folks let him get as far away as Four Corners."

"Well, I reckon, now that I think about it, that Polecat might a had some help gettin' away." Anything else she would have said was drowned out as the men in the jail opened fire on the men and women in the boarding house. Peggy ducked instinctively as bullets shattered glass and splintered wood all around her. Returning fire, shots peppered the jail and the boarding house as both sides traded bullets in a fierce gun battle. What really impressed Peggy, though, was the way the men fought as a single unit, each one knowing exactly what the other was going to do. That impressed her as much as the banter that seemed to flow effortlessly as they participated in the fight. She glanced over at Radcliffe as the man's muffled screams of terror could be heard. The man writhed on the floor trying to roll to some kind of cover. Finally, Buck reached out and dragged the bound man behind the table.

"You make one move I don't like, an' I'll get my friend over there to gut you like a fish!" Radcliffe shook his head in terror indicating he would cause no trouble. Buck rejoined Vin at the window.

"Thanks a lot, Buck." Vin sighted his mare's leg and took a shot. One gun ceased firing from the jail. He ducked the splinter of wood gouged out of the window frame from the answering bullet. "Last month you threatened those drunk trail herders that I'd carve them up like a Thanksgivin' turkey. You keep this up, an' no one'll offer to buy me a shot whiskey or a beer much less talk to me."

Buck ducked after firing a shot. "S'alright, Vin. You keep lettin' me scare folks with your Comanche trainin', an' I'll buy you all the beer you want."

Chris snorted in disbelief. "Buck, you lyin' dog. What are you gonna buy him drinks with? You lost all your money to Ezra in that card game last week. Fact is, you're the one been puttin' all your drinks on JD's tab the minute Inez leaves the bar." Chris used his lightning reflexes to pull Nathan out of the line of fire. The bullet embedded itself in the wall right behind Nathan's head. The healer grinned his thanks and moved to a better spot in the corner that afforded him a clear shooting area yet offered more cover than he had before. The close call appeared to have little effect on his nerves.

"When do y'all think JD's gonna figure it out that it's Buck an' not Ezra been stiffin' him with the tab?"

"Now, I resent that, Nathan. You an' Chris stop spreadin' lies about me. I ain't stiffin' JD with nuthin. That's a legitimate fee I'm chargin' the kid to teach him all I know about survivin' out here in the Wild West."

"In that case, Buck, I reckon I'll buy my own drinks. With you teachin' the kid all you know about survivin', he'll be dead in another month." Vin ducked again. "Else I'll be the dead one when you use me just once too often to threaten some bull of a man Josiah's size."

"Now, don't you fret, Vin. Ole Buck here will save ya."

"Yeah, but who's gonna save him from you?" Buck's retort to Chris was cut off as both men stood and returned fire in the open window as if taunting the enemy in the jail with their inability to hit any thing important. Vin and Nathan offered cover by firing from the lower sections of the windows. They could hear Josiah's gun booming from the other room along with a rifle and several shotguns. JD popped in to see if he could help. Buck waved him off.

"Them guys couldn't hit the side of a barn with a bass fiddle, JD! Go on an' help Ezra watch our backs! We'll holler if we need ya!" The kid shook his head and disappeared back from whence he had come.

Vin glanced at Chris, his teeth flashing brilliantly white against the grime and gunpowder that covered his face. "Sounds like the Judge and Mary have joined in the fight."

"I wonder who's got the rifle an' who's got the shotguns." Chris took another shot. Judge Travis could wield a mean shotgun, while Mary had shown her aptitude for both rifle and shotgun.

"Don't rightly care. I just know I wouldn't want to make either of those three in there mad. Peggy told me that all her older brothers taught her how to fight with guns and fists." Anything more about Peggy's brothers completely left Vin's mind. He suddenly switched places with Nathan after Buck grabbed the fleshy part of his arm. Blood spurted out from between Buck's fingers. He'd been hit in the arm by a ricocheting bullet.

"Look at that, boys. These idiots can't even shoot a man when he's standin' up offerin' a target. Nope, they got to get ya with a damned ricochet."

"You're damned lucky they didn't fill you an' Chris full a lead when you two fools stood straight up in the winda." Nathan ducked down by the ladies' man, taking a handkerchief from his pocket and a bandanna tossed to him by Vin. Chris tossed him the sling he had been using. Nathan tore it up to make two pads to cover the entry and exit wounds. He slapped the makeshift bandages on Buck's arm. "I'll clean that with carbolic later. Don't you get shot no more, Buck."

"Damn, Nathan, you're rougher than a corn cob in an outhouse. I sure as certain ain't gettin' shot no more." It hurt like hell, and he was bleeding like a stuck pig. The blood had soon soaked through the makeshift bandage, but Nathan didn't look worried at all.

"You go take my bag into the kitchen an' get Ezra or JD to put a thicker bandage on that wound. Hold onto it tight until the bleedin' stops an' I can clean it real good. You'll do fine." Buck didn't budge but turned a stubborn face to Nathan. Chris deemed it time to interfere as another barrage of bullets hit the front of the boarding house. Josiah and company kept them busy by unloading their own brand of justice on the men in the jail.

"Why don't you go relieve Ezra or JD in the back? Ezra's probably ready to shoot JD by now with him goin' back and forth between here and the back like a duck in a carnival shootin' contest." Buck knew that Chris was giving him a chance to retire gracefully to tend his wound before his loss of blood became a problem, but he had no intention of leaving the fight to someone else. His tight bond with JD, however, worked to his disadvantage. JD appeared from out of nowhere at his elbow.

"It's quiet as a church out back, Buck. Ezra says if you don't trade places with him, he's gonna do something about constructing me a new orahfiss. Whatever the hell that means. Since I don't want no new orahfisses, you trade with him. I can bandage that arm for ya real good while we're back there, okay?" When put that way, Buck could not refuse.

Vin glanced at Nathan and mouthed, "Orahfiss?" Then, he turned, took another shot, and ducked down to reload his mare's leg. A lull in the gun battle ensued, as both sides seemed to pause long enough to reload and assess the situation.

The air was filled with the smell of gunpowder and heavy with smoke. Peggy could barely hear herself think, but nodded to Mary that she was all right. Judge Travis looked positively invigorated. The grin on his face indicated he was having a great time. He actually gave Mary a cheeky grin before turning back to the window he was guarding. He knew the boys would let him know if he was needed elsewhere. Mary just shrugged her shoulders at Peggy as if to say, 'Men!' Peggy grinned her understanding. The two women crawled across the floor to check on the others in the front parlor. They got to the door as JD stuck his head in from the kitchen to explain that Ezra would be in after he fixed up Buck's arm.

The indignant yell from the kitchen indicated Ezra was using the carbolic on Buck's wound. Nathan winked at JD. "Tell Ezra I didn't know he made such a good nurse. He ever wants to quit gamblin', I'll hire him."

Mary and Peggy stuck their heads around the corner during a lull in the gun battle while each side reloaded. They ran into Chris as he was tossing Vin more cartridges. Peggy quickly explained their mission. "There's water in that jug on the floor just inside the kitchen. Anyone as thirsty as I am?"

Peggy would have gotten to her feet to get the water, but gunfire suddenly erupted from the back of the boarding house. Chris motioned Vin to check it out as he shoved Mary and Peggy into Josiah's waiting arms. The big man apologized as he tossed the women under cover again.

The gunfire in the back of the boarding house was a signal for the men in the front. Two other men, Franklin's missing henchman, Hank and Zeke who had been jailed the day before, came out firing continuously at the boarding house. Another one followed them. He had a bloody bandage around his upper arm. Two more could be seen at the door of the jail. Franklin's men were trying to rush them from the front and the rear. Hank made it to the water trough in front of the jail. Zeke took cover behind several crates in front of the general store. Chris took out the unknown man as he tried to run across the street. Shot in the chest, the man was dead before his body thudded to the ground. Dirt and dust drifted about and finally settled on the body. The sounds in back thundered throughout the boarding house and then suddenly died down.

Torn between rushing to help the others in the back and defending the front, Chris and the others returned fire sporadically, constantly looking towards the back. Then, there was the sound of furious activity, this time from the roof. A familiar boom took out Hank. He fell headfirst into the water trough tumbling it over onto the hard, packed ground. Splashing water all over the dusty ground caused little rivulets of bloody mud to form around the body and overturned trough.

Zeke tried to make it back to the safety of the jail, but he was cut down by yet another shot from the roof. Chris looked at Nathan.

"Vin an' Ezra by the sounds."

"Who else is crazy enough to take the high ground with bullets flying from both directions." Nathan relaxed a little. "Must mean we won out back."

"Must mean," Chris leaned against the wall, closing his eyes, trusting Vin and Ezra to keep watch for now. His head was pounding and his shoulder felt like it was on fire, but he still felt the exhilaration of being himself again. No more doubts whether it was a memory or a dream. No more wondering if the men around him were strangers or men. The fast and furious battle had at least reassured him that he was finally back in control of his own life, his own memories. He no longer felt like a stranger in his own skin. JD's abrupt reappearance brought his eyes open with a snap. It caused his head to pound just a little louder, but he took a calming breath and concentrated on the man in front of him. Now, if he could just get JD to stop pacing back and forth, maybe his head wouldn't start spinning in time with the pounding.

"JD, will you stop pacing back and forth? Son, you're making me dizzier than a bat." Judge Travis's voice commanded and received obedience. Chris turned to give the older man a smile of thanks.

The Judge was standing in the doorway with Mary, Peggy, and Josiah in various positions surrounding him trying to get a better look inside the parlor. Had Hortense Gates not already been dead, the old woman would have had apoplexy. The room was in shambles. Bullet holes riddled the walls; her pride and joy, her blue rug had blood on it. The tables and chairs also carried their own wounds from the bullet holes and ricochets. How the men had managed to come through this with just one injury amazed Judge Travis. Sheriff Lawson was several steps behind JD next to Buck. Peggy's mouth was hanging open, and Mary was about to speak when JD burst out with his news not wanting anyone else to beat him to it.

"The sheriff rode up just in time. He and his deputies opened fire and we got three of Franklin's men in the crossfire. The other one gave up real fast. The deputies got him tied up out back. Then, Vin an' Ezra took the dynamite that was left from the mine an' took off for the roof. I'm gonna go up there with 'em, but I wanted to tell you what was happenin' out back so you wouldn't worry."

Chris had followed JD's rapid-fire speech with little trouble, since he had seen Lawson and Buck both nod to him that everything out back was under control. It was the news that Vin and Ezra had somehow gotten dynamite and were sitting on top of the roof with it that started that telltale throbbing of that vein in his forehead. Then, JD had said he was going to join them up there. 'God help us, we're doomed,' was the look on Larabee's face.

Josiah put his head down to hide the grin. So, too, did Mary and Nathan. Judge Travis shook his head, and Peggy closed her mouth with a snap, her eyes narrowing in confusion as to why Larabee had suddenly grown so quiet and still. Lawson looked around at all of the faces, his puzzlement for all to see. Buck, however, just threw back his head and roared.

"I'm goin' up on the roof with JD, Chris. I want a good seat for the fireworks," snorted Buck. "I can't wait to see them two take care of Franklin and Polecat. Ezra told Vin it was time for those two 'miscreants' to pay for their sins. Vin just said he was tired of all this an' it was time to end it." Buck turned to go with JD when a voice, low and quiet, but filled with command stopped him dead in his tracks. Even JD stood as motionless and quiet as a statue. He stopped to turn and see that infamous vein throbbing even harder and faster right in the middle of Larabee's forehead. The rhythmic pulse-like throbbing fascinated the hell out of JD.

"No one else's goin' on the roof unless it's to knock some sense into those two idiots; an' no one's havin' that pleasure but me." Chris started to expound upon his displeasure at JD's tidbit of information, but Ezra interrupted him. His cultured voice seemed oddly out of place in this strange little town that had just moments ago been inundated with gunshots.

"YOUR MEN HAVE FAILED! THOSE WHO ARE FORTUNATE TO STILL LIVE ARE IN OUR CUSTODY, AND WE KNOW THAT THERE ARE ONLY TWO OF YOU LEFT INSIDE THE JAIL! I WOULD SUGGEST SURRENDER IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO REMAIN ALIVE AND HEALTHY! I AM UNABLE TO ESTIMATE HOW MUCH LONGER I SHALL BE ABLE TO CONVINCE MY PARTNER THAT YOU SHOULD GREET YOUR FATE AT THE HANDS OF A JURY INSTEAD OF THE EXPEDIENCY OF DYNAMITE!"

Chris put his head in his hands. "He just say what I thought he said?"

Polecat Adams wasn't as smart as Larabee or Franklin. "WHAT'D YOU SAY?"

"HE SAID I MIGHT LET YOU LIVE YOU GIVE UP NOW AN' COME OUT WITH YOUR HANDS HIGH AND HOLSTERS EMPTY! COURSE, I DON'T MIND SAVING THE MONEY FOR A TRIAL BY BLOWIN' YOU AN' YOUR MURDERIN' FRIEND TO KINGDOM COME!"

"WE AIN'T SCARED OF YOU! COME AND GET US IFEN YOU THINK YOU CAN!"

The people downstairs all imagined what was going through the outlaws' minds at this moment. Josiah was distracted for just a moment.

"Was that a groan I heard from Brother Chris?" He whispered his question to Mary. Of course his whisper was heard by everyone in the room.

Mary had her head down, but she turned back to Josiah. "I think we both heard a groan from Chris, but I believe he will pull it together quite soon. Vin and Ezra have yet to kill him with their good ideas," she whispered back, failing miserably at keeping her whisper lower than Josiah's had been. The Larabee glare shot in their direction, but neither one flinched.

Chris sighed, and then he pulled himself upright. "Let's end this now, 'fore those two blow up the whole town." He finally took pity on the very confused Lawson and Peggy. "They figure if it calls for one stick of dynamite, three ought to do even better."

Both Lawson and Peggy knew enough about dynamite to know why the others were so amused and Larabee so put out, now. Franklin and Polecat had no idea the hell they were creating for themselves.

"I'd prefer to see both men hang, but dead from dynamite is just as dead." Lawson was beginning to really appreciate the way these men thought. Justice would be served either way even if the town would miss out on a double hanging. Of course he could not allow this sterling opportunity to pass without comment. "Shame about the mess blowin' up the jail will cause, but I guess we can always rebuild the jail, the dry goods store, and anything else your boys blow up." His disconsolate sigh made the others grin and Larabee shoot him a narrowed look that warned that a man shouldn't toy with an angry gunslinger. Lawson's next statement was cut short by another yelling match outside.

"WE GOT US HOSTAGES! YOU DON'T LET US GO, WE'LL KILL 'EM BOTH!" Franklin was doing the talking now from a window of the jail. Chris knew how much Franklin liked to control things. A woman and a man appeared at the door of the jail with Polecat. The man was actually being supported and dragged by Polecat. He was bloody and appeared out of it, barely able to stand. The woman, a redheaded saloon girl stood ramrod straight next to Polecat. She didn't look like she was frightened at all. Vin answered Franklin's demand.

"WE AIN'T LETTIN' YOU GO, AN' WE AIN'T LETTIN' YOU KILL ANYONE ELSE! YOU GOT HALF AN HOUR TO DECIDE TO LET THEM FOLKS GO AN' GIVE YOURSELVES UP! AFTER THAT, WE'RE COMIN' AFTER YA!" An eerie silence fell over the town.

Lawson looked closely at the two people and then back at the people in the boarding house with him. He answered before Larabee could ask. "That man is my deputy Simon, an' that woman looks familiar. Peggy, you know who she is?"

"Sadie Johanson." All eyes turned to Peggy. Lawson was the first to react.

"Damn! She's that redheaded saloon girl Polecat was hangin' around. He gave her a black eye the same day he robbed the bank! What the hell is she doin' over there?"

"Mavis Black, the laundress that does all the washin' for the saloon?" Peggy paused long enough to see if anyone was mad at her. Seeing no anger, she continued, "I was tryin' to tell you that earlier when I said they mighta had some help getting' the drop on Simon. Anyway, Mavis said Sadie told her that Polecat promised to marry her an' take her to Mexico with him. She said Sadie went with some other man for free the night before the bank robbery to make Polecat jealous enough to propose, an' he did, right after he hit her. Mavis said Sadie was gonna meet up with him, 'cept those interfering lawmen brought him in for trial. Said Sadie was madder than a hornet an' swore she'd get Polecat free. Seems Sadie is in the family way, an' she's convinced Polecat is the pa."

Buck shook his head. He was shocked speechless, well almost speechless. "How the hell could any woman want to run off with an ugly, stinkin' son of a bitch that blacked her eye? That girl Sadie workin' with a full deck?"

"You can't tell what makes people tick, Buck, 'specially women. She might have been tricked into helpin' Polecat or forced into this by Franklin. Hell, she could just be desperate for her baby's pa to marry her. Whatever her reasons, we have to make sure we get those folks outa there an' keep Franklin and Polecat from getting' away." Nathan knew the others were thinking the same thing. They had not come this far to let either murderer go free.

Chris was about to say something when Ezra appeared at the door to the kitchen. He was a little breathless having had to climb down from the roof and run through the boarding house.

"Mr. Tanner took the opportunity to look at the male hostage through his spy glass and was of the opinion that the man's throat had been cut. Per his request, I made haste to ascertain if this was indeed the fact. Our remaining prisoner just verified that the victim was indeed dead before the assault on us began. He says the woman was sought out by Franklin when his attack on us earlier this morning failed so miserably. It is alleged that the young woman was enlisted by Franklin to help set his imprisoned henchmen free. According to the man outside, Miss Johanson appeared at the jail door just after you and the other deputies rode off screaming that a man tried to attack her. She distracted the late Mr. Thatcher long enough for Mr. Franklin to slit his throat. I need to return to Mr. Tanner post haste in order to inform him of his accurate assumption and as to when you wish us to encourage their surrender?"

Ezra noted as soon as he had said 'encourage their surrender' that Chris Larabee's vein started throbbing furiously in his forehead. Vin was indeed correct. Watching it beat so quickly was as fascinating as it was amusing. Larabee looked Ezra right in the eye, and the gambler realized that he and Vin were playing with fire when it came to Larabee's temper, but they just could not seem to help themselves. Tweaking their leader and surrogate brother was almost as amusing as using dynamite in strange situations. In fact, it was strangely satisfying knowing they could bait the grizzly Larabee temper and live to tell the tale. Mother would be so proud of him until the day Larabee had had enough and pulled a gun and shot both him and Vin. However, today was not that day for both Ezra and Vin were quite good at reading their leader's every mood. Today, Vin's sharpshooting skills and Ezra's con artist skills were needed, and as a result, both men would live to wreak havoc upon Larabee another day. It was time to end this stalemate and the nightmare in which Larabee had existed since his attack in this strange little town.

Chapter 25

Chris Larabee had finally had enough of Ivyville, of Franklin and Radcliffe, of Polecat Adams, and of the whole situation. It was time for him to take back the control he felt the amnesia had robbed from him. He no longer felt helpless, imprisoned by fate. No one wanted to watch Franklin and Radcliffe hang more than Chris Larabee. He had thought that when the rope snapped the life out of the murdering bastards, then innocents like Sarah and Adam, lonely saloon girls with generous hearts, unsuspecting soldiers, and various strangers murdered for trying to stand up to Franklin and Radcliffe could all rest easy. However, bullets could deliver justice as easily as a hangman's noose. Looking back at the others, Larabee issued his orders.

"Josiah?" The big man strode forward to stand shoulder to shoulder with Larabee. "I want you to take JD an' circle round the back. Cut off any chance of escape, but don't get too close since Vin an' Ezra got dynamite. You know how they think three sticks are better than one." Chris ignored Ezra's gasp of protest as the others grinned knowingly. Josiah nodded his understanding, turned away, and grabbed JD on his way out. JD nearly skipped matching his steps to Josiah's long strides.

Buck called advice to them as they left, "You heard the man. You two get close enough to shoot 'em, but far enough away that ya don't get blown to hell an' gone by Vin an' Ezra." Buck barely paused as he turned his attention back to Nathan. "Damn, Nathan, you keep pokin' at that bandage, an' I'm gonna bleed to death!" JD's snort of laughter could be heard from the back. Nathan just slapped Buck's hand away as he continued to check out the wound. Chris turned to Lawson ignoring Ezra's protests. This was Lawson's town after all.

"Lawson? You want to see if we can talk them into surrendering peacefully?"

Sheriff Lawson took one look at Larabee and his men. He looked over at Judge Travis, and the older man grinned in understanding. Turning back to Larabee, Lawson decided to sit back and watch. He had little doubt that these men would exact justice one way or another.

"Like I said before. Dead is dead. It's up to them, now."

"Yes, it is. Ezra, get back up on the roof with Vin. Give us a few minutes to talk to them, offer them the chance to surrender. Then, on my signal, you an' Vin can flush 'em out anyway you choose." Ezra touched two fingers to his forehead in silent salute. The sun glinted off his gold tooth as he smiled in confidence that he and Vin could indeed flush the miscreants out of the jail. It was a short-lived smile for Chris could not help himself. He threw a cold bucket of water on Ezra's confident departure. "Just try not to blow up the rest of the town." The Standish glare was born, and they heard the gambler mumble something about 'absolutely no respect,' as he exited what was left of the parlor.

Larabee shook his head at Ezra and walked to the door. He didn't worry about the danger to himself, since Vin was on the roof watching out for him. He didn't even shout at the inhabitants of the jail. The Larabee glare was in full force, and Polecat Adams felt a slight tremor of fear as did the other two. Polecat lost his grip on the body and let it slide down the doorjamb, effectively preventing the jail door from being shut and bolted. Franklin, Sadie, and Polecat strained to hear what Larabee was saying and found, to their wonderment that the man in black had no need to shout. What he said was perfectly clear to them and everyone around them.

"Franklin? There's no way you an' Adams will make it outa here alive. We know Sadie is with you and that the deputy is dead. Now, you got five minutes to throw out your guns an' walk out with your hands up."

Vin tried to spot an opening for a shot, but he had no desire to shoot the woman if Polecat moved the wrong way at the wrong time. It wasn't that he thought her innocent, or that he had something against shooting a woman. If his life, or someone he cared about was being threatened by a woman, Vin had no problem shooting her. However, Vin did have a problem shooting a woman who posed no immediate threat to him or his. She was a sitting duck whether she knew it or not. The only shot Vin could take at Polecat was through Sadie. It wouldn't be as easy as 'lickin' butter off a knife'. So, he turned his rifle to see if he had a shot at Franklin. He could just barely make out the end of the cheroot Franklin was smoking.

Vin had no respect for either man. Polecat was a low-down murderer too stupid to realize his time was up, and Franklin was no better. Franklin was just a better-dressed, low-down murdering skunk who was too stupid to realize he was stranded in a jail, facing death or life imprisonment. No, first he tried to sneak in and kill Larabee. Here now he was smoking one of those cheroots just like Larabee was wont to do. The only difference was that Vin knew Larabee used smoking the cheroot as a means of annoying and even frightening his opponent with his inherent disregard for his own safety. It was a means by which Larabee communicated with his adversary the attitude that he had already won the contest, and that served to unnerve his opponents even more. Franklin's rapid puffs on his cheroot, however, signaled his habit to be more a nervous response than a method to show his indifference to the world.

Vin had listened to Chris's terms spelled out to Polecat and Franklin. He had watched their reactions to Larabee's ultimatum. The woman could hear the words just as he could. It had always amazed him that Larabee could be heard whenever he wanted without ever raising his voice. Ezra joined him at that moment, but Vin never took his eyes off his targets.

"Mr. Larabee has dictated that we should allow him the opportunity to end this peacefully. Then, if unsuccessful, you and I are to try it our way." Vin nodded in understanding. He shot a fleeting look at the gambler next to him and then turned his attention back to the jail.

"The woman?"

"Is Sadie Johanson, Polecat's mistress." Ezra merely raised his eyebrow in disdain when Vin shot a look of horror at him.

"You mean that filthy cesspool has a woman who beds him willingly?"

Shaking his head in disbelief, Vin returned his attention to the jail. Franklin was trying to get Polecat's attention, but the man was having too hard a time keeping Sadie in line. Before Chris's ultimatum, she had stood calmly as still as a statue. Now, she was turning into a struggling wildcat. Vin winced as he saw her open palm land squarely on Polecat's cheek. Ezra, who was looking through Vin's spyglass, had also seen the change come over Sadie.

"That had to hurt."

Vin started to agree, but Franklin had stepped briefly into the opening of the north window, his cheroot waving in the air as he approached the fighting couple.

"Hell, in less than five minutes, they're gonna kill each other, Ezra. All's we have to do is watch 'em from up here."

"It will be a sad loss for the hangman, my friend."

"You got that right." Then, Vin noticed something dangling right under the window frame that slipped beneath one of the wooden planks leading down to some sort of package under the boardwalk in front of the jail. There was a wire or a rope hanging from one end of the package. Obviously, one of the stray bullets had exposed the wire. "Ezra, gimme that glass for a second." Taking it from Ezra, he took a look. Next, he blinked and looked again. "Ezra? Take a look underneath the boardwalk just under that north winda. That package hanging loose with that wire like thing? That what I think it is?"

Taking the spyglass back as Vin took up his rifle once more, Ezra did a double take. It couldn't possibly be what he thought it was. Then, blinking as Vin had done earlier, he looked again.

"I believe, my friend, that you are correct. It appears to be a fuse hanging off a stick of dynamite. Several sticks to be exact. You don't suppose Franklin was about to attempt a jailbreak or some other crude diversion, do you?"

"That winda getting' riddled with bullets musta jarred loose that fuse, but Sadie gets any wilder an' knocks that cheroot he's got outa his hand, it's gonna start a fire, an' then he's gonna blow them all up."

"And Mr. Larabee will undoubtedly blame you and me."

"Maybe you best go tell him?"

"I believe that would prove to be an excellent idea. I shall return shortly with new instructions from our illustrious leader."

"Ain't goin' nowhere's you can't find me." With that as Vin's answer, Ezra once more scurried down the roof. He walked in just as Nathan Jackson came hustling through the kitchen. Ezra had no idea what had transpired while he was gone, but Nathan paused long enough to share more than what Ezra and Vin had just learned. For once, Ezra Standish paused speechless in the kitchen by the back door. Then, he turned to run and warn Vin.

What he had missed was the revelation that more than just the jail had been wired with dynamite, and that Radcliffe had been the one to inform them of this fact. Radcliffe had remained bound on the floor where Buck had dropped him. He had been struggling to get loose all the while; and finally, with the aid of broken glass, he had nearly freed himself. This was his chance to get away while everyone was concentrating on Franklin and Adams across the street. Working the broken sliver of glass against the rope furiously, the last threads of the cord had finally succumbed to the jagged edge. He was free!

Radcliffe had remained quiet and had lain still on the floor as the others were all watching Larabee and the sheriff confer on the next appropriate action. He had toyed briefly with the idea of toasting Franklin, his soon to be departed accomplice, with champagne for his ultimate sacrifice in giving his life for Radcliffe's escape. Inching across the floor, Radcliffe had moved closer to the door to the kitchen and his ultimate freedom. He would take his money and bury himself in some obscure little country this time where Larabee and Lawson would never think to look for him. He had almost made it to the door of the kitchen when the cold metal barrel of a six shooter dug into the back of his neck. Radcliffe had frozen. He had begun to shake as a voice filled with venom, yet utterly calm, had asked one question.

"You ain't thinkin' on runnin' out on us, are ya Radcliffe?" Sowly, Radcliffe had turned around and looked right down the barrel of Buck Wilmington's gun. Looking down the barrel of that gun was safer than looking into the cold, blue eyes of Buck Wilmington. Buck was bending over Radcliffe, the look on his face promising Radcliffe's worst nightmare come to life. The mustached man had been grim as he had leaned over and removed the gag from Radcliffe's mouth. The little man had gulped and nearly swallowed his tongue. He had opened his mouth to plead for mercy, but he had been too frightened to speak. Instead, he had just held his hands out to be bound again with the rope Nathan had salvaged from the debris. Radcliffe had seen in Wilmington's eyes that there would be no hope for escape, only the humiliation of the hangman's noose or swift death from Wilmington's gun if Radcliffe was lucky. No threats were necessary as Radcliffe practically begged them to tie him up and lean him against the wall next to the other prisoner the deputies had brought in earlier and dumped on the floor. Radcliffe knew it was all over for him. The best he could hope for was a way to help these men in order to have his sentence reduced to life in prison. Franklin was on his own, now. They hadn't gagged him this time, so he opened his mouth to warn the seven what other surprises Franklin might have up his sleeve.

"Franklin's got most of the town wired with dynamite!" All eyes pinned Radcliffe to the wall as Larabee asked for and received information without ever uttering a word. All he did was glare at Radcliffe. "He said we should never leave witnesses, so he had the men plant dynamite throughout the town in order to blow it up quickly should we ever be forced to leave."

Larabee grabbed Radcliffe, pulling the frightened man up to face him. The icy green eyes pierced Radcliffe easier than any bullet ever could.